Transcript Highlights:

• I urge you to pass this bill so no family has to make the sacrifices mine did just to care for their
• I urge you to pass this bill so no family has to make the sacrifices mine did just to care for their
• 00:46:42.720> make<00:46:42.960> the<00:46:43.200> sacrifices<00:46:44.079> mine
• <00:46:44.880> did<00:46:45.200> just has to make the sacrifices mine did just has
• to make the sacrifices mine did just to<00:46:45.680> care<00:46:46.000> for<00:46:46.319

Bills: SB2198, SB2140, SB3055, SB3090, SB3091, SB3092, SB2761

Keywords: workforce development, craftspersons, skilled trades, artisan, craftsmanship, trade recognition, award program, DLIR, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Meilleur Ouvrier de France, vocational education, career pathways, cultural preservation, workforce excellence, apprenticeship, Hawaii trades, economic diversification, public nominations, governor awards, historically significant venue

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, my number is going to be way off because I base mine on my 1150 number and where we're going to grow
• off<00:19:42.640> because<00:19:42.880> I<00:19:43.039> base<00:19:43.360> mine
• <00:19:43.600> on<00:19:44.000> my<00:19:44.320> 1150 off because I base mine
• on my 1150 off because I base mine on my 1150 number<00:19:45.440> and<00:19:45.760> where
• Mine was 204. Even 203? So, who's it? 202.5 being the number. All those in favor of 202.5 say aye.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• incredibly sympathetic to so many of the students who are supporting this bill who had an experience like mine
• Entering community college, it took a giant weight off mine and my family's back that the state of California
• state cares so much about their education too that they'll cover their tuition, like they covered mine
• They were forced to work in gold mines, cook, serve, and perform all the other services they previously
• Justice Clarence Thomas, who is no hero of mine, made it very clear in the affirmative action decision

Summary: The committee hearing covered several higher education bills, with extensive testimony on student aid, affordability, and institutional debt. AB 587 would add veteran representation to the California Student Aid Commission; the author said the change would bring lived experience from the veteran community to student aid policy, and members raised a concern about keeping the commission’s membership odd-numbered, which the author said would be addressed by amendment. AB 791 would standardize cost-of-attendance housing calculations using objective data and improve notice of the adjustment process; supporters said current budgets often underestimate students’ real living costs, while UC, CSU, and independent colleges opposed or had concerns about the bill’s prescribed methodology, fiscal impact, and a 14-day turnaround for adjustments. AB 850 would create a one-term grace period for students with institutional debt to re-enroll while arranging repayment, bar reporting that debt to credit agencies, and require more transparency; proponents described students being blocked from continuing school over debts, while CSU, UC, and private-college representatives said they already use holds and payment plans and worried about added liabilities and budget pressures. AB 537 would extend the California College Promise Program to part-time community college students; supporters said most community college students attend part-time and should not be excluded from fee waivers, while the committee noted fiscal concerns but ultimately advanced the bill. AB 7 would allow universities to consider whether an applicant is a descendant of American chattel slavery in admissions as a reparative measure; supporters framed it as lineage-based reparative justice, while opponents argued it would function as a racial proxy and conflict with Proposition 209 and equal-protection principles. The committee took roll-call votes on the measures, advancing AB 587, AB 791, AB 850, and AB 537 to Appropriations, with AB 850 and AB 537 receiving fewer votes and the roll left open for additional members.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know I have a major crisis in mine. I'm sure the rest of you do too.
• Mine happens to be a long-term friend and family member who I haven't seen in a while.
• need it the most, and, you know, benchmarks, it is tough to argue against those, as a colleague of mine
• resources that they need for these competitive area differentials, that is great for Counties like mine
• I was praying I wouldn't get pregnant, and if your bill had been enacted and I was in a friend of mine

