Transcript Highlights:

• I had a question about the open enrollment language.
• I had a question about the open enrollment language.
• to the NEPF— but there's inclusive language.
• R1 language for the revisions to the NEPF, but there's inclusive language that we think strikes the right
• Would it be a motion to amend and do pass, including the language from fiscal as well as the language

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So that is where I'm confused because if I read the language on 572 in tandem with the language on lines
• The language on lines 572 to 582.
• Then you look at the language on 572 to 582.
• I do not like the CLT language.
• I’m so glad English is my first language.

Bills: HJR 138, HB 42, HB 104, HB 129, HB 677, HB 426, HB 668, HB 1699, HB 2017, HB 2128, HB 2038, HB 3783, HB 3717, HB 2316, HB 3686, HB 2563, HB 3883, HB 4021, HB 2788, HB 2663, HB 3305, HB 3173, HB 3474, HB 1105, HB 3531, HB 3490, HB 3597, HB 1295, HB 3512, HB 3010, HB 3112, HB 4215, HB 3223, HB 3464, HB 3120, HB 4214, HB 4511, HB 3704, HB 4081, HB 4783, HB 4063, HB 2783, HB 4937, HB 5085, HB 2510, HB 3426, HB 4361, HB 1169, HB 2516, HB 2347, HB 4034, HB 4700, HB 3560, HB 5150, HB 3860, HB 3146, HB 3924, HCR 98, HCR 92, HB 1520, HB 1545, HB 5265, HB 1887, HB 1914, HB 2402, HB 2306, HB 2350, HB 3000, HB 3237, HB 3326, HB 3211, HB 1056, HB 2081, HB 2187, HB 3092, HB 3308, HB 3526, HB 3750, HB 4219, HB 4230, HB 4290, HB 5238, HB 4804, HB 4749, HB 245, HB 1465, HB 294, HB 793, HB 809, HB 3928, HB 334, HB 2037, HB 1973, HB 285, HB 4341, HB 1043, HB 1234, HB 1193, HB 1729, HB 2498, HB 1314, HB 1353, HB 3960, HB 3923, HB 2221, HB 2517, HB 2518, HB 2213, HB 5092, HB 3748, HB 5246, HB 4344, HB 1482, HB 4044, HB 2702, HB 4264, HB 2807, HB 2898, HB 3181, HB 3250, HB 2091, HB 2115, HB 2542, HB 2768, HB 3349, HB 4406, HB 1593, HB 1899, HB 3133, HB 3133, HB 4960, HB 3214, HB 2145, HB 1201, HB 5061, SB 29, SB 879, SB 65, SB 1745, SB 412, SB 412, SB 1746, SB 1238, SB 1341, SB 522, SB 1532, SB 1378, SB 1062, SB 2066, SB 1963, SB 2204, SB 1366, SB 2077, SB 1967, SB 1151, HB 1618, HB 2156, HB 2615, HB 2615, HB 2349, HB 1926, HB 569, HB 1762, HB 38, HJR 138, HB 42, HB 104, HB 104, HB 129, HB 677, HB 426, HB 668, HB 1699, HB 2017, HB 2128, HB 2038, HB 3783, HB 3717, HB 2316, HB 3686, HB 2563, HB 3883, HB 4021, HB 2788, HB 2663, HB 2663, HB 3305, HB 3173, HB 3474, HB 1105, HB 3531, HB 3531, HB 3490, HB 3490, HB 3597, HB 1295, HB 3512, HB 3010, HB 3112, HB 4215, HB 3223, HB 3223, HB 3464, HB 3120, HB 4214, HB 4511, HB 3704, HB 4081, HB 4783, HB 4063, HB 2783, HB 4937, HB 5085, HB 2510, HB 3426, HB 4361, HB 1169, HB 2516, HB 2347, HB 4034, HB 4700, HB 3560, HB 5150, HB 3860, HB 3146, HB 3924, HCR 98, HCR 92

