Transcript Highlights:

• Now, every constitutional amendment, every part of the Bill of Rights is subject to some regulation.
• Now, every constitutional amendment, every part of the Bill of Rights is subject to some regulation.
• Now, every constitutional amendment, every part of the Bill of Rights is subject to some regulation.
• Now, every constitutional amendment, every part of the Bill of Rights is subject to some regulation.
• Now, every constitutional amendment, every part of the Bill of Rights is subject to some regulation.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The program covered three main topics: Minnesota’s February economic forecast, gun violence prevention efforts, and the growing debate over data centers. Minnesota Management and Budget reported a stronger-than-expected outlook, replacing a projected deficit with a $3.7 billion surplus for FY 2026-27 and a projected positive balance for FY 2028-29, though officials warned the state still faces a structural imbalance and possible federal funding losses tied to Medicaid reimbursements and fraud-related federal actions. Lawmakers also discussed affordability concerns, with Senate Republicans promoting a tax-relief package focused on property taxes, vehicle tab fees, and ending taxes on tips and overtime. A lengthy segment focused on gun violence prevention, including a Capitol rally by Annunciation Catholic Church families, students, and advocates. Senator Ron Latz said an interim working group he co-led with Senator Zeinab Mohamed gathered public and expert input and helped shape ideas for the session. He said there is no single solution, but cited measures such as red flag laws, universal background checks, an assault weapons ban, high-capacity magazine limits, safe-storage requirements, ghost gun and binary trigger bans, and more school counseling and wraparound mental health supports. Latz emphasized that he sees these as compatible with the Second Amendment and said he hopes to build bipartisan support, especially around school counseling and other “common-sense” measures. Latz said the short session and narrow margins mean compromise will be necessary, and that if a package does not pass this year, lawmakers will return to the issue next session while voters should hold legislators accountable in future elections. The final segment introduced the data center discussion, with Senator Bill Liske describing how data centers have grown from small server rooms into large industrial facilities and noting that some communities are considering moratoriums or restrictions because of neighborhood impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, seeing none, I show that we have one amendment, Senator Harrell.
• That is amendment barcode 153-390 by Senator Harrell, and you are recognized to explain the amendment
• Thank you, Senator Harrell, for explaining the amendment. Any questions on the amendment?
• Seeing none, we have no appearance forms on the amendment. Any debate on the amendment?
• Seeing none, the amendment is adopted. We're back on the bill. As amended, any questions?

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee heard three bills. SB 514, by Senator Harrell, clarified that medical quality review committees used by managing entities are treated like other medical review committees for purposes of civil liability and public records protections. The committee adopted a Harrell amendment removing the word “malpractice” from the title, heard support from the Florida Hospital Association, Florida Association of Managing Entities, and Florida Smart Justice Alliance, and then voted 11-0 to report the bill favorably. The committee then took up SB 734, by Senator Yarborough, which would repeal the current wrongful death exception that bars certain parents and adult children from recovering non-economic damages in medical negligence cases. The bill drew extensive testimony from families describing deaths they said were caused by medical negligence and from supporters including AARP and the Florida Justice Association, while opponents from the health care, insurance, and business sectors argued it would raise malpractice premiums, increase litigation, worsen physician shortages, and reduce access to care. After debate, the committee voted 9-2 to report the bill favorably. Finally, SB 538, by Senator Bradley, was presented as the state courts legislative package. It updates court operations by clarifying duty judge requirements, removing a location limit on duty hearings, repealing a cap on arbitrator compensation in court-ordered non-binding arbitration, and allowing alternative judicial authentication of oaths and acknowledgments when a court seal is unavailable. The bill received supportive waiver forms from the Florida Bar ADR section and several judges, and was reported favorably on an 11-0 vote. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• each petition filed in advance of the deadline listed in Article 48 of the Massachusetts State Constitution
• Article 48 of the Amendments of the Constitution of the Commonwealth authorizes voters to propose an
• initiative petition for a new law or an initiative petition for a constitutional amendment.
• Pursuant to this amendment, a union seeking to represent CPCS employees would, in the normal course of
• That's been in since the amendment went into place.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on Initiative Petition 2522 / H. 5909, which would amend state labor law to treat the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) as a public employer and allow its employees to seek collective bargaining rights. The chair explained the Article 48 initiative process, noted that no opponents or members of the public had signed up to testify, and said written testimony would be accepted through March 20. The hearing focused on whether CPCS staff should be brought within the public-sector bargaining framework and how that would interact with the agency’s statutory duties. Expert testimony began with an NCSL analyst, who gave a national overview of public employee bargaining rights and examples of public defender unions in other states and localities, including Colorado, New York City, Indianapolis, Cook County, Maryland, and Illinois. Department of Labor Relations officials then reviewed prior failed organizing efforts at CPCS and its predecessor, explaining that earlier petitions were dismissed because the agency was not considered a public employer under existing law. They said passage of the initiative would not automatically unionize employees, but would allow a union to petition for an election or written majority authorization, with normal unit-appropriateness and supervisory/confidential employee issues still to be resolved. CPCS Chief Counsel Anthony Benedetti testified that the agency supports providing information to the legislature but is not taking a position for or against unionization. He described CPCS’s statutory responsibilities, size, and current efforts to expand staffing after recent indigent-defense crises, and said any new bargaining framework would need to operate alongside the agency’s obligations to provide counsel. Proponents from SEIU Local 888 and allied labor groups argued that CPCS employees have long been denied the same collective bargaining rights as other public workers, and that a union would provide just-cause protections, a voice on staffing and working conditions, and better support for recruitment and retention. CPCS attorneys and staff testified in favor of the measure, citing heavy caseloads, rapid expansion, inadequate supervision and office support, and the need for representation in disciplinary and workplace disputes. Committee members asked about bargaining-unit composition, the role of the DLR, the effect of unionization on attorneys’ ethical duties, and the use and cost of paid signature gathering. The hearing ended with no votes taken and no opposition testimony presented.

