Transcript Highlights:

• First, the Educational Excellence Trust Fund is funded with a...
• First, the Educational Excellence Trust Fund is funded with a quote, off-the-top deduction from gross
• In 2025, $320 million was transferred from the Educational Excellence Trust Fund, and this represents
• There's also the off-the-top transfer from the Educational Excellence Trust Fund and also...
• So you'll see in FY25, there were zero transfers.

Summary: The House and Senate Education Committee first approved minutes from February 2 and 3, then heard an interim study proposal on Arkansas adult education and the Excel Center model, presented by Goodwill Industries of Arkansas and the University of Notre Dame’s Lab for Economic Opportunities. Witnesses argued that about 300,000 Arkansas adults lack a high school diploma or GED and described the Excel Center as a diploma-granting public charter option for adults 19 and older, with wraparound supports such as child care, transportation, tutoring, life coaching, and career services. They said the Arkansas campuses are not state-funded, highlighted growth in enrollment and graduation outcomes, and cited research showing improved employment, earnings, and reduced criminal justice involvement for graduates. Committee members discussed the role of Goodwill’s nonprofit mission, the need for multiple adult education pathways, and the relationship between adult education challenges and broader state efforts such as LEARNS and ACCESS. The committee then debated the interim study proposal procedure, including whether questions should have been taken before the vote. The motion to adopt the ISP passed, and members noted that the study would broadly examine adult education, GED testing, high school diplomas, charter schools, in-person adult education, and funding allocation. Several members asked for follow-up information on current adult education funding, the availability of Excel Centers, and the criminal justice study results. After that, staff from the Bureau of Legislative Research gave a detailed adequacy funding overview for Arkansas K-12 education. They reviewed national funding principles and then explained Arkansas’s revenue streams and distribution system, including general revenue, the Educational Excellence Trust Fund, the Educational Adequacy Fund, local property-tax revenues, and facilities partnership funding. They also walked through the state’s foundation formula, categorical aid, supplemental aid, and additional funding, including the per-student matrix amount of $7,771 for 2025 and how funds are allocated to districts and charters. Members asked about student support staff, special education high-cost occurrences, ALE funding, teacher salary equalization, and the Excel Center’s treatment in funding totals; staff said some of those questions would be addressed in a later spending presentation. The meeting ended after the committee was told the department was present mainly to answer questions and no further business remained.

Transcript Highlights:

• Generally speaking, we trust our educators.
• Minnesota trusts our educators, and that trust is sacred. But trust is not blind.
• <00:19:57.600> in at our schools with unwavering trust in at our schools with unwavering trust
• the very trust. the very trust.
• It is about protecting the trust that we place in them.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 3489, an education bill establishing field trip supervision rules and creating the criminal offense of grooming, was debated on the House floor. Representative Bennett described the bill as a response to student sexual grooming, saying it would prohibit staff from being isolated alone with students except in limited circumstances, create a felony offense for child grooming, add grooming to mandatory reporting and educator discipline rules, require enhanced reporter training, and allow the Department of Education to look back further than three years in investigations. He also noted an ongoing fiscal cost of a little over $1.4 million, largely tied to additional investigative staff and anticipated prison-bed costs. Several members spoke in support, including Representatives Bakeberg, Jordan, Altendorf, Ryer, Knudson, and Mueller. They emphasized protecting children, strengthening field-trip safeguards, improving communication with licensing boards, and training educators to recognize grooming behavior. Multiple members thanked Hannah LaPresto and Detective Chad Clausen for their work and testimony, and several referenced Hannah’s survivor story as central to the bill’s development. Some members also stressed that the bill was not aimed at the teaching profession generally, but at bad actors who exploit trust and authority. The discussion repeatedly highlighted survivor testimony and the need to believe victims, with some members calling for broader prevention efforts such as education on consent and grooming. Representative Bennett and others said the bill was necessary because grooming is often hidden and can take years to disclose. After debate, the House took the roll, and the bill passed 133-0 with its title agreed to.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yet the wrongfully convicted have zero services. As Gordon stated, they come out with nothing.
• <00:47:31.839> We<00:47:32.079> have work to gain the public's trust.
• We have work to gain the public's trust.
• <00:47:34.079> So, to work to trust the public again.
• So, to work to trust the public again.

