Transcript Highlights:

• . in-person visits many times on a daily basis.
• Time and time again, we've seen that as being a barrier to OTPs being able to operate effectively.
• This change is a long time in coming, Madam Chair.
• We have an average talk time of about 14 minutes.
• And by the time they're ready to address themselves... This issue, the time has gone by.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's time, it's commitment away from your family.
• And so, as we evolve, at times, maybe our viewpoint changes.
• She's a big-time sixth grader now. Thank you, Senator Miles.
• I asked about screening, and I had a briefing just recently.
• I believe I was serving during that time.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your time. Thank you very much.
• Happy to move the bill at the appropriate time. Okay.
• So, you know, I have a hard time sometimes trying to balance between...
• Thank you so much for your time.
• It's time we stop punishing CalWORKs working families.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee heard a long agenda of child welfare, food assistance, child care, and social services bills. Early actions included AB 308 on regional center safety training for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, AB 1049 to remove sponsor deeming from the California Food Assistance Program, AB 1201 to narrow a violent-felony bypass for family reunification services, AB 2379 to require know-your-rights training for family child care providers, AB 2429 to ease requirements in early childhood mental health consultation, AB 1755 to repeal CalWORKs’ 100-hour work penalty, AB 2478 to create a kinship family approval pathway, and AB 1969 and AB 1996 to expand coordinated cradle-to-career and child-poverty reduction efforts. The committee also began discussion of AB 1932, which would continue and strengthen community-based crisis response services. Testimony was largely in support across the hearing. Advocates, county representatives, child care providers, legal aid groups, food banks, disability organizations, and anti-poverty coalitions argued that the bills would reduce administrative barriers, improve access to benefits and services, and better protect children and families. Several authors and witnesses emphasized real-world harms from current rules, including fear of immigration enforcement, wrongful benefit denials, delayed kinship placements, and the burden of outdated eligibility requirements. On AB 1201, county welfare officials and child welfare advocates said the bill would preserve judicial discretion while allowing more parents a fair chance at reunification; on AB 2478, they said a kin-specific approval path would help place children with relatives more quickly; and on the child care bills, providers said current reimbursement and compliance systems are unsustainable. There was some committee concern about accountability and safety, especially on AB 1049 and AB 1201. One senator questioned whether removing sponsor deeming could weaken program integrity, and another raised concerns about whether narrowing the reunification bypass could expose children to unsafe environments or criminal activity. Authors and supporters responded that the bills still leave eligibility screening, judicial review, supervision, and service plans in place, and that the changes mainly remove automatic barriers or overly broad rules. Votes taken during the hearing were generally favorable: AB 308 passed 3-0 and was held on call; AB 1049 passed 2-1 and was held on call; AB 1201 passed and was held on call; AB 2379 passed 3-0 and was held on call; AB 2429 passed and was held on call; AB 1755 passed and was held on call; AB 2478 passed and was held on call; and AB 1969 and AB 1996 both passed and were held on call. The committee also noted that some bills were on the consent calendar and approved those items 3-0 while holding them open.

Transcript Highlights:

• And here is what survivors told me repeatedly, time and time again, and what this committee needs to
• That means no uniform list of what can be tested, no statewide screening levels for safety, no consistent
• We just couldn't get them in time.
• For schools, this comes at the same time they're managing significant financial pressures related to
• For schools, this comes at the same time they're managing significant financial pressures related to

