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The summary below was generated by AskAI, an artificial intelligence tool from FastDemocracy, trained on transcripts generated from publicly-available video and audio recordings of official government debate, made using TranscriptAI.

To learn more about AskAI and Transcript AI, or any of FastDemocracy’s other legislative tracking tools, reach out to nicole@fastdemocracy.com or click here.

This week in Wyoming, legislative discussions focused on a range of critical issues, including state budget and taxation, public safety and child protection, energy and natural resources, and healthcare and education.

• Budget, Taxation, and Economic Development: The state budget was a central topic, with a recognition of significant differences between House and Senate proposals, though optimism for an agreement was expressed. Appropriations for firefighters were advanced with HB 34 (Firefighters Retirement Plans), recommended for passage with a $411,000 appropriation, and HB 35 (firefighters’ paid leave and hazard pay), which passed with a $422,500 appropriation from general funds. Taxation discussions included HB 145 (removing triple taxation for resident EV drivers), which was re-referred from the Revenue Committee to the Transportation Committee and later recommended for passage by the Transportation, Highways, and Military Affairs Committee (Sponsors: Senators Anderson, Barlow, Cooper, Pappas; Senator Kolb voted no; Chairman: Senator Pappas). Economic development initiatives included the Senate passage of SF 21 (Wyoming Stable Token Amendments) and the recommendation to pass HB 75 (Virtual Currency Kiosks) by the Minerals, Business, and Economic Development Committee (Sponsors: Senators Anderson, Cooper, Jones, Nethercott, Rothfuss; Chairman: Senator Anderson).
• Public Safety, Rights, and Child Protection: Legislators dedicated significant attention to bills concerning personal rights and the protection of children. The House passed HB 103 (Wyoming First Amendment Protection Act), although an amendment to create an exception for defamation was not adopted. Parental rights were addressed with the House passage of HB 157 (protection of parental rights cause of action). Gun rights were debated as HB 98 (prohibit Red Flag Gun Seizure Act penalty amendments) passed the House and was recommended for passage by the Agriculture, State and Public Lands and Water Resources Committee (Sponsors: Senators Crago, Love, McEwen, Pearson; Chairman: Senator Aye), and HB 130 (Second Amendment Protection Act amendments) was recommended for passage as amended by the Revenue Committee (Sponsors: Senators Case, Dockstader, Aye; Senator McEwen voted no; Chairman: Senator McEwen). Several bills addressing child protection, including HB 8 (stalking of minors), HB 9 (grooming of children, offenses and amendments – sponsored by Judiciary), and HB 28 (Sexual Exploitation of Children Amendments – sponsored by Representative Strzok), saw progress in both chambers.
• Energy, Water, and Land Use: Legislation concerning energy and natural resources was a prominent discussion point. HB 5 (oil and gas bonding pool investment) was signed as House Enrolled Act Number 2.HB 128 (Enhanced Oil Recovery Severance Tax Exemption) passed the House and was recommended to pass as amended by the Senate Minerals, Business, and Economic Development Committee (Sponsors: Senators Anderson, Cooper, Jones, Nethercott, Rothfuss; Chairman: Senator Anderson). Water-related bills included HB 87 (omnibus water bill planning) and SF 50 (state engineer’s study on surface and groundwater), which had an amendment to expand its scope adopted. Additionally, House Joint Resolution 2 (Federal Mineral Royalty State Share – sponsored by Resource Management) was discussed, requesting Congress to increase Wyoming’s federal mineral royalty share from 50% to 87.5%, with amendments adopted.
• Healthcare and Education: Significant healthcare legislation included the signing of SF 5 (Hospital Bankruptcy Proceedings) as Senate Enrolled Act Number 10, and HB 4 (birthing centers, Medicaid coverage) as House Enrolled Act Number 1. Debates around abortion access were prominent with HB 126 (Human Heartbeat Act), where an amendment to replace the heartbeat standard with a viability standard was approved. In education, SF 72 (Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact) passed the Senate, and policies regarding sexually explicit materials in libraries (HB 10 – sponsored by Judiciary) were recommended for passage as amended by the Judiciary Committee (Sponsors: Senators Hicks, Kolb, Olson; Senators Crago, Crum voted no; Chairman: Senator Olson).

Sources:

WY Senate Floor Session-Day 14, February 25, 2026-PM (2026-02-26)(video)

WY House Floor Session-Day 12, February 23, 2026-AM (2026-02-24)(video)

WY Senate Floor Session-Day 13, February 24, 2026-AM (2026-02-25)(video)

WY Senate Floor Session-Day 8, February 18, 2026-PM (2026-02-19)(video)

WY Senate Floor Session-Day 13, February 24, 2026-PM (2026-02-25)(video)

WY Senate Floor Session-Day 12, February 23, 2026-AM (2026-02-24)(video)

WY Senate Floor Session-Day 12, February 23, 2026-PM (2026-02-24)(video)

WY Senate Floor Session-Day 15, February 26, 2026-AM (2026-02-27)(video)

WY House Floor Session-Day 10, February 20, 2026-AM (2026-02-21)(video)

WY House Floor Session-Day 11, February 21, 2026-AM (2026-02-21)(video)

WY Senate Floor Session-Day 9, February 19, 2026-AM (2026-02-20)(video)

WY House Floor Session-Day 11, February 21, 2026-PM (2026-02-22)(video)

The summary below was generated by AskAI, an artificial intelligence tool from FastDemocracy, trained on transcripts generated from publicly-available video and audio recordings of official government debate, made using TranscriptAI.

