Transcript Highlights:

• to our constituents through social media or whatever.
• I'm glad to—I hope...” ...and post to our social media, to our constituents through social media or whatever
• ... ...media about the fact that they believe that there is no God, and me as a devout Christian, I'm
• I do believe we submitted the social media policy.
• If you also want a copy of the disciplinary policy, we'd be glad to... ...the social media policy, if

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Summary: The committee heard a series of Arkansas Department of Human Services budget presentations and questions, beginning with the Secretary’s Office and then the Division of Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services. Staff described the divisions’ appropriations, funding sources, and major programs, including senior centers, Meals on Wheels, mental health grants, substance abuse treatment, community alcohol safety, the Medicaid tobacco settlement program, and crisis stabilization units. Members raised concerns about flat or limited funding for senior services, the use and tracing of federal block grants, the lack of a funding source for the veterans’ mental health grant, and the mechanics of the community alcohol safety and treatment programs. The committee also discussed patient benefits funds at state facilities, transportation for senior center clients, and whether some special-language appropriations or fund balances should be revisited. Executive recommendations were adopted for the divisions considered. The committee then reviewed the Division of Children and Family Services and the Division of County Operations. Questions focused on foster care growth, adoption subsidies, professional fees tied to staff training and onboarding, vacancies, the Children’s Trust Fund, and TANF subgrants. Members asked about the reduction or elimination of TANF funding to child advocacy centers and other subgrantees, and DHS explained that prior reserves had been spent down and that the department was now trying to live within the annual TANF block grant and rebuild reserves. County operations questions also covered summer EBT, SNAP employment and training, the farmers’ market program, and the expected impact of a federal SNAP administrative match change, which DHS estimated would increase state costs by about $24 million annually, with roughly $18 million affecting the current year because the change begins October 1. Executive recommendations were again adopted. Finally, the committee heard from the Division of Developmental Disability Services and the Division of Medical Services. DDS testimony covered vacancies, staffing shortages, human development center construction and repairs, the reopening of the Boonville work training program, and funding for infant infirmary and child/family life programs. Medical Services testimony covered the Medicaid program, the current FMAP rate, the Our Kids B CHIP program, Medicaid payments to schools, nursing home distress funding, and large appropriation lines used to provide flexibility for claims and potential facility closures. Members asked for more detail on school Medicaid payments, reserve balances, and why some appropriations were much larger than actual spending. In each division, the committee moved and adopted Executive REC after questions concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• to aid in hiring local crews, vendors, and production support and expand its scope to include new media
• and the digital media landscape.
• to aid in hiring local crews, vendors, and production support and expand its scope to include new media
• and the digital media landscape.
• bill does not prohibit lawful observation of emergency scenes, peaceful expression, or legitimate media

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

Transcript Highlights:

• includes things like familiarization trips, which is bringing travel agents and tour operators and media
• There's public relations in there, earned media.
• from those markets operators and media from those markets into<00:03:38.720><c> the</c><00:03:38.959
• There's public relations in there,<00:04:32.320><c> earned</c><00:04:32.720><c> media.
• What I mean by that there, earned media.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved contracts 98, 99, and 100, then heard from the Kentucky Department of Tourism on a contract with the United Kingdom and other European markets. Tourism officials said the state has had similar international marketing contracts since 2013, that international visitors spend about six times more per day than domestic travelers, and that the work includes marketing, public relations, familiarization trips, and media outreach. After questions about costs and effectiveness, the contract was approved by roll call. Members then reviewed Finance Cabinet facilities contracts 29 and 48 for engineering and architectural services tied to project design, including a specialized lab expansion project. The chair raised concerns that the fees seemed high for services that do not include construction, while the agency explained the work covers design for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and architectural planning, and that the lab project’s specialized pathogen-related work limits the pool of firms. The committee voted to approve the contracts. The Attorney General’s office then presented an opioid abatement agreement. Senator Meredith asked how the commission coordinates with other state behavioral health efforts, and staff explained that the commission allocates settlement funds based on applications and includes related agency representation to help avoid duplication. The contract was approved. The committee also approved a behavioral health contract for 988 chat and text services, which will expand Kentucky-based crisis response coverage to 24/7 and move more of the state’s calls, chats, and texts from a national center to local specialists. A related amendment for the Voices of Hope overdose response contract was approved after staff said the increase simply extends services into the next fiscal year. Finally, the committee approved a DCBS contract for the Building Bridges Initiative, which provides training and peer mentoring for residential child care providers, and then approved three contracts for the Council on Developmental Disabilities. Those contracts were explained as necessary because the council is the designated state agency for federal DD Act funding, and one questioned item involving an advocacy and sexuality initiative was described as part of the council’s five-year plan focused on self-advocacy, systems change, and capacity building. The committee also discussed a food insecurity survey contract with a Kentucky nonprofit, with staff saying the organization was chosen for its statewide network and ability to gather raw data, while members raised concerns about whether the study should distinguish between lack of food and poor diet. All of the reviewed contracts were approved by roll call.