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee met without a quorum at first, then later established one and heard several bills. The main discussion centered on AB 1795, which would create statewide standards for inspecting, testing, and remediating wildfire smoke damage in homes. The author and Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara argued the bill would provide science-based, health-driven rules and clearer claims handling for wildfire survivors. Consumer groups and insurers generally supported the goal but sought further amendments, warning about cost, scope, and possible conflicts with existing standards; fire survivors urged stronger protections and broader coverage. The committee ultimately voted to pass AB 1795 as amended to Appropriations, with members later adding their votes on call. The committee also heard AB 1576 on the Subsequent Injury Benefit Trust Fund, which the author said would reduce litigation and employer assessments while preserving protections for previously disabled workers. Supporters said the bill was a needed reform, while business, public entity, and insurance opponents argued it did not address the fund’s structural problems and that a trailer bill would be a better fix. AB 1576 was passed to Appropriations on a split vote, also held open for later additions. AB 1931, creating a limited lines license for utilities to offer home protection products, drew broad support and no opposition in the room; it passed to Appropriations. AB 2361, dealing with peer-to-peer vehicle-sharing platform liability, passed as amended to Appropriations after supporters said it would align liability with fault and opponents warned it could reduce accountability for serious injuries. The committee also heard AB 2098, which would require employers to allow leave for workers’ compensation medical appointments during work hours, subject to notice and business-necessity limits. Labor supporters said workers should not have to choose between treatment and their jobs, while employer and insurance groups sought narrower standards and objected to some language. AB 2098 passed to Appropriations. The consent calendar, including AB 2054, AB 2061, AB 2292, and AB 2724, was also approved and sent to Appropriations. Members repeatedly added votes after the roll was held open, and the committee adjourned after all items were processed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members and members of the audience, please silence all electronic devices at this time.
• Should you select to waive your speaking time?
• At this time.
• However, given our limited time together today, I will focus on a few key areas that are critical to
• But I mean, I've been dealing with this for a long time and there are offset for us.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I was called at that time to serve on Governor Jane D.
• Members of AZDAC, Representative, we're out of time.
• Representative, we're out of time.
• Thank you for this time.
• Thank you for this time.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and several guest introductions recognizing Disability Day at the Capitol, the Arizona Cattle Association, Nurse-Family Partnership nurses, Navajo Nation visitors, and others. Members also made personal privilege remarks on topics including a strike by ASU Aramark food service workers, Lent and Ramadan, and Black History Month. The chamber then adopted House Resolution 2006, a death resolution honoring Yvonne Glee Lyme Federson and her work with Childhelp, with a moment of respectful silence. The House resolved into Committee of the Whole and then Additional Committee of the Whole to consider several bills. HB 2089, HB 2177, HB 2258, HB 2322, HB 2786, and HB 2825 were all recommended do pass, with HB 2177, HB 2322, and HB 2825 amended. HB 2074, dealing with abortion-related language, drew extensive debate over a floor amendment that removed a life-of-the-mother exception; the amendment was adopted and the bill was then recommended do pass as amended. HB 2104 and HB 2105, both relating to county property tax assessment procedures and inspections, were amended to address assessor concerns and then recommended do pass as amended. After the committee reports were adopted, the House considered and passed several third-reading bills. HB 2173, HB 2203, HB 2223, and HB 2501 all passed 57-0. HB 2307, an emergency measure concerning dangerous and incompetent defendants and out-of-state treatment options, passed 37-20 but did not receive the required two-thirds vote to enact the emergency clause. The House then received announcements about upcoming committee meetings and adjourned until 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 19, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's been a busy time. But at the same time, we see opportunities.
• That's a prime time.
• I just pass through here from time to time, with family living in Valencia County.
• Just at the right time, we needed to hire somebody.
• The time we're recording.

Transcript Highlights:

• Orcia, for your time. And thank you, thank you for your time. And felicitations.
• Recess is not a waste of time.
• Okay, Richard Borgo, one last time, or Richard Borgault, one last time.
• Thank you for your time. Thank you for your time. Thank you. I appreciate your testimony.
• We talk about it all the time.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held a very full public hearing on the first Education Committee hearing of the session, with testimony taken on a large slate of bills, especially H. 650/S. 436 and related measures. The chairs explained the hearing rules, including two-minute testimony limits, live streaming, written testimony, and accommodations for interpreters and disabilities. The committee first heard extensive testimony on H. 460/S. 436 and later H. 650/S. 436, bills to affirm and maintain equal access to public education for all children, including immigrant students, English learners, and students with disabilities. Witnesses included parents, advocates, educators, attorneys, and state officials, many of whom described fears caused by federal policy changes and argued that Massachusetts should codify protections for school enrollment, special education, interpreter services, and due process in discipline cases. The Attorney General’s office, Mass Advocates for Children, Lawyers for Civil Rights, MIRA, the Children’s Law Center, the Disability Law/advocacy community, and others all urged favorable action, while committee members asked questions about Plyler v. Doe, manifestation determinations, interpreter qualifications, and how the bill would mirror or preserve existing federal protections at the state level. The committee also heard testimony on H. 702/S. 460, establishing an elementary and secondary school robotics grant program, which was supported as a way to expand STEM opportunities and help schools fund robotics programs. Representative Sweeney also testified on H. 713, a bill to support student participation in 4-H programming by allowing excused absences similar to those for athletics and other sanctioned activities; members noted bipartisan support and the bill’s long history. The hearing then moved to H. 543/S. 417, a recess bill requiring at least 30 minutes of free-play recess for K-8 students. Supporters included the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the League of Women Voters, educators, and parents, who emphasized recess as important for physical health, social-emotional development, attention, and academic performance, and noted that unequal local policies create disparities across districts. Several witnesses also tied recess to broader concerns about student well-being and screen time. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee simply received testimony and closed testimony on the bills as it moved through the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• This can take a long time.
• Thank you for your time.
• So, thank you for your time today. At this time, we will call...
• . times.
• It's not saying if a parent wants to go and have father-daughter time or father-son time. time or mother-son

