Transcript Highlights:

• And it's my understanding this is really a requested bill by y'all's office. Good morning.
• And it's my understanding this is really a requested bill by y'all's office.
• And so each dealer location must have a fingerprinted bona fide employee who resides in Texas present
• They have to staff each location with a fingerprinted employee at all times, even though they don't sell
• in the state to 75 locations.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Transportation heard several bills, mostly local memorial highway designations and transportation-related regulatory measures. Senator Hinojosa presented SB 1351 to designate part of US 281 in Hidalgo County as the Jose Rodriguez Lua Memorial Highway in honor of a Border Patrol processing coordinator killed by a drunk driver; a family member testified emotionally in support, and the bill was left pending. The committee also heard and left pending SB 2245 on bonded titles for vehicles when a lienholder has gone out of business, SB 1568 on animal-friendly specialty license plates with a second “spay, neuter, adopt” plate, SB 2589 on handling closed county roads in Webb County, SB 1104 on allowing large retailers to use one fingerprinted employee of record across multiple Texas locations, SB 1423 naming the Bill Stout Parkway in Longview, and SB 1931 naming part of US 83 the Rodolfo Valdez Memorial Highway. Most of these bills drew supportive testimony or were presented as local measures with no opposition. The committee also took up broader policy bills. SB 215 would create a digital identification program for Texas driver’s licenses and certain other licenses, but the sponsor said he was mainly laying the bill out for discussion and study; testimony was limited and the bill was left pending. SB 2707 would clarify that government entities such as TxDOT and the military remain exempt from fees on oversized/overweight permit authority, though a county commissioner raised questions about road-use impacts and fee revenue. SB 2807 drew the most discussion: it would prevent a motor carrier’s use of safety technology, training, and related practices from being used as evidence that an independent contractor is actually an employee. Supporters said the bill would encourage adoption of safety tools like cameras and braking systems without increasing misclassification risk, while opponents from the trial lawyers’ side warned the wording could conflict with existing labor-code definitions and create litigation. The sponsor and committee members discussed possible clarifying floor amendments. After public testimony, the committee voted on the pending bills. All measures were reported favorably on 6-0 votes, with committee substitutes adopted where applicable. SB 1351, SB 1423, SB 1568, SB 1931, SB 2245, SB 2589, SB 2707, SB 2807, and SB 2841 were all sent to the full Senate, and several were recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee recessed subject to the call of the chair after completing the votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• So if requesting a police jurisdiction. So if requesting a police jurisdiction.
• So it would be the exact location. But I have would be the exact location.
• Yes, but they get that exact location. Yes, but they get that exact location.
• So to location, the most exact location. So to location, the most exact location.
• So is this something that's location. So is this something that's location.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Another is an old refinery site located in Bloomfield.
• Request is going to look like. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Representative.
• You know, is it something where we can safely put it downhole near that same location?
• How we access that is up to the institutions, Madam Chair, making the requests.
• Like I said before, we plan to petition the Water Quality Control Commission by December. to request

Transcript Highlights:

• We had some 200 and something what I call requests for information.
• 200 and something what I call request 200 and something what I call request for<00:09:08.640>
• <00:09:17.839> that state to that company requesting that state to that company requesting
• Now, the total request of those 45 projects is $81 million, which I think is a good thing.
• million of funding now the total request million of funding now the total request of<00:18:48.240