To learn more about AskAI and Transcript AI, or any of FastDemocracy’s other legislative tracking tools, reach out to nicole@fastdemocracy.com or click here.

Here are the most discussed topics in Colorado this week:

• Healthcare Policy and Financing: The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) was a significant topic, with discussions around supplemental appropriations, budget cuts affecting healthcare services, and concerns about Medicaid. Senators raised issues regarding past billing errors, the growth of the Coverall Coloradans program, administrative burdens on providers, and the impact on care for disabled children. House Bill 1155, related to HCPF, sparked contentious discussion, although it ultimately passed. Additionally, House Bill 1096, concerning access to direct primary care services for Colorado Medicaid members, was introduced on February 25.
• Arts, Culture, and Agricultural Recognition: The Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) received widespread recognition for its contributions to arts and culture, with February 24, 2026, proclaimed SCFD Day by Governor Polis. Senators highlighted its economic impact and community engagement, with specific mentions of organizations in Douglas County such as the Lone Tree Art Center and Parker Symphony Orchestra, as noted in the Senate on February 24. Separately, Senate Resolution 003, designating March as Arts Education Month, was introduced on February 25. The Senate also adopted Senate Joint Resolution 12 on February 23, designating February 20, 2026, as Colorado FFA Day, acknowledging the Future Farmers of America’s contributions to agricultural education.
• Housing and Property Tax Reforms: Several legislative efforts addressed housing and property taxation. House Bill 1114, concerning minimum lot sizes for residential construction, generated debate in the House regarding state overreach versus maintaining local control. In the Senate, Senate Bill 46, modifying procedural requirements for property tax administration, was discussed and passed on February 25. Additionally, Senate Bill 53, which expands eligible borrowers for mortgages through the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority to include additional public service roles, was adopted in the Senate on February 25.
• New Legislative Initiatives and Judicial Matters: A range of new bills were introduced and advanced, covering diverse policy areas. These included Senate Bill 124 for legal relief for victims of violence, Senate Bill 125 for disability rights protections in public schools, Senate Bill 127 regarding changes to paid family and medical leave duration, Senate Bill 128 for sales and use tax exemptions, Senate Bill 130 on the operation of medical spas and consumer protection, and Senate Bill 131 for protections against abusive practices in sports betting. In judicial matters, Senate Bill 5, concerning state court remedies for violations of federal constitutional rights during immigration enforcement, and Senate Bill 18, related to legal protections for minors changing their names, both passed in the Senate on February 24.

Sources:

CO Senate Daily Reading (2026-02-25)(video)

CO The Colorado Channel Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day038_b (2026-02-23)(video)

CO The Colorado Channel Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 042 (2026-02-24)(video)

CO Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 042 – The Colorado Channel (2026-02-24)(video)

CO Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 038 (2026-02-20)(video)

CO The Colorado Channel Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 037 (2026-02-19)(video)

CO Senate Daily Reading (2026-02-20)(video)

CO The Colorado Channel Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 042 (2026-02-24)(video)

CO Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 043 (2026-02-25)(video)

CO Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 042 – The Colorado Channel (2026-02-24)(video)

CO Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 042 (2026-02-24)(video)

CO Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 038 (2026-02-20)(video)

CO Senate Daily Reading (2026-02-24)(video)

CO CAIC February 19, 2026 – CBS First Alert Avalanche Report (2026-02-20)(video)

The summary below was generated by AskAI, an artificial intelligence tool from FastDemocracy, trained on transcripts generated from publicly-available video and audio recordings of official government debate, made using TranscriptAI.

To learn more about AskAI and Transcript AI, or any of FastDemocracy’s other legislative tracking tools, reach out to nicole@fastdemocracy.com or click here.

Here are the most discussed topics in Connecticut this week:

• Education Funding and Policy Reforms were a primary focus, with extensive discussion in the Education Committee and Appropriations Committee. Key topics included proposed funding for school-based mental health services in rural areas, as reviewed in the Appropriations Committee February 20th Meeting, and funding for school meals through HB 5144, mentioned at 01:36 in the Appropriations Committee. The Education Committee held a public hearing with numerous speakers addressing issues such as proposed changes to the charter school approval process via SB 138 by Steve Hernandez of the Connecticut Coalition for Achievement Now. Other educational discussions included funding for teacher apprenticeships, a proposed ban on cell phones in classrooms, a $12 million reduction in magnet school funding as part of a shift to a sustainable model, early childhood education initiatives (including adding a pediatrician to the Early Childhood Cabinet and increasing Smart Start program funding), and school safety measures related to HB 5147. Concerns were also raised about the Governor’s proposed budget, particularly regarding special education costs and the need for increased funding. Additionally, HB 5034, concerning reducing testing burdens and enhancing math curriculum, was supported by Gabriela Dixon at 197:43 in the Education Committee. The Capitol News Briefing with Rep. Candelaria and the Alliance for Connecticut Charter Schools emphasized the need for increased investment in education and charter school funding, with calls at 80:28 to release funding for the Danbury Charter School.
• Affordability and Housing Initiatives received significant attention. A statewide graduate student loan program was discussed as a legislative priority to support teachers, nurses, and mental health clinicians, with funding included in Governor Lamont’s proposed budget, as noted during the Capitol News Briefing with Senate Democrats on 2026 Legislative Priorities. The Appropriations Committee reviewed HB 5202, which proposes appropriating $1.5 million to Continuum of Care Incorporated for emergency housing programs, as mentioned at 01:36 in their February 20th Meeting. Furthermore, the Appropriations Committee APP Conservation & Development Public Hearing heard advocacy for a $50 million annual increase to the state’s rental assistance program, in addition to the $10 million proposed by Governor Lamont for FY2027, to address homelessness, as highlighted at 197:29. The General Law Committee held a public hearing on HB 5226, which aims to provide mobile home park residents with access to rent commissions, increased transparency on fees, and the opportunity to purchase their parks, with testimony from Rebecca Connors at 382:16. Senator Fazio also proposed amendments in the Connecticut State Senate February 25th Session to eliminate occupational licensing fees and reduce payroll taxes to address affordability.
• Judicial Nominations and State Operations were actively discussed. The Connecticut State Senate February 25th Session confirmed several judicial nominations, including James Sicilian as a senior judge of the Superior Court (SJ 11), Thomas A. Bishop as a state referee (SJ 18), confirmed at 07:43, and John M. Aylander as a state referee (SJ 19), mentioned at 02:34. Senate Resolution SR 3, proposing approval of an arbitration award between the Judicial Branch and employee unions, also passed with a roll call vote, referenced at 02:34. The Judiciary Committee’s Public Hearing – February 20, 2026 saw motions to move nominations of various judges, including Susan Quinn Cobb (161:32), Tracy Lee Dayton (150:15), Noella E. Darien (151:10), Susan A. Connors (149:54), and Courtney M. Chaplin (149:14), to the consent calendar. Debates also occurred regarding emergency certified bills, specifically SB 298 which reallocates state funds for education and public safety, and mandates law enforcement training for interactions with individuals with disabilities. The Appropriations Committee also considered SB 20, increasing the per diem rate for members of the State Board of Labor Relations from $150 to $300, sponsored by Senator Perrello and discussed at 01:36 in the February 20th Meeting.
• Community Services, Arts, and Environmental Concerns were addressed in various budget discussions. The Appropriations Committee Public Hearing on the Governor’s Proposed FY 2027 Budget Adjustments for Conservation and Development Agencies highlighted calls for increased funding for arts and nonprofit organizations, with many speakers noting a significant reduction in state support over the past decade. Requests included $155 million for nonprofits from Jim Ferales of Contima Care and funding increases for the Connecticut Office of the Arts and Connecticut Humanities from Rufus Duram. Christine Kim from City Seed advocated for restoring full funding to support local farmers and food security. Environmental discussions included public awareness campaigns to manage human-bear conflicts, as detailed during the Appropriations Committee Conservation and Development State Agency Presentations. Additionally, HB 5172, concerning funding for radar speed signs on Forest Road in New Haven, sponsored by Representative Dillon, was discussed in the Appropriations Committee Meeting.

Sources:

CT Appropriations Committee February 20th Meeting (2026-02-20)(video)

CT Education Committee February 20th Public Hearing (2026-02-20)(video)

CT Capitol News Briefing with Senate Democrats on 2026 Legislative Priorities Concerning Affordability Issues (2026-02-19)(video)

CT Connecticut State Senate February 25th Session (2026-02-25)(video)

CT Labor and Public Employees Committee February 24th Public Hearing (2026-02-24)(video)

CT Capitol News Briefing with Rep. Candelaria and the Alliance for Connecticut Charter Schools (2026-02-25)(video)

CT Education Committee Education Committee Public Hearing (2026-02-20)(video)

CT Judiciary Committee Judiciary Committee Public Hearing – February 20, 2026 (2026-02-20)(video)

CT General Law Committee Monday 2.23.2026 General Law Public Hearing (2026-02-23)(video)

CT Appropriations Committee Appropriations Committee Meeting (2026-02-20)(video)

CT Labor and Public Employees Committee Labor & Public Employees Committee Public Hearing – 2/24 (2026-02-24)(video)

CT The Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee Public Hearing followed by a Committee Meeting (2026-02-24)(video)

CT Appropriations Committee APP Conservation & Development Public Hearing (2026-02-20)(video)

CT Appropriations Committee Conservation and Development State Agency Presentations on the Governor’s FY27 Proposed Budget Adjustments (2026-02-20)(video)

CT Appropriations Committee Public Hearing on the Governor’s Proposed FY 2027 Budget Adjustments for Conservation and Development Agencies (2026-02-20)(video)

The summary below was generated by AskAI, an artificial intelligence tool from FastDemocracy, trained on transcripts generated from publicly-available video and audio recordings of official government debate, made using TranscriptAI.