Transcript Highlights:

• Meeting as amended in the updated minutes sent this morning to commissioners to reflect Commissioner
• And it specifies certain crimes that will constitute hate crimes, which I'll also discuss.
• Beyond the scope of this presentation is the whole constitutional sort of overlay here.
• Amendment, certain kinds of speech are proscribable.
• I'll back up for a second and go to the constitutional overlay again.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Anti-Semitism met to focus on the role of law enforcement in responding to anti-Semitic incidents. After approving amended minutes, the chair opened with remarks emphasizing that the Commission would confront anti-Semitism from any political direction and outlined the day’s agenda: extremist activity trends, hate-crime statutes, intergovernmental coordination, and security funding. The first presentation came from Ben Pott of the ADL Center on Extremism, who described rising extremist propaganda and anti-Semitic incidents nationally and in Massachusetts, highlighting groups such as NSC-131, GDL, and Patriot Front. He said these groups increasingly use anti-Zionist language, public disruptions, and online platforms to spread hate, and recommended prosecution where possible, civil litigation, education about symbols and tactics, and community reporting to law enforcement and ADL. Assistant District Attorney David Solvin then reviewed federal and Massachusetts hate-crime laws, including federal civil-rights and hate-crime statutes and state provisions for civil-rights violations, assault and battery to intimidate, religious vandalism, terroristic threats, and criminal harassment. He explained that many of these laws enhance penalties based on bias motivation, but some do not create standalone offenses or qualify as dangerousness predicates under current law. Commissioners pressed him on hypothetical fact patterns involving anti-Semitic slurs, symbols, and attacks, as well as on the limits of existing law for pretrial detention and the need for better data collection. Solvin said more training, better reporting, and possible legislative updates could improve enforcement, and he noted pending bills that would require more regular hate-crime reporting and expand protected classes. Detective Lieutenant Ryan Cepiel of the State Police Anti-Terrorism Unit and HART described the unit’s creation in 2023, its role in implementing prior hate-crime task force recommendations, and its work with local, state, federal, and community partners. He said HART has trained civil-rights officers, developed recruit and in-service curricula, created resource pamphlets and a Teams page, and is building a GIS-based reporting portal to improve tracking and victim support. Cepiel reported a year-over-year rise in reported anti-Semitic hate crimes in Massachusetts, while noting that current numbers are incomplete because reporting is inconsistent and there is no mandate for local departments to notify HART. Commissioners discussed underreporting, rural versus eastern Massachusetts coverage, the need for more officers and training, and the importance of making victims feel safe coming forward. The meeting ended with agreement that better data, training, and coordination are needed to address the rise in anti-Semitic hate and bias incidents.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our Constitution and Communities Act. Our Constitution and Communities Act.
• Let's enforce the Constitution.
• The bill as amended shall be read.
• the Constitution or with democracy. the Constitution or with democracy.
• have a constitutional duty to legislate. have a constitutional duty to legislate.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, May 15, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ACA 8 asks California voters whether they want to amend the California Constitution to provide that Court
• The Secretary of State supports Assembly Constitutional Amendment 8, which proposes a meaningful reform
• Well, we don't want to put it in the Constitution.
• Well, we don't want to put it in the Constitution.
• So with those amendments, I'm recommending support.

