Transcript Highlights:

• It hasn't been since high school. I hope Stephanie's well.
• I was just wondering if Senator Burnt was a teacher when the lieutenant colonel was in high school.
• In Section 2, it lists the various forms of discipline that are available.

Summary: The Senate Commerce Committee first approved the gubernatorial reappointment of Jeff Seleck to the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI) board, voting to send the nomination to the Senate floor with a do pass recommendation. The committee then heard House Bill 544, which updates Idaho’s military leave statute for state employees serving in the Guard or Reserve. The bill increases military leave from 120 to 160 hours to align with federal guidance and cleans up conflicting statutory language. Representative Ted Hill and Idaho Army National Guard Lt. Col. Nate Peterson testified in support, and the committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a do pass recommendation. House Bill 642 was next, addressing PERSI death benefits for surviving spouses and dependent children of public safety officers killed as a result of catastrophic line-of-duty injuries. Senator Todd Lakey and firefighter representative Matt Smith explained that the bill clarifies and expands benefits, applies retroactively to July 1, 2021, and is funded by the public safety officer group rather than the general fund. The committee supported the measure and sent it to the floor with a do pass recommendation. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 703, a DOPL cleanup and modernization bill that consolidates disciplinary procedures for licensed professions into a central code section while preserving profession-specific fines and fee schedules. After questions about legal counsel for the boards and a note that one surveyor-related fine had been inadvertently removed, the committee voted to send the bill to the 14th order for possible amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And lastly, some school administrators claim this bill hinders AB 218 investigations.
• And lastly, some school administrators claim this bill hinders AB 218 investigations.
• Hart Union High School District, PERB decision. ...consistent with the William S.
• We're also deeply concerned that it is very difficult... ...bad actors from our schools.
• This will affect day-to-day activities and critical school operations.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• /high school boot camp.
• /high school boot camp.
• And so, I want schools and communities.
• Um the discipline. And um so, I time. Um the discipline.
• I ran a high school band director.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call: 00:01:12 America 250KY: Impact and Legacy: 00:03:15 America 250 Events in Lexington: 01:02:13, 958, all

