Transcript Highlights:

• On line 872 is a House item to add $6 million to the Early Childhood Education Scholarships Program;
• Online 1463 is the item I mentioned regarding the Department of Education.
• My name is Kathleen McHenry, and I am testifying on behalf of the Early Care and Education.
• Our world-class educators build confidence in students by providing high-quality educational experiences
• Lastly, funds are better used elsewhere in early childhood education.

Bills: HF2436

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras

Transcript Highlights:

• As an educator, we have some of the most innovative education possibilities in our state.
• Highly skilled workers, you're bringing PhDs.
• comes from an assessment for Workers' Compensation Administration on payroll.
• They have to use the money for these workers.
• Did that include any of those workers that left the state in that last year? Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• A major part of this process was engaging stakeholders every step of the way to make the educational
• Page 3, the first item is an update on workers' compensation. benefits paid by fiscal year.
• We went into operations in 1997 to get workers' compensation costs under control.
• I am a policy intern at the National Association of Social Workers Texas.
• We're really grateful that have social workers taking care of our people so thank you.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• educating the public on labor rights. educating the public on labor rights.
• Um workers compensation Um excuse me. Um workers compensation Um excuse me.
• Um workers<00:27:29.200> comp, workers comp, workers comp, where<00:27:30.520> does<00:
• Uh workers<00:30:41.760> uh workers uh workers uh uh<00:30:42.920> unemployment.
• in workers' unemployment? in workers' unemployment? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , an act relating to the Postsecondary Education Working Group and declaring an emergency.
• House Bill 265 is a bill that deals with self-insured workers' compensation pools.
• To Postsecondary Education, House Bills 307 and 310.
• To Primary and Secondary Education, House Bill 389.
• as a ranking secondary education as a ranking minority<00:39:45.839> member.

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Senate Message 04:27 Report of Committees 05:14 Orders of the Day 06:02 HB 184 06:16 HB 265 09:38 HJR 24 13:00 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 19:39 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 26:58 Recess for ConC and Rules Meeting 28:48 ConC and Rules Report 37:47 Impeachment Committee Announcement 40:50 Adjournment 41:13, 958, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a roll call showing 95 members present. Members approved the prior journal, suspended rules to allow co-sponsorships and vote modifications, and received committee reports advancing House Bill 96 on the Postsecondary Education Working Group and House Bills 34 and 214 on veterans-related benefits. The chamber then considered and passed House Bill 184, which concerns health savings account qualified insurance plans and would delay certain state cost-sharing limits until the federal IRS minimum deductible is met. The bill passed 94-0, and the motion to reconsider was tabled. The House also passed House Bill 265, dealing with regulatory authorizations by the Commissioner of Insurance. The sponsor explained that the bill creates a statutory dissolution process for self-insured workers’ compensation pools and removes the Department of Insurance’s approval role for new pools in response to past insolvency problems. That bill passed 95-0, and the clincher was applied. The chamber then adopted House Joint Resolution 24, as amended by House Committee Substitute 1 and a title amendment, by an 87-1 vote. The resolution directs the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to withdraw a Medicaid 1115A waiver application related to mandatory community engagement requirements, with supporters saying the request is no longer needed under current federal law. Later, the House honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through House Resolution 5, which recounted his civil rights legacy and Kentucky’s civil rights history; the resolution was adopted without objection. Members also announced upcoming committee meetings, withdrew House Bill 292, and received a long list of new bill introductions covering topics including nicotine products, elections, opioid antagonists, local purchasing, vital records, inheritance tax, state parks, unemployment benefits, civic education, psychologists, the Court of Justice, citizenship requirements for elected officials, attorney privacy in criminal cases, sex crimes, and audiology. The Committee on Committees then referred and reassigned numerous bills to standing committees, named new ranking minority members, and appointed an impeachment committee. The House recessed briefly for committee meetings and then adjourned until 2 p.m. on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• 67% go to socially or economically disadvantaged businesses, including minority-, women-, veteran-, worker
• We are worker-owned, minority-owned, and woman-owned businesses based in Springfield, Massachusetts.
• My industry supports lower-wage workers who pick up the inherent skills to get a good job and better
• And we can ensure that providing support in training, education, access to capital, and creating And
• we can ensure that providing support in training, education, access to capital, and creating guardrails

