Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Item number two, reading of the journal. Item number two, reading of the journal.
• Programs are being Programs are being built differently. Conferences are being shaped differently.
• Other programs are moving right now.
• Programs have more pressure.
• Item number six, final reading.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• with the cooperative purchasing program with the cooperative purchasing program which<00:04:01.519
• So you can read it. It's easier to read this way.
• So you can read it. It's easier to read this way.
• That's the one I just read you.
• We heard from purchasing program.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are no grant programs like this available today.
• There are no grant programs that like this available today.
• Many other states have short-line grant programs.
• Well, I haven't had a chance to read it.
• Is there, did I read these cards? I did.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee heard several bills focused on transportation infrastructure, public safety, and local commemorations. SB 2841 would clarify the overweight corridor designation for the Port of Brownsville so all three statutorily approved bridges are treated uniformly for northbound and southbound overweight traffic; the Port of Brownsville testified in support, and the bill was left pending. SB 39 would restore the commercial motor vehicle “admission rule” framework in collision cases; Senator Birdwell explained the committee substitute, and the bill was later reported favorably. The committee also heard and later advanced SB 682, SB 1369, and SB 1422, which rename stretches of highway or a bridge in honor of fallen firefighters and military service members, with no opposition testimony and all left pending before final votes. The committee also heard SB 2366, which would create a grant program for short-line railroad projects through rural rail transportation districts for track, bridge, capacity, and restoration work. Senator Hughes and several witnesses from rural rail districts and rail advocacy groups supported the bill, while TxDOT explained current rail funding is limited and that the bill would be the first such grant program for Class 3 short lines; members discussed that the bill would need a floor amendment because state funds cannot be paid directly to railroads. SB 1013 would expand crosswalk protections under the Lisa Torrey-Smith Act to include certain driveway curb cuts along sidewalks; it was supported by the author and left pending before later being reported favorably. The committee also considered SB 2080, which would modernize port and navigation district rules by easing records and procurement requirements, exempting certain security and cybersecurity discussions from recording, and expanding some operational authority. Port Houston and the Texas Ports Association supported the bill, while the City of Corpus Christi raised concerns that the language could expand port economic-development authority beyond navigation purposes and affect local tax bases; the Port of Galveston also noted concerns about the filed version but supported the bill as presented, and the committee substitute was later reported favorably. SB 2001 would create specialty license plates and related parking/toll benefits for permanently disabled peace officers; SB 2705 would codify registration exemptions for certain farm equipment and some specialty plates. Both were supported by witnesses, adopted with committee substitutes where applicable, and reported favorably. Final votes on the reported bills were largely unanimous or near-unanimous, and the committee recessed after leaving some motions open briefly.

Transcript Highlights:

• read the next bill? read the next bill?
• passed to third reading. passed to third reading.
• will read the message. will read the message.
• House third reading calendar number 147. The clerk will read the bill.
• read the bill.

Keywords: House streaming session for Monday, April 13, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, quorum call, and a brief visit from Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman, who thanked delegates for their work on the budget and legislation. The chamber then handled several conference committee and Senate messages, including House Bill 153 on residential rental apartment air conditioning requirements. The conference report changed the bill from four to 10 units, removed preemption language, and required existing units with air conditioning to keep it; the report was adopted and the bill passed on third reading with 90 affirmative votes. The House also took up a number of Senate bills on third reading. Among those passed were measures on digital asset and blockchain task force establishment, franchise registration and disclosure law changes, professional licensing portability for foreign service members and spouses, medical cannabis protections for fire and rescue employees, workers’ compensation presumptions for Carroll County correctional deputies, speed monitoring systems approval timing, veterans cemeteries interment, motorcycle safety awareness in driver testing, IT investment fund uses, child care credential funding, school bus fire safety standards, local stop-sign monitoring pilot programs, stalking penalties, divorce records under the Public Information Act, local boards of elections qualifications, local sourcing database creation, and mutual insurance holding company conversions. Most passed overwhelmingly, though several drew notable dissent, including Senate Bills 10, 223, 439, 467, 757, 775, and 877. Members used vote-change time to shift positions on several bills, and the floor leader and committee chairs answered questions on the record. On Senate Bill 10, delegates discussed the bill’s “shot clock” for State Highway Administration responses to local speed camera requests; the chair later clarified that if State Highway does not act within 120 days, approval is deemed granted. On Senate Bill 775, the Judiciary chair explained that the bill requires destruction of firearms in gun buyback programs and serial-number checks to identify stolen or evidentiary firearms, with some firearms potentially returned if stolen. The House also adopted a favorable committee report on Senate Bill 949, which the floor leader said mirrors House Bill 1069 and would allow Maryland to count state-level ballots if federal action prevents counting federal ballots. The chamber also handled an amendment and conference committee process on Senate Bill 141 concerning election misinformation, disinformation, and deep fakes, with the House and Senate appointing conferees after each declined to recede. Several bills were passed by large margins, including Senate Bills 46, 68, 85, 314, 371, 426, 480, 512, 654, 808, 968, and 982, while a few had narrower margins such as Senate Bills 443 and 757. No final adjournment or sine die action occurred in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:42.480> require<00:10:42.959> department's programs require department's programs
• Now, while all departments can access some programs, eligibility for additional programs increases as
• firefighter foundation program fund. firefighter foundation program fund.
• <00:19:34.240> Let's programs specified within it. Let's programs specified within it.
• for that program.

