Transcript Highlights:

• border security infrastructure, is it worth it for our state to finance given the current state of progress
• This progress was directly due to the members of this body. ...the Senate and the House back in 2017

Bills: HJR34, HB6, HB18, HB39, HB107, HB114, HB138, HB247, HB300, HB647, HB748, HB762, HB793, HB1240, HB1275, HB1397, HB1584, HB1700, HB1875, HB1894, HB1965, HB2071, HB2254, HB2340, HB2350, HB2516, HB2712, HB2713, HB2715, HB2760, HB2842, HB3088, HB3104, HB3260, HB3479, HB3575, HB3687, HB3788, HB4163, HB4187, HB4205, HB4370, HB4384, HB4655, HB4753, HB4809, HB4850, HB5195, HCR90, HCR98, SJR60, SB203, SB317, SB719, SB801, SB867, SB1071, SB1232, SB1319, SB1483, SB1633, SB1798, SB1978, SB2233, SB2363, SB2603, SB2607, SB2717, SB2797, SB2841, SB2928, SB3038, SJR5, SB4, SB9, SB21, SB23, SB27, SB34, SB40, SB75, SB213, SB458, SB482, SB493, SB840, SB841, SB843, SB912, SB1241, SB1253, SB1350, SB1388, SB1423, SB1535, SB1559, SB1789, SB1951, SB2037, SB2143, SB2155, SB2544, SB1, SB17, SB260, SB509, SB1506, SB1637, SB1833, SB2308, HB2525, HJR34, HB1393, HB26, HB388, HB2712, HB1633, HB685, HB762, HB2286, HB1606, HB1458, HB1240, HB2791, HB3146, HB1397, HB2061, HB647, HB4738, HB2563, HB128, HB581, HB766, HB2259, HB2358, HB4384, HB748, HB793, HB1734, HB2340, HB2350, HB3104, HB5180, HB1584, HB3806, HB3804, HB3803, HB1522, HB3597, HB1612, HB4224, HB1314, HB2254, HB1237, HB3126, HB2856, HB3114, HB3505, HB4205, HB5652, HB3687, HB2025, HB3395, HB2495, HB138, HB18, HB1700, HB4655, HB2516, HB1894, HB1965, HB300, HB2713, HB39, HB114, HB24, HB3088, HB4163, HB3479, HB2842, HB519, HB609, HB1275, HB1592, HB3348, HB120, HB6, HB247, HB1533, HB2421, HB2273, HB2464, HB2011, HB3575, HB3788, HB4370, HB4809, HB5057, HB5084, HB5534, HB5668, HB3424, HB2715, HB2564, HB2760, HB2765, HB2898, HB3260, HB3800, HB4396, HB5195, HB4341, HB43, HB5686, HB2467, HB2468, HB2518, HB4310, HB4386, HB4490, HB180, HB5323, HB2, HB149, HB4945, HB2434, HB2529, HB3161, HB3745, HB4044, HB5155, HB5667, HB4996, HB2697, HB2492, HB2355, HB2282, HB2001, HB1902, HB1866, HB1445, HB1443, HB1306, HB1024, HB908, HB305, HB285, HB449, HB171, HB47, HB3464, HB2637, HB4263, HB5436, HB4429, HB3986, HB3966, HB3510, HB2560, HB2026, HB2688, HB4076, SJR36, SJR50, SJR63, SCR12, SCR39, SB2023, SB1978, SB62, SB666, SB847, SB284, SB854, SB810, SB1505, SB583, SB507, SB1434, SB1772, SB2016, SB1122, SB731, SB397, SB508, SB1436, SB287, SB1882, SB393, SB1791, SB209, SB2429, SB1085, SB1975, SB2717, SB1262, SB636, SB2056, SB884, SB1200, SB1845, SB2458, SB801, SB3014, SB3013, SB758, SB2797, SB2076, SB2876, SB1640, SB1449, SB1181, SB1234, SB2926, SB2841, SB1528, SB1854, SB317, SB1250, SB2082, SB1237, SB2819, SB629, SB2608, SB1602, SB2009, SB867, SB640, SB1698, SB2680, SB913, SB1071, SB1086, SB1087, SB1483, SB1444, SB1553, SB1556, SB1703, SB2133, SB2297, SB2298, SB2622, SB2955, SB2334, SB1367, SB2044, SB2363, SB2565, SB1888, SB3036, SB3057, SB3043, SB3063, SB3035, SB203, SB2688, SB2522, SB2459, SB2655, SB2251, SB1884, SB2928, SB2566, SB1749, SB2549, SB2553, SB2919, SB1944, SB1232, SB1798, SB2603, SB2607, SB2683, SB1319, SB3038, SB3045, SB1538, SB719, SB3071, SB3065, SB823, SB3062, SB719, HB39, HB114, HB138, HB247, HB300, HB762, HB793, HB1275, HB1584, HB1700, HB1894, HB1965, HB2254, HB2340, HB2350, HB2760, HB2842, HB3088, HB3104, HB3260, HB3479, HB3575, HB3687, HB3788, HB4163, HB4205, HB4370, HB4655, HB4809, HB5195, SB1978, SR508, HJR34, SB963, SB1383, SB1883, SB1968, HB2525, HB112, HB117, HB557, HB783, HB869, HB876, HB1039, HB1201, HB1347, HB1359, HB1650, HB1788, HB1904, HB1955, HB2370, HB2849, HB2853, HB3066, HB3169, HB3178, HB3179, HB3196, HB3241, HB3567, HB3672, HB3715, HB3720, HB3883, HB3954, HB3976, HB4070, HB4098, HB4222, HB4327, HB4359, HB4412, HB4683, HB4755, HB4894, HB4926, HB5115, HB5165, HB5320, HB5437, HB5499, HB5596, HB5650, HB5651, HB5654, HB5656, HB5658, HB5659, HB5661, HB5662, HB5665, HB5666, HB5670, HB5671, HB5672, HB5674, HB5676, HB5677, HB5678, HB5679, HB5680, HB5681, HB5682, HB5688, HB5694, HB5695, HB5696, HB5699, HCR46, HCR59, HCR81, HCR83, HCR84, HCR111, HCR142, HB112, HB117, HB557, HB783, HB869, HB876, HB1039, HB1201, HB1347, HB1359, HB1650, HB1788, HB1904, HB1955, HB2370, HB2849, HB2853, HB3066, HB3169, HB3178, HB3179, HB3196, HB3241, HB3567, HB3672, HB3715, HB3720, HB3883, HB3954, HB3976, HB4070, HB4098, HB4222, HB4327, HB4359, HB4412, HB4683, HB4755, HB4894, HB4926, HB5115, HB5165, HB5320, HB5437, HB5499, HB5596, HB5650, HB5651, HB5654, HB5656, HB5658, HB5659, HB5661, HB5662, HB5665, HB5666, HB5670, HB5671, HB5672, HB5674, HB5676, HB5677, HB5678, HB5679, HB5680, HB5681, HB5682, HB5688, HB5694, HB5695, HB5696, HB5699, HCR46, HCR59, HCR81, HCR83, HCR84, HCR111, HCR142

