Transcript Highlights:

• the bill because it lacks state support for permitting and capital delivery, as well as prioritized access
• This bill strengthens the teacher workforce by expanding access to teacher apprenticeship programs to
• It clarifies Title I spending flexibility and ensures charter schools access to available programs and
• Strengthening early learning governance by shifting oversight of district-run VPK programs from early
• learning coalitions to school districts, and allowing public school VPK programs to verify attendance

Bills: S0290, S0320

Keywords: agriculture, landscape equipment, gasoline-powered, ecologically significant parcels, local government regulations, educational efficiency, public schools, district school boards, budget transparency, school accountability, instructional personnel

Summary: The Committee on Fiscal Policy met and first took up CS for SB 290, a broad Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill. The committee adopted a strike-all amendment that, among other things, set density requirements for certain small municipalities, delayed biosolids-related changes from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2028, required higher insurance coverage for fumigation businesses, increased fines for fumigation violations, extended the time contractors have to pay subcontractors and suppliers from 15 to 30 business days, preempted certain county agritourism permitting ordinances, and renamed the Bonifay Forestry Station. Senators raised concerns about local government preemption, the biosolids timeline, and especially the new felony penalty for nonpayment of subcontractors and suppliers. Audubon Florida testified in opposition to the state lands and biosolids provisions, while several agricultural and industry groups waived in support. The bill was reported favorably after debate, with Senator Bracy Davis voting no and Senator Jones expressing concern about the contractor penalty. The committee then heard SB 320 on administrative efficiency in public schools. The bill would reduce district-level requirements across assessments, personnel, facilities, budgeting, and early learning administration; expand teacher apprenticeship pathways; create longer instructional contracts and renewable professional certificates; simplify testing and evaluation rules; increase flexibility for Title I and discretionary capital funding; and streamline facility planning and architectural requirements. School district and education association representatives waived in support. Senators Osgood and others praised the deregulation and flexibility, while Senator Bracy Davis asked about remedies if charter schools fail to respond directly to Department of Education expenditure questions. The sponsor said the bill is intended to reduce administrative burden while preserving accountability. SB 320 was reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• education environment that is accessible education environment that is accessible for<00:41:21.040
• We learn something every day; I just learned a lot about that. Questions from the committee?
• you're very liberal family you'll learn you're very liberal family you'll learn about<03:31:58.720
• <03:39:14.120> to in the state that are accessible to in the state that are accessible to
• don't want anybody who any learning don't want anybody who any learning disabilities<03:40:30.840

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard HB 295, which would make school building aid funds non-lapsing/non-APS. Representative Cahill said the bill was intended to keep any unused building aid money available for future projects, potentially helping move projects up the priority list or provide a little more funding for school construction. Members asked about how much money has lapsed in past years, whether the education trust fund and building aid are separate, and whether any lapsing dollars could be used to pay down debt. Department of Education official Jim Carney said about $29.1 million would be available if building aid is funded to the $50 million maximum in FY26, confirmed that the fund currently lapses, and said the department would gather historical lapse data. Committee members also discussed whether a dedicated fund structure could achieve the same goal, and the chair noted that the education trust fund statute includes school building aid as one of its uses. No vote was taken; the hearing was closed and the committee said it would later hold a work session after receiving more information. The committee then took up HB 237, introduced by Representative Dan McGuire, which would prohibit the use of special education state funds and differentiated aid for students not receiving special education services. The New Hampshire School Boards Association, through Becky Wilson, opposed the bill as written, saying it was unclear, potentially unnecessary, and difficult to implement because adequacy and differentiated aid are distributed as part of a districtwide lump sum rather than as student-specific dollars. She explained that special education costs are embedded across district budgets, including staffing, training, transportation, and instruction, and that some staff and services benefit both special education and general education students. Wilson also said differentiated aid is not tied to a specific pupil and is used at the district’s discretion, though it is intended to support students with greater needs. Committee members pressed on whether the bill would require districts to track money by individual student, whether it could conflict with federal special education law, and whether it would affect least restrictive environment requirements. Wilson said making the funds student-specific could create privacy and accounting problems and could make it difficult to staff inclusive classrooms, though she did not give a definitive legal opinion on federal compliance. She agreed that students who are not eligible for special education would not be included in the separate catastrophic/special education aid reimbursement program. The discussion continued into the second section of the bill, with members exploring how adequacy aid and differentiated aid are used in practice, but no action was taken during the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• . $50,000 of that $85,000 is specifically focusing on developing a learning management training system
• limiting access to care especially<01:02:23.119> in<01:02:23.359> rural<01:02:23.599><
• or not having a secondary access for emergencies.
• access or not having a secondary access access or not having a secondary access for<02:22:29.600
• . access. access.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Learn math, do other things.
• I think that was part of the vision originally with extended learning time.
• the child's learning, we're going to, to Senator Trujillo's comment, Mr.
• Because if we had them in school, they'd have a chance to learn.
• Chair, to figure out how these kids learn today?

