Bills: SB2169 , SB2263 , SB2360 , SB2359 , SB2031 , SB2796 , SB3090 , SB3091 , SB3092 , SB2120 , SB2593 , SB2751 , SB2135 , SB2024 , SB2872 , SB3179 , SB2308 , SB2392 , SB2470 , SB2398 , SB2902 , SB2841 , SB2436 , SB2806 , SB2691 , SB2824 , SB2645 , SB2384 , SB2697 , SB3153 , SB3156 , SB888 , SB2423 , SB2746

Keywords: business competitiveness, economic development, DBEDT, Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism, business climate, regulatory reform, permitting, economic ranking, state ranking, top 10 states, business climate improvement working group, business revitalization task force, CNBC America’s Top States for Business, Hawaii business climate, workforce development, infrastructure, cost of doing business, tax competitiveness, labor unions, private sector

Transcript Highlights:

• Goff on behalf of Humane World, are there any acceptable practices where physical discipline and of an
• So if a person has a dog that is barking too much or bites and they decide that the reasonable discipline
• I think a jury could decide that that was not adequate discipline.
• I think a jury could decide that that was not adequate discipline.
• of the case is better served by where the family lives, where that child is connected, where their school

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> states retain authority over discipline. states retain authority over discipline.
• </c> agreement with BOSA, the board of school agreement with BOSA, the board of school administrators
• </c> might want to work in Morehead schools might want to work in Morehead schools but<00:10:16.480><
• While our school education.
• </c> schools? Mr. Baker. schools? Mr. Baker.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• of my dear friends who's fighting cancer, his mom used to say to him every day before he left for school
• day before he used to say to him every day before he left<00:00:53.440><c> for</c><00:00:53.680><c> school
• ,</c> left for school, left for school, remember<00:00:55.760><c> John,</c><00:00:56.559><c> be</c><00
• school over the next four years while working full-time.
• ,</c> University of Maryland Law School, University of Maryland Law School, earning<00:20:58.240><c>

Keywords: House streaming session for Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with 132 members present, offered prayer, approved the previous day’s journal, and adopted a House resolution honoring United Communities Against Poverty for 60 years of service in Prince George’s County fighting poverty. The organization’s board members were recognized in the gallery. The chamber then handled introductory business, including first-reading referral of House Bills 1587-1596, two introductory House bond initiatives referred to Appropriations, and Senate Bill 25 and other Senate bills received in the House and referred to committees. The House also took up committee reports and special orders. The Economic Matters Committee reported favorably on several bills, including House Bills 236, 241, 242, 259, and 308, all of which were adopted and ordered printed for third reading. On House Bill 146 regarding on-site wastewater systems, a friendly amendment was adopted to allow repair or replacement of failed drain field components needed to meet the bill’s requirements. On House Bill 220 concerning individual water meters/submetering, a substitute amendment was adopted to strike a provision related to eviction proceedings and keep the bill aligned with existing law; the bill was then ordered printed for third reading. Members also made several announcements recognizing visiting groups and observances, including the ALS Association, Career and Technology Education Month, Economic Development Day, Developmental Disabilities Day, Alzheimer’s Advocacy Day, the start of Ramadan, and Easter season. The House heard a Black History Month-style recognition of Ethel Beh Hill and welcomed multiple delegations and student groups. Committee and subcommittee meeting announcements followed, and with 134 members present, the House remained in session before the majority leader moved adjournment until Thursday, February 19 at 10:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• was brought to my attention a few years ago that the Supreme Court does not have the authority to discipline
• to now read: Do you support an amendment granting the Louisiana Supreme Court the authority to discipline
• He was like elementary school or something, right?
• going to take a personal privilege and go out on a limb and welcome—I'm assuming that's Romo High School
• All right, do you all right, do you want to let the high school students present a bill?