Keywords: HJR 34, constitutional amendment, Texas Constitution, ad valorem tax, property tax exemption, real property, border counties, U.S.-Mexico border, United Mexican States, border security, border security infrastructure, landowner, county tax base, local government, tax relief, property value increase, infrastructure improvements, voter approval, November 2025 ballot, mental health

Bills: HJR34, HB6, HB18, HB39, HB107, HB114, HB138, HB247, HB300, HB647, HB748, HB762, HB793, HB1240, HB1275, HB1397, HB1584, HB1700, HB1875, HB1894, HB1965, HB2071, HB2254, HB2340, HB2350, HB2516, HB2712, HB2713, HB2715, HB2760, HB2842, HB3088, HB3104, HB3260, HB3479, HB3575, HB3687, HB3788, HB4163, HB4187, HB4205, HB4370, HB4384, HB4655, HB4753, HB4809, HB4850, HB5195, HCR90, HCR98, SJR60, SB203, SB317, SB719, SB801, SB867, SB1071, SB1232, SB1319, SB1483, SB1633, SB1798, SB1978, SB2233, SB2363, SB2603, SB2607, SB2717, SB2797, SB2841, SB2928, SB3038, SJR5, SB4, SB9, SB21, SB23, SB27, SB34, SB40, SB75, SB213, SB458, SB482, SB493, SB840, SB841, SB843, SB912, SB1241, SB1253, SB1350, SB1388, SB1423, SB1535, SB1559, SB1789, SB1951, SB2037, SB2143, SB2155, SB2544, SB1, SB17, SB260, SB509, SB1506, SB1637, SB1833, SB2308, HB2525, HJR34, HB1393, HB26, HB388, HB2712, HB1633, HB685, HB762, HB2286, HB1606, HB1458, HB1240, HB2791, HB3146, HB1397, HB2061, HB647, HB4738, HB2563, HB128, HB581, HB766, HB2259, HB2358, HB4384, HB748, HB793, HB1734, HB2340, HB2350, HB3104, HB5180, HB1584, HB3806, HB3804, HB3803, HB1522, HB3597, HB1612, HB4224, HB1314, HB2254, HB1237, HB3126, HB2856, HB3114, HB3505, HB4205, HB5652, HB3687, HB2025, HB3395, HB2495, HB138, HB18, HB1700, HB4655, HB2516, HB1894, HB1965, HB300, HB2713, HB39, HB114, HB24, HB3088, HB4163, HB3479, HB2842, HB519, HB609, HB1275, HB1592, HB3348, HB120, HB6, HB247, HB1533, HB2421, HB2273, HB2464, HB2011, HB3575, HB3788, HB4370, HB4809, HB5057, HB5084, HB5534, HB5668, HB3424, HB2715, HB2564, HB2760, HB2765, HB2898, HB3260, HB3800, HB4396, HB5195, HB4341, HB43, HB5686, HB2467, HB2468, HB2518, HB4310, HB4386, HB4490, HB180, HB5323, HB2, HB149, HB4945, HB2434, HB2529, HB3161, HB3745, HB4044, HB5155, HB5667, HB4996, HB2697, HB2492, HB2355, HB2282, HB2001, HB1902, HB1866, HB1445, HB1443, HB1306, HB1024, HB908, HB305, HB285, HB449, HB171, HB47, HB3464, HB2637, HB4263, HB5436, HB4429, HB3986, HB3966, HB3510, HB2560, HB2026, HB2688, HB4076, SJR36, SJR50, SJR63, SCR12, SCR39, SB2023, SB1978, SB62, SB666, SB847, SB284, SB854, SB810, SB1505, SB583, SB507, SB1434, SB1772, SB2016, SB1122, SB731, SB397, SB508, SB1436, SB287, SB1882, SB393, SB1791, SB209, SB2429, SB1085, SB1975, SB2717, SB1262, SB636, SB2056, SB884, SB1200, SB1845, SB2458, SB801, SB3014, SB3013, SB758, SB2797, SB2076, SB2876, SB1640, SB1449, SB1181, SB1234, SB2926, SB2841, SB1528, SB1854, SB317, SB1250, SB2082, SB1237, SB2819, SB629, SB2608, SB1602, SB2009, SB867, SB640, SB1698, SB2680, SB913, SB1071, SB1086, SB1087, SB1483, SB1444, SB1553, SB1556, SB1703, SB2133, SB2297, SB2298, SB2622, SB2955, SB2334, SB1367, SB2044, SB2363, SB2565, SB1888, SB3036, SB3057, SB3043, SB3063, SB3035, SB203, SB2688, SB2522, SB2459, SB2655, SB2251, SB1884, SB2928, SB2566, SB1749, SB2549, SB2553, SB2919, SB1944, SB1232, SB1798, SB2603, SB2607, SB2683, SB1319, SB3038, SB3045, SB1538, SB719, SB3071, SB3065, SB823, SB3062, SB719, HB39, HB114, HB138, HB247, HB300, HB762, HB793, HB1275, HB1584, HB1700, HB1894, HB1965, HB2254, HB2340, HB2350, HB2760, HB2842, HB3088, HB3104, HB3260, HB3479, HB3575, HB3687, HB3788, HB4163, HB4205, HB4370, HB4655, HB4809, HB5195, SB1978, SR508, HJR34, SB963, SB1383, SB1883, SB1968, HB2525, HB112, HB117, HB557, HB783, HB869, HB876, HB1039, HB1201, HB1347, HB1359, HB1650, HB1788, HB1904, HB1955, HB2370, HB2849, HB2853, HB3066, HB3169, HB3178, HB3179, HB3196, HB3241, HB3567, HB3672, HB3715, HB3720, HB3883, HB3954, HB3976, HB4070, HB4098, HB4222, HB4327, HB4359, HB4412, HB4683, HB4755, HB4894, HB4926, HB5115, HB5165, HB5320, HB5437, HB5499, HB5596, HB5650, HB5651, HB5654, HB5656, HB5658, HB5659, HB5661, HB5662, HB5665, HB5666, HB5670, HB5671, HB5672, HB5674, HB5676, HB5677, HB5678, HB5679, HB5680, HB5681, HB5682, HB5688, HB5694, HB5695, HB5696, HB5699, HCR46, HCR59, HCR81, HCR83, HCR84, HCR111, HCR142, HB112, HB117, HB557, HB783, HB869, HB876, HB1039, HB1201, HB1347, HB1359, HB1650, HB1788, HB1904, HB1955, HB2370, HB2849, HB2853, HB3066, HB3169, HB3178, HB3179, HB3196, HB3241, HB3567, HB3672, HB3715, HB3720, HB3883, HB3954, HB3976, HB4070, HB4098, HB4222, HB4327, HB4359, HB4412, HB4683, HB4755, HB4894, HB4926, HB5115, HB5165, HB5320, HB5437, HB5499, HB5596, HB5650, HB5651, HB5654, HB5656, HB5658, HB5659, HB5661, HB5662, HB5665, HB5666, HB5670, HB5671, HB5672, HB5674, HB5676, HB5677, HB5678, HB5679, HB5680, HB5681, HB5682, HB5688, HB5694, HB5695, HB5696, HB5699, HCR46, HCR59, HCR81, HCR83, HCR84, HCR111, HCR142

