Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Homeland Security and Public Safety and Veterans Affairs will meet today upon lunch
• HB 247 by Guillen, relating to the taxation of border security infrastructure. Mr.
• proceedings for those securities.
• of proceedings for those securities.
• SB number 1273 by Hughes relating to establishing the higher education research security council.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum present, heard an invocation and pledges, received Senate messages, and adopted several procedural motions allowing committees to meet during the session and postponing or scheduling certain committee hearings. Members also observed a memorial recognition for Wood County Deputy Sheriff Melissa Pollard, who died in the line of duty, and adopted a resolution honoring her service. The chamber then adopted House Resolution 897 recognizing May 6, 2025 as Golf Day in Texas and House Resolution 1063 recognizing Dallas Housing Coalition Advocacy Day; additional recognitions highlighted Mental Health Awareness Month and tardive dyskinesia awareness, The Woodlands’ 50th anniversary, Alzheimer’s advocacy, student athlete Gator Young, an intern in Rep. Leo-Wilson’s office, and educator Jessica Lopez. The House spent much of the day on third-reading consideration of a long calendar of bills. Among the measures passed were HB 24 on zoning protest procedures, HB 3800 creating a health care workforce advisory board, HB 42 on higher education appropriations, HB 129 restricting contracts with foreign adversary companies, HB 677 on county elections administrator political activity, HB 668 on license-to-carry renewal procedures, HB 2128 directing a rural firefighting study, HB 2038 expanding physician licensing options, HB 2316 on election result reporting, HB 3686 on retired peace officer ID cards, HB 2563 creating a prescribed burn manager self-insurance pool, HB 1160 increasing penalties for assaults on utility workers, HB 3883 on major events funding, HB 2788 protecting fraud-detection information, HB 2663 on inactive well plugging extensions, HB 3305 extending a county health provider participation program, HB 3474 on pension reporting, HB 1105 expanding tuition exemptions for certain paramedics, HB 3490 on closed meetings with internal auditors, HB 3597 on child care facility notice thresholds, HB 1295 on health literacy planning, HB 3512 on AI training for government employees, HB 3783 on court-ordered counseling, HB 2017 on intoxication manslaughter penalties, HB 3010 on rural disaster recovery, HB 3112 on cybersecurity-related public information and meetings, HB 4215 on delivery network companies, HB 3223 on construction claims limitation periods, HB 3464 on controlled substances in correctional facilities, HB 3120 on residential child detention facilities, HB 4214 on public information, HB 481 on trade secret sealing, HB 4783 on opioid antagonist program reporting, HB 4063 on unilateral memoranda of contract, HB 2783 on county employee deferred compensation, HB 5085 on seed banks, HB 2510 on assisted living facility operations, HB 3426 on digital driver’s licenses, HB 4361 on emergency notifications at higher education institutions, HB 1169 on oil and gas infrastructure protection, HB 2516 on Medicare supplement eligibility for Texans under 65, HB 3560 on hospital staff background checks, HB 3860 on occupational licenses for inmates, HB 3146 on SOAH hearings, HB 184 on loan repayment for border prosecution attorneys, HB 198 on firefighter cancer screenings, HB 247 on border security infrastructure taxation, HB 367 on excused absences for students with severe illnesses, HB 449 on deepfake sexually explicit images, HB 1778 on human trafficking and related offenses, HB 514 on maternal health workforce outreach, HB 632 on pharmacy regulation, HB 2582 on victim parole information, HB 766 on precinct chair ballot applications, HB 2715 on suspension/removal of officials, HB 2712 on water and sewer utility test years, HB 3069 on transmission projects, HB 3505 on health provider participation districts, HB 1269 on plant disease and pest prevention grants, HB 4224 on access to health care records, HB 5032 on historical documents in the Capitol complex, HB 2240 on void marriages, HB 5180 on diploma designation, HB 3348 on health provider participation programs, HB 4668 on PUC authority to retain assistance, HB 4665 on child care training providers, HB 3395 on beneficiary designation for manufactured homes, HB 3157 on interim electric utility rates, HB 4395 on electronic submission of public securities records, HB 4325 on bribery civil penalties, HB 4386 on annuity replacement transactions, HB 4273 on Medicaid fraud-related unlawful acts, HB 2760 on judicial review of unemployment decisions, HB 2820 on charitable bingo operating capital, HB 1828 on legislative leave for correctional officers, and a series of Senate bills including SB 2349, SB 1268, SB 610, SB 1577, SB 1369, SB 2032, SB 1057, SB 1044, SB 922, SB 1759, SB 1143, SB 1506, SB 1403, SB 2361, SB 870, SB 372, and SB 72. Several bills drew debate or amendments, including HB 24, where a germane point of order was sustained against an amendment, and HB 198, HB 3348, and SB 2361, which were amended before passage. Most measures passed by wide margins, though some drew notable opposition, including HB 3883, HB 514, HB 1295, HB 184, SB 1143, and others. The House also postponed further consideration of HB 4700 until the end of the day and HB 24 until 1 p.m., and it granted permission for committees to meet during the House session and for the Calendars Committee to meet that morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• To fix the assumption portion of this and still allow for judicial to go... been made in the bill.
• Again, what this does is it doesn't stop the judicial branch from going through the process.
• Um, so, what it does is it does reduce by half because I'm pretty sure there is no way that the judicial
• Um, so, what it does is it does reduce by half because I'm pretty sure there is no way that the judicial
• judicial department can hire uh, 24 FTE judicial department can hire uh, 24 FTE in<01:11:46.400> a

