Transcript Highlights:

• I'm hoping that's not why they're married, but if you don't have some other mechanism for income, you
• I'm hoping that there's money in the behavioral health fund that can be used for supervision so that
• I am also a senior from El Dorado High School. Thank you for having us.
• I do know that there is not one at El Dorado High School, and the students are advocating for one.
• We're facing up to $25 million in deficits, so I hope there's a plan B in how this gets paid for because

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:29:24.720><c> their</c> we thank case members for their we thank case members for their leadership
• </c> used in their high school and in high used in their high school and in high schools<00:32:00.480
• </c> designed for teachers to actually use. designed for teachers to actually use.
• </c> immediately applicable after high immediately applicable after high school.<00:32:54.880><c> Budgeting
• </c><00:38:12.560><c> 10:15</c><00:38:13.200><c> for</c> We're going to start at 10:15. 10:15 for We're

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the things we have with our education focus is for all of our students to leave high school employed
• If the high school diploma of distinction is earned, a student qualifies for this scholarship.
• Thank you for being here. It's good to see you all. Hope you had a good holidays.
• I've already said the one about preparing Americans for high-paying skilled trade jobs for the future
• For the high schools and for the public schools.

Summary: The committee approved the November 3 minutes and then received an extensive presentation from Arkansas education and workforce officials on how the LEARNS and ACCESS Acts are affecting career and technical education, concurrent enrollment, and postsecondary readiness. Officials said the state’s goal is for students to leave high school employed, enrolled, or enlisted, and reported increases in K-12 CTE enrollment from about 161,000 to 171,000 students and concurrent CTE enrollment from about 12,000 to 16,000. They also described the new success-ready pathways, merit and distinction designations, and how those measures tie into school accountability and graduation outcomes. The discussion then turned to scholarships and grants. Officials explained that ACCESS expanded concurrent credit support, increased funding per credit hour, and broadened eligibility for the Arkansas Academic Challenge and Governor’s Scholar programs by adding diploma-of-merit and diploma-of-distinction pathways. They said the Governor’s Distinguished Scholarship itself did not change, but the non-distinguished Governor’s Scholar award now includes diploma of distinction as an additional eligibility route. Members raised concerns about how these requirements apply to private school and homeschool students, and officials said the intent is to ensure those students can qualify if they meet the same standards, though some implementation details are still being worked out. Questions also focused on whether students who explore multiple pathways could be penalized in school letter grades; officials said the system allows multiple ways to earn credit, including AP, IB, concurrent credit, technical certificates, and apprenticeships. Officials also reviewed workforce scholarships and short-term training funding. They said the state is developing policy for the Workforce Challenge and related professional skills training to set an 80-hour minimum and tiered funding, and they discussed the new federal Workforce Pell rules, which they said are very narrow and will likely apply to only a small number of Arkansas programs unless providers repackage training into stackable, credit-bearing pathways. Members asked for lists of eliminated programs, apprenticeships, and data on scholarship recipients, and staff said they could provide those. The committee also heard from Cody Waites on a $35.8 million U.S. Department of Labor cooperative agreement for the American Manufacturing Apprenticeship Incentive Fund, which Arkansas will administer nationally. He said the grant will support advanced manufacturing apprenticeships, use a pay-for-performance model, and be distributed to sponsors after apprentices are employed for 90 days, with applications opening January 28 and the state expecting to keep administrative costs under 8-9%.

Transcript Highlights:

• So stay tuned for that.
• Thank you for being here.
• Thank you again for being here. Thank you for all the work. Absolutely.
• Thanks so much for your presentation and for being here with us today.
• And in order for the market to work, we need to be paying for our risk.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have some responsibility for Jar Jar Binks, but I hope you won't hold that against me.
• Thank you for this opportunity to be before you. We hope that it is needed badly.
• Thank you for this opportunity to be before you. We hope that it is needed badly.
• Thank you for this opportunity to be before you. We hope that it is needed badly.
• Thank you for this opportunity to be before you. We hope that It's needed badly.

