Transcript Highlights:

• He has repeatedly attacked prosecutors who were assigned to work on January 6th. six case, calling them
• January 6th rioter and anti-Semitic racist Nazi sympathizer. You can see his photo.
• So plain and simple, nearly every convicted January 6th insurrectionist, 96% of them was convicted of
• Comparing January 6th insurrectionists to loyal Americans jailed.
• Ranking Member Durbin talked about some of Ed Martin's incendiary comments about January 6th. effort

Keywords: nomination, Patrick Davis, Assistant Attorney General, Ed Martin, January 6th, public testimony

Summary: This meeting focused primarily on the nomination of Patrick Davis to serve as Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legislative Affairs. Members discussed Mr. Davis's qualifications and experience, emphasizing his commitment to effectively serving the American public and working collaboratively with Congress. The committee also briefly revisited the nominations of John Eisenberg and Brett Shumate but decided to hold them over until the next meeting. Additionally, concerns regarding the nomination of Ed Martin as U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia were raised, particularly regarding his past statements and conduct related to the January 6th insurrection and its aftermath. The discussion highlighted the importance of reviewing Mr. Martin's responses to various questions before proceeding with a vote on his nomination.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 30 January, 2026; 9:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, heard an invocation from Pastor Joe Thrasher, and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. A national anthem was performed by Audrey Mapier, who was also recognized as a page for Senator Frazier. The chamber then dispensed with reading the journal, committee reports, and bill and resolution titles, and there were no messages or petitions. During the calendar, the Senate repeatedly took up items by motion to “pass and retain” across a long list of bills and resolutions, effectively postponing consideration of those measures. No substantive debate on individual bills was recorded in this segment. The body also recognized several guests in the gallery, including the pastor’s family, a newly appointed member of the State Cosmetology Board, and family members of senators. Multiple committee meeting announcements were made for later that day and for Monday, including Appropriations, Agriculture, Business and Financial Institutions, Medicaid, Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, Finance, Corrections, Universities and Colleges, Environmental Protection, Judiciary Division A and B, Tourism, Energy, Education, Highways and Transportation, Public Property, Municipalities, Economic and Workforce Development, and Ports and Marine Resources. Senators also requested that the chamber adjourn in memory of several individuals, including Miss Judy Fry, Rico Varnado, Pastor Ivon Lewis, and former state trooper and reverend David Ard. The Senate then voted to stand in recess until the last committee report is filed, with the journal to reflect adjournment until Monday at 1 p.m.

Keywords: House streaming session for Friday, January 30, 2026, 957, house, all

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Friday, January 30, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened for a brief pro forma session, with the clerk calling the roll and the presiding officer noting that three critical members were present and Maryland was back in session. There were a few light announcements, including a senator bringing his son to the chamber and a remark about the unusual week of multiple pro forma sessions. The presiding officer also welcomed the Senate pages and noted the historic nature of the week’s schedule. The chamber then processed calendar items without debate: Senate Bill 422, by Senator Kramer, concerning research and testing facilities that use animals and related adoption/reporting requirements, was read and ordered to its standing committee. A bond initiative sponsored by Senator King for Community Services for Adults and Children/Community School of Maryland was also read and sent to the capital budget subcommittee. The Senate received an executive message from Governor Wes Moore submitting a recess appointment for Senate confirmation under the Maryland Constitution. The message was read, journalized, and referred to the Executive Nominations Committee; the presiding officer identified it as a superintendent-related recess appointment. After a final quorum call, the Senate adjourned by unanimous consent until Monday evening at 8:00 p.m. for a regular session.

