Transcript Highlights:

• Motans do great in delivery.<00:17:52.080> The<00:17:52.400> structure<00:17:52.720>
• The structure of our health delivery.
• The structure of our health care<00:17:53.760> is<00:17:54.080> what's<00:17:54.480>
• And so I think we have to look at creating an incentive structure for illegal immigrants to come here
• for illegal immigrants to come structure for illegal immigrants to come here<00:25:29.120> to

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It was intended and structured to be focused on very short-term opportunities to allow for economic mobility
• Credit for Prior Learning sets students on a structured and rewarding learning journey by honoring their
• Finance has been working with the Chancellor's Office to develop the lease revenue bond program structure
• At the time of that Budget Act, it well preceded the state lease revenue bond structure and concept that
• They were hesitant to take on that liability without knowing that particular structure, which delayed

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill modifies the current structure by establishing an Office of Financial Management and moving
• <00:07:55.680> by<00:07:55.919> establishing<00:07:56.639> an current structure
• by establishing an current structure by establishing an office<00:07:57.159> of<00:07:57.360>
• 08:09.560> organizational role to the same organizational role to the same organizational structure
• level as most public and structure level as most public and private<00:08:13.319> organizations

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:01 Attendance Roll Call: 00:04 HB 684 (Rep. Decker): 00:49 HB 71 (Rep. Duvall): 06:55 HB 290 (Rep. Wilson): 09:20 HB 555 (Rep. Freeland): 15:21 HB 160 (Rep. Witten): 16:30 HB 455 (Rep. Flannery): 22:04 Adjournment: 27:21, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on State and Local Government considered several bills. House Bill 684, an elections “continuous improvement” measure, drew the most discussion. Rep. Jennifer Decker said it was based on issues identified during the 2024 election cycle and included changes to absentee voting for primary caregivers and other election administration updates. Senators focused on a committee substitute removing credit and debit cards as a second form of ID for provisional ballots; Decker said local election workers had reported people trying to use cards with no photo ID, and she did not want financial institutions determining voter eligibility. The bill also clarified that certain ballots could be issued by hand or by mail. It passed 9-1, with some members voting no or passing because they wanted more time to consider the ID change. House Bill 71, requested by the Kentucky Public Pension Authority, would reorganize KPPA by creating an Office of Financial Management and moving the CFO into an executive director-level role. Testimony said the change was structural only, with no impact on system funding and minimal short-term costs. It passed unanimously, 11-0. House Bill 290, by Rep. Nick Wilson, would allow county law libraries to use funds for online legal research resources, computers, and internet-related equipment. Supporters said libraries had money but were limited to buying books; the bill passed unanimously, with the chair noting it would let libraries use existing funds more effectively. House Bill 555, as amended by committee substitute, addressed audit and reporting requirements for small cities. Supporters from the Kentucky League of Cities and the Auditor’s Office said many small cities struggle to find certified CPAs, and the bill would raise the threshold for less frequent audits, expand the exemption threshold, allow the Auditor’s Office to contract to perform audits, and clarify that state-fund withholding for noncompliance would not apply to contractual or utility payments. It passed 10-1, and the title amendment was adopted. House Bill 160, with a committee substitute, would regulate manufactured housing and local zoning by establishing standards that supporters said were needed to prevent discrimination against modern manufactured homes. Several senators expressed concern about state interference in local