Transcript Highlights:

• Ladies and gentlemen in the South Gallery, I want to introduce a very good friend of mine, Ms.
• Got some friends of mine in the South Gallery from the YMCAs across the street.
• /c><00:10:06.600> good<00:10:06.800> friend<00:10:07.040> of<00:10:07.080> mine
• , introduce a very good friend of mine, introduce a very good friend of mine, Ms.<00:10:07.560>
• in the South Got some friends of mine in the South Gallery<00:10:50.440> from<00:10:50.600>

Keywords: MS House Floor - 18 February, 2026; 2:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, confirmed a quorum, dispensed with reading of the journal, and moved through routine introductions and gallery recognitions. Guests included court reporter Kim Almer, representatives of the Mississippi Faculty and Staff Association of Community Colleges, YMCA visitors, the Madison County Youth Council, members of the Mississippi Veterinary Medical Association and the University of Mississippi veterinary school, Holmes Community College guests celebrating the college’s 100th anniversary, Enterprise Consolidated High School students and educators, George Stewart, and Petal High School Ambassadors. Members also made several announcements about upcoming meetings and events, including committee meetings after adjournment, an electric co-op day at the Capitol, a discussion on the recent ice storm catastrophe, a battlefield preservation lunch, and a Mississippi Health Care Collaborative reception. On the Rules Calendar, the House took up House Concurrent Resolutions in blocks. Items 1 through 3 were adopted by a vote of 121 yeas and 0 nays, and items 4 through 12 were also adopted. The House then gave immediate release to those resolutions. Later, the House considered concurrence on House Bill 580. The bill was explained as extending the qualifying deadline by seven days and removing the reverse repealer, with the sponsor stating affected parties were agreeable to the changes. The House concurred in HB 580 by a vote of 119 yeas and 0 nays. The chamber concluded its calendar work and announced that it would reconvene the next day at 10:00 a.m. to take up appropriations bills. The House then adjourned until 10:00 a.m. the following day.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so it's going to be your decision, not mine.
• And so it's going to be your decision, not mine.
• And so it's going to be your decision, not mine.
• And so it's going to be your decision, not mine.
• And so it's going to be your decision, not mine.

Keywords: This video was pulled from back ups and loaded into YouTube after the fact., 958, all

