Transcript Highlights:

• Our space and our municipalities, the policy is not to hold a prisoner in more than four hours without
• We don't have the space. The jails, the medical, wherefore all to provide food and basic needs.
• think it was made known that the transportation industry was part of what the federal government is launching

Committee: House Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• As rivers overtopped banks and levees failed across Western Washington, the National Guard launched one
• President, are being detained in public spaces, with communities left struggling for answers.
• When armed, unidentified agents seize people in public spaces, they're not enforcing the law, Mr.

Bills: SB5223 , SB5067 , SJM8002 , SB5855 , SB5865 , SB5272 , SCR8406 , SB5000 , SB5500 , SJM8006 , SB5325 , SB5286 , SB5937

Summary: The Senate opened with a ceremonial welcome for the Washington National Guard, including a color guard, prayer, and a resolution recognizing the Guard’s service. Senate Resolution 8668 was adopted unanimously, with members praising the Guard’s flood response, election support, counterdrug work, youth programs, and community assistance. The Senate also confirmed three gubernatorial appointments to college boards of trustees: Ann M. McQuaid to Bellingham Technical College, Eliza Munoz Estee to Grays Harbor College, and Felicia Hancock-Lewis to Wenatchee Valley College, each by unanimous or near-unanimous roll call votes. On legislation, the Senate passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5865 on garnishment forms after adopting an amendment delaying the effective date to May 1, 2027. The chamber also passed Substitute Senate Bill 5855 on law enforcement face coverings after rejecting several amendments that would have broadened or clarified exceptions, including proposals related to timing after transport, warrants, and other scenarios. Debate centered on federal immigration enforcement, public safety, accountability, and whether the bill would affect local law enforcement; the bill ultimately passed on a 30-19 vote. The Senate then passed Second Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5105, with a technical amendment, to address explicit depictions of minors and AI-generated or altered child sexual abuse material. It also passed Second Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5268, updating community custody provisions for unlawful firearm possession after a date-fixing amendment. Engrossed Senate Bill 5081, revising unattended motor vehicle rules for remote starts, passed unanimously. Senate Joint Memorial 8002, urging action on Medicare Advantage overpayments and fraud and supporting original Medicare, also passed unanimously. Finally, the Senate advanced Substitute Senate Bill 5067, lowering the DUI blood alcohol threshold from 0.08 to 0.05. Supporters framed it as a public safety measure to reduce impaired driving, while opponents argued it would have limited effect and that enforcement and staffing issues were more important. The bill was debated at length and then passed 38-11.

Transcript Highlights:

• As rivers overtopped banks and levees failed across Western Washington, the National Guard launched one
• President, are being detained in public spaces with communities left struggling for answers.
• When armed, unidentified agents seize people in public spaces, they're not enforcing the law, Mr.

Bills: SB5223 , SB5067 , SJM8002 , SB5855 , SB5865 , SB5272 , SCR8406 , SB5000 , SB5500 , SJM8006 , SB5325 , SB5286 , SB5937

Summary: The Senate opened with ceremonial honors for the Washington National Guard, including the presentation of colors, a prayer, and recognition of Major General Welsh and other Guard members in the chamber. Senators then adopted Senate Resolution 8668, which praised the Guard’s service in emergencies, disaster response, elections support, counterdrug training, and youth programs. Several members spoke in support, citing recent flood response efforts and the Guard’s work during COVID, and the resolution was adopted unanimously with all members’ names added as co-sponsors. The chamber then confirmed three gubernatorial appointments to college boards of trustees: Ann M. McQuaid to Bellingham Technical College, Elisa Munoz Estes to Grays Harbor College, and Felicia Hancock-Lewis to Wenatchee Valley College. Each confirmation passed by wide margins or unanimously after brief supporting remarks about the appointees’ education, military service, and community involvement. The Senate also considered and passed several bills. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5865, concerning garnishment forms, was amended to delay implementation and then passed 46-3 after supporters called it a technical fix and opponents focused on timing. Substitute Senate Bill 5855, dealing with face coverings by law enforcement officers, drew extensive debate and multiple failed amendments; supporters framed it as a transparency and accountability measure aimed at masked federal immigration enforcement, while opponents argued it was overbroad, ineffective against federal officers, and harmful to state and local law enforcement. The bill passed 38-19. The Senate also passed Second Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5105 on explicit depictions of minors, after an amendment clarifying liability and defenses, and Second Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5268 on community custody for unlawful firearm possession, after a date update amendment. Finally, Engrossed Senate Bill 5081 on unattended motor vehicles and Senate Joint Memorial 8002 urging action on Medicare Advantage overpayments and fraud were both adopted unanimously or by large margins. Later, the Senate took up Substitute Senate Bill 5067, lowering the DUI blood alcohol threshold from 0.08 to 0.05; the bill drew strong support from the sponsor and law enforcement-focused supporters, but also criticism that the lower threshold would not address the most dangerous impaired drivers and might have limited practical effect.

