Transcript Highlights:

• certification, registration, and licensing of various court personnel and related entities.
• Chair: OCA, the Judicial Branch Certification Commission oversees certification, registration, and licensing
• We have veterans courts, you know, right now to try to provide an alternative to incarceration.
• We have veterans courts right now to try to provide an alternative to incarceration.
• One of the alternatives is to amend the Constitution, and you and I have talked about that before.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill offers a humane, evidence-based alternative.
• This bill offers a humane, evidence-based alternative.
• Recovery is possible through alternative means.
• This is actually a less restrictive alternative to that.
• A judicial bypass is not a reasonable alternative.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a lengthy hearing on several juvenile justice and parole-related bills, with much of the testimony focused on H. 2051/S. 1087 to end lifetime parole for juveniles and emerging adults, and H. 1923 to raise the age of juvenile court jurisdiction to include 18-, 19-, and 20-year-olds. Chairs Brandy Fluker-Reid and Lydia Edwards opened the hearing by noting the large number of bills and witnesses, the need to keep testimony moving, and special procedures for incarcerated witnesses and sensitive testimony. They also acknowledged the historic nature of the hearing being chaired by two Black women attorneys. No votes were taken during the hearing itself. Many incarcerated speakers and advocates supported ending lifetime parole, arguing that young people can change, that lifetime supervision creates constant fear of technical violations, and that it undermines rehabilitation, family stability, employment, and reintegration. Several testified about their own trauma, youth, and growth in prison programs, while others emphasized the costs of decades of supervision and the racial disparities in the system. Support also came from elected officials, UTEC, the Transformational Prison Project, United Way, CPCS’s Youth Advocacy Division, the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, and others, who said juvenile systems are better suited to developmentally appropriate treatment and that the bills would improve public safety and reduce recidivism. There was also opposition, including testimony from family members of a murder victim who argued that lifetime parole should remain for serious violent crimes and that some offenders are not sufficiently rehabilitated. One virtual witness described a family tragedy involving the kidnapping and murder of her infant nephew and warned that ending lifetime parole could remove needed long-term supervision for dangerous offenders. In addition to the juvenile justice bills, the committee heard testimony on H. 1867, a bill related to continuing care for severe mental illness, and H. 2063, which would increase penalties for assaults on correction officers and other prison staff; the correction officers’ union supported H. 2063 and related safety bills. The hearing continued with many more witnesses and bill topics, but no final committee action was announced in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• As far as the additional certification for CPAs auditing government entities, there is no requirement
• Um, I don't know why that is an appropriate enforcement mechanism, and maybe there are alternatives.
• There are alternatives.
• That's perhaps a question we could ask the Department of Audit: what alternatives we could use to enforce
• certified trainers and teachers of livestock law and investigation, firearms instructors, and certification

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's Representative Joanne Ferrary's (member_12999) bill, "Death Certificate by Physician Assistant."
• Assistance to sign a death certificate.
• and my fear is that if hospitals already do not have enough staff, rural hospitals have to find alternative
• It is considered a gentler alternative. conventional treatment and is based on the idea of treating psychosis
• Recovery houses such as Soteria House, peer unrest and other crisis alternatives have really grown nationally

Transcript Highlights:

• So we'll begin with a report on the draft final report on alternative sidewalk funding study, and Rachel
• I am nonpartisan staff for the Joint Transportation Committee, the project manager for the Alternative
• The legislature directed this study to evaluate and recommend alternative methods for local governments
• mechanism that we evaluated in this study. ...which we did include as an alternative mechanism that
• Auburn has had projects delayed due to the lengthy timeline to obtain right-of-way certification.