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the previous day’s journal, and received a series of committee reports and appointment recommendations. Reports included several bills being amended and referred onward, along with confirmations for appointments to the Colorado State University System Board of Governors and the Western Colorado University Board of Trustees. The chamber also suspended a rule to allow a child to lead the Pledge of Allegiance, and later recognized visiting Scout Troop 873 from Highlands Ranch and the Colorado Sportsmen’s Day at the Capitol, including a tribute to the Colorado Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus and remarks about conservation, hunting, and angling. The Senate also honored the Be Well Health and Wellness Initiative for 23 years of work on health equity, community wellness, and resident-driven system change, with remarks highlighting its community engagement model and efforts to address social determinants of health. In addition, the chamber recognized legislative aides, interns, and staff with a tribute praising their work supporting senators and the legislative process. These recognitions were largely ceremonial and were met with applause and supportive remarks from members. The main policy item taken up was Senate Bill 149, concerning pathways for individuals with mental health disorders who are incompetent to stand trial. Senators Amabile and Simpson described the bill as a response to longstanding gaps in treatment and placement options for people found incompetent to proceed, especially those who are dangerous and not likely to be restored. They said the bill was developed over many months with input from prosecutors, public defenders, and budget staff, and emphasized public safety and the need to avoid releasing people when no appropriate placement exists. Senator Coram Reyer spoke in support, citing a local case involving a violent defendant who was released and later threatened people with a gun. The Committee of the Whole adopted the Judiciary and Appropriations committee reports on SB 149, and then considered amendment L049 from Senator Marble, which would reduce certain judicial staffing assumptions by half while preserving capital and IT funding and allowing the judiciary to return through the normal budget process if needed. Senators Marble and Simpson supported the amendment, describing the fiscal estimates as uncertain and the bill’s implementation as still being in flux. The transcript cuts off before the final disposition of the amendment or the bill vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chiefs of Police; Scott Kirkpat, Chiefs of Police; and Brad Burghett, District Attorney in the 7th Judicial
• Attorneys Association, in support, not wishing to speak; Brad Burkett, also district attorney, 7th Judicial
• We also have Brad Burgett, who's the district attorney in the 7th Judicial District, Darren Alamon, the
• And then we have two other cards, Brad Burgett, District Attorney for the 7th Judicial District, in support

