Transcript Highlights:

• And so, I'm proud today that we have folks from my district today from the Sing Sing Prison Museum, telling
• Chair, from the Sing Sing Prison Museum, we have Minerav, Amy, and from the board, retired Sing Sing
• TODAY FROM THE SING SING PRISON MUSEUM.
• CHAIR, FROM THE SING SING PRISON MUSEUM, WE HAVE MINERAV, AMY, AND FROM THE BOARD, RETIRED SING SING

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and adopted a resolution calendar with several exceptions before taking up a series of ceremonial resolutions and bills. Members welcomed student visitors from the YWCA of White Plains’ Voices Unfiltered Policy Program, then adopted resolutions honoring Senegalese independence and the Senegalese community, MWBE Advocacy Day, John Coltrane’s 100th birthday, the Sing Sing Prison Museum, I Love My Park Day, Animal Advocacy Day, Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder Awareness Month, and Denim Day. Speakers emphasized cultural recognition, public service, environmental stewardship, animal welfare, rare disease awareness, and support for survivors of sexual violence; each resolution was adopted. The chamber then moved through the regular calendar, passing a number of bills on broad roll-call votes. Among the measures approved were bills amending the Penal Law, Executive Law, Public Housing Law, Retirement and Social Security Law, Social Services Law, Environmental Conservation Law, General Municipal Law, Railroad Law, Election Law, Labor Law, and Public Service Law. Several bills passed unanimously or nearly so, while a few drew notable opposition, including a public health measure that passed 39-19 and the labor-related bill on ghost job postings that passed 39-19 after extended debate. The most detailed floor debate centered on the Labor Law bill addressing “ghost jobs,” requiring employers with 100 or more employees to disclose whether postings are for current vacancies, expected future openings, or general resume collection, with Department of Labor enforcement and civil penalties. Supporters argued it would protect job seekers from deceptive postings; opponents said it was unnecessary, burdensome, and could invite litigation or penalties disproportionate to the problem. The Senate also debated and passed a bill expanding election-language assistance under the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act to Haitian Creole and Middle Eastern and North African communities, with supporters citing growing language-access needs and opponents raising concerns about scope and local costs. The Senate then adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's also an anticipated cost for prison beds due to the new felony charge.
• 05:13.120> a There's also an anticipated cost for a There's also an anticipated cost for a prison
• 05:14.320> to<00:05:14.440> the<00:05:15.120> new<00:05:15.440> felony prison
• beds due to the new felony prison beds due to the new felony charge. charge. charge.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 3489, an education bill establishing field trip supervision rules and creating the criminal offense of grooming, was debated on the House floor. Representative Bennett described the bill as a response to student sexual grooming, saying it would prohibit staff from being isolated alone with students except in limited circumstances, create a felony offense for child grooming, add grooming to mandatory reporting and educator discipline rules, require enhanced reporter training, and allow the Department of Education to look back further than three years in investigations. He also noted an ongoing fiscal cost of a little over $1.4 million, largely tied to additional investigative staff and anticipated prison-bed costs. Several members spoke in support, including Representatives Bakeberg, Jordan, Altendorf, Ryer, Knudson, and Mueller. They emphasized protecting children, strengthening field-trip safeguards, improving communication with licensing boards, and training educators to recognize grooming behavior. Multiple members thanked Hannah LaPresto and Detective Chad Clausen for their work and testimony, and several referenced Hannah’s survivor story as central to the bill’s development. Some members also stressed that the bill was not aimed at the teaching profession generally, but at bad actors who exploit trust and authority. The discussion repeatedly highlighted survivor testimony and the need to believe victims, with some members calling for broader prevention efforts such as education on consent and grooming. Representative Bennett and others said the bill was necessary because grooming is often hidden and can take years to disclose. After debate, the House took the roll, and the bill passed 133-0 with its title agreed to.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, members, H.B. 2673, Mental Illness, Prisoners, and die...
• Madam Chair, Member, House Bill 2673, Mental Illness, Prisoners, and die. Ms. Ville, Noah.
• Madam Chair, members, House Bill 2673, Mental Illness, Prisoners, Diagnosis, and Treatment, outlines
• guidance for court-ordered evaluations for prisoners showing signs of or diagnosed with mental disorders

