Transcript Highlights:

• Public comment may be provided only at the designated time and place.
• that we talked early on in the legislative process when we both introduced very similar measures designed
• Most of the 6.8 million Californians with a high school diploma but no college degree have dependent
• If we want students to come to school with a high school diploma, we need to make sure We need to make
• If we want students to come to school with a high school diploma, we need to make sure we have a high

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• This dovetails with the Sarah Act by adding a high school equivalency diploma to the inmate's release
• contains her birth certificate, a state ID or driver's license, and now a high school equivalency diploma
• will elevate an inmate's employability and help reduce recidivism and also high school equivalency diploma
• do is make it for everybody, well, it's already in statute for everybody, but it's now equivalency diploma
• then But a lot of these programs that are already offered by DOC require a high school equivalency diploma

Bills: HB2993 , HB3850 , HB3595 , HB3763 , HB3760

Committees: House Public Safety , House A&B Public Safety Subcommittee

Keywords: rural law enforcement, grant fund, public safety, financial assistance, coordination districts, grant funding, law enforcement coordinators, municipal assistance, education, inmates, literacy, high school equivalency, Department of Corrections, parole, rehabilitation, HB3595, Safer Counties Revolving Fund, Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, county grants, traffic barrier equipment

Transcript Highlights:

• Alerts issued by the State Police that are designated as a Brian's Call will include a wireless emergency
• Any billboard or notification put out by the State Police will have a Brian's Call designation that will

Bills: HB302 , HB371 , HB597 , HB1097 , HB1190 , SB34 , SB164 , SB208 , SB232 , SB317 , SB357 , SB421 , SB510

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: legal representation, attorney general, elected officials, defense, legislative acts, judicial review, judiciary, election, judges, 19th Judicial District Court, East Baton Rouge, precincts, coroner, retention, body, mortuary, investigation, missing persons, Amber Alert, Endangered Missing Child Advisory

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill exempts sex designation information as part of vital records and records managed by the Department
• This bill exempts sex designation information as part of vital records and records managed by the Department

Bills: SB5973 , SB5892 , SB6081 , SB5842 , SB5827 , SB5968 , SB6034 , SB6035 , SB5888 , SB6123 , SB5853

Committee: Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections

Keywords: initiative, referendum, ballot measure, petition, signature gathering, circulator, per-signature pay, paid circulator, election integrity, voter fraud, ballot title, Secretary of State, Code Reviser, direct democracy, citizen lawsuit, civil penalties, Washington elections, initiative process, referendum process, grassroots petition

Transcript Highlights:

• Education, relating to a report of high-performing schools and teachers, relating to school building design
• and energy efficiency, relating to STEM diploma, relating to workforce readiness, and career technical
• education diploma, relating to apportionments when mine net profits are considered, relating to taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> high school diplomas. high school diplomas.
• This program is doing exactly what you all designed it to do.
• This program is doing exactly what you all designed it to do.
• </c> This program is doing exactly what you all designed it to do.
• We've had student groups that have been able to design and launch rockets 200 feet in the air.

Summary: The meeting focused on Kentucky school choice and innovation, with discussion of the state constitution’s “common schools” requirement and how that has been interpreted alongside newer education models. Chairman Tipton described model laboratory schools, Gatton and Craft Academies, magnet and virtual programs, and said these options show that Kentucky has long expanded opportunity through innovation. He then turned the discussion to Senate Bill 207, which he said was designed to support schools of innovation. Senator Steve West reviewed the history of Kentucky charter schools and explained that SB 207 was modeled on a South Carolina approach. He said the bill allows a local school board to contract with a third-party entity to manage an existing school, seek waivers from certain state rules, and receive SEEK funding while also allowing outside private investment. He emphasized that the district initiates the process, that the school remains public, and that the bill includes accountability through a time-limited contract that can be ended if the school is not performing. Members asked about the difference between SB 207 and the earlier charter school law, whether schools could cherry-pick students, and whether teachers would remain district employees. West and Tipton said the new model is tied to an existing school rather than a new charter, cannot cherry-pick students, and keeps teachers as district employees. Representative Brown raised concerns that charters and exceptions could leave some children out, especially lower-income students, while West responded that the proposal is intended to expand choice for families who may not otherwise have it and cited examples from other states where similar models improved low-performing schools. No vote or formal action was taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is a transformational whole-child strategy designed to redefine how we deliver public education
• grants launched in 2021 and concluded in 2024, provided up to $200,000 over two years to help LEAs design
• eligibility requirements. and concluded in 2024, provided up to 200,000 over two years to help LEA's design
• California's approach includes a comprehensive statewide technical infrastructure designed to support
• mean something, because diploma for what, if they're not going to go to something meaningful.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 38 simply states that an inmate of DOC obtain a high school equivalency diploma, a GED, as
• This dovetails with the SARASTID Act by adding a high school equivalency diploma to the inmate's release
• And also, a high school equivalency diploma is needed while they're in DOC to enroll in other programs
• A career tech teaches down there, and they get a diploma, a GED.
• Well, it's already in statute for everybody, but it's now equivalency diploma, not a GED.