Transcript Highlights:

• their Police Academy in Henderson on Water Street, and they're spending $500,000 a year in rent for a space
• It would allow us to get out of a lease space and then allow us to really meet the needs that there are
• Since launching our emergency rental assistance program in 2021, we have built a proven, responsive system

Bills: AB102 , AB108 , AB117 , AB213 , AB220 , AB221 , AB251 , AB259 , AB331 , AB336 , AB375 , AB379 , AB409 , AB475 , AB476 , AB550 , AB575 , AB594 , SB466

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• We launched no new games in July, and so that may have had something to do with our dip in instant sales

Committee: All ALC-LOTTERY OVERSIGHT SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The meeting began with a review of the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery’s Miles Partnership contract for website hosting. Sharon Strong explained that the hosting function had been separated from the new advertising agency contract and put out for competitive bid because the amount was under the RFP threshold. Three companies bid, Miles Partnership was the lowest, and the one-year contract would cost up to $61,000, down from the previous $90,000 annual cost. The committee reviewed the contract without objection. Strong then gave the lottery director’s report for July, noting that instant game sales were down but draw game sales were up, resulting in a 3.7% decline in total revenue year over year. Operating expenses were lower, especially marketing and advertising, reflecting savings from the new contract, and net proceeds were 14.8% higher than the prior year and 7.4% above forecast. Fiscal 2026 ended with $114.3 million in net proceeds, the second-highest transfer in lottery history, and the lottery had already transferred $67 million to the Division of Higher Education for fiscal 2027. She also reported $1.1 million in reserves, $3,545 withheld for debt setoff, and a renegotiated Bank OZK arrangement expected to improve interest earnings. The Arkansas Division of Higher Education then presented scholarship reports. Assistant Commissioner Nick Fuller said 29,055 students received the Academic Challenge Scholarship in 2026, totaling $110 million, including 11,000 students who received Challenge Plus awards worth an additional $18 million. For first-time awardees, 12,708 students received $40 million, with 5,816 of them receiving Challenge Plus funding. He also reported that the Academic Challenge portion of the net proceeds trust account ended the year with a $4.4 million balance, and the Higher Education Grants Fund ended with a $5.3 million balance after spending $74.9 million in fiscal 2026. Representative Garner asked about the lower budget request for the next year, and Fuller said the main reason was that the Arkansas Future Grant had cost more than expected in 2026 due to higher-than-anticipated private school participation and related factors. ADHE also requested $667,346 in reimbursement for administering the scholarship programs, the lowest request in five years. The meeting concluded with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's what happens in the oil and gas space. We just have a difference.
• You know, since you worked in a different space, we're talking about no Responsible for that.
• Uniquely, the orphan well problem in the oil and gas space.
• "We want to shoot nuclear rods into outer space from Roswell," nothing like that. Mr.
• The legacy equipment to make space for new equipment to support the production mission.