Keywords: Municipalities - Room 216, 30 January, 2026; 9:30 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 2578, which would create a federal match land bank fund administered by the Mississippi Development Authority, with a 1.25% administrative allowance and an effective date of July 1, 2026. The chair explained it as a municipal tool to help purchase dilapidated property using available federal and state funds. The committee asked no questions and passed the bill by voice vote, title sufficient, do pass. The committee then considered Senate Bill 2679, the Mississippi Land Bank Act. Sheri Visay of the Mississippi Municipal League testified in support, describing land banks as locally created entities to acquire, manage, and return vacant, abandoned, and tax-forfeited properties to productive use. She emphasized that the bill would not authorize eminent domain, would be locally controlled, and would be subject to public accountability requirements. Senators asked about title, acquisition, funding, and whether the bill should also allow acquisition of privately owned non-tax-forfeited parcels; the sponsor said the bill was intentionally limited at first to tax-forfeited properties, though future expansion could be considered. The committee then passed the bill by voice vote. Next, Senate Bill 2729, with a committee substitute, was explained as a narrow change to allow Capitol Police in Jackson to enforce local noise ordinances for alcohol-permitted businesses, without removing authority from local police or sheriffs. The sponsor said he had spoken with Commissioner Tindle, who did not object, though the chief of Capitol Police was still consulting internally. The committee nonetheless adopted the motion to pass the committee substitute, title sufficient, by voice vote. The committee also took up Senate Bill 2862, a code-forwarding bill related to annexation. The chair noted it made no substantive changes and only brought forward existing code sections, and a reverse repealer was added by amendment. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill, title sufficient, do pass committee substitute. Finally, Senate Bill 2893 proposed expanded notice requirements for zoning changes, including newspaper notice, posting on social media platforms, online posting, public access to the proposed changes, and extending the appeal period from 10 to 20 days. After discussion, an amendment was added to require signage for 30 days instead of 7, and the committee then passed the committee substitute by voice vote. The meeting ended with the bills reported and the committee in recess.

Keywords: MS House Floor - 30 January, 2026; 9:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, with the prayer focusing on support for linemen, first responders, and families affected by severe weather in Mississippi. A quorum was established, the journal reading was dispensed with, and there were no select committee reports or resolutions/petitions/memorials presented. Standing committee reports were noted as being on the counter, and introductions of constitutional amendment bills and other introductions were handled by unanimous consent without reading. During introductions of guests, Representative McMillan recognized Madison County Sheriff Randy Tucker in the North Gallery. The clerk then announced several committee meetings scheduled for Monday, including Corrections, Judd B., Wildlife, Ports and Harbors, Youth and Family, and Gaming, with times and rooms specified. No legislation was debated or voted on beyond routine procedural motions. The House adopted the motion to adjourn and stood adjourned until 2 p.m. Monday.

Keywords: Corrections - Room 210; 29 January, 2026: 11:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 2778, which extends by four years the repealer on the authority to collect monthly supervision fees from probation and parole offenders for the Community Service Revolving Fund. Members asked no questions, and the bill was moved and passed by a sufficient motion with no opposition. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2041, which would require the Department of Correction to do pre-screening for dyslexia. Senator Hickman said the bill is intended to identify a condition that is reportedly more prevalent in the prison population and to help reduce recidivism through earlier intervention. Questions focused on cost and implementation; the sponsor said the fiscal impact would be minimal because the department already has the needed IT infrastructure and the screening would be an added step rather than a separate system. The bill was then moved and passed. Next, Senate Bill 2036 was explained as a narrow change from “shall” to “may” in language affecting probation, postrelease supervision, or suspension, giving judges discretion in revocation decisions. Senate Bill 2777, requested by the circuit judges association, would clarify that probation or postrelease supervision may be revoked if a person commits a felony, including in situations where the offense occurs before the prior supervision has commenced. That bill also advanced on a do-pass motion. Senate Bill 2043, dealing with parole eligibility for nonviolent offenses, was described as allowing the parole board to reduce eligibility dates by awarded days and to better assess whether offenders are truly eligible; the committee discussed a committee substitute and a reverse repealer before moving on. Finally, Senate Bill 2037 was taken up and amended to require medical care service providers to submit claims at no more than the Mississippi Medicaid reimbursement rate. The amendment by Senator Kirby was adopted, and the bill then received a do-pass-as-amended motion and passed.