Keywords: carbon tax, carbon emissions, greenhouse gas, climate policy, fuel tax, emissions tax, Texas Constitution, Article VIII, tax limitation, environmental tax, fossil fuels, energy policy, legislative taxing authority, ballot proposition, constitutional amendment, higher education, funding, financial allocation, state budget, Texas A&M University

Transcript Highlights:

• creating a duty with this new language creating a duty with this new language or<00:08:05.160>
• all new language.
• Is this the original language? Mr.
• It's not a DHS language.
• other bills carrying the same language. other bills carrying the same language.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh the Senate language is program.
• difference is that the Senate language difference is that the Senate language includes<00:38:04.800
• section 13, this is Senate only language section 13, this is Senate only language that<00:41:41.599
• Senate only language sections 2 to 8. Senate only language sections 2 to 8.
• :19.040> to<00:48:19.280> allow Senate language is permissive to allow Senate language

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The language here is language from the House.
• The language here is language from the House.
• The language here<00:21:22.480> is<00:21:22.799> language<00:21:23.200> from<00:
• The language here is Senate language.
• > language.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Section four requires the commissioner to report language development outcomes of target languages of
• development outcomes of target language development outcomes of target languages<00:09:20.160> of
• Sections um five and six language.
• that uh kind of recodifies that language that uh kind of recodifies that language stricken<00:15
• <00:35:08.400> identical<00:35:08.800> language 2 section two. identical language 2

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• this language to the revisor's office. this language to the revisor's office.
• Excuse me, our statutory language. Excuse me, our statutory language.
• But language.
• program language.
• program language.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• added, and the academic standards for foreign languages are identified as world languages.
• That language...
• And the academic standards for foreign languages are identified as world languages.
• Next, we have an ESSA plan a goal of 52% of English language students on track to English language proficiency
• Looking at English language proficiency, the most recent checkpoint there in 2024, 44.41% of all English-language

Summary: The committee received a lengthy Bureau of Legislative Research presentation on Arkansas academic standards, accountability systems, and adequacy requirements. Staff reviewed how state curriculum and standards have evolved from the 1997 Public Education Act through the 2003 Quality Education Act and the 2017 Educational Support and Accountability Act, including required coursework, standards for accreditation, career and technical education, graduation requirements, and recent additions such as computer science, personal finance, firearm safety, and fetal growth and development instruction. Members asked for a chart comparing the major laws and repeals over time, and staff agreed to provide one. The presentation then turned to federal ESSA requirements and Arkansas’s state accountability system. Staff explained Arkansas’s long-term goals for proficiency, English learner progress, and graduation rates, and reported 2025 ATLAS proficiency results, which remained below the 80% goal across student groups. They also reviewed English learner progress, graduation rates, school support and improvement, and equitable access to educators. Data showed gaps by subgroup and by school poverty/minority concentration, with Title I and high-poverty schools more likely to have emergency/provisional teachers and less experienced staff. Members questioned the lack of recent data for some ESSA measures, including equity labs and school index calculations, and asked staff to follow up with the Department of Education. The committee also discussed NAEP results, ACT scores, and teacher quality measures under the state accountability act. Arkansas’s NAEP performance remained below national averages in fourth- and eighth-grade reading and math, and ACT composite scores and benchmark attainment were also reviewed. Members asked for additional information on historical highs and lows, the number of assessments students take by grade, dropout data, and comparisons with other states. No formal votes were taken; the main action was agreement to request additional information from DESE and to schedule department follow-up at a future meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• removing that language.
• And it changed some language, I believe unintended language, to address the incinerators, the incinerator
• It addresses the incinerator language by reinserting the Senate's incinerator language that limits its
• County, and regarding the auxiliary container language, it reinstates that language.
• The new language intent, next question, the new language in 10-12.5-85, somewhere around lines 2035 through