Summary: The Public Safety committee met and first considered HB 2993, as amended by a PCS, which would create 11 Council of Government-based positions to help rural law enforcement pursue grants and equipment funding. Members questioned the estimated $1.1 million annual cost, whether the program would mainly benefit rural areas rather than metro counties, and how the money would be administered through Oklahoma Homeland Security. The bill author explained that each COG would receive one funded position and that the money would stay within each COG. The committee voted 7-2 to report the bill favorably. The committee then heard HB 3850, which would require inmates to obtain a high school equivalency diploma as a condition of parole and would place the diploma in the inmate’s release file to improve employability and reduce recidivism. Questions focused on whether the requirement applied to all inmates, how it would affect release eligibility, and whether existing DOC programs already provide similar training. The author said the bill would build on current law and could help reduce waiting lists for equivalency programs. The committee voted 8-1 to pass the bill. Next, HB 3595, with a PCS, would create a revolving fund in the Department of Public Safety to award counties grants for traffic-control public safety equipment, especially for events where vehicles could be used to harm crowds. Members discussed the bill’s dependence on future appropriations and its status as a vehicle for the idea while budget issues are resolved. The committee voted 7-2 to report it out. The committee also unanimously passed HB 3763, requiring two hours of domestic violence training as part of continuing education for law enforcement, and HB 3760, a tax credit for donations to qualified law enforcement foundations, with the author noting a planned amendment to include COGs and certain other nonprofits. The chair announced one more meeting the following week and then adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• He is also an ambassador for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, a founding member of the
• 55.200><c> Balor</c> for the international Balor for the international Balor Balor<00:17:57.720><c> diploma
• program</c><00:17:59.159><c> a</c><00:17:59.320><c> founding</c><00:17:59.760><c> member</c> Balor diploma
• program a founding member Balor diploma program a founding member of<00:18:00.640><c> the</c><00:18:
• that the accompanying House bills, as may be amended, pass second reading and be referred to their designated

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a calculated process, one designed to build trust, lower defenses, and create access for future
• It is a calculated process, one designed to build trust, lower defenses, and create access for future
• It is a calculated process, one designed to build trust, lower defenses, and create access for future
• .<00:28:35.679><c> House</c><00:28:36.000><c> Resolution</c><00:28:36.640><c> 55,</c> diplomas.
• House Resolution 55, diplomas.

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum, excused absent members, and suspended rules to allow bill co-sponsorships and vote modifications. The chamber approved the journal and received notice that the Senate had passed Senate Bills 48 and 102 and requested concurrence. The clerk then reported second-reading bills including measures on school bus safety, special license plates, healthcare workforce credentials, housing, veteran PTSD treatment, postsecondary education, the Kentucky Fire Commission, and local purchasing, along with committee reports advancing a wide range of bills on cultured meat, eviction/removal of unlawful occupants, involuntary commitment, grand jury service, CPA licensure, physical therapy, engineering scholarships, rabies vaccinations, the Controlled Substance Prescribing Council, robotics, reading and language arts instruction, and the education assessment/accountability system. The main floor action was House Bill 4, relating to grooming a minor. The sponsor described the bill as creating criminal penalties for grooming behavior, with enhanced penalties when the offender holds a position of authority. A floor amendment was adopted making technical wording changes and adding siblings and volunteers to the bill’s lawful-purpose exceptions. Members from both parties spoke in support, emphasizing child protection and the need for stronger legal tools, though one member said she wished the age threshold were higher. The House then passed House Bill 4 as amended by a vote of 98-0. After HB 4, the House moved through announcements and legislative citations. Members recognized the Corbin Middle School football team and the Lion County High School boys basketball team, and honored M. Samantha Shaver, DMD. Committee meeting notices were announced for several panels, including Economic Development, State Government, Natural Resources and Energy, Families and Children, and Health Services. The clerk also reported newly introduced bills and resolutions covering school foods, family care leave, correctional services, protective orders, data privacy, school funding for districts with high tax-exempt property, Medicaid coverage for adult day health and in-home attendant care, alternative diplomas, Kentucky Nurses Day, a sister-city partnership with Israel’s Shamron Regional Council, and DUI. The House then recessed briefly for committee meetings, received committee referral and rules reports, introduced floor amendments to HB 257 and HB 305, and adjourned until 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 5, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> successfully uh for their diploma. successfully uh for their diploma.
• measure</c><00:20:02.200><c> individual</c> And it's designed to measure individual And it's designed
• Why can't we have an alternative diploma in Wyoming?
• </c> option to create an alternative diploma. option to create an alternative diploma.
• </c> why can't we have an alternative diploma why can't we have an alternative diploma in<01:41:04.360

Committee: Joint Education

Transcript Highlights:

• lists and designations.
• Additionally, designating minerals and Additionally, designating minerals and materials<03:48:14.680
• . designations. designations.
• </c><05:08:41.800><c> is</c> hoops to prove that their diploma is hoops to prove that their diploma is
• Speaker, a diploma is a diploma, whether it was earned in a classroom or at a kitchen table.