Transcript Highlights:

• bill so that people are able to access bill so that people are able to access through<01:10:14.920
• medical assistance and they need access medical assistance and they need access to<01:10:24.360>
• to health care, deserve access to housing, deserve access to nursing homes, deserve access to mental
• I think our goal is access.
• <01:23:04.679> to motans um you know get better access to motans um you know get better access

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's credit access is quite important.
• from the states as they learned from us.
• Uh, we learned as much from the states as they learned from us. No doubt about that.
• So I learned quite a bit from them. So I learned quite a bit from them.
• So uh with learning some good stuff.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The commission met to review stable tokens, real-world asset tokenization, and blockchain-based trust, approved the agenda and December 12 minutes, and heard a presentation from Anchorage Digital after postponing a planned Bitco presentation because of its IPO quiet period. Anchorage’s Melinda Delos, Joe Mioli, and Kevin Wasaki introduced the firm, describing it as a global digital assets platform and the first crypto-native institution in the U.S. to receive a federal banking charter. They said their approach emphasizes security, regulated custody and trading services, and responsible innovation for institutional clients, banks, states, and sovereigns. The presentation focused on post-Genius Act momentum in the stablecoin market. Anchorage said the law provided regulatory clarity and helped spur activity with major clients, including Athena, Tether, and Western Union. The speakers highlighted Western Union’s planned stablecoin as especially significant because it reflects adoption by a long-established traditional payments company, and they said the project illustrates how stablecoins can support programmable, real-time, interoperable payments. They also noted that Anchorage is providing issuance infrastructure for the Western Union project. The commission and presenters also discussed government uses of tokenized assets, including reserve legislation, digital assets for tax collection and fees, and a Marshall Islands initiative to use a tokenized sovereign bond for direct citizen payments. In response to a question, Anchorage said it would follow up on which states are using digital assets for revenue collection, mentioning Louisiana and Pennsylvania as examples. The banking discussion centered on remittances, instant payments, and interbank settlement, with Anchorage arguing that stablecoins can reduce settlement time, fees, and foreign exchange risk while improving traceability and auditability.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, using AI and machine learning is essential.
• We are also thinking about the many challenges that AI and machine learning present these days.
• I believe that AI and machine learning will help us achieve that.
• Let's talk about what it means to change access to higher education every single day.
• So what is in place to ensure that families continue to access food?

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the paywall, a paywall if they have it, so it's all free access.
• Limited access to gainful employment is a significant barrier for people that have a criminal record.
• This bill is about ensuring law enforcement has access to the tools they need to effectively respond,
• This would create an easy way for consumers to have access to the most up to-date information to help
• So if you learn nothing from this layout today. Mr. Mr.