Bills: HB4568, HB5458, HB4543, HB2703, HB3728, HCR113, HCR126

Keywords: film industry, incentives, grants, Texas, moving image, economic development, production companies, content standards, HB 5458, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, TPWD, chronic wasting disease, CWD, cervids, deer, elk, moose, wildlife management, game animals, disease management

Transcript Highlights:

• students and options for students who fail to earn a standard high school diploma.
• The goal is for all students to earn a standard high school diploma, which has been evidence by the ever
• an I team to consider waiver of assessment results as part of the pathway for students to earn a high
• You are recognized for question. Thank you. Madam Chair, High this. I'm sorry.
• students to earn a standard high school diploma, which is the goal for for all of our students. >> Thank

Transcript Highlights:

• One Health is another high priority for us.
• I know there's a desk over there, but I'm hoping for a halo effect with the Chancellor.
• Gone to high schools to recruit like we would do for football players and the like.
• our students. and continue to develop innovative programming for high-skill, high-wage jobs within the
• We think overall this begins to provide hope for and solid cures, potentially, for how to prevent. and

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that that is something that is such an educational opportunity for our students that I'm hoping
• We already allow FHSAA to do the same thing for high school physicals. It already works.
• I didn't know CPR, and thanks to the Florida legislators, CPR is now required for high school graduation
• H-S-AA and clarifies that a high school student may earn compensation for name, image, or likeness, and
• This bill removes the option for students to leave high school with a certificate of completion.

Summary: The Education and Employment Committee met with a quorum and took up seven bills, all of which were reported favorably. First, HB 1367 on school attendance was presented as a response to rising chronic absenteeism; it would standardize attendance definitions and reporting statewide, and it passed 18-0 after supportive testimony from education and business groups. HB 949 would prohibit student use of wireless devices during the school day, while allowing district policies for designated use areas and existing medical/disability exceptions; members discussed classroom disruption, bullying, public safety, and accommodations, and the bill passed favorably. The committee also approved PCS for CS for HB 1135, requiring ECGs for student athletes in grades 9-12, with exemptions for religious objections and provisions on cost, liability, and medical clearance; the bill drew extensive emotional testimony from parents and advocates who described children lost to sudden cardiac arrest and was reported favorably after unanimous support. Members then approved CS for CS for HB 597 on diabetes management in schools, which would allow schools to keep glucagon pens and authorize trained personnel to administer them in emergencies; an amendment clarified charter schools are included as public schools. HB 1309 on reading interventions and instruction would expand reading support and training for grades 4-12 and require district reading plans to include evidence-based interventions; it also passed without opposition. CS for HB 981 on athlete representation and compensation would cap certain NIL agent fees, allow some high school athletes to earn NIL compensation, and create a framework for registered advisors; members raised concerns about predatory practices and coach involvement, but the bill passed favorably after amendment. Finally, HB 1111 would eliminate the certificate of completion option for students who do not meet graduation requirements, with the sponsor arguing it would better motivate students to earn a standard diploma and improve postsecondary and workforce opportunities. Members discussed the need for stronger supports to help students meet graduation standards, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee adjourned after completing all agenda items.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please stand for the prayer by Donna Kafer, our legislative chaplain, and remain standing for the Pledge
• Janelle Dansky, and supporting staff of Arcadia High School for winning the 2026 AIA 4A state championship
• And I hope that we will continue to push for inclusive, equitable policies that guarantee an equitable
• Arizona for all.
• And thank you for always being so kind to me for during my now 14 years.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I hope the Governor hears our calls for help, and I hope the House agrees to examine these inequities
• for them.
• Whether it be increases for civics education for Senator Rausch, expanding benefits for Gold Star spouses
• for that.
• So, Jessica, thank you for that.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate took up a long series of FY26 budget amendments during debate on the Ways and Means budget bill. Early on, an amendment on debt service and the Debt Affordability Committee was rejected. A major education amendment offered by Senator Lewis and supported by Senator Comerford was then adopted; it directs DESE to begin a public process, with $200,000 in funding, to review and recommend updates to the Chapter 70 municipal contribution formula and related school funding structures as the Student Opportunity Act nears full implementation. Senators argued that school districts across the Commonwealth are under severe fiscal strain, citing rising special education, transportation, health insurance, and Proposition 2 1/2 pressures, and that the current formulas are increasingly out of alignment with local needs. The chamber also considered and voted on many other amendments, with several adopted and several rejected. Adopted amendments included measures on public payroll transparency, regional EMS, a small business group purchasing cooperative pilot, simplifying Medicaid eligibility determinations, and early education background checks. Rejected amendments included proposals on first-time homebuyer savings accounts, population change studies, competitiveness studies, emergency contract reform, natural gas cost containment, a $200 per pupil aid increase, regional school reimbursement increases, a Foundation Budget Review Commission-related study, special education service studies, welfare benefit audits, short-term capital gains, and an MBTA sustainability plan. Senator Durant also spoke in support of Amendment 766, which would create a crumbling concrete assistance fund for homeowners affected by pyrrhotite, with tax-exempt aid, federal funding applications, audits, and a stakeholder working group. Near the end of debate, Senator D. DiDomenico praised the Shannon Grant program for gang violence prevention, and the Senate adopted a final corrective amendment containing technical fixes and local earmarks. The bill was then ordered to a third reading and, after a roll call on engrossment, passed to be engrossed by a vote of 38-2. The Senate also approved a motion to adjourn to the following Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. and recessed in memory of Yaron Lashinsky, Sarah Lynn Milgram, and Leslie A. Feeney.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:21:51.440><c> eligible</c> for for uh property taxpayers eligible for for uh property taxpayers
• </c> uh roughly $500 million to the state for uh roughly $500 million to the state for for for for E12
• /c> um um propensity for for dis for for um um propensity for for dis for for families<00:48:06.400><
• So I appreciate all the questions and, uh, members, this is kind of exactly what I was hoping for, um
• for um that we would uh get a was hoping for um that we would uh get a lot<00:59:33.599><c> of</c><00

