Transcript Highlights:

• <01:23:36.239> Do getting with our dyslexia screening.
• Do getting with our dyslexia screening.
• It is for all students to screen for dyslexia so that they can address it without potentially needing
• "Screening? Is it through third grade?"
• . >> Um, to reinvent their reading instruction because they found so many needed to be screened.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The commission met to approve the May 18, 2026 minutes and then focused on how SB 57’s special education cost study should inform HB 1099, which creates a separate study committee on residential placements and related education costs. Members discussed sending the commission’s minutes and findings to that new committee, noting the short timeline for its work and the need to be specific about unresolved issues so the new group does not duplicate the same questions. A major topic was the cost and responsibility for students placed at Spalding and similar residential programs, especially transportation and whether costs are paid through the Department of Education’s episode-of-treatment (EOT) fund, local districts, DHS, or Medicaid. Staff explained that for students with disabilities, EOT funds cover special education and transportation costs tied to the placement, while students without disabilities are handled through DHS care-management and best-interest meetings. Members raised concerns about whether some students at Spalding are receiving no schooling, whether transportation costs are substantial, and whether Medicaid reimbursement could offset some expenses. The commission also discussed confusion over district responsibility when students placed in residential programs attend school in another district, using Winnisquam as an example. Several members said the receiving district was not notified that DHHS-approved programs could bring in additional students and costs, and they suggested DHHS or its care-management entity should notify both the district of residence and the receiving district when a program is approved. The group agreed this notification issue, along with transportation funding, privacy concerns in Medicaid-to-schools billing, and the distinction between special education placements, EOT placements, and other voluntary residential placements, should be passed to the HB 1099 study committee for further work.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a psychological screening test. Look, occupations are self-selecting, right?
• This is a psychological screening<04:02:43.680> test. screening test. screening test.
• I think we can do something similar in law here, where we actually psychologically screen the people
• So it's a simple psychological screening, not onerous.
• to uh pass a psychological screening to uh pass a psychological screening test.<04:29:51.199>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:06:56.160> And which is on the screen right here.
• And which is on the screen right here.
• Okay, you got to put full screen or do that slide. It's fine. Turn slide. Thank you.
• Okay, you got to put full screen or do that slide. It's fine. Turn slide. Thank you.
• Okay, you got to put full screen or do that slide. It's fine. Turn slide. Thank you.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's on the screen, I think, Senator. >> Okay.
• It's on the screen, I think, >> Yes. It's on the screen, I think, Senator. Senator. Senator.
• provide postpartum depression screening provide postpartum depression screening as<03:06:55.680>
• >> Uh the amendment should be on the screen >> Uh the amendment should be on the screen
• It's on the screen. Senator. It's on the screen.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 12 February, 2026; 9:30 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, dispensed with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and bill titles, and heard an invocation and pledge. The early portion of the meeting focused on recognizing recipients of the 2026 Governor’s Arts Awards. The Senate adopted resolutions honoring Greg Harkins for excellence in traditional craft, Jesse Robinson for lifetime achievement in blues music, Heather Christian for excellence in music composition, the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra for excellence in performing arts, and Dorothy “Dottie” Armstrong for excellence in art education. The executive director of the Mississippi Arts Commission briefly thanked the senators and invited them to the evening awards ceremony. The chamber also received several announcements and introductions, including recognition of the Mississippi Society of Radiologic Technologists’ Capitol Day and visiting students from several radiologic science programs. There was also mention of an out-of-order resolution commemorating the 155th anniversary of Alcorn State University, though no action on it was detailed in the excerpt. On the calendar, the Senate took up Senate Bill 2915, which concerns alcoholic beverages, native wine retail permits, and festival permits. The bill was explained as a measure to support Mississippi’s native wineries by allowing free-standing tasting rooms in different parts of the state while maintaining tax collection; a committee substitute and a friendly amendment were adopted, and the bill passed by use of the morning roll call. The Senate then began consideration of Senate Bill 2828, the Money Transmission Modernization Act, which would impose transaction fees, create a Law Enforcement 287G Program Fund, provide an income tax credit for fees paid, and revise licensing and control definitions. After objections to the usual motion, the bill was read at length, but the excerpt ends before final action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• If we can try to get our remote witness on the screen, we'll go ahead and begin with Norman Rogers.
• Norman Rogers on the screen. He is the second vice president of United Steelworkers Local 675.
• Norman Rogers on the screen.
• All right, we'll go ahead and hand out slides to members, and your slides are on the screen, so you can
• They are on the screen, so you can go ahead. Amazing.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we also and and again those projects were up on the screen. I'll get the next one here.
• Um, we also and and again those projects were up on the screen. I'll get the next one here.
• Um, we also and and again those projects were up on the screen. I'll get the next one here.
• Um, we also and and again those projects were up on the screen. I'll get the next one here.
• Um, we also and and again those projects were up on the screen. I'll get the next one here.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That yellow line that's on the screen, that's the 2023-24 year.
• That yellow line that's on the screen, that's the 2023-24 year.
• /c><00:50:28.559> that's<00:50:28.800> on<00:50:29.040> the<00:50:29.200> screen
• , That yellow line that's on the screen, That yellow line that's on the screen, that's<00:50:29.920