zoning, while others supported the bill as a housing access measure; it passed 10-1. Finally, House Bill 455 would create a Unit of Election Investigations and Security in the Attorney General’s Office to handle election-crime allegation review, the voter fraud hotline, prosecutorial referrals, and legislative oversight. Supporters said it codified existing practices and would not require new funding, but opponents objected to placing the hotline in a partisan office. The bill passed 9-1 with one pass, and the committee adjourned after reporting favorable action on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• For football, tennis, now FIFA coming, but also Formula One, and that's within the tax structure of Miami
• The crane collapsed into the Tampa Bay Times building, doing significant damage to the structure, but
• Had that crane fallen into an occupied structure like an apartment building or my office building, the
• systems with every phase of their water and wastewater operations, to include their rates, their structure
• The structure established as a nonprofit is a functioning mechanism that does work.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and considered several bills, reporting each favorably after hearing sponsor presentations, public testimony, and member questions. SB 578 would allow wine to be sold in recyclable containers, aligning wine with beer container rules; it received support from Americans for Prosperity and passed without debate. SB 606 clarified when guests in public lodging or food service establishments may be removed for nonpayment, updated notice and checkout provisions, and removed a mandatory arrest requirement, with support from hotel and restaurant industry groups; it also passed favorably. Members then heard SB 202, which addresses a municipal water utility surcharge issue affecting Miami Gardens and North Miami Beach by requiring the utility to charge residents where the plant sits the same rate it charges its own residents. The sponsor and supporters described it as a fairness issue, while North Miami Beach argued it would shift costs and threaten utility finances; the bill was reported favorably. SB 570 modernized and clarified the scope of work for swimming pool and spa contractors, and SB 928, as amended, regulated non-approved disposable nicotine devices by restricting advertising and display, increasing inspections and penalties, and adding a school-buffer provision; both were reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 346, which repeals state preemption over local regulation of hoisting equipment and cranes, prompted by concerns after Hurricane Milton and a crane collapse in St. Petersburg. Supporters said local governments need authority to address storm-related crane safety, while industry representatives warned against patchwork regulation and said local oversight already exists in some areas. Finally, the committee took up SB 652, creating Veterinary Professional Associates to perform certain tasks, including limited surgeries under veterinarian supervision; animal welfare groups supported it as a way to expand access, while some veterinarians opposed the surgery provisions. The bill was reported favorably after amendment. The committee then began SB 354, a major overhaul of Public Service Commission oversight, including expanding the commission, adding financial expertise, tightening rate-setting and storm-hardening review, and increasing transparency for nonprofit water and wastewater utilities; the substitute amendment was adopted and public testimony was heard from consumer advocates and utility-related groups, but the transcript ends before final action on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is great opportunity to improve our cost structure, our efficiency, our operations, to really save
• financial metrics, poor systems, awful lot of low-hanging fruit there so we can improve our cost structure
• Our structure, we don't have the right financial metrics.
• But I do believe you're hitting on the right thing when you talk about structural change.
• I don't believe in the Department of... defense, any of our leaders fully understands our cost structure