Bills: SB12, SB1565, SB13, SJR12, SB686, SB371, SB204, SB609, SB112, SB400, SB813, SB 12, SB 13

Keywords: parental rights, education, social transitioning, diversity, equity, inclusion, school policy, student clubs, school district, grievance procedure, public education, diversity and inclusion, funding penalties, school libraries, library advisory councils, library materials, educational content, challenging materials, constitutional amendment, school choice

Transcript Highlights:

• And calculating how many of us there are, and the time, I'm going to have to time everyone at five minutes
• Perfect timing.
• time.
• OK, I'll take them one at a time.
• Thank you very much for your time.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've done it five or six times now.
• , sanction screening, and transaction monitoring.
• At the time, California was our third-largest market.
• We can chew gum and walk at the same time.
• Thank you for your time.

Bills: SB383, SB1012, SB1181, SB1705, SB2075, SB2221, SB2586, SB2864, SB2994

Keywords: SB 383, ERCOT, Texas Utilities Code, interconnection, wind power facility, offshore wind, coastal wind, nearshore wind, Gulf of America, Texas coast, three marine leagues, electric grid, transmission line, distribution facility, renewable energy, battery storage, energy storage, grid access, power grid, electric service

Summary: The committee took up a long list of pending bills before moving to several bills on the day’s posting. It reported favorably SB 438, SB 512, SB 647, SB 648, SB 715, SB 758, SB 1964, SB 2121, SB 2145, SB 2167, SB 2330, SB 2349, SB 2443, SB 2629, SB 2702, SB 1495, and SB 2268, with several of those adopted from committee substitutes. Some measures were sent to the local and uncontested calendar, while others were reported to the full Senate. Votes on the pending-business bills were generally strong, though SB 715 and SB 2330 drew recorded opposition; SB 647 and SB 648 had one member present not voting because of confusion over the deed-related bills. A major discussion centered on SB 715, which would establish a reliability standard and penalties/incentives for generation resources. Senator Sparks said the committee substitute would avoid unfairly penalizing existing dispatchable generation, allow wind and solar to qualify through storage or backup power, give the PUC flexibility to set standards and phase in the program, and exempt switchable units. Critics raised concerns that it could raise consumer costs and destabilize the market, while supporters argued it would improve reliability. The committee substitute was adopted and the bill was reported out 6-4. The committee also heard testimony on SB 2330, dealing with payroll deduction for association dues, where the author said the bill would end state involvement in dues collection except for first responders covered by meet-and-confer agreements. Members questioned why teachers and other employees were treated differently, and the bill was reported out 6-5. Other notable bills included SB 2864 on building-integrated photovoltaics, SB 1012 on sale of surplus state property, SB 2221 on fraudulent UCC filings, SB 1705 regulating cryptocurrency kiosks with licensing, transaction limits, fee caps, and a 72-hour hold, SB 1181 on combative sports licensing, SB 2586 on HOA transparency, SB 2075 as a TDLR cleanup bill, and SB 383 restricting offshore wind interconnection based on impacts to shipping, wildlife, and coastal interests. Several of these were left pending after testimony, with SB 1705 drawing both law enforcement support and industry concerns over the fee caps and limits.

Transcript Highlights:

• or full-time basis as a teacher of record in an Arkansas school.
• You can see that formula on this screen.
• All right, committee, thank you so much for your time.
• Take some time to study through the presentations.
• Take some time to study through the presentations.