Bills: HJR 99, HB 1399, HB 1400, HB 1094, HB 365, HB 1109, HB 647, HCR 35, SB 14, HB 12, HB 1522, HB 422, HB 675, HB 204, HB 748, HB 912, HJR 99, HB 1399, HB 1400, HB 1094, HB 365, HB 1109, HB 647, HCR 35, HCR 123, HCR 124, HR 57, HR 87, HR 111, HR 228, HR 230, HR 322, HR 624, HR 625, HR 626, HR 627, HR 628, HR 630, HR 631, HR 634, HR 635, HR 636, HR 637, HR 638, HR 639, HR 640, HR 645, HR 646, HR 648, HR 649, HR 651, HR 652, HR 653, HR 654, HR 664, HR 665, HR 668, HR 675, HR 676, HR 678, HR 679, HR 680, HR 683, HR 686, HR 688, HR 689, HR 694, HR 695, HR 697, HR 698, HR 699, HR 472, HR 622, HR 632, HR 633, HR 643, HR 655, HR 657, HR 660, HR 661, HR 662, HR 663, HR 667, HR 670, HR 674, HR 681, HR 682, HR 696

Keywords: animal feed, tax exemption, ad valorem taxation, retail, constitutional amendment, retail sale, tangible personal property, Texas tax code, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption, regulation, deceased transportation, HB 365

Transcript Highlights:

• I have one comment for myself and then one from a friend of mine who's a foster mother for teenage girls
• I'll make mine short, refer to questions and comments of Senator Berman, which I think was brought on
• I'll make mine short, refer to questions and comments of Senator Berman, which I think was brought on
• I feel like this would be a big barrier, especially for households like mine, which grew up in a struggling
• I feel like this would be a big barrier, especially for households like mine, which grew up in a struggling

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard Senate Bill 1272 on guardianship, which would limit a guardian’s ability to isolate an adult ward from family and require notice of major events such as a ward’s death or relocation to a more restrictive setting. Senator Jones and supportive speakers said the bill was intended to protect wards from abuse and isolation by bad actors, while still preserving good-faith guardianship. With no opposition testimony or debate, the committee voted 8-0 to report the bill favorably. The committee then considered CS for Senate Bill 1284, which would expand Florida’s Wrongful Death Act to allow civil claims for the death of an unborn child. An amendment was adopted to define “unborn child” as a member of the species Homo sapiens carried in the womb and to state that the act does not authorize claims against the mother or against health care providers acting within the lawful standard of care. The bill drew extensive debate and testimony. Supporters argued it would give parents parity and fuller damages, including economic losses and mental anguish, when negligence causes the death of an unborn child. Opponents, including the ACLU, medical professionals, and reproductive rights advocates, warned it could be used to target abortion care, increase malpractice exposure, worsen physician shortages, and create speculative damages. The committee approved the bill 6-4. Finally, the committee took up Senate Bill 1288 on parental rights, with a strike-all amendment that would strengthen parental control over minors’ medical decisions, surveys, and biofeedback devices, while adding exceptions for emergencies, court orders, certain legal statuses, and situations involving abuse or out-of-home placement. Supporters said the measure restores parents as primary decision-makers and protects children from inappropriate questioning or treatment without consent. Opponents argued it could block minors from confidential care for STIs, mental health, or abuse-related issues, and could chill school and medical screenings. The transcript ends during testimony and debate on this bill, before any final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• I hope that we can work together to prevent other families from going through what mine did.
• I hope that we can work together to prevent other families from going through what mine did.
• I hope that we can work together to prevent other families from going through what mine did.
• I hope that we can work together to prevent other families from going through what mine did.
• I hope that we can work together to prevent other families from going through what mine did and thank

