Transcript Highlights:

• and education or whether we're talking... ...in special ed, regardless of whether we're talking early
• You have before you Senate Bill 5879, which modifies Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee, or
• Specifically, this... legislative audit and review committee or JLARC work plans.
• This is DOR-request legislation, and it was also assumed in the governor's budget.
• Such a potential increase in taxation would undermine current legislative policy.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held a public hearing on nine bills. Senate Bill 5872 would create the Pre-K Promise Account to receive philanthropic donations for ECAP preschool slots; supporters, including DCYF, the governor’s office, and early learning advocates, said it would help expand access to high-quality pre-K with a 10-year Ballmer Group commitment for up to 10,000 new seats annually. Senators asked how the money would flow, and staff and witnesses explained it would be governed by an MOU and deposited annually; no vote was taken. Senate Bill 5879 would eliminate two JLARC studies, one on lodging tax reporting and one on training benefits; supporters said the reports were duplicative and burdensome, while the hospitality industry warned against losing transparency, and no action was taken. Senate Bill 6047 would permanently codify various capital budget administration rules, including minor works flexibility and early learning grant changes; testimony focused on technical cleanup and on provisions affecting co-located child care and community projects, with no vote taken. Senate Bill 5988 would authorize the Department of Health to charge fees for accrediting opioid treatment programs, with support from DOH and tribal/nontribal providers who want the state to continue providing the service; no vote was taken. Senate Bill 5923 would allow Island Hospital in Skagit County to qualify as a critical access hospital, with local hospital leaders and residents supporting the measure to improve reimbursement and sustain rural care; no vote was taken. Senate Bill 5832 would raise the Lemon Law arbitration fee from $3 to $6 to fund the Attorney General’s consumer protection work, and the AG’s office, dealers, and the sponsor said the program is effective and underfunded; no vote was taken. Senate Bill 5970 would make permanent the property tax exemption for multipurpose senior citizen centers, with AARP supporting the bill as a benefit to seniors and caregivers; no vote was taken. Senate Bill 5994 would preserve timber tax distributions for school districts that recently had qualifying levies, and forest industry witnesses supported the bill while suggesting a possible amendment for state forest transfer lands; no vote was taken. Senate Bill 5949 would narrow the B&O tax exemption for insurance-related businesses so it applies only to the entity paying the insurance premiums tax, retroactive to 2019; the Department of Revenue and bill supporters argued it restores tax equity, while insurers, health plans, and business groups opposed it as retroactive, ambiguous, and likely to raise premiums. The committee heard extensive testimony on that bill, but the transcript ends with adjournment and no recorded vote or executive action.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> legislation in a bipartisan fashion. legislation in a bipartisan fashion.
• We talk about bills and legislation.
• We talk about bills and legislation.
• Uh I uh legislators openly carrying?
• session?

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• ><c> of</c><00:34:33.000><c> bills,</c> Special order second reading of bills, Special order second reading
• </c> is to take up those bills on special is to take up those bills on special orders<00:35:09.280><c
• </c> legislative department. legislative department.
• Legislative Council, the State Auditor, and the OLLS.
• legislation to further Faith's<01:01:22.320><c> legacy.

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• during the 2026 regular session...
• This simply established our cutoff days in session.
• Monday, January 12, 2026, the first legislative day.
• of the 69th Legislature may require session...
• of the 69th Legislature may require session.