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The committee received a Bureau of Legislative Research presentation on Arkansas academic standards, accountability, and achievement as part of the adequacy study. Staff reviewed how state curriculum and standards have evolved from the 1997 Public Education Act, the 2003 Quality Education Act, and the 2017 Educational Support and Accountability Act, including required course offerings, graduation requirements, career and technical education pathways, and recent additions such as success-ready pathways, Arkansas history, firearm safety, and fetal growth and development instruction. Members asked for a comparative chart showing how the laws and requirements changed over time, and staff agreed to provide one. The presentation then turned to the federal ESSA plan and Arkansas’s state accountability system. Staff explained the state’s long-term goals for 2030, including 80% proficiency in ELA and math, 52% of English learners on track to English proficiency, and 94%/97% four- and five-year graduation rates. They reviewed 2025 assessment results showing proficiency rates generally in the 30s, with English learners and students with disabilities performing lowest and white students highest. They also discussed school support and improvement categories, equitable access to educators, and report card/public reporting requirements, noting that some ESSA-related measures such as the school index, equity labs, and certain 2024 report card data were not currently available or not being calculated. Members questioned whether those ESSA commitments were being met and asked staff to follow up with DESE, including whether the legislature can revise the ESSA plan. The committee also reviewed the Arkansas Accountability Act and related assessment data. Staff described the Atlas assessment system, alternate assessments for students with significant cognitive disabilities, ELPA 21 for English learners, ACT results, and NAEP comparisons. They reported that no student group met the 80% proficiency goal in 2025, Arkansas’s ACT composite score declined slightly over time, and Arkansas generally trailed national and SREB averages on NAEP. Members asked for additional data, including historical highs and lows, the number of assessments students take by grade, dropout data, and comparisons with other states. The meeting ended with agreement to invite the Department of Education to a future meeting to answer questions about missing data, equity labs, report cards, and ESSA compliance.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> I mean, did it um, did the screen go off?
• Cuz, you know, like the screen...
• Before we do that, uh, I have kind of from time to time gone over the county because we all were very
• here on time. I know it's a busy day. here on time. I know it's a busy day.
• <00:06:20.240> the kind of from time to time gone over the kind of from time to time gone

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And a lot of times what I do is I mix in a little bit of the Spanish accent, And a lot of times what
• And I see our Senate clerk, like, stressed out all the time.
• Well, it's been my family's home for a very long time.
• Senator DeHue, would you like to introduce your guests at this time? Mr.
• I mean, we're talking about infrastructure for acequias many times.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• real-time data feed. real-time data feed.
• sky times so that when gray sky times sky times so that when gray sky times come<00:36:01.359>
• :42:08.800> of times of response, and during times of times of response, and during times of long-term
• We did this time and time square holes.
• We did this time and time and<00:59:22.319> time<00:59:22.559> again<00:59:22.960> and

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The task force met with a quorum, approved the August meeting minutes, and heard a presentation from Dr. Jerry Brosky of the Kentucky Mesonet and Kentucky Climate Center. He described the Mesonet’s statewide weather network, now with 84 stations in 78 counties, real-time data used by the National Weather Service, mobile apps, and more than a billion observations. He said recent legislative funding has allowed upgrades such as soil temperature and moisture sensors, cameras at every site, and improved communications and power systems, and has enabled expansion into new counties. He also highlighted products used for flooding, drought, and heat safety, including a wet bulb globe temperature tool being developed with the Department of Public Health. In response to questions, he said counties interested in a station should contact his center, that a station typically costs about $50,000, and that the program is already considering a second Pike County site. The committee then heard from Ryan Drain of Blue Skies and Chris McGee of the American Red Cross on long-term disaster recovery and a software platform called Darcy, short for Disaster Aware and Ready Communities Initiative. McGee explained the Red Cross’s long-term recovery work, including support for recovery groups, direct financial assistance, grantmaking, and coordination with local and federal partners. He emphasized that disasters are occurring more frequently and with repeated impacts, and shared examples from Kentucky and other states showing the need for organized recovery and storm shelter support. Drain said Darcy was developed after the 2021 Mayfield-Graves tornado recovery to replace fragmented spreadsheets and PDFs with a centralized, survivor-led system for preparedness, response, and recovery, designed to improve coordination, reduce duplication, and shorten recovery time. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond adoption of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• time.
• time.
• Now, Senate Bill 568 with the committee substitute simply integrates attention to screen time into the
• Speaker, the time for action is now.
• The time to act is right now.