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education heard presentations from the University of Louisville and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) on their strategic plans, enrollment trends, and budget priorities. University of Louisville President Bradley highlighted the university’s new five-year strategic plan, its R1 research status, community-engaged and opportunity college classifications, record enrollment of 25,005 students, and its role in serving first-generation, Pell-eligible, military-connected, and rural students. He also emphasized the university’s economic and workforce impact, including athletics, nursing, dentistry, and a recent Speed School building, and previewed major capital and program requests: a $142 million STEMH building, a $15 million one-time request for National Cancer Institute-related cancer research, and $5.3 million for the Kentucky Manufacturing Extension Partnership. He also discussed a planned $260 million health sciences building and the university’s efforts to expand health care access beyond Louisville through regional sites and residency partnerships. Members responded positively, with Representative Tipton asking about agency bond projects and regional health outreach, and President Bradley saying the university is evaluating debt capacity and exploring smaller projects while noting that the STEM building request would rely on state-funded debt service. He described UofL Health’s expansion into places such as Bullitt County, Shelbyville, Madisonville, and Paducah, and its efforts to train physicians for rural practice. Representative McCool praised the university’s military-friendly designation and cancer research priorities and noted personal family ties to UofL. Michaela Aman, a sophomore from Letcher County, also testified about how UofL has supported her as a rural student and emphasized the university’s commitment to opportunity and social mobility. KCTCS President Ryan Quarles and CFO Todd Kilburn then presented the system’s enrollment, completion, and workforce-training results. They said KCTCS now serves more than 110,000 students, graduated a record 24,000 students last May, and has moved from 45th to 4th nationally in graduation rate. They also highlighted that over half of students are first-generation, 60% work while enrolled, 70% of graduates work in Kentucky, and 74% graduate with no student loan debt. KCTCS described its common-course-numbering agreement with Morehead State as part of a broader transfer simplification effort, and said it trains about 200,000 Kentuckians annually when including workforce training and firefighter instruction. The system also outlined efficiency measures, including property sales, a new bookstore contract projected to save $4.3 million over five years, and a new evaluation process for real estate and facilities. KCTCS’s budget and capital requests included operating funding tied to enrollment growth, support for the TRAINs program, the ECTC training facility at Glendale, continued support for Health Force Kentucky, three capital construction projects at Jefferson, Bluegrass, and Gateway, and asset preservation funding focused on safety and security upgrades. Quarles also referenced House Bill 5, saying it would expand KCTCS’s correctional education and re-entry work and could help reduce recidivism. Members asked about the bill and its impact, and KCTCS said it already provides instruction in jails and prisons and sees the proposal as an extension of that work.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then also we have contracts with community health centers to increase screening and referral for
• Innovation in Maternal Health, which is called the AIM safety patient safety bundles to improve screening
• 00:47:50.079> improve patient safety bundles to improve patient safety bundles to improve screening
• 47:51.680> for<00:47:51.920> moms<00:47:52.240> in<00:47:52.400> New screening
• and treatment for moms in New screening and treatment for moms in New Hampshire<00:47:52.960> with