To learn more about AskAI and Transcript AI, or any of FastDemocracy’s other legislative tracking tools, reach out to nicole@fastdemocracy.com or click here.

This week in Florida, legislative discussions and actions centered on several key areas, reflecting both broad policy goals and specific local concerns.

• Government Transparency and Public Records: Both chambers addressed numerous bills aimed at enhancing transparency and refining public records exemptions. The Senate passed SB 490, exempting certain email addresses from public disclosure, and SB 7024, regarding cybersecurity information exemptions, introduced by Senator Mayfield. Discussions in the House included HB 593 by Representative Andrade, enhancing transparency in government operations regarding fundraising and settlements, and HB 6011, updating procedures for reporting gifts to the Commission on Ethics, all passing unanimously.
• Public Safety and Child Welfare: Legislation focusing on protecting vulnerable populations and improving public safety saw significant action. The Senate unanimously passed SB 590 by Senator Bradley, which tolls the statute of limitations for failing to report suspected child abuse, and SB 340 by Senator Harrell, requiring human trafficking education for nurse licensure. The House also discussed and passed bills related to school safety and the Guardian program, alongside Isaiah’s Law, designating habitual traffic offenders.
• Local Government Operations and Land Use: A substantial number of local bills were considered and passed in the House, often unanimously. These included updating pension funds, such as HB 4063 for the West Palm Beach Police and HB 4065 for the West Palm Beach Firefighters, both sponsored by Representative Tendrich. Other local measures included HB 4067 by Representative Gottlieb, dissolving the Plantation Acres Improvement District, and HB 4071 by Representative Snyder, addressing annexed properties in Palm Beach County. The Senate passed SB 840, refining land use regulations for local governments post-natural disasters.
• Healthcare and Professional Regulation: Several bills focused on healthcare access and professional standards. The Fiscal Policy Committee favorably reported CS for SB 196 and CS for SB 864 by Senator Sharif, both related to uterine fibroid research and data confidentiality. The Senate also saw heated discussion on SB 834, repealing restrictions on Healthcare Sharing Ministries partnering with licensed insurance agents, which passed 32 yeas to 5 nays.
• Controversial Designations and Airport Renaming: Proposals to honor controversial figures generated significant debate. In the House, HB 125, designating October 14th as Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance, passed with 82 yeas to 31 nays despite opposition, with Representative Ben Arash noting the bill addresses First Amendment rights. A similar bill, SB 194, was voted unanimously against by the Fiscal Policy Committee. Additionally, SB 706, preempting the naming of major commercial service airports and proposing to rename Palm Beach International Airport after Donald Trump, sparked significant debate in the Senate.

Sources:

FL Senate in Session_February 19, 2026 (2026-02-19)(video)

FL House in Session_February 25, 2026 (2026-02-25)(video)

FL Fiscal Policy (2026-02-24)(video)

FL House in Session (2026-02-25)(video)

FL Senate in Session (2026-02-19)(video)

The summary below was generated by AskAI, an artificial intelligence tool from FastDemocracy, trained on transcripts generated from publicly-available video and audio recordings of official government debate, made using TranscriptAI.

To learn more about AskAI and Transcript AI, or any of FastDemocracy’s other legislative tracking tools, reach out to nicole@fastdemocracy.com or click here.

This week in Kansas, legislative bodies were highly active, passing numerous bills across various policy areas, engaging in detailed discussions on property tax reform, and addressing key economic development initiatives.

Here are the most discussed topics:

• Extensive Legislative Action and Bill Passages: Both the House and Senate saw substantial legislative activity, with numerous bills announced as passed. In the House Chamber Proceedings on February 24, messages from the Senate indicated the passage of bills such as SB 65 concerning irrigation districts, SB 232 on retirement and pensions, SB 271 for the state’s children’s health insurance program, SB 303 by Senator Peck regarding sales and compensating use tax, and SB 353 designating the official Kansas Railroad Hall of Fame. Other passed Senate Bills included those related to water (SB 317), roads and highways (SB 321), income taxation (SB 368), consumer protection (SB 372 and SB 375), emergency communication services (SB 379), retail electric suppliers (SB 380), the Kansas Food Drug and Cosmetic Act (SB 390), administrative rules and regulations (SB 407), housing (SB 418 by Senators Rose and Masterson), agriculture (SB 425), the Kansas Transparency and Consumer Legal Funding Act (SB 426), Senate Committee on Confirmation Oversight (SB 427), the Prisoner Review Board (SB 459), and courts (SB 481) (04:53,06:21). The Senate also announced the passage of numerous House Bills concerning health, elections, education, crimes, and other areas.
• Property Tax Reform and Constitutional Amendments: The Senate extensively discussed property tax relief measures. SB 402, presented by Senator Tyson, aims to simplify property tax forms and adjust income limits for senior programs by combining Homestead 1 and Homestead 2 forms and increasing the residential valuation limit. A proposed amendment to rename the application form and update the valuation limit was adopted. There was also significant debate on SCR 1616, a proposed constitutional amendment to limit annual assessed value increases for property taxes to 3%, starting from a 2022 baseline. Concerns were raised regarding potential increases in mill levies by local governments and the impact on funding for services.
• Economic Development and State Capital Projects: The House Committee on Appropriations received updates on the Star Bonds program, which facilitates municipal bonds for major commercial and entertainment developments. Discussions included the 16 active projects, a significant $3 billion agreement with the Kansas City Chiefs for a stadium in Wyandotte County and Olathe, and the upcoming Mattel Project in Bonner Springs. The committee also reviewed recommendations for capital improvement projects for agencies like the Adjutant General and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), with specific funding requests for energy resilience, restoration, and rehabilitation.
• Rural Support and Public Services: Several bills addressed support for rural areas and public services. HB 2595 was discussed as a means to address the shortage of attorneys in rural Kansas by offering stipends and loan repayment options to law students committing to rural practice. HB 2553, concerning a distinctive license plate for KPTS (a public broadcasting station), generated debate about potentially diverting funds from other public broadcasting stations and misleading residents about contribution destinations.
• Elections, Administrative Rules, and Transparency: Discussions touched upon election processes and government transparency. HB 2503 proposed eliminating all mail-in ballot elections in favor of in-person voting for primary and general elections, sparking debate on voter participation and cost-effectiveness (House Chamber Proceedings, Feb 18 summary). Additionally, HB 2719 concerning administrative rules and regulations was advanced to final action, and HB 2519 related to the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA) was also considered for final action, focusing on exceptions to disclosure.

Sources:

KS House Chamber Proceedings (2026-02-24)(video)

KS Senate Chamber Proceedings (2026-02-24)(video)

KS House Chamber Proceedings (2026-02-19)(video)

KS Senate Chamber Proceedings (2026-02-25)(video)

KS House Committee on Appropriations (2026-02-25)(video)

KS House Chamber Proceedings (2026-02-19)(video)

The summary below was generated by AskAI, an artificial intelligence tool from FastDemocracy, trained on transcripts generated from publicly-available video and audio recordings of official government debate, made using TranscriptAI.

To learn more about AskAI and Transcript AI, or any of FastDemocracy’s other legislative tracking tools, reach out to nicole@fastdemocracy.com or click here.

Here are the most discussed topics in Maryland this week:

• Education System Reforms and Policy Updates: The Maryland State Board of Education meeting on February 24, 2026, focused on significant educational topics, including updates on protecting instructional time, statewide artificial intelligence (AI) guidance, and an annual teacher workforce update. Concerns were raised regarding teacher attrition, particularly among Black teachers. Public comments showed strong support for the November 2025 Comprehensive Health Education Framework, with advocates like Dr. Maria Trent and Dr. Kara Grant emphasizing its importance. Additionally, the House advanced HB 154, which would require county boards of education to live stream and archive meetings for enhanced transparency.
• Healthcare Access and Oversight: Multiple legislative sessions addressed various health-related bills. In the House Floor Session on February 24, 2026, amendments were adopted for HB 445, pertaining to the Maryland Medical Assistance Program and health insurance coverage for orthosis and prosthesis, and for HB 813, which concerns obesity treatment coverage. Discussions also included professional liability insurance for nursing homes and assisted living facilities and the Oversight Committee on Quality of Care in Nursing Homes. The Senate recognized the National Alliance of Mental Illness and declared May 5th through May 9th as Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week.
• Environmental Protection and Infrastructure Development: Environmental concerns were a significant topic, particularly a sewage spill into the Potomac River, which was noted to require a collaborative response from federal, state, and local entities. The Senate debated SB 108, a bill that would allow the Maryland Department of the Environment to impose administrative penalties for environmental violations, specifically mentioning shoreline restoration projects. There were also discussions on securing funding for various projects in Southern Maryland such as hospitals, community facilities, and a Calvert beach project.
• Government Operations and Public Safety: The Southern Maryland meeting on February 20, 2026, featured Congressman Hoyer discussing key issues including the ongoing shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security and advocating for defunding ICE until reforms are implemented. The Comptroller of Maryland provided an overview of an IT transformation planned for August to move the personal tax system to a cloud-based platform. Legislative sessions also considered bills related to public safety and federal agents’ digital unmasking and correctional services and immigration detention facilities, with amendments adopted for both.

Sources:

MD State Department of Education Meeting of the Maryland State Board of Education | Tuesday, February 24, 2026 | 9:00am – 5:30pm ET (2026-02-24)(video)

MD Southern Maryland (2026-02-20)(video)

MD House Floor Session, Proceeding No. 27 (Legislative date: February 18, 2026) (2026-02-24)(video)

MD Senate Floor Session, Proceeding No. 25 (Legislative date: February 14, 2026) (2026-02-19)(video)

MD Senate Floor Session, Proceeding No. 26 (Legislative date: February 15, 2026) (2026-02-20)(video)

MD Ways and Means Committee (2026-02-19)(video)

MD Senate Floor Session, Proceeding No. 27 (Legislative date: February 16, 2026) (2026-02-24)(video)

The summary below was generated by AskAI, an artificial intelligence tool from FastDemocracy, trained on transcripts generated from publicly-available video and audio recordings of official government debate, made using TranscriptAI.

