Transcript Highlights:

• Would this apply to someone that purchases an investment-grade cash value life insurance policy that
• <00:20:13.400> cash purchases uh an investment grade cash purchases uh an investment grade
• This bill is about leveling the playing field among nonprofit child care centers.
• 805 today this bill is about leveling 805 today this bill is about leveling the<01:03:54.799>
• I just wanted to start with leveling the playing field.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• If you count our prek to 12th grade cohorts as of prek to 12th grade cohorts as of prek to 12th grade
• school gym to cover six small middle school gym to cover six small middle school gym to cover six grades
• And when we took over, that was grades. And when we took over, that was grades.
• because we an immediate need that we had because we an immediate need that we had because we had six grades
• trying to use one gym for had six grades trying to use one gym for had six grades trying to use one

Bills: HB258, HB324, HB333, SB270, HB258, HB324, HB333, SB270

Keywords: primary election, election calendar, off-presidential year, May primary, second Tuesday in May, fourth Tuesday in May, runoff primary, special primary, presidential primary, election administration, candidate filing, ballot access, political parties, county election officials, state election law, Alabama elections, sheriffs, term of office, Alabama law, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• to congratulate my son for receiving academic excellence award yesterday for maintaining a superior grade
• award yesterday for maintaining a award yesterday for maintaining a superior<00:20:10.880> grade
• <00:20:11.120> point<00:20:11.360> average, superior grade point average, superior
• grade point average, demonstrating<00:20:12.280> leadership,<00:20:13.120> and<00:20:13.280

Bills: HB2241, HB1163, HB1514, HB1696, HB2021, SB2135, SB2466, SB2727, SB3082, SB3097, SB2861, SCR100, SB3096, SB99, SB2138, HB2289, HB2319, HB1711, HB2270, SB3138, SB3076, HB1642, HB2338, HB2171, HB1785, SB2881, HB2505, SB2552, HB1518, HB1815, SB3125, SB3234, SCR162, SB2614, SB3118, SB2053, SB2494, SB2851, SB3073, HB1678, HB1721, HB2475, HB2246, HB1667, HB1516, SB2532, SB3131, SB3154, HB2297, HB1737, SB2143, SB2398, SB2623, HB1740, HB1920, HB1682, SB2153, SB3140, HB2158, HB1718, HB2207, HB1801, SB3229, SB2338, SB3069, SB2600, HB2300, HB1800, HB1960, SB2999, SB2060, SB2866, SB2239, HB1741, HB1713, HB2023, HB2417, SB2877, SB2598, SB2921, SB2645, HB2547, HB2275, HB2452, HB2329, HB2339, HB1838, HB1509, HB1661, HB2271, HB2272, HB2344, HB1888, HB1707, SB2340, HB2474, HB1576, HB1853, HB1804, HB1854, HB2095, HB2050, HB472, SB3215, SB2247, SB2400, HB1618, HB1802, HB1969, HB1541, HB2310, HB2498, HB2443, HB2218, HB649, HB2104, HB1710, SB2802, HB1973, HB1974, HB1894, HB1891, HB1890, SB177, SB2101, SB3320, SB2487, HB2429, HB1870, HB1839, HB2583, HB1391, HB2094, SB2671, SB2673, SB2892, SB2057, SB3245, HB306, HB2592, SB3157, SB3204, SB3324, SB2580, SB2074, SB411, SB3025, SB2934, SB2567, SB2125, SB3238, SB2367, SB2599, SB3007, SB2001, SB2756, SB3029

Keywords: renewable energy, income tax credit, solar energy, wind energy, low-income households, energy policy, commercial drivers license, non-domiciled, federal regulations, commercial learner's permit, citizenship, lawful residency, Department of Transportation, workers' compensation, vocational rehabilitation, injury recovery, employment services, return to work, commercial driving, driver's license

Transcript Highlights:

• And if we could please welcome her son, her 10-year-old son, an excellent fourth grade scholar who is
• 00:01:37.680> an<00:01:38.000> excellent<00:01:38.400> fourth<00:01:38.720> grade
• <00:01:38.960> scholar son, an excellent fourth grade scholar son, an excellent fourth grade

