Transcript Highlights:

• Rogers County Youth Services also has a program. They call it the U-Turn program.
• Rogers County Youth Services also has a program. They call it the U-Turn program.
• The next one is our CARS program. Our CARS program is a community-at-risk program.
• We all have unique programs.
• as a path back so that they don't just drop from one program back into the traditional classroom, uh

Summary: The committee held an interim study on how to educate and support students with severe violent or disruptive behavior while protecting classmates, teachers, and school staff. Members framed the issue as one involving students who have often experienced trauma and may be removed from class through suspension, expulsion, or juvenile placement, but who still need a meaningful path back to school. Several legislators shared personal experiences as former educators or administrators and emphasized that schools need clearer criteria for removal and return, along with stronger support for families and staff. Dr. Michelle Butler, an alternative education director, testified that Oklahoma’s current alternative education system is not designed to serve students removed for major discipline issues because placement is generally voluntary and programs are built around students who need a different learning environment, not punitive removal. She argued for early intervention, stronger attendance enforcement, trauma screening, teacher training, and a regional or cooperative model that would combine credentialed educators, social workers, therapists, and family counselors. She also described existing programs such as Trace Academy, Rogers County Youth Services diversion programs, and the limitations of virtual-only models and current funding, saying the system lacks sufficient resources and staffing. Representatives and senators asked about funding, staffing, credentials, and whether statutes should be changed to prevent alternative education dollars from going to programs that do not provide direct services. Other testimony came from Family and Children’s Services and Mid-Del Youth and Family Services, both of which described embedded school-based mental health, crisis response, intensive outpatient services, family engagement, and juvenile diversion programs. Witnesses stressed that wraparound services, school-community partnerships, and a bridge back to the home school are essential, and that many students and families need mandatory or strongly supported participation rather than purely voluntary help. The study concluded with members noting possible next steps, including expanding or supplementing alternative education, improving early intervention, and examining participation requirements and transition supports; no votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• impacting the importance or the program impacting the importance or the program and<00:10:02.839
• is a land owner enrolled in the program is a land owner enrolled in the program and<00:53:10.119
• <00:54:12.760> and payments to partake in the program and payments to partake in the program
• <01:35:43.840> uh political contribution refund program uh political contribution refund program
• <01:36:46.679> by uh a state taxes are going to drop by uh a state taxes are going to drop

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 2437, the governor’s proposed tax bill, and first adopted the A25-Z42 amendment to put the bill in the desired shape. Commissioner Paul Marquardt of the Department of Revenue then presented the bill as part of Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan’s budget, describing it as a response to budget pressures that would make the tax system more fair and stable while supporting economic development and jobs. Marquardt walked through the bill’s major provisions. These included sustainable aviation fuel policy, repeal of K-12 education credit assignment, elimination of the political contribution refund, expansion of the research and development credit, short-line railroad infrastructure modernization, changes to the state airport fund levy, replacement of attachments and appearances with distribution systems, a narrow personal property tax exception for low-income housing tenants, reduced aquatic invasive species aid, and a 34% reduction in PILT payments. He then focused on the sales tax article, saying it would lower the statewide rate by 0.75% while expanding the base to selected professional services such as accounting, banking, brokerage, and legal services, with business-to-business transactions exempt. He said the proposal would be effective for sales and purchases after September 30, 2025, and estimated a first-year rate-cut impact of about $99 million versus $215 million from the service expansion, while arguing that most households would see a net tax cut. He also noted other changes such as landlord penalty adjustments, a 30% reduction in sustainable aviation fuel incentive payments, repeal of local government cannabis aid, and repeal of the tax filing modernization account. Public testimony began with Kyle Playford of the Financial Planning Association of Minnesota, who strongly opposed the proposed sales tax on professional services, especially financial planning. He argued that financial planning is an essential service for retirement, investment, and long-term financial security, and said the tax would raise costs for consumers, reduce access for middle-class families, small business owners, and retirees, and put Minnesota firms at a competitive disadvantage. The chair then indicated that additional public testimony would continue before member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• cut vital resources. for the most disadvantaged people, from $880 billion in cuts to the Medicaid program
• , which provides health care to our nation's poor, to hundreds of billions of dollars in health programs
• , to nutrition assistance programs that help families put food on the table.
• And the bottom 20% saw their federal tax rate drop to the lowest level in 40 years.
• It will force small businesses to drop coverage and lose employees.