Summary: The meeting began with a procedural motion to have the record reflect that the Government Contracts Review Committee had met earlier that morning, that the chairman had attended in person, and that the committee approved a retroactive contract for enforcement counsel in the case under consideration. The motion was seconded, clarified to include any future ratification or approval if needed, and then approved unanimously. The commission then took up a motion to deny a motion to dismiss in matters 24 LEC3 and 24 LEC6; after clarifying that it was denying the motion made on August 18 and not considering a new filing, the motion passed unanimously. Staff then reported that the commission office was busy with required forms and that the budget remained in good standing and within parameters. The commission approved the financial report by motion. It was also noted that informal advisory opinions issued since the last meeting were included in the materials for review, with any questions to be handled in closed session if needed. The chairman updated members on the search for a new executive director, saying Denita would serve as acting executive director in the interim. He reported that several strong applications had been received, that a committee was reviewing and ranking candidates, and that the formal application period had closed on August 15. Members were told they could forward recommendations to the personnel committee, but that the full commission would make the final hiring decision. In new business, a member offered a remembrance of Representative Jeff Greer, and the commission observed a moment of silence in his honor before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was the mayor when the mine and the power plant shut down.
• That rail would be very useful in helping uranium mine cleanup, but there are mines in this county.
• There's mining in Wyoming now, so they're just not here.
• She can claim, "Hey, this isn't mine."
• NTEC owns the Navajo mine.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that doesn't sound like a former coal mining town. That is a coal mining town.
• <00:19:11.200> That<00:19:11.440> is like a former coal mining town.
• That is like a former coal mining town.
• That is a<00:19:11.679> coal<00:19:11.919> mining<00:19:12.240> town.
• And y'all know how a coal mining town.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a roll call establishing a quorum, and approval of the previous day’s journal. The House clerk then informed the Senate that the House had passed House Bills 49 and 470 and requested concurrence. The clerk also read the second-reading calendar, which included Senate Bills 45, 98, 118, 145, 153, 155, 158, and 160, all of which were sent to the Rules Committee. Committee reports placed several bills on the calendar, including SB 69, 56, 72, 57, 172, 9, 141, and 110, with various committee substitutes and title amendments noted. The Rules Committee later posted those bills for the next day’s regular orders, and the Committee on Committees made several referrals, including SB 41 to Appropriations and Revenue; SBs 124 and 152 to Education; SBs 125, 138, 162, and 170 to Judiciary; SJR 90 to Transportation; SBs 47, 104, and 159 to Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection; and Senate Resolutions 85 through 89 to the floor. During floor business, members filed amendments and co-sponsorship requests, including amendments to SB 39 and SB 110 and co-sponsorships for bills such as SB 98, SB 172, SB 63, SB 135, SB 179, and SB 169. Senators also made several announcements and remarks, including notice of upcoming committee meetings, a reception for working families, the National Farm Machinery Show, and concerns about coal, energy affordability, and a constituent’s high utility bill. One senator called up Senate Resolution 82 for the next day, and the chamber adopted Senate Resolution 84, honoring Harriet Thompson of Winchester for her service to the Clark County Republican Women’s Club and the Republican Party. New legislation was introduced, including SB 180 on property valuation, SB 184 on education reporting, SBs 185-187 on branch budget recommendations and branch budget bills, SB 188 on railroad safety, and SCR 96 to reestablish the disaster prevention and resiliency task force. No floor votes were taken on the bills themselves during this meeting beyond the adoption of SR 84. The Senate then recessed for committee meetings, returned, and adjourned until 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 12, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bitcoin mining is how it's done. So what is mining? Miners are basically the backbone.
• That's why they're mining; that's their reward for mining this network.
• The very last Bitcoin will not be mined until the year 2140.
• Because there's no more Bitcoin to mine.
• they would have done if they had stayed mining and using the...

Transcript Highlights:

• It takes about 9 to 12 months to completely mine 40 acres.
• and the the money from excuse me Mining and the the money from excuse me the<00:03:12.040> money<
• <00:03:40.599> 40<00:03:41.280> acres months to completely mine 40 acres months to
• completely mine 40 acres there's<00:03:42.640> at<00:03:42.799> least<00:03:43.159>
• You cannot build a house there, there are no roads to it, and you cannot log it or mine it.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up HF 1425, which would prohibit the sale of state-owned school trust lands in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to the federal government and instead require a land trade. Representative Skraba argued the federal wilderness law requires an exchange, not a sale, and said the state should trade Boundary Waters school trust lands for federal lands elsewhere, citing potential benefits for logging, mining, and school trust revenue. He said the current proposed sale price was too low and moved to lay the bill over for possible inclusion in a future bill. Later, he withdrew a DE1 amendment and instead moved to re-refer the bill to the Education Finance Committee, but that motion failed. Testimony was largely opposed to the bill. Aaron Vandal of the Office of School Trust Lands said the exchange option was no longer viable, that the lands have produced no revenue for education for decades, and that selling them is the trust’s last opportunity to generate returns for schoolchildren. Bob Meyer of the DNR supported Vandal’s position and said the agency could not negotiate mineral rights in the way suggested. Aon Clems of the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy and Amanda Hefner of Save the Boundary Waters both opposed HF 1425, though they emphasized different reasons: Clems argued a sale best fulfills the state’s fiduciary duty to maximize long-term returns for education, while Hefner said a sale would harm public education funding, align with the trust’s original purpose, and help consolidate federal ownership in the wilderness. Members then questioned the valuation and the practical differences between a sale and an exchange. Representative Jacob challenged the low per-acre price and asked about the federal government’s set-aside amount, while Representative Fischer asked how the appraisal was determined. DNR lands and minerals director Joe Henderson explained the valuation came from an independent appraiser, was based on the wilderness restrictions and lack of development potential, and was from a 2020 appraisal that is now being updated. Representative Schultz supported the sale approach and said the state should not transfer the land at such a low price. The committee did not advance the bill to the Education Finance Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a picture of my father in the mine, yes. I have a picture of my father in the mine.
• Today we go in search of one of the most famous stories in Arizona's long mining history: the legend
• After his death, the legend of the Dutchman and his lost gold mine spread far and wide.
• And remember, if it can't be grown, it must be mined. Thanks for watching. Thank you. Thank you.
• I would like to do a field hearing at Goldfield Mine, which is where we were at in that video.

