Transcript Highlights:

• And so, um, the SAU board, if you will, which is the members of all the school district school boards
• So it's a 17-member board.
• So it's a 17-member board.
• of of the SAU of the SAU board. of of the SAU of the SAU board.
• > and school boards, an executive board, and school boards, an executive board, and central<01

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I practice in the area of cooperative law, Uh these resident boards are then have Uh these resident boards
• governance of these boards governance of these boards and<00:14:59.880> communities.
• Got started on marriage equality movement, worked on safe and supportive schools.
• Got started on marriage equality movement, worked on safe and supportive schools.
• Um, it's just saying these limitations would apply across the board.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then it goes even further and says, “and any additional areas determined by the Board of Trustees
• The agency is overseen by a board appointed by the governor and with the consent of the Senate.
• It also adds one board member specializing in healthcare.
• <00:35:56.960> appointed agency is overseen by a board appointed agency is overseen by a board
• non-wealthy Americans families equal non-wealthy Americans families equal opportunities<01:04:08.119

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not going to be equal.
• It's not going to be equal.
• It's not going to be equal.
• It's not going to be equal.
• <01:56:59.199> with all, I am uh completely on board with all, I am uh completely on board

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Civic Clubs, and the neighborhood boards Civic Clubs, and the neighborhood boards of<00:19:25.120
• Aloha board and chair and board members. I'm opposed to bill HB 2101. My name is Dave Ramos.
• Kyua Neighborhood Board, Wanala Neighborhood Board, as well as the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs
• They have an observer board.
• They have an observer board.

Bills: HB2101

Keywords: aquatic life, commercial aquarium purposes, Hawaii, environmental protection, sustainability, Native Hawaiian values, marine resources, 910, house, all

Summary: The joint committees on Energy and Environmental Protection and Water and Land heard testimony on House Bill 21101, which would ban or otherwise end commercial aquarium collection. Chairs opened the hearing with a short time limit for testimony and noted they would move to decision-making before the next committee meeting. The Department of Land and Natural Resources said it appreciated the bill’s intent and stood on written testimony, while the Office of Hawaiian Affairs strongly supported the measure as part of its legislative package, citing community calls to ban the practice. Many other organizations and individuals also testified in support, including environmental, Native Hawaiian, and community groups, with arguments focused on reef protection, public trust, cultural concerns, and the view that the trade is extractive and not sustainable. Supporters repeatedly cited declines in yellow tang and other reef fish, especially on West Hawaii and Oahu, and argued that reef recovery has not occurred where collection pressure existed. Several testified that legal aquarium collection has not occurred in West Hawaii since 2017 or on Oahu since 2021, and that the state should not reopen an industry that has been effectively shut down for years. Others said the program is fiscally inefficient because permits generate little revenue compared with the cost of administering and enforcing the program, and that aquaculture or other alternatives could provide jobs without removing wild fish. Native Hawaiian speakers and civic club representatives emphasized traditional and customary practices, community stewardship, and the need to protect resources for future generations. Opposition testimony came from aquarium fishers and related advocates who argued the fishery has been shown sustainable, that the EIS process was completed, and that the bill would unfairly target one user group over another. They said the trade provides livelihoods for local families, that management is solid, and that the legislature should not ban a fishery after requiring compliance with environmental review. Some opponents also argued that fish populations have increased in recent years and that the issue reflects broader user conflict rather than science. No vote or final committee action was taken during the portion of the hearing provided; the chair continued taking testimony, including on Zoom, as time allowed.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then there's also a credit based on earned income, and that's equal to 4% of the first $948 of earned
• to<00:02:00.560> 4%<00:02:01.000> of<00:02:01.079> the income and that's equal
• to 4% of the income and that's equal to 4% of the first first first $948<00:02:02.920> of<00:
• We are also advocating another bill to expand the phase-out threshold by 20% across the board, HF 2339
• HF 2339 which has strong the board HF 2339 which has strong bipartisan<00:12:32.680> support<