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Monday, February 16, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with 33 members present, heard an invocation from Reverend Lauren Holder of St. Martins in the Field Episcopal Church, and received several chamber introductions and welcomes, including district-night guests, former Delegate Sam Aurora, League of Conservation Voters constituents, and a new group of pages from across the state. The presiding officer also noted that a presentation by the state archivist in the old Senate chamber would be the main event of the evening. On the legislative side, the chamber read Senate Bill 960 on Maryland’s Public Charter School Program and school facilities funding rules, which was referred to the Rules Committee. Two bond initiatives were also read and sent to the Capital Budget Subcommittee: one for Carol Classical Charter School and one for Springboard Community Services’ Youth and Training Center. House Bills 28 and 226 were received from the House and referred to the appropriate standing committees. The Senate then announced that executive nominations would likely be held until the next day so more members could be present for votes. Caucus meetings were announced for the following morning, and a Senate Pass event was promoted for Thursday evening. After a quorum call showed 38 members present, the majority leader moved that the Senate recess to the old Senate chamber in about five minutes, and the motion was adopted without objection. The chamber was secured as members prepared to move for the evening program.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I got really interested into genetics in 10th grade with the DNA fingerprinting for forensic science
• a step back, you know, my community is also really concerned about what's happening at the federal level
• concerned about what's happening at the concerned about what's happening at the federal<00:04:35.440> level
• 36.760> when<00:04:36.920> it<00:04:37.000> comes<00:04:37.200> to federal level
• So, when it comes to federal level.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: Senator Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger discussed her path from science and genetics into politics, saying her lab work showed her that research was not always translating into effective policy. She described getting involved through her union, helping pass paid parental leave for state employees, and then moving into elected office after opportunities opened up in 2022. She also said her House experience helped prepare her for the Senate by teaching her the legislative process, committee work, and relationship-building. On policy priorities, she said her district is focused on affordable health care, climate change, education, PFAS contamination and drinking water, and concerns about federal actions. She framed her agenda this session as “protect, respond, and recover,” including protecting existing laws such as paid Minnesota leave, responding to possible Medicaid and SNAP cuts, child care costs, and tariffs affecting groceries, and helping the community recover from recent ICE activity that she said disrupted public safety, businesses, and residents. She identified one specific bill effort: continuing work to ban cryptocurrency kiosk machines, which she said are being used to scam seniors. She said the idea came from the Woodbury Police Department and that she is working with House and Senate colleagues on it. She also described herself as a thoughtful, data-driven “scientist at heart” and said her butterfly earrings symbolize pollinators, native plants, and hope, as well as her own journey and the arrival of spring.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill levels the playing field when it comes to the distribution for charter schools Senator Avila
• I think you have answered the question, but let me try to put it in... ...my fourth grade language.
• This is of the TCJA and then beginning January 1st, 2027, add back the amount deducted at the federal level
• incremental change to Section 179 property, taxpayers will add back the amount deducted at the federal level
• business interest that may be deducted, taxpayers would add back the amount deducted at the federal level

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He is a sixth-grade student at Prattville and the son of Alice King.
• Yes, so the training curriculums that are approved by FEMA would be administered on the local level.
• But then their certification might not match the level required. ...the level of training that's required
• They might be certified to give some training, but they might not be certified to give the level of training

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• going to benefit from this, I mean, of course, they don't have children that are, you know, in school level
• , school grade.

Summary: The House Ways and Means Committee met in executive session with a quorum present and took up House Bill 2379, first adopting a pre-distributed House Committee Substitute with no amendments. The sponsor explained that the substitute was revised to align with Senate language and would clarify definitions, limit applicability to certain counties, rename the fund the Early Childhood Education Fund, broaden eligible uses to include child care services, move fund custody to the county treasurer, expand eligible recipients, and prioritize children with the greatest financial need. Most of the discussion focused on how the bill would work in practice. Members asked whether the measure created a new tax; the sponsor repeatedly said it did not, but instead would govern how any local sales tax for early childhood education, if approved by voters in St. Louis City or St. Louis County, would be deposited and spent. Supporters said the bill would add transparency and ensure funds are dedicated to early childhood purposes rather than diverted to general revenue or other uses. Some members raised concerns about taxpayers, including seniors, paying a tax from which they would not directly benefit, while others said the bill simply clarifies management of already authorized local tax authority. After discussion, the committee adopted the substitute by voice vote and then voted on the bill itself. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2379 was reported do pass by a roll call vote of seven ayes and two nos. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• going to benefit from this, I mean, of course, they don't have children that are, you know, in school level
• , school grade.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House Ways and Means Committee met in executive session and took up House Bill 2379, which had a House Committee Substitute. The sponsor, Rep. Cecily Williams, explained that the substitute was intended to align the bill with a Senate version and to clarify how local early childhood sales tax revenues would be handled. The bill would define key terms, limit application to certain counties, rename the fund the Early Childhood Education Fund, expand eligible uses to include child care services, move fund custody to the county treasurer, broaden the types of eligible providers, and prioritize children with the greatest financial need. Members spent much of the discussion clarifying that the bill does not create a new tax. Instead, it would require that if a city or county already authorized to seek an early childhood sales tax places the measure on the ballot and voters approve it, the revenue would be deposited into a dedicated Children’s Service Fund rather than general revenue. Supporters said this would improve transparency and ensure the money is used for early childhood education and licensed providers, while some members raised questions about whether the bill changed existing tax authority or simply redirected funds. Rep. Taylor and others expressed support for the clarified licensing and dedicated-fund provisions. The committee first adopted the House Committee Substitute by voice vote, then voted on the bill itself. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2379 was reported do pass by a roll call vote of 7 ayes and 2 noes. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Everyone, my name is Ayan Moladena, and I'm a 10th-grade high school student here in Austin.
• place at the table, a seat at the table, when we're talking about policy at the local school board level

