Transcript Highlights:

• I recently published an op-ed in the To share what happened in that meeting.
• You'll note that both here and in the op-ed, I mentioned the lanes that our office occupies in law enforcement
• This meeting that took place on December 11, 2021, you mentioned here today and in your op-ed that at
• The person that sued the Department of Ed.
• And you knew in April, that's when the Department of Ed shut down the fraudsters.

Transcript Highlights:

• 01:36:53.320> get<01:36:53.800> Um if I get Um if I get Um Senator<01:36:55.080> Martin
• , is that is that a big Senator Martin, is that is that a big part<01:36:56.720> of<01:36:56.800
• Chair and members of the >> Senator Martin.<01:38:24.680> Thank<01:38:24.920> you
• <01:38:25.000> very<01:38:25.280> much<01:38:25.640> and >> Senator Martin
• Thank you very much and >> Senator Martin.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:31:25.600> And<01:31:25.760> then<01:31:26.000> Martin,<01:31:26.400>
• And then Martin, I'm Oh, I'm sorry.
• And then Martin, I'm sorry,<01:31:26.960> Martin<01:31:27.360> Christensen<01:31:27.840
• > Hoffer<01:31:28.400> as sorry, Martin Christensen Hoffer as sorry, Martin Christensen

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a powerful poetic form that has been circulating the internet as of late, coined by Martin Niemöller
• of late been circulating the internet as of late coined<02:14:06.079> by<02:14:06.280> Martin
• <02:14:06.559> Neer<02:14:07.119> regarding<02:14:07.480> his coined by Martin
• Neer regarding his coined by Martin Neer regarding his guilt<02:14:07.960> about<02:14:08.280

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee opened a hearing on House Bill 148, with the chair limiting testimony to two minutes and asking for no outbursts so the committee could get through eight bills that day. Representative Kofalt, the prime sponsor, said HB 148 was the same as last year’s HB 396, which passed both chambers but was vetoed by the governor. He explained the bill would allow, but not require, separation by biological sex in bathrooms, locker rooms, houses of correction, and certain athletic competitions, leaving local school boards and administrators discretion to set policies. He argued the bill was meant to address safety and privacy concerns and cited a Milford incident and concerns in several school districts as examples of why local flexibility was needed. Committee members questioned the lack of a definition of “biological sex” and how the bill would be applied. Kofalt said he did not think a definition was necessary because males and females are generally understood, and he said the bill would give local policymakers latitude to make practical rules. He also said the bill was intended to address situations where people might misuse transgender claims to access spaces inappropriately. In response to questions, he said he was aware of issues in Kearsarge, Milford, and Mascoma school districts and had heard of discomfort in the State House, though he did not know all the details. Several opponents testified that the bill would discriminate against transgender and non-binary people and create enforcement problems. Executive Councilor Karen Hill said the bill would roll back New Hampshire’s anti-discrimination protections and conflict with the state’s Live Free or Die values. Alice Wade, a trans woman, said she had used women’s restrooms without incident and argued the bill would invite invasive enforcement and harassment. Representative La Selig said the bill was discriminatory and that bathroom concerns were being confused with unrelated harassment by cisgender males. Betsy Harrington supported the bill, citing a girls’ soccer game at Kearsarge that she said was disrupted by a boy playing on a girls’ team. Rosie Emer and her child testified against the bill, saying bathroom restrictions would increase anxiety and risk for trans and non-binary children. Stephen Scaer and Wendy Stallings supported the bill, arguing sex is biologically fixed and that excluding males from female spaces should not require genital inspections. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And another clarification based on the opposition comment: I do see it does reference back to that Ed
• she said in opposition is actually already in the bill with the amendments, including that particular Ed
• But if the questions that I had were in reference to a specific Ed Code section concerning alignment,
• framework, as well as some other specific... ...with the framework, as well as some other specific Ed
• Staff and members, thank you so much for allowing me to present SB 1140 to you today in Assembly Ed.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, we will move on to Item C, presentation of Department of Ed grants from Legislative Audit.
• All right, we will move on to Item C, presentation of Department of Ed grants from Legislative Audit,
• Do our principals, superintendents, school board association, our higher ed, who we often see in here
• Warden, I know he's working with the higher eds on whatever degree...
• It's piggybacking off of what Representative Gonzalez Worthen asked about special ed.