Bills: HF2254, HF2302, HF2502, HF2315, HF2475, HF2086

Keywords: HF2254, Minnesota child credit, baby bonus, child tax credit, income tax, individual income tax, tax relief, newborn, birth credit, family tax credit, tax refund, advance payment, Department of Revenue, taxable year, parenting, families with children, child credit, state regulations, families, taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• >> So the school board is nonpartisan. The state legislature is not. >> Sure.
• <00:34:09.440> I before it goes up to a school board.
• I before it goes up to a school board.
• I am with 603 Equality. Uh, I am here to testify in opposition to HB 132.
• I am with 603 equality. Uh I Teraveia. I am with 603 equality.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This does not on behalf of the board and fetus under the bill. Yeah.
• Mauer Equality.
• Mauer on behalf of Equality, Florida and Equality. Florida must oppose Senate Bill 1288.
• You have to dissolve the board.
• I for the board member of the CRA back in my local government time.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:40:19.280> must and the governing board must and the governing board must affirmatively
• Board of Education Transparency Act.
• We started with the State Board of Elections.
• Specifically, the board increases from 9 to 12 the number of voting members of the board.
• ,<01:08:04.319> and the pursuit of justice, equality, and the pursuit of justice, equality

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, February 17, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation, quorum call, and several introductions recognizing guests, including Reverend Jennifer Carsner and her daughter, President Kirk Schmoke, representatives from Maryland independent colleges and universities, students from Stevenson University, Howard and Anne Arundel counties, Washington College, a constituent, and the Greater Washington, D.C.-Maryland chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The chamber also adopted a resolution honoring Damatha Catholic High School for winning the 2025 WCAC football championship and another recognizing the Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerce on its 100th anniversary. Both resolutions were adopted unanimously after brief remarks and roll calls. The Senate then took up executive nominations, separating nominee 16 from the main report. The chamber voted 42 in favor on the remaining nominations and then 42 in favor on nominee 16, giving all nominees the Senate’s advice and consent. On third reading, the Senate passed several bills, including SB 46, SB 25, SB 58, SB 163, SB 170, SB 188, SB 247, SB 356, and SB 379, with recorded affirmative votes ranging from 36 to 42. These measures covered topics such as veterans cemeteries, tax credits and tax modifications, education funding, transportation revenue bonds, biotechnology incentives, a stillborn child tax credit, and recovery residence grant funding. The chamber also advanced numerous second-reading bills, generally adopting committee reports and amendments without objection. Among the measures discussed were collective bargaining for Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission police officers; adoption of the 2022 Uniform Commercial Code amendments for controllable electronic records; cemetery sale and transfer oversight; an additional license for electronic smoking devices; collective bargaining for Baltimore County Public Library supervisory employees; payroll processor exemptions under the Money Transmission Act; scalp cooling coverage for chemotherapy patients; orthoses and prostheses coverage under health and Medicaid plans; an online database of elevator inspection certificates; service animal program disqualification standards; extension of the State Board of Environmental Health Specialists; disclosure of lapsed professional liability insurance for nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and nurse midwives; and revisions to massage therapy licensure rules. Most reports were favorable, with several technical or substantive amendments adopted and bills ordered printed for third reading. A notable policy discussion occurred on SB 56, which would allow the Maryland Longitudinal Data System Center to share individual-level student and workforce data with a third-party data center for multi-state reporting. The sponsor explained the bill as a way to compare Maryland outcomes with other states while using data-sharing agreements and oversight to protect privacy; a minority whip raised concerns about the type of third-party data center and whether the practice was new. The sponsor said the bill was intended to formalize and safeguard data sharing, and noted a technical amendment would be offered to correct the amendment language.

Transcript Highlights:

• in both States ruled that those boards in both States ruled that those deaths<00:21:35.840> were<
• You know, we're all created at one point equal with the right to life, liberty, pursuit of happiness.
• You know, we're all created at one point equal with the right to life, liberty, pursuit of happiness.
• The Equality Health Center is located right down the street on Main Street.
• Planned Parenthood they are on board Planned Parenthood they are on board with<03:33:20.680>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee opened with procedural remarks, including notice of an overflow room and a brief apology from Representative Andress about returning to his seat after introducing HB 114. The committee then took up HB 476, a proposed 15-week abortion ban. Chairman Lynn explained that a request to withdraw the bill had been filed, but because the bill was already scheduled for hearing, the committee would proceed with testimony and the withdrawal would require later House action. The chair also reminded witnesses to keep remarks to three minutes and asked the audience to remain respectful. Most testimony focused on abortion access, maternal health, and the likely effects of a 15-week limit. Opponents, including Nancy Pariser, Dr. Cynthia Rasmussen, Dr. Young, Bonnie Bruno, and others, argued that abortion restrictions increase maternal mortality, worsen miscarriage care, create “OB deserts,” and can delay emergency treatment in cases such as sepsis or ectopic pregnancy. Several speakers cited experiences from Texas and Georgia and warned that HB 476 contained no exceptions for rape, incest, or maternal health. Supporters of the bill, including Paul Galasso and Lynn Hill, framed abortion as the loss of unborn life and argued that 15 weeks still allows most abortions while saving lives; they also said New Hampshire’s current law is already adequate and that the bill should be strengthened rather than abandoned. Other witnesses emphasized practical and economic concerns, saying unwanted pregnancies can worsen poverty, childcare burdens, housing insecurity, and women’s lifetime earnings. Some speakers urged lawmakers to focus instead on affordable housing, childcare, and family support. No committee vote or final action on HB 476 occurred during the hearing; the meeting consisted of opening remarks and public testimony only.

Transcript Highlights:

• Licensing Board, item number 25-241.
• >> And so next up is the Mechanical Board.
• >> And so next up is the Mechanical Board.
• And the Board of petitioner's request.
• >> And the agency and the board >> And the agency and the board acknowledged<03:03:49.680

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with quorum and seating issues, including the temporary appointment of Representative Shaw to fill in for a House member, followed by approval of the previous minutes and the consent calendar. Two items were then postponed to next month: Mechanical Licensing Board item 25-241 and Board of Veterinarian item 25-223. The committee then took up Department of Energy rulemaking on distributed energy resources interconnection procedures, including items 25-220 and related sections on fees, additional controls, and equipment. The Department explained revised language to address concerns that the original draft improperly suggested agency or PUC approval of utility fees; under the amended language, utilities would set fees designed to recover costs, with complaints handled through existing complaint procedures. Committee members and the Department discussed the statutory basis for that approach, including cost responsibility versus fee-setting authority. Public testimony was mixed. A small solar developer argued the rules still exceed statutory authority, impose unfair costs on customer generators, and allow utilities to shift transmission-related study costs onto interconnecting customers. Clean energy advocates supported the Department’s revised language but asked for clearer limits on charging customers for later-added controls, arguing costs should be tied directly to the customer’s interconnection and not to later utility-driven changes. Eversource supported the revised fee language, said most prior concerns were resolved, and recommended conditional approval, while also suggesting a minor wording change in the “Additional Equipment” section to clarify that only operational performance is covered.

Transcript Highlights:

• Athletic Association Board of Control. Athletic Association Board of Control.
• <00:24:22.080> um, attendance includes room and board um, attendance includes room and board
• <00:24:26.880> that they receive grant aid that equals that they receive grant aid that equals
• <01:57:30.239> of status is then provided by the board of status is then provided by the board
• Um but recommendations to the board.

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call: 0:00:00 Approval of Minutes: 0:01:45 Federal Education Updates 0:02:12 Dual Credit Updates: 0:43:38 Kentucky State University's Doctoral Program Request: 01:27:08 Postsecondary Accreditation: 1:49:05 Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations: 2:14:48 Adjournment 2:16:31, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the previous meeting minutes, and heard a presentation from Austin Reid of the National Conference of State Legislatures on education-related provisions in the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1). Reid said the law is projected to increase the federal deficit over 10 years, with major savings coming from Medicaid, student loan changes, and SNAP. He focused on how those changes could affect schools, including possible effects on free and reduced-price meal certification, state funding formulas that use SNAP as a proxy for low-income status, and Medicaid-funded school services for students with disabilities. Reid also outlined the new federal scholarship tax credit, which gives a dollar-for-dollar credit for donations to qualifying scholarship-granting organizations. He said families up to 300% of area median income may benefit, the program begins in 2027, and states must opt in and designate eligible organizations. He noted unresolved questions about whether states can add their own criteria and said Treasury regulations will be important. He also described the expansion of 529 plans to cover more K-12 and postsecondary expenses. On higher education, Reid explained a new workforce Pell grant option for short-term programs, with states and governors playing a role in determining eligible programs. He said the programs must meet placement, completion, and earnings measures and that implementation is expected to be tight before the July 1, 2026 effective date. He also reviewed student loan changes, including lower institutional loan limits, prorated borrowing for part-time enrollment, new caps on graduate and Parent PLUS loans, and a new earnings-based accountability standard that could make some programs ineligible for student loans if graduates earn too little. No votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• introduced by Representatives Gonzales, Herndon, and Gurrola, an act making an appropriation to the Board
• may summarily suspend licenses, and requiring the New Mexico Medical Board to post certain information
• limiting a local school board's ability to establish enrollment preferences, requiring local school boards
• limiting a local school board's ability to establish enrollment preferences, requiring local school boards
• throughout the year on a first-come, first-served basis if capacity allows, requiring local school boards

