Transcript Highlights:

• HB 1358 by Leo Wilson, relating to the purchase, adoption, and use of instructional materials by public
• As Wiener relating to the requirement of school district to notify a parent of curriculum or instructional
• A private school operated by a religious organization or providing religious instruction, refer to the
• materials using funds allotted under the Instructional Materials and Technology Allotment.
• 1481 by fairly relating to the use of personal wireless communication devices by students during instructional

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, Senate Bill 2181 increases the public school instructional hours beginning in 2027 to 2028 school
• Um, Senate Bill 2181 increases the public school instructional hours beginning in 2027 to 2028 school
• Um, Senate Bill 2181 increases the public school instructional hours beginning in 2027 to 2028 school
• Thank you so the instructional hours.
• <00:47:42.000> minutes,<00:47:42.960> that's instructional minutes, that's instructional

Bills: SB3179, SB2872, SB2391, SB3282, SB2836, SB2181

Keywords: educational workers, harassment, workplace safety, temporary restraining orders, investigation procedures, retired education employees, teacher shortage, rehired retirants, entry level salary, collective bargaining agreements, pension benefits, education, teacher salaries, automatic increments, collective bargaining, teacher retention, workforce development, Pell grant program, short-term education, eligibility

Summary: The joint committee first heard SB 3179, which would require the Department of Education and charter schools to report harassment incidents involving educational workers and adopt procedures for handling them. DOE supported the bill, while the Attorney General recommended clarifying amendments to limit the measure to harassment directed at workers because of their position, to limit DOE legal assistance to temporary restraining order actions, and to clarify whether the harassment must come from outside the school system. Members also discussed whether the bill should cover non-DOE individuals on campus, whether investigations could be handled in-house, and whether training should be embedded in existing workday or school-year training rather than added as a separate requirement. The committee later voted to pass the bill with amendments as SD1. The committee then took up SB 2872, which would require retired teachers or administrators rehired into shortage or hard-to-fill positions to be paid the entry-level salary for that position. DOE supported the bill, and the Attorney General requested clarifying language about its effective date and that it would not affect already matured rights and duties. The Employees’ Retirement System administration emphasized that the bill should retain a 12-month break in service to preserve the pension system’s tax-exempt status and noted the importance of consistent classification of eligible positions. Members expressed support for using retired educators to help fill staffing gaps, but no final action was taken in the portion provided. The committee also heard SB 2391, which would provide annual step increases for public school teachers under bargaining unit 5, subject to funding. The Attorney General said the bill could conflict with collective bargaining procedures and Chapter 89, while DOE said unit 5 includes more than teachers and asked that the benefit be considered for other bargaining units as well, with funding provided if enacted. HSTA strongly supported the measure, arguing that annual step movement is already recognized in the collective bargaining agreement as a recruiting and retention tool. Testimony totals were noted as 16 in support, two in opposition, and three comments. Finally, the committee heard SB 3282, which would establish a statewide framework for the federal workforce Pell Grant program to fund short-term workforce education and training. The Attorney General suggested clarifying that the matter is one of statewide concern because UH is involved. UH and the Chamber of Commerce supported the bill, and DLIR testified that it is coordinating with DOE, the Workforce Development Council, and national groups on implementation. Members questioned whether the Workforce Development Council or DLIR should handle rulemaking and administration, and DLIR said the council is advisory while the department has grant administration expertise. The committee then moved into decision-making after discussion of possible amendments and implementation concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• HCR 166, Metcalf, instructing the enrolling clerk of the House to make corrections in HB 4187.
• HCR 168, Tepper, instructing the enrolling clerk of the House to make corrections in HB 126.
• HCR 168, Tepper, instructing the enrolling clerk of the House to make corrections in HB 126.
• So I have a question regarding the motions to instruct that I previously made to instruct the Conference
• There was a motion to instruct on the instruction provided in higher education relating to that, not