Summary: The committee began with member introductions, then heard a presentation on a draft final report studying alternative funding mechanisms for sidewalks and related pedestrian infrastructure. Consultants said current local funding sources are insufficient, with most jurisdictions unable to complete planned sidewalk networks within 50 years. They evaluated four options: a sidewalk utility fee, a modified transportation benefit district sales tax, a new real estate excise tax option, and expanded stormwater fee use for ADA sidewalk ramps. The consultants recommended authorizing the modified TBD sales tax and new REET option, considering a sidewalk utility despite legal uncertainty, broadening any authorization to all pedestrian improvements, and not pursuing the stormwater fee option. Members asked about legal authority, fairness, revenue adequacy, and whether jurisdictions had been consulted; the presenters said state enabling legislation would likely be needed for a sidewalk utility and that fairness could be defined either by direct benefit or by need. The committee then received an update on the 2025 assessment of city transportation funding needs. The consultants reported that city transportation revenues have grown in some local and federal categories since 2019, but state revenues have remained relatively flat and smaller cities are especially affected by declining fuel tax revenues and limited tax bases. They estimated annual city transportation needs at $4.25 billion, average annual spending at $1.89 billion, and a funding gap of $2.37 billion, larger than in the prior study because of updated data, inclusion of system improvements, and higher preservation costs. Draft recommendations focused on reducing costs and improving efficiency, preserving and increasing state support, and expanding local funding options, including preservation-first spending, a permanent federal fund exchange program, streamlined review processes, better coordination with WSDOT, possible property tax flexibility, and exploration of new local tools. Members raised questions about design standards, the role of density and transit, federal compliance, and whether the report would identify specific consolidation or process changes. The committee also heard a project update on evaluating zero-emission vehicle and electrification programs funded by the Climate Commitment Act. Consultants said they had reviewed roughly 23 programs and projects across seven agencies and were now evaluating options to improve delivery, including process improvements, reorganizing programs, or consolidating governance and administrative functions. Early findings highlighted staffing shortages, duplication and variation across agencies, differing levels of risk, and the challenge of coordinating climate priorities across agencies with other core missions. Members asked about program outcomes, administrative costs, whether some programs should have exit strategies, and how to strengthen the EV Coordinating Council. Finally, WSDOT provided an implementation update on its new public-private partnership authority under SB 5801, saying work is underway to prepare governance, legal, policy, and organizational structures ahead of the January 1, 2027 effective date.

Transcript Highlights:

• That said, we think the committee could explore alternatives to some of the budget solutions and find
• It does cover the first 90 days of long-term care, but trying to think about other alternatives.
• So, have you explored alternate approaches on the asset test?
• And have you looked at other alternatives?
• Therapy, and if that doesn't work, we will have a second alternative.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There was historic funding for the positive alternative grants program prior to 2023.
• The positive alternative grants ran prior to 2023.
• And this Positive Alternatives was voted on. I... everybody, so that women had a choice.
• Is this new, or is this something that was funded as part of Positive Alternatives?
• <00:41:53.400> representative of positive alternative representative of positive alternative

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• by the legislature last year, DHS is currently working with a vendor to study and develop five alternative
• to the commissioner in 256<00:26:53.120> 9631<00:26:54.120> the<00:26:54.360> Alternative
• ><00:26:54.919> Care<00:26:55.200> delivery Senator Marty said that 256-9631, the Alternative
• was a goal of the study, and I think that this particular alternative to focus on patient-centered care
• this important work will certification this important work will help<01:15:29.360> direct<01:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Bills: SB2969, SB3263, SB2602, SB3229, SB3199, SB2550, SB2877, SB3325, SB2024, SB2614, SB2613, SB3063, SB2319, SB2800, SB2892, SB2321, SB2407, SB2805, SB2153, SB2595, SB2781, SB3233, SB2360, SB1432, SB2543, SB2599, SB3053, SB2001, SB2041, SB3247, SB3253, SB2401, SB2673, SB3067, SB411, SB2934, SB3219, SB2919, SB2239, SB2532, SB2601, SB1032, SB2446, SB2152, SB2721, SB3076, SB3140, SB2671, SB2338, SB2268, SB99, SB2930, SB3069, SB3096, SB3097, SB3090, SB2060, SB3028, SB2544, SB2069, SB2552, SB3218, SB3022, SB148, SB2259, SB2578, SB2928, SB2816, SB2580

Keywords: SB2969, Maui wildfire, Maui wildfires, wildfire exposure, Maui Health Registry, University of Hawaii, public health, biomonitoring, medical screening, mental health services, trauma recovery, disaster recovery, first responders, kupuna, children's health, medically vulnerable, environmental exposure, toxic exposure, respiratory illness, community health