Committee: Joint Radioactive & Hazardous Materials Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• We have been good partners in the public education space.
• I brought a Fisher space pen, and for those West Wing fans, you might hear the story that in the space
• race, America spent hundreds of millions of dollars on space. to develop a pressurized pen to be able
• to write in space, the Soviets used a pencil.
• This administration is trying to erase immigrants from public spaces and they aren't intent and they

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Families Committee, where she served for 10 years as the first chair, and spearheaded efforts to launch
• And spearheaded efforts to launch family courts in Missouri while supporting legislative key to uplift
• That's our critical infrastructure, at least in the utility space, that this section Businesses, that's
• our critical infrastructure, at least in the utility space, that this section 569.086 basically addresses

Transcript Highlights:

• Families Committee, where she served for 10 years as the first chair, and spearheaded efforts to launch
• And spearheaded efforts to launch family courts in Missouri while supporting legislative key to uplift
• That's our critical infrastructure, at least in the utility space, that this section 569.086 basically
• utility related, you know, businesses, that's our critical infrastructure, at least in the utility space

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the House Journal by a 121-0 vote, and a brief suspension of business for the Speaker to sign HB 2014. Members also observed a moment of silence for Butler County Fire Protection District Sergeant Commander Jatin Warren, who died in the line of duty, and the chamber introduced several guest groups, including Missouri Council on Aging representatives and county clerks. A resolution was also presented honoring former state representative K. H. Steinmetz for her 18 years of service in the Missouri House. The House then received committee reports recommending passage of HB 2934, HB 1800, and HB 1707. On third reading, HB 2974 passed 136-0 on telehealth and licensure reciprocity; HB 2934 passed 121-24 on consolidating St. Louis convention center governance; HB 2057 passed 137-10 on entertainment districts for Osage Beach and Chesterfield; the combined HB 1839/2921/3015 passed 120-19 on age verification for harmful online content; HB 1707 passed 149-0 to bar the Department of Revenue from taxing credit card processing fees; HB 2819 passed 145-0 to set rounding rules as the penny is phased out; and HB 2600 passed 148-0 to allow ambulance districts to combine resources for coverage. HB 1800, which reduces the inflationary growth factor for certain taxing districts from 5% to 3% and adjusts assessment ranges, drew the most extended debate over its effect on schools, fire districts, and taxpayers; it ultimately passed 82-61. Members also perfected HB 2774, which bars state and local governments from restricting equipment sales or use based on fuel source, and HB 2383, a utility infrastructure protection bill adding wired/copper infrastructure to existing critical infrastructure protections and setting penalties for theft or damage; HB 2383 was amended to align with the Senate version and then perfected. Finally, the House began debate on a combined bill package including HB 1664, 1610, 1645, and 2182, which would extend the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse civil claims while also shortening the general personal injury statute of limitations from five years to three; the child sexual abuse provisions drew broad support, while the tort-reform portion prompted sharp disagreement over access to justice versus business certainty.

Transcript Highlights:

• your group or this individual to feel safe and supported, I understand it may be coming from a good space
• Those with multiple chemical sensitivities can't be in spaces with chemical emissions from carpeting,
• Thank you. ...in public spaces to protect our own health, to protect our baby who is still too young
• As a large fat person, the message I receive in public spaces is clear: You don't fit.
• These biases follow people into workplaces, classrooms, public spaces, and even health care.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a lengthy public hearing on a wide range of civil rights, immigration, hate crimes, and reparations bills. Chair Edwards and Chair Day opened with strict testimony rules, including two-minute limits, written testimony options, and decorum requirements. Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell testified in strong support of S. 1126/H. 1920, the Combating Hate in the Commonwealth bill, saying Massachusetts needs stronger tools to address rising hate and bias incidents. Her Civil Rights Division chief explained that the bill would give the division civil investigative demand/subpoena power, expand civil rights enforcement, close loopholes in the Massachusetts Civil Rights Act, add protected classes to the hate crimes law, and require better hate-crime data reporting. The committee also heard support for H. 1954 on access to counsel in immigration proceedings, H. 4684 on law enforcement identification and public trust, and H. 1927 to exonerate individuals accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts. Several bills focused on discrimination and civil rights enforcement. Supporters of S. 1248 on organizational standing said fair housing nonprofits need explicit authority to bring discrimination complaints in their own names, especially as federal protections are under attack. On H. 1246, advocates urged adding sex and gender as protected classes in the hate crimes statute, arguing women are not protected under current state law. H. 1820 drew testimony for protections against height and weight discrimination. H. 1995 would regularize sentencing for hate crimes by requiring diversity awareness training for both convictions and continuances without a finding, and H. 1056/H. 1589 would broaden hate-crime victim standing and require restitution to be used to repair harm. H. 1886 would clarify that defense-based social service staff are exempt from mandated reporter obligations when working under attorney-client privilege. The committee also heard testimony on H. 1889/S. 1064, a bill to eliminate disparate impact. Environmental justice advocates, fair housing attorneys, and community members argued that neutral policies can still produce discriminatory outcomes and that Massachusetts should allow state-court claims and a private right of action to address them. Committee members raised concerns about litigation floodgates, punitive damages, and the scope of protected classes, while supporters said the bill would mainly target systemic harms and injunctive relief. Additional testimony supported H. 1922/S. 119, the Fair Investment Act, which would create civil rights protections in venture capital and other investment settings for founders and investors, especially women and minority entrepreneurs. The hearing also included testimony on H. 1683, the Sex Trade Survivor Act, which would expand vacatur and expungement relief for trafficking survivors, remove archaic offenses from the code, and create an interagency commission; supporters emphasized reducing barriers to housing, employment, and reentry. Finally, the committee heard extensive support for H. 1753/S. 1181, establishing a commission to study reparations in Massachusetts. Testifiers described the state’s history of slavery, redlining, and ongoing racial disparities, and urged the committee to report the bill favorably. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have an incredible opportunity here and now to effectively launch this vital child care industry to
• people with disabilities, because it is important and it does matter, and we should respond from that space
• people with disabilities, because it is important and it does matter, and we should respond from that space
• together</c><00:59:29.960><c> Miss</c><00:59:30.440><c> doson</c><00:59:31.440><c> thank</c> the same space
• together Miss doson thank the same space together Miss doson thank you<00:59:31.839><c> again</c><00

Bills: HF1247 , HF628

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: child care, aides, supervision, child care centers, staffing regulations, childcare, day care, licensed child care center, early childhood education, child care licensing, director qualifications, staff ratios, group size, staff-to-child ratio, substitutes, volunteers, assistant teacher, teacher qualifications, infant care, toddler age

Transcript Highlights:

• all it does is allow for the clarity at law so that there is no confusion where some of those gray spaces
• I ask for an I those gray spaces exist. I ask for an I vote. vote. vote.
• Lot coverage or open space. Is that more required or less required? Which one is more restrictive?"
• </c> restrictive lot coverage or open space. restrictive lot coverage or open space.
• Now we're requiring that property space.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:13:57.120><c> where</c><00:13:57.519><c> opportunity</c> helped create spaces where opportunity
• helped create spaces where opportunity and<00:13:58.560><c> hope</c><00:13:59.279><c> could</c><00:13
• We have seen this most clearly in the mental health space.
• Susan was instrumental in the launch of Flex, Venango County's young professionals organization.
• In addition to Flex, Susan helped launch Leadership Vano, a nine-month program designed to educate and

Bills: HJR139 , HB1958 , HR556

Keywords: balanced budget, federal government, amendment, taxation, government spending, impeachment, federal judge, judicial misconduct, abuse of power, high crimes and misdemeanors, Charles R. Breyer, Judge Breyer, Northern District of California, U.S. District Court, House resolution, National Guard, Los Angeles, executive power, separation of powers, constitutional crisis

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, our mobile clinics that we have launched out in this area have really helped, but that might
• have depended on for years, such as the provider assessment and state-directed payments, and are launching

Transcript Highlights:

• already we've integrated and worked well with Robert Magoo, the chief information officer, and with Launch
• and worked well with, um, uh, you know, Robert Magoo with the chief information officer and with launch

Summary: The committee first approved a motion, then heard a lengthy presentation on homelessness policy and behavioral health. Testimony focused on the view that Arkansas should shift toward more data-driven, outcomes-based responses to homelessness, including stronger treatment options for serious mental illness and substance use disorder, better data collection, provider accountability, and possible statewide use of the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model. Speakers from Fort Smith, Restore Hope, Our House, and Western Arkansas Counseling described local work, the need for better coordination across providers, and the role of crisis services, ACT teams, and employment support. Members asked about sex offender tracking, the difference between sheltered and unsheltered homelessness, how to scale successful programs statewide, and whether Arkansas could apply for a statewide Continuum of Care or CCBHC planning grant. The discussion also touched on camping bans, civil commitment, and federal funding changes, with several speakers urging the state to pursue the CCBHC planning grant and more transparent reporting systems. After the homelessness discussion, the committee moved through a series of Department of Energy and Board of Nursing rule reviews. DEQ proposed updating the post-closure cleanup threshold for solid waste matters from $50,000 to $2 million to match Act 791 of 2025, and members asked about financial assurance and oversight; the rule was reviewed without objection. The Board of Nursing then presented multiple rule changes tied to recent acts, including adding fees for dialysis patient care technician registration, expanding contact-information requirements, implementing APRN delegation authority to unlicensed workers, clarifying APRN authority for death certificates and durable medical equipment prescriptions, updating certified medication assistant training and insulin-injection authority, and conforming independent-practice rules for clinical nurse specialists. Each rule was reviewed without objection. Near the end of the meeting, Senator Irvin announced that UAMS had completed its NCI designation submission for the Winthrop Rockefeller Cancer Institute, calling it an important milestone for the state. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• the Arizona Center for Economic Progress was forming, and I carpooled up here from Tucson for their launch
• at the Burton Bar Library, and For their launch at the Burton Bar Library, and when Mr.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and several guest introductions, including the Doctor of the Day, students visiting the chamber, and other special guests. Members also announced committee substitutions and bill withdrawals/re-referrals, and the chamber observed a moment of respectful silence for the late Hon. George Cunningham, after unanimously adopting HCR 2060, a death resolution honoring his public service. The House then spent much of the day in Committee of the Whole on several calendars. The most contested item was HB 2758, a groundwater transportation bill, which drew extensive debate over fairness to the McMullen Valley and the need to protect water supplies for the CAP system and metro Phoenix. Multiple amendments were adopted, including changes affecting transfer limits and basin-specific water allocations. The bill ultimately received a do pass recommendation in COW by a 31-23 vote, and later passed third reading in the House 32-24 after several members explained their votes. A motion to amend the COW report to show the bill failed was defeated 23-32. The House also advanced a series of other measures with little or no opposition. In COW, HB 2049, HB 2090, HB 2092, HB 2179 as amended, HB 2228 as amended, HB 2111, HB 2114, HB 2256 as amended, HCM 2007 as amended, HR 2003, HB 2098, HB 2265 as amended, HB 2663, HB 2666 as amended, HB 2756 as amended, HB 2192 as amended, HB 2476, HB 2693 as amended, and HB 2877 as amended all received do pass recommendations, while HB 2875 was retained on the calendar. The House later passed several bills on third reading, including HB 2089, HB 2258, HB 2322, HB 2786, and HB 2825, and referred the approved measures to engrossing or to the Senate as appropriate. The session concluded with numerous personal privilege remarks, including recognition of a retiring Air Force veteran, Black History Month remarks, birthday wishes, and an announcement that Representative Chaplik plans to resign next week to focus on a congressional campaign. The House also announced upcoming committee meetings and adjourned until 1:30 p.m. on Monday, February 23, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• the Arizona Center for Economic Progress was forming, and I carpooled up here from Tucson for their launch
• at the Burton Barr Library, and... ...for their launch at the Burton Barr Library, and when Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• She has built financial independence, established deep community roots, and is now launching additional
• businesses. ...and is now launching additional businesses in Albuquerque and the surrounding areas.