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call- 00:00:14 Staff Report on the Firefighter Commission Minimum Training Standards and Administrative Spending- 00:02:02 Response from the Kentucky Fire Commission-00:32:06 Judge Testimony on Child Removal-00:42:47 Update on Child Removal and Reunification-01:11:19 Staffing at Kentucky Veteran Centers-01:40:15 Adjournment-02:05:55, 958, all

Summary: The Legislative Oversight and Investigation Committee met without a quorum, so no votes were taken. Staff presented a study of the Kentucky Fire Commission focused on firefighter minimum training standards and administrative spending. The presentation explained that Kentucky’s training standards are built from NFPA guidelines, that the commission currently requires 115 hours for volunteer firefighters and 300 hours for paid firefighters, and that those reduced hours were adopted by removing electives and other non-NFPA content. Staff also said the commission’s IFSAC certification testing for firefighter 1 and firefighter 2 aligns with NFPA standards, but the commission cannot require local departments to train or certify firefighters. Staff recommended that the commission formally promulgate regulations establishing the reduced training hours and work with KCTCS to better separate administrative costs for certain programs so compliance with the statute can be demonstrated. The finance portion of the report said the commission is funded by general fund appropriations for State Fire Rescue Training and by an insurance premium surcharge that supports the Firefighter Foundation Program Fund. Staff reported that the commission stayed within the 5% administrative cap tied to the overall surcharge allotment, but could not confirm compliance with a separate 5% cap for specific programs because KCTCS accounting does not break out those costs in enough detail. Staff suggested the General Assembly may want to clarify what counts as administrative cost in statute. Members asked about investment returns, local fire department funding, and whether training documentation is required; staff said some of those topics were outside the study scope and that IFSAC testing relies on chief certification that a candidate is ready to test. Representatives from the Fire Commission then responded, saying they agreed with the report’s recommendations and would work to clarify the 5% issue with legislators and KCTCS. They explained that the reduction in training hours was intended to remove electives, better align with NFPA standards, and address the difficulty volunteer departments have in getting members to complete lengthy training. Commission officials said training is documented through rosters and annual compliance reviews, and that IFSAC-certified firefighter testing is based on demonstrated skills rather than a required number of training hours. They also said the difficulty in tracking the second 5% cap stems from the way KCTCS’s PeopleSoft system records reimbursements as single transactions, making it hard to isolate administrative costs by program.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, it's not an NMSU program; it's a statewide program, Mr. Chair and Senator.
• this more as a pilot program.
• That program went away; maybe it sunsetted.
• I've read it twice and I don't see one. Mr.
• I was reading here. I like to read everything I can about something as important as this.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's what I read, yep.
• federal match um for the whole program federal match um for the whole program instituting<00:03:
• <00:05:26.720> it<00:05:26.840> you read it but um since you've read it you read it
• it had an in center Intervention Program it had an in center program<01:03:36.240> for<01:03:
• IQ range second to third grade reading IQ range second to third grade reading level<01:04:04.480