Keywords: HJR 34, constitutional amendment, Texas Constitution, ad valorem tax, property tax exemption, real property, border counties, U.S.-Mexico border, United Mexican States, border security, border security infrastructure, landowner, county tax base, local government, tax relief, property value increase, infrastructure improvements, voter approval, November 2025 ballot, mental health

Transcript Highlights:

• reference set at your critical access hospital may be completely different than it is set at an academic
• reference set at your critical access hospital may be completely different than it is set at an academic
• reference set at your critical access hospital may be completely different than it is set at an academic
• reference set at your critical access hospital may be completely different than it is set at an academic
• <01:13:12.159> medical than it is set at an academic medical than it is set at an academic

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House took up S. 190, a health care cost-containment bill relating to the Green Mountain Care Board, reference-based pricing, and a study of a public employee health benefit authority. The House first suspended rules to take the bill from the notice calendar, then heard committee reports from Health Care, Ways and Means, and Appropriations. The Health Care committee chair described the bill as a strike-all amendment intended to carry out Act 68’s hospital reference-based pricing timeline, saying it would let the Green Mountain Care Board begin implementation for fiscal year 2027, expand reference-based pricing to qualified health plans and the Vermont Education Health Insurance program, and address hospital pricing transparency, outsourcing, and critical access hospital Medicare outpatient cost-sharing issues. Supporters argued the bill would lower insurance costs, help reduce property taxes, and improve hospital sustainability by reducing the need for hospitals to limit access as they approach revenue caps. The Ways and Means committee said the bill could reduce education spending by lowering health care costs for school employees and reported the bill favorably on a 7-4 vote. The Appropriations committee said it reviewed the bill and an amendment, and noted that much of the detailed language would be changed by the appropriations amendment; it also discussed a possible state innovation waiver under the Affordable Care Act. The Health Care committee reported its strike-all amendment favorably on a 10-0 vote. The bill’s provisions were described in detail, including requiring hospitals and insurers to express rates as a percentage of Medicare, setting a path toward national median hospital prices by 2030, limiting certain reimbursements for QHP and VHI plans, requiring a report on hospital outsourcing and provider tax impacts, and creating a public health system performance tool if funding is available. The speaker also noted that the bill would not affect critical access hospitals or Vermont’s Medicare-dependent hospital in the reimbursement cap provisions, and that critical access hospitals were already working with the Green Mountain Care Board on solutions to Medicare outpatient cost-sharing concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• my work, not the work of being a psychiatrist, but the work of being a doctor in medicine at an academic
• In 2022, I was working, like I said, in an academic institution, and I caught COVID, as so many of us
• my work, not the work of being a psychiatrist, but the work of being a doctor in medicine at an academic
• In 2022, I was working, like I said, in an academic institution, and I caught COVID, as so many of us