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long list of bills and resolutions, with staff giving brief descriptions and members flagging which items were on consent, had unanimous committee votes, or should be pulled for further discussion. Topics included education, health care, public safety, labor, water, taxation, housing, and elections. Several measures were noted as party-line or mixed votes, while many others were reported as unanimous and placed on third-read or consent calendars. Among the more discussed items were bills on school and labor policy, including a proposal to prohibit teacher strikes, a measure restricting school district bond actions, a bill requiring school safety protocols and assigning felony penalties for noncompliance, and a resolution limiting public money for labor organization activities. Members also raised concerns or requested further review on bills involving pharmacist testing authority, expired opioid antagonists, a county sheriff-related measure, a housing affordability district proposal, and a tobacco/vape regulation bill. Some measures were explicitly pulled from consent, including a Medicaid audit resolution, a budget-related pay-withholding resolution, and several education and public safety bills. The caucus also heard multiple health and human services measures, such as genetic counselor licensing, nursing board and pharmacy board continuations, foster care rights, psychiatry access funding, and free school meals. In addition, there were water and energy bills on Colorado River management, groundwater, transmission-line review, and renewable energy valuation, plus election and campaign-related proposals. The meeting ended with announcements, including an upcoming Colorado River breakfast briefing and an internal award recognizing Representative Brian Garcia, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• sentencing guidelines for her, because she doesn't have a past criminal history, range from as low as zero prison
• time to six months in prison.
• County attorneys have to go after it, et cetera, and people do end up going to prison, so it's working
• Somebody very often will get a longer prison sentence, etc.

Transcript Highlights:

• You would agree, like many things, a lot of schools, and especially prisons, funny enough, in Florida
• So you would agree, a facility of any type, whether it's a shopping mall or a school or a prison, built
• We do that, I think, with a lot of our prison facilities. ...because it just doesn't make sense to run
• We do that, I think, with a lot of our prison facilities. I have visited.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met with a quorum and took up several education bills. SB 1150, by Senator Calatayud, was presented as a measure to help school districts retain school social workers by removing an exam requirement unrelated to the profession. With no questions or debate, the committee voted the bill favorably. The committee then moved to SB 1514, by Senator Smith, on anaphylaxis response in public schools. After adopting a delete-all amendment and a late-filed amendment clarifying FDA-approved epinephrine devices and weight-based dosing, the committee heard support from Orange County Public Schools and reported the bill favorably. The most extensive discussion centered on SB 1708, also by Senator Calatayud, which would expand Schools of Hope by broadening the definition of low-performing schools from those in the bottom 10% in both math and reading to those in the bottom 10% in either subject, and would authorize co-location of Schools of Hope in underused public school facilities. Senators questioned how co-location would work, who could enroll, how liability and contracts would be handled, and whether the bill would help the specific students most in need. Many public speakers opposed the bill, arguing it would strain already underfunded public schools, reduce space and resources, and unfairly favor charter operators. The sponsor said the bill would not reduce classroom space in use, would require contracts to address safety and liability, and would provide a net positive to districts through a $600-per-student facility payment plus associated funding. After debate from both supporters and skeptics, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also considered CS for SB 822, by Senator Rodriguez, which would give charter schools more autonomy over governance and operations, including deadlines, enrollment caps, student conduct policies, and data sharing. The Florida Charter School Alliance supported the bill, arguing it would create parity and reduce burdens on charter schools, while committee members pressed the witness on claims of district “harassment” and the basis for those concerns. The bill was reported favorably after a roll call vote. At the end of the meeting, members recorded votes on prior tabs, thanked staff, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• OFFICERS TO THE LIST OF OFFENSES FOR WHICH A COURT MUST SENTENCE A CONVICTED DEFENDANT TO LIFE IN PRISON
• proportionately to... ...that invasion and that surprise would land me with a minimum mandatory of life in prison
• ISSUE IS, IN ADDITION TO DEPUTY RAYNER, JUST RECENTLY TRAVIS GARRETT WAS SENTENCED TO 45 YEARS IN PRISON
• The jury in this case found his killer guilty of manslaughter and sentenced him to 30 years in prison