Summary: The Senate convened for the opening day of the 2026 session with roll call, presentation of colors by the Washington State Patrol Honor Guard, the Pledge of Allegiance, a signed national anthem by River Ridge High School ASL students, and an invocation. The President welcomed new Senator Victoria Hunt and noted the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, emphasizing the challenges of democracy and the need for grace and respect. The Senate then received certification of the November 2025 election results and administered the oath of office to newly elected Senators Emily Alvarado, Victoria Hunt, Deborah Krishnadasan, Tina Orwall, and Vandana Slatter. The chamber adopted Senate Resolution 8660 to notify the Governor that the Senate was organized and ready for business, confirmed the committee appointed to deliver that message, and adopted Senate Resolution 8663 making minor rule changes. The President also confirmed the 2026 Senate standing committee memberships. During first reading and referral, several bills and measures were introduced and sent to committees, including bills on toxicology testing, supplemental leave benefits for public employees, crime victims and witnesses, and fire code administration, along with Senate Concurrent Resolution 8407 establishing cutoff dates. Senate Concurrent Resolution 8407 was debated, with support arguing it set the session’s schedule for efficient work and opposition criticizing the traditional budget-and-policy sequence and calling for budget-first reform. The resolution passed. The Senate then received House Concurrent Resolutions 4406 and 4407, adopted both, and heard messages from the Governor’s office, the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of the Senate, including provisional certifications of initiatives and transmitted bills. The session concluded with notice of an upcoming joint session and committee meeting, and the Senate adjourned until the next legislative day.

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• and Idaho Legislative Services Office.
• Hardware and closed captioning for Idaho in session is provided by the Idaho Legislature and Idaho Legislative
• And Lincoln was special to him. He even went back to Lincoln's boy. And Lincoln was special to him.
• We've considered other pieces of legislation and other joint memorials to Congress this session, particularly
• related to special education.

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• ,</c><00:02:03.400><c> I</c> Uh but today to kick off this session, I Uh but today to kick off this session
• </c> uh have to adhere to that legislation. uh have to adhere to that legislation.
• </c><00:15:54.360><c> Health</c> Office for Children with Special Health Office for Children with Special
• </c> during their child's 4-plus hour session during their child's 4-plus hour session instead<00:30:
• And we have a special of youth.

Committee: Joint Families & Children

Transcript Highlights:

• After a previous legislative session that included a bonding bill, the port authority was awarded a $10
• ><c> session</c> After a previous legislative session After a previous legislative session that<00:26
• During the 2025 legislative session, the legislature passed a bipartisan bonding bill that increased
• When we finally advanced the legislation last session, it was done with a very clear purpose: to assist
• </c><00:45:03.080><c> session,</c> advanced the legislation last session, advanced the legislation last

Bills: HF3599 , HF3761 , HF3523 , HF3515 , HF573

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

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

Transcript Highlights:

• with legislative intent. There is no demonstrated need to replace it.
• You have special training, you have special education, you have minimum units, minimum hours, similar
• You have special training, you have special education, you have minimum units, minimum hours, similar
• Good morning, honorable members of the joint session.
• This statement was recorded and shared with legislative staff.

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• And, you know, it means something very special.
• Next order of business is introduction of special guests.
• Introduction of special guests. Proceed, lady.
• Introduction of special guest. Proceed, lady.
• Special introduction. Proceed, gentleman. Thank you, Mr.

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• We're also going to have Drew Soderberg, who's the deputy legislative analyst with the LAO office, Mark
• Drew Soderberg, Legislative Analyst's Office, just here to provide answers to questions as needed.
• And finally, in 2024, during the special legislative session, the state provided $10 million.
• In 2024, during the special legislative session, the state provided $10 million to serve people that
• And importantly, representation does not mean specialization... ...or special treatment.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor, and Transportation heard presentations on the Office of the State Public Defender, civil legal aid funding, and Judicial Branch operations. The State Public Defender requested permanent funding for positions that had been temporarily funded to implement the Racial Justice Act, explaining that the workload has grown substantially through retroactive capital-case briefing, habeas proceedings, data requests, and related statistical analysis. She also presented findings from a public defense workload and staffing report showing that California’s county-based public defense system is under-resourced, with too few attorneys, investigators, and support staff, especially in rural counties, and that statewide standards and funding are lacking. Committee members asked about the scope of racial bias claims, the impact of collaborative courts and Prop. 36, and the need for statewide cost estimates and phased funding options. The committee then heard from legal aid advocates and a Los Angeles Superior Court judge in support of increased civil legal aid funding. Witnesses described the Equal Access Fund, homelessness prevention services, health care access, and immigration detention defense as cost-effective ways to prevent evictions, stabilize families, and reduce downstream public costs. They requested a $50 million increase to the Equal Access Fund, $20 million to restart homelessness prevention services, and $10 million for health care access work, along with additional targeted investments from the California Access to Justice Commission. Testimony emphasized the severe shortage of legal aid attorneys, the high demand for immigration representation, and the role of legal aid in domestic violence, housing, and family law matters. Senators asked for more information on service locations, outreach, funding losses, and how the requested amounts were calculated. In the Judicial Branch overview, Judicial Council and trial court representatives supported the Governor’s proposed budget, including a $70 million increase for trial court operations, $21.7 million for employee health and retirement costs, and funding for appellate counsel and case processing. They said the money is needed to offset inflation, supply chain costs, and staffing pressures, and to preserve access to justice. Senators pressed the branch and Department of Finance on interpreter shortages, midyear funding flexibility, courthouse facilities needs, and judgeship needs in inland counties. Finance officials said they were aware of the broader facilities backlog, and the committee requested follow-up information on the full capital and maintenance needs, interpreter funding, and updated judgeship and workload data. No formal votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent the 43rd Legislative District.
• session.
• Funding to that account was reduced by approximately 50% in the last legislative session.
• We are here in support of this legislation, House Bill 2089, as we will be in support of any legislation
• The legislative authority of a county may also impose a special local renewable energy tax if a local