Keywords: 00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:34 Economic Development Cabinet 27:51 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee met without a quorum, so the minutes from the last two meetings were not approved. Secretary Noel of the Cabinet for Economic Development then gave a broad overview of the cabinet’s work and an update on the Kentucky Product Development Initiative (KPD), with Deputy Secretary Katie Smith and General Counsel Matt also present. He said the cabinet’s strategy is to focus on high-wage job creation, especially in automotive transformation, business and financial professional services, tourism, logistics, agri-tech, aerospace, and other high-tech sectors, while also supporting small and medium-sized businesses and existing employers. Noel highlighted several program results and examples, including average incentivized wages approaching $27 per hour, 877 jobs and $346 million in investment through hub operations, $90 million through Commonwealth Ventures, help for hundreds of companies through the Kentucky Intellectual Property Alliance, work with 220 companies through the Kentucky Science and Technology Council, nearly 3,000 students in Advanced Kentucky, and more than 1,100 participants in Kentucky Valor. He also cited 35,000 workers trained through Bluegrass State Skills, 177 businesses helped by the small business tax credit, and 77 entertainment incentive transactions totaling about $200 million and 7,400 jobs. On the grant side, he said the cabinet had approved 155 projects under a federal grant program, committing $99 million, with outreach aimed at smaller communities and all 120 counties. The main focus of the second half was KPD. Noel described it as a program that requires more than basic due diligence, emphasizing community readiness, local vision, title and mineral-rights review, sewer validation, and consultant review. He said 109 projects had been awarded in the earlier rounds, and in 2024 there were 45 requests for information seeking $81 million against $35 million in available funding, showing strong demand. He also said the cabinet has worked with local economic developers through five regions aligned with area development districts, and that the secretary, deputy secretary, or commissioner of business development must attend the regional meetings, with 100% attendance reported for the key three last year. In response to questions, he said Jefferson County’s lack of KPD projects so far likely reflects where local land and development strategies are in the process rather than a lack of interest, and he said the cabinet has not heard that Kentucky’s occupational safety and health rules are clearly helping or hurting competitiveness, though he offered to look into it further.

Transcript Highlights:

• So for those reasons, we're requesting a no vote today. Thank you.
• , location, location.
• At the appropriate moment, I would request an aye vote.
• At the appropriate moment, I would request an aye vote. Great. Thank you.
• Housing in general can be located.

Summary: The committee heard several housing bills, with the longest discussion focused on SB 79, which would allow more housing near high-capacity transit stops and on transit agency-owned land. The author and supporters argued it would address California’s housing shortage, reduce vehicle miles traveled, and strengthen transit systems by putting more residents near rail and rapid transit. Supporters included housing advocates, local officials, environmental groups, and transit-oriented development organizations. Opponents, including many cities, the League of California Cities, and some tenant and legal advocacy groups, raised concerns about affordability requirements, displacement, demolition protections, local control, and the bill’s interaction with existing local planning efforts. The committee discussed amendments to strengthen anti-displacement protections, minimum density, affordability standards, and a local flexibility alternative, and SB 79 was moved out on a due-pass-as-amended vote of 8-1, with one member not voting. The committee then took up SB 21, which would amend the Housing Crisis Act to allow limited unit reductions when converting deed-restricted SRO buildings into larger, more livable affordable units with private bathrooms, kitchens, and supportive services. The author and nonprofit housing providers said many SRO buildings are financially unsustainable and that the bill would preserve deeply affordable housing while improving conditions for residents. There was no organized opposition testimony at the hearing, though one business property group registered opposition. Members expressed support for the preservation-focused approach, and SB 21 was approved on an 8-0 vote and sent to the Assembly Committee on Local Government. Next, SB 92 was heard, a measure to close a density bonus loophole by limiting how much additional commercial floor area a project can receive and preventing the law from being used to justify very large nonresidential projects with only minimal affordable housing. The author cited a San Diego project as an example of the problem, and the City of San Diego supported the bill as a reasonable fix. Several labor and housing groups also supported it, while no formal opposition witnesses testified. The committee accepted amendments, members praised the effort to curb abuse while preserving feasibility, and SB 92 passed on a 7-0 vote. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 522, which would extend just-cause eviction protections to units rebuilt after disaster if they had previously been covered by the Tenant Protection Act. The author and the Los Angeles City Attorney said the bill would help preserve rental housing in disaster-affected communities, especially after the Pacific Palisades fires, and would not create new rent control. Opponents, including apartment, realtor, and property owner groups, argued it would add burdens to rebuilding and could discourage reconstruction. Members raised questions about whether existing law already protects returning tenants and whether the bill was necessary, and the hearing continued into committee discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:09:47.040> to but they are in the right location to but they are in the right location
• So, I also request a little bit of compassion for the people that have to do that.
• So, I also request a little bit of compassion for the people that have to do that.
• <00:43:22.720> Locating justice grant administration.
• Locating justice grant administration.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As part of those minimum ...requesting dangerous advice are flagged for human review.
• They can't get out and drive to a location, need to have the ability to get their needs met.
• When location data is used today, it reflects the consumer's affirmative decision.
• Those are often delivered through advertising that is supported by location data.
• When the perpetrator in my child's... ...to request their removal.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The committee heard AB 1988, which would require companion chatbots to respond to credible crisis expressions with a 988 lifeline notice, human review after repeated crisis signals, and a pause in the chat. The author and supporters said AI chatbots are increasingly used for emotional support but are not equipped to handle suicidal or violent ideation safely; they cited cases of harmful chatbot responses and argued the bill is a limited safety measure, not a ban. Support came from crisis, family medicine, and child/family service organizations, and there was no formal opposition testimony. Members praised the bill’s intent and the author’s work, and the bill was held pending quorum before later discussion moved on to the next item. The committee then took up AB 1709, which would set a minimum age of 16 for accounts on social media platforms with harmful addictive features and create an e-safety advisory commission. The author argued that social media product design—such as infinite scroll, autoplay, and algorithmic feeds—drives compulsive use and mental health harms, especially for children, and said the bill would still allow safer, non-addictive platforms and online spaces. Supporters, including a psychologist and the Organization for Social Media Safety, described cyberbullying, predation, addiction, and mental health harms; several organizations and advocates also supported the measure. Opponents, including EFF, privacy groups, civil liberties organizations, and youth and LGBTQ advocates, argued the bill is overbroad, raises privacy and First Amendment concerns, and could cut off young people from community, news, and support. They pointed to Australia’s experience as evidence that age restrictions are easy to circumvent and may shift harms elsewhere, and urged feature-level regulation instead of age-based exclusion. Committee members debated whether the bill is a “ban” or a delay, how age assurance would work, and whether the commission could meaningfully define and update harmful features; several members said they would support the bill while acknowledging it needs further work and ongoing oversight.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a reminder, anyone wishing to testify before the committee, please register at the kiosk. located
• Three of these are located in or right next to my district, Big Boggy, in my district.
• The risk of harm to birds is increased when turbines are located near migratory routes.
• So they do kill birds, and where they're located is important. It's important to us.
• Members, I'd request your favorable support. If you have any questions, please let me know.