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we'll turn to the many high-priority projects waiting in the queue for FY26-27 funds. moving
• And then we'll turn to the many high priority projects waiting in the queue for FY26-27 funds.
• Any high-priority projects waiting in the queue for FY 26-27 funds.
• And so,... ...from GGRF for tier three priorities, and so I would hope that we, and this is for kind
• are high enough to reach that $200 million, will maintain the $165 million for Forest Health and the

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we hope to give you a summary of the current resources for housing in Kentucky, both on the state
• <c> for</c><00:08:09.599><c> income</c><00:08:10.000><c> aligned</c> for income options for income aligned
• for income options for income aligned options<00:08:10.639><c> for</c><00:08:10.800><c> home</c><00:
• apartments and high-end to do high-end apartments and high-end custom<00:13:39.279><c> homes</c><00:
• So, uh, we hope you can come and thank you again for the opportunity to speak. Well, very good.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:15 Roll Call 00:00:45 Discussion of Pro-Growth Housing Policies 00:02:33 Adjournment 01:17:15, 958, all

Summary: The Housing Task Force 2.0 reconvened with several new members and heard a presentation from Kentucky Housing Corporation Executive Director Winston Miller and Deputy Executive Director Wendy Smith. They framed the task force’s work as a practical effort to address Kentucky’s housing shortage, update members on the current housing landscape, summarize existing state and federal resources, and suggest areas for the task force to focus on over the coming year. KHC said its 2024 housing supply gap analysis found Kentucky is short about 206,000 housing units, split roughly evenly between rental and homeownership, and projected the gap could grow to 287,000 units by 2029 if current trends continue. They emphasized that every county in Kentucky needs more housing, that the 2008 housing crisis and loss of construction capacity remain major causes of the shortage, and that current pressures include high interest rates, rising insurance and tax costs, construction cost inflation, and housing prices and rents growing faster than incomes. KHC also said homelessness has risen in Kentucky, with point-in-time counts showing double-digit increases in recent years. The presenters reviewed existing resources, including federal programs, the Kentucky Affordable Housing Trust Fund, the rural housing trust fund, KHC mortgage and down payment assistance programs, and the state mortgage interest deduction. They said these resources are important but insufficient to close the gap, and noted that a proposed federal FY2026 budget would cut HUD programs by 44%, potentially removing about $286 million from Kentucky housing resources, though no action has been taken yet. They urged the task force to consider stronger, more flexible tools such as a revolving loan fund, a state affordable housing tax credit, and economic development and employer-assisted housing incentives, and pointed to Indiana’s housing infrastructure and regional development funds as examples. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's not enough money for high-quality, sustainable public transportation, and for so many good things
• This is due to those programs being very high on the list for being ...to those programs being very high
• It was a lockdown facility, and we hoped it would be a good fit for Billy.
• It is their last hope in a long line of disappointments for their child and family.
• Just for context, I struggled with mental health throughout high school.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Ways and Means Committee held its final public hearing on the FY26 state budget, with chairs and members emphasizing that public testimony would help shape the budget and asking speakers to keep remarks brief. Committee leaders introduced members, explained the hearing process, and repeatedly thanked residents, students, and advocates for participating. No votes were taken during the hearing. Testimony focused heavily on education funding and the Chapter 70 formula. Students from Amherst, Northampton, Gateway Regional, Chester Elementary, and other districts described budget-driven cuts to electives, special education supports, paraprofessionals, counselors, transportation, and building maintenance. They urged higher Chapter 70 aid, increased minimum aid, rural school aid, and a reopening or restructuring of the funding formula, arguing that current formulas leave many districts unable to meet student needs and force local layoffs and overrides. Other speakers urged funding or protection for a range of programs and facilities, including the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute for homicide survivor services, the Museum of African American History, the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and CART/interpreter services, the Access to Counsel housing legal aid program, the Department of Mental Health and Pocasset Mental Health Center, and Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children. One speaker opposed offshore wind-related spending and urged a reset of the state’s energy approach, while another advocated ending the aircraft sales tax exemption. Committee members responded sympathetically to many speakers, asked a few follow-up questions, and several expressed support for maintaining or expanding the programs discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> your name for the record and proceed. your name for the record and proceed.