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to simply read the bill because it's very clear.
• I'm gonna I'm gonna simply read.
• Good job reading on your phone.
• We did not already have some of these programs included.
• And you buy residency programs.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > all of an unregulated unlicensed program all of an unregulated unlicensed program all across
• He said that when people read a bill, they tend to read it through their own definition of taxpayer,
• a bill they right so when people read a bill they tend<00:54:09.640> to<00:54:09.839> read
• am I am I say it is from what I can read am I am I reading<01:02:49.000> the<01:02:49.119>
• Hilgard talked about County Program Aid, County Program Aid was increased by $80 million in the last

Bills: HF25, HF4

Keywords: pregnancy support, women's health, maternity homes, nonprofit organizations, grant funding, abortion, family services, tax relief fund, budget surplus, surplus revenue, tax rebate, tax refund, one-time refund, income tax, property tax, constitutional amendment, Minnesota Constitution, general fund, budget reserve, taxpayer relief

Transcript Highlights:

• the resolution honoring this day be read the resolution honoring this day be read Mr clerk read the
• resolution whereas the Mr clerk read the resolution whereas the Mr clerk read the resolution whereas
• that semiquincentennial school program that semiquincentennial school program that we're initiating
• chairman M speaker move that the reading chairman M speaker move that the reading of the journal at
• methods of on lines 35 and 36 to read methods of on lines 35 and 36 to read methods of removing any

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Third reading. amended by conference. Third reading.
• Third reading. Any further conference. Third reading. Any further discussion?
• <00:05:08.720> throughout<00:05:09.280> the programs throughout the programs throughout
• This funding will be grant program.
• <00:12:29.279> that this is supportive to programs that this is supportive to programs that

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House considered a conference committee report on House File 2563, the legacy bill, and members described it as a bipartisan agreement with the Senate. Representative Vang outlined several major changes from the House version, including restoring funding for Peace in the Valley in parks and trails, moving Wilderness Inquiry funding to the arts and culture fund, increasing the Minnesota Zoo to $3.4 million, raising the Children’s Museum to $1 million, setting aside $1.5 million for a competitive grant pool for children’s museums statewide, and increasing the Science Museum to $700,000. Supporters said the bill invests in clean water, parks and trails, outdoor heritage, arts and cultural heritage, and a new community identity and heritage grant program for underserved communities. Several members spoke in favor of the report, emphasizing the value of legacy funds for conservation, cultural programming, tourism, and community identity. Speakers highlighted specific beneficiaries and projects, including outdoor heritage groups, the Science Museum, Latino arts and mural projects, and competitive funding for creative arts and music. One member noted that some state agencies also received appropriations in the bill and criticized fee increases on Minnesotans, while another said the bill reflected a fair negotiation process and that some programs saw reductions because of a $33.1 million accounting-related shortfall. After debate, the House adopted the conference committee report. The clerk then took the roll, and the bill was repassed as amended by conference on a vote of 113 yeas and 21 nays, with its title agreed to.

Transcript Highlights:

• they fund the summer reading program.
• They host programs such as summer reading.
• And this is one of my favorites: The Hatch Library during their summer reading program has a children's
• The Hatch Library during their summer reading program has a children's entrepreneurship program where
• Who reads the applications?