Bills: HB3129, HB3251, HB3556, HB3724, HB3887

Keywords: construction, wildlife impact, height restrictions, national wildlife refuge, environmental regulations, HB 3887, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Parks and Wildlife Code, performance bond, payment bond, contractor bonding, public works, construction contracts, public building, procurement, bid security, subcontractors, suppliers, contractor payment protection, project completion

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we never like when we get a request from the legislature about how long does it take on average
• We have any number of information requests from the Legislature.
• But that's every day sub located.
• Fdle requested in the legislature authorized additional staffing for protective operations.
• And we always meet the rest case requests, forensic services.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a testifier here that has requested that, and I want to accommodate their request.
• <00:15:01.920> that we'd also um respectfully request that we'd also um respectfully request
• <00:37:16.880> it request a three-year window to start. it request a three-year window to
• We could request that they do that.
• To be vehicle in any location.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 1531, HD1, which would require the governor or county mayors to provide American Sign Language interpreters during official emergency announcements broadcast on television or the internet, ensure the interpreter is visible, and provide a primary pool feed with picture-in-picture so rebroadcasters would not need to add the feature themselves. Testimony from the Disability and Communication Access Board and the State Council on Developmental Disabilities strongly supported the bill, emphasizing effective communication for deaf and hard-of-hearing residents and noting that interpreter placement and size can make broadcasts inaccessible. The council requested an effective date of July 1, 2027 to allow implementation time. Members raised concerns about interpreter availability and emergency logistics on Hawaiʻi Island, but the chair moved to pass the bill with amendments reflecting the picture-in-picture recommendation and the later effective date. The committee adopted the motion, with several members voting aye and others voting with reservations. The committee then heard House Bill 1880, HD2, which would prohibit, beginning January 1, 2027, the use or application of pesticides containing 1,3-dichloropropene, such as Telone. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity explained that pesticides are already regulated at both the federal and state levels, with EPA risk assessments and state enforcement of label restrictions, reporting, and school-buffer requirements. The Hawaii Public Health Institute supported the bill, citing cancer and respiratory risks and arguing that safer alternatives exist. In opposition, Dole Food and the Hawaii Farm Bureau said Telone is important for controlling nematodes in pineapple production, that it is applied underground under EPA conditions, and that no comparable registered alternative exists for pineapple; they also said the bill’s 2027 start date is too short for growers to adjust. A representative from the Y Alliance for Progressive Action and Support supported the measure, citing statewide usage data and concerns about drift and chronic health impacts. Committee members questioned both sides about drift monitoring, groundwater impacts, alternative methods, and whether a transition period or research into resistant varieties could reduce reliance on the chemical.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, may I request a solo, please? Do I have any questions?
• The idea is instead of counting them at the prison location, it cro it counts those inmates at their
• person counted at their permanent place of residence or whether you count them in an incarcerated location
• For instance, if you look at the language part of the instructions, they are to request from federal
• House thro 3345 is a request bill from the department.