Keywords: House streaming session for Thursday, January 29, 2026, 957, house, all

Keywords: MS House Floor - 29 January, 2026; 2:00 PM, 925, all

Keywords: Housing - Room 216, 29 January, 2026; 10:45 AM, 925, all

Keywords: Finance - Room 216, 29 January, 2026; 1:30 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee took up a series of economic development, tax, retirement, alcohol, and property tax bills, with several members explaining that some measures were being extended through repealers or prepared as omnibus vehicles for later floor amendments. Early in the meeting, members discussed a bill extending the Healthcare Industry Zone Act repealer to 2028, noting MDA had requested additional language for a floor amendment and citing roughly $715 million in expected new investment and more than 3,000 jobs since 2012. The committee also passed SB 2832, extending the Mississippi Shoreline Tax Credit program to 2029 with an $8 million annual cap, and SB 2849, extending the SMART business research program repealer to 2028. SB 2843, changing eligible expenses for MDA site development and utility infrastructure readiness, SB 2847, rounding state and local cash charges to the nearest nickel, and SB 2865, a gaming-related tax credit for non-gaming capital projects at casino properties, were also explained and passed without opposition. The committee then considered SB 2882, which prohibits counties from requiring homestead exemption applicants to provide closing statements or disclosures, citing privacy concerns; it was passed. SB 2912, a PERS-requested bill allowing Roth contributions in the state deferred compensation plan and removing an earlier qualified domestic order provision, also passed. The committee next took up SB 2834 and SB 2838 as omnibus vehicles: SB 2834 was described as the Senate omnibus tag bill, and SB 2838 as the qualified resort status bill, which included an addition for a community college campus and golf course in western Mississippi. Both bills received reverse repealers and were reported out. A lengthy discussion centered on SB 2915, which makes technical changes to Mississippi’s native wine laws, removes a repealer, expands tasting room options, and addresses ABC pickup and delivery timing. Senator McMahon offered an amendment to strike the pickup language after consulting with the Commissioner of Revenue, saying the current warehouse setup did not support the option yet; the amendment passed. Senator Sparks raised concerns about ABC delivery delays, the impact on small retailers, and whether the bill could raise commerce clause issues by favoring in-state wineries, but the author said the language conforms to existing distillery provisions. After no further questions, the committee passed the committee substitute and then rose and reported, with the chair noting another meeting would likely be held the following week.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 29 January, 2026; 9:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a roll call, invocation, and pledge, then quickly dispensed with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and bill titles. Several guest introductions followed, including members of the Junior League of Jackson, the Mississippi Dental Association and Dental Hygiene Association for oral health day, school counselors and college admission counselors, and other visitors. Senators also recognized individual guests such as a dentist from Newton and a constituent from Senatobia. The chamber then took up two resolutions in block: Senate Bill 2766 designating the Friday before Memorial Day as Buddy Poppy Day in Mississippi, and Senate Resolution 25 commending the Lamar School Raiders football team and Head Coach Jacob Lan for winning the MHSAA 4A Division 3 state championship. The Lamar Raiders were present on the floor, and Coach Lan addressed the Senate after the resolution was read. Both measures were adopted by voice vote, with roll call final passage requested and granted without objection. The Senate also considered House Concurrent Resolution 21, which calls a joint session for the Governor’s State of the State address. A strike-all amendment was adopted to move the event date and location because of weather, shifting it to the second floor rotunda rather than outside or in the House chamber. The Senate then moved through a series of pass-and-retain actions and announcements, including committee meeting notices and cancellations, campaign finance report reminders, and several adjournment-in-memory requests. The body recessed until 5:00 p.m. or until the last committee report was filed, with the journal to reflect adjournment until 9:00 a.m. the next day.