Bills: SB2094

Keywords: toxic chemicals, environmental action levels, public notice, environmental safety, pollution control, Hawaii State Constitution, public participation, government transparency, environmental health, 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up SB 2094, which would require state agencies monitoring environmental toxins and pollutants to establish environmental action levels and limit changes to those levels without meeting procedural requirements. The chair recommended passing the bill with amendments, including inserting estimated costs for a secure portal website and webinars into the committee report and deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050. The motion passed unanimously among those voting, with excused members noted. The committee then considered several other measures and adopted recommendations to pass them with amendments, generally adding technical and clarifying changes and setting a defective date of 2525. SB 2862 was amended to broaden the preamble, make additional appointees confirmable, clarify reporting requirements for gubernatorial appointees, and was held for further discussion. SB 2781 on lei production created a working group to review existing studies and conduct a statewide study of Hawaii’s floriculture industry. SB 3015 adopted California’s definition of PII, applied it to government agencies and political subdivisions, created a private cause of action, and required a compliance report. SB 3230 removed a categorical prohibition on certain third-party project management procurements while preserving state oversight responsibility, in line with procurement office requests. The joint GVO Health and Human Services agenda then focused on two related bills requiring universal changing accommodations in public restrooms. SB 2932 would apply to new state building construction beginning July 1, 2026, and testimony from disability advocates, the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, and others supported the measure while asking for language clarifying that the requirement applies only where technically feasible and, in some cases, only to state-managed buildings. SB 2268 was described as broader, extending beyond government buildings into the private sector and including a private right of action; witnesses supported the concept but raised implementation concerns, especially for smaller businesses, and requested the same technically infeasible language and other clarifications. Both bills were advanced with amendments, and the committee noted adoption of the recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm glad you came with that, but it makes zero sense to me that we would in a sense be making a decision
• This exclusion has<01:17:51.199> eroded<01:17:51.600> trust<01:17:51.840> in<01:
• Louis County, Lake County, and Cook County, not trying to get into an argument, but I do trust my local
• Louis County, Lake County, and Cook County, not trying to get into an argument, but I do trust my local
• I do trust my local government officials.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I-62, no, zero. The measure passes. File item 125, that's ACR 143 by Assembly Member Pacheco.
• There were zero no votes on either of these when they made it through with bipartisan support.
• often, a victim may see a different prosecutor at each stage of the case, forcing them to rebuild trust

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There being five ayes and zero nays, Representative Cole Hefner is chair of this committee.
• not just of Gage's accomplishments, but of the man he was: a dedicated SEAL officer. operator, a trusted
• There being five ayes and zero nays, Sergeant Ricky Whitner is now the committee's choice to be the recipient

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then when you net it all out, without 340B in this instance is zero.
• without 340B in this instance is zero. without 340B in this instance is zero.
• :40:48.280> is outreach is completely trusted is outreach is completely trusted is completed<00
• completed by trusted community partners completed by trusted community partners who<00:40:50.280
• SNAP outreach from trusted community partners can help reduce errors.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I trust the federal courts. You've had several arguments from the back mic from both sides.
• Members, at its core this amendment is about trust in our democratic process.
• If we rush this process, we undermine that trust.
• The result was the same: families shattered, communities silenced, trusts destroyed.
• Texas currently has zero Black CVAP districts, and under the new map, there are two.

Bills: HB4, HB 4

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, ma'am. 17 yeas, zero nays, Mr. Chair. Thank you, ma'am.
• Yes, ma'am. 15 yeas, zero nays, Mr. Chair. All right, thank you, ma'am.
• Yes, ma'am. 15 yeas, zero nays, Mr. Chair. All right, congratulations, sir.
• Yes, ma'am. 16 yeas, zero nays, Mr. Chair.
• Yes, ma'am. 16 yeas, zero nays, Mr. Chair. All right, thank you, ma'am.

