Transcript Highlights:

• back and a special celebration too from the State Personnel Office.
• So, I wanted to highlight that Special appropriation. It's a one-time.
• So why would I vote for this special.
• I've worked on that legislation. It's a big problem.
• And because I knew it because I worked on that legislation, so if you Want to work on that legislation

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Signed in open session.
• Signed in open session.
• This speech feels like it's special legislation to me because it limits itself to one country.
• Signed in open session.
• Signed in open session.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have some very special guests that have just flown over from California last night.
• Signed in open session.
• and knowledgeable legislator who worked to build bipartisan coalitions.
• House Concurrent Resolution 2060 is signed in open session.
• The information that was provided was extremely helpful in my role as a legislator.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and approval of the prior journal. The President introduced guests from California, then announced committee substitutions and a referral change for Senate Bill 1267, which was withdrawn from Judiciary and Elections and sent to Appropriations, Transportation, and Technology. The chamber then moved through third-reading consent-calendar bills, with several measures on mental health services, special license plates, optometrists, claims relief, Department of Revenue matters, and Attorney General-related provisions. Senate Bill 1112 failed, while Senate Bills 1153, 1242, 1023, 1097, 1210, 1401, 1430, 1452, and 1613 all passed and were transmitted to the House. The Senate also adopted SCM 1003, urging Congress to amend the Constitution to allow states to regulate and limit campaign finance, after debate about money in politics and Citizens United. The chamber then received House Concurrent Resolution 2060, a death resolution honoring former legislator and University of Arizona administrator George Cunningham. The resolution was read in full, adopted unanimously, and signed in open session. The Senate recessed to allow Cunningham’s family onto the floor, where several senators offered personal tributes describing his public service, budget expertise, mentorship, and work with the Grand Canyon Institute and the University of Arizona. After the memorial observance, the Senate resumed briefly for announcements. Committee notices were given for Judiciary and Elections, Rules, and caucuses on the following Monday, while Federalism, Finance, and Military Affairs and Border Security were announced as not meeting. Senator Sears read a legislative proclamation honoring Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr. for his civil rights and economic justice legacy. The Senate then adjourned until Monday, February 23, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a result of this legislation, which we passed for the first time back in 2019, we have five special
• As a result of this legislation, which we passed for the first time back in 2019, we have five special
• As a result of this legislation, which we passed for the first time back in 2019, we have five special
• depositor special purpose 55 special depositor special purpose depository<00:39:43.760><c> institution
• </c> special relationship with Taiwan. special relationship with Taiwan.

Bills: HB0116 , HB0056

Committee: House Minerals, Business & Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Administrators of special education and our legislative task force wanted to be neutral on this bill
• During the 2017 legislative session, the.
• , four special sessions on school finance after Judge F.
• For parents, this legislation provides peace of mind.
• Actually to a legislative council draft and with that.

Bills: SB451 , SB762 , SB1490 , SB1262 , SB1459 , SB1750 , SB1962 , SB2252 , SB2253 , SB2365

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Transcript Highlights:

• Once again, I'm Sunny Lou with the Legislative Finance Committee.
• For those new to the legislative process, it is a process.
• My wife, Donna, and I adopted a special needs child in 2009.
• This session is a 30-day session. It's intense.
• Chair, are getting caught in between special interests.

Bills: HB2 , SB204 , SB241 , HB34

Committee: House House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• I know people are very busy during this legislative session.
• </c> &gt;&gt; special incentive housing. &gt;&gt; special incentive housing.
• &gt;&gt; Special.<01:07:31.280><c> Yeah.</c> &gt;&gt; Special. Yeah. &gt;&gt; Special. Yeah.
• We have some time before our next meeting and, of course, the legislative session will proceed.
• </c><01:14:15.520><c> So</c> The legislative session will proceed.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the ceiling heart special fund.
• </c> the works of art special fund, right? the works of art special fund, right?
• </c> access to 1.3 million of the special access to 1.3 million of the special fund<00:49:06.880><c>
• I think it's really important to do informational briefs at the beginning of every legislative session
• It's really important to do informational briefs at the beginning of every legislative session.

Transcript Highlights:

• prior to the 2025, uh, legislative session.
• Um, during the 2024 legislative session, in addition to the 2.5%, we received, um, a special appropriation
• Legislative session outcome. Because to, to. Madam Chair, thank you.
• were introduced to address housing policy in some shape or form this legislative session.
• Two investment pieces that we were hoping to see in this past legislative session.