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Business held its second hearing of the session, with Chairs Gómez and Vargas opening by emphasizing the committee’s focus on equity, small business growth, and support for communities that have historically been overlooked. Several members noted the historic nature of having two Latino chairs. The hearing covered a package of bills centered on access to capital, transparency in state assistance, commercial tenant protections, downtown revitalization, and business improvement district administration. Testimony was largely supportive of bills aimed at helping micro-businesses, small businesses, and disadvantaged entrepreneurs. Beckma, the Asian Business Empowerment Council, a minority- and woman-owned business owner, and a worker-owned Springfield business all backed measures including S. 179 and H. 312/S. 184, which would prioritize capital assistance and require reporting on where state business aid goes. Witnesses said transparency, upfront payments on state contracts, and better data collection could help businesses that struggle with delayed reimbursements, limited reserves, and difficulty accessing traditional financing. The Metropolitan Area Planning Council supported S. 173, which would dedicate a portion of sales tax revenue to a downtown vitality fund for district management, cultural districts, and downtown infrastructure, and said the bill could help sustain downtowns and prevent cultural displacement. There was also testimony on H. 306, a commercial tenant first right of refusal bill, with Beckma supporting it as a way to help small tenants stay in their locations, while the Greater Boston Real Estate Board opposed it, arguing it would add cost, delay, uncertainty, and could reduce property values and the commercial tax base. The board supported H. 305, a housing bill that would expand by-right multifamily and open-space residential development while preserving local zoning protections. Andre Leroux of MassINC also supported S. 173 and H. 299, the latter proposing longer BID renewal periods and audit requirements aligned with nonprofit standards. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded after public testimony and questions, with the chair closing testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• as we're working Department of Education as we're working with<00:05:49.600> doe<00:05:50.440
• Unite Here represents over 10,000 workers in hotel, healthcare, airport, and food service.
• <00:26:35.440> right um for I mean I'm a hotel worker right um for I mean I'm a hotel worker
• Cody Sula testified and said he is with the Iron Workers as well.
• <01:04:31.440> 625<01:04:32.440> painters 627 iron workers 625 painters 627 iron workers

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several measures on agriculture, energy, stadium governance, and hotel consumer protections. On SB 448 relating to agriculture, Agra Business Development Corporation and the Hawaii Farm Bureau testified in support of a proposed conservation easement acquisition in Central Oahu; the chair asked follow-up questions about the exact location, cost, and agricultural potential of the land, and the witness said the parcel had good soil and water and was former pineapple land, with cost still to be provided. On SB 827 relating to meat processing, the Department of Economic Development and Tourism said the state needs more meat-processing capacity and that any grant program should complement, not compete with, existing efforts; the Attorney General’s office warned the bill lacked legally sufficient standards for grants of public money under the state constitution and offered draft standards. Several industry and chamber witnesses supported the measure, while discussion focused on the need for brick-and-mortar or modular facilities, infrastructure costs, federal inspection needs, and access for hunters and neighbor islands. The committee then took up SB 1269 relating to geothermal resources, which drew broad support from county officials, energy consultants, utility representatives, and community advocates, with one witness opposing it. Supporters described geothermal as a viable, indigenous, firm baseload energy source that could help reduce Hawaii’s high electricity costs and support clean energy goals; one witness emphasized prior work in New Zealand and another urged the state to move forward with exploration. A DBEDT representative explained that the department is coordinating geothermal-related work with the Hawaii Technology Development Corp., the University of Hawaii, and the Hawaii State Energy Office, noting a prior $3 million appropriation, phase-one community engagement work, and plans to seek a contractor for geoscience and exploration in phase two. Members pressed DBEDT to explain how this bill fits with other geothermal measures moving through different committees, and the chair asked the department to review SB 993 and better coordinate the package of geothermal bills. On SB 1337 relating to the Stadium Authority, the stadium manager testified in support of clarifying quorum rules, explaining that the authority currently has eight seated voting members out of nine possible voting seats and that the bill would help ensure voting members are counted for quorum; he said meetings have not been delayed. Finally, on SB 883 relating to hotels, the Attorney General’s office raised First Amendment and contract-law concerns and recommended adding a purpose statement and a non-impairment savings clause. Unite Here Local 5 and other supporters said guests should be notified of hotel service disruptions such as construction, closures, or labor disputes, while opponents questioned who would enforce the law, what penalties would apply, and whether the measure could require hotels to pay damages even without a complaint. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• of a division for the Inspector General for the Education and the state Board of Education to investigate
• public education and the authority of the Commissioner of Education to conduct special investigations
• Refer the Committee on Public Education.
• Refer to the Committee on Public Education.
• HB 1178 by Cunningham relating to the creation of a temporary educators certificate for educators certified