Bills: SJR37, SJR57, SCR8, SB8, SB108, SB125, SB251, SB318, SB378, SB379, SB396, SB472, SB487, SB503, SB533, SB565, SB583, SB608, SB650, SB686, SB689, SB707, SB710, SB763, SB854, SB875, SB916, SB924, SB925, SB958, SB961, SB965, SB987, SB988, SB1006, SB1019, SB1021, SB1024, SB1026, SB1038, SB1146, SB1185, SB1194, SB1202, SB1252, SB1253, SB1330, SB1343, SB1362, SB1497, SB1498, SB1499, SB1527, SB1547, SB1596, SB1697, SJR36, SJR12, SJR57, SJR37, SCR22, SCR12, SCR8, SB925, SB1362, SB565, SB765, SB62, SB666, SB707, SB888, SB687, SB847, SB1248, SB504, SB857, SB305, SB296, SB284, SB1497, SB1499, SB1498, SB241, SB304, SB621, SB1023, SB1024, SB686, SB371, SB204, SB609, SB670, SB850, SB854, SB413, SB1346, SB1033, SB1220, SB1073, SB810, SB1539, SB447, SB875, SB406, SB985, SB965, SB1119, SB1505, SB1194, SB1253, SB1215, SB1302, SB856, SB583, SB673, SB681, SB1172, SB1252, SB378, SB608, SB955, SB957, SB988, SB1019, SB1021, SB1120, SB251, SB541, SB379, SB1737, SB266, SB1415, SB1527, SB125, SB599, SB1330, SB53, SB916, SB1352, SB785, SB710, SB472, SB1450, SB1502, SB1566, SB414, SB1062, SB961, SB1038, SB578, SB711, SB746, SB942, SB1404, SB1448, SB1738, SB108, SB8, SB318, SB507, SB533, SB689, SB1026, SB1349, SB1355, SB1433, SB1434, SB1596, SB1403, SB1146, SB763, SB667, SB1059, SB617, SB1567, SB503, SB16, SB310, SB311, SB396, SB505, SB1209, SB1210, SB1470, SB264, SB924, SB1029, SB1185, SB1202, SB1358, SB1364, SB1569, SB1697, SB1376, SB1228, SB519, SB878, SB1350, SB462, SB1535, SB827, SB1585, SB207, SB1207, SB1619, SB1396, SB920, SB1484, SB1273, SB1741, SB7, SB927, SB1227, SB1229, SB1353, SB1366, SB1464, SB1709, SB1729, SB1733, SB1744, SB1772, SB1816, SB1841, SB2188, SB1147, SB879, SB1008, SB378, SB710, SB916, SB1019, SB1146, SB1194, SB1253, SB1499, SB213, SB925, SB1362, SR263, SR311, SR333, SCR8, SB2407, SB2722, SB2949, SB2407, SB2722, SB2949

Keywords: voter ID, citizenship, election integrity, constitutional amendment, voting rights, central bank digital currency, CBDC, Federal Reserve, digital dollar, digital currency, cashless payments, financial privacy, cybersecurity, government surveillance, financial surveillance, money laundering, terrorism financing, illicit finance, banking policy, monetary policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Eleven Navy nurses were captured in the Philippines, enduring three years as prisoners of war.
• and even... ...hospital ships, as you had mentioned, during evacuation missions, and even became prisoners