Transcript Highlights:

• But if you were a casual viewer, if you were scrolling through a social media platform, you would not
• into an app, and create a real-looking photo or video of us naked and they can put that on social media
• </c> scrolling through a social media scrolling through a social media platform,<00:03:03.680><c> you
• /c><00:03:19.599><c> that</c><00:03:19.760><c> on</c><00:03:19.920><c> social</c><00:03:20.080><c> media
• </c> and they can put that on social media. and they can put that on social media.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In many cases, a suspect may operate across different services, sending explicit messages on social media
• In many cases, a suspect may operate across different services, sending explicit messages on social media
• In many cases, a suspect may operate across different services, sending explicit messages on social media
• In many cases, a suspect may operate across different services, sending explicit messages on social media
• </c><00:03:42.000><c> storing</c> messages on social media storing messages on social media storing compromising

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:08 SB 169: 00:01:07 SB 02: 00:05:56 Discussion in Opposition to SB 02: 00:19:22, 958, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee first took up Senate Bill 169, which would expand the Attorney General’s and Kentucky State Police’s authority to use administrative subpoenas in child exploitation investigations. Senator Danny Carroll and Attorney General’s office staff said the bill updates existing law to reflect modern online platforms, adding social networking companies, mobile payment services, and cloud storage services so investigators can obtain limited account-holder information tied to online child exploitation cases. Members raised no opposition, and the committee approved SB 169 17-0 with favorable expression. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2, which would prohibit the use of public funds for certain cosmetic or elective procedures in correctional facilities, including gender-affirming surgeries, and would also affect some hormone-related treatment. Senator Mike Wilson and supporters said the bill was intended to stop such procedures from being authorized by memo rather than regulation and to ensure taxpayer money is not used for elective care. Several members asked whether any such surgeries had occurred in Kentucky; Wilson said none had been approved, and he emphasized the bill was about public funding, not general medical care. Supporters argued the state should not pay for elective procedures, while opponents said the bill targeted a tiny population and could create constitutional problems. Opponents included incarcerated and advocacy voices, a psychologist, and legal advocates, who said gender-affirming care is medically necessary for some patients, that withholding it can cause serious mental health harm, and that similar restrictions have faced court challenges. One speaker described personal harm from being denied hormone therapy while incarcerated. Another warned the bill could violate the Eighth Amendment and lead to costly litigation. After debate, the committee moved to vote on SB 2, with members giving explanations both for and against, but the transcript cuts off before the final roll call result is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• and Senate Bill 4 protects voters and candidates from AI-generated misinformation, notably synthetic media
• <00:04:54.639><c> specifically</c><00:04:55.160><c> designed</c><00:04:55.520><c> to</c> synthetic media
• specifically designed to synthetic media specifically designed to mislead<00:04:56.120><c> the</c><00
• He said because no reliable means exist to detect whether media has been digitally edited, this law can
• easily be weaponized to challenge nearly all campaign-related media featuring footage that a candidate