Transcript Highlights:

• , because we still have to do better in education.
• , because we still have to do better in education.
• mentioned, for the education policy.
• Additional funding for special education.
• Over 60% of Medi-Cal recipients are workers.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee met to consider the 2026 Budget Act, which leaders said was the negotiated compromise with the Senate and was expected to move to the floor that evening. Opening remarks emphasized that the plan balances the budget over two years, reduces the structural deficit, and builds reserves, while also protecting core services in the face of federal cuts. Jason Sisney outlined the legislative budget framework and the likely floor bills, including AB 109, SB 110, SB 122, and SB 125. Department of Finance representative Eric Khali said the administration appreciated the two-year balanced approach and supported the modification in SB 122, while noting the package uses additional revenues and new spending to soften or reject some proposed cuts. Most of the discussion focused on major spending areas. Members and subcommittee chairs highlighted protections and additions for health care and human services, including rejecting the proposed Medi-Cal asset limit change, delaying premium increases, restoring clinic and dental funding, supporting distressed hospitals and county indigent care, and expanding county eligibility staffing to handle H.R. 1-related workload. Education members described record or expanded support for TK-12 schools, child care, special education, community colleges, teacher recruitment, and higher education, including a change to extend Cal Grant eligibility to age 30 for some community college students. Housing and homelessness funding was increased for HAP, multifamily housing, and the low-income housing tax credit, while public safety members pointed to investments in victims’ services, restorative justice, and prison closure savings. Several members also raised concerns or priorities tied to the budget deal. Some praised the package as a moral document that protects vulnerable Californians, immigrant communities, LGBTQ residents, seniors, and people with disabilities. Others noted unresolved issues, including the MCO tax’s impact on districts, the need for more support for local journalism, arts, biotech R&D incentives, transit and GGRF-related concerns, and the need for continued work on Prop. 98 and long-term fiscal resilience. The vice chair cautioned that despite the current progress, the state remains vulnerable to revenue volatility and warned that the budget should build more resilience against a possible downturn. No formal vote was taken in the portion provided, but the committee was preparing the budget package for floor action and final negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Special Education Ombud for the State of New Mexico.
• I was a special education educator for 25 years, and currently in my new position, we're rolling into
• My name is Jill Vice, the deputy secretary for the Office of Special Education at the Public Education
• So while, yes, they do have workers' comp.
• I mean, anybody who works for the state has workers' comp, at least the state, I have workers' comp.

