Transcript Highlights:

• I didn't qualify for certain programs that my peers did.
• I am a resident physician training in pediatrics.
• They're being trained in CPR and first aid and trained in concussion protocol.
• And in the really good programs, they're being trained in mental health first aid.
• In our district, we have kind of a unique program.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held a very full public hearing on the first Education Committee hearing of the session, with testimony taken on a large slate of bills, especially H. 650/S. 436 and related measures. The chairs explained the hearing rules, including two-minute testimony limits, live streaming, written testimony, and accommodations for interpreters and disabilities. The committee first heard extensive testimony on H. 460/S. 436 and later H. 650/S. 436, bills to affirm and maintain equal access to public education for all children, including immigrant students, English learners, and students with disabilities. Witnesses included parents, advocates, educators, attorneys, and state officials, many of whom described fears caused by federal policy changes and argued that Massachusetts should codify protections for school enrollment, special education, interpreter services, and due process in discipline cases. The Attorney General’s office, Mass Advocates for Children, Lawyers for Civil Rights, MIRA, the Children’s Law Center, the Disability Law/advocacy community, and others all urged favorable action, while committee members asked questions about Plyler v. Doe, manifestation determinations, interpreter qualifications, and how the bill would mirror or preserve existing federal protections at the state level. The committee also heard testimony on H. 702/S. 460, establishing an elementary and secondary school robotics grant program, which was supported as a way to expand STEM opportunities and help schools fund robotics programs. Representative Sweeney also testified on H. 713, a bill to support student participation in 4-H programming by allowing excused absences similar to those for athletics and other sanctioned activities; members noted bipartisan support and the bill’s long history. The hearing then moved to H. 543/S. 417, a recess bill requiring at least 30 minutes of free-play recess for K-8 students. Supporters included the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the League of Women Voters, educators, and parents, who emphasized recess as important for physical health, social-emotional development, attention, and academic performance, and noted that unequal local policies create disparities across districts. Several witnesses also tied recess to broader concerns about student well-being and screen time. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee simply received testimony and closed testimony on the bills as it moved through the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• , imple implementation, training, imple implementation, training, coordination<00:09:22.720> of
• Article 2, education excellence. limits AB program approval for only up limits AB program approval for
• <00:46:03.440> that from directly from AB programs that from directly from AB programs that
• clarifies that certified trained clarifies that certified trained facilitators<00:58:20.240>
• days of action taken against a program days of action taken against a program participant<01:10:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• > program<00:08:09.560> which<00:08:09.720> funds discretionary grant program which
• We are a labor union that represents the train crews that operate the Northstar trains, and we are also
• Fe or Ogden whether you got trains like Fe or Ogden whether you got trains like The<00:20:21.480>
• :24.480> also the Northstar trains and we are also the Northstar trains and we are also members
• ridden this line uh I've taken the train ridden this line uh I've taken the train to<01:04:36.079

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 269 and House File 749 together, both aimed at ending Northstar Commuter Rail service. The bill author described HF 269 as directing the Metropolitan Council and MnDOT to request a federal waiver and discontinue Northstar operations, with HF 749 setting performance requirements that would trigger a similar termination request. Supporters argued Northstar has low ridership, high operating subsidies, and large maintenance costs, and said the agencies now agree with the intent to terminate the line and possibly replace it with bus rapid transit. The chair moved HF 269 to the general register while also laying HF 749 over in committee, and testimony was heard on both bills at once. Testimony split sharply. Supporters of termination, including the bill author and Annette Meeks, said Northstar has consistently underperformed ridership projections, has required large taxpayer subsidies, and should be ended rather than extended. Opponents, including Jesse Cook, Darwin Scherlan, Joel Mueller, Katie Nicholson, and Annie Buckle, argued the line still serves riders, workers, and communities, that low frequency and underinvestment are the real problems, and that the state should improve service rather than shut it down. Several opponents emphasized Northstar’s role for commuters, special events, and future growth, especially the St. Cloud corridor. Met Council Chair Charlie Zelle and MnDOT Commissioner Danenberger said they support carefully evaluating alternatives to commuter rail and acknowledged the subsidy is not acceptable, but they also said the agencies are working with the federal government and BNSF on possible next steps. Zelle said the agencies believe bus service could provide more frequent and direct service, and when asked directly, he confirmed they are in favor of terminating Northstar and replacing it with bus service if feasible. No final disposition beyond the motion on HF 269 and the laying over of HF 749 was recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Issue 4479 by Ashby Williams, establishment of the Rural Workforce Development grant program for the
• Introducing the program accessibility for female inmates to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice,
• AG 4655 by Halverlin, the preparation of adult living program and other services for the foster care
• Unability and liability laws for certain charter school campuses or programs or for the committee on
• Programs to reverse and prevent opioid overdoses for the committee on public health.