Keywords: 00:00:00 Call to Order/Roll Call 00:01:20 Discussion of 25RS HB 479 00:03:22 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 479 00:04:51 Discussion of 25RS HB 574 00:21:49 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 475 00:23:41 Discussion of 25RS HB 291 01:04:38 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 291 01:05:42 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Families and Children met and first took up House Bill 479, which would require one hour of dementia training for DCBS workers. Representative Derrick Lewis and the Alzheimer’s Association said the bill was a straightforward, bipartisan effort to address dementia awareness and improve worker training, with no fiscal impact. Members spoke in support, including remarks about personal family experiences with dementia and the importance of recognizing symptoms early. The committee voted 11-0 to pass the bill with favorable expression. The committee then heard House Bill 574, the “Baby Maya” child protection bill, sponsored by Representatives Dossett and Lewis. The bill would require reporting when a child is born to a parent who previously had children removed for neglect or abuse, create a rebuttable presumption allowing the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to make an initial safety determination, authorize emergency custody procedures, and name the measure the Baby Maya Law. Sponsors said it was intended to add guardrails after the Baby Maya case and stressed that it would not automatically remove children or add new mandatory-reporter penalties. Members asked about hospital involvement, HIPAA, and information-sharing; the Cabinet commissioner said the agency would be open to better data-sharing with hospitals, but currently has no such system. The bill passed 12-1 with favorable expression. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 291, the Family Preservation and Accountability Act, with a committee substitute. The bill would expand sentencing alternatives for primary caregivers convicted of nonviolent offenses, allowing judges to consider family status and use options such as counseling, parenting classes, and related services. Supporters argued it would keep families together, reduce harm from parental incarceration, and save money; one witness cited a report estimating $4 million in direct incarceration savings and broader economic benefits. Another witness, Amanda Hall, gave emotional testimony about the long-term harm of parental incarceration and said access to help would have been better for her family than prison. The committee adopted the committee substitute and passed the bill 12-1 with favorable expression.

Transcript Highlights:

• being so passionate about this issue, I almost decided against speaking today due to concerns for mine
• I can't even say the formerly great state of Texas, I serve as a warning, as a canary in the coal mine
• As a canary in the coal mine, if you will, what was supposed to be a temporary stay in the Northeast
• I also know books save lives because they saved mine. I thank you for your time.”

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused on several bills related to access to library materials, including measures addressing book bans and censorship in public and school libraries, as well as legislation on digital library collections and e-book licensing. Committee leaders said testimony would be limited to three minutes and encouraged written submissions. Early testimony from Chair Brian Murray highlighted H. 3595, which would address challenges facing public libraries and digital resource collections by limiting restrictive publisher-library contract terms, protecting patron confidentiality, and creating a special legislative commission to study the issue. A large number of legislators, librarians, authors, students, publishers, and advocacy groups testified in support of the free expression bills, including H. 3594 and S. 2328, arguing that book challenges in Massachusetts disproportionately target LGBTQ+ and BIPOC titles and that librarians and educators need protection from retaliation and harassment. Witnesses described local incidents of book removals, threats, and pressure campaigns, and several said the bills would create transparent challenge procedures, keep materials available during reviews, and ensure decisions are made by trained professionals rather than political actors. Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley’s office also submitted support, and multiple speakers cited national trends and Massachusetts-specific censorship attempts. Testimony on the digital access bills emphasized that e-books and audiobooks are essential for readers with disabilities, homebound patrons, students, and others who rely on accessible formats, but that current licensing terms are far more expensive and restrictive than print purchasing. Library representatives said libraries spend millions on digital content, face long wait times for popular titles, and often must repeatedly re-rent the same materials. Legal and library experts supported the proposed commission as a practical step toward fairer licensing and stronger bargaining power for libraries. The hearing ended after extensive testimony; no votes or final committee action were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was pulling up an email from a good friend of mine, and I quoted from that at a previous insurance
• I had a neighbor, a friend of mine, who had to become Zone Zero compliant in order to get his insurance
• I had a neighbor, a friend of mine who had to become zone zero compliant in order to get his insurance
• And agencies like mine are going to need to be willing to be collaborative with it and say, all right