Committee: House Civil Law and Procedure

Summary: The House Committee on Civil Law and Procedure met and reported a series of measures, many of them asking the Louisiana State Law Institute to study legal issues. HCR 31 was reported favorably to study the use of the term “foreign” as applied to juridical persons. HCR 61 was reported favorably after discussion about expropriation and carbon capture, with the author agreeing to broaden the study beyond carbon capture alone. HCR 96 was also reported favorably to study civil bench warrants and notice procedures in judgment debtor proceedings. The committee likewise advanced HCR 160, which asks the Law Institute to study property transfer issues and the public records doctrine in light of a recent case. Several bills dealing with court procedure and family law were heard and advanced. SB 68, a constitutional amendment to give the Louisiana Supreme Court authority to discipline out-of-state attorneys in certain circumstances, was amended and reported favorably. SB 76, concerning modification of child custody judgments, was reported with amendments after testimony that it would codify existing standards and add a five-year rule for applying the lower best-interest standard. HB 1198, which prohibits arbitration of child custody and visitation disputes and limits recognition of foreign custody laws contrary to Louisiana public policy, was reported favorably. SB 66, which prioritizes testimony from medical experts in child custody and child-in-need-of-care cases, was also reported favorably after testimony from advocates and medical groups. The committee also advanced measures involving civil litigation and state legal procedures. HCR 38, urging Congress to reform FISA and the FISA court to protect privacy rights, was reported favorably. SCR 19, asking the Law Institute to study long-duration trusts and possible revisions to the Trust Code, was reported favorably. SB 336, allowing civil investigative demands in Medicaid fraud/False Claims Act investigations, was reported favorably after explanation that it would let the Attorney General gather information without filing suit first. SB 139, adjusting interest on personal injury and wrongful death claims against the state or political subdivisions, was reported favorably. Finally, SB 475, dealing with fees for service of process, was reported favorably. HB 668 was voluntarily deferred.

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas this championship marks only the second state football title in their school history and
• the defining moment of the season came during the state semifinal matchup against Putnam City High School
• And whereas the Sand Springs Charles Page Sandites' true grit, perseverance, discipline, and dedication
• made it possible to earn the 2025 Class 6A High School Football Oklahoma State Championship.
• They help us in school, in future careers, and in life.

Summary: The House convened, completed the roll call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, and then seated Dylan Travis as the new member from House District 35 after adopting the certification motion. The chamber also received several recognitions and presentations, including the Sand Springs Charles Page Sandites for winning the Class 6A football state championship, the Mustang Lady Broncos cheer team for their 2025 state title, and visiting scouting groups for Scout Day at the Capitol. House Resolution 1033, declaring February 18, 2026, Scout Day at the Oklahoma Capitol, was adopted without objection. Members then considered and advanced several bills, mostly on veterans, military, public administration, mental health, children, and agency transparency. House Bill 3043 would let the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs hire seasonal employees during peak periods; House Bill 3078 created a voluntary donation option for ODVA through license, registration, hunting/fishing, and tax forms; House Bill 3940 made extensive changes to National Guard law, including retention funding language, benefits, discipline, and related administrative provisions; House Bill 3257 expanded state disabled-veteran benefits for certain veterans harmed by negligent VA care; House Bill 3281 required agencies to publish guidance documents and note they do not have the force of law; House Bill 417 adopted a federal definition of family resource centers while adding faith-based organizations and workforce development; House Bill 4275 allowed case managers and peer support specialists to work for cities and counties without losing certification; and House Bill 4298 allowed DHS child-care rule changes to be communicated by mail or electronically. Most measures passed with little or no debate, and several were adopted by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. Recorded votes included 97-0 for HB 3043 and HB 3078, 90-5 for HB 3940, 96-0 for HB 3257 and HB 3281, 94-0 for HB 417, 91-5 for HB 4275, and 95-0 for HB 4298. The House adjourned until Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Here's the process for any school that wants to be a nursing school.
• And in the next two to four months, they closed 14 private schools, no public schools, but private schools
• more schools, private schools, were allowed to apply.
• more schools, private schools were allowed to apply.
• approved schools, we want every school to be accredited.