Summary: The House met in a late-session floor session that began with prayer, pledges, quorum, and a series of excused absences and Senate messages reporting action on numerous bills, conference committee appointments, and conference reports. Members also adopted a memorial resolution honoring Mark James Hanna, a Capitol lobbyist and advocate for nurses, and a congratulatory resolution for Rishi Tarumalasetti, an eighth-grade civics bee winner from Katy. The chamber also received and recorded a parliamentary colloquy about an unusual Senate request on SB 293, with the Chair stating the House could not recede from only part of its amendments and could not suspend the rules because the bill had not been returned from the Senate. The bulk of the session was devoted to taking up conference committee reports and related procedural resolutions, especially the state budget. The House adopted a resolution allowing the SB 1 conferees to go outside the normal bounds, then adopted the SB 1 conference report on a 107-21 vote. Debate on the budget centered on public education funding, tax relief, health care, corrections pay, and judicial compensation, with supporters calling it a responsible compromise and opponents arguing it was overly expansive and insufficient on property tax relief. The House also adopted a technical correction resolution tying judicial pay increases in SB 1 to the House version of SB 293, and members discussed at length the relationship between judicial salaries and legislative pensions. The chamber then adopted a long series of conference reports on measures covering topics such as school library review and book challenges (SB 13), SNAP restrictions on sweetened drinks and candy (SB 379), hospital price transparency (SB 331), nursing home accountability (SB 457), school district personnel compensation conflicts (HB 3372), property notice rules (HB 2011), research and development tax credits (SB 2018), and several other bills affecting elections, permits, education, and criminal justice. Most reports passed by wide margins, though some drew significant opposition, especially SB 13 and SB 379. The House also granted several Senate requests for conference committees and introduced additional resolutions to suspend conferee limits on various bills as the session moved toward adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also requires the State Board of Education to determine appropriate levels of instruction on
• Prescribed instruction must be descriptive and not include instruction on sexual activity, behavior,
• The bill prescribes required material that must be included in the instruction, including outlined stages
• Lastly, the bill specifies that the instruction is not sexual and may not be classified as such.
• I think it's absolutely sad that we are taking a stance in reproductive rights versus instructing our

Bills: HB2035, HB2086, HB2434, HB2611, HB2732, HB2733, HB2830, HB2923, HB2932, HB4004

Keywords: kinship care, child welfare, foster care, relative placement, child protection, vaccination mandates, mask requirements, public health, government entities, COVID-19, controlled substances, prescription monitoring, opioid crisis, healthcare regulations, patient safety, group homes, children's rights, safety protocols, employee training, mental health