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The joint Senate hearing of the Natural Resources and Water Committee and the Emergency Management Committee focused on wildfire resilience, with members discussing the SB 254 report on enhancing California’s response to natural catastrophes. Opening remarks emphasized the scale of wildfire damage, the need for prevention and preparedness, and concerns about the affordability and insurability crisis. Senators repeatedly contrasted the relatively small share of funding going to community hardening with the much larger amounts spent on utility wildfire mitigation and landscape-scale projects, and several members raised concerns about CEQA delays, one-time funding, and the need for more sustainable, ongoing financing. The Legislative Analyst’s Office presented an overview showing about $4.7 billion in state wildfire resilience appropriations from 2018-19 through 2025-26, with funding shifting from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund to the General Fund and then to Proposition 4. LAO noted that only about $65 million had been specifically targeted to community hardening, while most funding went to forest health, fuels, research, and related programs. LAO also said one-time funding will decline in coming years and that future GGRF support is uncertain, though General Fund use is not legally precluded. Members asked about maintenance costs, polluter-pays ideas, and whether performance metrics should focus more on property and community risk reduction than acres treated. Cal Fire’s State Fire Marshal described the state’s community wildfire preparedness strategy, centered on home hardening, defensible space, and neighborhood-scale mitigation. He said roughly 4 million homes are in the wildland-urban interface, most built before modern fire-resistant standards, and argued that the state must move from response to prevention. He said Cal Fire is incorporating the SB 254 recommendations into its updated action plan, has streamlined some fuel-reduction projects under a recent executive proclamation, and is shifting some grant funding toward maintenance of existing treatments. Cal OES described the AB 38 pilot and FEMA hazard mitigation work, saying the pilot helped build tools and standards for home hardening but that federal approval delays remain a major barrier; the agency reported 155 hardened properties, 19 under construction, and 370 assessed and waiting. The Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force said it has coordinated more than $6 billion in state and federal investments, is moving toward regional block grants and better data-driven prioritization, and is developing separate community and landscape strategies. The hearing ended with discussion of modeling, data gaps, utility coordination, contractor capacity, and possible legislative or budget changes to better align funding and metrics with community safety outcomes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mine was called the Soda Kids Act, Stop Online Targeting Against Our Kids.
• a social media different version of a social media bill.<00:45:52.720> Um<00:45:53.599> mine
• Um mine was called uh Soda Kids bill.
• Um mine was called uh Soda Kids Act,<00:45:56.240> Stop<00:45:56.720> Online<00:45:57.280

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up House File 4138, a bill aimed at limiting harmful social media features for children and requiring social media companies to report potential mass-shooting threats to the BCA. Members first reconsidered and then adopted the Smith amendment (A13), while a proposed amendment to that amendment (A18) failed on a 67-67 tie. Representative Bonner then introduced a technical amendment (A14) but withdrew it after explaining it needed further work to avoid liability and legal problems. The bill was then read for third reading as amended. Debate centered on the bill’s approach to child safety online. Supporters, including Representatives Scott, Eng, Feist, Greenman, and Gilman, argued that social media is addictive, harmful to children’s mental health, and too often exploits kids, and they said the bill is an important bipartisan first step. Several members also emphasized that parents should be involved, though some questioned whether parents can realistically understand the technology and legal terms well enough to make informed decisions. Representative Leeing raised concerns about location privacy, parental consent, possible liability waivers, and whether the bill should instead restrict addictive features for all children rather than only those whose parents consent. The discussion also broadened to related public-safety issues. Representative Greenman contrasted the difficulty of advancing this bill with the Legislature’s inability to move gun-related provisions, arguing that organized interests like the gun lobby and big tech are blocking stronger protections for children. Representative Bonner later described specific cases of children harmed through social media, including sextortion and fentanyl-related deaths, to argue that the bill does not yet cover all vulnerable youth and should be strengthened. No final vote on passage is included in the transcript excerpt, but the amended bill advanced to third reading.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we see this in communities across the state, including mine.
• 08.639> including communities across the state including communities across the state including mine
• 05:09.840> a<00:05:10.320> a<00:05:10.639> community,<00:05:11.039> the mine
• I've got a a community, the mine.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up House File 1141, the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency supplemental budget bill. Representative Howard described it as a bipartisan housing package aimed at addressing Minnesota’s housing shortage by funding housing infrastructure bonds, Greater Minnesota workforce housing, homeowner education, a senior housing pilot, and family homelessness assistance and prevention. He said the bill is budget-neutral, using unspent interest earnings and other redirected funds, and includes transparency and accountability reforms for MHFA. Several members spoke in support, emphasizing housing supply, affordability, and the need for more homes across the state. The main floor debate centered on the Norris A6 amendment and the Igo A1 amendment to it. Norris proposed changing rent-increase limits in low-income housing tax credit properties from area median income to the lower of area median income or the consumer price index, arguing that seniors on fixed incomes were being priced out as rents rose faster than Social Security COLAs. Igo’s A1 amendment instead would have preempted cities, counties, and townships from adopting or renewing rent control ordinances statewide, with supporters arguing rent control harms development and affordability. Opponents said the proposal had not been fully vetted in committee and that public subsidies justify rent limits. Both the A1 amendment to the amendment and the underlying A6 amendment failed on tied 67-67 votes. After the amendments were defeated, the bill received its third reading and further discussion. Howard and other supporters reiterated that the bill would help produce an estimated 2,000 to 2,200 housing units, with HIB-funded projects historically spread across the metro and Greater Minnesota. Members also highlighted the bill’s support for first-time homebuyers, manufactured housing, senior housing, and homelessness prevention. No final passage vote is shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I say that because I value your insights as more experience than mine.
• But a community like mine feels some kind of way when these things happen by government.
• Stop wasting taxpayers' dollars that may have been mine.
• Stop wasting taxpayers' dollars that may have been mine.