Keywords: student advocacy, SB12, SB13, public education policy, youth engagement, marginalized communities, legislative representation

Summary: Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT) held an advocacy event at the Texas Capitol focused on youth participation in policymaking and opposition to recent education-related legislation. Speakers, including student organizers and SEAT leaders, argued that students should have a direct voice in decisions affecting public schools, curriculum, and school governance. Representative Donna Howard briefly attended to support the group, praised their advocacy, and referenced the idea that if young people are not given a seat at the table, they should “bring your own chair.” Several student speakers criticized the newly passed school vouchers bill as a threat to public education and said it would divert resources from public schools. Others opposed bills such as Senate Bill 12 and Senate Bill 13, describing them as harmful to LGBTQ+ students and inclusive education. One speaker also condemned book bans and library censorship, arguing that students need access to diverse books and truthful, inclusive curricula. The speakers framed these issues as matters of student rights, belonging, and free expression. SEAT executive director Cameron Samuels closed by describing the organization’s history of student-led activism against book bans and exclusion from school policymaking. Samuels said the group had distributed challenged books, pursued legal action over blocked internet resources, and delivered a Student Bill of Rights to superintendents and legislators. The event ended without any formal legislative vote or committee action, serving instead as a press conference and advocacy rally urging lawmakers to listen to students.

Transcript Highlights:

• Administrative code 89.1 requires that each district provide services for gifted students at all grade
• levels K through 12.

Bills: SB2053, SCR19, SCR23, SCR29

Keywords: Governor's Medal of Service, Texas award, state honor, public service recognition, Governor's office, Governor's award, Texas Government Code Chapter 3108, ceremonial award, honorary medal, state service award, local government retirees, private sector contributions, Texas Legislature recognition, gift acceptance, donations, grant funding, executive recognition, Texas Life Monument, human life, preservation

Transcript Highlights:

• Administrative code 89.1 requires that each district provide services for gifted students at all grade
• levels K through 12.

Transcript Highlights:

• In this bill, there are no standards for how a recount will be conducted at the local level, which would
• In this bill, there are no standards for how a recount will be conducted at the local level, which would
• > which<00:46:51.839> would<00:46:52.040> lead<00:46:52.319> me the local level
• uh which would lead me the local level uh which would lead me to<00:46:52.720> have<00:46:52.960
• You know, I am an engineer; my class grammarian from eighth grade is showing.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're hearing it at the national level. We're hearing it at the state level.
• We're hearing it at the national level. We're hearing it at the national level.
• we're hearing it at the local level. we're hearing it at the local level.
• graded a graded scale um because have a graded a graded scale um because of<02:37:29.040> the
• lot of um interest in the lower level lot of um interest in the lower level and<02:37:43.359>

Bills: HB0111, HB0112, HB0122

Keywords: capital construction, state funding, Wyoming, major maintenance, community colleges, task force, legislative services, budget appropriation, unexpended funds, sunset clause, healthcare, rural health, transformation program, funding, incentives, training, access, perpetuity fund, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm originally from here, and I moved back when I was probably in seventh or eighth grade to Alamo
• Mexico, at state and local levels.
• So that's a residential-level ordinance that could be applied.
• Quality monitoring at the local level.
• The monitoring video would show that there were emissions coming out at high levels.