Keywords: Steven Feinberg, Deputy Secretary of Defense, national security, budget cuts, military readiness, global threats, Department of Defense

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on the nomination of Steven Feinberg as Deputy Secretary of Defense. The committee emphasized the urgent need for strong leadership in response to a complex array of global threats posed by adversarial coalitions, including China, Russia, and Iran. The discussions highlighted concerns regarding budget cuts and personnel reductions within the Department of Defense, showcasing the challenges posed by the current economic context and the pressing need to maintain military readiness and capabilities. Various members expressed their apprehensions about how impending layoffs and budget reductions would impact the defense workforce and national security.

Transcript Highlights:

• structure here in our state? structure here in our state?
• policy structure, not performance. policy structure, not performance.
• I think that's important structure.
• structure that works better for them. structure that works better for them.
• <04:28:32.319> in rather than just keep the structure in rather than just keep the structure

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You have the ministerial zoning permit process, which are the outright permissible uses and structures
• <01:13:09.520> engineer Um we also have um structural engineer Um we also have um structural
• structural engineer, one mechanical<01:16:00.480> engineer.
• Um, and so some general information about how we're structured here in Maui County.
• Is it a legal structure?

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The task force held its first meeting, beginning with roll call and introductions of members and participants in the room and on Zoom. The chair emphasized Sunshine Law transparency, noted the meeting was on September 11, and opened public testimony on the orientation report. No one testified in person or on Zoom, and the chair observed a moment of silence in remembrance of 9/11 before moving into the agenda. The chair then reported on several orientation presentations given statewide between July 18 and September 5, including meetings with transit-oriented development, the Maui Chamber of Commerce, the Kona-Kohala Chamber, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce on Hawaiʻi Island, the Hawaiʻi Island Chamber of Commerce, the Hawaiʻi Island Native Hawaiian Chamber, and the Capo Chamber of Commerce. The main presentation item was a detailed overview from Kauaʻi County on its permitting process. County staff explained that zoning and building permits are handled separately on the outer islands, with zoning focused on form, character, and compatibility, and building permits focused on health and safety. They described a two-tier zoning system: ministerial permits that are automatically approved if not acted on within 30 days, and discretionary permits that go to the planning commission and can become lengthy contested cases if there is intervention. They also discussed special management area review in coastal areas, which can add time, and explained that building permits must conform to what was approved in zoning. Kauaʻi County staff also outlined the building permit process, including online and in-person submission, coordination with planning, engineering, water, wastewater, health, and fire agencies, and the county’s fully electronic review system using ProjectDox and related software. They noted that applicants are encouraged to check zoning, water, wastewater, and floodplain issues before hiring someone to prepare plans, especially for homeowners. The county shared permit and utility statistics and said the public can check permit history through Click2Gov. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided; after the Kauaʻi presentation, the chair opened a question period for members.

Transcript Highlights:

• Emergency medical protocols provide structured, evidence-based instructions that allow dispatchers to
• Structured, evidence-based instructions that allow dispatchers to turn a bystander into a first responder
• ... ...when there are no public entrances or structures where the public is located within disaster sites
• When we move out to repair facilities with utilities, there are no structures. Thank you.
• When we move out to repair facilities with utilities, there are no structures.

Summary: The committee heard several bills related to public safety, emergency response, wildfire prevention, and environmental protection. AB 2152 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez would streamline CEQA litigation for new fire station projects and add best-practice requirements; supporters, including firefighters, said it would help communities and firefighter safety, while opponents argued the project labor agreement requirements would raise costs and limit participation for small and nonunion contractors. The bill passed to Appropriations. AB 2041 by Assembly Member Carrillo would expand reporting related to 911 dispatcher pre-arrival medical instructions; after amendments and stakeholder agreement, opposition groups said they would remove their opposition, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 2101 by Assembly Member Gipson would require human trafficking notices and training at disaster sites and for disaster response workers; supporters said it would protect vulnerable workers, while broadband, city, and county representatives raised implementation concerns, especially in rural disaster areas. It passed to Appropriations despite a no vote from Vice Chair Hadwick. The committee also considered AB 1805, which would require an audit and stronger oversight of the state’s Next Generation 911 project after concerns about major spending and delays. CalNENA supported the bill’s transparency and accountability provisions, and the measure passed to Appropriations. AB 1536 by Assembly Member Addis would tighten safety and public review requirements for offshore oil pipeline restarts and require decommissioning of certain spill-prone pipelines; environmental and coastal government groups supported it, while the Western States Petroleum Association warned it would threaten fuel supply and pipeline operations. The bill passed to Appropriations on a divided vote. AB 1964 would direct the State Fire Marshal to survey home hardening in fire-prone areas and estimate costs; it passed to Appropriations with broad support. AB 1960, also by Assembly Member Bennett, would use a portion of wildfire prevention grants to encourage community-level home hardening certification. The author said the bill would create incentives and broader public awareness, while the vice chair argued it would favor communities that can already afford hardening and divert resources from higher-need areas; the bill still passed to Appropriations. AB 1863 by Assembly Member DeMaio would clarify that people cannot be charged simply for calling 911 or when no services are rendered, while preserving fees for actual services and allowing billing for legitimate emergency response costs; it passed to the Assembly floor. The committee also took up consent item AB 2517, which passed to Appropriations. After add-on votes for absent members, the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because right now, we do see not everyone does take up because they are kind of confused on how the structure
• So outside of that $10 million, we wouldn't change the current structure. Okay.
• early in our screening and then later, and that's why we do agree with kind of a more cohesive structured
• helps get away from students' support being based on their zip code and allows SELPAs to address structural
• But greater investments allow them to stabilize and build into a structure that has greater support and