Summary: The Criminal Justice Subcommittee heard and voted on a series of bills dealing with traffic enforcement, drug-related homicide charges, vessel regulation, crime-stoppers records, cyber harassment, pawn data sharing, hotel removals of nonpaying guests, and Fish and Wildlife Commission authority. Members and witnesses generally framed the bills around public safety, law enforcement efficiency, victim protection, and property rights, while several bills drew concerns about criminal penalties, due process, and impacts on workers or families. Public testimony included support from sheriffs, police chiefs, AARP, hospitality workers, civil liberties groups, and industry representatives, depending on the bill. PCS for CSHB 351, creating a criminal offense for dangerous excessive speeding, passed 13-4 after debate over whether the new offense would expand search-and-seizure authority and whether the penalties were too harsh. HB 457, which expands third-degree murder to include unlawful distribution of controlled substances resulting in death and removes the under-18 exclusion, was amended to add a knowledge/should-have-known fentanyl standard and then passed unanimously 17-0. CS for HB 1285 on disposition of migrant vessels and HB 1149 on vessel accountability both passed unanimously after brief discussion and a cleanup amendment on HB 1149. HB 397, providing a public records exemption for Crime Stoppers organizations, passed 16-0 after a clarifying amendment. HB 1451 on sexual cyber harassment also passed 16-0 after an amendment expanding definitions, penalties, civil remedies, and limitations periods. PCS for HB 1359, requiring FDLE to study a statewide pawn database, passed 16-0 with support from law enforcement and concerns about linking local systems and private vendors. CSHB 535, which clarifies when guests in public lodging establishments may be removed for nonpayment and also addressed service-charge language affecting gratuities, generated the most extended debate and strong opposition from hospitality workers and labor advocates over due process and tipped income. Supporters argued it would clarify transient occupancy and protect property owners, but the bill passed 11-6. Finally, CS/HB 1133 on Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission appointments and warrant requirements for FWC officers passed 16-0 after an amendment requiring warrants or probable cause for entry onto private land. The meeting adjourned after all agenda items were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Detective Daell built trust and protected vulnerable neighbors.
• <03:37:56.479> Zero.<03:37:57.600> Nothing.
• Zero. Nothing. It's time for that day? Zero. Nothing.
• Zero, zip, nada. They didn't come. They were uninterested.
• when the cost of it would have been zero when the cost of it would have been zero had<04:18:47.600

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, May 14, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. is an element of trust in our republican is an element of trust in our republican form<02:
• I thought it was like six to zero, but could be wrong. One, it was six to zero. Good memory.
• ,<04:08:42.080> but thought it was like six to zero, but thought it was like six to zero,
• One, it was six to zero. Good memory. One, it was six to zero. Good memory.
• I'm closing was six to zero. Closing.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• has been released to districts and charter schools, we're hearing some hesitancy among schools to trust
• For us at LASC, one of our main concerns is how do we rebuild that trust with schools where they feel
• But we are somewhat thinking about, again, how we rebuild that trust with schools, thinking about a few
• A few, but for example, like number 13, where it has zero in all three columns, that means there are
• A district would show zero all the way across, especially where if you're entitled to some of that, you

Transcript Highlights:

• Oz because I do not trust him or this administration to follow the law and to protect our health care
• I cannot trust him or this administration to run CMS to protect our health care. access to health care
• If you run Fiserv, it's job one. you know you must have the trust and that is that's something PII, as
• So Zero Warrant, I'm going to call on numbers.
• The importance of the public trust has always been integral to that core mission.

Keywords: Social Security, Medicaid, Frank Bisignano, Elon Musk, benefit processing, office closures, public testimony, administration policies, health care, vulnerable populations

Summary: The committee meeting focused heavily on the nomination of Frank Bisignano as the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, with intense discussions around the current state of Social Security and its management under the current administration. Members voiced significant concerns regarding potential changes to Social Security and Medicaid, specifically addressing issues such as office closures, delays in benefit processing, and the perceived policies from Elon Musk's association with the administration. Public testimonies highlighted fears that these changes would severely impact the accessibility of benefits for seniors and vulnerable individuals, resulting in a chaotic environment at the SSA. Members expressed a unified opposition to the notion of dismantling these critical programs, emphasizing the long-term implications on their constituents' well-being.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those state programs leverage not only IBHS science, but the trust the insurance industry has in Fortified
• For Milton, he put his panels on, which was a heavier storm for us, higher flood waters, and he got zero
• That'll be 100%, zero percent out-of-pocket expense for the homeowner.
• I'm not a contractor, and I'm that person that'll get like six quotes and freak out because I don't trust
• That bill had a $750,000 appropriation for an insurance regulatory trust fund.