Summary: The Senate Committee on Judiciary C met on May 19, 2026, with a quorum present and first deferred House Bill 276 at the sponsor’s request. The committee then heard and advanced several bills, largely focused on criminal justice, domestic violence, victims’ rights, probation/parole, and critical infrastructure protections. HB 160, by Rep. Knox, would increase the penalty for domestic abuse battery and battery of a dating partner involving strangulation from three to six years, with at least one year without probation or suspension; it drew strong support from prosecutors and domestic violence advocates and was reported favorably. HB 769, by Rep. Boyd, would create a 24- to 72-hour cooling-off hold in domestic violence cases, with an amendment to make the hold concurrent with other detention periods and to avoid stacking with existing law; it was reported with amendments. The committee also reported favorably HB 1234, which creates mandatory jail time for fleeing the scene after striking a person and failing to render aid, and HB 158, which restores custodial inpatient treatment as an option for probationers and increases the allowable treatment period from 90 to 180 days. HB 169, allowing courts or the parole board to assess extradition costs against absconders based on ability to pay, was also reported favorably. HB 251, requiring notice to a victim or designated family member before resentencing or final conviction hearings, drew support from the Attorney General’s office and opposition from the ACLU, which argued that victim involvement at that stage could be inconsistent with post-conviction standards; it was nevertheless reported favorably. Additional measures advanced included HB 289, which removes a redundant 24-hour delay between denial of a new trial motion and sentencing; HB 394, extending the conditional parole period from nine months to 24 months to allow completion of required programming; and HB 330, increasing penalties and restitution for vandalizing churches and graves, which was supported by the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops. HB 429, expanding critical infrastructure protections to oil and natural gas facilities and related operations and increasing penalties for unauthorized entry, drone activity, and cyber interference, was reported with amendments after discussion about harmonizing the definition with another bill and ensuring coverage of water-related facilities. The committee also approved the minutes from the prior meeting before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• It exempts the legislative and judicial branches from prohibition against nepotism and public employment
• It exempts the legislative<00:02:53.840> and<00:02:54.160> judicial<00:02:54.640> branches
• <00:02:54.959> from legislative and judicial branches from legislative and judicial branches
• to take care of potentially 704 claimants and seeing whether or not we can divert them out of the judicial
• them<00:25:14.240> out<00:25:14.559> of<00:25:15.440> the<00:25:15.679> judicial

Bills: SB2418, SB2568, SB2661

Keywords: drug paraphernalia, overdose prevention, public health, substance use, harm reduction, criminal justice reform, public servants, harassment, safety, government, criminal offense, nepotism, transparency, public officials, accountability, government ethics, 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee first took up three previously heard measures in decision-making. SB 2418, which repeals the law prohibiting drug paraphernalia under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, was amended to keep prohibitions on manufacturing-related paraphernalia and then passed. SB 2568, which elevates harassment against certain public officials to a misdemeanor, was amended to place it in the harassment statute, narrow the nexus language, and extend coverage to all public employees; it passed with amendments. SB 2661, dealing with nepotism rules in the code of ethics, was amended so the ethics restrictions would apply more broadly to legislators and judges as well, and it also passed with amendments. In each case, the committee reported no no-votes or reservations and adopted the measures. The committee then heard Governor’s Message 684, the nomination of Judge Stephanie Char to the Fifth Circuit Court on Kauai. The governor’s office testified in strong support, and the Hawaii State Bar Association representative said the usual review process found her qualified. Judge Char described her Kauai roots, 17 years as a public defender, and service as a district family court judge since December 2020, saying she would bring hard work and continued commitment to access to justice. Members questioned her about recusals on a small island, her experience handling criminal and civil matters, sentencing repeat offenders, administrative appeals, and how she would approach competency and fitness issues under HRS 704. Char said she had recused only a few times, emphasized case-by-case sentencing and probation conditions tailored to underlying problems, and said she would rely on preparation and education for unfamiliar administrative matters. On 704 cases, she said defendants awaiting evaluation should generally remain in custody, with possible diversion or strict release conditions in appropriate cases, and that those found unfit would need to be sent to Hawaii State Hospital. No vote was taken on the nomination; the committee announced it would decide on Monday, February 23, at 10:45 a.m. in Room 016.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Heidi Adams, and I'm a judicial district attorney. I stand in support of House Bill 58.
• The bill is in line with modern judicial practices, use of technology to enhance efficiency.
• HB 57 is a common-sense modernization of our judicial system that allows video testimony for traffic
• My name is Heidi Adams, Judicial District Attorney. I stand in support of House Bill 57.
• We are competing with other judicial districts for these lab analyst times, as well as when they're trying