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have child care certification that you might hear about.
• It includes our child care licensing, child care center, and child care certification teams, and the
• center and child care certification center and child care certification teams<00:21:16.600> um
• That slide specifically was referencing the alternate licensing report that was done by Wilder Research
• LIC seen um report um the um alternate LIC seen um report that<01:18:56.840> was<01:18:57.000

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I certification as an as an LNA Okay.
• They came out with a cosmetology certificate program.
• So our students um certificate program.
• <02:00:11.040> arbitrary required to gain certification arbitrary required to gain certification
• is still a skill-based certification is still a gate?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened a hearing on Senate Bill 185, which would add timelines to Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) investigations. Senator Howard Pearl said the bill was prompted by concerns from the New Hampshire Association of Realtors about delays at the Real Estate Commission, and he explained that the proposal would require OPLC staff to make an initial determination within 30 days and, if misconduct is found, complete an investigation within 60 days. He said the goal is to improve transparency and give consumers and licensees more timely information, while preserving the board’s adjudicatory role. He also noted that the bill had been amended to delay implementation to give OPLC time to work through its backlog. Committee members questioned how the bill would work when an investigation is incomplete and whether the board could send a case back to OPLC without a firm deadline. Pearl said the board would have discretion to continue the investigation or make a final determination, and that the bill was intended to streamline OPLC’s process rather than impose a hard cap on complex cases. OPLC Executive Director Deanna Durus and General Counsel Nicholas Fry then testified that the agency has already changed its procedures under prior legislation, including a facial review of complaints and monthly board review of dismissal memos. They said the bill would substantially alter the current structure, could conflict with existing limitation periods and board duties, and would be difficult to implement without additional staff and funding. Durus said the agency’s backlog is large, that new complaints are being triaged and prioritized, and that some urgent matters are moved ahead based on risk and statutory deadlines. She said OPLC had completed a review of about 500 backlog cases that would now be dismissed under current screening standards, and that those cases are being turned into memos for board review. Board of Medicine public member Nina Gardner testified in favor of the bill but said the backlog is significant and that the agency needs more resources to make the process work effectively. She said the board is seeing progress, but not fast enough, and suggested the bill may not go far enough without additional staffing and funding. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, SB 2512E is the judicial certification conforming bill we passed out during session.
• Members, SB 2512E is the judicial certification conforming bill we passed out during session.
• It also allows retirees in the special risk class to receive an alternative cost-of-living adjustment

Summary: The Florida Senate convened in special session for budget conference work, opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and moments of silence honoring Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy Mateer and former Senator Bill Posey. The Secretary read the joint proclamation calling the special session, which was limited to budget and related conforming legislation, including appropriations, implementing bills, collective bargaining/state employees, retirement, law enforcement radio system, health, higher education, K-12 education, government administration, correctional facilities, judges, documentary stamp tax distributions, petroleum cleanup, fuel taxes, and taxation. Senators also heard Chair Hooper outline the process for moving identical Senate bills and House companion bills into conference posture. The Senate then took up and passed several Senate bills and House companion bills, generally by 32-0 votes, after adopting delete-all/insert-nothing amendments to place the Senate language onto the House vehicles. Bills addressed fuel taxes and Inland Protection Trust Fund distributions, the state agency law enforcement radio system surcharge, judicial certification, K-12 education conforming changes, retirement, higher education, health care, collective bargaining/state employees, government administration, correctional facilities financing and capital improvements, documentary stamp tax distributions, petroleum cleanup programs, and taxation. In debate on the tax bill, Leader Berman urged consideration of suspending the motor fuel tax to provide relief at the pump, but the House-passed tax bill did not pass as received, and the Senate requested conference instead. The chamber also processed the main budget measures: Senate Bill 2500E and House Bill 5001E for the General Appropriations Act, and Senate Bill 2502E and House Bill 5003E for the implementing bill. After substituting the House bills and adopting conforming amendments, the Senate passed them and requested conference. For the remaining House bills, the Senate either passed them as amended and then acceded to or requested conference on the House request. The session concluded with a motion to waive rules for publishing the Special Order Calendar for the remainder of the special session, an announcement that the Special Order Calendar Group would not meet on May 12 or 13, and adjournment upon the call of the President for committee meetings and other Senate business.