Summary: The committee met for an interim update from the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, with presentations from the Kentucky Historical Society and the Kentucky Arts Council. Secretary Lindy Casebier reported that Kentucky tourism has posted record growth for four straight years, with $14.6 billion in economic impact, 97,000 tourism-related jobs, and 81 million travelers spending more than $10.4 billion in 2025. He said the Historical Society and Arts Council help create visitor experiences that support those tourism gains. The Kentucky Historical Society focused on America 250, the state’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Staff described a community-driven approach built around themes such as “Revolutionary Experiment,” “We the People,” “Power of Place,” “Crossroads in Kentucky,” and “Doing History,” organized under heritage tourism, education, signature events, and legacy projects. They said the effort has included Liberty Tree plantings in nearly every county, partnerships with local organizations and KET, grants to cabinet agencies and historic sites, and preservation projects in 19 counties. They highlighted Harrodsburg 250 as an early kickoff, along with grant-supported events, exhibits, and educational programs across the state. The Historical Society also described public engagement events tied to the commemoration, including Two Lights for Tomorrow, a food drive in Franklin County, a July 8 historic reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Old State Capitol, and planned participation at the Kentucky State Fair. They said the General Assembly’s support enabled a grant program that has funded 250 events and programs in 43 counties, totaling more than $720,000, and that the work is intended to build a lasting legacy beyond 2026. The Kentucky Arts Council said it received America 250 grant funds to support artists, arts organizations, communities, and nonprofits for public art, artwork creation, and related programs. The council reported 55 funded projects and $466,000 awarded statewide, with examples including a Burkesville summer arts and history camp and a Fayette County community singing project. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some clearly identified the professional disciplines eligible for 5150 designation.
• Algorithms are being used to make firing and discipline decisions.
• Algorithms are being used to make firing and discipline decisions.
• Every early morning, my dad drives me to school as he heads off to work in the fields.
• This day, right before my dad dropped me off at school, we got pulled over by immigration.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills, beginning with SB 16, which would require county behavioral health directors to create clear pathways for clinicians to be authorized to initiate 5150 involuntary holds. The author and supporters argued the bill would reduce reliance on law enforcement and create more consistent crisis response standards statewide, while county behavioral health directors opposed it as an unfunded mandate that could increase law enforcement involvement and create implementation burdens. Members raised questions about county costs and funding, but the author emphasized the bill’s role in building a more clinical response system. SB 561 would require public guardians to acknowledge conservatorship referrals, make determinations within a reasonable time, and provide status updates on request. Supporters said the bill would reduce delays that leave vulnerable adults in limbo, while the opposition from public guardian representatives was removed after amendments. SB 381 drew extensive public testimony in support; it would allow California-born adoptees, and descendants of deceased adoptees, access to original birth certificates, with a nonbinding contact preference form for birth parents. Supporters framed the bill as a matter of dignity, identity, and health, and there was no formal opposition on the record. The committee also discussed SB 880, which would give tenants and prospective owner-occupants notice and a first opportunity to make an offer when institutional investors sell certain homes. Supporters said it would expand homeownership opportunities and preserve neighborhood stability, while opponents warned about conflicts with federal law, bundled-sale restrictions, and impacts on build-to-rent and affordable housing projects. Members and the author discussed possible amendments to address those concerns. SB 1238 would impose a duty of care and additional transparency requirements on HOA managers and boards; supporters said it would protect homeowners from mismanagement, while the main opposition argued the duty should remain contractual and could increase litigation. Finally, SB 423 would require disclosure of emergency-service records related to private detention facilities, and SB 28 would make changes to the CARE Court process, including a statewide ombudsperson and expanded oversight; both drew support and opposition, with concerns focused on transparency, privacy, implementation, and the balance between treatment and coercion. SB 574, discussed at the end, would require disclosure and human oversight for AI use in courts and legal practice and create a complaint process for ADR providers, with the State Bar noting requested amendments related to complaint handling and confidentiality.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some clearly identified the professional disciplines eligible for 5150 designation.
• Algorithms are being used to make firing and discipline decisions.
• Good morning, Nevni Perrier on behalf of the California School Employees Association, in support.
• Every early morning, my dad drives me to school as he heads off to work in the fields.
• This day, right before my dad dropped me off at school, we got pulled over by immigration.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• traffic accidents and medical emergencies that require that coordinated response from all three disciplines
• </c><00:20:46.880><c> It's</c><00:20:46.960><c> a</c> disciplines for day-to-day calls.
• It's a disciplines for day-to-day calls.
• We had personnel staff places of worship and schools around the city for two weeks.
• </c> and schools around the city for 2 weeks. and schools around the city for 2 weeks.

Bills: HF4810, HF4597, HF1082, HF3230

Keywords: public safety, radio communications, infrastructure funding, county funding, interoperability, ARMER network, local jurisdictions, HF4597, Minnesota public safety, 911, emergency dispatch, emergency communications, public safety appropriation, Metropolitan Emergency Services Board, PSAP, dispatch interoperability, real-time coordination, emergency response coordination, cross-jurisdictional response, 911 center awareness platform

Transcript Highlights:

• they deliver in the school system.
• So if the school, because I remember in elementary school, we had recess, but we also had P.E.
• With the 2027-2028 school year, each school district and open enrollment charter school that offers a
• This is specific to public schools, so that would be school districts and charter schools.
• UT McGovern School of Medicine.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We lament this burden that keeps girls out of school and limits their opportunities to contribute to
• President Emia Ellsworth, a political science major who will be attending Northeastern School of Law
• , and 21% said middle school or earlier.
• The first is Ethan Wynn, a senior from Poway High School and president of his high school robotics competition
• She understood how policies affect families, schools, and opportunities.