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The meeting opened without a quorum, so approval of the prior draft minutes was deferred until later. The committee then heard a DHS update from Commissioner Lori Weaver and COO David Weers, who described the recent flood at the Brown building and the relocation of nearly 400 DHS staff while operations are restored. They also outlined New Hampshire Care Connections, a privacy- and consent-focused closed-loop referral platform intended to improve referrals among providers, reduce duplication, and support continuity of care, with an Upper Valley implementation partnered with Dartmouth Health and an Epic integration already underway. Members asked whether the system would merge medical records or simply track referrals. DHS said it is not intended to store or transmit full medical records, but to integrate with providers’ electronic health record systems so referrals can be sent, received, and tracked, with consent controls limiting what information can be shared. Officials said the project will be tested over the coming months, with metrics, governance, and advisory committee oversight, and that it is tied to broader rural health transformation efforts and statewide implementation after the regional pilot. The committee also received the annual report from the Child Care Advisory Council. Maryanne Barter and Jessica Carver said the council worked with licensing to streamline the child care licensing rules, reducing the handbook by about 30%, and is now helping develop an informal dispute resolution process, revising the Granite Steps for Quality system, and creating a clearer handbook for providers handling state scholarship audits. They reported ongoing concern about child care closures and workforce shortages, said there is currently no wait list for child care assistance, and discussed questions about federal CCDF immunization requirements, which DHS said it would follow up on with federal technical assistance partners. After quorum was established, the committee moved to approve the minutes from the prior meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're already available for inoculations for firefighters to use for out-of-pocket cancer screenings
• ><00:11:04.959> cancer use for out of pocket for cancer use for out of pocket for cancer screenings
• 06.880> the<00:11:07.200> excess<00:11:07.600> funds<00:11:07.920> that screenings
• . just the excess funds that screenings. just the excess funds that are<00:11:08.240> already<
• Uh, beginning at 5:30 PM, there will be a reception and a highlight screening of Ken Burns' new film,

Keywords: Convene 00:00:00 Calendar/2nd Readings 00:05:55 Report of Committees 00:07:26 Orders of the Day/HB 419 00:09:02 HB 103 00:12:30 HB 276 00:37:54 HB 188 00:43:39 HB 189 00:47:11 HB 258 00:53:52 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 00:58:16 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 01:11:11 Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 01:13:29 ConC/Rules Report 01:17:06 Adjournment 01:18:20, 958, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum with 96 members present, excused absent members, suspended rules to allow co-sponsorship and vote modifications, and approved the journal from February 4, 2026. The clerk then reported a slate of bills on second reading, including measures on robotics, CPA recruitment, physical therapy, engineering scholarships, removal of unlawful occupants, rabies vaccinations, involuntary commitment, reading and language arts instruction, the education assessment and accountability system, grand jury service, cultured meat products, and the Controlled Substances Prescribing Council. Committee reports were received on several bills and resolutions, including bills on dissolution of marriage, licensed child care centers, video teleconference meetings, geoengineering, city franchises, trophy catfish, and House Joint Resolution 25 declaring Kentucky a “food is medicine” state. These favorable reports were treated as first readings and placed on the calendar. The chamber then took up House Bill 419 on the Kentucky Fire Commission, adopted House Committee Substitute 1, and passed the bill 97-0. The sponsor said the substitute would expand the commission from 14 to 18 members, make four ex officio members voting members, allow excess funds to be used for firefighters’ cancer screenings, and cap administrative reimbursements at 5%. The House also considered House Bill 103 on water fluoridation programs, adopted House Committee Substitute 1, and passed the bill 67-29. Supporters described the measure as removing an unfunded state mandate and making fluoridation a local option, while opponents argued it could harm public health and increase Medicaid costs. Debate focused on whether fluoridation improves oral health, the logistics and costs for water systems, and whether local governments or state health officials should make the decision. After passage of HB 103, the House moved to adjourn without objection. The transcript then begins consideration of House Bill 276 on keeping chickens on residential property, but no action on that bill is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• contractors that were brought on to help process license and permit issuances and conduct vision screenings
• contractors that were brought on to help process license and permit issuances and conduct vision screenings
• 15:52.079> and<00:15:52.399> conduct<00:15:52.800> vision<00:15:53.199> screenings
• issuances and conduct vision screenings issuances and conduct vision screenings and<00:15:54.079