Bills: HB 1951, HB 2715, HB 3092, HB 3237, HB 3278, HB 3511, HB 3592, HB 3675, HB 3778, HB 3782, HB 3826, HB 3970, HB 4016, HB 4049, HB 4341, HB 4344, HB 4406, HB 4427

Keywords: collective bargaining, public works, government contracts, labor agreements, state funding, removal from office, political subdivisions, local government, judicial proceedings, administrative judicial region, electric transmission, public convenience, landowner consent, utility regulation, energy infrastructure, energy consumption, higher education, governmental entities, sustainability, electricity reduction

Transcript Highlights:

• We find that that having those reports out in the public provides folks the opportunity to learn more
• As we have learned more about this technology and its use in the field, our standards have become more
• Many states learn. from us and we learn from other states.
• or access and any other things you can anticipate if we were to have to go back?
• We have never offered any kind of remote access into our devices.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are learning curves.
• There are learning curves. There are learning curves.
• Do we have access to both roadway in and out? Do we have access to power? Uh, those kind of things.
• Do we have access to power? Uh and out? Do we have access to power?
• <00:29:48.159> to Liberty, you know, it had access to Liberty, you know, it had access to

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call- 00:00:03 Approve Minutes from July 10, 2025- 00:02:41 Statewide Emergency Responder Voice System Testimony- 00:03:38 Investment of State Funds- 00:46:13 Department of Juvenile Justice Update- 1:11:34 Adjournment- 1:54:08, 958, all

Summary: The committee opened with roll call, welcomed a new member, approved the July meeting minutes, and then took up testimony on the statewide emergency responder voice system, also described as the state police radio system replacement project. John Hicks, secretary of the governor’s executive cabinet and state budget director, testified that the project is unusually complex because it combines multiple IT replacements, land acquisition, and tower construction. He said the existing system dates to the early 1970s and that the administration is treating the project as a priority, with work proceeding in phases and weekly coordination among the Justice Cabinet, Kentucky State Police, and Finance and Administration Cabinet. Hicks said the project has already spent about $110 million, with nearly 1,900 portable radios acquired, microwave replacement completed at 56 sites and underway at 76 more, and routers, switches, and network upgrades addressed. He explained that because the State Police are not set up to handle real property work, the administration brought in outside real property consulting vendors through an RFP, and three vendors are now qualified to help identify and negotiate sites. He said the goal is to speed up land acquisition and tower construction while the State Police continue the technology work, and he emphasized that the project is intended to close coverage gaps for state police first and later benefit local governments and other first responders. Members of the committee expressed concern about the project’s cost and pace. Representative Petri noted that about $218.8 million has been authorized since 2018 and questioned whether the project could stretch into 2030 or later, asking what more the General Assembly could do to help. Representative Blandon also raised concerns about the long timeline and the risk of the project becoming another costly, delayed infrastructure effort, while asking when the vendor RFP was completed and whether any sites had been acquired since then. Representative Sharp asked whether there was a detailed plan and timeline, and Hicks responded that the technology side is well defined but the property acquisition side must proceed site by site because each location depends on ownership, access, power, and other factors. Hicks said the west-to-east phasing has been a smart approach and that the executive branch should improve performance to beat the current timeline expectations.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the reality is that people are accessing treatment and housing that they wouldn't be able to access
• We want people to have the access.
• Several years ago, I learned about the American Lung Association's Saved by the Scan campaign.
• It's about access, delays.
• Now, under H.R. 1, this population is at risk of losing access to health care.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a long time ago when I learned to be a nurse.
• Then, I said, The galleries—how do galleries contribute to student learning?
• We take them out for 10 days in the field, and they learn what you can do in paleontology.
• We do some of it through our online learning management system. It's been Moodle up till now.
• Some of it that way, but then we also have some that don't have as much access to technology.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're trying to figure out basically the changes in access and capacity, the affordability and costs.
• will be enough affordable, accessible seats for children.
• And so learned a lesson.
• We need to take the time if we truly care about improving the learning that...
• The priority for us right now is providing access to kids and programs.