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development held a lengthy hearing on June 18 focused on workers’ compensation, independent contractor and classification issues, workplace safety, warehouse worker protections, extreme temperature protections, retaliation against injured workers, and workplace bullying. Committee chairs outlined procedures for the hybrid hearing and noted that members would be leaving intermittently for floor votes. Testimony also touched on a bill to expand workers’ compensation disfigurement benefits by removing the current $15,000 cap and extending coverage beyond scars on the hands, neck, and face. A major theme was workplace safety in warehouses and in extreme heat or cold. Teamsters, warehouse workers, and labor advocates described high injury rates, strict quotas, lack of water, inadequate ventilation, frozen or missing safety equipment, and pressure to work through heat waves and snowstorms. Supporters urged favorable reports on bills protecting warehouse workers and requiring employers to adopt heat- and cold-safety plans, while the NFIB opposed the temperature bill as overly prescriptive and burdensome for small businesses. Sen. Edwards, Sen. Roche, Rep. O’Day, and others argued that the measures are needed to prevent heat illness, provide shade, water, rest breaks, training, and emergency plans, and to cover all workers regardless of immigration status. Another major subject was the “Act to Protect Injured Workers,” backed by labor groups, immigrant worker centers, legal services organizations, and individual workers. Witnesses said employers often retaliate after injuries by threatening deportation, lying about how injuries occurred, delaying care, or firing workers, and they supported stronger anti-retaliation enforcement, multilingual notices, and a rebuttable presumption of retaliation within 90 days of protected activity. The Mass AFL-CIO and immigrant advocacy groups supported the bill and opposed measures they said would weaken employee classification standards. Testimony also supported a funeral-benefits bill to raise workers’ compensation death-benefit reimbursement for burial and funeral costs, based on a family’s experience after a workplace fatality. The committee heard additional testimony on workplace bullying bills, with some witnesses urging a new legal duty for employers to prevent and respond to bullying, while others described the harms of toxic workplaces and the lack of effective remedies.

Transcript Highlights:

• up with a plan for how they're going to approach the impact of cell phones on student behavior, academic
• 12:22.079> on<00:12:22.320> student<00:12:22.720> behavior,<00:12:23.279> academic
• phones on student behavior, academic phones on student behavior, academic attainment,<00:12:24.079

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up House File 4138, a bill aimed at limiting harmful social media features for children and requiring social media companies to report potential mass-shooting threats to the BCA. Members first reconsidered and then adopted the Smith amendment (A13), while a proposed amendment to that amendment (A18) failed on a 67-67 tie. Representative Bonner then introduced a technical amendment (A14) but withdrew it after explaining it needed further work to avoid liability and legal problems. The bill was then read for third reading as amended. Debate centered on the bill’s approach to child safety online. Supporters, including Representatives Scott, Eng, Feist, Greenman, and Gilman, argued that social media is addictive, harmful to children’s mental health, and too often exploits kids, and they said the bill is an important bipartisan first step. Several members also emphasized that parents should be involved, though some questioned whether parents can realistically understand the technology and legal terms well enough to make informed decisions. Representative Leeing raised concerns about location privacy, parental consent, possible liability waivers, and whether the bill should instead restrict addictive features for all children rather than only those whose parents consent. The discussion also broadened to related public-safety issues. Representative Greenman contrasted the difficulty of advancing this bill with the Legislature’s inability to move gun-related provisions, arguing that organized interests like the gun lobby and big tech are blocking stronger protections for children. Representative Bonner later described specific cases of children harmed through social media, including sextortion and fentanyl-related deaths, to argue that the bill does not yet cover all vulnerable youth and should be strengthened. No final vote on passage is included in the transcript excerpt, but the amended bill advanced to third reading.

Transcript Highlights:

• it's updating statute 134.351 to provide, to ensure that they're providing services to schools, academic
• they're providing services<00:37:00.800> to<00:37:00.920> schools,<00:37:01.440> academic
• ,<00:37:02.080> special, services to schools, academic, special, services to schools, academic

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a concerned citizen who has 30-plus years as a social work clinician, educator, researcher, and academic
• :24:40.480> Hillcrest to be the Hillcrest to be the Hillcrest Foundation<00:24:42.520> academic
• <00:24:42.920> chair<00:24:43.200> of<00:24:43.240> mental Foundation academic
• chair of mental Foundation academic chair of mental health. health. health.