Keywords: March 10, 2026 - Regular Session, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm only asking for it to be read this time. ...that the bill must be read three times.
• They're also screened.
• They're screened on a variety of levels.
• I've been around weapons for a long time.
• And time and time again, they'll say, that law passed through there and you voted for or against, or

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First time that it second time.
• that it second time. that it second time.
• . time. time.
• . time. time.
• . time. time.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• report is not substantiated or if the department has not completed its investigation within a 10-day time
• Many of these parents sacrifice time, resources, and energy to give their children the very best opportunities
• that complaint be taken into consideration, it be resolved within 10 days, and for that period of time
• Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 5582, extending a program for drug screening of applicants
• This bill removes the current sunset provision for the Department of Health Services drug screening program

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate considered and passed a series of House bills and one constitutional resolution, with several measures receiving title amendments and some taking effect immediately or on a specified date. Early action included moving House Bill 5438, concerning the foundation allowance for instructional programs, to the foot of third-reading bills. House Bill 5441, reforming the state personnel system, was amended with a Judiciary strike-and-insert technical fix, then passed 28-6 and was set to take effect July 1, 2026. House Bill 5462 on mine subsidence insurance passed unanimously, with a title amendment adopted. House Bill 5484, creating felony offenses related to denying medical treatment to sexual offense victims, also passed unanimously with a title amendment. House Bill 5515 modernizing workers’ compensation statutes passed unanimously with a title amendment, and House Bill 5527 establishing licensure and regulation for wellness reimbursement programs passed unanimously. House Bill 5528, protecting personal residential information of certain public officials, passed unanimously with a title amendment. The most extended debate centered on House Bill 5537, an education-related bill that was amended to add a child-protection provision later referred to as “Rayleigh’s law.” The amendment would bar approval of home instruction requests in certain child abuse or neglect cases until the Department of Human Services confirms the investigation is unfounded, closed, or not substantiated, or until 10 days pass without a response. Senators argued the measure was intended to protect children and not target homeschooling. After a point of order, the chair initially ruled the amended language not germane; that ruling was challenged and ultimately overruled by a 24-7 vote, allowing the amendment to remain. The bill then passed 24-7, and a title amendment was adopted. Other measures passed with little or no opposition. House Bill 5582 removed the sunset on the TANF applicant drug-screening program and passed 28-3 after a technical committee amendment. House Bill 5687 reduced the metallurgical coal severance tax over time and adjusted oil and gas tax allocations, passing 31-3. Several supplemental appropriations also passed and were made effective from passage, including funds for Homeland Security/corrections, the Adjutant General, Health, the State Road Fund, and Tourism/Culture and History. The Senate also adopted House Joint Resolution 42, which would place on the ballot a constitutional amendment increasing the homestead exemption from $20,000 to $40,000 and allowing future changes by general law. In second reading, the Senate advanced bills on workforce training reimbursements, aerospace and advanced manufacturing incentives, portable benefit accounts, literacy and science-of-reading training, school aid formula changes, and wedding venue regulation, with amendments adopted on several of them before advancement to third reading.

Transcript Highlights:

• those companies on the lower screen. those companies on the lower screen.
• <00:43:00.560> during<00:43:00.880> your uh several times during your uh several times
• I've met with some of you of times.
• Anyone who's about this a few times.
• not have as much to offer the next time not have as much to offer the next time as<01:09:58.000>

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:00:22 Forging the Future: Kentucky's National Leadership in Metals Manufacturing 00:01:33 Improvements to Kentucky’s Incentive Programs 00:52:05, 958, all

Summary: The committee met for its third interim meeting, approved the prior meeting minutes, and heard a presentation from the Metals Innovation Initiative (MI2) on Kentucky’s metals industry. Speakers described metals manufacturing and recycling as a major economic backbone for the Commonwealth, including steel, aluminum, stainless steel, and copper operations, with broad impacts across production, fabrication, supply chains, and related businesses. They emphasized that the industry supports high-paying jobs, significant capital investment in Kentucky, and is aligned with broader efforts to expand U.S. manufacturing. A central theme was workforce development. MI2 leaders said the industry faces a persistent talent gap and that current education programs do not always produce the skills needed for modern metals jobs. They argued for stronger exposure and awareness, more direct industry involvement, and a dedicated metals career pathway through high schools, area technology centers, career and technical centers, and KCTCS. They also described pilot efforts in Logan, Warren, and Carroll counties that would introduce students to metals careers in middle school, move them into credits and pathways in high school, and connect them to internships, apprenticeships, and postsecondary training. Recycling and supply-chain security were the other major topics. Testimony stressed that recycled inputs are far cheaper than raw ore extraction and that recycling is increasingly important to competitiveness, environmental performance, and keeping materials from leaving the U.S. Speakers also raised concerns about China’s large steel and aluminum capacity and said unfair trade and global market manipulation make it harder for Kentucky producers to compete. Committee members and presenters framed MI2 as a collaborative effort among industry, state government, and academia to strengthen workforce pipelines, recycling, and long-term industry growth. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.