Transcript Highlights:

• Are we ready for the resolution? >> Excellent. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Are<00:03:20.879> we<00:03:21.040> ready<00:03:21.200> for<00:03:21.280> the<
• <00:03:22.879> All Are we ready for the resolution? All Are we ready for the resolution?
• <00:08:31.759> for<00:08:32.000> the staff on the military readiness for the staff
• on the military readiness for the Congressional<00:08:32.880> House<00:08:33.200> Armed

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Maryland Senate met on Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026, with a quorum present. The session opened with an invocation by Chaplain David Stadler, followed by journalization of his remarks and several introductions recognizing guests in the chamber, including dentists, an intern, a former legislative staffer, and representatives from the University System of Maryland and other groups. Senators also noted upcoming committee meetings and a Legislative Black Caucus photo the next day. The main floor action centered on a resolution honoring Maryland Career and Technical Student Organizations for Career and Technical Student Organization Week. The sponsor described the role of CTSOs in serving more than 12,000 students statewide and in building leadership, professional, and career skills. The resolution was read in full and adopted unanimously, with the Senate expressing congratulations and appreciation for the organizations’ work with young people. The Senate then took up layover items and calendar bills. Senate Bill 56, concerning Maryland Longitudinal Data Center external data sharing for multi-state reporting, was special ordered for one day after members raised privacy-related questions. Senate Bill 99, the Open Meetings Act/Local Board of Education Transparency Act measure, was also special ordered for one day after discussion of its committee amendment. The chamber also received administrative corrections from the Governor and referred them to the Executive Nominations Committee, and the majority leader later moved adjournment until February 19 at 10:00 a.m., which was adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• . $428 million for educator workforce investments to support the Student Teacher's Stipend Program, the
• Workforce training programs or employment opportunity that would help our working families who may fall
• I can't speak to workforce programs, but I do want to mention that the bill does include 100... ...workforce
• We're very disappointed that the administration chose not to include the restoration of the workforce
• We stand ready to continue those conversations and to represent our members, both adult day services

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My question has to do with workforce.
• We know this bill would impact the workforce of small businesses.
• My question has to do with the workforce.
• How do I know it's not ready?
• We will let you know when we are ready to come back.

Transcript Highlights:

• Workforce strategy.
• So, in particular, the Workforce Development Board oversees statewide workforce policy.
• It's difficult to know whether a new statewide venue for collaboration between workforce entities and
• , which includes our teachers, our nurses, our green workforce, and our community leaders.
• It doesn't just prepare students for the workforce.

Summary: The subcommittee held an informational budget hearing covering several GovOps, CDT, CPPA, and DGS items. GovOps reported that most deliverables under the Governor’s generative AI executive order have been completed, including guidelines, procurement tools, community-impact guidance, and a new project delivery lifecycle for Gen AI projects; one workforce-related deliverable remains. Members and public commenters raised concerns about privacy, labor impacts, and how the state will explain and oversee Gen AI use. The committee also heard a proposal to create a California Education Interagency Council with $5 million ongoing and 16 positions to coordinate workforce and education systems; LAO questioned duplication and recommended limited-term funding, while supporters said a neutral convening body is needed to improve coordination and student outcomes. GoServe presented the College Corps budget proposals, describing the program as a paid service and career-development opportunity for undergraduate students that helps reduce college costs while supporting communities through tutoring, food insecurity work, climate and disaster response, and other service. The administration sought one-time and ongoing funding to expand the program to more campuses and students, while LAO objected to the high administrative costs and recommended rejection. Several students and alumni testified that College Corps provided financial support, professional experience, and career pathways. The committee also heard a $5 million proposal for a Belonging Campaign to address loneliness and social isolation through research, outreach, and local grants; LAO said the proposal lacked clear goals and measures, while supporters said the effort is needed for youth, seniors, and community resilience. The Department of Technology updated the Middle Mile Broadband Initiative, saying construction is underway on the statewide open-access network and the project remains on track for the 2026 deadline, though LAO noted a required business plan had not yet been submitted. The California Privacy Protection Agency presented its Delete Act implementation request for the DROP platform, which will let consumers request deletion of personal information held by data brokers; LAO flagged oversight concerns because CDT is both developing the system and involved in project support. Public commenters from business groups urged caution on CPPA’s rulemakings, warning of compliance costs and job impacts. The Department of General Services then discussed implementation of Proposition 2 school facilities bonds, requesting staffing and administrative funding to manage the new bond program and continue school facility work. Officials said the program can also help districts affected by the January wildfires, including interim site funding and expedited assistance. Finally, DGS requested authority and positions to operate Building 18 for labor-agency tenants relocating from older Capitol Mall space; SEIU Local 1000 criticized the state’s four-day return-to-office policy and said telework has improved productivity and retention. No formal votes were taken; the hearing concluded after public testimony and member questions on each item.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Gilmore, you're ready?
• But she was always ready to invest time... ...but she was always ready to invest time and information
• Developmental Disabilities Study Subcommittee met on Monday to hear testimony on the following items: workforce
• I'm wondering if this reallocation is for the Arkansas Workforce Connection.