Committee: Senate Health Policy

Summary: The committee heard and approved several health care bills. Senate Bill 68, by Senator Harrell, would require all hospital emergency departments to be prepared to treat children by maintaining pediatric equipment, staff training, written policies, a pediatric care coordinator, and completion/public posting of the National Pediatric Readiness Assessment. Senator Harrell said the bill is intended to improve pediatric emergency care in general hospitals, and the bill was supported by the Florida College of Emergency Physicians and the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. It passed favorably. The committee also approved Senate Bill 154, which corrects the Mobile Act for dentists and dental hygienists by requiring graduates of out-of-state dental schools seeking licensure by endorsement to have attended a CODA-accredited school. The bill drew support from dental and dental hygienist groups and passed favorably. Senate Bill 40, by Senator Sharif, would require Medicaid managed care networks to ensure at least half of primary care providers offer appointments outside regular business hours, including evenings and weekends, to improve access and reduce emergency room use; it also passed favorably. A lengthy discussion centered on Senate Bill 254, also by Senator Harrell, which would tighten oversight of nursing education programs, create a temporary provisional license and preceptorship for new graduates awaiting NCLEX results, require remediation for low-performing programs, add standardized admission and exit-exam requirements, and allow the Department of Health to inspect programs unannounced. Supporters said the bill would improve quality and help students gain experience, while opponents warned it could reduce the number of nursing programs and worsen shortages, especially among private schools. After debate and testimony from nursing and school representatives, the bill passed favorably, with Senator Davis voting no. The committee then received an OPPAGA presentation on interstate health care licensure compacts. OPPAGA reviewed how Florida uses licensure by endorsement, telehealth registration, and compacts for nurses, psychologists, and physicians, and explained the potential benefits and drawbacks of joining additional compacts, including portability, data sharing, and emergency staffing versus costs, administrative burdens, and possible conflicts with Florida scope-of-practice laws. No action was taken on the presentation, and the meeting adjourned after Senator Davis requested to be recorded in support of SB 68 and SB 154.

Transcript Highlights:

• Kentucky, when the Army allowed me the opportunity to delay my entry onto active duty to go to law school
• and oversaw military justice, operational law, fiscal law, cyber law, ethics, and all other legal disciplines
• a top priority. chain of command discipline a top priority excuse me how would you as the tag balance
• Went from there, I went to airborne school, and I learned how to jump out of airplanes, trained by these
• They also do education and intervention, so they'll go out to the schools and they try to prevent folks

Committee: Senate Director Nominations

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Most attend school in seven K through 12 public school districts scattered throughout the county and
• a K through 12 tribal school located on the Fond du Lac Reservation.
• The pride in these schools and their students is clearly visible in each of the communities that support
• For some of these communities, the schools above all else make those communities vital.
• Carlton County has a modern progressive pay program across all disciplines.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Belton School District has two large high schools and thousands of students.
• I mean, we know that discipline issues in schools are a problem.
• For lunch or maybe during school hours. I get that. I agree.
• So it's well understood, the discipline.
• Our schools, the discipline in our society today, our youth conduct and behavior is something that needs

Bills: HB1511 , HB1831 , HB1988 , HB2147 , HB2234

Committee: House S/C on Juvenile Justice

Keywords: housing, affordable housing, state regulations, zoning, local government authority, drug court, juvenile justice, diversion programs, rehabilitation, criminal justice reform, remote proceedings, depositions, virtual hearings, court technology, criminal responsibility, age of maturity, expungement, mental health services, juvenile record sealing, 1184

Transcript Highlights:

• reaches into the daily lives of New Yorkers across the state, into their homes, their jobs, Their schools
• Listening is not a formality but a discipline, because when we listen honestly, we are reminded who we
• It's kind of like the first day back at school. It's a clean slate, right?
• Navigating what comes next will require discipline, collaboration, and resolve.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and briefly closed out the 2025 legislative session by adopting a concurrent resolution on adjournment. The chamber then reopened for the 2026 session with a quorum present, a prayer by Bishop Mark O’Connell, and opening remarks from the Lieutenant Governor, Minority Leader Rob Ortt, and Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. The remarks focused on the responsibilities of the new session, the need to listen to constituents, and broad priorities such as affordability, public safety, rights protections, and working across party lines. Governor Kathy Hochul’s message requesting the Senate’s presence for the 2026 State of the State address was read and filed. In their remarks, Ortt emphasized affordability, keeping more money in New Yorkers’ pockets, energy choices, and public safety, while Stewart-Cousins highlighted rising costs for housing, groceries, utilities, health care, and child care, along with defending voting rights, equal rights, and immigrant communities. Both leaders said their conferences were prepared to work with each other and with the Governor. The Senate then adopted two organizational resolutions: one appointing Senators Bynoe and Chan to inform the Governor that the Senate was organized and ready to proceed, and another appointing Senators Ryan and Wildcat to inform the Assembly that the Senate was assembled and ready to proceed. No substantive legislation was debated, and the Senate adjourned until Monday, January 12, at 3:00 p.m., with intervening days designated as legislative days.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> schools how old is too old for a schools schools how old is too old for a schools um<00:43:22.359
• </c> School eligibility for state school School eligibility for state school building<00:59:26.599><c
• </c> school that would apply for school school that would apply for school building<01:02:54.400><c>
• 04:05:23.000><c> just</c> some schools did great some school just some schools did great some school
• to school.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on HB 366, which would increase school building aid for eligible projects. Representative Cahill, the prime sponsor, said the bill would raise the annual minimum from $50 million to $60 million and help address a long backlog of school construction and renovation needs after years of a moratorium on applications. He argued that districts forced to build during the moratorium were left to shoulder costs through local property taxes, and he cited examples such as Londonderry, Claremont, and other communities with aging or inadequate facilities. He also said the current aid structure, including paying 80% upfront and 20% at completion, concentrates too much spending at once and limits how many projects can be funded. Several committee members asked about the fairness and structure of the program. Representative Maguire questioned whether aid should be distributed more broadly to all districts rather than only a few selected projects, and Representative Luneau noted that the committee would also be considering related bills on catastrophic aid, special education aid, and the school foundation formula. Cahill responded that building aid has historically been targeted to property-poor communities and that the state should be a reliable partner in school construction. He also said the bill includes a small retroactive component for communities that built during the moratorium, which he described as a compromise. Testimony in support came from Representative Cluder, who described Claremont’s Stevens High School project as a case where a bond issue narrowly failed and the city later had to fund renovations without state aid, contributing to high property taxes. He said the bill would help property-poor communities and urged passage. Tony Weinstein of New Market also supported the bill, saying his community had serious facility and safety needs, had moved forward with scaled-back renovations during the moratorium, and still faced debt-service burdens without state participation. Robert Thompson, superintendent in Hampstead, testified that his district needs an addition for overcrowding, safety, and special education space, and said building aid would help reduce out-of-district placements and transportation costs. No vote was taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• , for med school, for plumbing, electricity, and yet nothing's really more Law school, for med school
• and surrounding schools.
• This was schools, both rural and urban, tribal, non-tribal, small schools, big schools, medium schools
• And then talking about schools—public schools, private schools, not necessarily homeschools.
• Schools are seeing the need.