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Transportation Committee met to review the Transportation Cabinet’s budget request and the recommended highway plan; no votes were taken. Secretary Jim Gray opened with praise for KYTC snow and ice crews, describing their response to recent winter storms and noting the scale of the effort, including about 2,300 workers, 1,438 pieces of equipment, and more than 948,000 miles driven in the first week. He then outlined the cabinet’s overall highway plan, saying it includes more than 1,300 projects and about $9.5 billion in anticipated state and federal funding over six years, with roughly 40% directed to existing pavements, bridges, and guardrails. He highlighted major priority projects such as the Mountain Parkway four-laning, the Brent Spence Companion Bridge, and the I-69 Ohio River crossing. Budget director Sean McCarron explained that the cabinet adjusted its request after the Consensus Forecast Group lowered road fund revenue estimates, and said the cabinet only included additional requests it viewed as essential. He described requests to support driver licensing regional offices, including funding to maintain temporary and contract staff used to reduce wait times, expand offices from 35 to 41 locations, and support improved customer service; he warned that without the current-year increase, wait times would rise again. He also discussed maintenance funding, saying the proposed increases would help cover rising costs for salt, snow and ice drivers, and mowing, while allowing continued litter pickup, vegetation management, pothole repair, and more in-house snow and ice work. Deputy Secretary Mike Hancock addressed specific capital questions, especially the Brent Spence Bridge and Cairo Bridge. For Brent Spence, he said the requested $125 million in general funds is needed because construction costs have risen sharply, citing a 61% increase in highway construction costs from 2020 to 2025, and said Kentucky and Ohio are both contributing to keep the project moving. He added that if the legislature does not provide the $125 million, KYTC would have to shift $100 million in federal highway funds and $25 million in state match from other projects. Hancock also reviewed several project reauthorizations for maintenance facilities and aviation projects, and noted a $5 million federally funded truck parking project aimed at addressing statewide truck parking shortages, especially along interstates and in areas such as Louisville, northern Kentucky, Frankfort, Somerset, and western Kentucky.

Transcript Highlights:

• relating to health care, amending the Health Care Purchasing Act and sections of the New Mexico screening
• under certain circumstances, broadening eligibility for coronary artery calcium screening and cholesterol
• relating to health care, amending the Health Care Purchasing Act and sections of the New Mexico screening
• under certain circumstances, broadening eligibility for coronary artist, New Mexico screening under
• certain circumstances, broadening eligibility for coronary artery calcium screening and cholesterol lipid

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• on site to an auditorium or a gymnasium, and we literally held training across a giant projection screen
• I think what happened was they went to the dispatch center and they were looking at the screen for the
• didn't see it I think what happened was they went to the dispatch center and they were looking at the screen
• 9-1-1 cellular portal comes up when an alarm is pressed at a school, and the map is there on the screen
• I think the actual dispatcher just didn't scroll the screen up high enough to see the maps, but the maps

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, albeit you haven't put it up there on the screen, which is curious to me.
• forced to close their doors, robbing 22,000 people a month of reproductive care, STI testing, cancer screenings
• forced to close their doors, robbing 22,000 people a month of reproductive care, STI testing, cancer screenings
• the town, as he constantly outdoes himself, Marshawn has even made a name for himself on the silver screen
• Colon cancer screenings that might not be required pretty soon.

