Video & Transcript Research : 'ethical AI'

Page 89 of 271
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Public Health Aug 22nd, 2025

Public Health

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, it just says as of, I just did a Google search and this is AI, so I, I don't know.
  • We know that not just from our own ethical code and our own responsibilities, but because it's so regulated
Bills: HB 265, HB25
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Senate Session Apr 3rd, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • companies like Core Scientific, which started in Bitcoin and has now moved to be a data center for AI
  • 2782 by Birdwell, relating to discovery requirements related to sworn complaints made to the Texas Ethics
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation, and adopted the previous day’s journal. Members then adopted Senate Resolution 358 honoring the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on its 10th anniversary, with remarks highlighting UTRGV’s growth, degree production, research expansion, medical school, and role in serving the Rio Grande Valley and South Texas. The chamber also recognized the doctor of the day and adopted additional resolutions, including one for Denton County Days at the Capitol and another recognizing Texas HBCU Day. The Senate gave extensive recognition to outgoing Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp through Senate Resolution 368. Senators from both parties praised his long public career, leadership of the A&M System, support for regional universities, and bipartisan approach. The resolution was adopted after multiple members added their names. The chamber also heard from advocates with the Texas Streets Coalition, and received gubernatorial nominations for the State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors and the Texas Commission on Fire Protection. On legislation, the Senate passed several major bills. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 27, relating to rights and support for public school educators, was debated and amended to address teacher vacancies, bilingual certification testing, paid leave options, classroom removals, and appeal rights, then passed unanimously. Senate Joint Resolution 12, proposing a constitutional amendment on parents’ right to direct a child’s education, advanced on a 22-9 vote. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1741, aimed at preventing foreign influence and intellectual property theft at public institutions of higher education, passed unanimously. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 29, the business entities bill, also passed after debate over corporate governance and shareholder protections. Senate Bill 857, authorizing law enforcement to tow certain vehicles driven by unlicensed or uninsured drivers, passed despite some concern about towing abuses during disasters. The Senate also took up Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1536 on dementia and Alzheimer’s training for certain guardians, but the transcript ends as that bill is being laid out.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Rules Apr 8th, 2025

Rules

Transcript Highlights:
  • Next, we're going to take up Tab 46, appointment to the Commission on Ethics.
  • Senators, we have a reappointment for Tina Descovic as a member of the Commission on Ethics.
  • When President Gaetz was appointed to the Ethics Commission, didn't he appear for his appointment to
  • Chair, there wasn't a real question about whether or not someone who's going to sit in a state ethics
  • Senator Pizzo, this has been on the agenda, and I've been on the ethics and elections committee.
Summary: The Rules Committee took up a large agenda of bills, with many measures reported favorably after brief explanations, amendments, and testimony. Early bills included CS/SB 658 on lien waivers and releases, which was amended to preserve enforceability despite form differences and then passed; CS/CS/SB 736 on brownfields redevelopment, which drew support from business and redevelopment interests and passed; and CS/SB 1002 on utility service restrictions, which was amended to bar certain building or fire code provisions affecting fuel-source choices and then passed despite opposition from environmental advocates. The committee also advanced CS/CS/SB 1132 on right-to-repair for certain equipment, where manufacturers, dealer representatives, and industry groups warned the bill could undermine dealer networks and existing repair programs, while supporters argued it would improve consumer access and help farmers and equipment owners. The bill still passed. Other measures reported favorably included CS/SB 1378 on restitution for leaving the scene of property-damage crashes, CS/CS/SB 768 on foreign-country controlling interests in health care licensing, CS/SB 772 on school access to glucagon for diabetes emergencies, CS/SB 1400 on removal of nonconsensual altered sexual depictions, and CS/SB 1696 on transportation network company impersonation and transit funding. A major portion of the meeting focused on affordable housing. CS/SB 1730, a follow-up to the Live Local Act, made several changes to zoning, height, density, parking, moratorium, and enforcement provisions, with members raising concerns about parking reductions, attorney’s fees, local control, and impacts in the Keys and other sensitive areas. Supporters said the bill closes loopholes and improves workforce housing implementation, while some witnesses urged additional exemptions for areas of critical state concern. The bill was reported favorably after amendment. Later, the committee considered several bills from Senator Leak, including CS/SB 576 on service of process, CS/SB 606 on public lodging and food service establishments, and CS/SB 1164 on electronic delivery of landlord-tenant notices. CS/SB 606 drew substantial debate over whether hotels and extended-stay properties should be able to remove nonpaying guests without treating them like residential tenants; the sponsor said the bill clarifies transient occupancy and removes mandatory arrest provisions, and it passed. CS/SB 1164, which allows email notice delivery by agreement, passed despite concerns from tenant advocates that the bill should include clearer consent and safeguards. The committee also approved CS/SB 1374 on school district reporting of educator arrests and misconduct, CS/SB 940 on third-party restaurant reservation sales, and began hearing CS/SB 1690 on surrendered infants, which would authorize infant safety devices or “baby boxes” as a legal surrender option, with supportive testimony from proponents describing crisis situations and the need for anonymous surrender options.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