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, a prayer marking World Water Day, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then suspended Senate Rule 55 to allow guests on the floor. Several special introductions followed, including California Wildlife Photo of the Year winner Alice Cahill, outgoing Fish and Wildlife Director Chuck Bonham, Avalon Fire Chief Michael Alegría, and a Cal Poly Pomona student delegation participating in CHESS/CSU Lobby Day. Members praised Bonham’s long service and the students’ advocacy on higher education issues. The Assembly’s passage of AB 2156 was announced, and the Senate approved the March 16–19 journals as corrected. The chamber then took up SCR 132, designating March 22, 2026 as California STEAM Robotics Day. The author and supporting senators emphasized robotics and STEAM education as hands-on preparation for careers in engineering, AI, manufacturing, and other technical fields, and highlighted partnerships with industry and programs such as FIRST Robotics. The resolution passed on a 34-0 vote. Afterward, the author introduced robotics students and industry representatives, including Ethan Wynn of Poway High School and leaders from Garner Holt Productions, to recognize their work in STEAM education and robotics. The Senate next considered five gubernatorial appointments, all brought by Senator Grove: Paul Toopee to lead the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, Peter Britery to the Southwestern Low-Level Radioactive Waste Commission, Dr. Youngping Chen and Gregory Lung to the California Acupuncture Board, and Roy Mather to the Board of Pilot Commissioners. Each nominee was described as experienced in the relevant field and each was confirmed unanimously, 34-0. The Senate also suspended Joint Rule 62(a) to allow the Committee on Governmental Organization to hear AB 2156 on March 24 without sufficient notice. In closing, Senator Blakespear requested adjournment in memory of Anne Colchin, a longtime Carlsbad city councilmember and civic leader remembered for decades of public service, environmental stewardship, and community planning. The Senate agreed to memorialize her, then announced that members would proceed to the Assembly chambers for the joint convention and State of the Judiciary address, with the next floor session scheduled for March 26, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lastly, some school administrators claim this bill hinders AB 218 investigations.
• And lastly, some school administrators claim this bill hinders AB-218 investigations.
• It doesn't mandate investigation tactics. schools can still... assault victims to sue.
• Hart Union High School District, PERB decision.
• This will affect day-to-day activities and critical school operations.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement heard several labor and retirement bills. AB 1582 by Assembly Member Ortega would make it an unfair labor practice for a higher education employer to disregard or delay arbitration decisions involving contracting out, with make-whole relief including attorney fees and costs. Supporters from AFSCME and other labor groups said UC has repeatedly ignored arbitration outcomes on outsourcing disputes, while UC opposed the bill as an overbroad change that could create systemwide operational and financial risk. The committee passed the bill on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. AB 1818 by Assembly Member Ortega would repeal an outdated HEERA provision that CSU has used to reopen bargaining when it claims state funding is insufficient. Teamsters and other labor supporters argued CSU has used the provision to avoid honoring negotiated raises, while CSU said the bill would limit its ability to manage compensation responsibly when state funding is uncertain. The committee also passed AB 1818 to Appropriations. AB 1564 by Assembly Member Arreguín would make communications between an employee and union representative confidential in public employment matters. Labor supporters said the measure would protect trust in the representational relationship and codify existing PERB case law, while school, local government, county, city, and business groups warned it could hinder workplace investigations, including those involving student safety and harassment. The bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations. AB 1844 by Assembly Member Pacheco, placed on the consent calendar, would update Judges’ Retirement System 2 to allow non-spouse beneficiaries for survivor benefits and to extend access to survivor options for vested judges; it was approved unanimously, 7-0. After all items were taken up, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Most school<00:31:29.520><c> districts</c><00:31:30.320><c> can</c><00:31:30.560><c> levy</c> school
• At the deaf school, the student design has increased in amount.
• </c> right next to our blind school campus. right next to our blind school campus.
• have two elementary schools, a high school,<00:58:32.320><c> um</c><00:58:33.080><c> along</c><00:58:
• </c><00:58:34.400><c> And</c> school, um along the corridor. And school, um along the corridor.

Bills: HF3599, HF3761, HF3523, HF3515, HF573

Keywords: water treatment, infrastructure, municipal funding, bond issuance, Becker, sewer improvements, sanitation, Hibbing, state bonds, infrastructure funding, capital investment, safety improvements, mobility, U.S. Highway 12, bonds, transportation funding, trails, Prior Lake, bond funding, recreational improvements

Transcript Highlights:

• entire state, offering non-credit and job training programs and bringing programs to places like high schools
• pre-pandemic levels, and historically, there have been times where we've seen more students return to school
• So we can move on to issue three, rising school proposals, and we have the same Panel once again.
• Cassie Mancini on behalf of the California School Employees Association.
• My comments on issue number two: The Classified School Employee Summer Assistance Program is the only

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the language around types of rooms or um so recreation or um discipline might be included as well
• Um, the language around types of rooms or um so recreation or um discipline might be included as well
• or um discipline might be included<01:10:02.480><c> as</c><01:10:02.640><c> well.
• Or they're using information about where they went to school and say, "Oh, I saw you went to school at
• They went to school and say, "Oh, I saw you went to school at this location.