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call, recess, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved into a highly procedural and contentious floor session centered on redistricting measures. Members debated a point of order raised by Assembly Member DeMaio challenging the constitutionality of SB 280, ACA 8, and AB 604; the Speaker ruled the point not well taken, and the Assembly sustained that ruling on appeal. The body also took up consent-calendar and procedural motions, including suspending rules to adopt late amendments on ACA 8 and to bring the measure up without reference to file. Several motions to re-refer or suspend rules on related measures failed, while the motion to adopt the late amendments on ACA 8 carried. The main substantive item was ACA 8, the Assembly Constitutional Amendment related to redistricting, presented by Assembly Member Berman as a response to mid-decade redistricting efforts in other states, especially Texas. Supporters argued the measure was a temporary, voter-driven response to protect democracy, counter partisan gerrymandering, and address broader threats tied to the Trump administration, including immigration enforcement and health care cuts. Opponents argued ACA 8 would undermine California’s independent citizens redistricting commission, violate the state Constitution, and amount to partisan gerrymandering or a power grab. Members on both sides framed the issue as a defense of democracy, but disagreed sharply over whether the Legislature should act or leave redistricting to voters and the existing commission. No final vote on ACA 8 is shown in the transcript excerpt, but the Assembly did vote on several procedural matters: the appeal of the Speaker’s ruling was sustained 58-18; the motion to adopt late amendments on ACA 8 passed 58-19; a motion to re-refer ACA 8 and SB 280 to Judiciary failed 19-58; and a motion to take up A.J.R. 21 without reference to file failed 19-58. The session remained focused on ACA 8 and related redistricting questions, with extensive floor speeches from both supporters and opponents.

Transcript Highlights:

• other things that we do for complex infectious diseases, milk safety, and we do all the newborn screening
• other things that we do for complex infectious diseases, milk safety, and we do all the newborn screening
• other things that we do for complex infectious diseases, milk safety, and we do all the newborn screening
• other things that we do for complex infectious diseases, milk safety, and we do all the newborn screening
• other things that we do for complex infectious diseases, milk safety, and we do all the newborn screening

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Capital Planning Advisory Board met for its first meeting of the year, confirmed a quorum, approved the prior year’s minutes, and welcomed new co-chairs and members. The board reviewed the capital planning timeline and a list of agencies that submitted plans but would not testify. Members were reminded to keep presentations brief because of a packed agenda. The Cabinet for Health and Family Services presented first, outlining priorities centered on public safety, infrastructure preservation, and preventive maintenance. Its requests included a $21 million maintenance pool, phase two funding for a new state public health laboratory, construction of an 18-bed children’s psychiatric hospital, and several projects at Western State Hospital and Western State Nursing Facility, including HVAC work, cooling tower repair or replacement, and chiller plant repiping. Additional projects covered elevator upgrades at Hazlewood and phased cottage renovations at Oakwood. Board members asked about vacant buildings, the cost per bed for the youth psychiatric facility, and the relationship between the CHFS youth facility and a separate DJJ facility; CHFS said the youth facility would serve DCBS-involved youth and be separate from the DJJ project. The Kentucky Department of Education then described its state-operated facilities, including the Kentucky School for the Deaf, the Kentucky School for the Blind, and the FFA leadership training center. Its priorities included additional funding for the FFA classroom and activity building, a rewrite of the SEEK education finance application system, renovation and repair of the FFA swimming pool, electrical upgrades, campus education enhancements, safety and security work, door and window replacements, and HVAC maintenance. Members asked about student outcomes, the size and cost of the swimming pool project, and construction cost assumptions; KDE said it tracks student outcomes through special education staff and that current estimates reflect higher post-COVID construction costs. The Education and Labor Cabinet began its presentation with 12 priority projects, including a state labor exchange system, renovation of the McDow Vocational Rehabilitation Center, and a new adult education and family literacy management information system. The cabinet said the labor exchange would connect job seekers and employers at no cost, while the McDow renovation was needed because the 30-year-old facility faces safety and code concerns. The cabinet planned to continue through the remaining priorities and answer questions at the end of its presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just some housekeeping notes before we begin: the time will be projected on the screen above us, and
• Like Sophia Bacon, who's on screen right now, who testified twice in a trial where she was a victim of
• Like Sophia Bacon, who's on screen right now, who testified twice in a trial where she was a victim of
• I have brought evidence to almost 10 judges now, begging for a screening order, after my abuser tried
• minimum, schools must hold mandatory sexual abuse prevention training for teachers and thorough screenings