Summary: The meeting began with a quorum call, prayer, and approval of the previous minutes. Members then adopted a resolution honoring Lori McDonald of the Department of Human Services for nearly 28 years of state service, with remarks praising her legislative work, constituent services, leadership, and emergency response roles. McDonald thanked the committee, and the Senate also presented her with a citation, flag, and commemorative coin. The committee received the May 2026 revenue report, which showed gross adjusted collections of $7.76 billion year-to-date, up 4.4% from the prior year, and a projected surplus of $585.8 million. The executive subcommittee report was adopted, covering emergency rules for DHS and the Department of Education, school district waiver requests, committee fund allocations, cancellation of the July ALC meeting, and authorization for subcommittees to meet in July on urgent matters. The administrative rules report was also adopted after members noted that most rules were approved, with a few pulled by agencies or held. Members then heard a lengthy exchange on the Arkansas Education Department’s ClassWallet contract and delays in expense review for education savings account payments. Department officials said they were meeting regularly with ClassWallet, enforcing contract standards, keeping some reviews in-house, and adding staff and technology improvements to speed processing while maintaining oversight. The committee also adopted reports from Game and Fish and State Police, Hospital/Medicaid/Developmental Disabilities, Lottery Oversight, Occupational Licensing Review, Peer Review, Review, State Insurance Programs Oversight, and Personnel, including a Department of Commerce reallocation tied to a broader shared-services realignment. Under review of communications, members filed several retirement system investment items as reviewed, approved rural community grant funding, gave favorable advice for state park additions, approved special maintenance funding for state parks, and filed Office of State Technology service-rate changes as reviewed. The meeting concluded with no new business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• These professionals would be ready to help families get access to a lot of these programs that I think
• These professionals would be ready to help families get access to a lot of these programs that I think
• As someone who also looks to hire LPEs, it's been very hard to find a new workforce.
• All right, so we are ready to adjourn? Okay, with that said, we are adjourned. Thank you.
• All right, so we are ready to adjourn? Okay, with that said, we are adjourned. Thank you.

Summary: The Arkansas Legislative Autism Task Force approved the April 1, 2026 meeting minutes and then reviewed several vacant membership slots on the task force, including appointments from the Arkansas Psychology Board, Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield, UAMS, and parent or guardian positions. Members discussed trying to fill those vacancies before the next meeting, and noted that if they remain open they may be addressed in the task force’s legislative report and through possible statutory changes in the next General Assembly. Representatives from the Developmental Disabilities Provider Association (DDPA) and Civitan Services presented on DDPA’s role serving children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Arkansas. They said DDPA now represents 80 providers serving more than 13,000 individuals in 75 counties, with services including early intervention, adult day programs, supported employment, intermediate care facilities, work activities, and community/residential waiver services. They also shared survey data on older clients and said these services remain available to seniors with IDD, including people with autism. The task force then heard a proposal to amend Act 656 of 2021 to include licensed psychological practitioners as qualified providers for autism waiver-related evaluations. The presenter argued this would reduce wait times, avoid duplicate assessments, and help families access services sooner, while still maintaining quality standards. Members asked about training, licensure, and whether other professionals such as speech-language pathologists or audiologists should be included; Dr. Scott noted that current practice already relies on a two-provider model and that speech-language pathologists play a role because autism diagnosis considers communication, cognitive ability, and language. The discussion also touched on the need for proper testing standards and board oversight. No vote was taken on the amendment, and the meeting ended with plans to return to fraud-related discussion and to begin prioritizing recommendations for the 2027 session before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• poor state, just because there's not a provider, a lot of providers, these professionals would be ready
• These professionals would be ready to help families get access to a lot of these programs that I think
• As someone who also looks to hire LPEs, it's been very hard to find a new workforce.
• All right, so we are ready to adjourn. Okay, with that said, we are adjourned.
• Prezai either you have anything to add before we on other business all right so we are ready to adjourn