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard the Governor’s proposals across seven education-related items and received testimony from the Department of Finance, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, the Department of Education, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, and the Office of Public School Construction. On dual enrollment, the administration proposed $100 million one-time Proposition 98 funding plus policy changes to expand access, including eligibility for regional occupational centers, added support for justice-involved youth, priority for higher-need LEAs, teacher professional development, and a reduction in required daily instructional minutes for some dual enrollment students. The LAO recommended rejecting the funding as not clearly tied to implementation barriers, while CDE supported the proposal but suggested reserving $10 million for technical assistance. Several public commenters and members supported the investment and urged inclusion of technical assistance and adult dual enrollment. For the reading difficulty screener proposal, the Governor proposed $40 million one-time funding and statutory changes requiring kindergarten screeners after 91 school days and grades 1-2 screeners after 46 school days, with the stated goal of reducing over-identification and allowing time for foundational instruction. The LAO recommended rejecting the funding, saying costs were likely overstated and that LEAs could use discretionary block grant funds instead. CDE supported the funding but the timing restrictions drew significant concern from the chair and public witnesses, who argued the deadlines were too prescriptive and could delay early intervention; advocates and literacy organizations urged preserving local flexibility and screening earlier. CDE and Finance defended the timing as based on data and consistent with other states, while also emphasizing that early instruction and support could still begin on day one. On special education, Finance described a proposal to increase the base rate to $99 per ADA through a $509 million ongoing Proposition 98 augmentation, along with COLA and enrollment adjustments. The LAO said the proposal should be adopted but estimated it could be achieved with less funding; CDE strongly supported the increase, citing rising enrollment, cost pressures, and inequities across SELPAs. Public testimony from districts and SELPAs echoed the need for more funding and asked for even higher per-ADA support. The committee also heard a school facilities update showing Proposition 2 bond balances and demand levels, with OPSC noting funds are being used for new construction, modernization, small district set-asides, lead remediation, and natural disaster assistance. For the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, members heard that the student teacher stipend program’s grants management system is complete and that the Commission is seeking to track participation and outcomes; the Governor also proposed additional state operations funding to address misconduct workload, implement SB 848-related data systems, and administer the stipend program. Finally, the Governor proposed $250 million one-time funding to continue teacher and school counselor residency grants through 2029-30, which the LAO said could help fill shortages but may be harder for rural LEAs; CTC supported the program and said regional technical assistance hubs are helping expand access. No formal votes were taken, and the hearing adjourned after public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then two of our larger hospitals, being UAMS and Children's, have a different per diem structure
• We have to have a broad-based and uniform fee structure that is approved by the feds to be charged to
• We have to have a broad-based and uniform fee structure that is approved by the feds to be charged to
• We have worked with ones that have come to our attention that need some assistance on structuring a payment
• hospitals would have a hard time saying they would only see patients covered by a special payment structure