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from the University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix on its new tuition-free, three-year regional medical school branch in Yuma, which is intended to address Arizona’s primary care shortage by training students in a rural setting and linking them to rural residency opportunities. Members asked about who could apply, whether out-of-state applicants were eligible, and whether graduates would be required to remain in rural Arizona; the presenter said there is no post-graduation practice commitment, but the program is designed to encourage retention through rural training and residency placement. The committee then considered several child welfare and behavioral health bills. HB 2923 would expand judicial review procedures for court-ordered mental health treatment, adding timelines, notice, counsel protections, and a clear-and-convincing standard for continued treatment; the sponsor and a retired judge said it fills gaps in a 1974 statute. HB 2035 would expand kinship foster care to extended family members, require more notice and written findings when kin placement is denied, and strengthen presumptions favoring placement with relatives or other significant adults; DCS said the bill largely reflects current policy but raised a timing concern about a required report before preliminary protective hearings. HB 2611 would create a Youth Safety Rights and Mental Health Protection Act for foster youth and group homes, adding rights related to immediate and unbiased health care, anti-bullying protections, retaliation safeguards, drug screening, and safety rules; foster youth and former foster youth testified strongly in support, while DCS was neutral and noted possible implementation and fiscal impacts. The committee also heard HB 4004, which would require DCS to investigate credible abuse or neglect reports even when one parent is considered protective, and to take protective action when warranted. Several parents testified that DCS had previously closed or minimized cases because a protective parent existed, leaving children exposed to abuse; DCS did not testify against the bill, and members later said the agency should not use the presence of a safe parent as a reason not to investigate. The committee also considered pharmacy and AHCCCS-related bills: HB 2434 would revise the controlled substances prescription monitoring program and reporting requirements; HB 2732 would continue the State Board of Pharmacy; HB 2733 would make several pharmacy regulation changes including delivery, continuing education, and change-of-ownership rules; and HB 2932 would require AHCCCS contractors to reimburse noncontracting labs referred by contracting providers, which health plans opposed as undermining managed care tools while a lab provider argued it would improve fair payment and competition. On the floor, the committee also took up HB 2086, which would prohibit government and business mask and vaccination mandates, HB 2830, which would require instruction on fetal and prenatal development and bar abortion-related curriculum materials, and HB 2035, HB 2434, HB 2611, HB 2732, HB 2733, HB 2923, HB 2932, and HB 4004. Amendments were adopted on several bills, including HB 2086, HB 2611, HB 2830, and HB 2932. Final committee votes gave HB 2035, HB 2086, HB 2434, HB 2611, HB 2732, HB 2733, HB 2830, HB 2923, HB 2932, and HB 4004 do-pass recommendations, with HB 2086, HB 2611, HB 2830, and HB 2932 reported as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, this says a fiscal note prepared by the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction.
• system while operating under a charter performance agreement with the superintendent of public instruction
• Quality and accountability is determined by the superintendent of public instruction through a review
• We'll all be seen by the Department of Public Instruction. May I ask another question?
• All of that application process that is laid out in this bill is through the Department of Public Instruction

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. The chamber received notice that the governor had signed several bills, and the Speaker appointed conference committees after the Senate failed to concur with House amendments on Senate Bills 2180 and 2330. The House also approved several sixth-order amendments without objection before moving into reconsideration and final action on House Bill 1300, which concerns legislative term limits. After procedural motions to reconsider and undo concurrence, the House voted to do not concur on HB 1300, sending it back to the chair’s lap for further negotiation. A major portion of the meeting focused on Senate Bill 2232, which changes mandatory reporting rules for prenatal exposure to controlled substances and alcohol. Supporters said the bill is intended to keep pregnant women in prenatal care by removing an automatic CPS report if a woman tests positive but enters and stays on a treatment plan; opponents argued it weakens protections for unborn children and creates vague standards for mandated reporters. The House passed the bill 57-36. The chamber also passed Senate Bill 2280 unanimously, establishing timelines and standards for prior authorization in health insurance, and passed Senate Bill 2186, which creates a civil remedy for interference with court-ordered parenting time, a child custody review task force, and related reporting requirements. The House then took up Senate Bill 2239, an apprenticeship grant program with a $1.1 million appropriation, but rejected it 14-79 after the committee said the program lacked a clear administrative home. Senate Bill 2241, creating a framework for public charter schools, generated extensive debate over school choice, local control, funding, staffing, and rural impacts; supporters emphasized flexibility and community-driven options, while opponents warned about diversion of funds and weak guardrails. The bill passed 64-29. The House also passed Senate Bill 2024, the Department of Environmental Quality budget, after discussion about federal funding uncertainty; Senate Bill 2374, updating property insurance laws and market rules; Senate Bill 2216, creating a waterfowl habitat restoration stamp; Senate Bill 2245, allowing certain duck and goose hunting from anchored floating craft; and Senate Bill 233, establishing a distressed ambulance services process, which drew questions about how affected districts and neighboring services would be involved.