Summary: The committee first approved the May 18 meeting minutes and then received a presentation from Legislative Audit on Arkansas Department of Education grant distributions. Auditors explained that the fiscal year 2025 report summarizes $4.6 billion in grants from state, federal, and miscellaneous sources, across school districts, charter schools, education cooperatives, and other entities, and that the report only shows amounts distributed, not how recipients ultimately used the money. Members asked about specific recipients and programs, including ClassWallet, Economics Arkansas, and CDC surveillance funding; department staff clarified that the Economics Arkansas grant is written into special language and that the CDC-related funding supports student surveys used by state agencies. Questions also focused on bonus and incentive programs such as master principal and National Board Certified teacher bonuses, with department staff saying the bonuses are generally tied to completion of the program or certification rather than classroom performance, though they would follow up on details. The committee then heard a Bureau of Legislative Research update on Consumer Price Index projections from Moody’s Analytics and S&P Global. Dr. Carlos Silva explained the difference between CPI-U and core CPI and said the estimates show inflation slowing over the forecast period, with some near-term variation between the two data providers. Members asked about the historical accuracy of prior projections, and he said the forecasts generally tend to move toward about 2 percent over time, though recent shocks have caused earlier estimates to understate actual inflation. The bulk of the meeting was devoted to the final adequacy report on teacher recruitment, retention, and salaries. BLR staff reviewed Arkansas teacher demographics, shortage areas, educator preparation pipelines, licensure exceptions, survey results from teachers and principals, and teacher support programs. They reported that Arkansas had about 32,800 teachers and 473,000 students in 2025, with an average of 11.9 years of experience and a slight increase in National Board Certified teachers. The report found shortages in multiple subject areas, especially special education, math, science, foreign language, and social studies, and identified 65 districts as high-need geographically. Survey results showed school leadership as the strongest positive factor in recruitment and retention, while workload and salary were the biggest negatives; 30 percent of responding teachers said they were considering leaving the profession. The committee also reviewed teacher salary data showing a statewide average salary of $60,254 in 2025, Arkansas ranking 45th nationally by NEA methodology, and a long-term inflation-adjusted decline in district salaries, though LEARNS Act increases improved the trend. Members asked for additional follow-up information on survey methodology, alternative licensure costs, coursework, incentives for ESL and special education endorsements, exit data, and how salary comparisons are calculated.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you so much, Ed, for all that you're doing. Further discussion? Thank you.
• all<00:14:50.600> that<00:14:50.680> you're<00:14:50.839> doing you so much Ed
• for all that you're doing you so much Ed for all that you're doing oh<00:14:51.399> thank<00:
• Um, oh, I guess, sorry, Ed, since City and County is not here, uh, real quick, just following up on that
• Ed, since City and County is not here, real quick, just following up on that: the current cost, according