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, then moved into special order and returning messages. Early floor action included passage of HB 6503 (relief for Mandy Penny Lamon by Sarasota County), HB 1123 (sewer collection systems), HB 211 (farm products), and a joint resolution on ad valorem tax exemption for agricultural tangible personal property, all approved without opposition. Several other measures were temporarily postponed before the chamber recessed and later returned to messages from the House. The Senate then took up a series of House amendments and conference-style motions on major bills. SB 180 on emergency preparedness and response was amended and concurred in after debate over hurricane recovery, local government moratoriums, evacuation timing in the Keys, and property tax and redevelopment provisions; it passed 34-1. CS/HB 1609 on waste incineration and auxiliary containers was heavily debated over plastic and polystyrene preemption, local beach and park regulations, and landfill/incinerator provisions, then passed 26-10. CS/HB 1205 on citizen initiatives was amended to allow volunteers to carry up to 25 petitions without registration/training and passed 28-9. The Senate also refused to concur in a House amendment to SB 234 on offenses against law enforcement, and in SB 116 on veterans, seeking to restore funding for veteran suicide prevention. Later, the chamber approved or advanced several education and health-related bills. CS/HB 1255 on education was amended and passed, with changes to school readiness and other education provisions. CS/HB 875 on educator preparation passed after discussion of cognitive science, classroom management, teacher excellence programs, and the phaseout of the general knowledge test. CS/HB 1105, a large education package, passed after debate over charter school conversions, cell phone restrictions, and other school governance changes. In health care, CS/HB 1427 was introduced as a comprehensive package combining multiple health-related provisions, though the excerpt ends before final action on that bill. Throughout the day, the Senate also concurred or refused to concur in various House amendments on mental health, financial institutions, land development, brownfields, and out-of-network provider legislation, with votes generally recorded and several measures passing on divided but mostly favorable roll calls.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to wrap up language.
• Wrong language. The only question I had... We're on language.
• I don't think we need language in there.
• Can I have a motion to adopt the language then?
• Okay, Charles, you have your language adoption with the additional line. language adoption with the additional

Bills: SB190, HB247, HB8

Keywords: cancer treatment, revenue bonds, Gila Regional Medical Center, Nor-Lea General Hospital, healthcare funding, capital outlay, capital projects, appropriations, reversion, encumbrance, reauthorization, reappropriation, general fund, capital development and reserve fund, tribal infrastructure project fund, Department of Finance and Administration, DFA, state board of finance, severance tax bonds, tax-exempt bonds

Transcript Highlights:

• It’s the exact same language that we voted on 52 to nothing.
• So, we’re doing strike-all language that goes back and does the same language that we did that goes to
• , which is old language.
• , section one, which is new language, section one, which is new language, section<00:04:51.759>
• And section two, which is old language.

Keywords: Veterans and Military Affairs - Room 210, 19 February, 2026; 2:00 P.M., 925, all

Summary: The committee began by having a group of student pages introduce themselves, with the chair praising them as the best group of pages he had seen in his seven sessions. He then moved quickly through the agenda, noting that four bills were on the calendar and that three had already been voted on in committee substitute form. House Bill 1076, the Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment Act, was presented as a strike-all using the same language previously approved 52-0 to place limits on claim sharks. House Bill 1084 would increase authorized military leave for training from 15 to 21 days; members were told it was double referred and would also go to Appropriations, but the language was the same as previously passed 52-0. House Bill 1085, the Mississippi National Guard Service Members Medical Readiness Act, was described as a strike-all version of the committee’s earlier Tricare-related bill, again said to be verbatim to the version previously passed 51-0. House Bill 1713 was explained in more detail as a measure to codify long-standing authority for the Mississippi National Guard to offer state-sponsored voluntary death and dismemberment insurance, up to $25,000 per person. The new language would clarify who administers the program and who is eligible, and the sponsor emphasized that the coverage is voluntary and has no fiscal note because participants would pay for it themselves. After brief questions, each bill was moved by title sufficient do pass and approved by voice vote, with the chair announcing the ayes had it. The chair also said there would be at least one more meeting later for reappointed nominations once a peer report was available, and the committee then rose and reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, what the language of this bill does and is all it really does is sort of tidy up the language of
• There's some language in bought another.
• > assessed<00:03:05.360> value changed the language from assessed value changed the language
• believe that that limitation language believe that that limitation language probably<00:09:44.800
• <00:09:56.959> So, specific language. So, specific language.