CPC Public Hearing - Tue Feb 3, 2026 @ 2:00PM HST

Consumer Protection & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • Uh have you guys tried to use AI<00:50:12.319> to<00:50:12.720> summarize<00:50:13.359>
  • :50:13.760> not<00:50:13.920> not<00:50:14.079> that<00:50:14.240> that AI
  • to summarize I mean not not that that AI to summarize I mean not not that that should<00:50:14.559><
  • attempts uh that have been made using AI attempts uh that have been made using AI or<00:50:30.960
  • using the AI to kind of<00:50:43.359> pair<00:50:43.599> it<00:50:43.760> down.
Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1991, which would change Hawaii’s liquor excise tax structure to an ABV-based system. The Department of Taxation and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii took no position and stood on written comments. Supporters, including the Hawaii Public Health Institute and an individual testifier who described surviving a drunk-driving crash, argued that higher alcohol taxes reduce alcohol-related harms, save lives, and generate additional state revenue. The public health witness cited alcohol-related harms as a major preventable cause of death and said the tax increase would have only a small annual cost for most consumers. Most industry testimony was in opposition. Representatives of Lanikai Brewing Company, Maui Brewing Company, the Wine Institute, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association said the bill would sharply raise taxes on beer and wine, squeeze already thin margins, and threaten local jobs and businesses. They argued Hawaii producers already face high costs for labor, energy, shipping, and compliance, and said an ABV-based tax would be difficult to administer, would require additional testing and labeling work, and could reduce consumer choice. Several industry witnesses urged lawmakers to instead adopt a small-producer or class 18 carveout, with one suggesting a cap tied to 60,000 barrels. Committee members questioned the brewers about alcohol content testing, labeling, and whether smaller producers already measure ABV. Witnesses said many local producers do not certify ABV for in-state sales, that yeast and fermentation can vary by batch, and that an ABV-based system could require more testing than current practice. No vote or final action on the bill was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, December 18, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Look at AI, what artificial intelligence is allowing us to bring. nothing to do with the project.
  • Look at AI, what artificial intelligence is allowing us to bring.
  • Look at AI, what artificial intelligence is allowing us to bring.
  • While other nations are rushing to win While other nations are rushing to win the<01:08:36.480> AI
  • race, build out energy the AI race, build out energy generation,<01:08:39.120> and<01:08:39.359
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

House Chamber - Fri Mar 6, 2026, 12:00PM HST - Day 24

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, after our last deliberation, um, I did speak with the ethics commission and I said, “Hey, do you
  • um commission director and I the ethics um commission director and I asked<01:01:50.400> him,
  • Again, the ethics commission... speaker or for Repamoto? speaker or for Repamoto?
  • Again, the ethics commission, the standard for conflict of interest under the code of ethics in HRS Chapter
  • ethics commission does not interpret our House rules and our conflict of interest.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

Ethics and Elections Mar 31st, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • >> Chair Gaetz: COMMITTEE ON ETHICS AND ELECTIONS WILL COME TO ORDER AND TERRENCE WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL
  • GOOD TO BE BACK IN ETHICS AND ELECTIONS.
  • PLEASE MEMBERS TAKE UP TAB 3, WE HAVE NOW THE FIRST OF MANY APPOINTMENTS THAT WILL COME BEFORE THE ETHICS
  • COMMITTEE, ETHICS AND ELECTIONS COMMITTEE AND OUR FIRST APPOINTMENT, FIRST NOMINATION IS THAT OF MR.
Keywords: 999, senate, all
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, December 1, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • This year, Fannie Mae's ethics watchdogs have been fired.
  • professional competence and ethical professional competence and ethical conduct,<04:01:44.239>
  • Many people have been fired, and that data and AI will not resolve the issue of having a single point
  • Third, the bill strengthens public trust by creating clear ethical standards for tax court judges.
  • public trust by creating clear ethical public trust by creating clear ethical standards<05:40:28.480
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Ethics Committee 4/10/25