Committee: House Mortgage Finance Authority Act Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a fiscal note of $2.6 million that would come into the next legislative session.
• We have a fiscal note of $2.6 million that would come into the next legislative session.
• So we'll finalize that next session.
• Well, I say we come into a session.
• So we'll finalize that next session. So we'll finalize that next session. Levi: Mr.

Bills: HB1603

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met with a quorum and announced it would begin meeting at 8 a.m. for the rest of the week to work through a growing bill list. The committee first approved House Bill 1603, a companion to the Historical Society budget dealing with NAGPRA, including a $500,000 matching grant to be divided among North Dakota’s five tribes and a committee to address repatriation of human remains and cultural items. The vote was unanimous, 15-0. The committee then considered House Bill 1225, which would increase penalties for reckless endangerment involving a firearm and create a mandatory prison term. After debate over public safety concerns versus the bill’s fiscal note and prison costs, the committee adopted a do not pass recommendation by a 9-6-1 vote. Members also discussed House Bill 1018, the State Historical Society budget, and approved an amendment that adjusted one-time funding items, including NAGPRA compliance, museum exhibits, military gallery funding, local historic grants, and line-of-credit repayment. The amended bill then received a due pass recommendation by a 14-2 vote. The committee next approved House Bill 1468, a behavioral health facility grant for St. Hayes, which supporters said would expand in-state access to acute and adolescent behavioral health care and reduce the need to send patients out of state. The bill passed 14-1. It then amended and passed House Bill 1485, increasing the personal needs allowance for certain Medicaid recipients by $15 and indexing it to inflation; the amendment and the bill as amended both passed 14-2. Finally, the committee approved House Bill 1016, the Adjutant General/National Guard budget, after adopting an amendment that funded disaster relief, response equipment, IT and website costs, and staffing changes for the watch center; the amended bill passed 14-2. The committee adjourned after completing six bills and planned to resume the next morning at 8 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• That we were able to provide in the last legislative session.
• There's been a lot of focus in the last number of legislative sessions around due process on the back
• During that legislative session, was DLPS not included?
• As an example right now, We were appropriated last legislative session $1.8 million for 2024.
• The 5% reduction that was taken during the 87th legislative session. is not funding that has ever been

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Article II

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, my name is Deborah Entenman, a legislator from the 47th Legislative District.
• I am the legislative director for the Office of Independent Investigations.
• But we look to our courts, our legislator, our processes to address those.
• There's an executive session, possible executive session listed for Thursday, but just to let the public
• There's an executive session, possible executive session listed for Thursday, but just to let the public

Summary: The House Community Safety Committee held public hearings on several bills. House Bill 2508, concerning the Office of Independent Investigations (OII), would expand OII’s jurisdiction over deadly-force and related use-of-force incidents, require broader notification and records access from law enforcement and emergency responders, and exempt certain OII investigative records from public disclosure. Rep. Deborah Entenman and OII staff supported the bill as a way to improve independent, transparent investigations, while committee members raised questions about when cases are considered “closed” and how to protect against repeated or harassing investigations. OII representatives said formal reviews are referred to prosecutors, administrative closures are not, and the bill would clarify existing public records protections. Law enforcement and public-interest witnesses were split, with some supporting the expansion and others objecting to added secrecy provisions and questioning safeguards and oversight. House Bill 2539, as amended by a proposed substitute, would raise the Department of Corrections inmate indigency cap from $25 to $100 so incarcerated people can retain more money for hygiene and basic necessities before deductions are taken. Rep. Chappala Street said the change would help people buy essential items and reduce conflict, while incarcerated witnesses and advocates testified that current deductions leave too little for basic needs and place burdens on families. A committee member questioned whether DOC already provides those items, and Street and supporters responded that provided items are often low quality or insufficient. No vote was taken. House Bill 2490 would expand extraordinary medical placement for incarcerated people with serious, chronic, or terminal conditions, extending the expected life-expectancy threshold from six months to approximately 18 months and adding clearer DOC review criteria and appeal rights. The prime sponsor and supporters argued the bill would improve humane care, reduce costs, and allow more people to receive treatment in the community when they no longer pose a public-safety risk. DOC said the revised language would reduce legal concerns and allow more time to develop safe placement plans, while opponents of the current system said EMP is underused and people die waiting for decisions. The committee also heard extensive testimony on House Bill 2387, which would tie certain sheriff decertification actions to recall procedures and preserve an elected sheriff’s office unless voters remove them. Supporters, including the sponsor and several sheriffs, said the bill protects voter control and local accountability; opponents, including civil rights and immigrant-rights groups, argued it weakens certification standards, creates unequal accountability for sheriffs, and improperly uses recall-like consequences through statute rather than constitutional process. The chair indicated the committee intended to act on House Bill 2508 the following Monday, February 2.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:01:44.160><c> Auditor</c> and we do have the Legislative Auditor and we do have the Legislative
• So, during the 2025 legislative session, MnDOT was directed to conduct a study on wheelchair-accessible
• </c><00:31:18.520><c> session,</c> So, during the 2025 legislative session, So, during the 2025 legislative
• </c> next session, so. next session, so.
• </c> dialed in next session, so. dialed in next session, so.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• This year she applied to the legislative fellows program to offer first experience with the legislative
• Business introduction of legislation. Objection. It is ordered. Thank you.
• So I, as a 32-year educator, and someone who oversaw special programs, including special education, for
• As you guys know, I'm an advocate for special education. I understand that.
• Speaker, I move we go to that order of business: introduction of legislation.