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and patterned, as the legislation kind of, kind of prodded us in that direction, patterned on the judicial
• As Carl mentioned, um, yesterday, we did approve, um, the, the approval of the judicial districts was
• , uh, approved for the behavioral health regions, and I continually say judicial districts, but really
• And as far as the responses we've received, most responses were in line with the judicial districts.
• Um, lastly, I'll just say, Madam Chair, um, the intent of this is not judicial or criminal by any means

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the CEO for the Second Judicial District Court.
• is now requiring us to be a storage facility for anyone, regardless of whether they live in our judicial
• We don't know how many other wills there are in the state and other judicial districts with those same
• I'm just one court, one judicial district. There's also safety deposit boxes.
• And they have to then be able to search the entire state, not just one judicial district, because again

Transcript Highlights:

• She also previously served in the Department's Finance and General Services and the Judicial Council.
• commemorates the Battle of Puebla, where the Mexican Army, against overwhelming odds, stood firmly and secured
• a victory that echoes... ...overwhelming odds, stood firmly and secured a victory that echoed far beyond
• to support the side that sought to keep Black Americans... ...overwhelming odds stood firmly and secured

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum call, prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, guest recognitions, and approval of the Senate journals. Members then considered several gubernatorial appointments to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Despite protest from Senator Grove over the lack of action on a separate rehabilitation appointment, the Senate confirmed Kathleen Ratliff and Joseph Tuggle, Jason Johnson, Madeline McLean, Brian Bishop, and Sarah Larson, with each confirmation passing overwhelmingly or unanimously. The chamber next adopted Senate Resolution 86 recognizing Cinco de Mayo Week and the 2026 Latino Spirit Award honorees. Senators from multiple caucuses spoke in support, emphasizing Mexican history, Latino civic engagement, and solidarity across communities. The Latino Caucus then introduced the honorees, including leaders in higher education, philanthropy, labor, health, advocacy, environmental justice, journalism, culinary arts, and the legacy band Los Tigres del Norte. The Senate also adopted SCR 146 declaring May Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month, and SCR 154 establishing Green Star Veterans and Families Day to honor veterans who died by service-related suicide and their families. Later, the Senate adopted SCR 123 for California Peace Officers Memorial Day after emotional remarks naming officers killed in the line of duty and honoring their families, and SCR 164 recognizing Black Health Equity Advocacy Week, with speakers citing racial disparities in health outcomes and maternal mortality. The body also adopted SCR 103 on Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week, with a guest recognition for a behavioral health advocate. In third reading, the Senate passed SB 1159 on artificial intelligence and public participation, SB 1416 shortening refund timelines for duplicate medical/dental payments, SB 1273 and SB 1195 on alcoholic beverage tied-house exemptions, SB 941 limiting commissary markups in private detention facilities, SB 1099 clarifying local authority to provide public benefits, and SB 990 allowing a highway information sign near Ridgecrest. The session concluded with adjournments in memory of labor leader Kent Wong and Navy veteran and artist Victor Valar.

Transcript Highlights:

• make sure that employers follow the law and only share employees’ personal data when a subpoena or judicial
• and Industries; Kate Armstrong from the Department of Revenue; and Matt Bellow from the Employment Security
• That will create more security and better outcomes for folks that do employ that particular technique
• That will create more security and better outcomes for folks that do employ that particular technique