Bills: HB1960 , HB2194 , HB2089

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: HB1960, renewable energy, clean energy, solar, wind, battery storage, energy storage, excise tax, property tax exemption, local investment, county revenue sharing, local taxing districts, school districts, Department of Revenue, Department of Commerce, model ordinance, siting, permitting, tribal consultation, tribal capacity grants

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• We really appreciate your work during the session. my my first<00:00:50.480><c> session</c><00:00:50.880
• </c> first session at the house. first session at the house. Awesome.<00:00:52.360><c> Welcome.
• </c> Um I mentioned the the Mindot special Um I mentioned the the Mindot special transportation<00:10
• </c><00:15:06.800><c> are</c> special investigations units that are special investigations units that
• </c> is required to have a special is required to have a special investigations<00:58:06.720><c> unit

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• special commission on racial inequities and maternal health, as well as the special commission on the
• The next part of our agenda is discussing a bit about the legislative update.
• So as The next part of our agenda is discussing a bit about the legislative update.
• The next part of our agenda is discussing a bit about the legislative update.
• And we're going to be doing something really special over the summer.

Summary: The commission met to approve the May 11 minutes, review a legislative funding update, finalize subcommittees, and plan for an upcoming visit by President José Neves of Cabo Verde. The minutes were approved after a motion and second. The chair reported that Senator Miranda’s FY27 budget amendment was partially adopted, securing $125,000 for the commission, pending final conference committee and gubernatorial approval; the portion allowing new commissioners to be added later was not adopted, leaving one vacancy unresolved for now. Members discussed organizing the work into subcommittees. The commission ultimately voted to create four subcommittees: Communications and Outreach, Survey and Data Collection, Organizational Development, and History and Culture. There was discussion about whether legislators should serve on the fundraising-related group, with concerns raised about ethics and a suggestion to rename it Organizational Development. Several members volunteered for multiple committees, and the chair asked members to confirm assignments within about two weeks so subcommittees could begin meeting before the next full commission meeting. The commission also planned for President Neves’s visit on Friday, with a smaller commissioner-only meeting at 10:30 a.m. followed by a larger community gathering from 11 a.m. to noon. Members were encouraged to attend, bring guests to the public event, and help identify commissioners who could speak at the smaller meeting. In public comment, members suggested meeting with leaders of other cultural institutions to learn from their experience, discussed compiling a fuller calendar of Cape Verdean events across Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and noted that the commission’s website and public meeting materials are already available online. The meeting adjourned by motion and vote.