Bills: HB111 , HB103 , HB60 , HB108 , HB120 , HB145 , HB154 , HB164 , HB291 , HJR6 , HR1 , HJM2 , HJM3 , HJM1 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM32 , HM13 , HM47 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50 , HB38 , HB47 , HB63 , HB64 , HB127 , HB165 , HB184 , HB200 , HM20 , HM51

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, offered an invocation, pledges, and a series of recognitions and guest introductions, including a memorial honoring J.B. White, a young Santa Fe basketball player killed by gun violence, and presentations for Disability Rights Awareness Day, Down syndrome advocacy, adult education and literacy, and Western New Mexico University’s 133rd birthday. Members also welcomed students, legislative fellows, and other guests, and several speakers used the announcements period to highlight community work, family milestones, and advocacy efforts. The chamber then received and referred several executive and Senate messages. Governor-authorized bills included HB 282 on school attendance enforcement and juvenile probation coordination, HB 292 creating the New Mexico Prison Rape Elimination Act, and HB 149 involving charter school facility financing; these were referred to the Judiciary or Appropriations and Finance Committees as applicable. The House also received Senate-passed bills and committee substitutes, which were referred to the appropriate House committees. In committee reports, multiple bills and memorials were adopted, including HB 4, HB 7, HB 65, HB 66, HB 80, HB 88, HB 96, HB 270, HB 280, HB 275, HB 285, HB 20, HB 166, HB 295, HM 46, HM 54, and SJR 1. On third reading, HB 38 on wheelchair insurance coverage was announced as being remanded back to the House Health and Human Services Committee for a simple amendment before returning to the floor. The main floor debate centered on HB 120, which addresses restraint and seclusion in schools. Sponsors said the bill is intended to improve student safety, clarify when intervention is allowed, require de-escalation and behavior-support training, improve documentation and parent notification, and prevent harmful or punitive practices. An amendment was adopted to replace the term “punishment” with “disciplinary action” and to add reporting to a legislative study committee. The bill then drew extended questioning about definitions, school resource officers, PBIS references, training requirements, data collection, and possible costs and liability, with sponsors emphasizing that the measure clarifies existing practice rather than imposing a specific curriculum or program.

Transcript Highlights:

• Floor session is now convening. The House will come to order.
• Representative Tony Rivero, Legislative District 27.
• Signed in open session.
• Ways and Means: 1531 special play.
• Ways and means. 1531 special play.

Summary: The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal, and recognized the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Jasleen Chatwal. Members also introduced a number of guests and visiting groups, including Irish dignitaries for St. Patrick’s Day recognition, labor organizations such as AFSCME and CWA, the Arizona Farm Bureau, the Arizona chapter of the American College of Surgeons for Stop the Bleed training, and advocates for rare skeletal conditions. A proclamation recognizing St. Patrick’s Day was read, and the House later heard a proclamation honoring AFSCME Arizona. On the floor, the House took up several procedural motions, including requests to have the Senate return HB 4027 and HB 2444 for reconsideration, and received multiple Senate bills on first and second reading. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole and approved HB 2750 with a friendly floor amendment, sending it forward as amended. The House also sent HB 2999 to an additional Committee of the Whole, adopted a floor amendment, and advanced it as amended for engrossing. During third reading, HB 2197, relating to water access and camping near water sources, failed on reconsideration after members debated whether it imposed unnecessary criminal penalties and enforcement concerns. HB 2429, relating to vacation and short-term rentals, passed after supporters said it restored local control to cities and towns. HB 2950, creating special districts for tourism improvement areas, passed after amendments made participation voluntary and added notice requirements. HB 4001, relating to nicotine products, also passed after debate over youth vaping, enforcement authority, and whether the bill struck the right balance between regulation and parental responsibility. The House then made committee announcements and adjourned until Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• And Washington is also leading in that area with legislation in the most recent session, House Bill 1811
• legislative session, we can do some low-cost or no-cost improvements with some things that might be fixable
• And although it will be a challenging fiscal environment this coming legislative session, I think there
• And we look forward to the recommendations, and we'll hopefully legislate this coming short session to
• And I'm sure there's going to be legislative activity in the upcoming session on that.