Bills: HB2993, HB3850, HB3595, HB3763, HB3760

Keywords: rural law enforcement, grant fund, public safety, financial assistance, coordination districts, grant funding, law enforcement coordinators, municipal assistance, education, inmates, literacy, high school equivalency, Department of Corrections, parole, rehabilitation, law enforcement, mandatory training, mental health, domestic violence, peace officer certification

Transcript Highlights:

• gaming the system and coming in and filing for bankruptcy. or interconnection for an interconnection request
• Is it in the right location if the if the if it's a. boat if it's a generator going behind the meter
• Was it exactly duplicate duplicate request? Uh, for we were in in forecasting.
• If you had applications for the same project may be in it three or four other. other locations, maybe
• but there was new standard requirements will apply. out of both new or expanded interconnection requests

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is actually located in Natick, but, well, because Natick is the home of champions in the center of
• There are some, you know, folks who are very nervous about who might have access to particularly location
• capital investment plan, that is ongoing right now, I've asked the team to pull together all the requests
• that have been discussed over the years—requests that we like, requests that maybe we're not as fond
• We fielded and processed requests for matching funds from municipalities all over the state, applying

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held an informational hearing with invited testimony from MassDOT leadership, the MBTA, Massport, and the state’s Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office. MassDOT officials outlined work across highways, rail and transit, the Registry of Motor Vehicles, and aeronautics, emphasizing major capital spending, bridge and roadway programs, transit grants, rail expansion, airport safety, and modernization efforts. They highlighted Chapter 90 and municipal grant programs, the Compass Rail and West-East Rail efforts, RMV upgrades such as electronic titles and driver licensing systems, and aeronautics work on airport pavement, drones, and advanced air mobility. Committee members focused on safety, service access, and project implementation. Questions to MassDOT covered automated enforcement and rising roadway fatalities, the Allston multimodal project’s federal funding, Complete Streets access for rural communities, and South Coast Rail staffing and future electrification. The RMV was asked about the Work and Family Mobility Act, Real ID demand, and appointment access, especially in Metro West. Members also raised concerns about South Coast Rail operations, Keolis staffing, and whether the Stoughton route remains part of future plans; MassDOT and MBTA officials said they are working on staffing, service reliability, and long-term expansion, while noting that nothing is off the table for future rail improvements. MBTA General Manager Phil Eng reported progress including workforce growth, elimination of subway speed restrictions, expanded reduced-fare access, bus network redesign, South Coast Rail launch, and commuter rail signal upgrades. He said the agency is pursuing a new commuter rail operating contract designed to support future regional rail, electrification, and higher-frequency service, while maintaining service and workforce stability amid funding uncertainty. Members also asked about fare collection data privacy and the impact of state funding levels; Eng said the MBTA needs the governor’s proposed funding to preserve service and staffing, and that the fare system’s data are encrypted and handled through a secure vendor system. Massport CEO Rich Davey reported record activity at Logan, Worcester, and the cruise and maritime facilities, along with major capital and climate investments such as sustainable aviation fuel planning, shore power at Flynn Cruiseport, renewable diesel, and expanded ground transportation. He said Massport is planning for continued passenger growth and managing congestion through parking, HOV, and curbside changes, while monitoring federal policy, tariffs, and air traffic control staffing issues. Federal Funds Director Quentin Palfrey described the administration’s efforts to secure federal infrastructure dollars, citing about $9 billion in federal awards since the start of the administration, including major transportation grants for the Cape Cod Bridges, Allston, West-East Rail, North Station drawbridge replacement, roadway safety, and clean school buses. He warned that changing federal policies, grant delays, and possible future congressional actions create uncertainty, but said the office is working case-by-case with municipalities and agencies to protect awarded funds and find alternative financing where needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, that, um, current law allows for local governments to approve a local ordinance and to make a request