Committee: Joint Protection and Victim Services Committee

Summary: The committee first approved the December 16 minutes and then heard a presentation from Dr. Ramona Danielson on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and their economic and public-system impacts. She explained that ACEs are population-level risk indicators, not individual diagnostic tools, and said higher ACE exposure is associated with more chronic illness, mental health challenges, child welfare and justice involvement, and lower workforce participation. She cautioned that precise dollar estimates are difficult because of the many interacting factors across the life course, but said the direction of the impact is clear and that evidence-based interventions and protective factors can reduce harm. Members asked about definitions of a “healthy family,” same-sex couples, divorce, substance abuse, trends in ACEs, and home visiting; she emphasized supportive relationships, protective factors, and the importance of positive childhood experiences. The committee then heard from Allison Mahoney and Missy Barranco, along with a recorded family story from Abby, about evidence-based home visiting programs in North Dakota. Abby described how Healthy Families North Dakota supported her family after a premature birth and NICU stay by providing weekly in-home coaching, developmental screenings, postpartum mental health check-ins, referrals, and parenting support. The presenters explained that home visiting is voluntary, relationship-based, and usually begins prenatally or shortly after birth, with referrals coming from hospitals, WIC, pregnancy navigators, human service zones, self-referrals, and other community partners. They said North Dakota currently has four main evidence-based models operating through 12 organizations, with Healthy Families available in all 53 counties, though only a fraction of eligible families are served. Funding was described as a patchwork of federal MIECHV/Title IV-E, Medicaid, state and tribal funds, philanthropy, charitable gaming, and other grants; members discussed whether the Legislature or agencies should expand support and how to improve outreach and sustainability. Finally, the committee received a memorandum on artificial intelligence and sexual exploitation, focusing on AI-generated child sexual abuse material, deepfakes, sextortion, and chatbot-related risks. The report summarized federal and state law, including North Dakota’s existing computer-generated image provisions, the federal PROTECT Act, the Take It Down Act, and recent federal executive orders on AI policy. Members discussed the need for child-safety protections, the limits of executive orders, and broader concerns about AI’s effect on critical thinking and misinformation. The committee then heard from BCI Special Agent Cassidy Halsef, who said AI is already driving a sharp rise in child exploitation cases in North Dakota, including AI-generated explicit images of real minors and school-based incidents involving mass-shared manipulated images. She said investigators are seeing more cyber tips, more difficult forensic work, and lasting harm to victims and families, and urged stronger legal penalties, specialized training, victim services, and prevention education in schools and communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• Working partnerships with the city of Santa Fe and with our schools.
• You have a high school intern that we have one currently at State Personnel Office.
• She was Graduating when I was in high school.
• I have friends that were interns when I was back in high school.
• the case to the Supreme Court. for discipline.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ed Howard, Senior Counsel of the Children's Advocacy Institute at the University of San Diego School
• wrongfully. ...were innocent behaviors and led to employee discipline wrongfully.
• Neb Neat-Perrier, on behalf of the California School Employees Association, in support.
• I'm with the Association of California School Administrators and also the California Association of School
• Netany Perrier on behalf of the California School Employees Association, in support.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with the main discussion focused on AB 1705, AB 1898, AB 2076, and AB 2564. AB 1705 would require pornographic websites and uploaders to certify consent and age before sexually explicit content is posted, including AI-generated nude images, and would allow civil actions by nonconsenting individuals or minors depicted in the material. Supporters, including child advocacy, women’s groups, district attorneys, and university women’s organizations, said it would help combat nonconsensual sexual imagery and revenge pornography; there was no opposition testimony, and the bill drew favorable comments from members. AB 1898 would require employers to give workers advance notice before using AI-powered tools to surveil or manage employees, including disclosure of the purpose, data collected, decisions affected, and general locations of use. Labor groups and privacy advocates supported the measure as a transparency and worker-protection bill, while business and industry groups opposed it, arguing the definitions were too broad, the notice requirements could expose proprietary or security-sensitive information, and the private right of action could lead to litigation and overbroad compliance burdens. Members raised cybersecurity and scope concerns, and the author said the bill had already been narrowed and would continue to be refined, but the committee ultimately took a roll call and advanced the bill on a vote, leaving it on call for absent members. AB 2076 would add nitrous oxide to the list of products subject to online age verification under the Parents’ Accountability and Child Protection Act and increase penalties for large sellers that fail to comply. The author and supporters, including a parent, a deputy district attorney, narcotics officers, Children Now, labor, and the Children’s Advocacy Institute, described rising youth access, health harms, and online sales loopholes. Some opposition groups said they appreciated the amendments but remained concerned about other provisions. Members questioned the bill’s gift-card restrictions and whether they would unnecessarily limit adult purchasing choices; the author and committee staff explained the restriction was aimed at anonymous purchases of the most dangerous items. The bill passed on a 7-0 vote and was left on call for absent members. AB 2564 would prohibit “surveillance pricing,” or using personal data to set individualized prices, while preserving certain transparent discounts and loyalty programs. The author and supporters from Consumer Reports, TechEquity, labor, and privacy groups argued the bill would prevent discriminatory pricing and protect consumers from opaque data-driven price manipulation. Retail, chamber, and industry opponents said the bill was too broad, could chill legitimate discounts and promotions, created compliance and litigation risks, and contained vague definitions. Members discussed the balance between consumer protection and business concerns, but the transcript cuts off before a final vote on AB 2564.