Summary: The subcommittee met to review Arkansas DHS hospital spending and reimbursement methods, with Secretary Janet Mann and Deputy Secretary Misty Eubanks explaining Medicaid hospital payments. They described fee-for-service per diem payments, cost settlements, and the upper payment limit (UPL) program, noting that SFY 2025 hospital payments included $688 million in inpatient/outpatient claims, $473 million in UPL payments, $248 million in cost settlements, and about $47 million in other payments such as graduate medical education and disproportionate share hospital funds. Members asked about why per diem rates vary, how cost settlements work, why UPL applies mainly to private hospitals, and how assessment fees are structured and funded. DHS said the hospital assessment fee is broad-based and uniform, used as the state share to draw federal funds, and that supplemental hospital payments after federal match totaled $548 million with no general revenue used. The Arkansas Hospital Association’s Jody Ann Tritt then gave a broader overview of the hospital landscape, explaining the different hospital types in the state, including critical access hospitals, rural emergency hospitals, PPS hospitals, and specialty hospitals. She said Arkansas hospitals face financial strain, citing a negative 5.18% patient service margin statewide and lower reimbursement than surrounding states. She argued that Arkansas hospitals are paid less than hospitals in neighboring states for similar services, that commercial payer rates and administrative burdens are a major problem, and that Medicaid and Medicare rates remain below cost even with UPL support. She also said hospitals are the backbone of community care, provide emergency and public health functions, and are looking for ways to invest in technology and telehealth but often lack the revenue to do so. Members pressed for clearer data on hospital finances, reimbursement adequacy, and the impact of commercial insurers. Tritt said the association had just authorized a statewide survey to gather updated financial information from hospitals, which she said would take about a year to complete. She also explained that Medicaid pays weekly, Medicare and commercial plans can involve delays and denials, and that hospitals often spend significant resources on revenue cycle work. The discussion ended with a brief update on assisted living reimbursement: DHS said one facility, The Pillars of the Community in Crossett, had announced closure, nine Living Choices waiver clients were being transitioned, and the updated rate study would be available after cost reports are collected, likely before the end of the fiscal year. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Um, today, the Government Structure Committee meeting is not going to be meeting, so we'll open
• Government Structure will not meet today. Appropriations meets at 1:30 p.m. in room 216.
• Government Structure will not meet today. Appropriations meets at 1:30 p.m. in room 216.
• Government<00:26:16.400> Structure<00:26:16.880> will<00:26:17.120> not<00:26:17.360
• > meet Government Structure will not meet Government Structure will not meet today.<00:26:17.960

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 3 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, opened with an invocation by Reverend Vincent Russell of Greater Fairview Baptist Church, and then dispensed with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and bill titles. The bulk of the meeting consisted of introductions and recognitions of guests in the galleries, including representatives of the Red Cross, Omega Psi Phi members, local chamber of commerce and county officials, a Jackson Municipal Airport Authority representative, a doctor of the day, junior pages, and several Jackson State University Day at the Capitol guests and administrators. Members also made a series of announcements about committee meetings and Capitol events. These included meetings for Finance, Appropriations, Energy, Judiciary A and B, Public Health and Welfare, Public Property, Veterans and Military Affairs, Economic and Workforce Development, Universities and Colleges, Local and Private, and others. Announcements also highlighted special events such as William Carey University Capital Day, Jackson State University Day at the Capitol, the Mississippi Songwriters and Hall of Fame luncheon, the Mississippi Forestry Commission's 100-year celebration, and choir performances by New Albany High School and Newton County High School. No substantive floor debate or votes on legislation were recorded in the transcript beyond procedural motions. The Senate agreed to recess, first until 4:00 p.m. and later until 8:00 p.m. or until the last committee report was filed, with the journal to reflect adjournment until 10:00 a.m. the next morning. Members also requested that the Senate adjourn in memory of Brigadier General George Cronia and James Jefferson.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the structure of that is two years, Mr.
• Chair, one of those things would be to ensure that the structure that is built is following what this
• appreciate that this includes all the way from single-family housing areas all the way to maybe some structures
• In a single-family housing area where a home is blighted, you can walk into the structure and see what's
• wrong with the structure, but you don't know what's going on below the structure.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill, in effect, is supporting a structural and cultural shift in schools.
• As we move forward with this bill, it will be essential that this structure is created and supported
• As we move forward with this bill, it will be essential that this structure is created and supported
• The network is ready to partner with PED, and the use of its regional hub structure can ensure that teachers
• The network is ready to partner with PED, and the use of its regional hub structure can ensure that teachers

Bills: SB29, SB64

Keywords: SB29, math requirements for teaching license, teacher licensure, teacher endorsement, mathematics methods, elementary education, secondary education, special education, early childhood education, reciprocity, Public Education Department, Mathematics and Science Education Act, mathematics instructional leadership framework, professional learning plan, K-3 screening, mathematics screening assessment, mathematics difficulty, support plan, multilevel support, intervention

Transcript Highlights:

• And you'll recall that we've had a structural deficit in the out years, the planning years, of $2.4 billion
• And you'll recall that we've had a structural deficit in the out years, the planning years, of $2.4 billion
• Is that still, or the structural imbalance?
• The structural imbalance, namely how much more you're taking in in the biennium than you're taking.
• And again, structural imbalance is natural last time because you're spending more than you're taking

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and also I wanted to mention the structure of how they invest is completely different, um, because
• You know, there were um there was legislation to change some things regarding Paris structure including
• Whole structure that, in the tears, and that came later on.
• uses and PERA, but remember we're we're dealing with two completely Different types of funding structures
• But if we don't understand the original structure, that conversation becomes difficult.