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• This is her 20th session with the Senate. That's a veteran.
• This is her 20th session with the Senate. That's a veteran for sure.
• In fact, you'll be dealing with the state rule this coming session.
• Parents are no longer able to care for that special-needs child.
• Some of the state facilities had specialized wings.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and heard a presentation from Marty Wright, CEO of the West Virginia Healthcare Association, on the state’s long-term care system. He described the continuum from home care to assisted living to skilled nursing facilities, emphasizing that these settings increasingly serve short-term rehab-to-home patients as well as older adults needing round-the-clock care. He also outlined the number of facilities in West Virginia, the predominance of Medicaid as the payer for long-term nursing home care, the private-pay nature of assisted living, and the role of OFAC/CMS in regulation. A major focus of the presentation was workforce shortages and turnover, especially for CNAs, LPNs, and RNs, along with declining interest in nursing careers and the impact of regulatory burden and burnout. Wright said the system is also struggling to serve younger patients with substance use disorder, mental illness, or other behavioral needs, who are often not well suited for traditional nursing home placement but have limited alternatives. Senators raised concerns about where such patients are being housed, the long-term effects of opioid and behavioral health issues, and the gap between school-age special needs populations and adult care needs. Wright said Medicaid can cover long-term nursing home care for those who meet financial and medical eligibility requirements, but affordability and spend-down requirements remain major barriers. He also warned that Medicare Advantage can create confusion and shorter covered stays for rehab patients, and he urged early planning around long-term care insurance and estate planning. No votes were taken on the presentation, and the committee adjourned after questions and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• last session.
• Special thanks to Sterling Zearly, who's continuing to serve the department as a special advisor, and
• It over to our special advisor, Sterling Zieli.
• Just to clarify, that's the total number needed, and I know this upcoming legislative session you'll
• So the LCF payment that was in legislation was phase two, is not in legislation? Yes, yes.

Committee: House A&B Natural Resources Subcommittee

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce on its FY26 priorities, recent performance, and budget requests. Commerce said it had helped announce about 8,000 direct jobs and nearly $14 billion in investment year-to-date, while noting challenges such as tariffs, workforce recruitment, staffing/FTE management, and the condition of its 100-year-old office building. The agency highlighted projects and initiatives including a new Taiwan trade office, Route 66 Centennial planning, the National Main Street conference in Tulsa, Olympic-related coordination, census outreach, and continued improvements to its grants and CRM systems. Requested funding included $8.3 million for building repairs or relocation planning, census support, $300,000 for EDGE, $135,000 for IT/cybersecurity upgrades, $250,000 for the Taiwan office, and additional support for Head Start, senior nutrition, and the Strategic Air and Space Commission. Members asked about the meaning of the investment totals, the building condition, delays in senior nutrition distributions, and staffing vacancies; Commerce said the investment figures reflected formal company capital announcements, the building had significant facade and roof damage, delays were due to multiple contracting layers, and several open positions were expected to be filled soon. The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department then presented its FY26 budget and goals. New director Amy Blackburn and special advisor Sterling Zearley said the department oversees 38 state parks, six lodges, seven golf courses, and nine travel information centers, and emphasized tourism’s economic importance. They reported savings from bringing marketing and tracking functions in-house and from shared services, but said the department faces more than $271 million in deferred maintenance needs, staffing shortages, and connectivity problems at parks. Their goals include increasing park visitation to 10.2 million, raising occupancy to 36%, and growing travel to Oklahoma, with major marketing tied to the Route 66 Centennial, America 250, the FIFA World Cup, the Olympics, and other events. The department also discussed a request to raise its purchasing exemption cap from $25,000 to $75,000, a possible TravelOK.com redesign, and efforts to improve restaurant operations at lodges through a new RFP structure. Members questioned the apportionment cap, the size and timing of deferred maintenance requests, park revenue, and the use of parking pass funds; tourism said annual park-related revenue is about $32 million to $34 million and parking pass revenue is about $2.5 million. Finally, the OSU Veterinary Medicine Authority presented its budget request and program updates. The authority said it supports the veterinary teaching hospital and related student training, and that its FY26 budget is entirely state-appropriated. It requested continued support for hospital operations, the large animal scholarship program, and a new $12.5 million annual payment tied to the $250 million Legacy Capital Fund authorization for the veterinary teaching hospital, along with additional funding to expand in-state enrollment. Officials said in-state enrollment had increased from 58 to 69 students after prior funding, with a goal of reaching 90 of 106 total seats, and that there were 195 in-state applicants this year. Members asked whether standards would be lowered; the authority said academic standards would not change and noted strong board-pass rates and retention outcomes. It also said accreditation concerns tied to faculty shortages and off-site teaching had been addressed by bringing students back to the main campus and improving staffing. The committee ended by thanking the presenters and announcing its next meeting date.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> We do not define that criteria in the legislation.
• and/or appropriations that would need to be made in the next legislative session.
• That means that we will have a legislative session and a budget session At a minimum in between, three
• The chancellors can appoint special masters, special youth court masters.
• This was not a typical session for energy, and I ...typical session for energy, and I appreciate everybody