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the programs were.
• The program we have right here is designed because you have to have a master's-level program.
• The program we have right here is designed because you have to have a master's-level program.
• The program we have right here is designed because you have to have a master's-level program.
• The program we have right here is designed because you have to have a master's-level program.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 362, which would grant the Department of Education rulemaking authority related to educator licensure and testing requirements, including passing scores on professional education assessments. Representative Ladd said the bill is intended to preserve New Hampshire’s standards for classroom teachers and CTE instructors, while allowing DOE flexibility through rulemaking. He emphasized maintaining high standards, including for career and technical education, and said he was open to DOE clarifying the language further. Committee members raised concerns that the bill, as written, could remove language recognizing industry-recognized credentials for CTE instructors. Department of Education Director Steven Appy said DOE had drafted an amendment to clarify that the requirement applies to an initial New Hampshire license, to exempt CTE teachers from content exams, and to preserve current administrative practice allowing basic academic skills testing and industry-recognized credentials as substitutes. The committee discussed the distinction between basic academic skills tests and content assessments, and Appy said the amendment was meant to avoid conflating those requirements. The chair said the committee would take up executive session on HB 362 and related bills later. The committee then took up House Bill 90, which narrows and defines the rules for part-time teachers, especially in concurrent enrollment settings. Representative Ladd explained that the bill is meant to allow qualified college faculty or adjuncts from the University System or Community College System to teach high school concurrent-enrollment courses when local schools lack a teacher with the needed master’s-level credentials, particularly in math and STEM subjects. He said the bill is intended to expand student access to college-level coursework, save money, and preserve standards, while still requiring background checks and adherence to ethics and conduct rules. Members began asking questions about how the bill would work in practice, including certification and endorsement issues, but the hearing was not concluded in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• You have to read, Mr. Chair, you have to read all three sections together.
• The bill sets aside $15 million to run this program.
• The bill sets aside $15 million to run this program.
• Chair, Sheriff, so I’ll read Subpart C.
• Because that's the way it reads.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee heard several public safety measures. HCR 2059, a resolution reaffirming support for county sheriffs and recognizing their constitutional authority, drew debate over language describing sheriffs’ authority as “supreme” or “supreme constitutional.” Supporters said it was a tribute to sheriffs’ work, especially in rural areas, while opponents objected to the phrasing as tied to fringe legal theories. The resolution passed with a do-pass recommendation, 8-3. HB 2811 was presented as closing a gap in Arizona law by making interference with a lawful arrest involving violence or threats of violence a felony under obstructing governmental operations. Supporters said it would clarify the law and align it more closely with federal standards; opponents argued the conduct was already covered by existing resisting-arrest and hindering statutes and that the bill was duplicative and confusing. The bill received a do-pass recommendation, 8-4. HB 4129 would create a Department of Public Safety mental health and wellness program for law enforcement officers and appropriate $15 million for confidential counseling, peer support, family counseling, telehealth, and related services, with some funding reserved for smaller agencies. The sponsor and supporters emphasized officer trauma and suicide prevention, while opponents said similar services already exist and raised cost concerns. Before a final vote, the sponsor requested the bill be held for further work, and the committee agreed. The committee also advanced HB 2270, which expands protections for county seals, logos, insignia, and related identifiers and gives sheriffs exclusive authority over naming and dissolving posses. Sheriffs and county officials said the bill was needed after disputes over posse names and branding; critics warned the language was too broad and could raise First Amendment and due process concerns. The bill passed 12-1. HB 2416, appropriating $20 million for local border support and law enforcement costs related to drug trafficking, smuggling, prosecution, detention, and equipment, also passed after testimony both for and against the funding, 7-5. HB 4018, a strike-everything amendment clarifying sheriffs’ authority over volunteer posses and reserves, passed 10-0 after testimony from sheriffs’ office staff and a member of the public who opposed expanded use of armed volunteers. HB 2253, barring retaliation against employees who testify in law-enforcement disciplinary appeal proceedings, passed unanimously after an amendment removed language voiding restrictive policies. The committee then began hearing HB 4044, which would create a Public Safety Parity Fund using investment earnings from the state rainy day fund to pay DPS and corrections salaries, with the sponsor saying he intended to remove the forfeiture component before floor consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Like if you need a specific program, let's say it's, you know, I'm looking for Wilson reading program
• Like if you need a specific program, let's say it's, you know, I'm looking for Wilson reading program
• Like if you need a specific program, let's say it's, you know, I'm looking for Wilson reading program
• Like if you need a specific program, let's say it's, you know, I'm looking for Wilson reading program
• programs, reading and math. Mhm. programs, reading and math. Mhm.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and effectively programs are using State resources, which include State funds.
• I read in the paper about all of the IT projects, State IT projects, that fail.
• and effectively programs are efficiently and effectively programs are using<00:13:47.399> State
• On page one, section one, line five, it reads 2004-2005 has already exceeded by 8,517,768,399.
• It was duplicated in another area, so the amount should read 3,761,28.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Following resolution, the clerk will read the resolution.
• The clerk will read the resolution.
• The clerk will read the resolution.
• But I did what I read, and a proud father of 17.
• The following resolution the clerk will read the resolution.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What under-enrolled programs are you looking at eliminating? Thank you.
• And if I read LFO's, From here.
• expansion beyond an existing program.
• The grant will be distributed along with the second year of the State Library's Ready to Read program
• The grant will be distributed along with the second year of the State Library's Ready to Read program