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a lengthy hearing on a wide range of bills involving domestic violence, sexual assault, child sexual abuse, trafficking, victim compensation, and related criminal justice reforms. Testimony focused on measures to support survivors and close perceived legal gaps, including bills to protect domestic violence survivors in child welfare proceedings, expand victim compensation for homicide families and trafficking survivors, create a DNA exception to the rape statute of limitations, eliminate or extend statutes of limitations for child sexual abuse, and strengthen laws on upskirting, sexual abuse by adults in positions of authority, and sexual assault by rideshare drivers. Several speakers also addressed bills concerning vulnerable adults, harassment and custody-related abuse, and early evidence kits. Witnesses included legislators, prosecutors, advocates, and many survivors who described personal experiences with abuse and barriers to justice. Supporters argued that current laws often leave survivors without meaningful remedies, especially where consent, reporting requirements, evidentiary rules, or statutes of limitations prevent prosecution or compensation. Prosecutors and advocates said the bills would clarify vague statutes, increase penalties in some cases, and better reflect the realities of coercion, grooming, trafficking, and delayed reporting. Some testimony also urged amendments, including changes to victim compensation reporting rules and clarifications to avoid unintended conflicts with other wage-recovery laws. No committee votes or final actions were taken in the hearing itself. The chairs emphasized strict time limits, respectful conduct, and the submission of written testimony, and several witnesses were called out of order to accommodate the large number of speakers.

Transcript Highlights:

• be tough and angry with an anonymous Twitter account or when it's fed to you by a caricature on a screen
• In the House, clearly have screens on all the time.
• Uh, but Jerry Sonnenberg, he turned his screen on during the vote and he was bouncing in his tractor.
• The same time this is happening, Robert is like deathly ill in the hospital, and he turns the screen
• And then the screen goes back off and I'm like, "Dude, you should not be on screen right now.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• members, can you see the slides<00:01:38.640> on<00:01:38.799> the<00:01:38.960> screen
• slides on the screen? slides on the screen? Okay. >> Okay.
• It's<00:01:53.920> just<00:01:54.079> the<00:01:54.240> screen<00:01:54.479>
• <00:01:55.360> One It's just the screen saver. Okay. One It's just the screen saver.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, Representative Pettigrew, for BAR authority, what you're seeing for the request here on the screen
• I mean, we do screenings, immunizations, and other clinical services.
• I mean, we do screenings, immunizations, and other...
• We do screenings, immunizations, and other clinical services.
• We use a risk-based approach to screen these conservatorships to make a determination whether or not

Bills: HB1

Keywords: feed bill, legislative appropriations, legislative branch, New Mexico Legislature, general fund, legislative council service, legislative finance committee, legislative education study committee, house chief clerk, senate chief clerk, per diem, mileage, session expenses, interim committees, district staff, capitol complex, capital outlay data system, legislative processing system, redistricting, census redistricting

Transcript Highlights:

• They may go through extensive background screenings and then navigate the complex conditions of pregnancy
• . ...through extensive background screenings and then navigate the complex conditions of pregnancy, all
• individual who stepped up to serve has undergone a background check, has undergone a mental health screen
• Pilot Program that's offering Florida's babies the opportunity for BORN Screening Pilot Program that's
• babies the opportunity for whole genome sequencing at birth, extending the list of conditions that we screen