Bills: HB151, HB152, HB138, SB221, SB190, SB69, SB225, SB272

Keywords: fire chaplains, distinctive license plate, firefighter, volunteer service, criminal penalties, sales tax exemption, baby supplies, baby formula, maternity clothing, menstrual hygiene products, pregnancy, pregnant defendant, incarceration, jail intake, pregnancy test, bail, pre-incarceration probation, supervised probation, electronic monitoring, electronic supervision

Transcript Highlights:

• To be fair, I'd really only looked at it from the academic side of things.
• looked at it to be fair I'd really only looked at it from<00:56:16.240> the<00:56:17.200> academic
• <00:56:19.280> That's from the academic side of things.
• That's from the academic side of things.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• mental health and social-emotional support programs recognizes the importance of mental wellness in academic
• the importance of mental<00:52:36.520> Wellness<00:52:37.160> in<00:52:37.440> academic
• <00:52:38.079> Su<00:52:38.720> success mental Wellness in academic Su success mental
• Wellness in academic Su success 3.9<00:52:40.680> million<00:52:41.240> in<00:52:41.559

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, she's unlike her dad, very academically minded and doing great.
• unlike her dad for her you know she's unlike her dad very<00:48:40.960> uh<00:48:41.200> academically
• very uh academically very uh academically minded<00:48:43.440> and<00:48:44.440> um

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires targeted academic support.
• It does not lower academic or content standards.
• It's a testament to the school's unwavering commitment to academic excellence.

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Senate Message 04:45 Calendar/2nd Readings 05:20 Report of Committees 07:05 Orders of the Day 08:23 HB 214 08:33 HB 416 12:26 HB 281 16:20 HB 134 18:13 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 21:08 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 37:01 Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 39:15 ConC/Rules Report 42:29 Floor Amendments 44:27 Correction to Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 46:14 Adjournment 46:40, 958, all

Summary: The House convened, heard an invocation focused on recovery from a recent storm, and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. A quorum was established with 94 members present, absent members were excused, and the rules were suspended to allow co-sponsorships and vote modifications. The journal was approved, and the clerk reported a Senate message transmitting Senate Joint Resolution 23 for concurrence. The chamber then received second-reading reports on a wide range of bills covering pharmacist reimbursements, grooming a minor, local government liability, water fluoridation, solid waste, highway markings, fiduciary bonds, motor vehicle titles, hearing aid coverage, eating disorder coverage, public safety, pedestrians, cigar bars, backyard chickens, and county law libraries. Committee reports also advanced several bills, including measures on elections, local government, state-operated mental health facilities, prescription drugs, Alzheimer’s services, electric generating unit decommissioning costs, reemployment of retired police officers, and the Kentucky Communications Network Authority. Those favorable reports were treated as first readings and placed on the calendar. The House passed several bills unanimously by roll call, including House Bill 214 on a program to help disabled veterans obtain and install home wheelchair ramps, House Bill 416 on educator preparation and early assessments, House Bill 281 on streamlining food donations by churches and nonprofits for shelters and disaster victims, and House Bill 134 on sexual assault nurse examiners, creating a statewide coordinator, registry, and regional access plan. In each case, sponsors explained the bills and members voiced support; floor amendment 1 to House Bill 416 was adopted before passage. Clinchers were applied after passage of the bills. The House also adopted House Resolution 33 recognizing cancer patients, survivors, and families and designating January 29, 2026 as Suits and Sneakers Day, and adopted House Resolution 43 recognizing the economic and cultural partnership between Kentucky and Japan. Members offered additional citations honoring Newport Central Catholic High School and the YMCA, and the chamber observed a moment of silence for Boone County Sheriff Michael Helmig after a citation honoring his service and legacy. Announcements included committee meetings after adjournment, birthday wishes, and the introduction of numerous new bills and resolutions, including measures on kindergarten, bridges, revenue, retirement benefits, concealed deadly weapons, local taxes, motor vehicles, fiscal reporting, SNAP, families and children, vision testing, and a balanced budget amendment application.