Ethics

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:03:02.640> All Thank you, Madam Chair, and members of the Ethics Committee.
  • He said that, although this is an ethics committee, they are not addressing an ethics complaint but an
  • Um, you know, knowing it's, again, ethics, but we're not here to address an ethics complaint, but an
  • Um, you know, knowing it's, again, ethics, but we're not here to address an ethics complaint, but an
  • Um, you know, knowing it's, again, ethics, but we're not here to address an ethics complaint, but an
Keywords: 1183, house
OR
Transcript Highlights:
  • Of these reports, some were related to fraud, theft, ethics, business practices, and others were related
  • provisions of ORS Chapter 244 may be occurring or may have occurred, we notify the Oregon Government Ethics
  • authority for investigations—and an offshoot of that would be referrals to the Oregon Government Ethics
  • case if we do an... ...investigation and we do uncover some of the illegal activity or those ORS 244 ethics
  • refer the information to a third party, an appropriate oversight body, DOJ, or Oregon Government Ethics
Keywords: 907, all
Summary: The Joint Interim Committee on Legislative Audits met on June 17 for informational presentations. The Department of Administrative Services, through Chief Audit Executive Eli Ritchie, gave an overview of statewide internal audit requirements and the fiscal year 2025 report. He explained the difference between internal and external audit, described Oregon’s statutory and rule-based internal audit structure, and reported that 30 agencies had internal audit functions, with most meeting required standards. He said 73 audits and 49 advisory/consulting engagements were completed statewide, with strong compliance overall, though a few agencies were rebuilding audit committees after vacancies. No committee questions were raised after the presentation. The Secretary of State’s Audits Division then presented its Government Waste Hotline annual report. Director Steve Bergman and audit manager Olivia Rekhed described changes made to align the hotline with statute, including renaming it the Government Waste Hotline, creating a review panel, improving anonymity protections, removing fraud reporting from the hotline’s scope, and adjusting reporting timelines. They said hotline volume increased modestly in 2025, most reports were referred elsewhere or closed for insufficient evidence, and two reports were substantiated, including questioned costs of about $856 for personal use of a state vehicle and about $2.9 million tied to the Preschool Promise program. Committee members asked about hotline staffing, cost, anonymity, and follow-up on findings; staff said the hotline is lightly resourced, uses a contracted intake service, and referrals or recommendations are followed up through management letters and later reviews. The committee also heard an audit of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department’s safety inspections and asset tracking. The Secretary of State’s office reported that OPRD had not consistently conducted or documented quarterly OSHA safety inspections and had incomplete asset records, including missing acquisition dates and costs for many assets. The audit made eight recommendations covering safety inspection policies, asset management guidance, tagging, reconciliations, disposition controls, training, and a new asset management system; OPRD agreed to all recommendations. OPRD officials said they had already begun training staff, improving inspection procedures, and working toward a replacement asset system, while noting operational challenges from a large, dispersed park system and manual processes. Committee members asked about what kinds of assets are tracked, how tagging works, whether items were actually being lost, and how much tracking is necessary for low-value tools; OPRD said the main issue was inconsistent classification and documentation rather than widespread loss. The meeting ended with no votes or formal actions taken.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Apr 23rd, 2026

