Transcript Highlights:

• <00:13:37.839> President, this time. Um, Mr. President, this time. Um, Mr.
• spent during that time. spent during that time. >> Thank<00:14:36.800> you.
• I move the Senate stand in recess until the last bill is filed, at which time the journal will reflect
• will be filed. Senator Blackwell. will be filed. Senator Blackwell.
• <00:18:36.000> journal bill is filed, at which time the journal bill is filed, at which time

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 19 January, 2026; 4:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate opened with a roll call that established a quorum, followed by an invocation by Pastor Robert Hulet of Agape Church in South Haven and the pledge of allegiance led by Senator Jackson. The body then dispensed with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and bill titles. Several guests were introduced, including family members of Senators Carter and Thomas, and the chamber recognized a state flag flown in honor of Daniel Hudson Sparks. The main item of business was Senate Bill 2017, the repeal of various obsolete commissions. Senator McConn explained that the bill, as amended by a committee substitute, would repeal 22 boards and commissions that had not met, had not filed minutes, or had not carried out their intended functions. Senator Norwood asked about a $47,000 item tied to the Status of Women Commission, and McConn said he believed the money had been appropriated but likely not spent because the commission had not met. The committee substitute was adopted, and the bill passed on final passage by afternoon roll call. The Senate then moved to announcements, including a rules committee meeting after recess, a capital prayer group meeting the next morning, a finance committee meeting with a PERS presentation, and an appropriations subcommittee meeting. Senators also requested that the chamber adjourn in memory of several individuals, including Wesley Balden, Carl Wyers, and Joe Fernald. With roughly 300 to 350 bills reported as filed, the Senate recessed until the last bill was filed, with the journal to reflect adjournment until 10:00 a.m. the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• When they try and file a grievance, the school district denies it three times.
• filing it.
• Only three times have we ever had to file a suit for partition: one time with my brother because he was
• I probably have filed a lawsuit for partition less than 10 times in all those suits, but it is a tool
• There's no guarantee your temporary sealing motion will be heard by the time you need to file your trade

Bills: HB4011, HB2680, HB4325, HB4327, HB4944, HB1761, HB4688, HB3453, HB40, HB1707, HB4749, HB2322, HB3647, HB4139, HB4081, HB2203, HB2100, HB4170, HB3104, HB4623, HB40

Keywords: partition, heirs' property, real estate, co-ownership, family property, non-heir cotenant, right of first refusal, pilot services, liability limitation, maritime commerce, Matagorda Bay, Lavaca Bay, transportation code, maritime industry, civil liability, barratry, penalties, legal actions, damages, wrongful death

Transcript Highlights:

• The secretary will read the House file numbers. >> House File Numbers 4102 and 4348. >> The House files
• At the same time, Mr.
• at that time. at that time.
• from time to time, because that amount is so high.
• /c> statistics in real time uh from time to statistics in real time uh from time to time<03:40:30.880

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• drugs at the time.
• My predecessor filed this bill a few times, and I took a look at it.
• My predecessor filed this bill a few times. And I took a look at it.
• Thank you for your time.
• We’re saying the same thing time and time again.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing covered a wide range of Judiciary Committee bills, with much of the testimony focused on criminal justice, public safety, and civil asset forfeiture reform. Several lawmakers and advocates supported bills to increase penalties or create new offenses related to assaults on sports officials, assaults on transit workers, reckless discharge of firearms, fires and explosives, pill press machines, and drug-induced homicide. Testifiers described rising harassment and violence against youth sports officials and transit workers, as well as the fentanyl overdose crisis and the need for stronger tools to prosecute dealers whose conduct leads to death. Supporters of the sports-official and transit-worker bills emphasized declining referee availability and repeated assaults on commuter rail and MBTA workers. District attorneys also backed bills on reckless firearm discharge and fires/explosives, saying current law does not adequately address dangerous conduct that endangers bystanders. The committee also heard testimony on several proposals related to youth diversion and prison mitigation. Supporters of the youth court justice fund bill said youth courts are peer-led diversion programs with strong compliance and low recidivism, and argued for a stable funding source rather than annual earmarks. A representative from Bridgewater supported a prison mitigation fund for municipalities that host state prisons, saying the costs of public safety and emergency services are not fully covered. On gun policy, testimony split between supporters of a bill to ban in-state manufacture of assault-style rifles for civilian sale and opponents or skeptics of other firearm-related measures, including a bill on collateralizing firearms and a bill to increase penalties for drug trafficking combined with illegal firearm offenses. A major portion of the hearing was devoted to civil asset forfeiture reform. Advocates from the ACLU, CPCS, the Boston Bar Association, the Institute for Justice, and others supported bills to increase the burden of proof, improve transparency and reporting, require counsel, and limit or eliminate the current practice of directing forfeiture proceeds to law enforcement. They argued the current system creates perverse incentives, lacks adequate due process, and is insufficiently transparent. District Attorney Paul Tucker defended current forfeiture practices, saying his office has reporting and oversight, uses the funds for investigations and community programs, and warned that reducing forfeiture revenue would hinder crime fighting. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing; the chairs repeatedly thanked witnesses and indicated the bills would remain under consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• He says it time and time again.
• Eventually, as happens time and time and time again in human history.
• Green on House File 1.
• We had missed our time to come to the U.S. three times, and if we didn't come that last time, we would
• But we know who is compromised time and time again, and it's our community.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 4282 is herewith returned to the Senate.
• c> is<00:07:31.400> herewith Senate file number 4282 is herewith Senate file number 4282 is
• The secretary will read the House file numbers. House File Numbers 4074, 4138, and 5074.
• The House files have been given their second reading.
• final passage as amended to Senate file final passage as amended to Senate file number<00:39:56.280