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Transportation and Culture heard testimony on several transportation-related bills. HB 1422, which would exempt certain community-based organizations providing transportation services from motor carrier law, drew support from the Department of Transportation, PUC, DLNR, Kauaʻi County, the Hōnaunau Initiative, and others; members asked about narrowing amendments to prevent unintended use, and the bill later advanced with amendments, including a three-year sunset. HB 1162, requiring motorcycle instruction permit applicants to complete a DOT-approved basic rider course, received support from DOT and Honolulu Customer Services; it advanced with amendments to address city and county concerns and to allow more implementation time. HB 1259, which would remove the need for an engineering study when reducing speed limits by up to 10 mph, had mixed testimony and was deferred for further discussion. HB 1260, establishing summer streets pilot programs for counties other than Oʻahu, drew support from DOT, DOH, UH, Hawaiʻi Appleseed, bicycling and public health groups, and individuals; DOH and others asked that Oʻahu be included, but the measure was deferred for later decision-making. HB 177, making civil ID cards free, had opposition from DOT and Honolulu Customer Services and support from health advocates; DOT said the program costs about $1.3 million annually and would need replacement funding, and the bill was deferred. HB 862, authorizing motor coaches, small buses, and vans for school bus services under certain conditions, received broad support from disability advocates, DOE-related entities, neighborhood boards, and private providers, with testimony emphasizing flexibility and accessibility; it was deferred. HB 667, requiring microchip scanning and reporting when deceased cats or dogs are removed from roadways, was supported by DOT, the Hawaiian Humane Society, and many animal groups and individuals, and was passed unamended. HB 960, increasing the cap on certain DOT capital investment contracts, and HB 228, authorizing electronic license plates and banning plate-obscuring devices and flipping devices, were both heard and then deferred. HB 1156, increasing the amount of special facility revenue bonds available for harbor improvements, received support from DOT, the Island Chamber of Commerce, Alakaʻi Energy, and the Harbor Users Group, and was passed unamended to Ways and Means.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have about 18% of our students are identified in special ed or having special ed special needs
• <00:02:34.239> or<00:02:34.480> having identified in special ed or having identified
• in special ed or having special<00:02:35.040> ed<00:02:35.599> uh<00:02:35.760> special
• special ed uh special needs services. special ed uh special needs services.
• So, it's divided between special ed and gen ed at each one of the schools.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Are we trying to decrease ED visits, ED deaths?
• Are we trying to decrease ED visits, ED deaths?
• Are we trying to decrease ED visits, ED deaths?
• <01:25:17.880> deaths<01:25:18.159> are you know those those Ed deaths are you know
• those those Ed deaths are coming<01:25:18.639> down<01:25:19.040> but<01:25:19.159>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a national phenomenon where higher ed has had to quickly adapt and turn away from a notion of
• This is a national phenomenon where higher ed has had to quickly adapt and turn away from a notion of
• This is a national phenomenon where higher ed has had to quickly adapt and turn away from a notion of
• of the Gemini tool in our um Hawaii Ed of the Gemini tool in our um Hawaii Ed ha.<01:12:31.719><
• Ed domain we were able to um working ha.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I know Isabella spoke to our State Board of Higher Ed during a meeting here just a couple of months ago
• One of the themes, higher ed being slow to bring...
• One of the themes, higher ed being slow to respond to workforce needs, to industry, probably a theme
• What are the one or two things that higher ed in North Dakota could be doing better in the short term
• So when we say funding formula revenue, you're talking the higher ed funding formula.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Matt Shaver from Ed Allies. reason, the legislation should avoid reason, the legislation should avoid
• I'm Matt Shaver, senior policy director at Ed Allies.
• That transportation is depending on which of the special ed formulas the district is under; it is either
• which<00:30:40.640> of<00:30:40.799> the<00:30:40.960> special<00:30:41.200> ed
• <00:30:41.520> formulas which of the special ed formulas which of the special ed formulas

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The summary of institutions of higher ed. So the School of Math and Science— Higher ed.
• So if you'll please look at the document entitled Summary of Institutions of Higher Ed, which should
• Nick Fuller from the Division of Higher Ed.
• First of all, I just want to thank all of the agencies across the board, but especially the higher ed
• Higher ed is a little bit different. There are a number of different entities.

