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Senate Legislative Session - Session 2 - 11th Legislative Day

Thursday, March 12, 2026·1h 53m·▶ Watch / Listen

The Senate advanced ten bills and resolutions, most by unanimous vote, but drew modest partisan lines on HB 222 (nutrient management fines), which passed 14-7, while the remaining measures—including SB 226 (Ryan's Law on medical cannabis in hospitals), SB 198 (Section 504 disability protections), HB 266 (municipal scooter rental programs), SCR 143 (blockchain and digital innovation task force), SB 253 (school bullying notification), SB 240 (pilot license classes), and SCR 146 (World Cholangiocarcinoma Day)—all passed unanimously, with Consent Calendar 39 also clearing 21-0.

Key Actions

·HB 222 – Nutrient Management Fine UpdatePassed

+ 8 more actions

Controversies

HB 222 – Fivefold vs. twofold fine increase for nutrient management violations

Senator Poore called Senator Pettyjohn's amendment to reduce fine increases from fivefold to twofold 'an unfriendly amendment,' arguing that 27 years had passed without an update and that fines are reinvested in compliance assistance. Senator Pettyjohn countered he was trying to reach a 'happy medium' consistent with the Nutrient Management Commission subcommittee's recommendation. Senator Poore further challenged the timing, noting that Deputy Principal Assistant George Class Peters had agreed to the original language on June 6, 2025, while the subcommittee's recommendation only came in the first week of March. Senator Pettyjohn responded that the amendment process exists for exactly this kind of further deliberation.

+ 2 more controversies

Notable Quotes

“We have about 2,750 applicators, certified applicators, through the program. And we work with the Cooperative Extension Service to educate and certify farmers. Nutrient applicators, nutrient consultants. In the 26, 27 years of the program, since 1999, we found that there were seven instances where fines were imposed. And the fines ranged from anywhere from $100 to $1,000.”

Secretary William Donald Clifton — Clifton was testifying on the Senate floor on the history of enforcement under the nutrient management program as senators debated whether the proposed fine increases in HB 222 were appropriate.

+ 3 more quotes

Votes

Senate Amendment 1 to HB 222 (reduce fine increases from fivefold to twofold)Failed
Yes (6)Senator Buckson, Senator Hocker, Senator Lawson, Senator Pettyjohn, Senator Richardson, Senator Wilson
No (14)Senator Brown, Senator Cruce, Senator Hansen, Senator Hoffner, Senator Lockman, Senator Mancinos, Senator Paradee, Senator Pinkney, Senator Poore, Senator Seigfried, Senator Sokola, Senator Sturgeon, Senator Townsend, Senator Walsh
Absent (1)Senator Huxtable (not voting)
HB 222 final passagePassed
Yes (14)Senator Brown, Senator Cruce, Senator Hansen, Senator Hoffner, Senator Lockman, Senator Mancinos, Senator Paradee, Senator Pinkney, Senator Poore, Senator Seigfried, Senator Sokola, Senator Sturgeon, Senator Townsend, Senator Walsh
No (7)Senator Buckson, Senator Hocker, Senator Huxtable, Senator Lawson, Senator Pettigan, Senator Richardson, Senator Wilson
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TranscriptPreview
Good afternoon. The Senate has reconvened. Members and guests, please take your seats. Sergeant arms, please close our back doors. And everyone if you could please silence your mobile devices at this time. Mr. Secretary. Any communications? Madam President. President pro tems us to pre file legislation. Madam President, may so much be considered the pre reading of the pre file seeing no objection. So moved. One second though. I'm just going to wait till our sergeant arms can close our back door. Senator Pettyjohn has been deputized. Thank you, sir. Mr. Secretary. Senator Sokola. Madam President. Per Rule 29 of Senate Resolution Number 2, I have assigned Senate Bill Number 241 to the Finance Committee. So noted. Thank you, Senator. Mr. Secretary. Additional Communications? No additional communications at this time, Madam President. Thank you, Mr. Secretary. Senator Townsend. Thank you. Madam President. I move the Senate adjourn until 2:06pm on Thursday March 12th. The Senate is adjourned. The Senate will come to order. Members and guests, please rise for our prayer followed by our pledge. Please join me in an attitude of prayer. Dear Lord, we pray for peace in our homes, peace in our communities and peace within…
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