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Roll Call 00:36 SB 4 Discussion 01:16 SB 4 Vote 28:30 SB 130 Discussion 31:18 SB 130 Discussion 36:02, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 4, as amended by a committee substitute, which would create a state artificial intelligence governance framework for Kentucky government agencies and address AI-generated misinformation in campaigns and elections. The bill’s sponsors said it is intended to regulate only state government use of AI, not the private sector, and would require oversight by the Office of Technology, agency reporting, and annual reporting to the General Assembly. They also said the elections provisions were narrowed to focus on AI-generated audio and video, remove image disclosures, eliminate prior restraint and monetary damages, and rely on disclosure requirements modeled on laws they said had survived constitutional review in Texas. Testimony on SB 4 was mixed. Supporters emphasized transparency, human accountability, and the need to prepare state government for rapidly changing AI tools, citing possible uses such as fraud detection, inmate classification, and transportation planning. An opponent from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression argued the bill would burden core political speech, create First Amendment problems, and invite litigation and abuse, especially in the election context. Members asked about litigation, constitutional concerns, costs, and whether the bill should be expanded later to cover ordinary citizens harmed by AI-generated content. Several members expressed support but noted reservations about the election sections or the need for future amendments. After discussion, the committee voted on SB 4 and reported it favorably. The roll call showed the measure passing with favorable expression, with some members explaining votes as supportive but cautious, and one member initially passing before later recording a yes vote. The chair then moved to Senate Bill 130, and Senator Scott Maiden and Kentucky Retail Federation representative Shannon Stiglets began presenting it as a response to gift card scams and theft of redemption information, describing recent large-scale supermarket fraud cases in Kentucky and saying the problem is tied to broader organized retail crime.

Transcript Highlights:

• knowing the economic impact it has, the also um how it drives um visitation to the islands and that media
• knowing the economic impact it has, the also um how it drives um visitation to the islands and that media
• knowing the economic impact it has, the also um how it drives um visitation to the islands and that media
• </c><00:09:48.399><c> It's</c><00:09:48.880><c> it's</c> and that media exposure.
• It's it's and that media exposure.

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard SB 2627, which would exempt Hawaii Tourism Authority contracts and agreements for sports projects, events, and related marketing from the state procurement code and other competitive bidding requirements. HTA, DBEDT, and the State Procurement Office testified in support or with comments, while one individual offered general support for sports tourism. Senators focused on narrowing the bill so the exemption would apply more specifically to sports-related projects and marketing, rather than broad marketing activities, and discussed whether the bill should require notice to the State Procurement Office or approval by the chief procurement officer. Procurement officials said a reporting requirement would be the most expeditious option, while still allowing post-event monitoring and public posting of exemptions. Members also discussed whether the exemption should be limited to situations involving sole-source sports entities, such as major leagues or international sports organizations, to better justify bypassing procurement rules. The committee did not take a final vote in the portion provided, but members and testifiers agreed to continue working on the language. The hearing then moved to SB 2074 relating to state facilities and naming rights for the Aloha Stadium and Hawaii Convention Center. The Stadium Authority, HTA, and DBEDT testified in support, while the Outdoor Circle and other organizations opposed the measure. Opponents argued the bill could create fiscal and legal risk, echoing concerns raised in prior legislation and by the attorney general, and warned it would mark a major shift by treating public facilities as commercial branding opportunities. Supporters said naming rights could generate significant revenue to help fund the stadium project and reduce the burden on the state and developers. Senators questioned how signage would be handled, especially whether it would be exterior-facing or limited to inward-facing signage, and the Stadium Authority said it was willing to work with the Outdoor Circle on language that would preserve community aesthetics while allowing revenue generation. A senator cited a prior study estimating naming rights could bring in about $1.5 million per year over 20 years, and asked what that revenue would buy for the public; the Stadium Authority responded that it would help advance the project toward a larger, improved stadium. No final action was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 957 requires social media companies to notify individuals when the federal government seeks their
• We need to make sure that users, so many of us, are on these social media platforms, are ready.
• SB 957 requires social media companies to notify individuals when the first SB 957 requires social media
• We need to make sure that users, so many of us, are on these social media platforms, are ready, that
• An investigation by Common Sense Media and Stanford University's Brainstorm Lab...

