Transcript Highlights:

• House Resolution 1039 by West Josh of the House, a resolution relating to congratulating the University
• Congratulations on your first bill, Representative Timmons. Mr. Floor Leader, thank you. Mr.

Bills: HB3329, HR1039, HR1040, HB3413, HB3414, HB3415, HB3416, HB3417, HB3418, HB3419, HB3420, HB3706, HB3711, HB4139, HB1268, HB3660, HJR1023, HB3298, HB3056, HJR1084, HB3934, HB3919, HB4118, HB4119, HB3791, HB4260, HB4178, HB4215, HB4324, HB3270, HB4352, HB4305, HB2955, HB3315, HB3066, HB1245, HB4125, HB3075, HB3129, HB3239, HB4153, HB3265, HB4491, SB680, HB4263, HB4268, HB1675, HB3885, HB2984, HB3697, HB2959, HB3671, HB3852, HB2933, HB3057, HB3802, HB4294, HB4285, HB3708, HB3979, HB3977, HB3986, HB3985, HB3588, HB3742, HB3845, HJR1070, HB3590, HB3595, HB3391, HB3183, HB3764, HB3765, HB1002, HB4434, HJR1086, HB4060, HB3881, HB3500, HB4408, HB3648, HB3127, HB3606

Keywords: long-term care, advisory board, sunset legislation, mental health, psychologists, University of Oklahoma, gymnastics, NCAA, congratulations, sports excellence, recognition, honor, athletics, Joseph Castiglione, leadership, education, sports management, HB3413, public finance, state budget

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to congratulate the chairman on bringing this bill for your steadfastness sticking with it
• I just want to congratulate the chairman on bringing this bill for your steadfastness sticking with it

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:02 Attendance Roll Call: 00:06 SB 10 (Sen. McDaniel): 00:56 SB 51 (Sen. Nemes): 08:30 Adjournment: 17:23, 958, all

Summary: The Senate State and Local Government Committee met and first considered Senate Bill 10, a proposed constitutional amendment to restrict the governor’s pardon power during the 60 days before a gubernatorial election and until a new governor is sworn in, effectively limiting pardons for 90 days in a four-year term. Sponsor Senator McDaniel argued the measure was a response to abuses of the pardon power and said it would force accountability before voters. Senator Herron raised a concern about a possible chilling effect on pardons but supported the bill after asking about the historical example cited. The committee voted unanimously 11-0 to pass the bill with favorable expression. The committee then took up Senate Bill 51, which would freeze property tax assessment increases for homeowners age 65 and older who reside in their homes, with the assessment resuming if the home is sold, vacated, or the owner moves to a nursing home or with family. Senator Neis described the bill as relief for seniors on fixed incomes facing rising property taxes, and he walked through the fiscal impact as a budgeted-revenue issue rather than an actual loss of current revenue. Several members spoke in support, saying constituents frequently raise concerns about being priced out of their homes and that the bill would help seniors remain in their communities. During the roll call on SB 51, Senator Chambers Armstrong said he wished the bill were means-tested but supported it because of its importance to low-income seniors; Senator Bledsoe also explained his support, citing senior homeowners in Fayette County; and Senator McDaniel said it complemented broader housing efforts and should go to the people for a vote. The committee reported SB 51 with favorable expression, then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So congratulations and thank you for your service and thank you, Senator.
• Congratulations.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Congratulations to the nominees and their families.
• Congratulations to the nominees. Thank you for being here, Mr. Cole.

Keywords: fentanyl crisis, DEA, drug trafficking, public safety, Judea Serrata, Terrence Cole, judicial security, social media, drug prevention

Summary: The committee meeting centered on the urgent crisis of fentanyl abuse and the government’s response to the drug trafficking epidemic. Key discussions revolved around the nomination of Terrence Cole as the Administrator of the DEA and Judea Serrata as Director of the U.S. Marshals Service. Cole emphasized his commitment to combating the fentanyl crisis, highlighting the rising number of overdose deaths and the necessity of bipartisan efforts to dismantle drug cartels. Members engaged in dialogue on the effectiveness of various strategies and the importance of education aimed at preventing drug-related deaths among youth. Additionally, the challenges of social media in drug trafficking were highlighted, indicating a need for greater accountability in how platforms handle such issues. Senators voiced concerns about the impact of administration policies on judicial security and the resources available for marshals to perform their critical roles.

Transcript Highlights:

• So congratulations to you. Your daughter, and the entire support system for making that happen.
• Congratulations to those outstanding students for embracing this path.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Congratulations.
• Congratulations, y'all. Thank you. All right.