Bills: SB1272

Keywords: appropriation, Douglas port of entry, state funding, infrastructure, federal support, 1182, all

Summary: The Rural Economic Development Committee heard presentations focused first on local infrastructure needs in Legislative District 7, especially the East Wolford Road Extension project in Show Low. City and county officials said the road and new bridge would provide a critical alternate route around U.S. 60 and State Route 260, improve access to Summit Healthcare, reduce congestion, and create a safer evacuation path during wildfires or flooding. They emphasized that the project is fully designed and shovel-ready, with substantial local and developer funding already committed, and described past flooding and the Rodeo-Chediski Fire as evidence of the need for another emergency crossing. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1272, which appropriates $5 million from the state general fund in fiscal year 2027 as a match for the Douglas Port of Entry project, contingent on a federal GSA award. Senator Gallen, Douglas Mayor Jose Grijalva, and city staff described the project as a major trade, jobs, and border-security investment that would support a new commercial port and expansion of the existing Raul H. Castro Port of Entry. They said the project is intended to speed commerce, strengthen inspection and security, and leverage significant federal and private investment, while noting a funding deadline and a remaining local gap. During testimony, Douglas representatives said the city has already secured part of the required match, is pursuing additional federal and bank financing, and cannot easily raise the rest through local bonds because of time and tax-base limits. Members asked about timelines, private participation, and security impacts. The committee approved SB 1272 on a 6-0 vote, with one member absent, and the bill was returned with a do pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's not your handwriting; that's mine. Waiving in support. Thank you.
• It, but I think about folks that grew up in communities like mine.
• For mining activities, the Florida Department conducts pre and post gamma radiation surveys.
• That is what every acre we mine is to a higher standard and quality than it was before. Mr.
• it was a phosphate mine.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And mine is the Arkansas Property Rights Protection Protection for Sharia Law Act.
• Every community that turned down a crypto mine in their local community did not get sued.
• Every community that turned down a crypto mine in their local community did not get sued.
• President Biden closed down a crypto mine out in Colorado.
• We have not closed down one crypto mine down here.

Summary: The committee first considered House Resolution 1016, presented by Rep. Marcus Richmond, which sought permission to file a bill aimed at consumer protection in certain housing arrangements where buyers purchase an interest in an entity rather than the property itself. Richmond said the measure was intended to improve transparency, prevent deceptive real estate practices, and ensure disputes would be handled in Arkansas or federal courts rather than private tribunals. Members raised concerns about overlap with existing law, possible effects on homeowners associations, arbitration clauses, hunting clubs, religious organizations, and the bill’s 25-acre exemption. After discussion, the committee voted down the resolution. House Resolution 1006, by Rep. Bart Schultz, proposed increasing the homestead tax credit by $75, from $600 to $675, using a fund created for property tax relief. Schultz argued the increase was supported by the annual report on the fund and was timely because of higher costs for gas and groceries. Members asked about using special language instead, whether the increase could be made retroactive later, and whether the governor had included it on the call. The committee approved the resolution. The committee then heard House Resolution 1007, presented by Sen. Brian King and Rep. James Eaton, which would have changed how turnback sales tax revenue is distributed to counties, with the first $150 million of sales tax revenue going into a fund for county infrastructure and each county receiving an equal share. Supporters said it would help counties with roads, jails, water, sewer, and other critical needs, while opponents questioned whether taking revenue off the top would harm other state services and whether the issue was urgent enough for a fiscal session. The resolution failed. House Resolution 1008, by Rep. Jim Wooten and Sen. King, sought changes to the LEARNS Act and school choice funding, including performance-based eligibility and reporting requirements. Wooten argued the program was financially unsustainable and that accountability was needed; members questioned whether the proposal would create a larger emergency and whether it should instead be handled through budget language. The resolution failed after a point of order interrupted the closing remarks. Finally, House Resolution 1009, presented by Rep. Ron McNair and Sen. King, aimed to restore local control over crypto mines and data centers, citing concerns about water use, electricity demand, Chinese ownership, and litigation tied to prior legislation. Members questioned whether the issue was truly emergent and whether the resolution was the right vehicle. The resolution failed. House Resolution 1015, by Rep. Howard Beatty, proposed amending the prior IDA bill to address concerns raised by constituents, including board accountability and removing eminent domain authority. Supporters said it would improve the bill before next session, but the resolution also failed. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> First of all, we did pass a -- Senator Serrano's bill last year that bans new leases for mining on
• Applicable any more in terms of new mining projects for these.
• Essentially taking the mining operations section, repeated it, and put in green energy.
• Essentially taking the mining operations section, repeated it, and put in green energy.
• Lands, where they are just opening up federal lands to mining, and basically raping and pillaging of