Keywords: Education - Room 216, 29 January, 2026; 9:30 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee took up several education-related bills. Senate Bill 2281, a repealer bill extending to July 1, 2029, would allow career and technical education grants to school districts to be used for additional purposes already in statute, including purchasing equipment for programs leading to qualifying industry standards. The bill was explained briefly, no questions were raised, and it was approved by voice vote. The committee then considered Senate Bill 2485, a department-requested bill dealing with charter school qualifications. It would clarify that charter schools are exempt from certain requirements if the program did not receive Department of Education grant funding, while adding some requirements back to the authorizer board. The bill was adopted without objection. Senate Bill 2494, also explained by Senator McMahon, would codify bulk purchasing authority for the state's regional education service agencies. An amendment was adopted to replace references to “RESA” and “ESA” with the full statutory terms for consistency, and the bill passed as amended. Finally, Senate Bill 2515, sponsored by Senator Blount, addressed state law governing the sale of closed school buildings, especially in light of Jackson Public Schools closing more than 20 buildings due to declining enrollment. The bill would reduce the effect of reverter clauses that can discourage buyers and would set deadlines for charter schools’ first right of refusal on closed school properties: interest must be expressed within six months and a lease or purchase completed within 12 months unless extended by agreement. An amendment reflecting those changes was adopted, a question was raised about whether the bill affected buildings on 16-section land, and the sponsor said it would not change land ownership. The committee then voted to do pass the bill as amended, and the meeting ended with notice of one more meeting planned for Tuesday and a motion for a rising report.

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 210; 29 January, 2026: 8:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Department of Mental Health presented its FY27 budget request and described its statewide responsibilities, including more than 600 grants totaling about $140 million, 11 community mental health centers, and state-operated programs for mental health, substance use, and intellectual/developmental disabilities. The request included $291.2 million in general funds, about $33.4 million above the current year, plus spending authority tied to ID regional programs and the IDD waiver. Major components included funding to enroll 250 additional people in the IDD home- and community-based waiver, a projected waiver rate increase, and added support for state-operated 24/7 programs facing staffing and operational shortfalls. The agency also asked to continue selected ARPA-funded services before those dollars expire, including 988 call center support, peer respite sites, court liaison positions, intensive community services for children and youth, and adolescent offender programs. Other requests covered salary adjustments and longevity increases for hard-to-fill positions, electronic health record support, IT security upgrades, a Jackson County crisis stabilization unit expansion from 8 to 16 beds, capital needs such as generator and boiler/chiller replacements, inflation-related increases for community mental health center grants, and restoration of general funds under a Joint Legislative Budget Committee recommendation. Officials emphasized that community-based care now accounts for 58% of funding and that the goal is to keep people out of institutions unless they need the highest level of care. Committee members asked about ARPA balances, forensic referrals, Jackson County’s request, and county support for community mental health centers. The department said about $25 million in ARPA funds remained and should be spent by September 30, with some delays due to reimbursement revisions. On forensic services, officials reported the new 81-bed maximum-security unit at State Hospital has cut the wait list roughly in half, but admission orders are up 51%, and some referrals may be unnecessary or used to delay proceedings. Members also discussed county contributions to community mental health centers, which the department said total about $9–10 million statewide, with most counties now meeting their obligations and only a few using small in-kind contributions.