Bills: HF3901, HF962, HF4428, HF4478, HF1775

Keywords: foster care, ombudsperson, investigative powers, children's rights, complaint process, HF4428, Medical Assistance, Medicaid, community engagement, work requirement, work mandate, employment requirement, community service, 80 hours, half-time student, income threshold, federal minimum wage, eligibility verification, benefit suspension, benefit termination

Transcript Highlights:

• Through the pilot project, we're proposing that we'd provide access for all middle school and high school
• And fewer than 15% both work and school.
• </c><00:26:30.320><c> and</c><00:26:30.559><c> high</c><00:26:30.720><c> school</c> all middle school
• and high school all middle school and high school students<00:26:31.440><c> in</c><00:26:31.840><c>
• Our deployment began as a middle school and high school pilot project in 2023.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education met without a quorum, so no minutes were approved. The committee then heard a presentation from Western Kentucky University President Timothy Kabone, who highlighted WKU’s recent gains in graduation rate, retention, degree production, graduate enrollment, research activity, and financial stability. He said WKU’s FY 2026 budget is structurally balanced without one-time reserves, and he tied the university’s growth to its strategic plan and to Senate Bill 77, which created a pathway for WKU’s first PhD program. WKU’s initial PhD offering is planned in data sciences for fall 2027, and Kabone said the university continues to pursue R2 research status. Kabone also outlined WKU’s budget requests, including a 4.5% base appropriation increase for each year of the biennium, a $30 million increase in the performance funding pool, a $30 million trust fund for tuition waiver reimbursement, and $2 million per year for the Gatton Academy. He also requested continued funding for the Kentucky Mesonet, 8.9% of proposed asset preservation funding, and support for a $280 million new Potter College facility. He emphasized inflationary pressures, rising fixed costs, and the burden of mandated tuition waivers, and said the university supports performance funding but wants the model adjusted to better reward student success rather than enrollment growth. Members asked about WKU’s student housing situation and the transition away from the former student life foundation model. Kabone said the foundation structure had run its course, that the university had lacked adequate oversight under the old arrangement, and that WKU is moving to a public-private partnership with Gilbane and the College Housing Foundation. He said the new model would not increase the university’s debt load and would replace older residence halls with a roughly 1,000-bed complex, eliminate community-style bathrooms over time, and expand living-learning communities. Representatives McCool and Tipton praised WKU’s graduation and retention results and asked questions about the housing project and its timeline. The committee then heard from CareerVXR and KCTCS about a proposed career exploration pilot. Company representatives said the platform uses web-based and virtual reality experiences to show students real jobs and workplaces, with the goal of addressing an “awareness gap” in workforce participation. They proposed a $1.8 million, two-year pilot to reach 50,000 to 60,000 students in three regions, including Hazard Community and Technical College, Southeast Community and Technical College, and western Kentucky. Members asked about cost, funding source, and locations, and were told the request would come through the KCTCS budget. The meeting ended with notice that the next meeting was scheduled for Thursday, February 26.

Transcript Highlights:

• We lament this burden that keeps girls out of school and limits their opportunities to contribute to
• , and 21% said middle school or earlier.
• The first is Ethan Wynn, a senior from Poway High School and president of his high school robotics competition
• When Ethan first started high school, he says he lacked motivation and direction for his future, but
• She understood how policies affect families, schools, and opportunities.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• by a school district.
• Those schools are obviously no different than the other schools.
• Any school deemed a public school will be eligible for this funding.
• are public schools.
• You have the school district where the school district was the primary authorizer for charter schools

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are one of the NSECD schools, non-public school early childhood development schools.
• school.
• school.
• that school.
• school.