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:

• You see on this chart that negligence cases dropped to 5%.
• The clearance rate for commercial premises liability cases also dropped to 5% in March of 2023.
• He said to stress the accountability of these programs.
• Let me tell you about accountability in our program, which is mirrored across the state.
• I also want to note that we are a tough love program.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it a state insurance program? What is that safety net program? So these are not state programs.
• These are actually programs... So these are not state programs.
• What is that safety net program? So these are not state programs.
• Page 204 is the Relay Missouri program and equipment distribution program.
• We could have dropped it down lower, but our statute requires us to drop it by half a percent.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When the legislature renewed this program during the 2023 session, program payment amounts were based
• that year are eligible for the program. that year are eligible for the program.
• Program, SNAP. Program, SNAP.
• You know, this program originally was $8 million and it was dropped to $7 million, and we worked to maintain
• our goal with the program. our goal with the program. Coach<00:21:55.679> Anderson.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2025, unfortunately, I'm afraid to admit that I think that that number is probably going to drop 15
• And when I do that, I can drop that mortgage rate to 5.5% fixed for 30 years, and by doing that, I can
• So, and for reference, if we dropped to achieve $196 per month of savings, it's the same as either dropping
• And I do want to highlight a program.
• And really give some credit where it's due: Housing New Mexico just recently rolled out a very cool program

Transcript Highlights:

• program.
• purpose credit program might address.
• Well, I'm just—oh, I think it's the CRP, the other program, not our program, that ran out of money.
• I think it's the CRP, the other program, not our program, that ran out of money.
• And there are very different programs.

Summary: The Senate Housing Committee heard a series of work-session presentations focused on transit-oriented development, commercial-to-residential redevelopment, building code implementation, housing market trends, and the Covenant Homeownership Program. The first presentation, from the Urban Institute, reviewed research on HB 1491 and TOD feasibility, arguing that Washington has made major progress but faces diverging conditions across transit areas. The presenter said rising construction costs, higher interest rates, and lower rents in some markets have made many projects less feasible, and recommended targeted infrastructure funding for lower-market communities, adjustments to MFTE and affordability requirements by local market conditions, more support for very low-income housing in high-market transit areas, minimum density standards near stations, expanded public land/joint development tools, and better tracking of TOD outcomes over time. Committee members asked about AMI calculations, immigration’s effect on construction labor, developer input, and whether a tracking mechanism had been removed from the bill. The Department of Commerce then outlined implementation of HB 1491 and demonstrated the new Washington Zoning Atlas, which is live and intended to help visualize zoning, overlays, and station-area conditions. Commerce said local governments will designate station areas, update zoning and MFTE policies, and handle anti-displacement measures, with Vancouver and Spokane first to implement and Puget Sound following later. Staff described a timeline for updated MFTE guidance, station-area implementation guidance, a TOD model ordinance, and later rulemaking on variances. The committee also heard from the Lieutenant Governor’s office on a report about converting commercial properties to housing, which found substantial potential for redevelopment on vacant or underused commercial land, especially near transit, but noted barriers such as ground-floor retail mandates, affordability requirements, infrastructure costs, private covenants, and slow implementation. The office urged by-right residential use on commercial land and faster rollout of new housing laws. The State Building Code Council updated the committee on its three-year code cycle and several legislatively directed actions, including minimum dwelling size, emergency shelters, and especially single-exit stairs and multiplex housing. Council staff said those code changes are nearing completion and will provide prescriptive solutions, while noting that elevator size and requirements were not changed and would require separate legislative direction if the committee wanted to revisit them. Members discussed the cost impacts of building and energy codes and the council said it is required to consider economic impacts and is increasingly looking at performance-based approaches. Later, the Washington Center for Real Estate Research presented its annual housing report, showing that higher mortgage rates have sharply reduced affordability, flattened house prices in many cities, and slowed single-family permitting and completions, while multifamily construction has recently cooled after a prior surge. Finally, the Washington State Housing Finance Commission reported strong first-year results for the Covenant Homeownership Program, which provides zero-interest down payment assistance to eligible first-time buyers with family ties to Washington before 1968; the program assisted 547 homebuyers in its first fiscal year, with more than $60 million loaned, and the agency said participation has continued to grow after income-limit changes enacted in 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• When do we see a drop in attendance and proficiency, and where does it start going south?
• Extremely expensive programs. I mean, the cost—it's, I mean, we really want to see it across.
• And have some consistency and lay out some programs.
• Data quality issues have affected the implementation of programs.
• I work with 900 teachers across our three state programs. Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is completely unacceptable. underwear, drive them around and drop underwear, drive them around and
• drop them<00:28:21.640> off.
• that could be extended and be an ongoing program.
• stabilization program, um since we<00:30:50.280> just<00:30:50.520> have<00:30:50.720>
• So, that is as much as we could program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They have opened the apprenticeship program.
• So, a a non-traditional program.
• > instructor They recommended dropping the instructor They recommended dropping the instructor
• Um, successful completion does program.
• And so the board still is program.