Summary: The Banking and Insurance Committee heard a series of presentations focused on mitigation, flood and wind resilience, and insurance discounts. Kevin Guthrie of the Florida Division of Emergency Management outlined several funding streams for mitigation, including federal Hazard Mitigation Grant Program dollars, BRIC grants, flood mitigation assistance, and the state hurricane loss mitigation program. He emphasized the new Elevate Florida initiative, which will use about $400 million initially to elevate or reconstruct flood-prone homes, starting with National Flood Insurance Program properties and severe repetitive-loss homes, with no current per-home cap. Guthrie said the state will contract directly with licensed vendors and aims to reduce future flood losses, lower insurance costs, and keep properties on the tax rolls rather than relying on buyouts. Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworski described Florida’s windstorm mitigation discount program, explaining that the 1802 inspection form is used to assess a home’s overall “envelope” and determine statutory discounts. He said the office is updating the program based on a new wind loss study, with likely changes including greater recognition of roof types such as metal roofs and possible territorial risk adjustments. He also said the Legislature now requires the office to revisit the study every five years. Stephen Fielder of the Department of Financial Services reported on My Safe Florida Home, noting that the program offers inspections and grants for roof and opening protections, has completed more than 100,000 inspections, and has reimbursed hundreds of millions of dollars. He said the department has validated its discount calculations with insurers and that the program is intended to help homeowners reduce premiums through verified mitigation work. Michael Newman of the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety said Florida’s building code is nationally leading and that post-Ian surveys found no wind-driven structural damage in buildings built after adoption of the code. He argued that mitigation should be treated as a system, not isolated upgrades, and suggested adding Fortified designation to the state’s mitigation form to better document verified resilience improvements. Bill Truex, a county commissioner and builder, stressed the need to educate homeowners about floodproofing and roof choices, citing examples where flood panels prevented damage and noting that asphalt shingles often do not last as long in Florida as their marketing suggests. In panel discussion, senators asked about program eligibility, outreach to elderly and digitally challenged residents, contractor vetting, roof-life disclosures, and whether flood insurance should be more broadly required. Officials said outreach will include call centers and in-person assistance, and several participants urged better consumer disclosure and more data-driven guidance on roof and mitigation choices.

Transcript Highlights:

• You provided $9 million for the Wyoming Natural Resource Trust Fund.
• You'll recall the House was at zero, the Senate was at $13 million. The compromise was $9 million.
• You provided $9 million for the Wyoming Natural Resource Trust Fund.
• You'll recall the House was at zero, the Senate was at $13 million. The compromise was $9 million.

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first addressed an unintended consequence in the Joint Conference Committee report involving dual and concurrent enrollment funding. Staff explained that a dollar-for-dollar reduction tied to Senate File 81 would have fully funded public school dual/concurrent enrollment while leaving no funds for non-public school students. Senator Salazar moved to strike that provision, the motion was seconded, and it carried. Budget and Fiscal Administrator Don Richards then walked through the conference committee report and the major adopted amendments. He reviewed Senate and House amendments affecting items such as sign language interpreters, rural veterinary education, predator management authorization, petroglyphs and pictographs, senior services, community college funding, school district entitlement payments, the School Foundation Program reserve transfer, a tourism-related rodeo museum change, archaeological work on human remains, a jet airplane reduction, abortion-related language, livestock ear tags, provider rates for developmental disabilities, student-athlete endorsement restrictions, a forensic audit for the Wyoming Business Council, and the Yellowstone tree inscription. He also described several deleted sections and policy changes, including removal of spending-policy provisions, flex authority language, and other budget sections. Richards further summarized new or revised appropriations and conditions, including funding for local cybersecurity, stormwater fees, the Wyoming Natural Resource Trust Fund, lab services, IT modernization, Wyoming Public Television, matching funds, cloud services, and restored governor FTE requests. He noted a compromise on the outdoor trails matching program, a conditional $10 million University of Wyoming operational review appropriation tied to future cost savings, and a stablecoin appropriation. He also explained that the report retained the base-bill reversion language, discussed the remaining general fund balance and statutory reserve, and said the committee would circulate the amendment and signatures for floor action later that day. The meeting then adjourned without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that you trust your nurse.
• Nursing has been voted, over the last many years, as the most trusted profession in the United States
• Because in Clovis, there are zero applicants and zero students in our corrections program.