Summary: The committee met for public testimony on the Finance budget, with the main discussion focused first on funding for disability services and then on the LA GATOR scholarship program. Several individuals testified in support of fully funding Families Helping Families and Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS), describing how advocacy, transition services, and direct support workers help people with disabilities access education, employment, and independent living. Witnesses urged the committee to preserve or increase state general funds to draw down federal matching dollars, and provider groups said current reimbursement rates and staffing shortages are leaving agencies in deficit, creating waitlists, overtime costs, and difficulty retaining workers. Committee members thanked the speakers and noted that the testimony would be used to compare the governor’s, House, and remaining budget requests. The committee then heard extensive testimony in support of increasing funding for the LA GATOR scholarship program. Supporters included policy groups, school leaders, parents, and students who argued that the program expands educational choice, helps low-income and special-needs students find schools that fit their needs, and should be fully funded at the level of demonstrated demand. Speakers from Catholic and Christian schools said GATOR funding had helped students thrive academically and spiritually, but that shortfalls left many eligible students without awards, hurt kindergarten enrollment, and forced schools to raise private donations to cover gaps. Several witnesses emphasized that the program is not a zero-sum attack on public schools, but a way to let education dollars follow students. A few committee questions focused on the fiscal impact and on whether choice programs improve outcomes without harming public schools. Testimony cited enrollment growth, parent demand, and data from other states to argue that school choice can improve student and parent outcomes and may also strengthen traditional public schools through competition. No votes or formal actions were taken during the public testimony portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Public school support.
• So we're taking a charter school or a virtual charter school, but virtual school that is not doing...
• ...a charter school or a virtual charter school or a virtual school that is not doing well and putting
• Is it particular to a school? Is it multiple schools?
• Is it particular to a school? Is it multiple schools?

Summary: The committee first heard a detailed staff presentation on the LESC FY27 public school support recommendation. Staff reviewed the budget structure and explained that, despite a downward revision in state revenue estimates, the recommendation still relied on recurring and non-recurring revenue to support educator compensation, insurance, transportation, literacy, math, special education, and other school programs. Major recurring items included a 3% compensation increase, funding for an 80-20 health insurance cost share, insurance premium growth, and transportation adequacy funding. Staff also flagged a possible supplemental need of up to $35 million for virtual education tied to rapid enrollment growth in Chama and Santa Rosa, and members raised concerns about the quality, accountability, and funding model for virtual programs. Members asked questions about transportation for rural districts, the Martinez-Yazzie lawsuit fees, the treatment of enrollment declines in the school funding formula, and whether the word “average” in salary language should remain in the budget. Staff explained that the SEG should remain whole, that the insurance and transportation recommendations applied to all public school employees but not contractors, and that the budget included multiple math-related investments spread across several lines rather than one single appropriation. There was also discussion of out-of-school learning grants, school meals, literacy center operations, special education training, and the Public Education Reform Fund, including the use of multi-year, evaluation-based appropriations for high-impact tutoring and community schools. After discussion, the committee adopted the LESC budget recommendation. The committee then moved to endorsed legislation proposals. It endorsed a bill allowing the secretary to suspend an individual school board member, with notice and appeal procedures clarified, and a bill creating an 80-20 health insurance cost-share requirement for public school employees, along with a study of the sustainability of public school insurance programs. It also endorsed a bill on attendance provisions for students with severe medical conditions, which would keep those students from being classified as excessively absent. Finally, the committee discussed a teacher residency bill that would raise stipend levels, allow residents to complete service anywhere in New Mexico, and remove the requirement that sponsoring schools must hire them, though the bill did not include an appropriation. Members also raised questions about bilingual, Hispanic, and Black education funding, cultural and linguistic supports in teacher preparation, and where various programs should be placed in the budget or PERF framework.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Tuscaloosa County High School. Tuscaloosa County High School.
• School Wildcats achieved remarkable School Wildcats achieved remarkable success<00:16:21.320><c> by</
• </c> school during the day. school during the day.
• </c> much in the school that must survive. much in the school that must survive.
• This is the same way in elementary school, high school, whatever.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:27.360><c> against</c> Rice Memorial High School against Rice Memorial High School against
• </c> second-ranked Harwood Union High School. second-ranked Harwood Union High School.
• </c> High School. High School.
• The bill would clarify the sale of a school in regard to the moratorium on new independent schools.
• </c> prevention in schools. prevention in schools.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Plus, Minnesota banned seclusion in schools for its smallest learners.
• But what we didn't do was provide school districts with an alternative.
• </c><00:19:57.520><c> districts</c> didn't do is provide school districts didn't do is provide school
• Uh so I I come at it get through school.
• Um, putting school districts sort of in a space to scramble.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all