Summary: The Senate convened in special session and took up Senate Bill 8D, later substituted with House Bill 1D, both establishing Florida’s congressional districts. The sponsor, Senator Gates, explained that the Governor had transmitted a proposed redistricting plan on short notice and argued that mid-decade congressional redistricting is legally permissible, citing population growth and the Governor’s view that race-based provisions in the Fair Districts Amendment are unconstitutional. He repeatedly said the Legislature was not being asked to prove the Governor’s legal theory, only to consider the proposal, and noted that no amendments were offered. A lengthy question-and-answer period followed, with senators raising concerns about the rushed process, lack of statewide public hearings, and the map’s effects on minority communities, compactness, communities of interest, and partisan fairness. Senators questioned whether the map cracked Latino and Black communities, whether partisan data was used, whether the Governor’s office had outside consultants, and whether the plan complied with the Florida Constitution, the Fair Districts Amendment, and the Voting Rights Act. Gates generally deferred on legal conclusions, said the Governor’s representatives had testified the map was race-neutral and used political data only as one factor, and emphasized that any constitutional challenge would be for the courts. After a motion to temporarily postpone failed by a recorded vote of 12 yeas to 23 nays, the Senate continued debate. Senators Rouson, Bernard, and others spoke in opposition, arguing the proposal was rushed, partisan, and harmful to communities of interest and minority voting power. Gates maintained that the Governor had a constitutional prerogative to propose the map and that the Legislature could accept, reject, or amend it. The House companion bill was then substituted for the Senate bill, read a third time, and the chamber moved into final debate on the congressional redistricting plan.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I say that because I value your insights as more experienced than mine.
• And so I say that because I value your insights as more experience than mine.
• But a community like mine feels some kind of way when these things happen by government.
• Stop wasting taxpayers' dollars that may have been mine.

Summary: The Senate convened in special session with an opening prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved to the special order calendar to consider congressional redistricting legislation, beginning with Senate Bill 8D and then substituting the identical House Bill 1D. The bill would establish Florida’s congressional districts. Senator Gaetz, presenting the measure, said the Governor had proposed the map to address population growth and to draw race-neutral districts, and argued that mid-decade redistricting is legally permissible and has occurred before in Florida and other states. He repeatedly said the Legislature could accept, reject, or amend the proposal, but that the Governor had the prerogative to propose it. The floor debate focused heavily on the legality and timing of the map, especially after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Louisiana redistricting decision was announced during the session. Several senators, including Rouson, Sharief, Smith, Polsky, Arrington, Bracy Davis, Bernard, Nathan, and Berman, questioned whether the map complied with the Florida Constitution’s Fair Districts Amendment, the Voting Rights Act, and equal protection principles. They raised concerns about the short notice, lack of statewide public hearings, the use of partisan data, the absence of sworn testimony from the Governor’s representatives, the claimed severability of the Fair Districts Amendment, and the impact on minority communities and communities of interest. Gaetz generally declined to offer legal opinions, saying those issues would ultimately be for the courts, but he relayed the Governor’s position that race-based provisions in the Fair Districts Amendment are unconstitutional and that the proposed map is race-neutral and compact. Members also debated whether the map’s population data and compactness scores justified the district lines, with critics arguing that the plan cracked and split communities in places such as Central Florida, Tampa Bay, and South Florida. Gaetz said the Governor’s office relied on 2020 census data plus updated population estimates from the Office of Economic and Demographic Research and the American Community Survey, and that the mapmaker said he drew the map himself without outside consultants. After questions concluded, the Senate adopted a motion to substitute HB 1D for SB 8D, read the bill a third time, and proceeded to debate the House bill. The transcript ends during debate, with no final vote on passage shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• perspective, and owning a construction yard, and it happens to be a habitat where family members of mine
• be a habitat where family members<00:17:54.559> uh<00:17:54.720> of<00:17:54.960> mine
• have<00:17:55.600> come<00:17:55.760> along<00:17:56.000> and members uh of mine
• have come along and members uh of mine have come along and left<00:17:56.559> old<00:17:56.880