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The joint conference committee on House Bill 45 met to reconcile changes to the long-term homeowner property tax exemption. Members reviewed the original bill, which removed the exemption’s sunset, adjusted the signup/reporting date and procedures, clarified treatment for homeowners who sold one house and bought another, changed valuation language from assessed value to fair market value, and added a $3 million cap. The committee also discussed Senate amendments and a proposed cleanup amendment intended to prevent stacking the long-term homeowner exemption with a separate voter-approved homeowners’ property tax initiative if that initiative becomes law. Members asked about the difference between using “shall not qualify” versus a repealer, and were told the repealer was removed to avoid creating a trigger-bill issue if the initiative does not pass. Questions also focused on whether the catch title’s “limitation” language referred to the $3 million cap, and it was explained that the language could apply both to the cap and to the restriction on using both exemptions. One senator asked what Senate language was being deleted, and the response was that the committee was removing language that had gone too far, including a 25% exemption provision that was outside the scope of this bill and would be handled later in the interim. After discussion, the committee moved to concurrence. A roll call vote was taken, and all six members present voted aye. The committee announced concurrence and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is uh the language that committee.
• But anyway, I think I hope this language is helpful with that.
• But, um, anyway, I think I hope this language is helpful with that.
• But um language is helpful with that.
• I didn't want to see a particular cross-reference in this language.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And when I look at the language of the bill, my assumption would be that such a declaration under this
• And when I look at the language of the bill, my assumption would be that such a declaration under this
• of the bill is um how broad the language of the bill is as<00:10:59.079> it<00:10:59.360>
• Chair, the agency appreciates the language.
• Clarifying language is almost always helpful, and we certainly believe that this clarifying language

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The specific language that you're pointing to is very similar to language that we have for Legislative
• Do we have that language in this exact language in other bills?
• This exact language was in other bills.
• So this is permissive language.
• If this language were to pass and you have two districts working on an agreement, but now the language

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The committee first handled agenda management for items referred over from Joint Budget, suspending the rules to add Senate Bill 77 and later correcting an error so Senate Bill 4 could be considered instead of the initially misidentified House Bill. Members were given time to review the referred bills before votes were taken. Several other items were passed over or delayed to allow review, and the chair repeatedly noted that some measures would be taken up later in the agenda. The committee then heard a series of special language amendments and agency-related items. Representative Dalby explained a clarification to Senate Bill 31 to ensure district court installment payment plans are capped at $7.50 rather than being combined with prior $10 fees. Representative Bentley presented an amendment to Senate Bill 36 requiring the Department of Agriculture to notify local officials before certain land-purchase grants, but the amendment failed after concerns that it created a new process and could affect transactions. Bentley also proposed an amendment to Senate Bill 20 to remove Arkansas Children’s Hospital’s exemption from a hospital fee settlement; members questioned the fiscal effects on other hospitals, and the motion failed for lack of a second. Representative Pilkington’s amendments on pharmacy refills using artificial intelligence and on quarry permit notice to mayors were both not adopted, the first for lack of a second and the second for lack of a motion. The committee adopted several other amendments and heard agency testimony on fiscal effects. Senator Tucker’s amendment to Senate Bill 575, which moved certain justice-system fee revenues from special revenue to general revenue while holding agency funding harmless, was adopted after questions about revenue stability. Representative Beatty’s amendment to House Bill 1022, clarifying ADFA positions and reporting, was also adopted. Senator Johnson’s amendment to protect SNAP eligibility for participants in faith-based treatment and recovery programs was adopted, while his proposal to withhold pay from city directors absent more than 90 days was rejected. His cleanup amendment to apply majority-vote requirements to all municipal forms of government was adopted. Later, Representative Wardlaw’s amendment to allow municipalities to participate in cooperative purchasing agreements was adopted after discussion about local vendor access. The final major item discussed was Representative Mayberry and Senator Crowell’s amendment to House Bill 1007, which would increase funding for Arkansas’s ABC early childhood programs, open additional slots, and raise reimbursement rates. Supporters said the measure would help reduce waiting lists and improve kindergarten readiness; opponents argued it would divert dollars from public education funding. After debate, the amendment failed. The committee then began hearing Senator Irvin’s amendment to House Bill 107 concerning funding and operational rules for newly formed isolated school districts, with Department of Education staff explaining the proposed 90% foundation funding approach and discussing whether existing districts had sufficient funds to absorb the changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Page seven is conforming language. Page eight conforming language.
• Page nine conforming language. 10 conforming language. 11 conforming language. 12 conforming language
• language. Page nine conforming language. language.
• 15 conforming language. 15 conforming language.
• . language. language.