Summary: The Health Professions and Programs Subcommittee heard and advanced three bills. HB 21 would create a new licensed profession of dental therapy under the Department of Health and Board of Dentistry, allowing trained dental therapists to provide a limited scope of care under a supervising Florida-licensed dentist through a collaborative management agreement. Sponsor Rep. Cheney argued the bill would help address severe dental shortages and improve access in underserved areas; opponents from the Florida Dental Association and oral surgery groups warned that the bill would allow irreversible procedures by less-educated providers and could compromise patient safety. Supporters, including dentists, hygienists, and community health center leaders, said dental therapists would expand access and free dentists to handle more complex care. An amendment was adopted to require proof of local anesthesia training, adverse-incident reporting, and updated background screening language. The bill was reported favorably as amended by a 14-1 vote. The committee then considered HB 27, which creates the Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact to allow licensed social workers to practice across member states, including through telehealth, and to help military families and address workforce shortages. Supporters from the National Association of Social Workers and other advocates said the compact would improve mobility, reduce administrative burdens, and expand access to mental health services, especially in underserved and rural areas. A technical amendment restoring model language and setting an effective date of July 1, 2025 was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably as amended on a 15-0 vote. Finally, the committee heard HB 29, the public-records companion to the social work compact, which creates exemptions needed for compact compliance and allows the compact commission or its committees to meet in closed session when discussing information exempt under law. After a technical amendment authorizing closed meetings for exempt matters was adopted, the bill was reported favorably as amended on a 15-0 vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I congratulate the gentleman from Milton on his remarks and move that those remarks be spread upon the
• to offer my support for the legislation before us and to recognize this historic moment and to congratulate
• the first American And to recognize this historic moment and to congratulate the first American elected

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate took up Senate House No. 4010, a fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill funded largely by surplus Fair Share revenues. The Ways and Means chair described the bill as a $1.28 billion package, with major investments in education and transportation, including special education circuit breaker aid, higher education deferred maintenance, career technical education capital grants, school construction relief, high-dosage tutoring, English language learning grants, MBTA reserve replenishment and safety training, commuter rail maintenance, Chapter 90 local road aid, regional transit authority support, ferry and micro-transit funding, and a small World Cup transportation appropriation. Members from both parties generally praised the bill’s one-time, regionally balanced approach while emphasizing fiscal discipline and the limited, surplus-based funding source. The minority leader and others questioned the fund balances and the use of the education and transportation innovation and capital fund, the Student Opportunity Act trust fund, and the transitional escrow account; the chair said the bill would zero out the innovation and capital fund, leave about $430 million in the SOA trust, and about $200 million in the escrow account. Several members highlighted specific priorities. Senator Cronin and Senator Feeney strongly supported the $100 million career technical education investment, arguing it would expand vocational opportunities in comprehensive high schools and help meet workforce needs. Senator Feeney also emphasized MBTA funding, special education, local road repairs, English language learning tied to workforce needs, and World Cup preparations in Foxborough. Senator Comerford praised the bill’s regional equity, higher education maintenance funding, special education support, and transportation investments, while also noting the need for broader future work on Chapter 70 and school finance. Senator Tarr supported the bill but repeatedly stressed that the spending was a unique one-time opportunity and that the Commonwealth should preserve fiscal reserves and continue to address school funding inequities and MBTA finances more broadly. The chamber then considered numerous amendments. Amendment 1 on tariff pricing transparency was withdrawn after brief remarks, and Amendment 14, proposing a DESE study on educational outcomes for young men and boys, was rejected. Amendment 182, funding Worcester Regional Transit Authority capital expenses, was adopted. Amendment 228, adding $500,000 for Free Period to expand access to menstrual products in schools, was adopted. Amendment 257, funding Springfield Public Schools communication and safety systems, was also adopted. Other amendments, including Tarr amendments on supplemental district aid, MBTA reporting, and the Foundation Budget Review Commission, were rejected. Amendment 308 concerning MBTA Communities and Milton was withdrawn, after which Senator Driscoll began a presentation arguing Milton was being misclassified under the MBTA Communities Act and should be treated fairly under the law.

Transcript Highlights:

• So congratulations to everyone. I think great work has been done here, thank you for that.
• If I may, I want to acknowledge Mac in particular and, on behalf of the entire Commission, congratulate
• No turning back now, Mac—congratulations. Sorry to embarrass you; had to do it.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism met to hear testimony from Chief James Hicks of the Natick Police Department, who chairs the Municipal Police Training Committee, and Chief Thomas Fowler of the Salisbury Police Department. They described the statewide civil-rights-officer model for hate-crime response, the HEART Unit, and MPTC training authority under POST, and urged the commission to recommend incorporating the IHRA definition of antisemitism into police training and to fund that effort. Commissioners asked about how law enforcement should handle antisemitic incidents that may not rise to crimes, the 2022 Mapping Project, masking during protests, and the role of HART; the chiefs said departments can update training quickly, that every department should have a trained civil-rights officer, and that HART’s expertise should be integrated statewide. The commission also approved the October 16, 2025 minutes after correcting an initial procedural error. The rest of the meeting focused on the draft report, especially the prefatory statement and the definition section. Commissioners broadly praised the report’s scope and the chairs’ work, but offered many edits aimed at tightening language, reducing advocacy tone, and clarifying the “Massachusetts way” of combating antisemitism. Several members wanted stronger emphasis on Massachusetts values, education, moral leadership, and the distinction between hate incidents, hate crimes, and statutory offenses; others urged clearer references to constitutional protections, First Amendment limits, and Attorney General review of legal statements. There was also discussion of whether to keep or remove references to alternative definitions of antisemitism: some commissioners argued that only the IHRA definition should be centered, while others said acknowledging other definitions was factually important and would reflect the range of testimony. Commissioners also raised specific substantive edits for later sections, including adding examples such as the 2022 Mapping Project, strengthening language on online intimidation, academic boycotts, and divestment campaigns, and clarifying that some conduct may be hateful even if lawful. In the higher education section, members praised recommendations on mandatory training, bystander intervention, trauma-informed responses, mental health supports, and campus climate surveys, while suggesting a few technical edits and additional best-practice examples. No final votes were taken on the draft report during this portion; the chairs said they would incorporate feedback into a revised draft before the remaining meetings and eventual vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for joining us in the Senate today, and congratulations.
• Congratulations to all of you, and thank you for joining us. Thank you.
• Congratulations to all of you, and thank you for joining us. Senator Lockman.

Summary: The Senate reconvened, read committee reports, and assigned House Bill 89 with House Amendment 1 and House Bill 393 with House Amendment 1 to the Senate Finance Committee. It then adopted Consent Calendar 64, which included resolutions recognizing Take Our Children to Work Day, Juneteenth, National Farmers Day, Invisible Disabilities Week, Stonewall Uprising Remembrance Day, National Nonprofit Day, and two property-assessment working group resolutions. The calendar passed by a unanimous roll call, and the chamber heard remarks supporting Juneteenth, Delaware agriculture, invisible disabilities awareness, and the nonprofit sector. The Senate passed the fiscal year 2026 and 2027 revenue estimates in Senate Joint Resolution 16 and Senate Joint Resolution 17, and approved the fiscal year 2027 operating budget in Senate Bill 335 after extended debate on budget growth, recurring costs, health care, education, public safety, retiree obligations, and fiscal restraint. It also passed Senate Bill 336, the one-time supplemental appropriation bill, which includes one-time investments such as a $100 million transition toward a weighted education funding formula, election support, early childhood education, classroom projects, lead remediation, and campaign finance modernization. Several members praised the budget process and staff, while others cautioned against future spending growth. Among policy bills, the Senate passed House Bill 369 to codify the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety, House Bill 268 to increase penalties for assaulting postal workers, House Bill 374 to require workforce reporting on large public works projects, Senate Bill 253 with House Amendment 1 to standardize school bullying parental-notification procedures, Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 342 to modernize the Delaware Motion Picture and Television Development Commission, House Bill 402 to extend Clean Air Act Title V permit fees, and Senate Bill 346 with Senate Amendment 1 to streamline Environmental Appeals Board timelines. The Senate also began consideration of House Bill 293, which would add hate crimes to the Victims’ Compensation Assistance Program, but the transcript cuts off before its vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Resolution 118 by Senator Barrels, the resolution to commend and congratulate Edda Jane Harris
• Senator Barrels, a resolution to commend and congratulate Edda Jane Harris for more than 44 years of
• is a concurrent resolution to proclaim May 5, 2026, as Chef John Folse Day and to commend and congratulate

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Resolution 28, a resolution extending the commendation and congratulations of the Mississippi
• therefore, be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Mississippi that we do hereby commend and congratulate
• 41.680> we<00:13:41.839> do of the State of Mississippi that we do hereby commend and congratulate

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:

• Congratulations. Did you bring any frozen steaks with you, though?
• Well, thank you for your presentation, and congratulations on your retirement.
• This sounds really terrific, and I also just want to congratulate you and your team on the recognition

Transcript Highlights:

• Congratulations, your bill has passed. Thank you. Members, with nothing else, we're adjourned.

Summary: The committee met briefly and took up Representative Eaves’ Senate companion bill to House Bill 1001. The bill would lower the top individual income tax rate to 3.7% and the corporate tax rate to 4.1%. Representative Eaves noted that the language was identical to the House bill heard the previous day and that the prior testimony for and against it would apply here as well. No members asked questions, and no one in the audience signed up to speak for or against the bill. Representative Eaves closed on the bill and moved a do-pass recommendation. The committee voted without objection to pass the motion, and the chair announced that the bill had passed. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Congratulations, your bill has passed. Thank you. Members, with nothing else, we're adjourned.