Bills: HB9, HB22, HB908, HB1392

Keywords: property tax, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property, tax exemption, local government finance, appraisal district, chief appraiser, rendition statement, property tax relief, small business, commercial property, leased property, related business entity, unified business enterprise, tax situs, Texas Tax Code, local taxing unit, constitutional amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• We are increasing our volume by the high school programs and the trade school programs.
• We've implemented a program called Ask Kevin, and we bought an AI program off the shelf.
• Programs right now, but we have quite a few that come out of the Department of Labor programs.
• and, uh, have an inspections program and then again, the aforementioned law enforcement program.
• Our geoscience in training program creates a pathway to licensure and we are excited to partner with

Transcript Highlights:

• The next area of impact on staff is training more legislators more often.
• In California, for instance, the capital program was created to bolster training.
• It stands for the California, excuse me, the California Assembly Program for Innovative Training and
• But there are some parts of the legislature that staff cannot train legislators on, particularly the
• more, to train fewer people more often, probably.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Legislative Procedure and Arrangements Committee met with a quorum, approved the previous meeting minutes, and heard an update from Garty Consulting on the interim study of legislative term limits. The consultants outlined their research plan and preliminary themes, including loss of institutional knowledge, shifts in power toward executive agencies and lobbyists, reduced long-term policy capacity, faster leadership turnover, and recruitment/support challenges. They also described possible recommendation categories ranging from constitutional and statutory changes to procedural and cultural adjustments. Committee members asked about how other states repealed term limits, how the public survey would address perceptions of term limits, and how stakeholder focus groups would be selected. The committee also heard a presentation from NCSL on term limits in other states, including examples from Nevada, Montana, and Colorado, with discussion of training programs, staffing changes, annual-session debates, bill limits, and impacts on decorum and leadership continuity. Several members requested follow-up data on part-time versus full-time legislatures, taxpayer costs, and nonpartisan staff devoted to oversight. The committee then considered revisions to the legislature’s workplace harassment policy and related forms. Legislative Council explained changes that clarified the definition of harassment, added captions for readability, extended several deadlines, allowed informal resolution before a review panel is appointed, clarified the role of Legislative Council in intake and documentation, and updated confidentiality/open-records language. Members, especially Senator Hogan, said the revisions better formalize the role of counsel and provide a less intimidating path for resolving complaints. The committee adopted the revised policy and forms by roll call vote. Finally, the committee approved a motion to enter executive session at 1:00 p.m. to review the results of a capital threat assessment and discuss legislator security, citing the applicable open-meetings exemptions. Members were instructed to limit discussion to the stated purpose and not take final action until returning to open session.

Transcript Highlights:

• ...and training for the workforce we need.
• I mean, programs like the FAME program.
• Their welding program is incredible, and the electrical line worker program, which is very important
• Actually, we have seven programs within TSTC, and all the programs have a focus on safety in the workplace
• We have seven core programs, and these programs are centered around the needs of Texans and the needs

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There may be no training, there may be great training, it is entirely up to what a local school district
• The cheapest certification options that are available are almost all online, asynchronous training programs
• can't worse people into those programs.
• Richard Rosser's comments on programs of study.
• So you have a K-12 program of study really, a high school program of study, and. college program of study

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Do we feel like the training, is this short-term training or long-term training?
• Or what's the term of the training? Is it six months, three months?
• Do we feel like the training, is this short-term training or long-term training?
• Some of the programs are a little bit longer.
• other training providers to shorten those programs where possible and make sure it's called currently