Keywords: 907, all

Summary: The Emergency Board met on June 17, 2026, and approved a series of subcommittee recommendations, mostly on consent, related to federal grant applications, agency funding adjustments, and position authority. Early actions included approval of four federal grant applications from natural resources agencies, three public safety grant applications, a one-time increase for Judicial Department court security, retroactive approval for an AmeriCorps volunteer-generation grant, and a $7.5 million allocation to Southern Oregon University from a special appropriation for short-term financial stability. Members supporting the SOU item emphasized the university’s structural deficits, declining enrollment, and the need for a long-term higher education plan; several members voted no or raised concerns about sustainability, but the motion passed. The board also approved a federal apprenticeship expansion grant for the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, a school nutrition equipment grant for the Department of Education, and an Oregon Health Authority request tied to Medicaid community engagement requirements under H.R. 1. Public safety items included funding for Oregon Military Department readiness facilities, a report on the stalled juvenile justice information system modernization project with a follow-up viability report due in 2026, and a statewide evacuation planning tool for emergency management. The evacuation tool drew strong support as a wildfire preparedness measure, with members noting it could significantly reduce alert times and save lives. A major point of debate was the Department of Justice request to add 16 permanent positions and increase other funds limitation for antitrust enforcement. Supporters argued the federal government has pulled back and Oregon needs capacity to pursue active cases and protect consumers; opponents objected to the process, the size of the expansion, and the incentive structure tied to settlements and awards. Despite those concerns, the motion passed. The board also approved Water Resources Department requests for the Water Well Abandonment, Repair and Replacement program, an assistant water master position in Washington County, and federal funding for Lower Umatilla Basin groundwater data collection. The water master item prompted questions about county cost shifts, but staff said the position would remain externally funded and would not be filled without those resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will give the bill its third reading as amended by the Senate.
• The agri and farm-to-school institution program.
• The clerk will give the bill a third reading. Third reading. House File Number 2446. Third reading.
• That is an incredible, incredible program.
• programs to promote and serve locally produced foods in schools and other child nutrition programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Staff, if you can please read in the bill. Thank you, Madam Chair, members.
• Staff, if you could please read in the bill. Thank you, Madam Chair, members.
• Staff, if you could please read in the bill.
• The legislature some time ago provided for this associate teacher program or associate educator program
• have to be enrolled in a teacher prep program.

Summary: The House Education Committee met on April 29, 2026, with a quorum present and heard several higher education and K-12 bills. SB 234 by Sen. Presley, which would provide grading for medical school students, was briefly discussed and reported favorably without objection. SB 142 by Sen. Reese, dealing with continued management and oversight of Board of Regents support fund matched endowments if a related constitutional amendment passes, drew questions about endowment matching, oversight, and the roughly $75 million in unmatched requests; it was also reported favorably without objection. SB 482 by Sen. Reese, expanding the role of career coaches in middle and high school graduation planning and reporting on career development fund spending, received support from BESE and others, with committee members discussing counselor workload and district flexibility; it was reported favorably without objection. The committee then took up SB 64 by Sen. Hodges, which would require two people to review initial video/audio recordings from cameras in self-contained classrooms when complaints arise, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. HB 1063 by Rep. Owen, a broad higher education governance bill that would increase board oversight of curriculum, hiring, faculty senates, and discipline, generated extensive discussion and testimony from Rep. Owen and a representative of Parents Defending Education Action, but the author said he did not want to vote on it yet and moved to voluntarily defer it; the committee agreed without objection. HB 818 by Rep. Riser, as amended, was converted into a reporting bill requiring public inventories and state reporting on assessments, with Cynthia Posey of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers explaining the amendments; the committee adopted the amendments and reported the bill favorably with one opposition card noted. Finally, SB 28 by Sen. McMath, carried by Rep. Carver, would lower the age for associate teachers from 25 to 21 to help address the teacher shortage; Department of Education staff said the change could expand the pipeline, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee also announced it would meet the following week on Wednesday, May 6, and then adjourned.