Bills: HM3, HM11, HM14, HM15, HM21

Keywords: nurses, health care workers, healthcare workers, frontline workers, hospital staff, clinicians, allied health professionals, support staff, public health, workforce shortage, nursing shortage, safe staffing, patient safety, rural health care, frontier communities, behavioral health, mental health, substance use disorder, substance abuse, health care memorial

Transcript Highlights:

• Is, is there an objective way to look at it at school board performance, for instance?
• The kinds of decisions their school boards are making, and why they're making them because in the end
• Chair, um, capacity building along all lines, um, is critically important and maybe the school board
• that's mandated and mandated usually equals money involved.
• Chair, um, for Piccaries, I mean it was the same across the board.

Transcript Highlights:

• And is this something, this is a policy, and we're going to do this across the board, and are we going
• If it's a policy across the board, then it's difficult for us to vote for one and not for another.
• c><00:03:16.319> this<00:03:16.519> across<00:03:16.840> the<00:03:17.000> board
• <00:03:17.640> and going to do this across the board and going to do this across the board
• but if it's peac policy across the board but if it's peac meal<00:03:47.159> then<00:03:47.480

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing covered three measures on the 1 p.m. agenda. SB 817, relating to out-of-state offices, drew support from DBEDT and several community groups, with questions focused on the requested funding, staffing level, whether the office would expand broadly, and whether the Philippines was being singled out. SB 1578, relating to international affairs, received support from DBEDT and the Attorney General, with the chair noting the bill was intended to help DBEDT analyze Hawaii’s international partnerships and plan next steps. SB 1639, establishing Hawaii Beach Day, had limited testimony and was moved along without substantive debate. SB 582, relating to DBEDT, was also heard with support from state agencies and a few individuals, and was described as a vehicle for organizational and funding changes affecting the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, including moving some positions and programming to general funds and narrowing the works-of-art special fund's uses. The committees then took up recommendations. All three measures were advanced with amendments: SB 817 was amended to include technical changes and a defective effective date of July 1, 2025; SB 1578 was amended to address the Attorney General’s concerns, make the commission subject to Senate confirmation, and add technical changes and a defective date; and SB 582 was amended to incorporate provisions from SB 1577, clarify SFCA authority over performing arts, shift SFCA positions and programming to general funds, restrict the works-of-art special fund, and add a defective date. Each committee voted to adopt the chair’s recommendations, with no reservations or no votes noted in the Transportation and Culture and the Arts committee and only Senator Dela Cruz voting no on SB 817 there; in the Economic Development and Tourism committee, SB 817 passed with Senator Kim in reservation and Senator Awa voting no, while SB 1578 and SB 582 passed with Senator Awa voting no. The later 10:00 a.m. agenda hearing focused on SB 1589, relating to the stadium development special fund, and SB 1629, relating to taxation. On SB 1589, the Attorney General asked for clarification of section 3, particularly the proviso about remaining monies lapsing to the general fund if the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District is terminated before completion; the interim stadium manager explained the bill would allow spending of $49.5 million already in the special fund for consultant, construction management, quality assurance, and contingency costs. On SB 1629, testimony was sharply divided: supporters, including film industry and business representatives, said the measure would support local film production, restore prior GET treatment, and help attract studio development; opponents argued the bill was vague, overly favorable to a specific project, and lacked oversight and accountability. The hearing ended with extensive questioning about whether the bill was effectively tailored to a particular studio project and how it related to other film tax credit measures, but no final committee action on SB 1589 or SB 1629 was included in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is recommended by the Cannabis Expungement Board as they move through their felony expungements,
• This is recommended by the Cannabis Expungement Board as they move through their felony expungements,
• This is recommended by the Cannabis Expungement Board as they move through their felony expungements,
• This is recommended by the Cannabis Expungement Board as they move through their felony expungements,
• <01:22:38.400> causation correlation uh does not equal causation correlation uh does not equal