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Whenever you're ready. Well, good afternoon, Vice Chair Brian.
• Two minutes each whenever you're ready. Good afternoon, Chair and members.
• Whenever you're ready. Thank you, Chair and colleagues.
• Whenever you're ready. Okay.
• Whenever you're ready. Whenever you're ready. Thank you, Mr. Chair and members.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and this will take that rent off the books when we're ready to buy it.
• I move auto pass and have a committee amendment when we're ready.
• Senator Lang amendment when we're ready.
• Um, hopefully it'll be ready tomorrow. It will not be based on anyone's income.
• Um hopefully it'll be ready amendment.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You call us to rest, not as weakness, but as renewal; not as retreat, but as readiness for the work ahead
• If you have a bill on the calendar, please be ready.
• workforce shortages in our great state and keep up with ever-growing demand.
• workforce shortages in our great state and keep up with ever-growing demand.
• the Committee on Trade, Workforce, and Economic Development.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, offered an invocation, led the pledges, and approved a series of routine motions, including excusing absent members and granting permission for several committees to meet while the House was in session. Members also adopted several memorial and recognition resolutions, including H.R. 1023 honoring Christian Beerbill, H.R. 1033 recognizing International Bereaved Mother’s Day, and H.R. 877 recognizing Urban League Advocates Day. The House also recommitted SB 17 and HB 4211 to committee and postponed SCR 27 and HB 2145 for later consideration. The chamber then took up a long third-reading calendar of bills covering a wide range of topics, including Sunset review measures, health care workforce and pricing, child custody and family law, Medicaid, rural ambulance grants, energy reporting, public information requests, trail development, virtual meeting disruptions, occupational licensing, protective orders, county leave pools, animal cruelty, infrastructure, and higher education. Most bills were explained briefly by their authors and passed with broad support, though several drew notable opposition, including HB 5265, HB 2402, HB 3000, HB 3237, HB 3326, HB 1056, HB 281, HB 3308, HB 1043, HB 1234, HB 1193, HB 294, HB 809, HB 334, HB 2037, HB 285, HB 1353, HB 3960, HB 4044, HB 4264, HB 2807, HB 3349, HB 4406, HB 1593, HB 1899, HB 1201, and others. Several bills prompted extended debate or amendments. HB 3237, extending public energy-use reporting for state and higher-education buildings, passed after questions about its public-sector-only scope and energy savings. HB 3326, addressing public service loan forgiveness credit for adjunct professors, initially failed on a 69-70 vote but later passed after verification and machine corrections. HB 3211, concerning optometrists in managed care plans, adopted a Buckley amendment before passing. HB 2213 on Texas Windstorm Insurance Association board composition adopted a Metcalf amendment requiring certain board members to be Texas residents. HB 412, dealing with harmful materials and sexual performance of a child, generated extensive questioning about its scope, existing legal standards, and effects on educators and medical professionals; the excerpt ends during that debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• Eslinger, Director of Health and Human Services Sarah Wilson, Commissioner of Higher Education and Workforce
• Our budget supports funding for Prosperity to expand its proven workforce development and social enterprise
• Our budget supports funding for Prosperity to expand its proven workforce development and social enterprise
• And one of the clearest measures of success is whether students graduate ready for the real world.
• That commitment to real-world readiness starts in the classroom.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill 37 basically said that the faculty senate is not the Texas senate. ready to pass it to my house,
• ability to teach our students well as an opportunity to send out 10,000 Longhorns a year that are ready
• to lead, ready to be great citizens, ready to positive contributors to our society.
• In that sense, civil discourse isn't just a campus value, it's a necessary workforce skill.
• And I'm ready to answer any questions you may have. questions you, that I gave Hudson.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, whenever you are ready, please present your bill. All right.
• initial review, are the Department of Cultural Affairs, Department of Health, the Department of Workforce
• You're ready.
• Representative Martinez, whenever you're ready.
• Whenever you're ready, Representative. Oh, good afternoon, committee.