Transcript Highlights:

• developmental course in lieu of a placement test, I saw so many young people go on to finish their diplomas
• </c><00:26:07.400><c> And</c> designed for kids with disabilities.
• And designed for kids with disabilities.
• ><c> and</c><00:27:00.040><c> finish</c><00:27:00.320><c> their</c><00:27:00.480><c> careers</c> diplomas
• and finish their careers diplomas and finish their careers because<00:27:01.640><c> of</c><00:27:01.760

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, some lower-income designated homeownership units are remaining empty and going unsold for
• This is AB 96, which would remove the requirement for a high school diploma or equivalent to obtain certification
• certified Medi-Cal peer support specialist. ...which would remove the requirement for a high school diploma
• Soria, Climate Bond Fund for Research Farms, do pass as amended to specify that UC and CSU will designate

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on January 22, 2026, for its regular order hearing and suspense-file hearing. In regular order, the committee approved consent-calendar bills AB 683, AB 763, AB 1126, and AB 1278 on unanimous due-pass motions, and AB 34 and AB 442 on a second unanimous due-pass motion. The committee then heard and advanced several bills, including AB 35, which would create an APA exemption for Proposition 4-funded programs to speed implementation of water, wildfire, energy-storage, and grid-support projects; AB 748, establishing pre-approved housing programs for local agencies; AB 939, allowing immediate transfer of certain affordable homeownership units to qualified nonprofit housing organizations; AB 643, adding a narrow organic-waste-derived agricultural fertilizer product to SB 1383 procurement options; and AB 96, removing the high school diploma requirement for certified Medi-Cal peer support specialists. Testimony on these bills was largely supportive, with sponsors and coalition representatives emphasizing reduced delays, lower costs, and improved housing, environmental, or behavioral-health outcomes. The Department of Finance offered general budget comments but no bill-specific positions. The committee voted the bills out, with AB 643 and AB 96 receiving no recorded opposition in the transcript and AB 939 passing with some members noting support and interest in coauthoring. The committee also received a presentation-only discussion of AB 1091, a proposal to authorize eight-letter specialty license plates, which the author said could generate revenue for rural programs such as the Williamson Act; the bill was not acted on at that time. After public comment, the committee moved to the suspense-file hearing on 53 bills. Using a substituted motion for due-pass and due-pass-with-amendments items, the committee held some bills and advanced many others, often with amendments that narrowed scope, deleted provisions, or required reports or studies. Bills held in committee included AB 405, AB 298, AB 333, AB 296, AB 1091, AB 1241, and AB 577, among others. The committee reported moving 43 bills to the Assembly floor, with several on A roll calls and others on B roll calls or with amendments, and noted that amendment language would be posted later online.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, some lower-income designated homeownership units are remaining empty and unsold for extended
• This is AB 96, which would remove the requirement for a high school diploma or equivalent to obtain…”
• “This would remove the requirement for a high school diploma or equivalent to obtain certification as
• Soria, Climate Bond Fund for Research Farms, do pass as amended to specify that UC and CSU will designate

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• I look forward to continued diplomas I look forward to continued conversation<00:23:21.720><c> uh</c
• for learning thank you for this designs for learning thank you for this opportunity<00:24:36.919><c>
• for learning thank you for this designs for learning thank you for this moment<00:40:58.119><c> to</
• I think education is designed to be this viewpoint of what you can expand yourself to turn into, and
• </c> expanding what staff um and designes expanding what staff um and designes within<01:09:57.520><c

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• High school equivalency and high school diplomas earned is another performance measure that we submit
• In addition to the technical training program We offer literacy programs, high school diploma programs
• , and I'll note that in our high school diploma. programs, our teachers are all certified in the subject
• Texas Education Agency, but all the academics providing the high school equivalency, high school diploma
• So the entire program for the Sex Offender Civil Commitment Office We are designed to protect the public

Committee: House Corrections

Transcript Highlights:

• bill establishes a new temporary provisional license for graduate nurses, and this is specifically designated
• the bill is to stop bad private schools before they are licensed from issuing fraudulent nursing diplomas
• And with selling more than 7,600 fake diplomas at a cost of $114 million to your citizens.
• There's a difference between bad actors and students and schools having fraudulent programs selling diplomas