Summary: The committee first received an update from the Attorney General’s office on a new workers’ rights unit and two request bills. The office said the unit will focus on wage theft and civil rights enforcement, using existing resources for a small staff. It also described a bill to expand civil investigative demand authority for labor, wage theft, prevailing wage, and discrimination investigations, and an Immigrant Worker Protection Act that would require employer notice when federal immigration authorities request employee records, limit access to nonpublic work areas without a warrant, and restrict disclosure of employee data without proper legal process. Senators asked about costs, funding sources, and the scope of the proposed authority, and the office said it would follow up with more detail. The committee then heard a detailed presentation on Washington’s workers’ compensation system from Labor and Industries, including how claims are filed, how the medical provider network works, and how treatment authorizations and utilization review are handled. L&I said the network was created to improve care quality and return workers to work, and explained that most routine care is automatically authorized while certain procedures require prior approval or review. A question from Senator Conway focused on the role of the medical director and the appeals process; L&I said decisions can be protested and reconsidered, with exceptions reviewed through a complex treatment unit and medical staff. An experience panel followed with testimony from labor representatives, physicians, and an injured-worker attorney, who argued that the medical provider network and treatment guidelines can delay or deny needed care, especially in complex cases such as PTSD, brain injuries, and serious orthopedic injuries. They described long appeals, utilization review barriers, provider shortages, and the impact on injured workers and families, while L&I’s presentation emphasized the system’s structure and review safeguards. The committee then heard a report from the Underground Economy Task Force in the construction industry. L&I summarized the task force’s findings on worker misclassification, unregistered contractors, and unpaid taxes and premiums, and outlined consensus and majority recommendations, including better interagency communication, stronger penalties for repeat offenders, more authority to address successorship, possible contractor notice requirements, and further study of cash payments. The Attorney General’s office, labor, and business representatives generally supported the report’s goals but differed on some recommendations, especially those affecting independent contractors, contractor liability, and administrative burdens. The chair and Senator Conway thanked participants and said the report would inform future legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Council Service, various executive agencies, including as Deputy Secretary for DPS, and also in the judicial
• One suggestion I’ll mention is to consider aligning retirement criteria with Social Security so that
• That's what Social Security does. You can get them earlier, but you get less.
• Safeguarding the long-term benefits and financial security for our current members and future members

Transcript Highlights:

• The second subcommittee that I would like to present on is the Capital Security Subcommittee.
• the subcommittee on April 28th, 2025, and the subcommittee will meet as needed to review capital security
• to maintain legislative salaries competitive within the state, which would include executive and judicial
• I will accept a motion from anyone to go into executive session to only discuss security issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• to show up here later, probably tomorrow, is the constitutional amendment on the Commission for Judicial
• This bill comes in direct response to recent federal regulatory confusion surrounding the Securities
• It says the Higher Education Coordinating Board has to assist this research security council with administrative
• The coordinating board has to assist this research security council with administrative support when

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation by Senator West, approved the previous day’s journal, and then adopted several recognitions, including Senate Resolution 625 honoring the McLennan Community College Dance Team for winning two 2025 National Dance Alliance national titles. The chamber also recognized University of Texas Rio Grande Valley interns, the doctor of the day, and the San Antonio Coalition for Veterans and Families. The governor’s withdrawal of a Texas Lottery Commission nomination was received and the nomination was returned, and the Senate appointed numerous conference committees on pending bills. The body then took up and passed several measures, often by suspending the rules and the constitutional three-day rule. Senate Bill 4 and Senate Bill 23 were concurred in House amendments as part of property tax relief, with supporters emphasizing homeowner savings. House Bill 20 creating the Applied Sciences Pathway Program passed after a floor amendment and was described as a way to expand career and technical education and help students earn industry certificates in high-demand trades. House Bill 2594 passed to expand venue options for prosecuting certain theft and cybercrime cases, and House Concurrent Resolution 167 was adopted to correct a typo in House Bill 1314. The Senate also concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 9, Senate Bill 40, Senate Joint Resolution 5, and Senate Bill 6. SB 9 and SJR 5 were presented as major bail-reform measures, with supporters saying they would strengthen public safety, clarify appeal procedures, and give judges and prosecutors more tools in serious cases; the debate included questions about records, counsel, and the standards for denying bail. SB 40 dealt with nonprofit bail-bond funding, and SB 6 addressed electricity and data-center growth. The chamber also passed House Bill 423 on digital asset service provider reporting and auditing, with amendments adding protections for cryptocurrency kiosks and a technical correction. Additional bills passed included House Bill 4690 on motor fuel standards, House Bill 1094 on transportation protection agreements, Committee Substitute for House Bill 2731 on roadside vendors and solicitors in certain border counties, Committee Substitute for House Bill 127 on protecting higher education from foreign adversaries and trade secret theft, and House Bill 549 on airway clearance devices at public school campuses. The Senate granted or requested conference committees on a long list of other measures, including HB 4, HB 145, HB 493, HB 2974, HB 3071, HB 3372, HB 3556, and multiple Senate bills. The session ended with adjournment until the following Friday morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• The privilege of AB 1109 would create is evidentiary in nature may only be invoked in formal judicial
• These simple measures will provide a level of security to further ensure the safety of the participants
• Until finally they were able to secure services three minutes closer to home.
• Assembly Bill 771 by Assemblymember Macedo, an act relating to secure transactions.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• testifying, and they'll be testifying on both these bills at the same time in order for us to be judicious
• Sub-human conditions, and the owners of these homes just steal, in essence, steal their social security
• We have secure doorways and secure locks.