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hi, Jordan Curley, on behalf of Common Sense Media, support; also here for Mothers Against Media Addiction
• There are many legitimate uses of this smartphone that have nothing to do with social media.
• And we do need to protect our children from social media.
• Of course, phones in schools is not only about social media. It's also about messaging.
• Just before this hearing today, I was on a Zoom with Mothers Against Media Addiction.

Summary: The committee heard several education-related bills, with the most extensive discussion focused on AB 2189, AB 2615, AB 2496, AB 1750, and AB 1644. AB 2189 would create an $800,000 grant program through the State Council on Developmental Disabilities to support a statewide parent network for special education advocacy and training. Supporters said families need stronger coordination and information to navigate special education, while an opponent argued the bill could duplicate existing family-led organizations. The bill passed 6-0 and was sent to Appropriations, held on call for add-on votes. AB 2615, a cleanup bill to AB 715 on antisemitism and instructional materials, drew the most controversy. The authors said it was intended to clarify prior commitments by removing references to professional responsibility standards, refining the “factually accurate” language, and clarifying how discriminatory materials are handled. Supporters said it would help protect students from discrimination, while many educators, civil rights groups, and other organizations opposed it unless amended, warning that the factual-accuracy language could chill teaching and be applied too broadly. The committee chair and members raised concerns about implementation but ultimately supported moving the bill forward; it passed 5-0 and was held on call. AB 2496 would streamline school accountability reporting by making the California School Dashboard the primary transparency tool, phasing out the School Accountability Report Card over time, and making mid-year LCAP reporting optional. Supporters said this would reduce duplication and administrative burden while preserving access to key data; opponents worried families could lose the simplicity and accessibility of the current SARC and that the mid-year update still serves an important purpose. The bill was approved 3-0 and held on call. AB 1750, which would extend full salary for an additional five months for school employees who exhaust sick leave due to illness or injury, was supported as a dignity and retention measure but opposed by administrators over staffing and cost concerns; it passed 4-0 and was held on call. AB 1644 would require a bell-to-bell smartphone ban in TK-8 and recommend it for high school, with exceptions for instructional and safety needs; supporters said phones are harming attention and learning, while opponents argued districts had just adopted local policies and needed more flexibility. The transcript ends during discussion of that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• etc. using social media Instagram reels etc. using social media as<01:10:29.199><c> a</c><01:10:29.360
• /c><03:21:02.720><c> getting</c><03:21:02.880><c> in</c> media attention that we're getting in media
• And it comes with all of this, with the media, social media, all of those assets, those marketing assets
• media, um,<03:21:39.040><c> media,</c><03:21:39.840><c> social</c><03:21:40.239><c> media,</c><03:21
• :41.040><c> all</c><03:21:41.200><c> of</c><03:21:41.439><c> those</c> um, media, social media, all of

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint House Committee on Tourism and Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism held an informational briefing on the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s interim action plans, current projects, contract updates, destination management action plans, and state auditor findings. Interim CEO Caroline Anderson described her role as temporary and said she was focused on identifying problems, gathering information, communicating with stakeholders, and implementing solutions. She said HTA is now operating as a typical state agency subject to state controls, but noted that HTA’s work often involves nontraditional programs that can create process errors. She also said she had directed staff to review the auditor’s findings on the destination management action plan process and that the review was posted publicly. A major topic was the search for a permanent CEO and the agency’s restructuring under SB 1571. HTA board chair Tata Po said he hoped to select a CEO within about four months, with three to six finalists expected in roughly two to two-and-a-half months, and said the job description would largely remain the same except for compensation and reporting changes under the new law. Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism representatives explained that HTA’s board is now advisory and does not approve the budget, while DBEDT retains budget authority. They also said HTA is working with the governor’s office and DBEDT on contract and budget transitions, including a possible shift to a calendar-year process so grantees and contractors have more certainty. Members pressed HTA on staffing, oversight, and accountability, especially around the destination stewardship team and the CNHA/Kilohana and HVCB contracts. HTA said the destination stewardship team supports destination management and product development, including workforce development, sports, and implementation of destination management action plans, and that staff provide direction to contractors rather than simply handing work over to them. Anderson said the stewardship team had 11 people and that the destination management side covered about 15 contracts, while the branding side had three managers overseeing nine contracts. She said the agency had 47 contracts overall and that the major contracts included CNHA/Kilohana and HVCB. Several members criticized HTA’s management history, questioned staffing qualifications and compensation, and expressed concern that the agency had lost public trust. No votes or formal actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• group to be able to do is help with creating some of the flyers that will be shared across social media
• or at events. ...creating some of the flyers that will be shared across social media or at events, and
• be able to support with social media in general.
• ’d also like to volunteer for the first committee because I have a background in design and social media