Transcript Highlights:

• specifically beginning in 2014, when we saw this mass replacement of teachers with emergency certified alternatively
• It does allow a path so when we do have a good adjunct and they're wanting to get on a path of certification
• are seeking higher level degrees like their master's degree or their elementary principal cer certifications

Bills: HB4420, HB3974, HB3016, HB3062, HB3021, HB3145, HB4128, HB3131, HB3015, HB3472, HB3453, HB1638, HB4126, HB2696, HB2710, HB3552, HB3031, HB3544, HB3521, HB4490, HB4488, HB1746, HJR1069, HB4428, HB4429, HB1170, HB3538, HB4124, HB3904, HB4106, HB2999, HB3982, HJR1077, HB3464, HB2588, HB3462, HB4440, HB3674, HB3345, HJR1067, HB4326, HB4331, HB4337, HB4338, HB4359, HB4392, HB3557, HJR1076, HB4003, HB3495, HB3497, HB3501, HB3505, HB3749, HB3011, HB4336, HB4346, HJR1087, HB3240, HB3647, HB3796, HB3969, HB3972, HB3983, HB3984, HB3989, HB3383, HB3130, HB4358, HB3327, HJR1055, HB3386, HJR1089, HB3087, HB2970, HB3314, HB4129, HB4199

Keywords: reading, intervention, literacy, education, third grade retention, teacher training, funding, Strong Readers Act, tort claims, inmate housing, government immunity, public trust, private prison, emergency legislation, vision screening, binocular vision, kindergarten, elementary education, health, firearm rights

Transcript Highlights:

• candidate electronic; HB 2375, housing zoning historic; HB 2388, appropriation commerce; HB 2393, alternative
• DCS independent; HB 2863, local tenantinal; HB 2865, prohibited possessor; HB 2869, electrician certification
• legal citizens who are asking, should I be carrying my documents, should I be carrying my birth certificate

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer by Deacon Ernie Gonzalez, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and recognition of Dr. Pamela Murphy as Doctor of the Day. Members also introduced guests, including local officials, Arizona Game and Fish commissioners, and advocates from the Alzheimer’s Association. A proclamation was read designating January 26, 2026, as Arizona Aviation Day, highlighting the industry’s economic impact and the role of airports, aerospace, and aviation-related jobs in the state. The clerk then recorded a large number of bills and resolutions for first and second reading, covering water and energy policy, education savings accounts and school choice, elections and campaign finance, veterans issues, public safety, housing, health care, immigration-related matters, and land and natural resources. Representative Gress also read a resolution recognizing National School Choice Week and praising Arizona’s school choice programs, including charter schools and empowerment scholarship accounts. A lengthy portion of the meeting consisted of members’ personal privilege remarks responding to violence and immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota and Arizona. Many members condemned ICE tactics, described fear and harm in immigrant communities, and called for constitutional rights, due process, and accountability; several requested or observed a moment of silence. No substantive floor votes on legislation were taken during the transcript beyond the motion to adjourn, which passed, and the House adjourned until 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, January 27, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am a board-certified juvenile lawyer in a field that didn't even exist as a board certification field
• The first group to receive that board certification was in 2017, and I was part of that first group.
• It's getting close to the end of its life, whether through cloud-based redesign or alternative solutions

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to reforming and addressing issues related to the Medicaid program, including the creation of an alternative
• HB 906 by Sahane relating to the temporary teaching certification of certain military service members
• on Higher Education HB 980 by relating to the required institutions of a person, sex on a birth certificate

Transcript Highlights:

• to reforming and addressing issues related to the Medicaid program, including the creation of an alternative
• subcommittee on transportation funding HB 907 966 by Sahin relating to the temporary teaching certification
• Committee on Higher Education. relating to the required institutions of a person's sex on a birth certificate