• Thank you for listening to them. >> Thank you for your testimony.
• Thank you for listening to them. >> Thank you for your testimony.
• Go<00:47:14.800><c> for</c><00:47:14.880><c> it.</c> Go for it. Go for it.
• Thank you for Sheriff, for coming.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• For our so deserving military retirees, for our surviving spouses, for our California, please support
• So I really hope that you can support AB 429, and thank you for hearing us out today.
• And despite its high cost, IVF is becoming a more common and necessary option for many families.
• For many people, IVF represents hope that when all seems lost and a chance to turn their dreams into
• I ask for your support. Thank you very much for your testimony.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation held its second regular hearing of the 2025-26 session and announced that, under reinstated suspense-file rules, every bill on the agenda would be referred to suspense rather than voted on immediately. The committee first heard AB 53, which would create a state income tax exemption of up to $20,000 for military retirees and certain survivor benefits. Supporters, including veterans’ groups, military retirees, and local officials, argued California is the only state taxing military retirement pay in full and that the exemption would help retain veterans and their families. Committee members voiced strong support, but the bill was sent to suspense. The committee then heard several wildfire-related tax relief bills. AB 429 would exempt certain wildfire settlement payments from gross income for victims of fires from 2020 through 2026; the author and a Greenville fire victim described the burden of taxing settlement funds, and rural county and forestry groups supported the measure. AB 97 proposed similar relief for Bobcat Fire settlement payments, and AB 389 would create a personal income tax credit for home-hardening expenses in high fire-risk areas, with Cal Fire and realtor representatives supporting the bill as a way to reduce future losses. Each of these measures drew no formal opposition in the hearing and was referred to suspense. AB 386 would create a tax credit for employers that help full-time employees repay student loans, up to $3,000 per employee per year. Supporters said it would help recruit and retain workers and reduce student debt burdens, while the California Tax Reform Association opposed the bill because it lacked allocation criteria and would reduce General Fund and education revenues. Committee members expressed interest but asked for clearer eligibility standards, and the bill was sent to suspense. AB 490 would allow a deduction for interest paid on qualified personal vehicle loans; the author framed it as relief for families dependent on cars, but opposition again came from the tax reform group, which argued the deduction would mainly benefit higher-income taxpayers. The bill also went to suspense. The committee also heard AB 547, which would create a tax credit of up to $5,000 for IVF and other fertility-treatment expenses. The author and a witness who described a long and costly IVF journey said the credit would help families afford treatment and support parenthood; members responded sympathetically and asked why the proposal was structured as a tax credit rather than a health coverage mandate. Finally, AB 330 would extend the prepaid mobile telephony services collection act through 2031, preserving an 80-cent surcharge that supports 911 and local government revenues; local government representatives and cities supported the extension, and it too was referred to suspense. The hearing ended with the committee adjourning after all measures were held for suspense-file consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Put them up nice and high for us, would you?
• You can see the largest one is for high-speed rail, and it kind of goes down from there.
• Second is when energy prices are actually too high, even accounting for all the damages from climate
• rail, that's the challenge for high-speed rail.
• People are reluctant to have conversations about high-speed rail for a variety of reasons, right?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Grehe gave San Antonio not only Haven for Hope, but the gift of time. Mr.
• I want to focus on Haven for Hope for a minute, and I'm going to qualify a few things.
• On Haven for Hope for a minute, I'm going to qualify a few things.
• More like Haven for Hope, 90-day stays. Yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am.
• Thank you so much for Herman or Hope.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for all your hard work for so many years.
• And interestingly, I’m also a mock trial coach for high school students who are, fortunately for our
• we create a usefulness and an energy and a momentum for kids coming out of high school, out of college
• How long did you serve on this board for Hope Florida Foundation, and what was your understanding of
• I was appointed for a two-year term, and Hope Florida is an incredible organization that provides a network