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Cape Verdean Cultural Commission met to approve the May 11 meeting minutes and receive a legislative update. The commission reported that Senator Miranda’s FY27 budget amendment secured $125,000 for the commission, pending final conference committee and gubernatorial approval, with funds expected to become available in the fall if retained. A separate part of the amendment that would have allowed commissioners to be appointed at any point in the commission’s history was not adopted, leaving one vacancy unresolved for now. The commission then finalized its subcommittee structure. Members discussed the originally proposed communications and outreach, survey and data collection, and fundraising/resource development groups, but after discussion and a motion, the body voted to establish four subcommittees: Communications and Outreach, Survey and Data Collection, Organizational Development, and History and Culture. Members also raised ethics concerns about legislators serving on the fundraising-related group, and the title was broadened to organizational development. The chair asked members to sign up within about two weeks so subcommittees could meet before the next full commission meeting. The meeting also focused on an upcoming visit by President José Neves of Cabo Verde. Commissioners were invited to attend a smaller 10:30 a.m. meeting with the president and delegation, followed by a larger community gathering from 11 a.m. to noon, with capacity limited and RSVPs encouraged. Members emphasized using the visit to reinforce support for the cultural center project and to highlight the importance of Massachusetts’ Cape Verdean diaspora. In public comment, members discussed gathering event listings for Cape Verdean summer celebrations, including Independence Day events, and suggested future meetings could include presentations from other cultural institutions about how they developed their projects. The commission adjourned after a motion and vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, one thing I heard somebody say on social media the other day was these girls are getting to
• I think somewhere on social media, it might have said that we were doing this because we had representatives
• I think somewhere on social media, it might have said that we were doing this because we had representatives
• You can see that on social media.

Committee: All HOUSE MANAGEMENT

Summary: House Management took up a series of House resolutions, mostly honoring Arkansas schools, teams, and individuals. Resolutions passed recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month and commending CASA programs, the Mountain Home Bombers’ 2025 boys and girls 5A cross-country championships, a corrected resolution for a girls’ championship team roster, Mount St. Mary Academy’s 6A girls golf title, Central Arkansas Christian High School Choir, a local candy shop for state and national awards, Joe T. Robinson’s 5A football championship and 1–4A swim and dive title, Arkansas Tech University Golden Suns coach Dave Wilbers and the Golden Suns cross-country team, and North Rock’s girls basketball championship. One resolution honoring the Passion Play was pulled from the agenda and moved to regular session. The main substantive discussion centered on House Resolution 1052, which urged support for Arkansas Girls’ State applicants who missed a school deadline because of counselor or administrative error. Sponsors and supporters said roughly 150 girls statewide were affected, that the deadline fell during spring break, and that the American Legion Auxiliary had previously extended deadlines but declined to do so this year. They argued the girls had met the requirements, that the issue was caused by adults, and that the program is a once-in-a-lifetime civic opportunity. They also said they had contacted the board, offered help with space, funding, and volunteers, and received no willingness to change course. Committee members asked about the impact on students, including families with both a son and daughter where only the boy was being allowed to participate, and about whether the message to girls was fair. Supporters said the situation teaches civic engagement, grace, and advocacy, but that it also sends a harmful message if girls are denied because of adult mistakes while boys are still being accepted. After discussion, the committee voted to pass the resolution, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This was, without question, an event that happened live on social media, live streaming, and it's something
• establishing this could lead to an increase in future requests for recognition of individuals, such as media
• ... ...future requests for recognition of individuals, such as media personalities, podcasters, political
• It caused young people to engage in the process again, and it was more than just social media activism