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Oh, friends, this is not the first time, as you know, nor will it be the last time that I rise around
• And, Madam President, the time is approaching.
• Because all across this Commonwealth, communities time and...
• The bill was read a third time.
• It's two times.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate first handled a House petition from John H. Rawlers and others seeking eminent domain authority for a parcel in Norwood; Joint Rule 12 was suspended and the matter was referred to the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight. The chamber then resumed debate on the literacy bill, with Senator Tarr offering a series of amendments focused on school district funding, teacher competency, reporting, waivers, and curriculum implementation. Most of Tarr’s amendments were rejected, but one requiring written, appealable denials of district waivers was adopted by roll call, and another amendment on reporting from the Early Literacy Fund, including provisions for English language learners and special education educators, was also adopted. A separate amendment extending the timeline for DESE to publish high-quality curricula was adopted, while several other amendments were withdrawn or defeated. The Senate also considered and adopted an amendment from Senator Comerford addressing rural and regional equity in education funding. That amendment expanded eligible uses of the Early Literacy Fund to include screening assessments, required DESE to prioritize geographic and funding equity, mandated a public hearing in Western Massachusetts before final grant criteria were finalized, and directed technical assistance to rural districts. Senators from across the chamber spoke in support, emphasizing chronic underfunding, declining enrollment, minimum-aid pressures, and the need for a broader review of the Chapter 70 formula and a Foundation Budget Review Commission. The amendment passed unanimously. Later, the Senate took up an amendment from Senator Moore on children’s vision care, which would have created a registry for vision screening and expanded eye exam requirements, but it was withdrawn after supportive debate. The chamber then adopted the Ways and Means redraft, ordered the bill to third reading, and passed An Act relative to teacher preparation and student literacy to be engrossed by a unanimous roll call. Final passage was also achieved for a separate House land-taking bill allowing the town of Hingham to use municipal property for a center for active living, which passed by the required two-thirds vote and was enacted. The Senate then adopted an order to meet again the following Monday and adjourned in memory of Donna Goldstein.

Transcript Highlights:

• But for the time being, we're going to go on to business on the daily file.
• This is not the time.
• Back to the business on the daily file, we are going to pass and retain on file items 80, 81, 82. 83,
• We're going to pass and retain on file item. 85, file item 86, file item 87, which gets us to file item
• We are going to pass and retain on file items 89, 90, 91. Which brings us to file item 92, AB 1150.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please read the bill third time.
• Please read the bill a third time.
• Please read the bill a third time.
• Please read the bill a third time.
• Please read the bill a third time.

Summary: The Senate convened in special session, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and observed a moment of silence for Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy Mateer. The Secretary then read the special session proclamation, which limited the session to budget-related matters including the General Appropriations Act, implementing bill, collective bargaining/state employee issues, retirement, law enforcement radio system funding, health, higher education, K-12 education, government administration, corrections, judges, documentary stamp tax distributions, petroleum cleanup, fuel taxes, and taxation. Chair Hooper outlined the process for handling Senate and House budget bills and conference posture. The Senate took up and passed several Senate bills, including SB 2506E on fuel taxes, SB 2508E on the state agency law enforcement radio system, SB 2512E on judges, and SB 2514E on K-12 education, each by 32-0. The chamber then received House bills and, for each, adopted delete-all amendments to place the Senate language onto the House vehicle or delete everything to prepare for conference. Bills addressed included HB 7031E (taxation), HB 5701E (petroleum cleanup programs), HB 5203E (government administration), HB 5207E (Department of Management Services), HB 5403E (correctional facilities financing and capital improvements), HB 5501E (documentary stamp tax distributions), HB 5001E (the General Appropriations Act), HB 5003E (implementing bill), HB 5201E (collective bargaining), HB 5205E (retirement), HB 5601E (higher education), and HB 5301E (health care). Most passed 32-0, with HB 5403E passing 31-0. During debate on HB 7031E, Leader Berman urged consideration of suspending the motor fuel tax to provide immediate relief at the pump, citing high gas prices. The Senate ultimately passed the House bill as amended and then acceded to the House request for conference on the taxation package and the other House bills. The Senate also substituted HB 5001E for SB 2500E and HB 5003E for SB 2502E, and similarly substituted House bills for the related Senate conforming bills before voting to send them to conference. At the close of business, the Senate observed a moment of silence for former Senator Bill Posey. The Rules Chair announced the Special Order Calendar Group would not meet that day or the next, and the Senate adopted a motion to establish the special order calendar for the remainder of the special session by website publication and Secretary announcement. The Senate then adjourned upon the call of the President for committee meetings and other business.