• We did also request $20 million.10 million dollars for equipment and that materialized, uh, actually
• If you look at that bottom table, our capital outlay request, Mr.
• Uh, we requested, uh, over 30 million for capital outlay support on our patrol yards.
• Chairman, on the, on the locations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Or Or if if the vets are be request? Or Or if if the vets are be request?
• So, we can put the request request request >> guys<01:24:36.400> subdivide<01:24:37.040>
• Just three more requests.
• our budget request together. our budget request together.
• Depends where they're located. to park. Depends where they're located.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• then there's also a couple locations then there's also a couple locations down<00:13:00.760>
• to the other so that from one location to the other so that they<00:13:19.160> can<00:13:19.320
• He said one or more of those large chain locations could turn into a warehouse to supply the other locations
• Has there been any discussion locations.
• from Representative Frederick of request from Representative Frederick for<00:42:49.680> a<00

Bills: HF4145, HF4009, HF4304, SF2511, HF4090, HF357, HF901

Keywords: alcohol consumption, nursing homes, assisted living, resident activities, Minnesota Statutes, seasonal liquor licenses, resorts, intoxicating liquor, county board, Brainerd, Northern Pacific Center, event center, liquor license, on-sale license, alcohol sales, special law, local option, Minnesota liquor law, chapter 340A, Sunday sales

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, my capital plan, I did request additional funds for school buildings, um, another $60 million for
• <00:10:46.399> additional capital plan, I did request additional capital plan, I did request
• Chairman, I know that you<00:37:31.599> had<00:37:31.839> requested<00:37:32.160> if
• if we could bring some you had requested if we could bring some information<00:37:34.240> on<
• have invested in have announced location have invested in facilities<00:38:00.640> have<00:38

Keywords: Meeting start 00:00:00 Discussion of Nickels and School Facility Funding 00:02:13 Economic Development Projects in Elizabethtown and Hopkinsville 00:29:33 Correspondence and Reports Received 01:09:25, 958, all

Summary: The committee received an informational presentation from the Kentucky Department of Education and the School Facilities Construction Commission on school facilities funding. Staff explained the main funding sources used for school construction and renovation, including the mandatory “nickel” property tax levy, growth and equalized growth nickels, the equalized facility funding nickel, the Fort Knox/BRAC-related nickel for Hardin County, and the recallable nickel that districts can adopt locally. They also described the state equalization formula, noting that local construction costs have risen and that state support is formula-driven rather than a dollar-for-dollar match. The SFCC outlined how unmet facility need is calculated through district facility plans, which are developed locally with community, staff, and board input and then reviewed by KDE staff for consistency and reasonableness. The commission said it will update the statewide unmet need report this fall, adopt it in December, and provide the figure to the committee in January 2026. It reported that the statewide unmet facility need was about $7 billion in 2023, with about $951 million in local revenue available, and said its offers of assistance are paid as debt service over eight years. The commission also said the most recent legislative offer of assistance was its smallest since SFCC’s creation in 1985, and requested an additional $60 million for the next biennium. Members asked about how districts use nickel tax levies, who determines facility need, whether the process includes physical inspections, and how bonding capacity affects offers of assistance. Staff said nickel levies are generally adopted with regular tax rates, that facility need is locally developed but reviewed by KDE, and that KDE project managers and district-hired architects review plans on paper rather than through in-person inspections. They also explained that bonding capacity can affect a district’s ability to use or receive assistance. Questions were also raised about federal funds tied to earlier KIX grants and about districts with zero remaining offers of assistance; staff said most grant-funded projects are underway or complete, and that a zero balance means a district has spent its available assistance. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hopefully, we can get. a community college much closer to that location.
• A record vote has been requested. The clerk will ring the bell.
• Does your bill request any money?
• A record vote is... been requested the clerk will ring the bell.
• Clerk, your vote has been requested. The clerk will ring the bell. Button voting aye.