Summary: The committee met briefly and took up a Senate companion bill to House Bill 1001, presented by Representative Eves. He explained that the bill is identical to the House version heard the previous day and would lower the top individual income tax rate to 3.7% and the corporate income tax rate to 4.1%. He noted that testimony for and against the measure had already been heard on the House bill, and no additional questions were raised. No one signed up or came forward to testify for or against the bill during this meeting. Representative Eves closed on the bill and moved a do pass recommendation. The committee approved the motion by voice vote, with no opposition recorded, and the bill was reported as passed. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Congratulations, your bill has passed. Thank you. Members, with nothing else, we're adjourned.

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The committee met briefly and took up a Senate companion bill to House Bill 1001, presented by Representative Eaves. He explained that the measure would lower the top individual income tax rate to 3.7% and the corporate tax rate to 4.1%, and noted that the language was identical to the bill heard the previous day. No questions were raised by members, and no one signed up to testify for or against the bill. Representative Eaves closed on the bill and moved that it do pass. The committee voted in favor without opposition, and the chair announced that the bill had passed. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Okay, congratulations. Good bill. >> Thank you, guys.

Bills: SB334

Keywords: SB334, Lauderdale County, Florence, Shoals Economic Development Fund, sales tax, use tax, local tax, economic development, county commission, municipal revenue, tax proceeds, special revenue fund, Colbert County, local legislation, Alabama Code 45-39-245.47, 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Resolutions congratulating Anthony A.R. Pate on his 100th birthday.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate convened with the Pledge of Allegiance, then took up a resolution offered by Senator Feeney congratulating Anthony A.R. Pate on his 100th birthday. The resolution was adopted by voice vote. The clerk then reported two filings: the Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission’s annual COLA report and the Worcester District Attorney’s annual report on wiretap interceptions for calendar year 2024. Both reports were ordered placed on file and recorded in the Senate Journal. Senator Durand offered an order setting the Senate’s next meeting for Monday at 11:00 a.m., which was adopted. Durand then moved that the Senate adjourn, and the chamber adjourned to meet again Monday at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Feeney, resolutions congratulating Joseph G.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, then briefly recessed and returned to receive and file two reports: an Essex County District Attorney report on decriminalization statistics and a Massachusetts Sheriffs’ Association operational capacity report covering July 1 through December 31, 2024. These reports were ordered noted in the journal and placed on file. Senator Feeney offered resolutions congratulating Joseph G. Finn for his decades of work to end homelessness in the Commonwealth. The Senate adopted the resolutions by voice vote. Senator Tarr then offered an order to have the Senate adjourn to meet again on Thursday at 11:00 a.m., which was adopted without objection. The Senate then agreed to adjourn, and the chamber stood adjourned until Thursday.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, the place went wild, and congratulations went on and on.
• So just congratulations to you for all you do. Thank you.
• So I didn’t have any candy, but everybody that left, I congratulated them.
• So to all of the retirees of 2026, congratulations.
• Congratulations. Leader Harris. Personal privilege. Granted.

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, congratulations.
• Declare to vote, if nay, haven't seen what Congratulations on passing your first bill.
• Yves likes to congratulate the House to clear the bill to pass. Floor leader, thank you, Mr.
• I would like to congratulate Representative Pifer for being inducted into the National Football Hall
• Congratulations, Representative Pifer, for this recognition.

Bills: HB4420, HB3974, HB3016, HB3062, HB3021, HB3145, HB4128, HB3131, HB3015, HB3472, HB3453, HB1638, HB4126, HB2696, HB2710, HB3552, HB3031, HB3544, HB3521, HB4490, HB4488, HB1746, HJR1069, HB4428, HB4429, HB1170, HB3538, HB4124, HB3904, HB4106, HB2999, HB3982, HJR1077, HB3464, HB2588, HB3462, HB4440, HB3674, HB3345, HJR1067, HB4326, HB4331, HB4337, HB4338, HB4359, HB4392, HB3557, HJR1076, HB4003, HB3495, HB3497, HB3501, HB3505, HB3749, HB3011, HB4336, HB4346, HJR1087, HB3240, HB3647, HB3796, HB3969, HB3972, HB3983, HB3984, HB3989, HB3383, HB3130, HB4358, HB3327, HJR1055, HB3386, HJR1089, HB3087, HB2970, HB3314, HB4129, HB4199

Keywords: reading, intervention, literacy, education, third grade retention, teacher training, funding, Strong Readers Act, tort claims, inmate housing, government immunity, public trust, private prison, emergency legislation, vision screening, binocular vision, kindergarten, elementary education, health, firearm rights