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met on May 18, 2026, with eight members present and began by noting the state’s projected REC budget deficit and the need to consider fiscal impacts carefully. The committee first advanced HB 12, which extends the $250,000 surviving spouse benefit to reserve officers killed in the line of duty. Members noted the bill is prospective and that it draws from the same capped fund as other related bills, but it was reported favorable without opposition. The committee also adopted an amendment and reported HB 874 favorable as amended; the bill allows colleges, technical schools, the Louisiana Bar Association, and additional credentials to be added to LA Wallet, with the amendment changing mandatory language to permissive language. HB 951 was then reported favorable, creating an employer-facing workforce unit within Louisiana Works, to be funded through repurposed state and federal funds and existing staff, with a floor amendment expected to rename the unit. The committee also reported HB 979 favorable with amendments after reducing the proposed increase in survivor benefits because members learned several bills were drawing from the same $5 million fund, and HB 1193 favorable as amended, after striking a section that would have extended IDIQ authority to supply contracts for CPR. The committee then heard HB 909, which would require commercial payers to cover behavioral health crisis services. Representative Spell and LDH officials said the measure is intended to support crisis response centers and steer patients away from emergency rooms when appropriate, and they testified that it should be cost-neutral or absorbed within existing funding. Despite concerns raised by Senator Andrews about premiums, the bill was reported favorable after discussion of its potential savings and a possible pilot in Acadiana. HB 222, requiring Medicaid to cover dental procedures when needed to complete another medically covered procedure, was also reported favorable; LDH said it would absorb the cost within its existing budget and draw down federal matching funds. HB 291, which prevents health plans from penalizing hospitals when an out-of-network physician is involved in an otherwise covered hospital service, generated extensive debate over a disputed fiscal note and the No Surprises Act. OGB officials said any network “leakage” could cost the plan money, while supporters argued the policy is preventative and that the fiscal estimates were speculative. The committee adopted amendment 3941 to exempt OGB from the bill, then reported HB 291 favorable as amended. Later, the committee took up HB 145, which expands the authority of the law enforcement and firefighter survivor benefit board to cover extraordinary medical and dental expenses. Because members learned it also draws from the same fund as HB 12 and HB 979, an amendment reduced the amount from $50,000 to $25,000, and the bill was reported favorable as amended. HB 430, a local bill for Lafayette to continue paying health insurance costs for surviving families of fallen officers until Medicare eligibility, was reported favorable. Finally, HB 821, which establishes the Louisiana Center for Safe Schools within the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement Administration and transfers related duties from the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security, was introduced and discussed as a move with a one-time general fund expenditure already included in HB 1. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we have this program that is used for economic growth.
• And I thought this was a great fit for that program to just expand it a little bit.
• And we have this program that is used for economic growth.
• Do you think Minnesota needs programs.
• state that they will they will train state that they will they will train their<00:10:57.279>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It relates to the Rural Economic Development and Investment Program in the Texas Economic Development
• The rural economic development and investment program needs expansion and modernization to better meet
• As you know, the Major Events reimbursement Program, MERP.
• Air Force bases and other military installation with training facilities operate training routes, including
• We're big fans of the TIERRA program.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's also for the first time in the Medicaid program.
• They offer the summer food program.
• That's a zero-interest loan disaster loan program.
• And so the EOC right now runs a program called WebEOC.
• So it's a really neat program.

Transcript Highlights:

• campus at North vocational training campus at North Point<00:02:50.480> Training<00:02:50.879
• <00:03:40.959> that similar prison educational program that similar prison educational program
• doing so, recidivism for program doing so, recidivism for program graduates<00:03:48.239> dropped
• In those conversations, program.
• The House Bill 5 program is a law-and-order program.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met for its sixth regular-session meeting and first took up House Bill 5, as substituted by committee amendment, which would authorize KCTCS to partner with the Department of Corrections to create a vocational training campus at North Point Training Center. The sponsor and witnesses described the bill as a prison education and re-entry initiative aimed at reducing recidivism, saving taxpayer money, and meeting workforce needs, citing Michigan’s vocational village model as evidence that prison-based training can lower reoffending. Testimony emphasized that the program would include high-demand vocational fields, credentials, eligibility and security safeguards, data collection, annual reporting, and re-entry documentation such as certificates of employability and employment protections. Several members voiced support, including comments that the bill builds on existing second-chance and employability efforts. One member asked whether post-release employment outcomes could also be tracked, and the sponsor said that would be encouraged and discussed as a possible friendly amendment. After discussion, the committee voted 19-1 to adopt the committee substitute and pass House Bill 5. The committee then began consideration of House Bill 468, which would update the Kentucky Civil Rights Act to conform the state definition of disability to the 2008 federal ADA amendments and clarify the meaning of “qualified individual with a disability.” The bill sponsor said it would remove the Kentucky Human Rights Commission’s adjudicative authority over employment and public accommodations cases, while leaving investigative powers intact and preserving housing-related adjudication, with the goal of placing those disputes in court and preserving jury-trial rights. In response to questions, the sponsor said a local mandate analysis found the court impact would be minimal to moderate, and cited commission data showing relatively few hearings. The transcript cuts off during continued discussion of HB 468.