Transcript Highlights:

• with a student count of at least 500 to spend at least 60% of its operational spending on direct instructional
• It also establishes a procedure for a non-compliant school district to increase its direct instructional
• through the creation of a direct school district spending fund that may be used only on direct instructional
• It also establishes a procedure for a non-compliant school district to increase its direct instructional
• through the creation of a direct school district spending fund that may be used only on direct instructional

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The meeting was a caucus review of a large slate of House and Senate bills, with staff giving short descriptions and members flagging a few concerns. Topics included veterans’ services and courts, child care grants, midwife medication authority, home- and community-based services funding, EMS reciprocity, prescription monitoring, electronic monitoring in care facilities, pregnancy resource center funding, mental health transportation, Access coverage for mild obstructive sleep apnea, school spending requirements, mobile home park training, local government investment pools, task order contract posting, tourism improvement areas, child welfare and kinship placement, neglect standards, family court evidence, prostate cancer cost sharing, assisted living hearings, manufactured home installer licensing, supervised parenting time, vulnerable adult trespass penalties, uranium contamination monitoring, a gas and petroleum refinery study committee, and state park fee exemptions for veterans. Several bills were described as unanimous or on consent, while others drew objections or were noted as controversial. Members raised privacy concerns about electronic monitoring in nursing homes, due process and rural capacity concerns about restricting police transport for mental health patients, opposition to pregnancy resource center appropriations, concerns about environmental review for power plant replacement, and questions about the Access sleep apnea mandate as potentially favoring vendors. Some bills were noted as having committee amendments, including changes to appropriations, eligibility criteria, reporting requirements, and definitions. No floor votes were taken in the transcript itself; instead, the chair repeatedly noted whether bills were unanimous, on consent, or had split votes in committee. The caucus also heard brief announcements about an upcoming breakfast with the CAP director, a Latino Caucus meeting, and an Affordability Award presented to Representative Volk, after which the caucus adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, I am instructed by the Senate to inform the House of Representatives that the Senate has taken
• Speaker, I am instructed by the Senate to inform the House of Representatives that the Senate has taken
• Speaker, I am instructed by the Senate to inform the House of Representatives that the Senate has taken
• Speaker, I am instructed by the Senate to inform the House of Representatives that the Senate has taken
• Speaker, I am instructed by the Senate to inform the House of Representatives that the Senate has taken

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Note that in the 2025 school year, the state's recent ban on cell phones during the instructional day
• <00:09:25.680> day<00:09:25.920> had phones during the instructional day had phones
• during the instructional day had not<00:09:26.320> yet<00:09:26.480> gone<00:09:26.720
• More than four in 10 elementary principals identified lack of alternative instructional settings as a
• settings as a alternative instructional settings as a major<00:25:52.720> or<00:25:53.039>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Education Assessment and Accountability Review Subcommittee received an Office of Education Accountability presentation on student discipline data in Kentucky schools for the 2024 school year. OEA said the study used Safe Schools data, educator and student surveys, site visits to 12 schools, and principal surveys. The report found that about 1 in 10 schools have major behavior-related challenges and up to one-third have at least moderate challenges, with the most common concerns varying by level: high schools cited vapes, cell phone misuse, apathy, and tardiness; middle schools cited apathy, vapes, and cell phone misuse; and elementary schools reported more extreme classroom behaviors such as throwing objects, overturning furniture, and screaming. OEA also noted that 14% of students had at least one behavior event in 2024, but repeated events were rare, and event rates alone do not reliably measure the severity of behavior problems in a school or district. The presentation emphasized that many disciplinary consequences do not align consistently with statutes or local expectations. OEA said law violations made up 19% of more than 250,000 recorded behavior events, while most were board violations, and that some serious incidents resulted in minimal consequences. The report highlighted concerns about weapons, threats, and assaults: only 9.2% of weapon events led to expulsion or alternative placement, few threats resulted in those outcomes, and fewer than 10% of assaults led to expulsion or alternative placement, including some first-degree assaults. OEA also said the Safe Schools data do not identify victims, limiting analysis of assaults on staff or students, and recommended clearer statutory definitions and better data reporting. A major theme was the difficulty schools face in addressing chronic disruption and severe behavior while complying with federal protections for students with disabilities. OEA said principals reported the biggest challenges were federal limits on disciplinary removals and a lack of alternative placement options. The report described variation among districts in how they implement federal requirements, with some administrators discouraging alternative placements or avoiding discipline because of perceived legal risks. Site visits found that many schools lacked chronic-disruption policies, and teachers often reported frustration with minimal consequences and repeated classroom removals. OEA recommended that KDE collect more information from educators, identify promising practices for alternative instructional settings, and develop clearer guidance and training. In discussion, committee members said the findings showed reporting gaps and resource strains, and OEA staff clarified that some underreporting reflects local discretion, while law violations should still be reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some kids thrive towards math. Some kids thrive towards science.
• Some kids thrive towards math. Some kids thrive towards science.
• In Baltimore County last year, only 19.3% of students were proficient in math.
• In Baltimore County last year, only 19.3% of students were proficient in math.
• In Baltimore County last year, only 19.3% of students were proficient in math.