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The House Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee met and first heard House Memorial 7, which asks Legislative Council Service, the State Personnel Office, DFA, and GSD to study the use of temporary, term, seasonal, casual, on-call, and other non-regular classifications in state government. The memorial was presented as a response to concerns that some workers are repeatedly terminated and rehired, sometimes after a one-day break, to avoid regular status and associated benefits. Testimony from CWA and AFSCME described long-term temporary workers at the National Hispanic Cultural Center and other agencies who allegedly do full-time work without health insurance, retirement, leave, or consistent pay progression, and who in some cases were denied union coverage. Committee members questioned the scope, definitions of temporary employment, and whether the issue should instead be referred to the state auditor; the sponsor said the study would gather data and recommendations first. The committee voted due pass, and House Memorial 7 passed unanimously. The committee then heard House Bill 177, which appropriates funds to the Veterans Services Department to contract for shelter and care of service and companion animals so veterans can access housing, medical care, and other services without fearing separation from their pets. Support came from the Veterans Services Department, Animal Protection New Mexico, and the Veterans and Military Families Caucus/Veterans Integration Center, all of whom said pets are often a barrier to veterans seeking care and that existing community-based animal boarding models could be used. The bill received no opposition, and the committee voted due pass with no opposition. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 43, a PERA cleanup bill intended to update and clarify the Public Employees Retirement Act and align it with administrative practice. Testimony focused on a provision allowing PERA to use licensed physicians, including out-of-state physicians who can be licensed in New Mexico, to serve on the disability review process when needed so disability cases are not delayed. Committee members raised concerns about ensuring medical expertise and avoiding abuse of the licensing flexibility, but PERA explained the change was meant to address recruitment difficulties and maintain timely review. The committee voted due pass on House Bill 43.

Transcript Highlights:

• But, you know, just this past year in North Carolina and what we saw in Florida to, so we're ready to
• I can't in a ready yet, but but and so I asked you, okay, we're going to turn to tab 2.
• It's ready and it's much are today.
• I'm ready. I know you didn't. Thank you for the protection of our business. Great.
• We also are going internally streamline processes and where we will be ready.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:15:24.600> and to strengthening our workforce and to strengthening our workforce and public
• And educational and workforce program.
• When we win, we work with workforce When we win, we work with workforce investment<00:28:51.480>
• So, if we're putting anything workforce.
• we have, but you heard workforce we have, but you heard workforce issues.<01:13:29.240> Whether

Keywords: Roll Call - 00:10 Discussion on SCR 61 – 01:46 Vote on SCR 61 – 11:33 Discussion on SR 18 – 12:30 Vote on SR 18 - 30:01 Discussion on Ky Residential Autism Services – 32:34 Questions & Comments – 56:56, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first considered Senate Concurrent Resolution 61, sponsored by Senator Shelley Funke Frommeyer and Representative Matt Lockett. The resolution, as amended by committee substitute, would create a legislative task force tied to the MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) framework to study Kentucky health policy, including Medicaid drug approvals, preventive and alternative therapies, holistic health education, oversight and transparency in health care, and research into integrative approaches. Supporters said the goal was to address chronic disease and reduce over-medication, while emphasizing the effort was not intended as an attack on agriculture or the pharmaceutical industry. The resolution received favorable expression and passed the committee 9-0. The committee then heard Senate Resolution 18 from Senator Neal, urging Kentucky to maximize participation in the federal SNAP Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) program. Testimony from Jessica Klein of the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy and Secretary Eric Friedlander explained that SNAP E&T provides job training, education, and support services for SNAP participants, and that the program is federally matched and does not require additional General Assembly funding in the normal course. Members discussed how the program works, whether it could create new state costs, and how it fits with efforts to connect food assistance, workforce development, and local agriculture. Questions also focused on whether SNAP spending can be steered toward healthier foods and farmers markets, including Kentucky’s Double Dollars program, which was described as helping participants buy produce, meat, and dairy at participating markets and some retailers. Several members expressed support for the workforce goals but asked for more information on fiscal impacts and purchasing data. Secretary Friedlander said the SNAP E&T funds are separate from nutrition benefits, and that the state match generally comes from employer, university, or workforce partner contributions rather than new state appropriations. Senator Herron explained her vote in favor by saying the program could help people gain education and employment and reduce reliance on SNAP over time. Senate Resolution 18 was then adopted by the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm especially interested in how you plan to build a workforce culture that encourages employees to speak
• This workforce wants to do a good job.
• Look, I believe in all workforces, and I believe that the employees that...
• The issue of a workforce hiring freeze memorandum...
• End of that line when somebody called me and said, "Chap, I'm ready to end it."