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to hear confirmation testimony for a large slate of university and state college trustees. Most of the discussion centered on the nominees’ backgrounds, ties to their institutions, and priorities such as student success, workforce development, financial sustainability, research growth, housing, and maintaining or improving university rankings. Several University of Florida trustees emphasized campus improvements, “One UF” integration, institutional neutrality, and ambitions to move UF into the top tier nationally. Other nominees highlighted goals for Florida A&M, Florida Atlantic, UCF, Florida State, Florida Poly, the Florida Prepaid College Board, and several state colleges, with recurring themes of affordability, economic mobility, cybersecurity, and keeping Florida students in-state for college and careers. Public testimony was heard on the Florida A&M appointment, where Elijah Hooks spoke in opposition to the current administration and described his expulsion, arrest, and trespass from the university after protesting the selection of President Marva Johnson. During questioning of FAU nominee Tina Vidal-Duart, senators asked about her prior service on the Hope Florida Foundation board and about reports concerning CDR Health’s contracting practices; she said she was not aware of the foundation issues at the time and noted that CDR’s state contract was a flat daily rate, so subcontractor pricing affected only the company’s internal margins. Other nominees received little or no questioning. At the end of the meeting, the committee voted to confirm all nominees except Tina Vidal-Duart separately. Senator Bracy Davis requested the separate vote and opposed her confirmation, citing concerns related to her Hope Florida Foundation board service. Despite that objection, the committee ultimately voted to report Vidal-Duart favorably as well. The committee also noted that one University of West Florida nominee would be taken up at a later hearing because he was unable to attend.

Transcript Highlights:

• High School teacher for 25 years, teaching history, special education, science, and career technical
• </c> ation to teaching in public schools for ation to teaching in public schools for eight<00:09:01.880
• and a drive for Success that will<00:11:02.920><c> Echo</c><00:11:03.639><c> for</c><00:11:03.959><c
• Not here, but thank you for joining us today. here thank you to for bringing the book here thank you
• </c> from Kuka not here but thank you for from Kuka not here but thank you for joining<00:16:21.399><

Keywords: 912, senate, all