Bills: HJR6, HJR7, HB120, HB60, HB151, HR1, HM13, SB40, SB104

Keywords: constitutional amendment, legislative sessions, veto override, New Mexico legislature, session length, legislative session, even-numbered years, New Mexico Constitution, student behavior, physical restraint, seclusion, public schools, training, de-escalation, student safety, behavior interventions, criminal offenses, peace officer, Victims of Crime Act, law enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1, an act relating to education. Senator Givens.
• These fires put industry workers, responders, and the public at risk. Mr.
• It protects workers, and it gives Kentucky the time to do it right.
• <00:13:31.920> first, These fires put industry workers first, These fires put industry workers
• We'll be considering one bill. >> Members of Senate Education, please take note.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a roll call establishing a quorum. The House then communicated passage of House Bills 184 and 265 and House Joint Resolution 24, requesting concurrence. The Senate also approved the prior day’s journal, excused absent senators, and received committee reports advancing several measures, including Senate Bill 76 with committee substitute, Senate Bill 12, Senate Joint Resolution 23 with committee substitute, and Senate Bills 27 and 40 with committee substitutes. New bills introduced included Senate Bill 1 on education, Senate Bill 3 on school district finances, and Senate Bill 112 on short-term rentals. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 29 on solid waste management facilities. The sponsor explained that the bill would prohibit counties from charging designation or origination fees to solid waste facilities located in other counties, while leaving intact local authority over facilities within a county and existing host fees. The bill passed on a roll call vote of 36 yeas, 0 nays, and 1 pass. Senate Bill 49 on battery stewardship was next. Its sponsor described growing fire risks from lithium batteries in landfills, recycling trucks, and waste facilities, and said the bill would prohibit lithium batteries in curbside trash and recycling containers and create a statewide stewardship program with a phased implementation timeline. The measure passed 37-0. Senate Bill 38 on pharmacist reimbursements and services followed; supporters said it would improve access to routine care through pharmacists, reduce unnecessary emergency room visits, and align Medicaid and KCHIP reimbursement policies with private insurance standards. It also passed unanimously, 37-0. Finally, the Senate considered Senate Concurrent Resolution 9, which directs the Legislative Research Commission to procure a vendor for a feasibility study on an accountable communities for health Medicaid delivery model pilot project. The sponsor argued that Medicaid and broader health care costs are unsustainable and that a community-based model could reduce bureaucracy and improve outcomes. Several senators spoke in support, including questions about the cost of managed care organizations and administrative overhead. The resolution was adopted after debate and roll call, with strong support from members who described it as a potentially revolutionary approach to health care delivery.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:10.000> and policy to compensate their workers and policy to compensate their workers
• the the question about remote workers the the question about remote workers and<00:13:16.000>
• time a lot of this input is from workers time a lot of this input is from workers because<00:14:
• impacting the workers of the state. impacting the workers of the state.
• workers? workers?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to the Department of Education, 4,120,000 of the Educational Education, 4,120,000 of the Educational
• million from the education and $80 million from the education and $80 million from the education reserve
• education education uh budget.
• I need more education because vote in my district is education because vote in my district is education
• And you education. And you education.

Bills: HB 29, HB 125, HB 145, HB 171, HB 255, HB 50, HB 796, HB 363, HB 116, HB 491, HB 589, HB 1495, HB 368, HB 1285, HB 1905, HB 1360, HB 2002, HB 917, HB 2723, HB 2067, HB 1238, HB 2337, HB 745, HB 1188, HB 1606, HB 2003, HB 2147, HB 2391, HB 2355, HB 2546, HB 2495, HB 2818, HB 2249, HB 1749, HB 3109, HB 3228, HB 3240, HB 1507, HB 658, HB 1748, HB 1851, HB 1922, HB 2001, HB 2798, HB 107, HCR 29, SB 5, SB 262, HB 11, HJR 72, HB 106, HB 18, HB 48, HB 27, HB 37, HB 1481, HB 581, HB 1696, HB 2216, HB 1035, HB 1633, HB 742, HB 754, HB 1689, HB 1690, HB 2669, HB 391, HB 517, HB 1024, HB 1607, HB 252, HB 1716, HB 1562, HB 4116, HB 1866, HB 1741, HB 2103, HB 2637, HB 2884, HB 503, HB 1089, HB 2986, HB 972, HB 502, HB 29, HB 125, HB 145, HB 171, HB 255, HB 50, HB 796, HB 363, HB 116, HB 491, HB 589, HB 1495, HB 368, HB 1285, HB 1905, HB 1360, HB 2002, HB 917, HB 2723, HB 2067, HB 1238, HB 2337, HB 745, HB 1188, HB 1606, HB 2003, HB 2147, HB 2391, HB 2355, HB 2546, HB 2495, HB 2818, HB 2249, HB 1749, HB 3109, HB 3228, HB 3240, HB 1507, HB 658, HB 1748, HB 1851, HB 1922, HB 2001, HB 2798, HB 107, HCR 29