Keywords: Medicaid - Room 216, 29 January, 2026; 2:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee considered five bills. SB 2567, the Mississippi Pediatric Access to Critical Health Care Protection Act, would allow a border hospital to accept Medicaid patients and payments; it was moved as title sufficient and reported, with one member opposing. SB 2571, the Foster Youth Earn Benefit Protection for Success Act, would require Social Security survivor or disability benefits for foster youth to be used for the child rather than reimbursing the state for foster care costs; the sponsor said the bill follows federal guidance and other states’ practices, and it was reported after a title-sufficient motion, with one opposition. SB 2708 would require insurers to cover postpartum depression screenings. Senator Boyd said most insurers already do this, and he offered an amendment to strike lines 364-368 because of concerns about step-therapy language; the committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill. SB 2765 would open code sections related to DHS and Medicaid income verification so Mississippi can respond to federal error-rate penalties tied to SNAP and related programs; Senator Sparks said the state’s 10.69% error rate could trigger about $128 million in annual penalties, and members discussed whether the state’s change-reporting rules may be inflating that rate. The bill was reported. The final bill, SB 2746, the Older Mississippians Act, was described by DHS as a cleanup measure that updates aging-services statutes, formally designates Mississippi as the state unit on aging, and removes obsolete program references. After brief discussion, it was reported on a title-sufficient motion. At the end of the meeting, Senator McMahan publicly thanked the chair for his work, and the committee then moved to rise and report.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're back on the floor after this quite uh intense snow event here on Thursday, January 29th.
• take effect until October 1st.<00:53:17.760> This<00:53:17.920> is<00:53:18.160> January
• This is January. So this bill isn't 1st. This is January.
• From January to October of 2025, in the counties that had 287G agreements for all or part of the year
• I move the Senate of Maryland stand adjourned until Friday, January 30th, for a pro forma session at

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Thursday, January 29, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate reconvened after a snow delay, heard an invocation from Reverend Scott Shelton, and conducted several floor introductions and recognitions, including birthday wishes for staff, a welcome for a temporary office staffer, recognition of the Center for Urban Families, and introduction of the week’s pages. The chamber then approved the prior journal and moved through bill and bond initiative readings, referring the listed measures to their standing committees or the capital budget subcommittee. The first substantive action was adoption of a favorable committee report on Senate Bill 17, an emergency bill authorizing the Baltimore City Board of Licensed Commissioners to issue a related event promoters permit for the CIAA tournament. The floor leader said the bill had no amendments, no fiscal impact, and no opposition in committee. The Senate adopted the report without objection and ordered the bill printed for third reading. The Senate then took up Senate Bill 1 from the Judicial Proceedings Committee, which would require the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission to adopt a statewide policy on law enforcement face coverings, apply it to state, local, and federal officers in Maryland, and enforce violations through a civil citation and discipline. The committee report included two amendments: one technical and one making the policy statewide and preempting local policies. During extended debate, the bill’s sponsor argued that masks undermine transparency and trust and that the measure would create a uniform standard. A senator from Frederick County questioned whether the bill would effectively create a policy for federal agents without Maryland-specific training and raised concerns about enforcement, temporary detention, complaints, and possible conflicts with federal authority. The sponsor responded that officers would retain discretion, that the bill would be enforced through civil citations, and that similar civil enforcement mechanisms have been upheld in Maryland. No final vote on the amended report is shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• And obviously, we did the February 1st, 2028, to allow folks to get through a 2027 election, the January

Keywords: Elections - Room 210; 29 January, 2026: 2:30 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 250, which would require disclosures for political advertisements that are generated in whole or in part by artificial intelligence. Senator Blackman explained that the bill applies to video, image, and audio ads, with specific disclaimer requirements and exemptions for bona fide news coverage, documentaries, and certain distributors that require AI disclosure from submitters. Members asked about the bill’s scope, including that it would not cover written mailers. After discussion, the committee adopted a motion for title sufficient and do pass, and the bill was reported out. The committee then considered Senate Bill 2386, which would prohibit political candidates from using grand jury or jury proceedings as a captive audience for campaign activity. Senator Tate said the measure had been passed before and was intended to prevent politicizing trials. With no questions, the committee again voted title sufficient and do pass, and the bill was reported out. The committee also heard Senate Bill 2096 from the Secretary of State’s office, a technical elections bill establishing minimum cybersecurity standards for access to SIMS by election officials and clerks; counties would have to pass an assessment or use election support funds to fix deficiencies. That bill was likewise reported out on a title sufficient, do pass motion. Next, the committee took up Senate Bill 2588, the Shield Act, which would require citizenship verification through the federal SAVE system for certain driver’s license or ID applicants who identify as noncitizens or do not provide verifiable information, and would also run the voter rolls through SAVE annually. Supporters said it would strengthen election integrity and add confidence that voters are citizens, while Senator Blunt argued the bill could lead to unnecessary purges based on database mismatches and that existing systems already address the issue. The Secretary of State’s office said SAVE is used with safeguards, does not automatically remove voters, and that voters flagged in error can provide proof and remain eligible. Despite the debate, the committee voted title sufficient and do pass committee substitute, and the bill was reported out. Finally, the chairman began explaining Senate Bill 2558, a comprehensive campaign finance reform bill. He described provisions requiring candidates and committees to file statements of organization before accepting contributions or making expenditures, defining corporate contributions and coordinated expenditures, separating candidate committees from PACs, requiring more detailed reporting and electronic filing, setting rules for termination reports and anonymous contributions, and imposing tiered fines for violations. The transcript cuts off before the committee finished its discussion or took final action on that bill.