Transcript Highlights:

• House File 4075 is the next bill.
• Um presenting 4075, House File 4075.
• So, House File 4075 is the next bill. So, House File 4075 is the next bill.
• And um Representative Steer moves House<00:12:44.720> File<00:12:45.120> 3826 House File
• File 3827. File 3827. Representative<00:20:39.120> Duran.

Bills: HF4075, HF3826, HF3825, HF3827, HF3459, HF3711, HF4200, HF3908, HF3712

Keywords: firearm restrictions, domestic violence, public safety, court orders, criminal convictions, identity theft, subpoena authority, fraud, statute of limitations, financial crime, victim notification, expungement, criminal justice, plea agreements, minor victims, identification protection, stalking, crime data, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, law enforcement grants

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill is ordered to general file.
• The bill is ordered to general file.
• The bill is ordered to general file.
• The bill is ordered to general file.
• The bill is ordered to general file.

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your time. Thank you for your time. It's an important bill.
• And thank you for your time. Thank you for keeping the committee abreast since this bill was filed.
• Thank you very much for your time, and I yield the remainder of my time.
• or part-time basis.
• or part-time basis.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service held its 21st hearing and took up late-filed bills, with testimony focused mainly on firefighter and police personnel matters. The committee heard strong support for H.5429/H.6138, Governor Healey’s bill to provide injured-on-duty compensation and full pay and benefits to Chelmsford firefighter Nicholas Spinelli after he was seriously injured while instructing at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. Testimony from Rep. Simon Cataldo, Rep. Rodney Elliott, PFFM leaders, Chelmsford Fire Chief Gary Ryan, and others emphasized that Spinelli was performing public service training work, that the incident exposed gaps in coverage for firefighters serving in academy roles, and that the bill should be a prompt, statewide fix. Several speakers also urged future legislation to address broader policy gaps for DFS support-branch and part-time personnel. The committee also heard testimony on a Topsfield home rule petition, H.54435, to allow Police Chief Neil Hovey to continue serving until age 68 or retirement. Rep. Kristen Kasner and local officials praised Hovey’s leadership, training, regional coordination, and management of public safety at the Topsfield Fair, and asked for favorable passage. In addition, Sen. Ryan Fattman and Rep. Joe McKenna testified for S.3051, a bill to provide certain retirement benefits to the surviving spouse of fallen Uxbridge Police Officer Stephen LaPorta, describing his death while assisting a stranded motorist in a snowstorm and the town’s support for honoring his family. PFFM and other police/fire union representatives generally supported the firefighter and LaPorta bills, while PFFM also stated opposition to H.5389, a separate bill authorizing continued employment of the Upton police chief. After testimony concluded, the committee adjourned without taking a recorded vote during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:00:57.039> The House file nine. Second reading. The House file nine. Second reading.
• Now, if you times that by the 17 400.
• Members, how many times are we here.
• And a lot of times,<00:31:46.159> almost<00:31:46.559> without times, almost without times
• Representative Nisca, House File 9.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 1312 is a repeat for us.
• Senate file 1312 as amended. Senate file 1312 as amended.
• for Senate file 1312 as amended. amended. amended.
• Senate File 1312 as amended. Senate File 1312 as amended.
• tax bill Senate file tax bill Senate file 5052. 5052. 5052.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please read the bill third time.
• Please read the bill third time.
• Please read the bill a third time.
• Please read the bill a third time.
• Please read the bill a third time.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Not at this time.
• The lady's time has expired. I'm going to ask to extend the time.
• I think you're trying to kill time. No, I'm not trying to kill time.
• Gentleman's time has expired.
• . file.