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• We're ready to get started with our ED Policy Committee meeting for the first one of this session.
• Uh we didn't have time to get it across the finish line at the end of session.
• Uh the Alabama math science session.
• </c><00:03:09.200><c> Uh,</c> science uh especially in special ed.
• Uh, science uh especially in special ed.

Bills: SB66 , SB74 , SB72 , SB149 , SB168 , SB66 , SB74 , SB72 , SB149 , SB168

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: University of Montevallo, trustees, board governance, terms of office, quorum, education, teacher support, loan assistance, acute shortage, Alabama teachers, higher education, adult learners, grant program, education funding, eligibility requirements, teacher certification, military veterans, temporary teaching certificate, workforce development, K-12 education

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• Representative Heffner and I are the co-chairs by default, as the legislation was written.
• One of our big things when we started running this legislation was that the federal government was going
• I also have family members that have some special needs.
• Sort of where the 14c we had talked about in that first session.
• That'll be in the middle of the session.

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• We'll have to head to the floor for session.
• Senate Bill 1322 is very similar to Senate Bill 2355 of last session.
• No, there's actually another bill that considers that this session.
• District, and we are proud to support this piece of legislation.
• House Bill 8 was transformative legislation.

Bills: SB1998 , SB646 , SB2786 , SB2076 , SB2615 , SB1961 , SB1418 , SB2647 , SB1322 , SB2788

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 heard several bills and took no final votes, leaving each measure pending. The first major item, SB 1322 by Senator Hagenbuch, would create a Texas Higher Education Accrediting Commission to evaluate and approve accrediting agencies for public colleges and universities using outcome-based metrics such as retention, graduation, employment, debt, and repayment. Supporters, including Kate Byerley of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, argued the bill would add competition and align accreditation with Texas workforce needs; Senator Menendez questioned the need for a new bureaucracy and noted the $3.6 million fiscal note, suggesting existing reporting and oversight structures could serve the same purpose. The committee then heard SB 1998, which would establish a pediatric subspecialty preceptorship program to encourage medical students to enter pediatric subspecialties. Dr. Lauren Gamble testified in strong support, saying the program would help address shortages and improve access for children, especially in rural and underserved areas. SB 2788, authored by Senator Menendez, would add the PSAT as an accepted assessment for dual credit and Texas Success Initiative purposes; Priscilla Camacho of Alamo Colleges supported the bill, citing strong student outcomes and widespread use of the PSAT as a readiness indicator. Senator Creighton laid out SB 2076, which would remove or modify certain Capitol view corridor restrictions affecting the UT Austin Academic Medical Center project, including the planned specialty hospital and MD Anderson Cancer Center expansion. He said the existing corridors are outdated and limit development. The committee also heard SB 1418, a cleanup bill replacing outdated references to ACT Plan with Pre-ACT and removing obsolete SAT subject test language. After brief testimony and no opposition on the later bills, the committee closed public testimony and left SB 1322, SB 1998, SB 2788, SB 2076, and SB 1418 pending before recessing for the floor session.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, during the most recent special session, you, the legislature, directed LLC staff to conduct a full
• So, during the second special session last year, like I said, you, the legislature, took several important
• This is a status update today because you, as the legislature, directed us last special session to do
• sessions.
• You're digging down that trench line looking for the session to end, or the session to start because