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs heard two resolutions. S.J.R. 14, authored by Senator Gabaldon, urges California’s congressional delegation to support federal legislation awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to members of the U.S. Army Nurse Corps and Navy Nurse Corps who served in World War II. Brigadier General Ruth Wong testified in strong support, describing the nurses’ frontline service, harsh conditions, discrimination, wartime trauma, and long-overdue recognition. Senators echoed support, noting the nurses’ sacrifices and the importance of honoring their service. The committee also heard S.J.R. 17, authored by Senator Choi, which honors Republic of Korea veterans who fought alongside American troops in the Vietnam War and later became U.S. citizens. Senator Choi explained that the resolution asks Congress and the President to allow states to extend burial and memorial benefits in state veterans’ cemeteries without jeopardizing federal cemetery funding. The resolution was presented as a narrow request to recognize allied veterans who served with U.S. forces. There was no opposition testimony on either measure. Both resolutions were moved and approved by the committee on roll call votes, ultimately passing 5-0 each and being placed on call before final adoption.

Transcript Highlights:

• A THIRD-DEGREE FELONY IS PUNISHABLE BY UP TO FIVE YEARS IN PRISON.
• A SECOND DEGREE FELONY IS PUNISHABLE BY UP TO 15 YEARS IN PRISON.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Mallalerie, the deputy agent general for the state of Hawaii Department of Defense; he's with the Air Guard
• he's<00:05:28.080> with<00:05:28.320> the<00:05:28.560> Air<00:05:28.880> Guard
• <00:05:30.080> And<00:05:30.400> I Defense, he's with the Air Guard.
• And I Defense, he's with the Air Guard.
• Victor is a colonel in the Air Guard.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is relating to the Hawaii National Guard.
• and vision coverage to all officers, warrant officers, and enlisted personnel of the Hawaii National Guard
• Hawaii enlisted personnel of the Hawaii enlisted personnel of the Hawaii National<00:03:04.080> Guard
• to<00:03:04.879> active<00:03:05.200> duty<00:03:05.440> for National Guard
• order to active duty for National Guard order to active duty for more<00:03:05.840> than<00:03

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's for, um, The state active guard and the National Guard, most of the members that use state tuition
• assistance are a part of the National Guard.
• Then there's a small percentage of the state guard that the tuition is their training tuition?
• Like they can be getting an education while they're also serving in the National Guard, and this will

Transcript Highlights:

• And in fact, the law requires that they go to prison.
• What you're requiring is that they go to prison for a greater length of time.
• And in fact, the law requires prison.
• What you're that they go to prison.
• <01:30:31.520> for requiring is that they go to prison for requiring is that they go to prison

Bills: HF1567, HF2809, HF3380

Keywords: public safety officer, peace officer, correctional officer, law enforcement, police privacy, officer safety, doxxing, personal information, data privacy, government data practices, private data, internet posting, online disclosure, residential address, phone number, email address, family member protection, child safety, school information, public records

Transcript Highlights:

• And then also has to do with our prison system, our jails, and keeping prisoners longer in our local
• And then also has to do with our prison system, our jails, and keeping prisoners longer in our local
• And then also has to do with our prison system, our jails, and keeping prisoners longer in our local
• to do with um um our um our prison to do with um um our um our prison system<00:37:06.160> our
• longer in our local jails prisoners longer in our local jails pushing<00:37:11.800> the<00:37