Bills: SB22 , SB310

Committee: Senate Senate Conservation

Keywords: motor vehicle manufacturers, licensing, dealers, franchise agreements, consumer protection, water supply, sewage improvements, environment, funding, Mora County

Transcript Highlights:

• She has built financial independence, established deep community roots, and is now launching additional
• businesses. ...and is now launching additional businesses in Albuquerque and the surrounding areas.

Bills: SB22 , SB310

Committee: Senate Senate Conservation

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 22, which would allow certain motor vehicle manufacturers, including electric vehicle companies, to be licensed as dealers in New Mexico and sell/service directly to consumers. Supporters, including the sponsor’s office, Taxation and Revenue, Rivian, and clean-energy advocates, argued the bill would expand consumer choice, lower prices, improve EV access and service in-state, and bring new investment and jobs without eliminating existing franchise dealers. Opponents, including auto dealer associations, chambers of commerce, and franchise owners, argued the measure would weaken the franchise system, harm local businesses and jobs, reduce community reinvestment, and could disadvantage rural and tribal communities. After questions about trade-ins, tribal land sales, tax effects, and economic impacts, the committee voted to table SB 22 by a vote of 7-2. The committee then took up Senate Bill 310, which appropriates $1.1 million to the New Mexico Environment Department for planning, design, and construction improvements to the Mora mutual domestic water system. Supporters described aging water and wastewater infrastructure, an AOC related to discharge into the Mora River, flood and fire impacts, and heavy-metal contamination concerns in private wells. They said the project is part of a larger effort to address inflow and infiltration, improve treatment capacity, and protect public health, with additional funding already sought through the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund and the Water Trust Board. Some senators questioned whether the request should instead go through existing water funding programs and raised concerns about piecemeal financing and the Environment Department’s role, but others supported the need for the project. The committee approved SB 310 on a 5-3 due-pass vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• And she's launched public service campaigns in the community for those of the money.
• And she's launched public service campaigns in the community for those who are affected by housing discrimination

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and several recognitions and guest introductions, including Arizona medical, dental hygiene, hearing-access, and Taekwondo Day visitors. Members also observed a moment of silence for two Arizona Department of Public Safety personnel killed in a helicopter crash while responding to an active shooter incident in Flagstaff. The chamber then moved through committee reports, first and second readings, and multiple Committee of the Whole calendars. On the first and second calendars, the House advanced a series of bills with mostly unanimous or near-unanimous committee-of-the-whole votes, including HB 2075, HB 2120, HB 2155, HB 2328, H.R. 2004, HB 2051, HB 2072, HB 2178, HB 2203, and HB 2395. Several of these measures dealt with health and education topics, including Medicaid lactation services and lactation consultant certification, while HB 2203 was described as an education efficiency bill reducing duplicative reporting requirements. HB 2043 drew the most debate, with supporters calling it a cleanup measure to allow felony-murder charges involving unborn children and opponents warning it was an anti-abortion/personhood bill with broader implications for contraception, IVF, and other care; it still received a do-pass recommendation. On the third calendar, the House considered HB 2010, HB 2043, HB 2108, HB 2135, and HB 2310. HB 2108, described by supporters as a pro-law-enforcement bill addressing fleeing or eluding police, drew concerns about broad criminal definitions and potential overreach, but advanced. HB 2310, on independent contractor status, and HB 2135, with a floor amendment, also advanced. The chamber then took up third readings: HB 2008, concerning school libraries and public funding for library associations, passed 33-25; H.R. 2004, a nonbinding resolution expressing disapproval of Attorney General Kris Mayes’s public statements, also passed 33-25 after extensive partisan debate and several points of order. The House then adopted the Committee of the Whole reports, referred passed measures for engrossing, and adjourned until Monday, February 9, 2026.