Keywords: House streaming session for Thursday, March 12, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House met in Annapolis on February 27, 2026, with 128 members present. After a prayer, the chamber adopted the previous day’s journal and recognized a resolution honoring Brunswick High School’s first Tech Challenge team, Minerva’s Mechanics, for winning the FTC Regional Championships and qualifying for the World Championship in Houston. The resolution was read and adopted with applause. The main legislative item was House Bill 355, concerning the Education, Sexual Abuse and Assault Awareness and Prevention Program and human and sex trafficking; the House adopted the favorable committee report and ordered the bill printed for third reading. The next bill, House Bill 534 on nonpublic school transcripts and prohibiting punitive measures related to student debt, also received a favorable report. Debate then centered on an amendment offered to HB 534 that would have tied school funding to student choice for students in repeatedly one-star-rated schools and allowed parents of habitually violent or disruptive students to consider military boarding school options. The sponsor argued Maryland’s public schools, especially in Baltimore City, were failing students despite heavy spending, citing low literacy, violence, and the book Failure Factory; several members echoed concerns about school performance, bureaucracy, and the need for educational freedom. Opponents and procedural speakers said the amendment was not germane to HB 534, which they described as a narrow bill about transcript access for students leaving nonpublic schools with unpaid fees, often students with disabilities. The floor leader urged the body to resist the amendment and stick to the bill’s actual subject. Despite multiple members explaining their votes in support of school choice and criticizing the Blueprint and school outcomes, the House ultimately took a roll call on the amendment after a voice vote was challenged. The transcript cuts off during the roll call and does not show the final recorded result on the amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• teacher focuses on math.
• teacher focuses on math.
• And it is not with the math teacher or the Spanish teacher. It is with a psychological provider.
• And it is not with the math teacher or the Spanish teacher. It is with a psychological provider.
• And it is not with the math teacher or the Spanish teacher. It is with a psychological provider.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met in executive session on Senate Bill 72, a parental rights in education measure, and considered an amendment offered by Representative Raymond. Raymond explained that his changes were intended to narrow the bill so it would not force schools to act as “surveillance operatives” for parents, especially regarding older students, and to avoid requiring teachers to disclose private family matters such as a student’s sexual orientation or pronouns. He also struck the bill’s “clear and convincing” standard and replaced it with a lower “evidence” standard, arguing teachers should have some basis for concern but not a burden equivalent to terminating parental rights. He said the amendment was meant to preserve due process, avoid weaponizing the bill in civil disputes, and reduce the risk of lawsuits. Members then debated the scope of the bill and amendment. Supporters said schools should not withhold information about a child’s health, school environment, behavior, bullying, self-harm, or criminal conduct, and argued that parents have a right to know about serious issues such as mental health concerns, sexual assault, drug use, or other misconduct. Several members emphasized that teachers do not diagnose mental illness, but should report observable concerns and involve school administrators or counselors when necessary. Opponents argued the bill would chill communication between students and trusted adults at school, especially for children from dysfunctional or unsafe homes, and said it could force outing of gay or trans students and increase the risk of harm or self-harm. One member cited the Department of Education’s trusted-adult approach and said teachers are not covered by formal confidentiality rules in the same way as lawyers or doctors. The discussion included examples and hypotheticals about bullying, sexual assault, drug use, self-harm, gender dysphoria, and whether a teacher would have to tell parents if a student used different pronouns or a nickname. Raymond and supporters said the bill would require disclosure of serious safety concerns but not compel teachers to diagnose or pry into private matters. Opponents argued the bill’s language still sweeps too broadly and could force disclosure in situations where a student fears abuse or being kicked out at home. The transcript does not show a final vote on the amendment or bill in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that I'll take the math prism math pilot. take the math prism math pilot. take the math prism math
• million times uh because we took the 36 million times uh because we took the 36 million times uh the the math
• assuming all those the the math assuming all those the the math assuming all those qualified that'd