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee met to hear a presentation from the Commissioner of Revenue on Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan’s tax proposal, with members told no public testimony would be taken because bill language was not yet available. The commissioner said the proposal would lower the statewide sales tax rate by 0.75 percentage points while expanding sales tax to selected professional services such as legal, brokerage, banking, and accounting, with several carve-outs. He emphasized that the plan would not add business-to-business sales taxes, arguing that taxing business inputs leads to tax pyramiding and higher hidden consumer costs. The commissioner said the rate cut would be the first sales tax rate cut in state history and estimated it at about $95 million annually, while the service expansions would raise about $203 million to $205 million annually, for a net increase of roughly $110 million per year. He said the proposal is part of the governor’s broader budget, which he described as addressing long-term structural deficits and funding other priorities such as an R&D credit, an expanded sustainable aviation fuel credit, fraud prevention, and service-member retention bonuses. He also said the carve-outs and exemptions would be reflected in the revenue estimate. Members questioned whether the proposal was truly a tax cut or instead a tax increase, and several asked for a revenue-neutral rate if all or more services were taxed. One member raised concerns about how pro bono legal work with a fee would be treated, and another asked about possible streamlining issues and whether fees are treated as taxes in statute. The commissioner said a fee would be taxable depending on the arrangement and that the department would review the language carefully once drafted. He also said the department would provide more detailed estimates later, including what the rate would be if the tax were made revenue neutral. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• for us about the fragmented systems that are across our criminal justice system across the state—prisons
• facing child porn charges; former deputy charged with 44 counts; Fargo man sentenced to 32 years in prison
• And they matter, and they are a deterrent, and people who are in prison presumably can no longer create
• He started as a dog that was in a prison. They give puppies to inmates.
• He started as a dog that was in a prison. They give puppies to inmates.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met to hear the Attorney General’s budget and related agency presentations. Legislative Council first reviewed the compliance with legislative intent report and the base budget worksheet, highlighting current and ongoing appropriations, FTE changes, one-time funding items, continuing appropriations, and major special and federal funds. Members asked about items such as the Missing Indigenous People Grant Fund, the Internet Crimes Investigation Fund, and the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit grant funding, and staff explained the funding sources and status of those programs. Assistant Attorney General Clare Ness then outlined the Attorney General’s office structure, staffing, and budget pressures. She emphasized the office’s broad statutory duties, the value of its legal and investigative work for state and local governments, and concerns about attorney salary competitiveness, the new and vacant FTE pool, and the impact of the 3% operating budget reduction on BCI, IT, and the crime lab. Members also discussed AG opinions, boards and commissions training, and the office’s litigation and settlement recoveries. Ness and committee members raised the possibility of broader attorney salary benchmarking across state government. The crime lab director described severe space and infrastructure constraints, including overcrowding, shared workspaces, glycol leaks, air handling limits, and aging fire and burglar alarm systems. She said the 2024 study projected a much larger facility would be needed and that a new building on the current health department site would best address the lab’s needs. She also reported that backlogs have improved significantly in DNA, drug, fingerprint, and firearms work, though toxicology had a recent delay after an air compressor failure. The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit director described the unit’s fraud, abuse, and neglect work, noted federal-state funding and recent federal scrutiny, and said the unit needs more staff. The gaming division reviewed charitable gaming growth, e-tabs, trust accounts, and compliance issues, while BCI covered its caseload, cybercrime and child sexual abuse material investigations, the missing indigenous person task force, and the use of lottery funds for drug task forces. No formal votes or budget actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• trial is had, the prosecutor will choose whether or not they're seeking, on a capital case, life in prison
• trial is had, the prosecutor will choose whether or not they're seeking, on a capital case, life in prison
• they're seeking on a capital case life they're seeking on a capital case life in<00:11:37.120> prison
• without<00:11:37.839> the<00:11:38.000> possibility<00:11:38.320> of in prison
• without the possibility of in prison without the possibility of parole<00:11:38.800> or<00:11

Bills: HB41, HB149, SB230, SB87, SB169, SB238, SB233, HB72, HB41, HB149, SB230, SB87, SB169, SB238, SB233, HB72

Keywords: sexual offenses, penalties, rape, sodomy, criminal justice, Judicial Branch, Alabama State Bar, legal profession, commissioners, government agency, campaign finance, security measures, candidates, elected officials, legislative protection, civil procedure, statute of limitations, real estate appraisers, legal complaints, appraisal board