Bills: HB 120, HB20, HB150, HB6, HB 100, HB 124, HB210, HB215, HB1393, HB1587, HB 1151, HB 1268, HB142, HB451, HB39, HB 102, HB 126, HB290, HB300, HB2143, HJR2, HB147, HJR6, HB 120, HB20, HB150, HB6, HB 100, HB 124, HB210, HB215, HB1393, HB1587, HB 1151, HB 1268, HB142, HB451, SB1

Keywords: career readiness, education reform, workforce training, public schools, financial aid, applied sciences, career education, high school diploma, certificate program, work-based learning, job placement, high-growth jobs, technical training, cybersecurity, state command, information resources, data protection, incident response, mental health, telehealth

Transcript Highlights:

• Next slide, perhaps. 34 individual locations around the 34 individual locations around the state<00:10
• I'll appear when a legislator requests for us to be present.
• We obviously get fiscal note requests for anything that might impact the agency operations.
• I believe it’s in the $67,000 range, but I can provide all this information upon request.
• You can be arrested for a misdemeanor offense, and cash bail is requested or put into effect.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The locations change. Uh, instead, she couldn't or felt like she couldn't.
• The locations changed. Uh, instead, she couldn't or felt like she couldn't.
• The locations changed. Uh, instead, she couldn't or felt like she couldn't.
• So that was the number one request that we had from districts.
• <01:22:34.159> for But programs will reply to a request for But programs will reply to a request

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee began with introductions of student guests, including an FCCLA national officer who spoke in support of career and technical education. She emphasized that CTE connects classroom learning to real careers, builds leadership and employability skills, and deserves continued state supplemental funding to keep programs current, expand offerings, and support student organizations. Members thanked her for her remarks and for representing FCCLA students. The committee then considered House Bill 67, a cleanup bill to address unintended consequences from last session’s Senate Bill 181 on traceable communication in schools. Rep. Josh Calloway explained that the substitute clarified definitions of family members, coaches, volunteers, certified/classified/contract employees, and virtual instruction; exempted group messaging, public social media posts, translation services, parent-provided phone numbers, emergency communications, and field trip/work-based learning contacts; and allowed teachers to disclose outside commercial or nonprofit involvement so they can communicate with students for those purposes. He said the bill was developed with input from school boards, administrators, KDE, school HR groups, Kentucky League of Cities, and Farm Bureau. The committee approved the substitute and passed HB 67 favorably. Next, the committee heard House Bill 759, which KDE described as a consistency bill for teacher certification pathways. The bill renames and standardizes alternative certification routes, clarifies content mastery requirements, allows teachers to add certifications more consistently, and lets educators extend certification into lower grade bands if they already hold higher-level certification and pedagogical knowledge. Members asked about chemistry majors, CTE occupational pathways, the veterans pathway, and grade-band “bandwidth”; KDE said the bill preserves the veterans route, does not create a new pathway but reorganizes existing ones, and will help make certification options easier to understand. HB 759 also passed favorably. Finally, Rep. Shane Baker presented House Bill 654, a follow-up to last year’s effort to reduce administrative burdens on schools. He said the bill would eliminate additional reporting requirements, bar KDE from requiring components of a comprehensive improvement plan not expressly required by statute or federal law, and allow EARS to temporarily authorize reports when the legislature is not in session while preserving necessary reporting tied to SEEK funding and school operations. The committee took up the substitute and began discussion of the bill.