Bills: HB 29, HB 125, HB 145, HB 171, HB 255, HB 50, HB 796, HB 363, HB 116, HB 491, HB 589, HB 1495, HB 368, HB 1285, HB 1905, HB 1360, HB 2002, HB 917, HB 2723, HB 2067, HB 1238, HB 2337, HB 745, HB 1188, HB 1606, HB 2003, HB 2147, HB 2391, HB 2355, HB 2546, HB 2495, HB 2818, HB 2249, HB 1749, HB 3109, HB 3228, HB 3240, HB 1507, HB 658, HB 1748, HB 1851, HB 1922, HB 2001, HB 2798, HB 107, HCR 29, SB 5, SB 262, HB 11, HJR 72, HB 106, HB 18, HB 48, HB 27, HB 37, HB 1481, HB 581, HB 1696, HB 2216, HB 1035, HB 1633, HB 742, HB 754, HB 1689, HB 1690, HB 2669, HB 391, HB 517, HB 1024, HB 1607, HB 252, HB 1716, HB 1562, HB 4116, HB 1866, HB 1741, HB 2103, HB 2637, HB 2884, HB 503, HB 1089, HB 2986, HB 972, HB 502, HB 29, HB 125, HB 145, HB 171, HB 255, HB 50, HB 796, HB 363, HB 116, HB 491, HB 589, HB 1495, HB 368, HB 1285, HB 1905, HB 1360, HB 2002, HB 917, HB 2723, HB 2067, HB 1238, HB 2337, HB 745, HB 1188, HB 1606, HB 2003, HB 2147, HB 2391, HB 2355, HB 2546, HB 2495, HB 2818, HB 2249, HB 1749, HB 3109, HB 3228, HB 3240, HB 1507, HB 658, HB 1748, HB 1851, HB 1922, HB 2001, HB 2798, HB 107, HCR 29

Keywords: water audit, water loss, water loss mitigation plan, municipally owned utility, municipal utility, water conservation, Texas Water Development Board, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water leakage, leak detection, billing data accuracy, utility validation, water audit validation, water scarcity, water management, infrastructure, public utility, conservation plan, administrative penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• I know I'm being very low, but that's simple math. So you would get 200 times 10; that's $2,000.
• That's how that would work, and I would assume it would be higher than that, but for simple math that's
• That's simple math. So you would get 200 times 10; that's $2,000.
• so you would um get that's simple math so you would um get 200<00:15:50.480> time<00:15:50.759
• that's how we do a point for simple math that's how we do a point system<00:16:00.120> and<00

Bills: HF696, HF1429, HF1379

Keywords: HF696, rural EMS, ambulance, emergency medical services, uncompensated care, payment pool, rural health, Office of Emergency Medical Services, public safety answering point, PSAP, nontransport, unpaid ambulance calls, EMS reimbursement, rural ambulance provider, general fund appropriation, Minnesota health finance, specialized life support, metropolitan counties, emergency response funding, HF1429

Transcript Highlights:

• The language you asked about is the instruction to the court.
• The language you asked about is the instruction to the court.
• <00:43:07.359> to you asked about is the instruction to you asked about is the instruction
• oral amendment that would change the late fee back to what it was in 1750, which I imagine, off my math
• not trying to instruct judges as to<02:55:15.600> what<02:55:15.760> they<02:55:16.000

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It doesn't have to be at an instructional level, but they have to understand key aspects of it.
• They contend that they are instructional staff, and I believe they are.
• <00:22:00.080> staff adding teachers and instructional staff adding teachers and instructional
• <00:22:30.799> level, have to be at an instructional level, have to be at an instructional
• contend that they are instructional contend that they are instructional staff,<00:24:08.240>

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Math. Yeah, thank you, Mr. President. We put some subject. Senator Math.