Bills: HCR21, HCR22, HCR23, HCR24, HCR25, HCR26, HCR27, HCR31, HCR41, HCR42, HCR43, HCR44, HCR45, HCR52, HCR53, HCR66, HCR67, HCR73, HR8, HR10, HR13, HR20, HR21, HR50, HR59, HR61, HR71, HR74, HR79, HR84, HR86, HR90, HR91, HR102, HR103, HR107, HR113, HR125, HR126, HR132, HR142, HR145, HR149, HR150, HR152, HR167, HR179, HR181, HR183, HR186, HR192, HR196, HR199, HR207, HR211, HR212, HR213, HR216, HR249, HR256, HR259, HR261, HR263, HR272, HR281, HR285, HR294, HR295, HR300, HR305, HR311, HR313, HR315, HR316, HR323, HR331, HR339, HR340, HR346, HR349, HR352, HR357, HR358, HR360, HR363, HR374, HR377, HCR20, HCR28, HCR30, HCR32, HCR49, HR14, HR15, HR19, HR23, HR24, HR25, HR26, HR27, HR29, HR47, HR48, HR55, HR56, HR66, HR85, HR92, HR93, HR95, HR96, HR140, HR155, HR164, HR204, HR241, HR242, HR250, HR253, HR260, HR262, HR265, HR279, HR310, HR312, HR328, HR332, HR359, HR362, HR367

Keywords: recognition, award, petroleum industry, leadership, community service, HCR 22, House Concurrent Resolution, Texas Legislature, commendation, honorary resolution, Dr. James Olson, James Olson, University of Texas Permian Basin, UT Permian Basin, psychology professor, 50 years of service, faculty recognition, academic award, Piper Professor Award, Regents' Outstanding Teaching Award

Transcript Highlights:

• passport a birth certificate passport a birth certificate naturalization<01:55:38.440> papers
• Obtaining copies of birth certificates, passports, or other official documents often requires travel
• Representative Wei: We tend to alternate.
• we just had a Democrat to we alternate we just had a Democrat ask<04:43:12.638> now<04:43:12.760
• party and if I can't do that alternate party and if I can't do that but<04:45:41.280> who<04:

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Just to recap, you just indicated that there is an alternative vehicle for ensuring that condos can get
• He asked whether there is another alternative, and whether this could be done internally, for instance
• Then, when you go to the bill, they could say, 'I'm a residential customer; here's my certificate.'
• does that make your problem certificate does that make your problem go go go away um<01:42:45.840>
• greater than 100 KW um alternating greater than 100 KW um alternating current<04:30:40.399> up

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:54:02.360> from enforcement officer certification from enforcement officer certification
• Health care sharing ministries often provide lower-cost alternatives to health insurance, but they do
• Health care sharing ministries often provide lower-cost alternatives to health insurance, but they do
• Health care sharing ministries often provide lower-cost alternatives to health insurance, but they do
• Health care sharing ministries often provide lower-cost alternatives to health insurance, but they do

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House resumed consideration of H.606 on firearm procedures and first took up Section 3 and its effective dates. A member from Northfield spoke at length in support, arguing the provision is narrowly tailored, based on actual dangerousness rather than mental illness alone, and is more limited than federal law because it applies only to specific court findings and is temporary, with rights restorable upon recovery. The House then approved Section 3 and its effective dates, approved the remainder of the Judiciary Committee report, and ordered third reading. The chamber then moved through third readings and passed H.385 on remedies and protections for victims of coerced debt, H.556 on exceptions to the state minimum wage, H.559 on the parole board, H.723 on posting of land, and H.757 on manufactured homes and limited equity cooperatives. On H.814, relating to neurological rights and AI in health and human services, the House adopted an amendment offered by the member from Burlington that required the advisory council to include proposed definitions for neurotechnology, artificial intelligence, and related terms in its report; the House Health Care Committee reported the amendment favorable 11-0-0, and the bill then passed. H.816, regulating the use of artificial intelligence in the provision of mental health services, also passed, as did H.927, technical corrections for the 2026 session. The House then took up H.930 on chronic absenteeism. The committee member from Manchester described the bill as an AOE proposal responding to high post-pandemic absenteeism rates and their impact on learning, and outlined provisions adding definitions, updating compulsory attendance language, requiring a state model policy, strengthening notification and truancy procedures, and preserving existing penalties. The member said the Education Committee heard from a wide range of education and child welfare witnesses and passed the bill 11-0. After a brief clarification on the absences section, the House proceeded toward third reading of H.930.