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior day’s journal, and then recognized several guest groups, including the Shenendehowa High School girls varsity cross country team and tennis champion Jolie Chichak, as well as the Downsville Central School Student Council. Senator Tedisco introduced the Shenendehowa athletes, highlighting their state and federation championships and strong academic records, and Senator Oberacker introduced the Downsville students. The chamber extended courtesies to the guests. The Senate then moved through the calendar, passing a series of bills and resolutions. Among the measures approved were a bill designating Overdose Awareness Day, a real property tax bill, a public authorities bill, several education-related bills, a private housing finance bill, a workers’ compensation bill, and a labor law bill. Some items were laid aside before later being taken up, including the cannabis bill and the environmental conservation bill. Votes were largely unanimous or near-unanimous, with a few recorded negatives on certain bills. The most extensive debate centered on Calendar 261, Senator May’s environmental conservation bill concerning renewable energy installations and transmission on state reforestation lands. Senator Walczyk and others questioned whether the bill would allow solar, wind, battery storage, tree cutting, herbicide use, and reduced environmental review, while supporters argued the bill was mainly about transmission corridors, climate goals, and preserving flexibility for DEC oversight and mitigation. After debate, the bill was restored to the non-controversial calendar and passed 42-13. The Senate also passed Calendar 353, Senator Ramos’s labor law bill addressing class action wage recovery and statutory damages. Supporters said it would clarify the law so workers can recover full wages in class actions, while opponents warned it could encourage litigation against small businesses over technical payroll errors. The bill passed 47-8. The Senate then completed the calendar and adjourned until March 4, 2026, with intervening days as legislative days.

Transcript Highlights:

• there are social costs to that, and so they should be paying taxes based on the practice of data mining
• more about Chair Stevenson: Can you talk more about broadcasters' practices when it comes to data mining
• I know from my previous career in technology that data mining is a very profitable industry.
• point in thinking about also an explosion of another industry, which is data, our data, and data mining
• Secondly, I strongly believe that the people who benefit—if people want to have their data mined—they

Transcript Highlights:

• Mining was... Mining was instrumental in Colorado's development and path to statehood.
• Molybdenum Mine, an impressive open-pit mine many of us have toured and visited.
• Mining is just a part of our past.
• , reclaiming legacy mine sites, and implementing the most advanced and innovative mining practices in
• So mining has made lots of people very successful here in Colorado, but mining continues to shape our