Summary: The Community Safety Committee held an interim work session on crisis response, with members and witnesses discussing how Washington can better integrate 911, 988, mobile crisis, co-response, and alternative response models for behavioral health crises in public spaces. Travis Parker opened with an overview of the Sequential Intercept Model and the crisis care continuum, emphasizing early intervention, 988 access, regional coordination, navigators and peer support, and the need for sustainable braided funding. Several Washington witnesses then described current programs and system gaps, including the growth of co-response teams, the importance of integrating 911 and 988 rather than treating them as competing systems, and the need to reduce unnecessary emergency room use and improve first responder wellness and training. City, fire, and crisis-system representatives described local challenges and reforms. Kim Hendrickson of Poulsbo said most crisis calls still come through 911 and urged better coordination among field-based teams, more behavioral health training for fire/EMS, and more alternatives to ER transport. Laura Pippen, a designated crisis responder, described a strained involuntary treatment system, fewer DCRs statewide, difficulty getting law enforcement support for transports, and limited facility capacity, especially for substance use disorder. Jennifer Stuber and South County Fire’s Keith Sharp highlighted workforce training, a crisis responder certificate program, and first responder wellness efforts. Research witnesses Evan Lauder and James Pine said the evidence is still developing but generally supports on-scene resolution, reduced ED transport and detention in some models, and the importance of clear dispatch protocols, coordination, and ongoing evaluation. Dispatch and program operators then gave examples of how systems are working in practice. Katie Myers of Washington APCO/NENA said 911 remains essential, but needs evidence-based triage protocols, liability protections, and additional funding if it is expected to take on more crisis-response responsibilities. Whatcom County described embedding a “community connector” in the 911 center to coordinate alternative response, while ValleyCom reported that its 988 diversion pilot transferred 2,165 calls with 98% resolved through 988/211 without returning to 911. National examples included Denver’s STAR program, Albuquerque’s Community Safety Department, and Atlanta’s PAD initiative, each showing different ways to route low-acuity or behavioral-health-related calls away from police and toward clinicians, peers, or civilian responders. The session ended with Washington examples continuing, including Whatcom County’s alternative response team, underscoring the committee’s interest in refining and expanding integrated crisis response systems in the next session.

Transcript Highlights:

• I heard what was in this piece of proposed legislation.
• Good afternoon, Chair and legislators.
• My ask is that you focus on our students during this legislative session.
• Legislators in the audience to pay attention, get involved.
• And then a special magistrate can come in and set the salaries.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the 20th meeting of the Special Commission on the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution
• And we've been really fortunate to have a legislative briefing at the State House for legislators.
• And we just really encourage any of you to attend any of the sessions during that week.
• be a special free matinee for school groups.
• Revolutionary Spaces and your team for hosting us for this really special event.

Summary: The Special Commission on the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution met without a quorum, so no votes were taken and any items requiring action were deferred to a future meeting. Representative Sean Garballey welcomed new commission member Mona Roy and thanked outgoing members Susie Berry and Abigail Chandler, noting that the governor’s office would be contacted about open appointments to help restore quorum. The commission then heard a presentation from the Massachusetts Civic Learning Coalition, which outlined civics and history education programs tied to Mass 250 and America 250, including Civic Learning Week, teacher professional development, student civic projects, online courses, and curriculum resources from partners such as iCivics, Harvard’s Democratic Knowledge Project, GBH, Facing History and Ourselves, EDC, Revolutionary Spaces, and others. The Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism reported on the state’s 250th anniversary campaign, including a November event at the Old South Meeting House with the governor, lieutenant governor, and Boston Symphony Orchestra, strong media coverage, over $6 million in sponsorships, new TV spots tied to Ken Burns’ American Revolution documentary, and a new Massachusetts First webpage and merchandise. Revolutionary 250 gave an update on upcoming Henry Knox Trail commemorations, including events beginning in January at the state line and continuing in Great Barrington, Springfield, Worcester, Framingham, Cambridge, Roxbury, and Dorchester Heights, with related planning for the St. Patrick’s/Evacuation Day parade and other Revolutionary-era observances. The commission also discussed possible future initiatives for member working groups: contributing to an America 250 time capsule, organizing community-level “America’s potluck dinner” events on July 5, and coordinating readings of the Declaration of Independence on July 8. Members asked clarifying questions about how the potluck and time capsule efforts would work, and staff said an email would be sent after the meeting to gather interest and form small planning groups. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, a second, and unanimous approval.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> documentation for special education aid. documentation for special education aid.
• And then when we do special month.
• </c> these kids for special education aid. these kids for special education aid.
• </c><00:32:55.360><c> We</c> providers of special education. We providers of special education.
• </c> special education um uh uh aid program. special education um uh uh aid program.