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 5 February, 2026; 8:30 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first heard from the Board of Registration for Foresters, which said it is self-funded through applications and renewals and receives no general fund support. The board requested a budget increase from $62,755 to $77,035, mainly for technology upgrades to its database and website, a social media presence, and about $3,000 more for board travel. Members asked about contractual expenses, staffing, renewals, reserves, and office location; the witness said most renewals are now online, the board has a reserve but he did not know the exact amount, and the board is leased space in the Robert E. Lee Building. No vote was taken, and the chair moved on to the next agency. The Mississippi Board of Examiners for Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists then presented its budget and operational needs. The board described its 10-member structure, three employees, and oversight of about 4,450 social workers and 210 marriage and family therapists. It explained that a prior $50,000 deficit appropriation was approved too late to spend, and asked to include that amount in the current budget for technology upgrades and equipment. The board also requested salary increases, additional travel funds, money for out-of-state compact participation, more contractual funds for database enhancements and digitizing records, and one additional computer. Members questioned the board about its large cash balance, staffing, office location, and the social work compact; the board said it has about $1 million in cash, is in leased space at Old River Place, and needs database changes to support the compact. No action or vote was taken. Finally, the Cosmetology and Barbering Board discussed major licensing and regulatory changes and its budget request. The board said it had already adopted a passing score for the licensure exam, ended the practical exam, extended testing approval periods, removed barriers to temporary work permits, and opened a path for apprenticeships, mobile establishments, and online licensing software. It also described recommendations in SB 2566, including a low-income first-license fee waiver, sanitation warnings, reduced education and instructor-hour requirements, and removal of some display requirements. The board said these changes had already led to new applications and test signups. On the budget side, it said it was withdrawing a prior request for $6,340 for practical-exam contractors because that exam was eliminated, but still sought $120,000 for certified mail, $49,000 for recruitment and retention salaries, and continued flexibility for possible live-streaming requirements under pending legislation. Senators asked whether the practical exam had been eliminated and whether the board could still ensure competency and inspections; the board said skills are still assessed through program completion and theory testing, and it asked to retain inspector positions because it oversees roughly 6,000 to 6,500 licensed shops and salons with only two inspectors.

Transcript Highlights:

• have access to pathways and programs have access to pathways and programs that<00:02:13.440>
• > promoting to award grants to programs promoting to award grants to programs promoting hands-on<
• implement and manage the funding program implement and manage the funding program through<00:02:
• >> We code a 30-second autonomous program >> We code a 30-second autonomous program that<
• programs that support that methodology. programs that support that methodology.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 44, sponsored by Representative Chris Lewis, which would create a robotics program trust fund and a robotics funding selection committee through the Kentucky Department of Education. Supporters, including Kentucky First Robotics executive director Kelly Gowen and students from Whitfield Academy, said the bill would expand hands-on robotics education in high schools, connect students to manufacturing and engineering careers, and help meet workforce needs. The proposal would fund grants for coach stipends, competition fees, kits, supplies, and related expenses, and Lewis requested a one-time $500,000 appropriation along with private contributions from manufacturers. The students demonstrated their robot and described how robotics programs teach coding, design, manufacturing, and competition skills. The committee took no questions and approved HB 44 with a favorable expression of opinion for passage on the House floor. The committee then considered House Bill 253, sponsored by Representative James Tipton, which would phase out the use of three-cueing reading instruction and require greater alignment with the science of reading. Tipton said the bill builds on the 2022 Read to Succeed law and would prohibit three cueing in public schools by the 2029-2030 school year, while also barring public university teacher prep programs from teaching it beginning in 2027-2028. He and Kentucky Department of Education officials said the bill is intended to shift instruction toward phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension, and to expand professional learning for teachers through LETRS and other options. KDE testified that enforcement would focus on support rather than punishment, using literacy coaches, regional support staff, and MTSS specialists to help districts transition. Members discussed the bill’s delayed implementation, the evidence against three cueing, and whether reading recovery should be excluded from approved interventions. Supporters cited studies and brain research they said show three cueing can hurt later reading performance, while several members emphasized the need for teacher flexibility and support. Representative Jackson noted Kentucky’s 2025 NAEP third-grade reading ranking of fourth in the nation as evidence that current efforts are helping. Representative Truett and others raised concerns about how the bill would affect classroom practice and intervention strategies, and Tipton and KDE said the goal is to align instruction with evidence-based methods rather than punish educators. The transcript ends during continued discussion of reading recovery and related instructional approaches, with no final vote on HB 253 shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Vermont Sister State Program. Vermont Sister State Program.
• This bill is designed to codify the sister-state program really for the first time and define what it
• Section one of the bill creates the sister-state program within the Agency of Commerce and Community
• So, this is would drop it back to 2,000.
• <01:57:54.240> or they have a program or they have a program or >> [clears throat] &