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:24:38.960> and rural communities, just like mining and rural communities, just like mining
• towns, cities, and counties in those production and mining localities.
• 00:35:02.400> has histories of mining legislation has histories of mining legislation has weighted
• counties in those production and mining counties in those production and mining localities. localities
• Uh, so if gas is mined in Wabasha County, will 10% go to IRB? Senator Hauschild.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And look, I'm a Colorado School of Mines graduate, a mining engineer, and it's unique.
• Mining was not just an industry. It was a catalyst.
• ,<01:19:51.760> and Mines graduate, a mining engineer, and Mines graduate, a mining engineer
• 150th anniversary of the Colorado Mining 150th anniversary of the Colorado Mining Association,<01
• It was Mining was not just an industry. It was a<01:20:04.080> catalyst.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened for the opening of the second regular session of the 75th General Assembly with ceremonial presentations, including the colors, the national anthem, a musical performance, and a land acknowledgment by Southern Ute Chairman Melvin J. Baker. Baker spoke about Ute history, tribal sovereignty, and the importance of cooperation with the state, including on trespass and land issues, and urged lawmakers to work together for a better future. The chamber then called the session to order, established a quorum, and elected Esther Van Murik as Secretary of the Senate by unanimous voice vote. The Senate adopted Senate Joint Resolution 002 to authorize a joint session for the governor’s message and Senate Joint Resolution 003 for a joint session to hear from Ute tribal representatives. Both resolutions passed 35-0. The chamber also adopted Senate Resolution 002, which concerns appointment of Senate officers and employees, also by a 35-0 vote. The Senate appointed committees to notify the House and the governor that it was organized and ready for business, and later received reports that both the House and governor had been informed. The remainder of the meeting focused on opening-day remarks from Senate leadership. Majority and minority leaders welcomed members, staff, and guests, recognized new and returning staff, and paid tribute to the late Senator Faith Winter. Leaders highlighted priorities for the session, including housing affordability, health care costs, deceptive pricing, workforce development, climate and energy policy, water, and protecting rights and liberties. They also emphasized the need for bipartisan cooperation, noting budget constraints and federal uncertainty, and urged members to govern courageously and work across the aisle for Coloradans.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, my next question somewhat relates to mining, but more in the sense of data mining.
• And I equated it to mining, right?
• We don't know what's going to happen with mining.
• We what's going to happen with mining.
• workforce that could reopen these mines workforce that could reopen these mines eventually.<00:10

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• working near cliff lines and coal mining working near cliff lines and coal mining breaks,<01:25:
• stabilize those areas after mining.
• logging activities and coal mining logging activities and coal mining operations<02:06:58.960>
• U, mine land into detail on this.
• to mining. to mining.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The task force met with a quorum, approved the August meeting minutes, and heard a presentation from Dr. Jerry Brosky of the Kentucky Mesonet and Kentucky Climate Center. He described the Mesonet’s statewide weather network, now with 84 stations in 78 counties, real-time data used by the National Weather Service, mobile apps, and more than a billion observations. He said recent legislative funding has allowed upgrades such as soil temperature and moisture sensors, cameras at every site, and improved communications and power systems, and has enabled expansion into new counties. He also highlighted products used for flooding, drought, and heat safety, including a wet bulb globe temperature tool being developed with the Department of Public Health. In response to questions, he said counties interested in a station should contact his center, that a station typically costs about $50,000, and that the program is already considering a second Pike County site. The committee then heard from Ryan Drain of Blue Skies and Chris McGee of the American Red Cross on long-term disaster recovery and a software platform called Darcy, short for Disaster Aware and Ready Communities Initiative. McGee explained the Red Cross’s long-term recovery work, including support for recovery groups, direct financial assistance, grantmaking, and coordination with local and federal partners. He emphasized that disasters are occurring more frequently and with repeated impacts, and shared examples from Kentucky and other states showing the need for organized recovery and storm shelter support. Drain said Darcy was developed after the 2021 Mayfield-Graves tornado recovery to replace fragmented spreadsheets and PDFs with a centralized, survivor-led system for preparedness, response, and recovery, designed to improve coordination, reduce duplication, and shorten recovery time. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond adoption of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, you know, I think that are mining.
• She said they should be paying taxes based on the practice of data mining.
• Um, so as I said, uh, this bill mining.
• This is part of the data is being mine.
• <01:08:38.239> to allowing this type of data mining to allowing this type of data mining to

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Sand comes from mines name a few.
• Sand comes from mines located across Florida.
• Sand comes from mines located across Florida.
• It can also be moved mine to a plant by rail.
• Mine too terminal by rail and moved mine to