Summary: The Assembly Elections Committee met on July 16, 2025, and heard five measures focused on election administration, voter participation, judicial retention elections, charitable solicitation by officials, and local transportation tax initiatives. The chair noted the committee’s rules for limited witness testimony and accepted written testimony through the legislative portal. Several authors presented their bills in person or through a committee member due to scheduling conflicts. SB 3 by Senator Cervantes would tighten and clarify the ballot signature-cure process, including requiring standardized forms from election officials and adding a reminder on vote-by-mail envelopes about signature matching. Supporters said the bill would reduce rejected ballots and make the process more reliable; there was no opposition. The committee voted do pass as amended and re-refer to Appropriations. SB 316 by Senator Reyes, presented by Assembly Member Pellerin, would expand high school voter registration and pre-registration outreach to students, with testimony from students, education groups, disability advocates, and civic organizations in support. One member opposed on the grounds that it could be an unfunded mandate for schools. The bill passed 4-1. ACA 8 by Assembly Member Pellerin would change appellate and Supreme Court judicial retention elections so justices would appear on the ballot only if voters file a petition requesting it. Supporters, including the Secretary of State, the League of Women Voters, and the California Judges Association, said it would reduce ballot length, voter fatigue, and costs while preserving accountability. One member raised concern about the future petition threshold and the possibility it could be set too high, and voted no. The measure passed 4-2. SB 760 by Senator Allen would narrow behested payment reporting requirements for public appeals to charities, especially in disaster response, while preserving disclosure where officials, family members, or staff have conflicts of interest. Good-government groups supported the bill as a balance between transparency and encouraging charitable appeals; it passed unanimously on the recorded vote. SB 512 by Senator Perez would clarify that voters in transportation districts may use citizen initiatives to propose transportation sales taxes where the district already has taxing authority. Supporters argued it aligns Elections Code with Proposition 218 and recent case law, while opponents from business and real estate groups objected to the measure’s implications for tax approval rules. The committee approved the bill 5-2. After calling absent members, the committee cleared the calendar and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please read the first amendment to the amendment. Amendment to the amendment, barcode 854068.
• Amendment to the amendment, barcode 854068. amendment to the amendment amendment amendment barcode 8
• Show the amendment to the amendment adopted. Please read the next amendment to the amendment.
• Amendment to the amendment withdrawn. Please read the next amendment to the amendment.
• The law establishing that 10-day requirement is statutory and not a constitutional amendment.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge, and heard several member introductions before moving to the special order calendar. The chamber first took up SB 200/HB 295 on a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan, which directs DEP to develop a statewide recycling strategy by 2026 with stakeholder input and a three-year implementation roadmap; the House bill was substituted and passed 38-0. Senators then approved CS/CS/SB 492 on mitigation banking and land development after adopting two McLean amendments, including one on out-of-service credits and another incorporating phosphate mining lands provisions; the bill passed 35-3 after debate over possible constitutional issues. CS/SB 494 on aggravated animal cruelty was also amended and substituted with the House companion to add a searchable FDLE database of convicted animal abusers and a sentencing multiplier, with an agriculture-related exemption; it passed 37-0. The Senate next passed CS/CS/SB 500/HB 711 creating the Spectrum Alert for missing children with autism, including training and coordinated alert procedures, with a House amendment to align implementation timing and funding; it passed 37-0. CS/CS/SB 524/HB 1089 added Duchenne muscular dystrophy to newborn screening tests and passed 36-0. CS/CS/SB 592/HB 393 revised the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program by lowering approval thresholds, clarifying eligibility and ownership issues, and adding sliding-door wind-driven rain mitigation devices; it passed 37-0 after discussion about funding and insurance premium credits. CS/SB 742/HB 1145 on workforce education allowed charter schools direct access to grant funding and expanded money-back guarantees for certain programs, and it passed 37-0. CS/CS/SB 822/HB 443 on charter schools generated extensive debate and multiple amendments, including a Jones amendment requiring parent acknowledgment of school rules; the bill would expand charter autonomy, reporting flexibility, enrollment capacity, and governance provisions, and it was placed on the calendar for third reading after the amendment process. Later, the Senate passed HB 827 on a statewide study of automation and workforce impact, which would examine job displacement, wages, vulnerable regions, and training needs, by a 35-0 vote. It also passed CS/CS/SB 964/HB 181 on parole guidelines, CS/SB 976/HB 901 on court-appointed psychologists, and CS/SB 1084/HB 1451 on sexual cyber harassment and digitally forged intimate images, all unanimously. CS/CS/SB 1156 on a Home Health Aid for Medically Fragile Children Program was amended to clarify training requirements and passed 37-0 after supportive debate about helping parents care for medically fragile children. Finally, CS/CS/CS/SB 1240/HB 1091 on substance abuse and mental health care was amended to allow designated facilities to retain certain stabilized patients during the 72-hour involuntary examination period and passed 37-0. Several other bills were temporarily postponed, and the chamber also recognized guests and interns throughout the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is the amendment. That is the amendment.
• Well, there is an amendment to your amendment: amendment barcode 193-976.
• The amendment say aye. The amendment is adopted. The amendment is adopted.
• The amendment to the amendment... Close. All in favor of the amendment to the amendment say yay.
• The amendment to the amendment is adopted, so we're back on the main amendment.