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's going to drop the investment return rolling smooth, the average.
• return once we drop that deferred gain off.
• If a 0.5% COLA were paid, the benefit drops down to about $5,600.
• So, again, it doesn't drop us down. It still keeps us at the 52 years.
• But then in two years, you know, that loss of 4% also drops off our books.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the only way you'll, you don't have any, well, not the only program to seek out?
• for our environmental equity and justice programs.
• for our environmental equity and justice programs.
• The first one has to do with retail crediting on exported energy in the Grid Services Program.
• <01:00:54.720> to 1020 uh relating to a program to 1020 uh relating to a program to characterize

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1077, a governor’s administration bill to increase transient accommodations tax revenue and split it between two new special funds: a climate mitigation and resiliency special fund and an economic development and revitalization special fund for tourism/resort areas. Supporters, including the Governor’s Office, recovery and resilience staff, climate and conservation groups, and several state agencies, said the bill would create a dedicated, more reliable funding stream for wildfire mitigation, coastal resilience, land clearing, infrastructure, and community-led projects. Some supporters also urged changes to the bill, including moving the fund to DLNR, adding DHHL and OHA representation, clarifying community grants, and ensuring the fund can support both state-led and community-led resilience work. The Attorney General’s office flagged a drafting issue, noting that the bill references fees deposited into the new fund even though the new chapter does not authorize fee collection, and recommended deleting that language or adding fee authority. The Climate Advisory Team representative also suggested adding DHHL to the decision-making body and requiring at-large members to have climate, resilience, conservation, or infrastructure expertise. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Kohala Coast Resort Association opposed the measure, arguing that the special fund structure does not meet statutory criteria, that the bill functions as a tax increase, and that the transient accommodations tax is not being collected equitably across all lodging types before any increase is imposed. Other opponents, including tourism and lodging interests, warned that hotels and timeshares already bear most of the tax burden and that raising the TAT could hurt an already struggling visitor industry and drive tourists away. Supporters countered that current funding is far short of what is needed and that a dedicated revenue stream is necessary to address climate impacts now. Committee members questioned why the Legislature should cede spending decisions to a separate executive-branch process, and the administration responded that the bill is intended to create a transparent, recurring mechanism for funding priorities that can be adjusted over time. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm sorry, with what program? OK.
• Um, the water table is estimated to be dropping 2 ft a year.
• They're very instrumental to our program.
• Chairman, no, our program has continued to flow.
• The great thing about our program, um, Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• program.
• program.
• program.
• . program. program.
• <03:24:35.520> in program a neutral benefit program in program a neutral benefit program in

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , the Transit Rider Investment Program, the Transit Rider Investment Program, uh<00:03:01.480>
• ><00:53:56.480> drop<00:53:56.800> out,<00:53:57.160> leaving Oh, to drop in and
• drop out, leaving Oh, to drop in and drop out, leaving your<00:53:57.640> sometimes<00:53:58.080
• be I don't think the programming could be I don't think the programming could be<01:19:26.320>
• So it's actually the same program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We drop down to 30, then we to 2028.
• services and various waiver programs. services and various waiver programs.
• comparable federal insurance program. comparable federal insurance program.
• program for credit unions. program for credit unions.
• that participate participation may drop that participate participation may drop and<02:03:04.360

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:53.920> they programs they are not one program they programs they are not one program they
• I keep talking about program, program.
• program so far? program so far?
• program and the concept of this program program and the concept of this program was<01:37:29.520
• We were told at the end of our audit that this program was no longer a current program and the program

Keywords: 912, senate, all