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He was a very good friend of mine.
• /c><00:10:30.280> good<00:10:30.440> friend<00:10:30.680> of<00:10:30.760> mine
• <00:10:31.240> He He was a very good friend of mine.
• He He was a very good friend of mine.

Bills: HF4371, HF4317, HF2817, HF3496, HF4151, HF3826, HF4425, HF3990

Keywords: HF4371, Minnesota background checks, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, BCA, Office of the Legislative Auditor, Legislative Auditor, criminal history records, national criminal history record information, public safety, statutory amendment, section 299C.76, requesting agency, state audit, oversight, background screening, criminal records, county agencies, MNsure, Department of Revenue, Department of Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• whose revenues are below $250 million are eligible for reimbursement by ALDOT, while companies like mine
• from ALD while reimbursement by from ALD while companies<00:33:26.480> like<00:33:26.640> mine
• ><00:33:27.200> who<00:33:27.440> invest<00:33:27.760> heavily companies like mine
• who invest heavily companies like mine who invest heavily in<00:33:28.240> the<00:33:28.480><

Bills: SB222, HB560, HB475, HB484, HB583, HB542, HB566

Keywords: medical clinic board, clinic board, hospital bankruptcy, Chapter 11, bankruptcy, debt restructuring, municipal indebtedness, municipal bankruptcy, health care provider, acute care hospital, lease property, board immunity, director liability, civil liability, healthcare finance, insolvency, debt readjustment, federal bankruptcy law, Alabama Code 11-58-5.2, library materials

Transcript Highlights:

• Another dear old friend of mine who probably could tell some tales on me if he took a notion.
• <00:52:30.080> old<00:52:30.320> friend<00:52:30.600> of<00:52:30.680> mine
• Another dear old friend of mine there.
• Another dear old friend of mine who<00:52:31.480> probably<00:52:31.840> could<00:52:32.040

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Attendance Roll Call: 00:15 HB 195 Discussion: 05:22 HB 195 Roll Call Vote: 16:33 SB 199 Discussion: 18:34 SB 199 Roll Call Vote: 41:25 SB 5 Discussion: 43:50 SB 5 Roll Call Vote: 46:35 HB 687 Discussion: 48:10 HB 687 Roll Call Vote: 50:15, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They uploaded into CODIS, our national database, and it hit a match back to mine and multiple others.
• hit a<00:15:42.959> match<00:15:43.120> back<00:15:43.279> to<00:15:43.440> mine
• <00:15:43.680> and<00:15:43.920> multiple a match back to mine and multiple a match
• back to mine and multiple others.<00:15:44.720> So<00:15:45.120> he<00:15:45.360> was