Transcript Highlights:

• The tallest level of government in this then is the Fair Hope Public Library that's appointed by the
• government is family >> the smallest level government is family unit<01:23:37.679> and<
• The tallest level<01:23:42.719> of<01:23:42.960> government<01:23:43.600> in<01:
• of government in in this then is level of government in in this then is the<01:23:45.199> Fair
• You know, and I thought they went to that level, and I just thought that was fabulous.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And this investment was made due to increasing demand for food-grade products.
• And this investment was made due to increasing demand for food-grade products.
• So at the time, that was MnDOT's intention to spend at that level for those. deterioration.
• <01:25:13.480> Unfortunately,<01:25:14.480> as that level for those.
• Unfortunately, as that level for those.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We advocate for public policies that help prevent cancer at all levels of government.
• So I think that we, at the federal level, when the age of sale was raised to 21, wanted to make sure
• There's enforcement at the local level from many communities.
• Reading and writing for children birth through grade 12. This is, again, federal funds, $951,000.
• Level. We became aware of that in the fall. So we can't utilize space that we're paying for.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We admonish... ...people to respect their governmental leaders on every level as law-abiding citizens
• five, which is currently a level four.
• level five.
• levels to promote understanding of ...
• Senator: Senate Bill Level 4 degrades a pilot program designed to drug and...

Bills: SCR46, SB31, SB39, SB227, SB330, SB401, SB407, SB467, SB482, SB500, SB506, SB512, SB527, SB584, SB619, SB636, SB646, SB647, SB648, SB659, SB663, SB715, SB732, SB758, SB801, SB816, SB847, SB870, SB884, SB1020, SB1055, SB1065, SB1137, SB1169, SB1181, SB1283, SB1383, SB1395, SB1410, SB1433, SB1490, SB1558, SB1574, SB1626, SB1666, SB1718, SB1727, SB1756, SB1757, SB1845, SB1924, SB1964, SB1972, SB2018, SB2031, SB2075, SB2076, SB2080, SB2111, SB2117, SB2154, SB2161, SB2173, SB2206, SB2225, SB2253, SB2268, SB2314, SB2322, SB2351, SB2371, SB2476, SB2533, SB2540, SB2570, SB2589, SB2623, SB2658, SB2660, SB2692, SB2693, SB2717, SB2722, SB2753, SB2779, SB2877, SB2880, SB2900, SB2920, SB3031, HJR4, SB5, SB260, SB1786, SJR3, SJR18, SB1, SJR36, SJR50, SJR63, SJR84, SJR59, SCR12, SCR39, SCR46, SCR48, SCR19, SB2023, SB62, SB666, SB847, SB284, SB854, SB1073, SB810, SB1505, SB583, SB1502, SB507, SB1026, SB1433, SB1434, SB1376, SB1585, SB1772, SB2016, SB1163, SB619, SB1122, SB732, SB731, SB397, SB508, SB1436, SB287, SB261, SB1882, SB393, SB1791, SB529, SB209, SB2429, SB1999, SB511, SB2309, SB510, SB1924, SB2253, SB2018, SB2206, SB584, SB1085, SB1490, SB2314, SB2046, SB1975, SB2717, SB1262, SB1524, SB1137, SB636, SB2056, SB1558, SB884, SB227, SB517, SB1200, SB1410, SB1626, SB1845, SB1863, SB2681, SB2200, SB2199, SB1757, SB2050, SB2458, SB2201, SB1055, SB2660, SB2662, SB1065, SB801, SB2533, SB3014, SB3013, SB758, SB648, SB647, SB512, SB1721, SB2268, SB2366, SB1013, SB2692, SB2570, SB2797, SB2111, SB2371, SB2383, SB646, SB1169, SB1754, SB1718, SB2779, SB2004, SB1756, SB2119, SB527, SB2322, SB2448, SB1777, SB1283, SB407, SB2392, SB2076, SB2786, SB3031, SB2877, SB2876, SB2284, SB2225, SB1540, SB2920, SB2929, SB1395, SB1972, SB2540, SB2742, SB2595, SB2217, SB2117, SB715, SB2330, SB1964, SB1383, SB500, SB1640, SB2001, SB2080, SB2722, SB506, SB2514, SB2623, SB2658, SB1574, SB2900, SB2753, SB2398, SB401, SB1241, SB2927, SB2173, SB2538, SB898, SB467, SB1449, SB2529, SB1531, SB2846, SB2476, SB2031, SB986, SB1181, SB2075, SB2154, SB2864, SB31, SB2880, SB1359, SB2386, SB771, SB2844, SB2550, SB1351, SB1423, SB1931, SB2245, SB2589, SB2707, SB2807, SB2351, SB410, SB659, SB816, SB2776, SB2693, SB2580, SB1980, SB1886, SB1234, SB739, SB482, SB456, SB127, SB1666, SB2843, SB2801, SB800, SB2055, SB784, SB2986, SB735, SB1012, SB324, SB2926, SB2938, SB2007, SB2138, SB1242, HJR4, HB135, HB 1109, SCR30, SCR3, SB2615, SB1049, SB2310, SB1224, SB2972, SB1568, SB2841, SB2885, SB3016, SB2858, SB2610, SB2139, SB1856, SB2035, SB2308, SB2306, SB2041, SB1528, SB1681, SB1141, SB2401, SB2530, SB2375, SB547, SB1266, SB1373, SB1467, SB2069, SB2269, SB2480, SB2544, SB672, SB904, SB2695, SB2891, SB2422, SB2543, SB1854, SB317, SB2539, SB2532, SB2925, SB1250, SB2082, SB2203, SB457, SB2357, HCR35, HCR64, SB227, SB401, SB512, SB527, SB648, SB1490, SB1558, SB1574, SB1626, SB1756, SB1924, SB1964, SB2018, SB2031, SB2111, SB2117, SB2206, SB2570, SB2658, SB2692, SB2900, SB3031, SB407, SB1395, SB1433, SB1718, SB2322, SB2877, SR453, SR461, SJR86, SB3060, SB3061, HB18, HB26, HB36, HB37, HB48, HB 126, HB150, HB252, HB503, HB517, HB581, HB742, HB754, HB972, HB 1024, HB 1041, HB 1089, HB1442, HB1562, HB1633, HB1689, HB1690, HB1696, HB1718, HB1732, HB1741, HB2103, HB2216, HB2733, HB2884, HB2986, HB3700, SB1888, SJR86, SB3060, SB3061, HB18, HB26, HB36, HB37, HB48, HB 126, HB150, HB252, HB503, HB517, HB581, HB742, HB754, HB972, HB 1024, HB 1041, HB 1089, HB1442, HB1562, HB1633, HB1689, HB1690, HB1696, HB1718, HB1732, HB1741, HB2103, HB2216, HB2733, HB2884, HB2986, HB3700, SB1888