Bills: SF0021, SF0022, SF0054, SF0055

Keywords: stable token, liquidity, trust account, Wyoming, fund distribution, financial regulation, state commission, decentralized, nonprofit association, merger, conversion, liability, membership, governance, indemnification, banking regulation, special purpose depository institution, conversion process, Wyoming state laws, financial services

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the Senate language approach.
• The differing approaches for language.
• The state grant language regarding the lifetime credit cap takes the Senate language.
• The state grant language regarding the lifetime credit cap takes the Senate language.
• :13:59.680> uh will be amendment language uh will be amendment language uh establishing<00:14:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um we'll stand also alternate language.
• at it to see if maybe that language at it to see if maybe that language should<00:44:27.200>
• Um, does the department is okay with that language or— >> We support that language. >> It is broad and
• having them included in this language. having them included in this language.
• We'll insert language from section 3 of HB 2323 to replace language on page 11, line 2 of HB 1514.

Bills: SB3082, SB3110, SB3251

Keywords: military families, family leave, qualifying military exigency, Hawaii Revised Statutes, financial support, Hawaii National Guard, civil-military program, education, collective bargaining, exemption, SB3251, Hawaii public safety, ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Border Patrol, law enforcement hiring, state employment ban, police powers, Department of Law Enforcement, DLNR

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:05:54.039> related language uh also adopt language related language uh also adopt language
• So this omnibus e-bike language was worked out of the language that was put forward by the working group
• <01:07:55.200> was Omnibus ebike language was Omnibus ebike language was worked<01:07:56.400
• <01:10:59.239> that uh we will add language that uh we will add language that non-standing
• <01:15:19.440> for forth classifications uh language for forth classifications uh language