Bills: SCR12, HB221, HB509, HCR58, SB78, SB25, SB80, SB132, SB155, SB157, SB202, SB228, SB250, SB414, SB433, SB479, SB513, SCR9, SCR58, SB65, SB215, SB249, SB269, SB282, SB296, SB323, SB363, SB369, SB474, SB490, SB492, SB500, SB514, HCR32, HB17, HB41, HB73, HB223, HB244, HB759, HB906, HB966, HB1006, HB1009, HB1086, HB1107, HB1112, HB1215, HB1242, SB217, SB283, SB469, HB36, HB42, HB74, HB119, HB159, HB259, HB302, HB414, HB459, HB776, HB848, HB956, HB1017, HB1028, HB1095, SB208, SB312, SB382, SB389, HB210, HB258, HB359, HB368, HB468, HB552, HB732, HB784, HB870, HB953, HB1117, HB1236

Keywords: logging, recognition, John Keith, environment, safety, Mississippi River bridge, Trump Expressway, transportation, federal funding, Louisiana highways, injection wells, public hearing, geologic sequestration, environmental impact, public comment, Ascension Parish, state capitol, economic development, community partnership, celebration day

Summary: The Senate met with 29 members present, heard a prayer and national anthem presentation, and approved the journal without objection. The chamber then received multiple messages from the House on conference committee reports and concurrence actions, and took up a long calendar of Senate resolutions and House/Senate bills returned from the House with amendments. Several resolutions were adopted without objection, including commendations and requests for reports or studies, while others were left over or returned to the calendar. The Senate concurred in or adopted amendments on a series of bills covering registrar compensation (SB 25), broadband administration and reimbursement (SB 80), school safety master key boxes (SB 132), dental coverage for cancer treatment (SB 155), paid parental leave for educators (SB 157), election supervisor compensation days (SB 202), water utility service line replacement funding (SB 228), weight management services through the Office of Group Benefits (SB 250), medical debt protection (SB 414), Medicaid coverage of weight-loss medication (SB 443), and design-build authority for vertiport facilities (SB 513). It also adopted a House concurrent resolution urging backup motors for the St. Claude Avenue Bridge (HCR 32). One bill, SB 479 on removal of certain judges, had its amendments rejected and was sent to conference. The chamber then considered conference committee reports on several measures. Reports were adopted on SB 312 (labor organization dues and fees), SB 208 (veterans services and VA-related restrictions), SB 382 (workers’ compensation advisory council and reimbursement schedule timing), SB 389 (agent and athlete registration and fee review), and multiple House bills including HB 359 (party primary qualifying rules), HB 368 (New Orleans historic preservation lien procedures), HB 468 (wholesale residential real estate definitions), HB 552 (DWI-related responsive verdict language), HB 732 (motor vehicle fines/fees and hybrids), HB 870 and HB 1236 (pharmacy benefit manager and insurance provisions), and HB 1117 (prescription period issues). HB 210 on retroactivity was also adopted after debate. Several conference reports were temporarily passed over or returned to the calendar, including HB 953, and the Senate adjourned to reconvene the next morning for final work.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to have the group from Arkansas School for Math, Science, and the Arts please stand.
• Representative Warren: The students from the Arkansas School for Math, Science, and the Arts have been