Bills: SB1406, SB1681, SB2480, SB2721

Keywords: body donation, medical science, forensic science, willed body program, informed consent, boarding home, boarding home facility, adult care home, group home, assisted living, county reporting, municipal reporting, annual report, reasonable accommodation, fair housing, disability accommodation, local ordinance, permit requirement, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC

Transcript Highlights:

• Number two, removal of judicial discretion.
• security security uh<01:05:19.119> that's<01:05:19.760> on<01:05:20.079> a<01:05
• <01:06:50.880> officer there's one of the security officer there's one of the security officer
• > at<01:09:35.920> the provide security functions at the provide security functions at the
• <01:09:40.560> is like doing the private security is like doing the private security is great

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on Senate Bill 433, which would restrict the carrying of “bladed weapons” and related items. The Office of the Public Defender, Honolulu Police Department, the Hawaii Firearms Coalition, Knife Rights, and many individual testifiers opposed the bill, arguing it is overbroad, vague, and likely unconstitutional. Common concerns were that the term “bladed weapon” could sweep in ordinary tools such as pocketknives, Leathermans, multi-tools, fishing and camping gear, and items used by farmers, ranchers, hunters, divers, and martial arts practitioners. Several speakers also warned that the bill could burden lawful self-defense and create an affirmative-defense scheme that shifts costs and proof burdens onto defendants. Supporters and opponents alike focused on the need for a clearer definition, with HPD saying a narrower definition would help distinguish ordinary tools from dangerous weapons used in assaults. Opponents repeatedly urged the committee to defer or kill the measure, citing pending and related court cases and the risk of new constitutional challenges. Some testifiers tied the bill to Native Hawaiian gathering rights and subsistence practices, saying it would interfere with hunting, fishing, and food gathering, while others argued it would do little to deter criminals and instead penalize law-abiding residents and visitors. After finishing testimony on SB 433, the committee moved on to Senate Bill 2575 relating to firearms. The transcript shows the start of that item with the Office of the Public Defender and other agencies being called, but no substantive testimony or action on SB 2575 is included before the excerpt ends. No votes or final committee actions are reflected in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The attorneys are in the judicial branch.
• They've lobbied against border security. They've lobbied against property tax relief.

Bills: SB5, SB11, SB12, SB5, SB11, SB12

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, occupational licenses, criminal offenses, SB 11, Texas attorney general, election crimes, election law enforcement, criminal prosecution, Election Code, Government Code Chapter 402, local prosecutors, county attorney, district attorney, grand jury, probable cause reports, state election offenses, voter fraud, election integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• We very much value TIF as a financing tool, using it judiciously to support this work.
• The unique part of this structure is that we can secure all the beneficial investment within a 12-month

Bills: HF2048, HF2360, HF2006, HF950, HF912, HF3140, HF2931

Keywords: individual income tax, retirement contributions, tax corrections, annuity contracts, tax year attribution, tax credit, economic development, community investment, data disclosure, Minnesota regulations, tax increment financing, municipal authority, job creation, transferred increment, public hearing, nonresident employees, income tax exemption, Minnesota taxation, employment duties, tax withholding

Transcript Highlights:

• TRENTON STEWART WAS AN 18-YEAR-OLD ASPIRING FOOTBALL PLAYER AND A CYBER SECURITY MAJOR LOCAL STETSON
• BOTH IN FLORIDA AND THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY AND I SERVED AS SPECIAL PROSECUTOR IN 75% OF THE JUDICIAL

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• general, suitable, and efficient system of free public schools and shall adopt all suitable means to secure
• The legislative branch can't determine that, only the judicial branch can.
• The legislative branch can't determine that, only the judicial branch can.