Summary: The committee first confirmed six appointees on a single roll-call vote, then took up a series of bills, many of them on land use, housing, public safety, child welfare, education, and professional licensing. Early debate centered on CS/SB 208, which would require development fees to better reflect review costs and impose objective compatibility findings for residential projects. An amendment folded in additional housing-related provisions, including manufactured housing and a study of urban development boundaries, prompting extended discussion about Miami-Dade’s Everglades protection area and local control. A late-filed rural-boundary amendment was withdrawn. The bill was reported favorably after support from business, housing, and advocacy groups, with some senators voicing district-specific concerns. The committee then approved CS/CS/SB 686 on agricultural enclaves after amendments added conservation easement, wildlife corridor, and critical state concern protections, plus a further Everglades-related amendment. Members discussed balancing smart growth, infrastructure costs, and protecting environmentally sensitive areas. Other land-use and growth bills also advanced, including CS/SB 1434 on infill redevelopment, CS/SB 1138 on qualified contractor pre-application review, and SB 218 limiting the reach of prior hurricane recovery zoning protections in counties not affected by the 2024 storms. SB 1474 on biosolids management was amended to reduce the distance threshold for land application restrictions and delay the effective date, and SB 1708 on veterinary licensure by endorsement removed a three-year recent-practice requirement to address shortages. Several public safety, health, and family-related measures also passed. CS/CS/SB 436 expanded felony battery enhancement to include resisting an officer with violence and certain law-enforcement battery offenses. SB 830 extended public-records protections to county and city administrators and related family information. CS/CS/CS/SB 600 revised bail bond rules, and an amendment preserved the current treatment of charitable bail funds and nonprofits; the committee heard testimony from The Bail Project and others on both sides. CS/SB 914 expanded dry-needling supervision options for occupational therapists, CS/SB 1092 clarified podiatric use of certain cellular/tissue products, and SB 1504 and SB 1718 updated insurance licensing and educator certification pathways. On the education side, CS/CS/SB 7038 made broad postsecondary changes, including tuition waivers, residency clarification, and licensure rules, while CS/SB 186 required seizure-response training and action plans in schools. The committee also advanced multiple child welfare and health bills. CS/CS/CS/SB 560 streamlined psychotropic medication procedures for children in state custody and added youth-voice and insurance-review provisions. CS/CS/CS/SB 902 combined several Department of Health changes, including medical marijuana distance rules, autism microcredential eligibility, a neurofibromatosis grant program, and NICU nutrition information. SB 1002 expanded child welfare definitions to address parental drug abuse and neglect, and SB 1708 eased endorsement licensure for out-of-state veterinarians. Most bills were reported favorably on roll-call votes, with several amendments adopted along the way and limited opposition or abstentions noted on some measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Amendments, no objection, amendments adopted. No further amendments on HB 1.
• H.B. 313 will be reported favorable with amendments as amended.
• A set of amendments before you. A set of amendments before you.
• There are some amendments. Okay, we have an amendment set. Go ahead.
• There are some amendments. Okay, we have amendment set. Go ahead.