Summary: The Committee on Education Postsecondary took up SB 1246, which would expand Florida’s LINE Fund for health workforce shortages beyond nursing to include broader health science education programs and students, allow matching funds from private contributions, and permit spending on scholarships, faculty recruitment, equipment, simulation centers, and facility renovations. Senator Harrell asked for more specificity about which career paths would qualify, saying the bill should be narrowed to target particular shortage areas. Senator Davis said the bill was intended to add flexibility while still focusing on health care and career technical programs, and noted the measure would not require additional state funding because the LINE Fund already has about $44 million, with another $30 million proposed. The bill was supported by several appearance forms and was reported favorably. The committee then heard SB 194, which would designate October 14 as Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance in Florida. Senator Martin said the bill would recognize Kirk’s influence on civic engagement, youth leadership, and constitutional education without creating a state holiday or closing offices. Supporters, including Florida Voice for the Unborn and others, said Kirk was a significant advocate for free speech and unborn rights. Opponents from Equal Ground argued that Kirk had made racist and divisive statements and that the state should not honor him with a public commemoration. Senators also debated whether a statutory day of remembrance was appropriate and whether it could set a precedent for future requests. Senator Jones offered a late-filed amendment to add George Floyd to the remembrance, arguing that if the legislature was going to memorialize Kirk, it should not do so selectively. Senator Martin opposed the amendment as unfriendly, and it failed on a roll call vote. The committee then debated the bill at length, with Senators Berman and Jones opposing it as an inappropriate endorsement of Kirk’s views, while Senator Simon and Senator Martin defended it as a recognition of his role in encouraging public debate and civic participation. SB 194 was ultimately reported favorably on a party-line vote, with Senators Berman, Harrell, and Jones opposed, Senator Rodriguez and Senator Simon in support, and Chair Claudio voting yes.

Transcript Highlights:

• This was, without question, an event that happened live on social media, live streaming, and it's something
• establishing this could lead to an increase in future requests for recognition of individuals, such as media
• ... ...future requests for recognition of individuals, such as media personalities, podcasters, political
• It caused young people to engage in the process again, and it was more than just social media activism

Committee: Senate Education Postsecondary

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have politicians and others going out in the media and declaring guilty or innocent verdicts before
• First of all, I'd ask the media to refer to this as an income tax, which is what it is.
• During this morning's Democratic media availability, there was a lot of discussion of DCYF and suspicion
• At the pre-session media forum on Friday, the one formerly known as the AP Forum, Speaker Jenkins got

Summary: House and Senate Republican leaders held a media availability on the second day of the 60-day legislative session, reacting to Governor Ferguson’s State of the State address and outlining their priorities. They said the top issue is affordability, and argued the governor and Democratic majority are responding with more taxes, regulation, and government spending rather than restraint. They criticized the prospect of a state income tax, calling it unconstitutional, politically unpopular, and likely to expand beyond high earners over time. They also said the state should avoid raiding the rainy day fund and instead look for savings through tighter budget management, reduced middle management, and a focus on core services. The leaders also discussed public safety, immigration enforcement, child care oversight, transportation, housing, and the Climate Commitment Act. On immigration, they said law enforcement coordination is essential and criticized mixed messages from state leaders about federal enforcement and sheriffs. On child care, they said allegations of fraud in subsidy programs should be investigated through audits and oversight, and rejected the idea that looking for fraud is offensive to honest providers. They said there is some bipartisan agreement on using Climate Commitment Act revenue for the Working Families Tax Credit, transportation, and wildfire prevention, but argued the tax itself is regressive and should be redirected to better uses. On the budget, Republicans said the current deficit will not be solved by a future income tax and that the state will likely need spending cuts or savings. They said there is some limited agreement with moderate Democrats against further tax increases and against using the rainy day fund as a first step. On housing and transportation, they said the real solutions are permitting reform, changes to the Growth Management Act and energy code, and more stable transportation funding, rather than more state spending on affordable housing or piecemeal fees. No votes were taken, and the event ended as a press availability with questions from reporters.