To learn more about AskAI and Transcript AI, or any of FastDemocracy’s other legislative tracking tools, reach out to nicole@fastdemocracy.com or click here.

This week in Massachusetts, legislative activities in both the House and Senate focused on a variety of local governance issues, public safety, and committee operations, alongside several formal recognitions.

• Local Governance and Municipal Affairs: Both chambers advanced numerous bills pertaining to specific towns and cities. The House considered and ordered to a third reading Senate Bill 1445 concerning insurance benefits for officials in Blackstone, House Bill 4716 amending the Charter of the City of Pittsfield, and House Bill 4752 permitting Revere to establish penalties for ordinance violations. Bills passed to be enacted included House Bill 3977 regarding alternate members for the Conservation Commission of Beckett and House Bill 4438 authorizing Swampscott to establish a fall annual town meeting. Additionally, House Bill 4272, authorizing Hudson to grant an additional license for the sale of wine and malt beverages, was passed to be enacted by the House and moved forward in the Senate. The Senate also passed to be engrossed House Bill 4701, authorizing Orange to increase its Board of Selectmen membership.
• Public Safety and Police Workforce: A significant number of bills addressed police force staffing and age requirements. The House ordered several bills to a third reading, including House Bill 4267, House Bill 4740, and House Bill 4741, all directing the City of Boston Police Department to waive maximum age requirements for specific individuals (Constantinos Papadopoulos, Ryan Kazoo, and Edney Joseph, respectively). Similarly, House Bill 4388 to waive the maximum age requirement for Angela C. DiPina and House Bill 4442 for Anthony Morales to take a civil service examination for a police officer position were passed to be engrossed. Additionally, Senate Bill 1898, authorizing the appointment of retired police officers as special police officers in Plainville, was passed to be enacted by the House.
• Transportation and Infrastructure Development: Discussions included several transportation-related bills. The House ordered to a third reading House Bill 3645, designating a portion of State Highway Route 7A as the Ross B. Dindio Memorial Highway; House Bill 3727, naming the Bill Russell and Bob Cousy Highway; House Bill 3684, on container safety on roadways; House Bill 3746, prohibiting coal rolling; and House Bill 3817 (Cecilia’s Law), regarding right-of-way violations. The Senate also considered House Bill 4769, a bill to build resilient infrastructure to generate higher education transformation, recommending it pass with amendments introduced by Michael J. Rodrigues. The Committee on Transportation was granted an extension until March 31st to make its final report.
• Legislative Process and Committee Deadlines: Both chambers addressed numerous committee reporting deadlines. The House adopted orders extending deadlines for the Committee on the Judiciary until July 31, 2026, and the Committee on Revenue until March 18, 2026, with an additional extension until June 26, 2026. The Senate also granted extensions for the Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture until March 31st, the Committee on Labor and Workforce Development until March 3, 2026, for workforce-related issues (Senate number 2785, sponsored by Joan B. Lovely), and the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight until February 28, 2026 (Senate number 2941, sponsored by Joan B. Lovely). Several resolutions were also adopted, including recognition of National Kidney Month and World Kidney Day, sponsored by Representative Stanley and Senator Gomez, and honoring the partnership between Quebec and Massachusetts, sponsored by Representative Peish of Wellesley. The Senate also observed February 19th as Iwo Jima Day.

Sources:

MA Informal House Session 17 – Informal House Session 17 (2026-02-19)(video)

MA Senate Session – Senate Session of February 19, 2026 (2026-02-19)(video)

MA Informal House Session 18 – Informal House Session 18 (2026-02-25)(video)

MA Senate Session Rescheduled pursuant to Senate Rule 5A – Senate Session of February 25, 2026 (2026-02-25)(video)

The summary below was generated by AskAI, an artificial intelligence tool from FastDemocracy, trained on transcripts generated from publicly-available video and audio recordings of official government debate, made using TranscriptAI.

To learn more about AskAI and Transcript AI, or any of FastDemocracy’s other legislative tracking tools, reach out to nicole@fastdemocracy.com or click here.