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• since we do hear that there's a need for additional hands-on support at districts and colleges to design
• In that, we would help with the program design, the partnerships with the community colleges, doing that
• They are designed to predict which students are likely to struggle with reading and to identify who would
• As adult learners who are pursuing a high school diploma or equivalency are often left out. as adult
• learners who are pursuing a high school diploma or equivalency are often left out.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard the Governor’s proposals on dual enrollment, reading difficulty screeners, special education, school facilities, and Commission on Teacher Credentialing programs. On dual enrollment, the Department of Finance described a $100 million one-time Proposition 98 investment to expand the Dual Enrollment Opportunities Grant Program, along with changes to make regional occupational centers eligible, add funding for justice-involved youth, prioritize higher-need LEAs, support teacher professional development, and reduce daily instructional minute requirements for some dual enrollment students. The LAO recommended rejecting the new funding as not clearly addressing implementation barriers, while CDE supported the proposal and suggested reserving $10 million for technical assistance. Committee members and public commenters generally supported the expansion, with some asking for technical assistance and broader access, including adult dual enrollment. The committee also reviewed a $40 million one-time Proposition 98 proposal for reading difficulty screener implementation and related trailer bill language that would require screening after 91 school days for kindergarten and 46 school days for grades 1-2. Finance said the timing was intended to reduce over-identification and align with evidence from preliminary data; the LAO recommended rejecting the funding and redirecting it to a discretionary block grant. CDE supported the funding and the general approach but acknowledged the need for local support and training. Several committee members and public witnesses raised concerns that the proposed timing restrictions were too rigid and could delay early intervention, while others supported the delay as a way to improve accuracy and avoid misidentification. For special education, Finance proposed ongoing Proposition 98 increases to adjust for COLA and enrollment changes and to raise the statewide special education base rate to $99 per ADA, equalizing rates across SELPAs. The LAO said the proposal should be adopted but estimated it could be funded for less than the Governor’s figure. CDE and multiple local education representatives strongly supported the increase, citing rising special education enrollment, cost pressures, and large local funding gaps. The committee also heard a brief overview of the school facilities proposal, which continues $1.5 billion in Proposition 2 bond funding for the School Facility Program; OPSC reported significant remaining bond authority but also substantial pending demand, and explained that natural disaster school rebuilding draws from the broader new construction and modernization pools. Finally, the committee reviewed Commission on Teacher Credentialing proposals, including the already-funded $300 million Student Teacher Stipend Program, new state operations resources for misconduct investigations and grant administration, and a $250 million one-time continuation of the Teacher Residency Grant Program. CTC said its grants management system is ready and that it expects better data tracking; public testimony broadly supported the educator workforce investments and urged continued funding for the Golden State Teacher Grant Program and additional support for rural and leadership pipeline programs. No votes were taken, and the hearing adjourned after public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:01:49.439><c> testify</c><00:01:49.759><c> in</c><00:01:49.880><c> this</c> Senator, so if we designate
• <c> of</c><00:02:08.840><c> the</c> about the significance of the about the significance of the designation
• so um we put out a press designation so um we put out a press release<00:02:14.640><c> um</c><00:02:
• </c><00:16:16.639><c> or</c><00:16:16.839><c> have</c><00:16:16.959><c> no</c> don't even have diploma
• or have no don't even have diploma or have no education<00:16:17.839><c> background</c><00:16:18.839

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 345, which would establish ʻōpae ʻula as the state shrimp. The Department of Land and Natural Resources and Kua Ulu Aumo testified in strong support, saying the designation could help protect endemic shrimp in anchialine pools and increase public education and awareness. In response to questions, DLNR said it would use existing education programs, press releases, and partnerships for statewide outreach and was not seeking a separate appropriation for that purpose. Members then took up SCR 132 and SR 111, which encourage adoption of recommendations from the UN Global Plastics Treaty and the Rapa Nui Summit Declaration on climate justice and sustainable development. Greenpeace Hawaii supported the measures, arguing that plastic production is tied to fossil fuel interests and that microplastics pose serious health and environmental risks. The committee later adopted the measures with amendments, including a change from “waste hierarchy” to “zero waste hierarchy” and technical edits. The final measures, SCR 157 and SR 127, urged the state to adopt and implement the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea agreement on biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction. DLNR testified that it had only just reviewed the resolution but stood on its written testimony. The committee passed SCR 157 and SR 127 as is. The meeting also included a separate hearing on SCR 89 and SR 72, which would create a University of Hawaiʻi Community College pathway for meat processing. The Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council supported the idea, citing workforce needs and local protein supply, while several members raised concerns about whether a formal educational pathway or degree requirement might unnecessarily limit entry into the field; discussion focused on whether the proposal should be more vocational and whether there is enough data on workforce demand. No final vote on those measures was shown in the transcript excerpt.