Transcript Highlights:

• That said, trust me, we're not going to get hung up on this question.
• That said, trust me, we're not going to get hung up on this question.
• Uh and the loan must be zero interest.
• And I just want to make sure that's the net zero.
• That's the net zero.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I trust her, and she's right; she convinced me. I knew it was the right thing to do.
• You know I trust markets much more than I trust government, and markets work.
• Trust me, I was on a very, very strict diet, and so I think I understand this very well.
• And my daughter, who's a fourth-year medical student now, has had zero nutrition training.
• Our labeling is, trust me, very lacking.

Bills: SB 25, SB25, SB314

Keywords: attorney ad litem, indigent parents, parent-child relationship, legal representation, Texas Family Code, court procedures, nutrition, health standards, food labeling, education, dietary guidelines, medical education, food safety, school meals, child nutrition, food additives, public health, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All of these adjustments result in a net zero-cost transition, so there are no additional burdens on
• They have to work with one of our trusted partners that will go through a rigorous vetting, onboarding
• We also would work with both stakeholder groups as well as trusted advisors that we have a state... .
• Because we want to make sure we're building trust.
• Because we want to make sure we're building trust.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we know Zone Zero, hot topic, kind of a lot of conversation around it still.
• You know, we've talked about the Zone Zero.
• You know, we've talked about the zone zero.
• We have our individual opinions on Zone Zero or other efforts that are underway.
• I mean, adoption of Zone Zero. What kind of impact could that have on coverage levels or rates?

Summary: The hearing focused on lessons from the 2017 Tubbs Fire and how Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, and local partners have changed wildfire prevention, recovery, and rebuilding practices since then. Assemblymembers emphasized that the region has become a model for the state, with a shift from suppression to prevention, and panelists described improvements in defensible space, home hardening, vegetation management, alerting, and community coordination. The discussion also highlighted the continuing importance of sharing Sonoma County’s experience with other wildfire-impacted communities across California and beyond. Fire officials and local leaders described specific prevention measures now in place, including Santa Rosa’s vegetation management ordinance, ignition-free/Zone Zero requirements in rebuilding, restrictions on certain mulches, removal of dead and dying trees near roads and defensible space zones, and expanded prescribed burning authority. They also stressed the importance of community organization through block captains, Firewise/COPE-style networks, and the Mark West Area Community Fund. Speakers said these networks helped residents navigate recovery, avoid fraud and bad contractors, coordinate with local agencies, and support neighbors, but they argued that such efforts need more formal structure and stable funding. Water and permitting officials discussed how the fires changed their work. Santa Rosa Water described new regional coordination, generator and backup power upgrades, emergency training, and lessons learned about wildfire-related contamination in water systems, including the need to restore pressure, flush, and test quickly after a fire. Permit Sonoma said rebuilding was balanced by streamlining permits while still requiring safer, more resilient construction, and noted that reduced fees and one-stop permitting helped speed recovery. United Policyholders described helping residents maximize insurance proceeds, organize information, and avoid scams, while warning that insurance availability and affordability remain major barriers and that insurers are increasingly rewarding risk-reduction measures. Across the panels, the main policy requests were for faster and more flexible grant processes, more stable long-term funding for prevention and community programs, stronger support for home hardening and defensible space, better training and tools for local governments and legislative staff, and continued attention to insurance and utility-related resilience. No formal votes or actions were taken in the transcript excerpt; the hearing was informational and ended with a transition toward public comment and further discussion of remaining statewide wildfire policy needs.