Transcript Highlights:

• So how would your feeling about vaccines affect the decision on the Board about discipline of another
• How would you come out on that discipline if a doctor required vaccinations in his or her office?
• But there is something wrong with it when it can be imposed on discipline of the tens of thousands of
• Senator Polsky: I don't think anyone would get through without you wanting to discipline someone who
• I'm very concerned about the anti-vaccine philosophy when it comes to disciplining other doctors.

Committee: Senate Ethics and Elections

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They are in Global Connections from CUNA High School.
• After high school, he went to After high school, Frank met the love of his life, Sharon Smith, through
• taught at the Coeur d'Alene Tribal School.
• taught at the Coeur d'Alene Tribal School.
• It is in the Boise School District.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas this championship marks only the second state football title in their school history and
• the defining moment of the season came during the state semifinal matchup against Putnam City High School
• And whereas the Sand Springs-Page Sandites' true grit, perseverance, discipline, and dedication made
• They help us in school, in future careers, and in life. Real-world skills and real confidence.
• They help us in school, in future careers, and in life.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• schools.
• Challenges that schools face, and to apply this disciplined approach to any problem they may encounter
• school.
• school.
• High School is our only public high school.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Education

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education heard testimony on several bills centered on school accountability, receivership, graduation requirements, charter school access, community schools, school libraries, and student voting rights. Much of the discussion focused on the Thrive Act, S. 374, which would end state receivership and change the state’s accountability approach. Supporters, including educators, parents, advocacy groups, and students, argued that receivership has not improved outcomes in districts such as Lawrence, Holyoke, Southbridge, Boston, and the Dever, and that local communities should have more control, with greater emphasis on community schools, wraparound services, and broader measures of school quality. They also supported related bills on community schools and school library standards, and several witnesses backed a bill to expand student representative voting rights on school committees. Opponents of S. 374, especially charter school leaders, parents, students, and some education advocates, focused on Section 4 of the bill, which would change the charter school net school spending cap in the lowest-performing districts. They argued that the provision would reduce access to charter seats in communities where families are seeking more options, and that schools such as Roxbury Prep, Excel Academy, Brook, Veritas Prep, and Libertas Academy have produced strong results for students, including students of color, low-income students, and students with special needs. Several witnesses said the section would force schools to shrink or close and would remove opportunities for families in districts with long waitlists. Committee members questioned witnesses on both the effectiveness of receivership and the charter school cap language. Chair Lewis and Chair Gordon emphasized the need for a better accountability system and noted concerns about whether current measures, including MCAS-based designations, accurately reflect school quality. Some witnesses said they had discussed the possibility of removing Section 4 from the Thrive Act and suggested it might be addressed in separate charter reform legislation. No votes were taken during the hearing; testimony was received and the committee later closed testimony on S. 374 and several related bills before moving on to the student voting rights bill, S. 367.

Transcript Highlights:

• exemplary school.
• ,</c> arts focused schools, arts focused schools, there<00:03:44.400><c> are</c><00:03:44.560><c> no<
• /c><00:04:34.479><c> school.
• charter school as opposed to as a state charter school as opposed to as a state agency? agency?
• Paul public schools. The technical colleges came out of the public schools in many cases.

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Keywords: 1187, senate, all