Bills: HB1, HB2, HB3, HB312, HB313, HB314, HB383, HB983, HB1126, HCR3

Keywords: state budget, appropriations, education funding, public health, social services, government operations, state institutions, capital outlay, budget, infrastructure, appropriation, general obligation bonds, bond authorization, capital improvement, financial management, state treasury, funding, state general fund, local government, fiscal year

Transcript Highlights:

• There's one amendment that needs to be attached to this, and that is an opt-out.
• I'll start by the statute that it's amending, 8-207.
• It's just this statute that we're trying to amend...
• He's actually looking at one of the weeks actually being what's considered Constitution Week.
• And then also Constitution Day is September 17th.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee heard and voted on several education-related bills. Senate Bill 1422, which continues the Credit Enhancement Eligibility Board for 10 years to support the state’s credit enhancement program for charter school debt, received a due pass recommendation on an 8-1 vote. Senate Bill 1166, allowing county school superintendents to offer high school equivalency preparation through accommodation schools to 11th- and 12th-grade students age 16 and older, also passed 8-1 after testimony from county superintendents in support and one member opposing expansion to 11th grade. Senate Bill 1684, creating a private cause of action against public schools for failing to address known bullying that results in serious physical injury, drew the most opposition. The sponsor’s comments described it as a response to school inaction in bullying cases, including a referenced Chandler Unified student suicide. Opponents from the Arizona Trial Lawyers Association, Arizona Charter Schools Association, and Arizona Education Association argued the bill was constitutionally problematic, overly broad, lacked a definition of bullying, could expose schools to costly litigation, and could create liability for conduct outside school control. The committee held the bill without a vote. The committee also considered Senate Bill 1424, requiring annual age-appropriate firearm safety instruction in K-12 schools beginning in 2027-2028. Supporters said the bill teaches children to avoid touching firearms and alert an adult, while opponents argued it shifts responsibility from adults to children, should be handled by parents, and creates an unfunded mandate. The bill passed 6-5. Senate Bill 1475, barring students convicted of or admitting to specified serious offenses from participating in school-sponsored interscholastic activities, passed 6-5 after debate over juvenile rehabilitation, public safety, and the role of extracurriculars in helping students succeed. Senate Bill 1572, requiring Celebrate Freedom Week civics instruction, passed 6-5 amid debate over curriculum, age appropriateness, and whether it duplicated existing civics requirements. Senate Bill 1741, requiring districts and charters to allow release-time religious instruction and award credit under certain conditions, also passed 6-5 despite opposition from secular advocates who argued it undermines local control and promotes religion in public schools.

Transcript Highlights:

• WE DO HAVE ONE AMENDMENT, BUT SICK OF THAT AMENDMENT, SENATOR COLLINS.
• Diceglie: THIS IS SIMILAR TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WE ATTEMPTED TO DO A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.
• Diceglie: I'M GOING TO GET TO A LITTLE MORE DETAIL ABOUT WHAT THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WILL DO RID
• IT IS AMENDMENT BARCODE 485324. LET'S TAKE UP THAT AMENDMENT.
• SEEING NO QUESTIONS ON THE AMENDMENT AND NO APPEARANCE FORMS ON THE AMENDMENT OR FOR THE AMENDMENT IS

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the founders, the drafters of the Constitution, the drafters of that amendment, followed the common
• Back on the original amendment as amended, are there questions on the amendment as amended?
• No appearance forms for the amendment as amended. Is there any debate on the amendment as amended?
• The amendment to the amendment is adopted. Now we're back on the original amendment as amended.
• The amendment to the amendment is adopted. Back on the original amendment as amended.

Summary: The committee took up a series of criminal justice, health, and public safety bills, with several measures reported favorably after brief sponsor presentations and mostly no opposition. CS for SB 1782 on dangerous excessive speeding, CS for SB 306 on Medicaid provider network access, CS for SB 716 on mandatory minimums for certain sexual offenses by registered offenders, CS for SB 1084 on intimate image dissemination and digitally forged images, and CS for CS for SB 1604 on corrections-related litigation and sentencing changes all passed the committee. Members also approved CS for SB 1838, which increases protections for court officials from tampering, harassment, and retaliation, and CS for SB 1252, which directs FDLE to study a statewide pawn data database. CS for SB 468 on fleeing or eluding, CS for SB 490 on off-duty concealed carry for certain officers, and CS for SB 890 on blood clot screening and treatment also received favorable votes, with SB 890 drawing supportive testimony from the bill sponsor, medical and patient advocates, and family members affected by blood clots. The most extensive debate centered on CS for CS for SB 1804, which would create a capital offense for adults trafficking children under 12 or mentally incapacitated persons for sexual exploitation. Senator Martin defended the bill as a response to especially heinous crimes and argued it fit within constitutional punishment principles, while several members raised concerns about the Eighth Amendment, the risk of lengthy and costly litigation, and the possibility of retraumatizing victims. The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers testified in opposition, citing moral objections, due process concerns, and constitutional precedent; the bill nevertheless was reported favorably. The committee also approved CS for CS for SB 572, the “Pam Rock Act,” which tightens dangerous-dog rules, adds enclosure, microchip, insurance, and penalty requirements, and allows stronger enforcement actions after serious attacks. The Rock family and animal control supporters testified in favor, describing the bill as a response to fatal dog attacks and urging stronger accountability for owners. For SB 572, members discussed insurance requirements, the role of local authorities in classifying dangerous dogs, and whether the bill would affect ordinary pet insurance or only liability coverage after a serious attack. The sponsor said the measure is not breed-specific and is aimed at dogs that have already caused significant harm. The committee also heard testimony from family members of Pam Rock and other victims, along with supporters from animal control and sheriff’s offices. All of the bills taken up in the meeting that were voted on were reported favorably, and no roll-call votes failed.