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum, granted leave to Representative Jack Ladyman, and received committee reports from the Joint Budget Committee recommending passage of several bills, including House Bill 1034 with Amendment 1. The chamber also recognized numerous guests, including state troopers of the day, the doctor and nurse of the day, several constituent groups, and students from the Arkansas School for Math, Science, and the Arts. The House adopted House Resolution 1034, supporting Arkansas poultry producers in the Illinois River watershed and urging good-faith negotiations, by a vote of 97-0. It also adopted House Concurrent Memorial Resolution 1001, honoring Bishop Kenneth Liddell Robinson, Sr., by a vote of 98-0. Members then took up multiple budget amendments and appropriations, with Representative Johnson explaining amendments to bills covering education, public safety, agriculture, county jail reimbursement, drug task force funding, pregnancy help organizations, tire recycling fees, and other appropriations; the amendments were adopted. On the budget calendar, the House passed a batch of general appropriation bills and several supplemental and reappropriation bills, including House Bills 1006, 1086, 1087, 1088, 1094, 1084, and 1097. House Bill 1053, an appropriation for the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, failed 71-19-8. House Bill 1098, a reappropriation for the Department of Parks and Heritage, was defeated after Representative Henley spoke against it and the final vote was 0-85-4. The House then adjourned until 11 a.m. the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• I need is a counselor for my child, what I need is for my child to have the attention to learn the math
• , the attention of enough teachers and not a huge class size so they can learn their math.

Bills: SB1638

Keywords: taxation, income tax, internal revenue code, deductions, tax benefits, retroactive, standard deduction, 1182, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee took up SB 1638, a tax conformity bill that would update Arizona’s tax code to the Internal Revenue Code as of January 1, 2026 and incorporate federal changes from 2025. The bill also included individual income tax subtractions for tips, overtime, seniors, and auto loan interest, along with changes to the standard deduction and charitable contribution deduction. Committee discussion focused heavily on whether Arizona should conform broadly to federal changes or limit the bill to more targeted, temporary provisions. Two amendments were considered. The chair’s amendment was described as clarifying only, addressing retroactivity and foreign dividend language, and it was adopted. Senator Epstein’s amendment would have removed the broader conformity provisions and the modified charitable deduction, limited the standard deduction change to tax year 2025, and kept the individual subtractions; she argued the business-related conformity items mainly benefited corporations and should be negotiated in the budget. Opponents said the amendment would create unnecessary recalculations and uncertainty for taxpayers and businesses, while supporters of the underlying bill said conformity was needed quickly to match Department of Revenue forms and avoid filing-season confusion. Epstein’s amendment failed. Public testimony split along similar lines. Business and tax group representatives supported prompt conformity, saying taxpayers and small businesses needed certainty and that the department’s forms should be codified. Opponents argued the bill would reduce state revenue substantially and mainly benefit higher-income taxpayers and corporations, while diverting money from education, child care, and health care. After debate, the committee voted to move SB 1638 as amended with a do-pass recommendation, passing it by about 4-3, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're from the Albuquerque Institute of Math and Science (AIMS).
• Math and science, and some of them are finding themselves up here looking at these budgets and their

Bills: SB101, SB58, SB55

Keywords: SB 101, Health Care Delivery and Access Act, repeal of repeal, sunset repeal, delayed repeal, health care, healthcare, access to care, medical services, provider regulation, state health law, New Mexico, SB58, metropolitan redevelopment, redevelopment property, property tax exemption, payments in lieu of taxes, PILOT, municipal redevelopment, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a math equation. It's it really is a math equation.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This up but we just did some math.
• But you put a calculus book, any kind of math book He graduated from A&M, he worked for Dow Chemicals

Bills: HB647, HB791, HB1242, HB1729, HB2003, HB2029, HB2061, HB2775, HB3751, HB4804, HB3611

Keywords: driver's license, vision correction, medical verification, Texas Department of Public Safety, renewal fees, HB 791, Central Catholic High School, San Antonio, specialty license plate, specialty plates, license plate, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, Transportation Code, general revenue fund, With Loyal Hearts, Catholic school, private school, religious school, school spirit plate, commemorative plate