Transcript Highlights:

• bill does is it replaces that layer of funding, that billion dollars, with a guaranteed financing structure
• HB 33689 is an important investment towards improving the funding structure and sustainability of TUIA
• Their funding structure, as you're well aware, has been a subject of much discussion to try to find some
• way to find a more sustainable, viable funding structure for for TUA.
• There's a lot of different ways to structure these programs. Oklahoma just did one last year.

Transcript Highlights:

• RIA serves as a key part of putting together comprehensive public-private structures to enable tens of
• This structure allows a tax exemption just for RA owned properties, including the transmission lines
• and related structures, not the wind farms that use the transmission.
• Is unconstitutional, then so too is the IRB structure, as noted in tax and res analysis.
• The reason why we have a structure like this right now is because we won't have a distribution account

Transcript Highlights:

• Even now, when you look at our structural budget, we're already spending $3 billion more than what we're
• Even now, when you look at our structural budget, we're already spending $3 billion more than what we're
• Even now, when you look at our structural budget, we're already spending $3 billion more than what we're
• <00:15:51.959> budget<00:15:52.319> we're look at our structural budget we're look
• Now you can look at the surplus that we currently have, and it's not a structural surplus, so I would

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and the services that those jobs and those people rely upon. shares with me is that, how is it structured
• They allow the governor. to approve any changes in the structure of the MPOs themselves.
• I will say that the structural pylons, large architectural columns that are on a cable-stayed bridge
• There we have to take about a year to demolish the existing structure.
• the southbound lanes is going to provide more. or capacity and shoulder width than the existing structure

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > differences,<05:28:22.400> but So much for structural differences, but So much for structural
• more than 90 licensed professional structural engineers.
• structural engineers. structural engineers. uh<05:40:11.200> speaking<05:40:11.760> today
• structural engineering organization? structural engineering organization?
• 5:1, you know, structure? What ratio?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up HB 163FN, dealing with requiring current, verifiable evidence of a species’ presence before land-use restrictions are imposed for habitat protection. Members discussed an amendment that had been worked on with agencies and stakeholder groups. Fish and Game testified that, while the amendment improved the bill, the agency still opposed it because of concerns about citizen science, how the proposal would apply to public versus private property, and how the transition to DES would work. Representative Darby argued the amendment was ambiguous, lacked a full hearing, and did not clearly address record verification or private-property access issues. The amendment passed 8-7, and the committee then voted OTPA 8-7, with a minority report noted. The committee then moved to HB 1752FN, which would create a chain of custody for timber and carbon credits. Representative Davis presented an amendment saying it would help law enforcement investigate timber theft and add transparency to New Hampshire’s carbon registry by identifying buyers of carbon credits. Supporters said the change would impose little burden and align with practices in other states. Opponents, including Representative Darby, Representative Vale, and the state forester from DNCR, said the carbon market is complex, the amendment was not fully vetted, and a hearing with all stakeholders was needed; they also raised fiscal-note concerns. The amendment passed 8-7, and the committee then voted OTPA 8-7, again with a minority report. Finally, the committee opened a hearing on HB 1019, which would add an active water treatment professional to the state water well board. Representative Peter Petrino and Representative Wendy Thomas said the board should include expertise on contamination risks and treatment technologies, citing concerns about arsenic, radon, and PFAS in private wells. The chairman of the Water Well Board testified in opposition to the bill as drafted, saying the board supports the general idea of licensing water filtration work but does not currently have authority or rules to oversee that field and believes the proposal would put “the cart before the horse.” Members questioned whether the board’s current mandate even covers filtration systems, and the discussion ended with those concerns unresolved.