Summary: The committee first considered revisions to the JBC rules, which staff said were all prompted by acts passed in the 2025 legislative session. The rules were adopted without objection. Members then received a balanced budget presentation from DFA Secretary Jim Hudson on the governor’s FY27 proposal, which he said was built around three priorities: limiting state government growth, continuing investments in education, and advancing income tax cuts. He highlighted major additions for education funding, EFA growth, pay plan costs, higher education productivity funding, drug task forces, corrections medical costs, the governor’s 1033 initiative, SNAP error-rate reduction, and Medicaid sustainability, while also explaining a new A/B funding category structure intended to prioritize recurring costs and preserve room for tax cuts. Members questioned Hudson about the cost of income tax reductions, the constitutional balanced-budget requirement, education funding, the Educational Adequacy Fund, Medicaid trust fund balances, and the impact of federal changes on Medicaid and SNAP. Hudson said each tenth of a percent income tax cut would cost about $58 million, the budget remained balanced, public education would still receive historic increases, and the Medicaid trust fund would be monitored closely with additional set-asides proposed. He also said the FY27 SNAP administrative cost increase would be about $18 million. The committee then heard from the Division of Higher Education, which reported institutions were 2.61% more productive overall and that the budget recommendation followed the statutory productivity formula. Questions focused on why some institutions were receiving decreases or large increases, how the formula works, and how the new return-on-investment metric and committee composition would affect future funding. The committee approved several higher education-related actions, including personnel changes for nine institutions and special language for North Arkansas College’s move into the University of Arkansas system. Staff then walked members through the higher education appropriation summary, explaining large percentage increases at several institutions were tied to federal funds or corrected carry-forward issues, including the U of A School of Mathematical, Sciences and the Arts, South Arkansas College, SAU Tech, ASU Mountain Home, and ASU Newport. Members also discussed UAPB’s 1890 extension program and the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture’s land-grant matching funds; officials said UAPB’s recommendation was being aligned with actual spending and that the Division of Agriculture’s Smith-Lever and Hatch matches were included within its overall appropriation. The committee ultimately adopted the Higher Education Coordinating Board’s recommendations for all institutions and then moved on to the Department of Corrections section, with the chair outlining how the committee would proceed through those appropriations by section.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are Sean Van Slick, Executive Director of Sierra Donor Services; Jim Martin, CEO, Donate Life California

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, dispensed with the reading of the prior journal, and handled a large number of procedural motions, including suspending rules for guest introductions and committee notice, withdrawing AB 2595 from Appropriations, and moving ACR 110 to the inactive file. Members also noted absences for maternity leave and personal business, and the chamber recognized several birthdays and numerous visiting city officials and community groups. On the floor file, the Assembly took up several measures. AB 1673 by Assembly Member Hadwick, dealing with fish and wildlife funding for wildlife-conflict prevention, passed 62-0. ACR 143 by Assembly Member Pacheco, declaring April 19-25 as California Cities Week, was adopted with 65 coauthors added. AB 1982 by Assembly Member Lowenthal, which removes sunsets from existing anti-drink-spiking requirements for bars and nightclubs, passed 68-0. ACR 158 by Assembly Member Solache, recognizing April 2026 as Donate Life Month, was adopted with 74 coauthors added, and AB 1908 by Assembly Member McKinnor, authorizing counties to establish victim compensation funds for survivors of abuse by public agencies, passed 71-0. The Assembly also approved AB 2052 by Assembly Member Stephanie, aimed at allowing continuity of prosecution for vulnerable victims, by a 62-0 vote, and ACR 178 by Leader Flora, recognizing April 21 as National Rendering Day, with 69 coauthors added and adopted by voice vote. The second-day consent calendar, including multiple bills and resolutions, was adopted 69-0, with several items receiving unanimous urgency or resolution votes. The session concluded with an adjournment in memory of Mary Dallas Armstrong, followed by announcements of committee meetings and the next floor session scheduled for Monday, April 27 at 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Miss Martin. Mr. Matayoshi. Mr. Matayoshi. Miss Matsumoto. Mr. Miyake. Miss Morikawa. Mr. Moriwaki.