Transcript Highlights:

• "I was getting ready to book for you. Before you speak, if you would please introduce yourself."
• Chairman Petri, as we're getting ready Chairman Petri, as we're getting ready to<00:19:27.840>
• , FFN technology implementation, and move-in readiness.
• Then there's SNAP E&T, which is the workforce piece.
• Um, so SNAP outreach workforce programs.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Government Contracts Committee first approved the minutes from its July 8 meeting and then moved through a large agenda of contracts and deferred items. The committee deferred a Kentucky Education Television contract because the vendor was still not registered with the Secretary of State, and also deferred a University of Louisville contract to the September meeting at the university’s request. Both motions passed by roll call. The committee then took up a contract with the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities for Seven Counties Services. Committee members questioned why the state continues funding the provider despite its ongoing bankruptcy tied to unpaid retirement contributions, how the funding split is determined, whether the state had explored other providers or direct state delivery, and whether all services in the contract are truly required by statute. Agency officials said Seven Counties is the statutorily designated community mental health center for the region, serves about 24,500 people, and provides core safety-net services that would be difficult to replace; they also said the bankruptcy dispute is still ongoing and the contested amount is about $20 million. The committee ultimately deferred the contract to the next meeting and requested additional information on the scope of services and potential offsets or recovery of unfunded liabilities. The final deferred item was a Department for Community Based Services contract with Youth Villages for the Intercept program. DCBS explained that the program is used because it is an approved evidence-based service under the Family First Prevention Services Act, that Youth Villages has Kentucky staff and offices even though it is headquartered in Tennessee, and that the contract is intended to support intensive in-home services, foster care stabilization, and family reunification. Members asked why the services could not be provided in-house, whether Medicaid should cover more of the cost, and whether the state requires the provider to bill Medicaid as a payer of last resort. DCBS said it would verify billing and funding details and provide them back to the committee. The committee then voted to defer the contract to the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please get comfortable, and when you're ready, please state your name and proceed with your testimony
• Representative Green, when you are all ready to go, would you like to make a motion to put House File
• Thank you for the informational presentation, Representative Green, and whenever you're ready, please
• A more educated workforce benefits our entire community and state.
• So if a school board or a school decides that they're simply not ready or they don't have the...

Transcript Highlights:

• We've had a number existing workforce.
• Um, if you're ready to proceed with that. I'm never ready, but you know what?
• I'm never ready, but you know that. I'm never ready, but you know what?
• I'm ready to make some you, Mr. Chair.
• And I saw both you like ready to go.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're just finalizing and getting ready to publish a new updated economic impact statement, and that
• We already have $16 million of federal funding secured and in hand, ready to get put to work.
• We already have $16 million of federal funding secured and in hand, ready to get put to work.
• <00:38:01.480> needs Resources to address our workforce needs.
• Transit providers across the state back this bill as a practical solution to workforce shortages.

Bills: HF198, HF269, HF185, HF303, HF305, HF189

Keywords: HF198, shared time pupils, shared-time enrollment, nonpublic school, private school, public school, career and technical education, CTE, secondary credit, school funding, state aid, education finance, Minnesota Statutes 126C.01, compulsory attendance, school district, education policy, HF269, Spicer, Minnesota bonding bill, capital investment