Transcript Highlights:

• practiced in vascular surgery in Birmingham for about 10 years before I made the transition over to academics
• practiced in vascular surgery in Birmingham for about 10 years before I made the transition over to academics
• practiced in vascular surgery in Birmingham for about 10 years before I made the transition over to academics

Bills: HB31, HB31

Keywords: absentee voting, disabled, blind, voter assistance, voting rights, SNAP, public assistance, nutritional standards, waiver, food regulation, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He has deep ties to an academic institution where there is Cape Verdean studies, and he represents a
• He's an academic and a musician. He knows a lot about Cape Verdean history, language, and music.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Cabo Verdean Cultural Center Feasibility Commission met to continue its work toward making recommendations to the Legislature on establishing a cultural center in Boston. The chair reviewed the commission’s mandate, upcoming monthly meetings, site visits, listening sessions, and the plan to eventually hire a consultant for the feasibility study. Members also discussed the importance of capturing the broader 200-plus-year Cape Verdean history in Massachusetts, especially in light of Boston’s 250th anniversary and Cabo Verde’s recent 50th independence anniversary. A major portion of the meeting focused on reviewing and narrowing a list of potential additional commissioners. Members discussed the need for geographic, sector, and generational diversity, and several commissioners raised concerns about overrepresentation from New Bedford and the need to include people connected to other Cape Verdean communities such as Brockton, Boston, Wareham/Onset, Taunton, the Cape, and Haverhill. Testimony and comments emphasized including people with skills in arts, culture, history, construction, philanthropy, law, education, museum curation, and community organizing. Members also discussed whether to use a slate, an inventory of skills and regions, or individual votes, and whether abstentions should be treated as “reserve your rights” instead. The commission voted to appoint three individuals: John Cruz, former State Senator Vinny deMacedo, and Angelo Lopes Barbosa or a designee from the Center for Cape Verdean Studies at Bridgewater State University. The body then voted to pause the remaining commissioner appointments until the next meeting and directed the chair and staff to create an inventory of candidates by skills, region, and other relevant criteria. Members also agreed to add two newly suggested names—former Brockton City Councilor Tina Cardoso and Maria Gomez-Pena—to the candidate list. The chair said the next meeting would be scheduled for January, and the meeting adjourned after the commission approved the motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• And all these skills help support academic success, better behavior, attendance, and contribute to a
• And eliminating this risks reducing access to supports that students greatly need to thrive academically

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, recorded attendance, approved the journal, and announced a recess at 11:30 a.m. for a proclamation honoring the University of Arizona men’s basketball team. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider several bills, mostly on education and finance topics, including school assessment accountability, mental health instruction, public education, accumulated sick leave payments, tax administration, depository state money, dental board regulation, environmental quality, and competitive bidding. On the education calendar, HB 2032 and HB 2033 dealt with school assessment accountability. An Angius amendment to HB 2032 changed a testing timeline from four to six weeks and was adopted; HB 2032 later passed 26-0. A Diaz amendment to HB 2033 would have limited written statewide assessments to grades 3-8, but after debate over testing uniformity and local control it failed 15-10, and HB 2033 passed without it. HB 293, relating to mental health instruction requirements, drew extended floor debate, with senators arguing it was important for student well-being and social-emotional learning; the bill passed 16-10. HB 4033, relating to education bond elections, also passed. On the finance and regulatory calendar, HB 2812 on accumulated sick leave payments was amended and recommended do pass in committee, but later failed final passage on the floor 15-11 after concerns were raised about a provision affecting Attorney General representation. HB 2016 and HB 2140 were amended and recommended do pass in Committee of the Whole, HB 2308 and HB 2439 also received do-pass recommendations, and HB 2320 was retained on the calendar. HB 2873, a competitive bidding bill, became the subject of extensive debate over an emergency clause and a strike-everything amendment tied by opponents to a Marana data-center referendum; supporters argued it restored the ability to withdraw referendum petitions. The amended bill ultimately received a do-pass recommendation. The Senate then adopted the Committee of the Whole report, heard the University of Arizona proclamation, and adjourned until Monday, April 13, 2026.