Bills: SB 8, HB7, HB15, HB 265, HCR 13, SB 8, HB 7, HB 15, HB 265, HCR 13

Keywords: sex designation, restroom access, civil penalties, private civil right of action, women's privacy, abortion, healthcare, jurisdiction, civil action, qui tam, prohibition, state law, youth camp, safety regulations, advisory committee, child welfare, health standards, summer camp, camp safety, child abuse reporting

Transcript Highlights:

• we're also going to hear Senate File 798 and Senate File 869 from Senator Putner.
• > a<00:35:51.680> time<00:35:51.839> when and 14 part-time jobs at a time when and
• Okay, so up next is Senate File 591. Senator Champion and Senate File 648.
• Okay, so up next is Senate File 591. Senator Champion and Senate File 648.
• We're going to lay over Senate File 591 and Senate File 648 for possible inclusion. Thank you.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SF 818, a request for funding for the Block Builders Foundation, which provides financial literacy and job-readiness training for youth. Senator Fate and testifiers described a 12-week program covering budgeting, savings, banking, credit, debt, career exploration, job preparation, entrepreneurship, and mentorship. They said the program served youth ages 13 to 19, had expanded to multiple cohorts, and had produced graduation ceremonies and job placements. Testifiers also said the organization had transportation challenges and limited space, and that additional funding would help with staffing, participant support, and transportation partnerships. Committee members asked extensive questions about the program’s outcomes, funding sources, and finances. Block Builders said it had 40 graduates in the most recent cohort, with 30 placed in jobs, and that participants who complete the program receive a $500 stipend. The organization said it had been operating since 2023 in North and South Minneapolis, had received $50,000 from the state previously, and raised additional community support. Members also asked about IRS filing status, audits, and how outcomes were measured; the organization said outcomes were tracked through graduation and certificates, and that it had not yet filed a 990 because it had not reached the threshold. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion, with committee members noting the current language makes the appropriation available only through June 30, 2026 unless amended. The committee then began hearing SF 927. An A1 technical amendment was adopted without objection. Senator Pappas introduced the bill, which would appropriate $1.5 million to the Mung American Partnership for workforce development and business lending. The transcript cuts off before further testimony or committee action on SF 927.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's ample time. But what if they can't? What if they can't pay? So they refuse to cure?
• That's ample time. But what if they can't? What if they can't pay? So they refuse to cure?
• During that time, and over these periods of time, school districts, especially small ones, have been
• Senate Bill 15 has filed language that was worked out with the governor and stakeholders.
• and by-mail filings are not altered.

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation and then handled several procedural matters, including a failed motion to excuse Senator Johnson’s absence after a roll-call vote. The chamber also postponed the reading and referral of bills until later in the calendar and adopted motions allowing the Education K-16 Committee to meet while the Senate was in session. The Senate then recessed until 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 6. The main floor action centered on Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 9, which lowers the voter-approval tax rate for certain cities and counties from 3.5% to 2.5% for maintenance and operations. Senator Bettencourt argued the bill would slow local property tax growth and align city and county limits more closely with school district limits, while Senators Hinojosa and Menendez raised concerns about reduced local revenue, public safety funding, and the short time for cities to assess the impact. The Senate suspended the regular order, passed the bill to engrossment, suspended the constitutional three-day rule, and finally passed SB 9, with a clarification later entered that the final passage vote was 18-3. The Senate also took up Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 7, the Texas Women’s Privacy Act, which sets state policy for the use of certain spaces and facilities according to biological sex and creates enforcement mechanisms for state agencies and political subdivisions. Supporters said the bill was needed to protect women and children in restrooms, locker rooms, shelters, prisons, and schools, while opponents questioned the scope, enforcement, civil penalties, and possible conflicts with federal law and local control. After extensive questioning, the chamber adopted a clarifying amendment, suspended the three-day rule, and finally passed SB 7 by a vote of 19-2. Finally, the Senate passed Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 15, which addresses deed fraud and real property theft by tightening recording requirements for certain property documents and creating new criminal offenses for real property theft and fraud. Senator Hinojosa explained that the bill combined civil and criminal provisions, added photo ID requirements for in-person filings, and included restitution and enhanced penalties for certain victims and properties; a floor amendment made cleanup changes, removed a training mandate, and clarified that electronic and mail filings were not affected. The Senate adopted the amendment, suspended the three-day rule, and passed SB 15 unanimously, 21-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here to support House File 198.
• , and it’s time to get this.
• > down<00:30:42.840> here paying it every time I drive down here paying it every time I
• House File 185 is held over. Next, we will move on to House File 305, Representative Joy.
• Appreciate your time today.

Bills: HF198, HF269, HF185, HF303, HF305, HF189

Keywords: HF198, shared time pupils, shared-time enrollment, nonpublic school, private school, public school, career and technical education, CTE, secondary credit, school funding, state aid, education finance, Minnesota Statutes 126C.01, compulsory attendance, school district, education policy, HF269, Spicer, Minnesota bonding bill, capital investment

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 42.
• Thank you for your time.
• Thank you for your time.
• <01:41:48.199> um<01:41:48.400> Senate<01:41:48.760> file file um Senate file file
• We were hearing Senate File 971 and dealing with the A1 amendment at that time that I laid it over, so

Keywords: 1187, senate, all