Transcript Highlights:

• I've been into the female prisons.
• I've been into the male prisons, and I'm able to bridge that gap.
• Cloud prisons and only these two prisons to notify DCT when incarcerated individuals appear to have a
• and only these two Sint Cloud prisons and only these two prisons<00:54:00.440> to<00:54:00.599
• to notify DCT when incarcerated prisons to notify DCT when incarcerated individuals<00:54:03.119>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm also enlisted in the Army National Guard as a Chinook helicopter mechanic.
• I'm also enlisted in the Army National Guard as a Chinook helicopter mechanic.
• National Guard as a Chinook helicopter<00:08:35.640> mechanic.
• So, I want to say thank you for your work in the National Guard.
• So, I want to say thank you for your work in the National Guard.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 1791 was presented as a scholarship/grant program for students in postsecondary technical or career programs offered through their high schools. Representative Scott and Representative Lawrence described it as a way to help students transition into careers or further education by covering costs such as tools, boots, books, and other work-related expenses. The chair noted the bill would be laid over, with limited time for testimony because of a full agenda. Testimony strongly supported the bill. Steve Collina of the Minnesota Precision Manufacturing Association said manufacturing is a major Minnesota industry and that the bill fills a gap by supporting K-12 career pathways; he emphasized the proposal would not cost the state or taxpayers. Trevor Quennell, a Centennial High School graduate now at Dunwoody College, said the bill would have eased the burden of buying expensive tools and balancing work, school, and transportation. Eric Trost, an instructor at St. Francis High School, explained that Saints Manufacturing is a student-run, elective business-style program that teaches estimating, quoting, logistics, welding, machining, and employability skills, and he said the grant portion is especially important because many students go directly into the workforce. Naomi Brasky, a St. Francis student and Army National Guard enlistee, said the program has given her real-world problem-solving and communication experience and that grants would help cover costs not included in tuition. Members responded positively, with one noting broader trends away from four-year college and calling the bill common sense. In closing, Representative Lorentzen credited instructor Eric Trost for originating the idea and thanked an audience member, Mr. Yost, for supporting the program. The chair then laid House File 1791 over.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the estimated cost for a pension offset for National Guard order to state active duty, and that
• That's the estimated cost for a pension offset for National Guard order to state active duty, and that
• These are from Representative Olsen's proposal to provide members of the National Guard with a pension
• These are from Representative Olsen's proposal to provide members of the National Guard with a pension
• provide members of the National Guard provide members of the National Guard with<00:09:14.320>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• An act relating to the Wyoming State Guard, removing activation of the National Guard of Wyoming into
• An act relating to the Wyoming<00:10:36.640> State<00:10:36.960> Guard,<00:10:37.520>
• > removing<00:10:37.960> activation Wyoming State Guard, removing activation Wyoming State
• Guard of Wyoming into of the National Guard of Wyoming into service<00:10:40.680> of<00:10:40.800
• Wyoming State Guard, involvement in the Wyoming State Guard, allowing<00:10:48.800> the<00:10:

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• THE ENTIRE PIECE OF EQUIPMENT AND IS NOW RESEARCH VESSEL DESIGNATED BY THE US COAST GUARD USES SMALL
• OUR OVERSIGHT COMES FROM THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD WITH RESPECT TO TRAINING AND CREDENTIALED PROGRAMS
• COAST GUARD APPROVED PROGRAMS ENCOMPASS BOTH DECK AND ENGINE BACK WAYS.
• COAST GUARD PROGRAM HUNDRED PERCENT OF THE STUDENTS REMAIN EMPLOYED WITH THE CONTRACT COMPANIES.
• COAST GUARD OR FIRST IS -- ASSISTANT ENGINEER IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE TRAINING.

Keywords: 999, senate, all