Summary: The meeting began with approval of the prior minutes and then shifted to an update from Department of Education Secretary Jacob Oliva and Deputy Commissioner Stacey Smith on early childhood education, especially the state-funded Arkansas Better Chance (ABC) program. They said Arkansas had received a federal Preschool Development Grant and described ABC as a large state program with about 23,800 funded slots and roughly $114 million in annual appropriations. Department officials said they are reviewing slot allocations because about 1,000 seats are funded but unfilled, while more than 2,000 families are on waiting lists, and they plan to reduce or reallocate slots from providers that have not filled them over several years. They also said they are examining whether income thresholds, curriculum expectations, daily rates, and summer programming should be updated, and members raised concerns about access, local control, transportation, and whether the program should better align with K-12 choice and school readiness goals. The committee agreed to form an early childhood subcommittee and asked the Bureau of Legislative Research to help gather historical data and other information for future discussion. The committee then received a legal presentation from BLR attorney Taylor Lloyd on the constitutional and statutory framework for education adequacy in Arkansas. She reviewed the Dupree and Lake View cases, explaining that the state must maintain a general, suitable, and efficient system of free public schools, and that adequacy and equity are distinct but related concepts. She emphasized that the General Assembly is responsible for defining adequacy, studying whether the system meets that standard, and reacting to the evidence, while the courts ultimately decide constitutional compliance. Lloyd also explained the current adequacy definition, the role of the matrix as a funding tool rather than a spending mandate, and the distinction between unrestricted foundation funding and restricted categorical funding. BLR’s Elizabeth Bynum followed with a historical overview of how Arkansas responded to the court cases and developed the current adequacy process. She traced major legislative actions from the 1980s through the Lake View litigation, including the creation of funding formulas, categorical aid, isolated funding, declining enrollment funding, and the 2003-2004 adequacy study that led to the Continuing Adequacy Evaluation Act and the matrix used to set foundation funding. She also described later changes to the adequacy statute, the financial reporting requirements for districts, and the ongoing use of surveys, stakeholder testimony, and consultant studies in the biennial adequacy process. Members asked questions about whether private or homeschool programs could use public funds for expenses like utilities, whether stakeholders should include those groups, the difference between average daily membership and attendance, and whether school board members are surveyed; staff said those issues would need further research or were outside the scope of the presenters’ role.

Transcript Highlights:

• Without any reason to believe that a fair and transparent and just investigation or judicial process
• last year, agents were instructed to enforce administrative awards in exactly the same manner as judicial
• judicial process will occur.<00:55:44.720> ones<00:55:45.040> left<00:55:45.280> to
• ><00:56:26.160> same<00:56:26.319> manner<00:56:26.880> as<00:56:27.280> judicial
• <00:56:27.839> ones Exactly the same manner as judicial ones across the country.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the January 23, 2026 journal, and then took up two resolutions. HJR 26-103, recognizing National Blood Donor Month, was adopted unanimously, 34-0, with the current roll call added as co-sponsors. SJR 26-005, designating Monday, January 26, 2026 as Colorado 4-H Day, was also adopted unanimously, 34-0, and the morning roll call was added as co-sponsors. Most of the meeting centered on SJR 26-005 and a large 4-H presence in the galleries and on the floor. Senators and guests gave extended remarks about 4-H’s role in youth development, agriculture, leadership, and hands-on learning, with several members sharing personal 4-H experiences and welcoming students from across Colorado. The resolution text highlighted 4-H’s statewide reach and its partnership with Colorado State University Extension. After the resolution, senators made announcements about upcoming Bible study, Smart Act hearings, a State Farm breakfast, and Joint Budget Committee presentations. The latter part of the meeting shifted to personal privilege remarks on immigration enforcement, protests, law enforcement, due process, and public safety, with sharply differing views expressed about ICE, CBP, and recent incidents in Minnesota. No further legislative votes or actions were taken after the resolutions.