Keywords: Texas beef, cattle industry, agricultural heritage, Texas strip steak, economic growth, SB 31, Life of the Mother Act, Texas abortion law, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment, pregnancy complications, maternal health, life-threatening condition, ectopic pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, miscarriage, unborn child, abortion exception, abortion ban, physician liability

Transcript Highlights:

• Evidence shows no difference between doctoral-level psychologists and master's-level providers regarding
• But all that can also be administered by a master's-level or a specialist-level licensed psychological
• Evidence shows no difference between the doctoral level psychologists and master's level regarding ethical
• . view, but all that can also be administered by a master's level or a specialist level licensed psychological
• Maybe they've seen one before, you have it, or you have their grades, or you have something.

Summary: The Arkansas Legislative Autism Task Force approved the April 1, 2026 meeting minutes and then reviewed several vacant membership slots on the task force, including appointments from the Arkansas Psychology Board, Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield, UAMS, and parent or guardian positions. Members discussed trying to fill those vacancies before the next meeting, and noted that if they remain open they may be addressed in the task force’s legislative report and through possible statutory changes in the next General Assembly. Representatives from the Developmental Disabilities Provider Association (DDPA) and Civitan Services presented on DDPA’s role serving children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Arkansas. They said DDPA now represents 80 providers serving more than 13,000 individuals in 75 counties, with services including early intervention, adult day programs, supported employment, intermediate care facilities, work activities, and community/residential waiver services. They also shared survey data on older clients and said these services remain available to seniors with IDD, including people with autism. The task force then heard a proposal to amend Act 656 of 2021 to include licensed psychological practitioners as qualified providers for autism waiver-related evaluations. The presenter argued this would reduce wait times, avoid duplicate assessments, and help families access services sooner, while still maintaining quality standards. Members asked about training, licensure, and whether other professionals such as speech-language pathologists or audiologists should be included; Dr. Scott noted that current practice already relies on a two-provider model and that speech-language pathologists play a role because autism diagnosis considers communication, cognitive ability, and language. The discussion also touched on the need for proper testing standards and board oversight. No vote was taken on the amendment, and the meeting ended with plans to return to fraud-related discussion and to begin prioritizing recommendations for the 2027 session before adjourning.