AJR 121 is a constitutional amendment proposal that would clarify county jail custody authority. It would add language stating sheriffs normally have custody of county jails and inmates, but county boards of supervisors could delegate that custody to other public officials or entities. This directly affects sheriffs, county boards, and county jail operations by defining who holds legal responsibility for inmates. The amendment does not create new policies but adjusts constitutional language governing jail custody. The bill is currently in committee after its December 2025 introduction.
SB 721 adds a specific eligibility category for military funeral honors reimbursement: individuals naturalized under the federal Hmong Veterans’ Naturalization Act of 2000 who were residing in the state at the time of their death. The bill establishes that certified veterans' organizations providing military funeral honors for these individuals are eligible for reimbursement of up to $85 per funeral, adjusted annually based on the U.S. consumer price index. This directly affects Hmong veterans who gained U.S. citizenship through the 2000 federal law and their families. The reimbursement rate replaces the previous $50 limit and ensures annual updates to match inflation. The bill modifies existing statutes to clarify this eligibility and funding mechanism.
AB 725 requires state prisons and county jails to notify designated family members within 24 hours when an inmate faces restrictions affecting visits or communication (like solitary confinement). It also mandates an online public dashboard updated every 48 hours, showing current restrictions (with reasons and duration), solitary confinement numbers broken down by reason, and total inmate counts. The bill funds these systems with $780,000 for fiscal year 2025-26 and $275,000 for 2026-27, plus temporary staff to implement them. These changes directly affect inmates, their families, and correctional facilities by increasing transparency around restrictive practices.
AB 726 requires all inmates in state correctional institutions and county jails to be paid a minimum wage of at least the hourly rate specified in statute 104.035(3)(a)1, with an immediate $2.33 per hour increase effective upon enactment. The bill mandates that wages must be based on productivity but cannot fall below this minimum rate, applies to all labor performed by inmates, and prohibits wage reductions without board approval. It also appropriates $58.9 million for 2025-26 and $88.4 million for 2026-27 to cover the increased inmate wages in state facilities, plus smaller sums for correctional enterprises. The law directly affects incarcerated individuals by guaranteeing a minimum wage for their labor, while ensuring funds are allocated to cover these new payment obligations.
AB 718 regulates the prescription, use, and disposal of abortion-inducing drugs. It requires physicians to schedule a patient follow-up within 7 days after prescribing such drugs and provide a catch kit and medical waste bag for proper disposal. The bill also holds drug manufacturers responsible for safely disposing of abortion-related waste and mitigating endocrine disruptors (chemicals interfering with hormones), imposing fines up to $20,000 per violation. Additionally, it mandates wastewater treatment plants to test for endocrine disruptors. The law takes effect on May 1, 2026.
AB 729 requires all state correctional institutions and county jails to install transparent windows in inmate cells by October 2030 that are at least 1.5 square feet and provide 92% visibility to the outdoors. It mandates that every inmate must have access to view outdoors through such windows for at least 3 hours daily (unless in lockdown or solitary), achievable via time outdoors, in-cell viewing, or shared facility windows. The bill directly affects all state prisons and county jails in the state, requiring physical modifications to cell structures. Funding of $500,000 for 2025-26 and $3 million for 2026-27 is allocated specifically for window installation under this law.
This bill creates a state income tax credit for out-of-pocket medical expenses related to in vitro fertilization (IVF), including consultations, procedures, and prescribed drugs. Individuals filing state taxes can claim up to $5,000 annually in eligible costs, but only if their income is below $100,000 (single or married filing separately) or $200,000 (married filing jointly). The credit excludes insurance-covered costs, travel, lodging, and expenses paid through health savings accounts or similar programs. It applies to tax years beginning after December 31, 2025, and requires claims to be filed with the state tax return.
SB 737 creates new rules for lease-purchase agreements (where consumers pay to use personal items like furniture or electronics with an option to buy) for personal, family, or household use. It directly affects consumers who enter these agreements and businesses (lessors) that offer them. Key requirements include written agreements in clear 8-point type, mandatory disclosures of total payments, cash-sale price, ownership terms, and early purchase options, plus language matching any advertising. The bill also establishes a legal cause of action for consumers if lessors violate these requirements.
SB 735 allows neighborhood improvement districts to approve special property charges to fund infrastructure directly related to residential development within those neighborhoods. Property owners in designated districts would pay these charges, which can be collected in installments over time and included in regular tax bills. The bill requires districts to detail the specific infrastructure being funded and how charges will be allocated per parcel before approval. It applies to neighborhoods where property is owned by multiple owners, with streamlined rules for single-owner areas. This legislation creates a new financing tool for local infrastructure projects without changing general property tax collection methods.
SB 681 would rename the Division of Alcohol Beverages to the Division of Intoxicating Products and create an occupational tax on hemp-derived cannabinoid products. The bill establishes regulatory requirements for these products, including rules for alcohol beverage warehouses and production arrangements. It grants rule-making authority to the newly named division and includes penalty provisions for violations. This legislation directly affects businesses selling hemp-derived cannabinoid products and alcohol beverage warehouses in the state.
SB 754 reorganizes how regional transit authorities manage tax revenues. It requires 1.5% of collected transit taxes to fund administrative operations through a new state account, clarifying fund allocation. The bill updates multiple statutes to explicitly include "transit authority" in definitions for entities like housing authorities, redevelopment boards, and local cultural arts districts. This affects all regional transit authorities that impose local taxes under Chapter 77. The changes clarify funding pathways without creating new taxes or services.
SB 758 restricts how social media platforms handle users under 18 in the state, directly affecting platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook that allow minors to create profiles. The bill prohibits platforms from collecting or using minors' data for personalized content recommendations, algorithmic prioritization, or targeted advertising, while requiring age verification through approved methods. Platforms must also stop showing targeted ads to minors and may only use limited data for account maintenance. Violations could result in civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation, enforced by the state department of justice or affected individuals.