Bills: SCR21, SCR75, SCR50, SCR149, SCR47, SCR163, SCR169, SCR170

Keywords: healthcare, rural clinic, feasibility study, access to care, community health, Volcano community, Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corporation, emergency services, health assessment, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, health care, interdepartmental collaboration, public awareness, support services, education, health insurance, affordable healthcare, working group, Hawaii Health Plan, Medicaid expansion

Transcript Highlights:

• Martin? Here. Mr. Matayoshi? Here. Ms. Matsumoto? Present. Mr. Miyake? Here. Ms. Morikawa? Here.

Bills: HR206, SB3083, SB2377, SB2816, SB3248, SB2436, SB2259, SB2928, SB2577, SB2697, SB2399, SB2665, SB2851, SB3102, SB2521, SB3157, SB3255, SB3016, SB2765, SB1432, SB17, SB2401, SB2972, SB3014, SB3032, SB3137, SB847, SB2261, SB2271, SB2272, SB2804, SB3007, SB3019, SB3250, SB2603, SB3022, SB2256, SB2147, SB2014, SB2114, SB2115, SB2117, SB2246, SB2519, SB3055, SB3095, SB3144, SB3264, SB2325, SB2211, SB3245, SB2090, SB2803, SB2866, SB2250, SB2497, SB2032, SB2487, SB3136, SB2756, SB2615, SB3262, SB2024, SB2177, SB2552, SB2319, SB2407, SB2153, SB2321, SB2805, SB3010, SB2892, SB2781, SB2489, SB2174, SB2169, SB3123

Keywords: Robert Bob Toyofuku, Hawaii legal community, House Resolution, commendation, honorary resolution, legal education, continuing legal education, CLE, William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaii law school, Pacific Law Institute, attorney training, legal ethics, professional responsibility, legal mentorship, legal profession, court-annexed arbitration, alternative dispute resolution, appellate decisions, Hawaii Supreme Court

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Madam Chairman, Matt Martin with the Board of Pharmacy.

Bills: SF0121

Keywords: pharmacy, collaborative care, healthcare, prescriptions, patient safety, Wyoming Pharmacy Act, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 25:01.600> out<00:25:02.159> a And a reminder that the Senate will be closed Monday, Martin

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, led the pledge of allegiance, and approved the January 15, 2026 journal as corrected. Senate Services was reported to have correctly printed Senate Bills 3 and 9 and correctly introduced and enrolled Senate Joint Resolutions 2 and 3; the president signed the two joint resolutions and Senate Resolution 2. During announcements, Senator Pelton promoted the upcoming morning prayer breakfast. Senator Sullivan then gave a lengthy personal privilege statement reflecting on the 704th Friday since his son Alex was killed in the Aurora theater shooting, describing his annual return to the theater, the support of President Coleman and others, and his view that returning is an act of defiance and remembrance for victims of gun violence. The majority leader announced that after recess and adjournment the House MLK joint resolution would be heard on the House floor, followed by a joint session at 10:30 a.m. for the State of the Tribes address. Members were reminded the Senate would be closed Monday for Martin Luther King Day and would reconvene Tuesday, January 20 at 10 a.m. The Senate then adopted a motion to recess until 11:30 a.m. that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hersha Martins and Hayward, PC, 948 Southwest 2D 317-323, Tex. App. Dallas 1997, writ denied.

Bills: HB1193, HB2495, HB2733, HB3104, HB3395, HB4325, SB3009

Keywords: HB 1193, informal marriage, common-law marriage, declaration of informal marriage, confidentiality, privacy, county clerk, vital statistics unit, Family Code, Health and Safety Code, marriage records, public records, personally identifying information, PII, legal representative, Texas marriage law, child enrollment, parent rights, managing conservator, education

Transcript Highlights:

• Harrell: I AM SPECIFICALLY INTERESTED IN IT BECAUSE WE DO HAVE A PROBLEM IN MARTIN COUNTY.

Keywords: 999, senate, all