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • organization dedicated to promoting the auctioneering profession, providing education, and upholding ethical
  • organization dedicated to promoting the auctioneering profession, providing education and upholding ethical
  • organization dedicated to promoting the auctioneering profession, providing education, and upholding ethical
  • Providing education and upholding ethical standards among auctioneers throughout the state of Oklahoma
  • So that announcement was paid for by the Ethics Commission. So, Mr.
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer, and recognized several guests and groups, including the nurse of the day, Donna Reynolds; the Tuttle High School wrestling team; auctioneer and ringman honorees; the Bristow Chamber of Commerce; Deer Creek cross country; Guthrie High School AP U.S. government students; and family members of Senator Reinhardt. The chamber also held a live auction demonstration on the floor, with Brandon Mendoza and Logan Snyder participating, and the winning bid was announced as $675. The Senate later recognized Millwood High School boys basketball and Isaiah Wilkes, the Gatorade Oklahoma Boys Basketball Player of the Year. The body then considered and passed several House bills. HB 3016 created a two-year pilot vision screening program for kindergarten through third grade to identify convergence insufficiency disorders; it passed 34-10 and was declared an emergency. HB 2979 authorized the Department of Transportation to establish school zones on portions of state highways at local request and passed 41-0. HB 2288, a teacher return-to-work bill removing the earnings cap and allowing return after six months, passed 45-0 as an emergency. HB 2988 expanded the definition of harmful woody species and broadened the Terry Peach Water Restoration Act statewide; it passed 43-1. HB 362, defining retired municipal judges for firearm-carry authority, passed 40-4. HB 3315 directed the state regents to study whether some graduate programs could be 90 credit hours and report to the governor; it passed 38-6 as an emergency. Additional bills passed included HB 3372, creating a $5 million revolving loan fund for charter school capital expenditures, after extended debate over public funds being used for improvements to privately owned facilities; it passed 39-6. HB 3530 required ABLE Commission records to be provided within 10 days when requested and passed 44-0. HB 3622 created a U.S. decennial census revolving fund in the Department of Commerce and passed 32-11. HB 3755 established a financial mechanism for juvenile detention centers to provide medication to youth in their care and passed 43-0. HB 4266, the omnibus specialty license plate bill, passed 25-19 after questions about out-of-state university plates. The Senate then made announcements about upcoming committee meetings, birthdays, and schedule changes, and adjourned until Monday, April 27 at 1:30 p.m.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Health and Human Services Apr 8th, 2026

Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • We are not fully utilizing AI to the extent that we can.
  • We have deployed statewide an AI assistant that helps them.
  • We work with each of the counties, and our AI platform cut the processing time by 75%.
  • Yeah, it's to build proactive use AI, >> That's the goal.
  • Yeah, it's to build proactive use AI, AI you couldn't use in state government. >> And what. >> Use AI
Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services convened to discuss interim charges regarding fraud, waste, and abuse in Texas human services, particularly focusing on Medicaid and childcare programs. The meeting highlighted the importance of preventing misuse of taxpayer funds, with testimony from various stakeholders emphasizing the need for increased oversight and accountability in these programs. Key points included the alarming rise in healthcare fraud in other states, the necessity for Texas to enhance its fraud prevention measures, and the potential financial repercussions of failing to meet federal compliance standards. Several committee members expressed concerns about the impact of fraud on vulnerable populations, particularly those relying on Medicaid services. Testimonies from experts underscored the effectiveness of Texas's Office of Inspector General (OIG) in combating fraud, yet pointed out existing vulnerabilities, such as inconsistent enforcement and the need for better data sharing among agencies. The discussion also touched on the challenges faced by hospice care providers, with a significant increase in the number of hospices in Texas raising concerns about quality and oversight. The committee heard from various witnesses, including representatives from health plans and advocacy organizations, who provided insights into the complexities of managing Medicaid and the importance of maintaining program integrity. The meeting concluded with a commitment to further explore legislative solutions to enhance oversight and ensure that resources are directed to those in genuine need.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 3/26/26

Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • , we're right in the thick of with AI, we're right in the thick of with AI, data<00:29:19.800>
  • and AI generalization and data centers, we need to dramatically change our focus on what the amount
  • :30:55.160> international<00:30:56.640> race<00:30:57.320> to<00:30:57.520> AI
  • <00:30:57.880> and<00:30:58.040> AI the international race to AI and AI the international
  • race to AI and AI generalization<00:30:58.960> and<00:30:59.080> data<00:30:59.320>
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 3/17/26

Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:
  • They've also been including information around AI and AI literacy, which has been very neat to see, and
  • also to see students get involved in creating policies around the use of AI in terms of school work
  • They've also been including information around AI and AI literacy, which has been very neat to see, and
  • also to see students get involved in creating policies around the use of AI in terms of school work
  • They've also been including information around AI and AI literacy, which has been very neat to see, and
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