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:02 Roll Call 00:00:23 HB 414 Discussion 00:01:58 HB 414 Vote 00:22:34 HB 43 Discussion 00:24:56 HB 43 Vote 00:26:37 HB 518 Discussion 00:27:37 HB 518 Vote 00:45:20 Adjournment 00:46:35, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and took up three bills. House Bill 414, sponsored by the chair, would require collection of DNA at booking for felony arrests. Supporters, including Sen. Julie Rocky Adams, Michelle Kyper, and Ashley Spence, argued that felony-arrest DNA collection is already used in many states and in the federal system, helps solve cold cases, and can exonerate innocent people. Kyper and Spence gave detailed personal testimony about sexual assaults and how delayed DNA collection allowed serial offenders to remain unidentified for years. Members asked about the removal of a $5 fee in the committee substitute and about what happens to DNA if a case is dismissed; the sponsor said the fee was removed to treat DNA collection like other booking procedures, and that dismissed-case language was taken out because of concerns about duplicate samples. The committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill favorably on a roll call vote. House Bill 43, sponsored by Rep. Diana Gordon, would create a grace period for deputy coroners to complete required annual training when extenuating circumstances prevent timely completion. Gordon said the bill was a repeat of last session’s HB 403 and was intended to let deputies remain employed rather than lose their license and reapply. After a brief question about how often extensions would be used, she said the grace period would be discretionary and limited to unusual circumstances. The committee then passed the bill favorably by roll call. House Bill 518, also with a committee substitute, addressed local tax collection and payment procedures. The sponsor described it as a compromise between business groups and local governments, aimed at simplifying payment of local occupational license fees and net profits taxes by requiring cities and counties to offer electronic payment options. Testimony from the Kentucky League of Cities, the National Federation of Independent Business, and the County Judge/Executive Association focused on reducing paperwork for businesses while preserving local control and avoiding forced centralization. The committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill favorably on a roll call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• talk about right now is when we're looking at child care policies, we notice that generations like mine
• talk about right now is when we're looking at child care policies, we notice that generations like mine
• talk about right now is when we're looking at child care policies, we notice that generations like mine
• talk about right now is when we're looking at child care policies, we notice that generations like mine

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Senate Message 04:26 Report of Committees 05:13 Orders of the Day/ HB 6 06:22 HB 480 14:13 HB 562 17:55 HB 136 25:53 HB 257 29:47 HB 490 35:54 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 40:30 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 52:44 Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 53:49 ConC/Rules Report 57:12 Floor Amendments 58:49 Adjournment 58:59, 958, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum with 96 members present, excused absent members, and approved the journal from February 13, 2026. The Senate also transmitted Senate Bills 72 and 110 for concurrence. Committee reports advanced several bills, including measures on deputy coroner training, local jail booking procedures, local business tax collection, peace officers, Kentucky National Guard benefits, and first responder mental health. The chamber then considered House Bill 6 on child care. The sponsor described it as the product of extensive stakeholder collaboration aimed at improving affordability, quality, access, and data in child care, including changes to the low-income subsidy program, employee child care assistance, Kentucky All-Stars, micro-centers, and a military child care pilot program in House Committee Substitute 1. The substitute was adopted, and the bill passed 84-11 with one abstention after supportive remarks from members emphasizing workforce needs, family support, and military families. House Bill 480, relating to state contracts, was explained as requiring clearer contract terms for appropriated funds, partial payment protections, a 1% penalty for late payment, and semiannual reporting on whether cabinets are paying bills on time. A member noted a planned amendment to limit the bill to state-funded appropriations, but the bill passed 96-0. House Bill 562, relating to alternative high school diplomas, would create a Kentucky alternative diploma for certain students with disabilities and require the Education and Labor Cabinet to maintain employer information for graduates; members spoke in strong support of the bill’s workforce and dignity goals, and it passed 96-0. House Bill 136, relating to campaign finance, was amended to remove a $15,000 cap and allow campaign funds to pay for reasonable security costs for candidates; the sponsor cited rising threats to elected officials, and the bill passed 97-0. The transcript ends as the House moved on to House Bill 257.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's really a distinct privilege of mine that I get to have a very unique.
• Well, I don't know for sure in your school district, but sometimes in mine we hear that chatter, right
• And we have mining permits for silver and copper. That have been pending for over a decade.
• And that was speed talking, which is a bad habit of mine. Thank you very much.

Transcript Highlights:

• a school shooting and as a citizen who believes no child should ever live through the terror that mine
• in 2025, I live just a mile and a half from Annunciation Church, where two children the same age as mine
• I dealt with that with another constituent of mine who had three years of his life interrupted by something
• I DEALT WITH THAT WITH ANOTHER CONSTITUENT OF MINE WHO HAD THREE YEARS OF THREE YEARS OF HIS LIFE INTERRUPTED

Keywords: 1187, senate, all