Transcript Highlights:

• What HB 150 is, is simply an amendment to the act that applies to Tuscaloosa County for overtime pay
• Uh, this is not a constitutional amendment.
• This was the bill that proposed an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama related to Tuscaloosa County
• That's local constitutional...
• amendment for this that we voted to pass?

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill that sits in front of you today is a constitutional amendment that will be taken to the people
• That constitutional amendment merely says that for 60 days leading up to the gubernatorial election and
• amendment that will is a constitutional amendment that will be<00:04:27.680> taken<00:04:27.840
• That<00:04:30.720> constitutional<00:04:31.280> amendment<00:04:31.759> merely That
• constitutional amendment merely That constitutional amendment merely says<00:04:32.960> that<

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:02 Attendance Roll Call: 00:06 SB 10 (Sen. McDaniel): 00:56 SB 51 (Sen. Nemes): 08:30 Adjournment: 17:23, 958, all

Summary: The Senate State and Local Government Committee met and first considered Senate Bill 10, a proposed constitutional amendment to restrict the governor’s pardon power during the 60 days before a gubernatorial election and until a new governor is sworn in, effectively limiting pardons for 90 days in a four-year term. Sponsor Senator McDaniel argued the measure was a response to abuses of the pardon power and said it would force accountability before voters. Senator Herron raised a concern about a possible chilling effect on pardons but supported the bill after asking about the historical example cited. The committee voted unanimously 11-0 to pass the bill with favorable expression. The committee then took up Senate Bill 51, which would freeze property tax assessment increases for homeowners age 65 and older who reside in their homes, with the assessment resuming if the home is sold, vacated, or the owner moves to a nursing home or with family. Senator Neis described the bill as relief for seniors on fixed incomes facing rising property taxes, and he walked through the fiscal impact as a budgeted-revenue issue rather than an actual loss of current revenue. Several members spoke in support, saying constituents frequently raise concerns about being priced out of their homes and that the bill would help seniors remain in their communities. During the roll call on SB 51, Senator Chambers Armstrong said he wished the bill were means-tested but supported it because of its importance to low-income seniors; Senator Bledsoe also explained his support, citing senior homeowners in Fayette County; and Senator McDaniel said it complemented broader housing efforts and should go to the people for a vote. The committee reported SB 51 with favorable expression, then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Show the amendment to the amendment adopted.
• The amendment also requires a candidate to ensure that he or she will satisfy all statutory and constitutional
• The amendment also requires a candidate to ensure that he or she will satisfy all statutory and constitutional
• It was rather historic, an overwhelming landslide, to amend the Florida Constitution to provide that
• That's why we had civil rights laws and various amendments to our constitution, because discrimination