Keywords: water audit, water loss, water loss mitigation plan, municipally owned utility, municipal utility, water conservation, Texas Water Development Board, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water leakage, leak detection, billing data accuracy, utility validation, water audit validation, water scarcity, water management, infrastructure, public utility, conservation plan, administrative penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh our workers, need uh this updated.
• <00:31:04.200> through in place, we intend to educate through in place, we intend to educate
• do have workers authorization and they do have workers authorization and<01:08:16.560> they<01
• <01:20:23.320> and health coverage for their workers and health coverage for their workers
• And making sure that they are educated And making sure that they are educated on<01:35:42.400>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This proposal is a benefit restriction bill, not a nutrition education bill.
• Education creates lasting change.
• What works is education and incentive programs.
• What works is education and incentive programs.
• So thank you for the educational and the previous one. Thank you, Chair and members.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As a pastor and social worker serving our downtown Little Rock, For me, as a pastor and social worker
• When education funding falls short, it's not just a budget issue.
• childhood education in Arkansas.
• Better health care, better K-12 education, reducing childhood hunger, and reducing poverty.
• Number one, we are committed to public education in the state of Arkansas.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , the minimum wage for tipped workers, the minimum wage for tipped workers, increasing<00:03:59.680
• for things like education or pensions. for things like education or pensions.
• And, uh, she kind of tolerated us men and, uh, would educate us.
• This was a piece of her life, but her life was in education.
• <01:07:07.280> after under the Department of Education after under the Department of Education

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• workers with automation?
• AI has posed a really big threat to low-income workers.
• It's going to take over the restaurant workers.
• to think about what's the future for low-income workers.
• We represent about 12,000 workers in Massachusetts, including workers who deliver groceries for Stop

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held a hybrid hearing on 46 bills covering bicycle and pedestrian safety, autonomous and specialty vehicles, street design, and related transportation issues. Chair Jim Arciero and Senate co-chair Brendan Crighton opened the hearing, noted that Senate Bill 2347 was postponed at the sponsor’s request, and explained the hearing procedures. No votes were taken during the hearing. A major portion of testimony focused on autonomous vehicles. Labor representatives from the AFL-CIO, Teamsters, Machinists, and app-based driver organizations opposed bills that would authorize fully autonomous vehicles, arguing they could displace workers, weaken bargaining power, increase congestion, and create safety and data-privacy risks. Waymo and Chamber of Progress supported legislation creating a framework for autonomous vehicles, saying the technology has strong safety results and could improve mobility and economic opportunity, but they opposed provisions requiring a human operator in the vehicle. Transportation and environmental advocates urged stronger oversight, local control, crash-data reporting, and privacy protections before deployment. Several bills on pedestrian and bicycle safety drew support from advocates and affected residents. Testimony backed measures to improve crosswalk timing for slower pedestrians, raise penalties for crosswalk violations, expand truck sideguard and safety-device requirements, and improve roadway marking reflectivity. AARP, MassBike, and other advocates emphasized the need to protect older adults, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users, while some speakers opposed bills expanding e-bike access to sidewalks and natural-surface trails, citing safety concerns. The committee also heard strong support for the Blue Envelope program for drivers with autism and developmental disabilities, with testimony from the Arc of Massachusetts, the Developmental Disabilities Council, families, and individuals describing how the program can reduce misunderstandings during traffic stops and crashes.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've heard from small business owners all over Iowa who use that extra money to provide their workers
• The consequences are real to workers.
• We've got to destroy the Department of Education, destroy NIH funding.
• Take the money from grandma and nursing homes, kids who need an education.
• In fact, we are discarding people, skilled workers and small business owners.

Keywords: joint hearing, small business, Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, economic recovery, tax relief, job creation

Summary: In this joint hearing of the House Committee on Small Business and the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, the primary focus was on the importance of making the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) permanent. The chair emphasized that small businesses are crucial for the nation's economic recovery, especially in the wake of current federal policies perceived as detrimental. Witnesses shared their experiences and highlighted how the tax cuts facilitated job creation and business expansion, stressing the need for continued support through ongoing tax relief measures. The meeting included discussions about the economic implications of the TCJA's potential expiration, with members voicing their concerns regarding how this could impact small businesses and the broader economy.

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Education.
• Department of Education. 1315<00:23:37.039> workers<00:23:37.919> were<00:23:38.240>
• probationary workers were terminated. probationary workers were terminated.
• These are frontline workers.
• These are frontline workers. folks. These are frontline workers.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, 1012, house, all