Transcript Highlights:

• TRAINING PROGRAMS WHICH THEY IDENTIFIED AN INCREASE WITHOUT.
• THERE'S A TRAINING PROGRAM THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THEIR CHILD SO WE ARE HAPPY TO
• PROGRAMS IN YOUR AREA.
• ANOTHER THING IS TRAINING.
• THE I CONNECT PROGRAM.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:15:17.959> that programs our early college programs that programs our early college programs
• <00:15:21.639> programs Workforce business training programs Workforce business training programs
• So we thought, for the interest of time, I am the program manager of the actual program, which programs
• So we thought, for the interest of time, I am the program manager of the actual program, which programs
• , and we do a 10-year program because the state requires us to do a 10-year FAA program.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing and work session on House Bill 25/25A, the capital improvements budget. Representative David Mills introduced HB 25A, which makes appropriations for capital improvements for the biennium and extends certain lapses from prior appropriations, noting it is based on Governor Ayotte’s budget. The hearing then focused on requests to add or restore funding for several projects, including community college capital needs, Veterans Home ADA and safety upgrades, career and technical education renovations in Milford, and airport infrastructure funding. Shannon Reed of the Community College System of New Hampshire asked for an additional $2.6 million for IT infrastructure, critical maintenance, and energy management systems, citing failing boilers, roof work, cybersecurity needs, and a recent costly water damage incident at Lakes Region Community College. John Graham, representing the New Hampshire Veterans Home, requested $1.5 million for ADA compliance and safety improvements such as floor replacement and wider doors, saying the work would help the home before an upcoming VA inspection and protect federal funding. Lance Whitehead testified for Milford CTE, asking the committee to keep $9.9 million in the budget for a scaled-down renovation; members discussed the town’s failed vote, the need for local matching funds, and the possibility of another vote next year. Tim Thompson of Concord and Margaret Burns of NHMA urged restoration of airport matching funds, arguing that about $3.6 million in state money would leverage roughly $62 million to $65 million in federal FAA funds for safety and infrastructure projects. Trisha Lambert and Andrew Pomroy of the Bureau of Aeronautics and airport management association explained the airport program, the 12 federally funded airports, and how projects are selected through airport master plans and a capital improvement program. After public testimony, the committee closed the hearing on HB 25A. In the work session that followed, staff distributed supporting documents, including cost breakdowns and comparison sheets. The chair indicated the committee would work from the governor’s $143 million capital budget as a baseline and proposed reducing it by about $10 million, largely by removing the Milford CTE item because both towns had voted it down and would not have another vote for a year. The chair said the goal was to bring the overall budget to about $133 million and then repurpose the remaining funds through straw polls and further committee action.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we bring in our education and training partners and talk to them about the programs that exist
• trade or a two-year program or a four-year program.
• A program in regionally specific trainings that actually train you for those jobs in those communities
• So the approved supplier program, which is the program that I am privileged to steward.
• that looks like produce safety training Also cold chain training for our meat producers.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're adding mental health training to the veterans suicide prevention training pilot program.
• for what we're asking them to do with the health survey and also the veterans suicide prevention training
• pilot program.
• In addition, pharmacists can receive postgraduate advanced training certificate programs... ...postgraduate
• advanced training certificate programs and additional board certification exams.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services took up two bills. Senator Burgess presented SB 116, the Senate Veterans Package, which would reduce the number of Veterans Hall of Fame nominations, expand FDVA health survey and coordination efforts, add mental health training to the veterans suicide prevention pilot program, fix statutory references, improve coordination between Veterans Florida and FDVA, and require FDVA to develop a plan for adult day health care facilities for veterans and their families. An amendment was adopted to appropriate $300,000 for the suicide prevention training pilot and $50,000 for the health survey. The bill was supported in debate, especially for the adult day care provision, and CS/SB 116 was reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then heard SB 294 by Senator Harrell, which would exclude specified cardiac conditions—such as heart failure, coronary heart disease, and cardiac arrhythmias—from the list of chronic health conditions that may be managed under collaborative pharmacy practice agreements. Senator Harrell argued that these complex conditions require direct physician involvement and that pharmacists should not be making medication changes for severe cardiac patients based on protocols alone. Senator Rouson asked why heart conditions had been included previously, and Vice Chair Davis asked about fiscal impact; Harrell said there would be no state cost, though patients might face additional out-of-pocket expenses, which she said could be offset by avoiding more serious complications. Public testimony on SB 294 was divided. The Florida Pharmacy Association opposed the bill, arguing that collaborative practice agreements are voluntary, physician-controlled, and already include safeguards, and that pharmacists are highly trained to help manage chronic conditions and improve access and outcomes. A cardiologist with the Florida Chapter of the American College of Cardiology supported the bill, warning that cardiac patients are complex and that pharmacists may make dangerous decisions without the full clinical picture. Senator Burton also supported the bill, saying the original collaborative practice framework was not intended to let pharmacists diagnose or treat serious cardiac disease. SB 294 was then reported favorably by roll call vote. At the end of the meeting, Senators Rodriguez and Garcia asked to be recorded in the affirmative on SB 116, and the committee adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• The $29 million for structured literacy implementation, that's paying for the summer program that the
• So these programs that I'm going to talk about here will all have evaluations set up on the front end
• , so we'll know how we're going to measure the impact of these programs before we get started.
• We need to fund programs like that to get kids in school. So, Mr. Chairman, thank you for the time.
• someone enters a program like that, we have faith that when they leave the program, they're as ready