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and quorum established, then adopted the Rules and Ethics Committee’s special order report for the day. The chamber first took up HB 167 on former phosphate mining lands. Sponsor Rep. McClure said the bill would remove strict liability for previously mined phosphate lands if a Department of Health study is done at the owner’s request and the former mining status is recorded publicly. Opponents, including Reps. Cross, Nixon, and Eskamani, argued the bill did not provide enough notice to future buyers and renters and could create health and disclosure concerns. The bill passed 87-24. The House then passed HB 145 on suits against the government, which Rep. McFarland said updates Florida’s sovereign immunity caps for the first time since 2010, raising them to $500,000 per person and $1 million per incident with future automatic increases, aligning the statute of limitations with private claims, and allowing governments to settle above the caps if they choose. He said the bill would make redress more accessible without eliminating the liability shield. The bill passed 104-7. The chamber then considered CS/HB 289 on civil liability for the wrongful death of an unborn child, a bill by Rep. Greco that would amend the Wrongful Death Act to allow parents and other survivors to bring claims for the death of an unborn child, while exempting the mother and lawful medical care provided within the standard of care. Debate centered on whether the bill could affect abortion access, fertility treatment, miscarriage care, surrogacy, and liability for doctors, friends, family members, and others. Multiple amendments were offered to narrow the bill or add carve-outs for abortion, fertility care, surrogates, perinatal professionals, rape/incest/human trafficking situations, and to require the mother’s consent before suit; sponsors and opponents argued over whether these changes would prevent frivolous lawsuits or instead create loopholes and weaken the bill. None of the amendments were adopted during the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know that it's literally a part of your screening process, and I'm not making distinctions whether
• know that it's literally a part of you know that it's literally a part of your<01:08:16.480> screening
• > process<01:08:17.560> and<01:08:17.920> I'm<01:08:18.040> not your screening
• process and I'm not your screening process and I'm not making<01:08:18.560> distinctions<01:08
• I believe the courts do a very good job at screening.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee met to approve the January 16 minutes and then heard a budget presentation from State Court Administrator Jeff Shorba on behalf of the Minnesota judicial branch. Shorba described the courts’ structure, mission, and workload, noting 322 judges, about 2,800 staff, roughly 1 million district court filings annually, and a current budget of about $479 million. He emphasized the branch’s constitutional obligation to provide fair and timely access to justice and said the courts are funded almost entirely through legislative appropriations. He also highlighted recent accomplishments made possible by prior legislative funding, including eliminating the pandemic felony and gross misdemeanor backlog, expanding remote and hybrid hearings, improving courtroom technology, sustaining treatment courts, and increasing pay for interpreters and psychological examiners. Shorba outlined the judicial branch’s 2026–27 budget request, which he said totals a 12% increase over the starting biennial base. Major requests included $77.3 million in 2026–27 and $104 million in 2028–29 for a 6% judicial salary increase and related compensation costs; $5.1 million in 2026–27 and $1.76 million in 2028–29 for digital accessibility compliance with new federal ADA rules; $4 million in 2026–27 and $800,000 in 2028–29 to modernize justice partner access to court records; $7.2 million in 2026–27 to raise pay for contract psychological examiners; and $18 million in 2026–27 to increase juror pay from $20 to $100 per day and align mileage rates with federal rates. He also discussed ongoing funding needs for interpreter services, jury costs, cybersecurity, and other statutorily required court services, saying temporary funding provided in the prior session will expire and that permanent support is needed. Members asked questions about treatment courts, employee bargaining, and mental health competency issues. Representative Eric requested more detail on funding for newly launched and existing treatment courts, and Shorba said many treatment courts begin with federal grants before transitioning to state support after about three years. He confirmed the judicial branch negotiates its own employee contracts rather than the executive branch doing so, and said the branch has three unions plus many unrepresented employees. On mental health and competency, Shorba said the branch is focused on obtaining timely psychological evaluations and is not responsible for treatment services themselves, but acknowledged a shortage of examiners and treatment beds and said a related competency board would be testifying the following week. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond adoption of the minutes.