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation heard a 10 a.m. agenda covering a range of transportation, liability, harbor, and bicycle-related bills. Testimony was mixed on several measures: HB 263, which would exempt full-time college students from vehicle weight tax, drew opposition from the Department of Transportation and others; HB 135, authorizing general obligation bonds to purchase property on the North Shore of Oʻahu, had support; HB 860, granting immunity to the state or county for repairs on roads with disputed jurisdiction, drew support from DOT, DLNR, and the City and County of Honolulu but opposition from the Hawaii Association for Justice; and HB 996, which would abolish joint and several liability for government entities in highway-related civil actions, also drew strong opposition from the Hawaii Association for Justice and support from the Attorney General’s office and DOT. The committee also heard HB 1167, an emergency appropriation for motor carrier enforcement, and HB 1259, which would remove the need for an engineering study before reducing speed limits within 10 mph of the current limit; both had support from DOT and related groups. HB 1156 and HB 960, both related to harbor financing and capital advancement contracts, were supported by DOT, with DOT explaining that higher bond and contract ceilings were needed because project costs have increased since the limits were set decades ago. HB 142, exempting certain nonprofit community-based transportation providers from motor carrier regulation, and HB 914, creating a water carrier inflationary cost index mechanism and allowing PUC exemptions, also received support from multiple stakeholders, with the Consumer Advocacy Division noting that the inflationary adjustment issue was already active in a rate case. The committee also took testimony on several electric bicycle and micromobility bills. HB 486 would restrict where electric bicycles may operate, prohibit unsafe operation and removal of speed-limiting devices, and fund a safety education campaign; it drew opposition from the Hawaii Bicycling League and several individuals, with one supporter. HB 435 would redefine and classify electric bicycles, raise the minimum operating age, and add registration and use rules; it was supported by DOT and the Hawaii Bicycling League, with one individual opposing. HB 958 would regulate motorized bicycles and electric micromobility devices, require helmets for minors, and fund a coordinated education campaign; it drew support from the City and County of Honolulu, Council Member Tyler Dos Santos-Tam, and the Hawaii Bicycling League, but opposition from Moped Doctors and others, who argued the bill could harm the moped industry and that more study was needed. After testimony, the committee recessed and then reconvened for decision-making. In decision-making, the committee deferred HB 263 and HB 996. It passed HB 135, HB 860, HB 1167, HB 1259, HB 1156, and HB 960 with amendments, generally adopting HD1 versions, making technical changes, and setting effective dates to July 1, 3000 for the amended measures. The chair explained that HB 263 was deferred because a blanket tax exemption for one class could create inequities and a tax credit might be a better approach. HB 996 was deferred because the chair said the state’s long-standing policy of ensuring safe roads and maintaining accountability for highway design and maintenance remained important. For HB 960, the chair said the current contract caps were too low for modern harbor projects and that higher limits would improve flexibility and efficiency. The committee also noted Representative Cochran was excused for the remaining votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, we'll start with B item B1 is special language committee report. Thank you.
• Without objection, item C, 1 through 10, or all have special language.
• We'll refer all those without objection to special language.
• Seeing no objection, and those are referred to special language.
• We have bills about being filed today with special language, and special language that would be filed

Summary: The committee first took up the Special Language Committee report, which adopted nine amendments tied to Governor’s Letter 7 and HB 1005, and then approved several items for due pass as amended, including HB 101 (Department of Corrections), HB 1017 (Department of Agriculture promotion boards), HB 1009 (Department of Public Safety), and SB 10 (Department of Commerce, Division of Workforce Services). A question was raised about the $10 million unemployment insurance modernization item in SB 10, and Commerce staff said it was a continuation of a previously approved appropriation rather than a new increase. The main discussion centered on the Treasurer’s budget request, especially salary increases. Committee members questioned why the office had already received substantial raises in 2025 and whether additional funds would go to lower-paid staff or mainly to top leadership. Treasury staff said the request was intended to retain talent, that the office’s investment team manages an $11.5 billion portfolio, and that the state benefits from those returns; they also said the treasurer would be open to discussing a cap on raises. Members expressed concern that prior funds had not gone where expected and that the treasurer was not present to answer directly. Representative Lundstrum moved to hold the Treasurer’s budget until the treasurer could return and provide more information, and the motion passed. Representative Kavanaugh also asked about a $150,000 preparedness and safety appropriation, and staff said it would support IT and security upgrades related to a move from AIS to S4 HANA and a cloud-based system. The committee then batched and passed a series of supplemental and reappropriation bills, followed by individual due-pass votes on multiple House and Senate bills, all of which were approved without objection. The meeting ended with procedural guidance about filing special-language items and a request to release a hold on HB 1064, after which the committee adjourned.