Summary: The subcommittee met for its third discussion on special education aid under retained bill 742, with the chair noting that no action would be taken at the meeting. The chair reviewed prior hearings on Medicaid and local special education funding shortfalls, saying the committee was trying to understand why districts are facing proration of special education aid and how to reduce unfunded costs. He raised a series of questions for the Department of Education about the Nessus system, eligibility and ineligibility, invoices and vouchers, audit procedures, reimbursement rates, out-of-state placements, and who enters data at the district level. Rebecca Fdet, director of special education services at the Department of Education, explained that Nessus is the statewide special education information system and that every child in special education must be entered into it. She said most districts use it to develop IEPs and track services, while six districts use it only as a data reporting tool. She described which fields are required, how the system connects IEP development to the financial section, and how districts submit invoices when seeking special education aid, court-ordered placement payments, or episode-of-treatment placements. She said the department reviews invoices against the IEP, pays only for allowable services, and uses a cap that notifies districts when they reach the annual limit. Members asked about who submits the information, how districts decide when to seek aid, and how costs are calculated for individual or group services. Fdet said the district, usually an administrative assistant in the SAU office, submits the documentation electronically, and districts decide when to track students for aid based on their own circumstances. She said reimbursement is based on actual costs tied to the IEP, with group services split among students, and that the department does not generally set rates for local services. The only rate-setting she described was for approved private special education providers, which submit annual cost spreadsheets for tuition rates. She also said out-of-state providers must be approved by their own state, and the department checks licensure and certification through monitoring and investigations if concerns arise. The department also described its monitoring process, called Program Approval and General Supervision Monitoring, or PAGS. Fdet said districts are reviewed on a six-year cycle, with more intensive review for districts needing assistance or intervention and fewer file requests for districts meeting requirements. She said the department can review up to 65 data points on an IEP and that districts must submit special education aid paperwork by July 31, with superintendent verification due by August 15. The meeting ended with continued questions about procurement, audit procedures, and how the department handles out-of-district and out-of-state placements.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> our legislative our legislative work<01:03:59.640><c> finally</c><01:04:00.640><c> we</c><01:04:
• </c><01:04:06.400><c> regarding</c><01:04:06.880><c> special</c> different legislation regarding special
• different legislation regarding special education<01:04:08.640><c> and</c><01:04:08.799><c> the</c><
• ><c> belong</c> regarding special ed does not belong regarding special ed does not belong this<01:04:
• I open the executive session on HB 121 FN, establishing local school district special education parent

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 749, which would require high schools to provide at least one hour of instruction on the nature and history of communism. The prime sponsor said the bill was prompted by concerns that students lack basic historical knowledge about communism and its effects, and argued that a short, flexible requirement could be embedded in an existing course without creating a new full class. He described communism as a totalitarian ideology and cited historical examples including the Soviet Union, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Cold War, and current events involving Russia, Ukraine, and Taiwan as reasons students should understand the topic. Members asked whether the subject is already covered in current social studies standards, whether one hour is enough, and whether the bill would apply to public, private, parochial, and charter schools. The sponsor said he did not believe communism is specifically required in current standards, that he would prefer a full course but was proposing a minimal requirement, and that he intended the bill to apply broadly to schools under the Department of Education’s umbrella, though he acknowledged the wording may need clarification for charter schools. He also said the proposal was both reactive and proactive, based on anecdotal concerns and his teaching experience. A second supporter testified that he was born in the Soviet Union and favored the bill, but suggested the instruction should emphasize critical thinking and explain both why communism can appeal to some people and why it can have harmful consequences. No vote or final committee action was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.