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator, this bill has a Sunshine Genetics Pilot Program.
• So next, you do some training.
• You talk about training with the DCF investigators in this bill, and so I'm curious as to know the training
• Chair, I don't believe that I have any training in this bill.
• But I don't think that there's no training of DCF investigators.

Summary: The Health and Human Services Appropriations Committee met to review and advance the Senate’s fiscal year 2025-26 budget proposal for the committee’s portfolio. The presentation highlighted a $1.8 billion increase over the current base budget, including full funding for Medicaid and KidCare, investments in IT modernization, Medicaid provider rate increases, mental health and substance use services, opioid treatment, foster care and guardian assistance, elder care, veterans’ services, cancer research, school nurse staffing, and other public health initiatives. The committee adopted a motion allowing technical adjustments and then approved the budget proposal to be reported to the full Senate Appropriations Committee. The committee then heard and voted on several bills. SB 152 on surgical smoke protection required hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt smoke evacuation policies; nurses testified in support, citing workplace and patient safety risks, and the bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 958 on early detection of type 1 diabetes required the Department of Health to provide educational materials to schools and, by amendment, early learning coalitions; it was also reported favorably. CS/CS/SB 170 on nursing home oversight added consumer satisfaction surveys, reporting requirements, quality incentive changes, and financial reporting penalties, with an amendment exempting state-operated homes and directing a study of best practices; it passed after questions about dementia, language access, and retaliation protections. CS/SB 738 modernized child care regulation by streamlining DCF processes and reducing obsolete requirements, and was reported favorably without opposition. The committee also approved CS/SB 1356 creating the Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases at FSU and a Sunshine Genetics pilot to expand rare-disease screening and research, with support from members emphasizing early detection and data collection. SB 1370 separated ambulatory surgical centers into their own statute, with testimony that the change would better reflect the industry and help avoid burdensome regulation; it passed favorably. Finally, CS/CS/SB 1626 made a range of child welfare changes, including codifying DCF coordination with military installations, adjusting shelter certification, refining criminal-background exemptions, extending licensing compliance time, addressing room-and-board rate methodology, and clarifying missing-child procedures; after adopting three amendments and hearing both support and concerns, the bill was reported favorably. The committee also recorded a member’s affirmative vote on SB 958 before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• They already offer GEDs and skills-based training.
• We also do integrated education and skills training.
• So, Donnie Wilder is working... ...skills training.
• , so they would do the traditional GED program.
• . 30 seconds remain to explain this program.

Bills: HB266, SB85, SB166, HB266, SB85, SB166

Keywords: education, diploma, adult education, dropout prevention, nontraditional high school program, driver's license eligibility, vaccination exemption, religious exemption, medical exemption, vaccine mandate, testing requirement, public schools, K-12, students, parents, guardians, higher education, college enrollment, university attendance, public institutions of higher education