Keywords: Technology - Room 210; 28 January, 2026: 9:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Technology Committee met a few minutes late and took up four bills. Senate Bill 2437, which establishes a baseline definition of artificial intelligence and aligns it with federal language, was explained as a recommendation from the AI regulatory task force; it passed without questions and was reported out. Senate Bill 2650, the Mississippi Emergency Communications Authority Act, was presented as a follow-up to last year’s 911 legislation to make minor, non-funding adjustments to definitions around EOCs, EOCCs, and NG 911 standards; members noted the board has not yet fully met or been confirmed, and the bill passed and was reported out. Senate Bill 2653, the Mississippi IT Optimization Act, was described as creating a new code section to improve state IT efficiency and enterprise solutions as agencies move to the cloud and data sharing expands. The chair cited consolidation efforts such as reducing multiple Microsoft mail accounts and potential cost savings, and the bill passed with no opposition. Senate Bill 2654 would establish a state security operations center to centralize cybersecurity response and related assets; after a committee substitute corrected a typographical error, the substitute was adopted and then passed as a title sufficient do pass, to be reported out. The chair also said the committee would likely see further revisions later in session, especially on the 911 and cybersecurity measures, and announced a February 5 field trip for technology committees to visit MDE from about 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with more details to follow.

Keywords: MS House Floor - 28 January, 2026; 2:00 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to remind my colleagues one more time that campaign finance reports are due Friday, January
• I just want to remind my colleagues one more time that campaign finance reports are due Friday, January
• I just want to remind my colleagues one more time that campaign finance reports are due Friday, January

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 28 January, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, received an invocation from Pastor Jonathan Gary of Hikes Retreat Baptist Church, and recited the pledge of allegiance. Routine procedural motions followed to dispense with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and bill titles, all approved by voice vote. The chamber also introduced several guests, including members of the Domestic Violence Review Board and domestic violence shelter directors, visitors from the Aspire Learning Center in Simpson County, and representatives of the Mississippi Airports Association and Jackson Municipal Airport Authority. The main legislative action was on House Bill 3, described as a technical cleanup bill related to CO issues that had previously been vetoed in part by the governor. Senator Brian explained that the new version removed the objectionable provision, contained only minor technical changes, and was essentially the same bill passed earlier. The Senate adopted the bill by use of the morning roll call, with one member recorded as voting no and another present, and then granted immediate release to the governor for signature. The remainder of the meeting consisted largely of announcements about committee schedules and cancellations, including meetings for appropriations subcommittees, business and financial institutions, highways and transportation, public health and welfare, universities and colleges, education, elections, public property, government structure, and others. The presiding officer also announced the Senate would begin at 9:00 a.m. the next day to allow members to attend the speaker’s father’s funeral, that the chamber would work on Friday, and that the Senate would stand in recess until the last committee report was filed or 5:00 p.m., at which time it would be considered adjourned until 9:00 a.m. Thursday.