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and memorial remarks, including a moment of silence for service members killed in the conflict in Iran. The chamber then moved to special orders and took up a series of bills, with many measures passing unanimously after brief explanations and, in several cases, substitution of House companions. Early bills included CS/CS/SB 1062 on speech and debate education, which drew extensive supportive debate about the civic value of debate programs and passed 37-0, and SB 1072 on an anti-Semitism task force, which was amended to clarify that criticism of Israel is not prohibited and then passed 37-0. The Senate also approved CS/CS/SB 1230/HB 1019 on PFAS chemicals and firefighting foam, with discussion focused on phasing out AFFF, testing requirements, exceptions for federal aviation and military uses, and support for firefighters and water quality; the bill passed 37-0. Other measures passed without opposition included SB 1706 on the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program, SB 186 on student health and safety and seizure response training, SB 598 on funeral and cemetery services, SB 990/HB 883 on protected cell captive insurance companies, SB 554 on nonprofit corporations, SB 560 on child welfare and foster care medication procedures, SB 684/HB 961 on electronic signatures for salvage titles, and SB 778/HB 569 on forensic client services. Two bills, SB 432 on intoxicating substances and SB 928 on dangerous crimes, were temporarily postponed. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to SB 1134 on official actions of local governments and DEI-related activities. The sponsor argued the bill would prevent counties and municipalities from funding or promoting DEI efforts he described as discriminatory or indoctrinating, while opponents offered amendments to narrow the bill to spending only, add an intent requirement for penalties, and preserve local proclamations and observances. Those amendments were debated at length but were not adopted. The sponsor then continued explaining the bill’s exceptions, including references to holidays, heritage sites, and the Pulse Memorial, and the chamber was still in debate on the underlying measure when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 430 is the first leg of a constitutional amendment to make one simple principle explicit in our Delaware
• Constitution.
• Delawareans have been protesting constitutional amendments in 1776.
• That is why Congress established the mechanism for constitutional amendments here.
• I'm just here to suggest we make an amendment, like in Vermont.

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 430 is the first leg of a constitutional amendment to make one simple principle explicit in our Delaware
• Constitution.
• Delawareans have been protesting constitutional amendments in 1776.
• That is why Congress established the mechanism for constitutional amendments here.
• I'm just here to suggest we make an amendment, like in Vermont.

Bills: HB344

Keywords: campaign finance, elections, transparency, political committees, reporting requirements, enforcement

Summary: The Senate Elections and Government Affairs Committee heard several election- and campaign-related bills. House Substitute 2 for House Bill 155 would make Public Integrity Commission reports publicly available on the commission’s website, add a specific travel-expense reporting category, and remove the FOIA requirement for accessing reports; Senator Richardson said he supported the transparency measure and asked to be added as a co-sponsor. The committee also took up House Bill 444, the Delaware John Lewis Voting Rights Act, which would create state protections against voter suppression and vote dilution, expand language access, prohibit intimidation and deception, and allow court remedies for violations. The bill drew strong support from advocacy groups including YWCA Delaware, the League of Women Voters, the ACLU, and the Legal Defense Fund, and several senators voiced support and interest in moving it quickly. House Bill 430, a constitutional amendment proposal, would make explicit that only natural persons may vote in Delaware elections, including municipal elections, in response to concerns about corporate or other artificial-entity voting in some towns. The discussion focused heavily on Fenwick Island, where the mayor testified that the town’s charter has long allowed certain artificial entities to vote in local elections and said the system is limited and has worked for years; other speakers argued the bill was needed to prevent corporate dilution of residents’ votes. Senator Richardson expressed concern about restricting entities with a local stake, while Senator Hoffner and others emphasized the principle of one person, one vote. Senator Townsend presented House Bill 344, which would tighten campaign finance rules by requiring Delaware bank accounts for candidates and committees, recurring training, better documentation of candidate loans, longer record retention, automatic filing extensions, and inactive status for noncompliant committees; one public commenter opposed the bill on cost grounds. He also presented House Bill 448, which would allow campaign funds to be used for reasonable security expenses for candidates and elected officials, with guardrails, and a commenter suggested allowing electronic security systems without a cap. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 472, a local de-annexation measure for Noble’s Pond in Cheswold to remove scattered residential lots from town boundaries and resolve uneven tax treatment; Senator Hoffner noted local law enforcement supported the change. The committee adjourned after hearing no further public comment on HB 472, and the vote to adjourn was unanimous.

Transcript Highlights:

• Membership favorable with one<00:09:08.800> amendment. one amendment. one amendment.
• . amendments. amendments.
• Favorable with two amendments. amendments. amendments.
• Amendment number one amendments.
• . amendments. amendments.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation by Reverend Jod Gun, whose prayer was journalized by unanimous consent. The chamber then recognized several guests, including representatives from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, who were present for a resolution honoring Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week, as well as former Delegate and physician Dan Moheim, Towson University students, a veteran guest, and parents and young children visiting for Maryland Family Network’s Day in Annapolis. The Senate adopted a resolution recognizing the National Alliance on Mental Illness for its advocacy on tardive dyskinesia screening, early detection, and treatment, and designated May 5–9 as Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week. The resolution was read and adopted without objection. The chamber also unanimously welcomed the guest groups and thanked them for their service and advocacy. In second-reader action, the Senate advanced several bills with committee amendments adopted without objection. Senate Bill 113, the Longevity Ready Maryland Act, was amended to refine aging-related planning, website reporting, and Commission on Aging membership, then ordered to third reading. Senate Bill 123 updated the membership of the Oversight Committee on Quality of Care in nursing homes and assisted living facilities and was also sent to third reading. Senate Bill 336 extended the Task Force on the Responsible Use of Natural Psychedelic Substances for one year and added an HBCU representative. Senate Bill 394 expanded expedited partner therapy to bacterial vaginosis and added licensed certified midwives as authorized practitioners. Senate Bill 444 changed certificate-of-need requirements for certain intermediate care facilities, and Senate Bill 461 conformed the SNAP Heat and Eat Program to federal eligibility rules; both were advanced to third reading. The Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee then took up Senate Bill 108, which would authorize the Maryland Department of the Environment to impose administrative penalties for certain water, wetlands, dam, and riparian-rights violations and expand administrative enforcement tools. Several senators raised concerns about the scope of the bill, its effect on shoreline restoration, dams, stormwater and wetlands enforcement, and whether it could allow penalties without adequate process or encourage payment instead of correction. The floor leader responded that the amendment requires notice, an informal meeting, and consideration of good-faith efforts before penalties are imposed in certain cases, and said the bill does not change permit requirements. The debate continued as members sought clarification on how the bill would apply to private dams, HOAs, farmers, and shoreline projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• Could government power be successfully limited by the rule of law and a written constitution?
• articulated in the Declaration of Independence and the framework of government contained in the Constitution
• Convention, having worked in Philadelphia to craft a proposed constitution.
• The best declaration of independence and constitution in the world do not run on autopilot.
• Tax relief is at the discretion of the people acting through our constitutional amendment process.

Summary: The Florida House and Senate met in joint session to receive the Governor’s annual message. After opening formalities, prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the appointment of a committee to notify the Governor that the Legislature was ready, the chamber recognized special guests and then received Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis. In his address, the Governor reviewed what he described as seven years of major accomplishments in Florida, emphasizing fiscal restraint, tax relief, economic growth, education reforms, environmental restoration, disaster response, public safety, and immigration enforcement. He highlighted a larger rainy day fund, reduced debt, record job and business growth, universal school choice, higher teacher pay, Hope Florida, Everglades restoration, stronger hurricane response, and tougher laws on crime and illegal immigration. He also warned about property tax burdens, called for a constitutional path to property tax relief, urged informed consent in medical policy, and raised concerns about artificial intelligence. The Governor pointed to several bills already filed and urged lawmakers to send him legislation eliminating DEI in local government, further discouraging illegal immigration, expanding Second Amendment rights, and blocking the spread of Sharia law. He closed by asking the Legislature to continue advancing his agenda. After the address, the joint session voted to dissolve.

Transcript Highlights:

• following amendments. following amendments.
• So to mitigate any potential constitutional risks, the department has offered an amendment to that section
• . amendments. amendments.
• and that we, uh, adopt the amend and that we, uh, adopt the amend recommended<03:23:51.840> amendments
• . amendments. amendments.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard testimony on HB 1875, which would expand Hawaii’s existing protections to include gender-affirming health care, clarify permitted disclosures of protected health information, and bar certain adverse actions by malpractice insurers and health carriers against providers of lawful reproductive or gender-affirming care. The Insurance Division of DCCA supported the bill with a technical amendment, suggesting language tied to actuarial analysis rather than the phrase “actuarially sound.” The Office of Information Practices also provided comments. Most testimony was strongly in support. State agencies and advocacy groups, including the Hawaii State Youth Commission, State Health Planning and Development Agency, Commission on the Status of Women, Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Stonewall Caucus, ACLU of Hawaii, PFLAG Oahu, Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said the bill would protect patient privacy, reduce chilling effects from out-of-state litigation, and help retain providers in a state already facing shortages. Several testifiers said gender-affirming care is medically necessary, evidence-based, and life-saving, and emphasized that Hawaii should protect its own health care decisions from outside political pressure. A few individuals testified in opposition, arguing the bill was unnecessary or that it protected providers more than opponents of the bill, but these views were not echoed by most of the testimony. The chair repeatedly reminded testifiers to keep comments brief and maintain decorum. The transcript provided does not include a final committee vote or disposition on the bill.