Transcript Highlights:

• risks of sending nudes to his friends or other people and the risks of bullying and coercion on social media
• 00:04:40.320><c> coercion</c><00:04:40.880><c> on</c><00:04:41.199><c> social</c><00:04:41.440><c> media
• </c> bullying and coercion on social media. bullying and coercion on social media.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Public Safety and Judiciary Conference Committee met on May 13, 2025, with a quorum present and heard emotional testimony on Senate File 281, the coercion crime bill. Jamie Bumth testified about her son Carter’s death by suicide after being targeted in an online sextortion scheme, describing how the perpetrator groomed, shamed, and extorted him and urging lawmakers to hold offenders accountable and better protect children online. Members thanked her for sharing her story, and the committee then moved on without further discussion of that item. The committee next adopted several agreed-upon policy items. It approved Article 4, R17 House language, which extends consecutive sentencing to local jail inmates who assault a sheriff’s correctional officer, mirroring existing law for state correctional inmates and limiting the scope to first- through fourth-degree assault. The motion passed unanimously. Members also adopted Article 5, R1 Senate language with changes: replacing “preserve and protect” with “document,” removing a disputed provision related to fleeing individuals for future work, and inserting “active” so the language refers to facilitating the active search for a missing person. The committee then adopted the A3 amendment concerning felony murder resentencing, clarifying that when eligible individuals are resentenced, the predicate felony or lesser-included offense is redesignated for the felony murder charge while preserving the original conviction date, and applying the clarification to resentencings from August 1, 2023. All motions passed, and the committee adjourned after concluding its formal agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• law at noon today, did something in the dark of night, closed doors, secretive—none of you in the media
• > closed doors secretive none of you in closed doors secretive none of you in the<00:08:51.240><c> media
• 52.320><c> they</c><00:08:52.399><c> were</c><00:08:52.600><c> trying</c><00:08:52.800><c> to</c> the media
• knew that they were trying to the media knew that they were trying to take<00:08:53.120><c> the</c><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And what that looks like, it can look like on April Fool's when you wake up and your social media is
• Cyberbullying itself occurs pretty much on these social media sites.
• Cyberbullying itself occurs pretty much on these social media sites like Facebook, TikTok, and Snapchat
• And I think this amendment, you know, which my portion of it was the Social Media Safety for Minors Act
• And we look at the way that these social media companies manipulate our youth through the algorithms,