Senate Judiciary Committee, February 16, 2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • When you do the comparison like an AI instrument would do, it's going to pull in our state governor's
  • When you do the comparison like an AI instrument would do, it's going to pull in our state governor's
  • When you do the comparison like an AI instrument would do, it's going to pull in our state governor's
  • When you do the comparison like an AI instrument would do, it's going to pull in our state governor's
  • When you do the comparison like an AI instrument would do, it's going to pull in our state governor's
Bills: HB0103, HB0070, HB0091
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, our next request is enterprise application and AI inventory system.
  • Um, but that is one of the base necessary aspects of having AI systems throughout your enterprise.
  • for programs and systems that have an AI for programs and systems that have an AI element.<01:01
  • But on the enterprise<01:12:01.040> application<01:12:01.679> and<01:12:01.920> AI
  • c><01:12:02.400> inventory enterprise application and AI inventory enterprise application and
Summary: The meeting was the first of the year for the Capital Planning Advisory Board. Members were called, a quorum was confirmed, new co-chairs and members were welcomed, and the board approved the prior year’s meeting minutes. The chair also reviewed the capital planning timeline, packet organization, and the list of agencies that submitted plans but would not testify. The Cabinet for Health and Family Services presented first, outlining priorities centered on public safety, protecting existing infrastructure, preventive maintenance, and improving service delivery. Its major requests included a $21 million maintenance pool for 14 campuses and 175 buildings, phase 2 construction funding for a new public health laboratory, an 18-bed psychiatric hospital for children and adolescents with severe mental health needs, and several projects at Western State Hospital, Western State Nursing Facility, Hazlewood, and Oakwood. Members asked about the youth facility’s relationship to a separate DJJ project, vacant buildings, the high per-bed cost of the children’s hospital, and how the cabinet determined the need for the youth facility. CHFS said the youth project would be a separate facility serving high-acuity youth, the cost reflected the specialized nature of the unit and an 18-bed cap, and the broader youth plan also includes prevention, in-home services, and coordination across agencies. The Kentucky Department of Education then described projects for its three state-operated facilities: the Kentucky School for the Deaf, the Kentucky School for the Blind, and the FFA leadership training center. It requested additional funding for the FFA classroom and activity building after bids came in higher than expected, plus funding for a new education finance application system to support SEEK budgeting. Other priorities included a maintenance pool, FFA pool renovation, electrical upgrades, campus education enhancements, lighting improvements, safety and security work, door and window replacements, and HVAC maintenance. Members asked about student outcomes, the size of the FFA pool, and construction cost assumptions; the department said it tracks students through the schools and short-course programs, the pool size figure may have been a typo, and current construction estimates are being adjusted upward because of inflation and supply-chain pressures. The Education and Labor Cabinet began its presentation with 12 priority projects, including a state labor exchange system to connect job seekers and employers, renovation of the McDow Vocational Rehabilitation Center, and a new adult education and family literacy management information system. The cabinet said the labor exchange would help match workers with employers at no cost, while the McDow renovation was needed because the 30-year-old facility has safety and code concerns. The adult education system was described as outdated and lacking adequate case-management and tracking capabilities.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 2/11/25 - Part 1

Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • when it comes to consumption, when it comes to energy, and whether that's data centers, whether it's AI
  • is the huge expansion we're going to have when it comes to consumption, whether that's data centers, AI
  • Representative Tapy: ...whether that's data centers, whether it's AI, and the rest.
  • and AI generation, and the general load that that is going to put on the grid, that if it's wise to
  • and AI generation, and the general load that that is going to put on the grid, that if it's wise to
Keywords: 1183, house
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Energy Resources Apr 21st, 2026

Energy Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • Has, for example, your central bank already implemented some of this AI software and input?
  • Implemented some of this AI software and input this information to see if it can more reliably predict
  • From generative AI, and the results are mixed.
  • And I hate to say that, but it's AI and data centers.
  • And I hate to say that, but it's AI and data centers.
Keywords: 1184, house, all
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Standing Committee on Appropriations and Revenue.(2-10-26)