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• higher education, I realized that these funds would have actually helped me get further into my academics
• these funds would have actually, excuse me, sorry, would have actually helped me get further into my academics

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance held its first hearing of the year on Proposition 98, focusing on the Governor’s budget estimates for the three-year budget window, the Public School System Stabilization Account (PSSA), and repayment of education deferrals. The Department of Finance said the minimum guarantee would rise by about $21.7 billion over the 2025 Budget Act, with increases in each year, full repayment of the existing settle-up obligation in 2024-25, a new $5.6 billion settle-up obligation proposed for 2025-26, and a higher guarantee in 2026-27. Finance also noted revised downward estimates for transitional kindergarten attendance and Los Angeles County property tax reimbursements, and said community colleges would be funded above the split because of enrollment growth. The Legislative Analyst’s Office emphasized fiscal risk and volatility, warning that recent revenue gains are tied heavily to the stock market and tech sector and could reverse quickly. The LAO argued the Governor’s proposed $5.6 billion delay shifts risk into future years and recommended instead fully funding the current estimate, making a larger reserve deposit, considering advance payments or pension-related uses, and finding additional non-Prop 98 solutions to reduce the state’s structural deficit. On the reserve and deferral items, Finance described revised PSSA deposits and withdrawals that would leave about $4.1 billion in the reserve by 2026-27, and both Finance and the LAO supported paying off the remaining LCFF and SCFF deferrals as good fiscal practice. Committee members questioned the size of the settle-up amount, the degree of revenue volatility, the use of the reserve, and the ongoing K-12/community college split. Finance said the proposal is meant to avoid overappropriation if revenues fall, while the LAO said a buffer of roughly $3.5 billion would address typical forecasting risk. Public commenters, including school boards, county offices of education, teachers, and advocacy groups, largely opposed the $5.6 billion withholding or settle-up delay, calling it a manipulation of Prop. 98 and urging full funding and more stable revenue solutions. Several speakers also urged dedicated funding for students experiencing homelessness. The hearing ended with no vote, and the chair announced that broader program discussions would occur in later hearings.

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• Community Learning Centers were created to help students in high-poverty, low-performing schools meet academic
• They provide a broad array of additional services to complement the regular academic program and offer

Transcript Highlights:

• Department to help school districts in researching and implementing practices focused on promoting academic
• Department to help school districts in researching and implementing practices focused on promoting academic

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard presentation on House File 6, an education omnibus-style bill advanced by Representative Peggy Bennett and other Republican members. Bennett said the bill reflects caucus priorities around literacy, parental engagement, local control, and school flexibility. She described three articles: Article 1 on revisions to the READ Act and the science of reading; Article 2 on education innovation and parent-friendly school information; and Article 3 on funding flexibility and temporary relief from several new mandates enacted in recent biennia. On Article 3, Bennett said school boards would be allowed to transfer certain funds and delay implementation of specified mandates through the 2028-29 school year, including provisions tied to recent early childhood and education omnibus laws as well as paid family and medical leave and earned sick and safe time. She framed this as giving districts time to implement requirements carefully and with fidelity, and said such decisions would be made by local school boards in public meetings. She also argued the bill would reduce the burden of new mandates and preserve local decision-making. Representative Mueller then presented Article 1, saying it strengthens the state’s commitment to the science of reading, ends the Department of Education’s partnership with CAREI, repeals some 2024 requirements she said were ideological, and restores expectations for teacher preparation and assessment. Representative Bakeberg presented Article 2, which would require a more user-friendly school performance report, consolidate certain innovation-related programs into a new chapter, and replace the Department’s equity/diversity/inclusion center with an Office of Achievement and Innovation focused on academic achievement. He said the office’s guidance would be advisory only and that local districts would retain final authority. The chair then laid House File 6 over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill and further consideration at a later date.

Transcript Highlights:

• So in that sense, to me, this is very academic in that way.
• So in that sense, to me, this is very academic in that way.
• So in that sense, to me, this is very academic in that way.
• So in that sense, to me, this is very academic in that way.
• So in that sense, to me, this is very academic in that way.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've made substantial progress and have invested record funding in our schools over the...
• They are just concerned that we have students who are taking a tech-use test, not a test of academic
• And the idea here is another idea in creating basically a Creating basically a progressive income tax
• That's what the purpose of a progressive income tax is.
• Report progress. Committee will rise. Report progress. >> No, we won't. Sorry.

Keywords: 981, all