Here are the most discussed topics in Minnesota this week:

• State Budget and Infrastructure Funding: The legislative session is largely focused on infrastructure, with discussions in the upper chamber’s After Budgets Comes Bonding: Explaining the Supplemental Budget Session on February 19, 2026, noting a shift from balancing the budget to addressing roadways, water systems, and electrical grids. Minnesota operates on a biennial budget, making adjustments in even-numbered years. The November 2025 forecast revealed a nearly $2.5 billion budget surplus, but a projected $2 billion negative balance for the next biennium (FY28-29). The governor recommended a $907 million capital investment bill for projects, a figure considered modest against $6.5 billion in requests from various entities. The House Capital Investment Committee also reviewed the governor’s plan, which allocates funds for asset preservation, water infrastructure, transportation, public safety, and affordable housing. The Committee on Transportation further discussed updates to bridge and tunnel inspection laws (Senate File 3284) and a truck parking improvement program. Concerns were also raised about the delivery, timeline, and budget overruns of the Southwest LRT project.
• Combating Fraud in State Programs: Republican members held a press conference on February 20, 2026, to propose new legislation addressing fraud in state welfare programs. Senator Mark Johnson emphasized the need for comprehensive reform, accountability, and new technology. Senator Michael Kroon introduced a bill to create an independent Office of Inspector General, criticizing House Democrats for politicizing the issue and stressing the need for the office to have real authority. Senator Jordan Rasmussen cited billions lost to fraud and presented an action plan, while Senator Steve Draskowski introduced bills to prevent payments to ineligible individuals and require managed care organizations to verify enrollee eligibility. In the House Floor Session on February 19, 2026, Representative Niska moved to suspend rules to expedite Senate File No. 856, which aims to establish an independent Office of Inspector General, arguing for its urgency. However, Representative Norris opposed, citing concerns about proper vetting and data practices provisions.
• Legislative Appointments and Bill Movement: The House Floor Session on February 19, 2026, confirmed several appointments to the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board, including David Asp, Charles Spivak, Stephen Swanson, and King Banyan. The House also saw the introduction of House Files 3443 through 3553. Motions were approved to re-refer HF 495 (child care tax cut) and HF 1597 (hit-and-run accidents) to different committees. In the Senate Floor Session on February 23, 2026, several bills were introduced and referred to the Committee on Health and Human Services, including SF 3733,SF 3734,SF 3755, and SF 3780 09:14. Senate Resolutions SR 62 and SR 63 recognizing Senate employees were also adopted.
• Capitol Security and Affordable Housing Efforts: The Senate Spotlight on February 19, 2026, highlighted new security measures at the Capitol, including single entry points and weapons screening stations. Additionally, legislative efforts to make homeownership more affordable and attainable were discussed. The session also acknowledged recent losses and emphasized moving forward with courage.

Sources:

MN After Budgets Comes Bonding: Explaining the Supplemental Budget Session (2026-02-19)(video)

MN Committee on Jobs and Economic Development (2026-02-25)(video)

MN House Floor Session (2026-02-19)(video)

MN Senate Floor Session (2026-02-23)(video)

MN House Capital Investment Committee (2026-02-19)(video)

MN House Ways and Means Committee (2026-02-23)(video)

MN Committee on Transportation (2026-02-24)(video)

MN House Capital Investment Committee (2026-02-24)(video)

MN Senate Spotlight: Taking Courage from the Interim / Increasing Security at the Capitol / Affordable Housing Efforts – Episode 202 (2026-02-19)(video)

MN Committee on Transportation (2026-02-25)(video)

MN Press Conference: Republican Members Propose New Legislation Addressing Fraud (2026-02-21)(video)

The summary below was generated by AskAI, an artificial intelligence tool from FastDemocracy, trained on transcripts generated from publicly-available video and audio recordings of official government debate, made using TranscriptAI.

To learn more about AskAI and Transcript AI, or any of FastDemocracy’s other legislative tracking tools, reach out to nicole@fastdemocracy.com or click here.

Here are the most discussed topics in Missouri this week:

• Public Safety and the Opioid Crisis: The legislature observed moments of silence for fallen officers, including two Christian County sheriff’s deputies who lost their lives, and St. Louis County Police Tactical Operations Officer and First Sergeant Garrett Temple, who passed away over the weekend. Officer Temple had a distinguished career, serving in the United States Marine Corps, completing three combat deployments, and serving in the Missouri National Guard as a first sergeant, in addition to over a decade of police service in St. Louis County. The House also recognized Paul Jones on what would have been his 45th birthday, marking five years since his passing due to a fentanyl overdose, highlighting the devastating impact of the opioid crisis.
• K-12 Student First Amendment Rights and Education Policy: The House adopted HB 2682, which extends First Amendment rights to K-12 students, protecting their freedom of expression for political and ideological views. The bill’s sponsor clarified that it includes guardrails to prevent disruption and protects all viewpoints equally. However, concerns were raised about potential harmful speech and the balance between free speech and a safe learning environment, with some representatives expressing worry about allowing divisive ideologies in schools and the presence of “young Nazis” in schools, while others defended the bill as necessary to uphold constitutional rights. The bill was ordered perfected and printed. Additionally, HB 2274 was discussed, aiming to establish the Missouri Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact to facilitate teacher certification recognition across state lines and address teacher shortages, though fiscal implications were acknowledged.
• State Budget and Appropriations: The Senate introduced several appropriation bills. SB 1751, sponsored by Senator Huff, focuses on the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, fully funding the foundation formula at $4.473 billion (a $190.6 million increase) and the transportation line at $394 million (a $32.4 million increase), along with funding for pre-K and the teacher career ladder program. SB 1753, also sponsored by Senator Huff, covers the Department of Revenue and Transportation, allocating funds for industrial zones around ports ($2 million) and targeted industrial manufacturing enhancement zones ($3 million), and distributing $536 million to cities and counties for road funds. SB 1754, sponsored by Senator Huff, appropriates money for the Office of Administration, Department of Transportation, Department of Conservation, Department of Public Safety, and the Chief Executive’s Office.
• Diverse Legislative and Social Issues: Other legislative actions included the first reading of HJR 193 (sponsored by Jameson) on disability discrimination, HB 3384 (sponsored by Overcast) on product repair requirements, and HB 3385 (sponsored by Overcast) on the state purchase of Missouri agricultural products. The House also approved HB 2085, a tobacco preemption bill, and passed HJR 169 to limit government spending growth. In the Senate, bills related to railroad operations—SB 1742 (crew member requirements),SB 1743 (railroad incident reports), and SB 1744 (train length restrictions)—were introduced by Senator Lewis. Senator McCreery introduced SB 1748 regarding the offense of disclosure of an intimate digital depiction, SB 1749 relating to the State Office of Archeology, and SB 1750 on the regulation of large load electric customers. There was also an emphasis on recognizing African American achievements and contributions, with some members expressing concern about efforts to ban Black literature and discussions of slavery in schools.