Appropriations & Revenue

Transcript Highlights:
  • Has there been any thought given into utilizing AI for analysis of data, especially on data files that
  • >> We're not yet utilizing AI, but have be in the works at this point or have be in the works at this
  • Has there been any thought given into into into utilizing<00:21:18.720> AI<00:21:19.440> for
  • <00:21:20.159> analysis<00:21:20.880> of<00:21:21.120> data, utilizing AI for
  • analysis of data, utilizing AI for analysis of data, especially<00:21:22.080> on<00:21:22.400
Summary: The committee met for a budget-only discussion with no bills scheduled for a vote. Members first welcomed a group of high school guests, then heard from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services on funding issues for child advocacy centers, domestic violence centers, rape crisis centers, and SNAP. DCBS Commissioner Lisa Dennis and budget director Misty Sammons said the victim-services programs were included in the current baseline budget, but it was too early in the budget process to know final funding levels. They said earlier reports of major cuts were based on a misunderstanding, that conversations with the agencies were ongoing, and that they would provide the committee with the agency’s base-budget information. A member also asked about domestic violence shelter funding, and the cabinet explained that prior one-time money had been used to replace lost federal Victims of Crime Act funds. On SNAP, the cabinet said Kentucky does not expect to need additional money for benefit costs because the payment error rate is about 4%, below the threshold that would trigger added state costs. However, they said the federal HR1 change shifting SNAP administrative costs from a 50/50 state-federal split to 75% state and 25% federal will require additional funding to operate the program. Members praised the eligibility and family support staff for keeping error rates low and asked to be notified quickly if more implementation support is needed. Representative Bojanowski asked whether a specific SNAP administrative cost figure was already in House Bill 500; the cabinet said it was not, and that such an item would be an additional budget request not included in the bill. The committee then heard from the Department for Medicaid Services. Commissioner Lisa Lee and Senior Deputy Commissioner Veronica Judy Cecil described Medicaid fraud-and-abuse monitoring, including a new CMS file and guidance on concurrent enrollment across states. They said DMS refers suspected fraud or abuse to the Attorney General’s office and that the relationship is working well. When asked about using AI, they said the department is not yet using AI but does use internal algorithms to flag potential fraud, waste, and abuse. Finally, Eric Lowry of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services discussed fiscal note processing, saying House Bill 2 is a complex Medicaid bill and that the cabinet is working to set up a meeting with the sponsor; he said the cabinet is responding and hopes to meet on Monday. The committee also briefly heard from the Kentucky Department of Education, where Matt Ross said the existing $7.4 million for school-based mental health services is already in the base budget and that no additional language is needed in House Bill 500 to distribute it, though KDE has requested additional funding to raise the overall appropriation to $18 million.
MS

Mississippi 2026 Regular Session

MS Senate Floor - 10 February, 2026; 10:00 AM

Mississippi Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • When you start looking at the AI component and the data centers, solar has become more appealing.
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, received an invocation from Dr. Denise Pope, and led the pledge of allegiance. The body then dispensed with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and bill titles. Several guests were introduced, including the doctor of the day, student pages, Carthage Christian Academy, Mississippi Valley State University visitors, the University of Southern Mississippi’s DuBard School and related programs, and members of the Mississippi Association of Nurse Anesthetists. The Senate took up Senate Bill 2896, which revises the Department of Public Safety salary schedule for MHP and MBN officers. Senator Hopson explained it as the vehicle for possible pay raises for troopers, NBI, and MBN officers, and the chamber adopted the committee substitute and passed the bill by morning roll call. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 2917, a recurring appropriations cleanup measure; its main change would allow Mississippi Valley State University to use previously designated dormitory funds for repair and renovation instead. A reverse repealer amendment was adopted before final passage by morning roll call. Senate Bill 2825, the Mississippi Health Care Industry Zone Act, was then considered. Senator Harkins said the bill extends the repealer for the health care industry zone incentive program to 2028 and noted the program has generated significant investment and jobs statewide. An amendment requested by the Mississippi Development Authority was adopted to revise eligibility language, including replacing a CON requirement with a requirement that a hospital have at least 25 acute care beds and deleting a section under current law. The bill then passed by morning roll call. Finally, the Senate considered Senate Bill 2894 on local improvement projects and the return of unexpended funds and earned interest. Senator Harkins explained that the bill would require older local improvement project funds to be returned if projects were not moving forward, require reporting to DFA and the Legislative Budget Office, allow audits, and permit limited extensions, while also withholding a portion of other state distributions for noncompliance. Senators raised concerns about projects that are already obligated or delayed by workforce and engineering constraints, and Harkins said the bill would be refined with a reverse repealer to work with LBO and avoid disrupting active projects. The bill was discussed but not finally disposed of in the portion of the transcript provided.