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior day’s journal by a 117-0 vote, and a long series of guest introductions, including 911 officials, school groups, students shadowing legislators, international visitors from Quebec, family members, and various community advocates. The chamber then moved into floor debate on several measures, beginning with House Joint Resolution 115, which would extend personal property tax and homestead tax exemptions to 100% service-connected disabled veterans and surviving spouses. Members from both parties praised the sponsor’s eight-year effort, emphasized the financial burden on disabled veterans living on fixed incomes, and noted the measure’s broad support; the House adopted the committee substitute and ordered it perfected and printed. The House next took up House Bill 2151, a Fast Track workforce training program fix that raises household income eligibility thresholds from $40,000 to $50,000 for single filers and from $80,000 to $100,000 for joint filers without increasing the program’s overall funding cap. Supporters said the change reflects inflation and will help more adults and families access training for career changes and upskilling. The chamber then approved House Substitute for House Bill 2576, a naming bill that included several commemorative designations. Members adopted amendments designating January as Blood Donor Awareness Month, June 28 as Elliott and Muriel Battle Day, and March 26 as PANS Awareness Day; a proposed Josephine Baker Day amendment was withdrawn after concerns it could complicate the broader bill. The bill also included other memorial and honorary designations, including a highway naming for a Vietnam veteran and recognition of a former Pagedale mayor. The House also approved an amendment designating April 22 as Missouri Black Bear Awareness Day, with supporters saying it would promote public safety and education as bear populations increase. Another amendment added infertility awareness language, with members describing the issue as a disease that affects families in silence. The chamber then approved House Committee Substitute for House Bill 3175, known as Mason’s Law, which creates a system to flag certain driver records for law enforcement when a person has a condition affecting communication; an amendment expanded the notice to include driver’s licenses. Members said the bill would help officers safely interact with people who may have difficulty communicating during traffic stops. Finally, the House took up House Bill 1736, which allows local governments to use certain park-related sales tax revenues for natural disaster mitigation, including stormwater management and the purchase of repetitive-loss properties. Supporters said it would help communities address flooding without turning parks into hard infrastructure sites. The chamber then began debate on House Bill 1887 and related AI and digital-image protection provisions, including measures aimed at preventing nonconsensual deepfakes, protecting minors, and giving victims civil remedies and takedown processes. Members from both parties supported the goal of curbing AI abuse, though some raised technical drafting questions and one member suggested the legislature may eventually need a broader AI task force or sunset review. No final vote on HB 1887 was reached in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a Black woman and a legislator, I know that this post is not just about a post on social media.
• We are used to President Trump's late-night venting via social media, but the sharing of a racist post
• ...via social media, but the sharing of a racist post against two of the classiest presidents and first
• There's no way that he would have posted an image like this if social media were available to him.
• But you will get the results you want in a united front that this type of social media post coming out

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First up, we have a PCS for HB-743, Social Media Use by Minors, presented by Representative Salzman.
• to the bill that we passed last session that kept minors from being able to have access to social media
• that and extends it onto if you're a minor that is 15 and 16 years old, then it will require social media
• that and extends it onto if you're a minor that is 15 and 16 years old, then it will require social media
• I have a 17-year-old who accesses social media. I am the mom. I am that helicopter mom.

Summary: The subcommittee met with a quorum and took up a series of bills, beginning with PCS for HB 743 on social media use by minors. The sponsor said the bill would extend last session’s restrictions by requiring parental access to messages for minors ages 15 and 16 and allowing law enforcement access with a warrant or parental request. Members raised concerns about abuse situations and private communications, but the sponsor said the bill was aimed at protecting children from grooming and trafficking. The PCS was supported in public testimony and passed 15-0. Members then approved HB 1161, which would let victims of altered sexual depictions or deepfakes demand removal of the content and pursue civil remedies if it is not taken down; an amendment clarified a definition tied to federal law, and the bill passed 14-0. The committee also passed local bills for Duval County (HB 4053) and Oviedo/Seminole County (HB 4031) creating special alcohol licensing exception areas, and HB 717, which increases penalties for unlawful demolition of historic buildings and structures on the National Register of Historic Places, with supporters from historic preservation and local government groups. The committee next approved HB 1035 on building permits for single-family dwellings, as amended, to extend permit validity around building code updates, speed approvals after emergencies, and create faster review timelines for smaller projects; members questioned possible loopholes and storm-related applications, while the home builders association supported the measure. It also passed PCS for HB 1219 on employment agreements, creating a framework for covered non-compete and garden leave agreements for higher-wage employees or those with access to confidential information; several members objected to its impact on workers and the marketplace, and the vote was 11-5. Additional favorable votes were taken on HB 799 regarding condominium alcohol licenses, HB 869 expanding underground utility contractors’ scope to include certain fire line work after a contested amendment and testimony from both utility and fire sprinkler groups, HB 1071 on alternative plan reviews and inspections, PCS for HB 981 on athlete representation and NIL compensation, and PCS for HB 801 on HVAC/mechanical contractors repairing and replacing certain pool heaters, both of which drew mixed testimony and debate over scope and safety. The final item introduced was HB 311 on repair of motorized wheelchairs, which the sponsor said would improve access to parts, tools, and independent repair options for users.