Sources:

MO 2026 Legislative Session – Day Twenty Six – Tuesday, February 24 (2026-02-24)(video)

MO Feb. 25, 2026 Session (2026-02-25)(video)

MO Feb. 24, 2026 Session (2026-02-24)(video)

The summary below was generated by AskAI, an artificial intelligence tool from FastDemocracy, trained on transcripts generated from publicly-available video and audio recordings of official government debate, made using TranscriptAI.

To learn more about AskAI and Transcript AI, or any of FastDemocracy’s other legislative tracking tools, reach out to nicole@fastdemocracy.com or click here.

Here are the most discussed topics in New Jersey this week:

• Budget and Commemorative Resolutions: Both the Assembly and Senate passed legislation to extend the deadline for the fiscal year 2027 gubernatorial budget message to March 10, 2026. This was addressed by A4073 which was released by the Assembly State and Local Government committee, and S3219, sponsored by Senator Sarlo and O’Scanlon, which passed the Senate unanimously and was moved by Assemblywoman Pinter-Marin in the Assembly for substitution and passage. Additionally, resolutions designating March 10, 2026, as South Plainfield Day in honor of the borough’s 100th anniversary (AJR 118 and SJR 84, sponsored by Senator Diegnan) were approved by both chambers.
• Voting Rights and Election Integrity: The Assembly State and Local Government committee extensively discussed A1715, the John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey, which aims to enhance voting rights and appropriates $2.5 million. Testimony from organizations like the ACLU of New Jersey and the League of Women Voters of New Jersey highlighted concerns about voter suppression, particularly in communities of color, and the importance of language access and state-level protections in light of recent federal court decisions weakening the Federal Voting Rights Act.
• Support for Veterans and Economic Development: The Assembly Military and Veterans’ Affairs committee focused on improving support for veterans and veteran-owned businesses. Discussions included the unmet 3% state contract goal for disabled veteran-owned businesses (achieving only 0.9% since a 2015 law), with proposals for legislation to impose liquidated damages on non-compliant companies, tax incentives, and a “first look” program for state procurement. Testimonies also addressed transportation issues for veterans accessing medical appointments and the specific challenges faced by women veterans, including mental health services and food insecurity.
• Public Safety, Environmental, and Consumer Protections: Both chambers passed a variety of bills addressing diverse issues. In the Assembly, measures included A 1323 requiring education boards to adopt policies on AI surveillance systems, A 2078, sponsored by Assemblywoman Francis-Carter, Borelli, and California, establishing a registry for out-of-state public works contractors, and A 3955 requiring a study of vacant commercial space for small businesses. The Senate passed bills such as S 685, sponsored by Senator Smith, creating a fleet conversion task force in the DEP;S 743 appropriating $111.6 million for habitat restoration; S 1370, sponsored by Senator Lagana and McCurgey, for mercury-free flooring in schools; and S 1388, sponsored by Senator Lagana and Scutari, prohibiting health club service contracts from limiting liability for negligence. Other significant Senate bills included S 687 creating a task force on climate change impacts, S 1253, sponsored by Senators Greenstein and Moriarty, concerning unemployment benefits, and S 2243, sponsored by Senators Ruiz and McKnight, requiring menstrual equity plans in higher education. The Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities committee also discussed recommendations from the Target Zero Commission on modernizing motor vehicle codes and strengthening sidewalk policies to improve road safety.

Sources:

NJ Assembly Session (2026-02-24)(video)

NJ Senate Session (2026-02-24)(video)

NJ Assembly State and Local Government (2026-02-19)(video)

NJ Assembly Tourism, Gaming and the Arts (2026-02-19)(video)

NJ Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities (2026-02-19)(video)

NJ Assembly Military and Veterans’ Affairs (2026-02-19)(video)

NJ Senate Judiciary (2026-02-19)(video)

NJ Assembly Education (2026-02-19)(video)