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I sit under District Attorney's Retirement Board with Mr.
• I sit on the District Attorney's Retirement Board with Mr.
• This includes civil body representation, school board representation.
• That equal time and energy put in.
• . ...to $2 million before a project has to go to the architect selection board.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 513 by Representative Young, which would regulate name, image, and likeness activity for intercollegiate and interscholastic athletes, especially high school athletes. Young said the bill reflects recommendations from a task force and sets guardrails such as parental consent and prohibited NIL categories. The committee adopted a technical amendment and then reported the bill favorably as amended. Members then heard several Senate bills from Senator Mizell and Senator Cloud. Senate Bill 233 would create a statewide data exchange compact to allow state agencies to share information more efficiently; it was reported favorably. Senate Bill 300 would make various changes to the Procurement Code, including auction techniques, sole sourcing for consulting services in limited cases, and procurement process clarifications; it was reported favorably. Senate Bill 303 would allow executive branch agencies to buy or share technology solutions with other states and use the federal GSA schedule, and it was reported favorably as amended. Senate Bill 411, removing a 20-year lease limitation for certain Orleans Parish state property, was also reported favorably. The committee spent substantial time on House Bill 660 and House Bill 719, both dealing with district attorney funding and staffing. HB 660 would raise the state warrant amount for assistant district attorney salaries from $50,000 to $60,000, with supporters arguing it is needed to recruit and retain prosecutors; an opposition witness argued the state should fund both prosecutors and public defenders more equitably. The committee adopted an amendment making the bill effective only upon appropriation and reported it favorably as amended. HB 719 would increase the number of assistant district attorney warrants statewide, with most of the new warrants directed to Baton Rouge, St. Tammany, and Caddo; it too was amended to be subject to appropriation and reported favorably as amended. House Bill 596, which would have created an inactive well-feet assessment credit for oil and gas operators, was voluntarily deferred after concerns that it could reduce funding for the oil field site restoration fund. Later, the committee reported favorably as amended House Bill 802, which redirects existing revenue to watershed and flood restoration work in the Amite River Basin, and House Bill 940, which creates a task force and rules framework for law enforcement responses to unlawful drone activity. It also reported favorably House Bill 76 on coverage for orally administered anti-cancer medications, House Bill 950 on consumer protection materials for seniors, and began discussion of House Bill 1028, which would require higher Medicaid reimbursement rates for non-emergency medical transportation providers.

Transcript Highlights:

• IN THE CASE THAT PALM BEACH COLLEGE IS INTRODUCED TO A FRAMEWORK APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION IT
• IS ENTERED INTO THE FRAMEWORK AND THEN ANY PROGRAM IN FLORIDA PINNING THEIR BOARD OF TRUSTEES OR SCHOOL
• BOARD APPROVAL CAN PULL DOWN THAT FRAMEWORK AND OFFER THAT CURRICULUM AS WELL.
• MEASURE QUALITY OF OUR PROGRAMS BECAUSE IS NOT JUST ABOUT ENROLLMENTS OR COMPLETIONS BUT WE WANT EQUALITY
• OF DIRECTORS COMPRISED OF TECHNICAL COLLEGE WHICH ESSENTIALLY MEANS THAT WE ARE GOVERNED BY A BOARD

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I wish we would, but would I believe that it's equal?
• It's absolutely not equal because it's always one party over the other.
• would I believe that that it's equal? would I believe that that it's equal?
• <01:18:18.080> for gross income across the board for gross income across the board for obligor
• So if you want to keep it fair and equal, don't make this change. Thank you.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Board elections, but I did just want to highlight and be very clear that the members of a school board
• What this is doing is adding a possible spend to the Water Trust Board.
• So the Water Trust Board has been around for decades, very well established.
• So the Water Trust Board is such a reputable body in New Mexico.
• Of course, outreach and education are equally important. So we thank you.