Summary: The Early Childhood Committee met for an update from the Office of Early Childhood within the Department of Education. Members heard that the office’s goals under the LEARNS Act are to improve kindergarten readiness, support families, ensure quality providers, and expand affordable, accessible child care. Staff reviewed the local lead system, licensing, quality efforts such as CLASS and QRIS, and the two main funding streams: School Readiness Assistance (SRA), a federal CCDF-funded voucher program serving about 14,600 children with a wait list of a little over 3,000, and Arkansas Better Chance (ABC), a state-funded program serving about 21,000 children with authority recently increased to 24,000 slots. A major topic was the difference between market rate surveys and cost analysis studies. Officials said the department is procuring both through an RFP, hoping to begin by August and have results by late in the year. Members pressed for current reimbursement levels, the gap between ABC and SRA funding, and whether ABC funding should be increased to better match costs. Staff explained that SRA rates are set at 75% of the market rate, while ABC per-child funding is much lower, and that ABC slots are limited by the overall allocation. They also explained that some ABC slots were increased by moving children from a discontinued federal pre-K arrangement into ABC to preserve continuity of care. Committee members raised concerns about rural access, infant and toddler shortages, provider stability, workforce pay, and communication with families and providers. Officials said local leads are now helping identify underserved areas, that no county with absolutely no care is known, and that the department is trying to get a truer statewide count of children and providers. They also described efforts to improve communication through monthly provider calls, website postings, and direct case contacts with families. Members discussed possible funding increases, including ideas to reduce the SRA wait list and raise ABC funding, but no formal vote or action was taken beyond approving prior meeting minutes and receiving the update.

Transcript Highlights:

• You Asians, but, you know, really got to learn.
• We certainly learned from every store event and try to be more and more prepared for for every season
• And everyone, as I mentioned, we keep learning from and we want to share a few examples.
• They're concerned that they might lose that access emerged mpo.
• to the airport, major improvements with access to the airport.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We heard feedback about EnviroStore, our online database, about this information being hard to access
• And what we've also learned is that priority product listings, while they are a huge...
• Fourth, stakeholders want more accessible and user-friendly data on specific facilities, enforcement
• I think we have learned a lot in this hazardous waste management program process, and so I think we're
• Bumstead about access and transparency in general at DTSC.

Summary: The joint oversight hearing focused on DTSC’s implementation of SB 158 reforms, including enforcement, community engagement, fee stability, the hazardous waste management plan, permitting backlogs, and the Safer Consumer Products program. Senators and Assembly members emphasized protecting overburdened communities and asked how DTSC and the Board of Environmental Safety are using their authority to improve accountability, reduce delays, and address hazardous waste facilities and consumer product chemicals. The hearing also included discussion of extended producer responsibility programs and whether DTSC can support them more efficiently, including through coordination with CalRecycle. DTSC Director Katie Butler said the department is now more transparent, accountable, and fiscally stable, citing stronger enforcement actions, an interactive inspections map, expanded community outreach, and emergency response work on the Los Angeles wildfire cleanup. She said DTSC has made progress on fee reform, the hazardous waste management plan, cleanup grants, permit renewals, and safer consumer products rulemaking, including adding microplastics to the candidate chemical list. Board Chair Andrew Rakestraw said the board has held multiple public meetings and hearings, is working on fee rates and performance metrics, and is revising the hazardous waste management plan after public comment, including removing a proposal to send certain contaminated soil to municipal landfills. He also noted remaining concerns about fee structure, permit delays, and the pace of the safer consumer products program. Public witnesses offered sharply different views. A representative of the California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance said SB 158 reforms have improved permitting and transparency, but urged more attention to risk-based decision-making, reduced duplication, and possible General Fund support for plan implementation rather than relying only on fees. Earthjustice argued DTSC remains too slow and that communities continue to suffer from long-delayed permits and weak protections, urging the Legislature to take a more active role and to prioritize eliminating hazardous substances rather than minimizing costs. Committee members pressed the witnesses on permit renewals, community impacts, and the pace of the safer consumer products program, while DTSC defended its progress and said further legislative collaboration may be needed on hazardous waste management and emerging waste streams.

Transcript Highlights:

• So other animals learn very quickly.
• recently learned about this this graph. recently learned about this this graph.
• Like students across our state, Perpich students deserve to learn in facilities that are safe, accessible
• <00:25:00.960> main Creating a secure and accessible main Creating a secure and accessible
• state, Purpose students deserve to learn state, Purpose students deserve to learn in<00:26:50.159

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee first approved the March 3, 2026 minutes by voice vote. It then heard a presentation from the Minnesota Zoo on its aging facilities and bonding needs. Zoo staff highlighted the zoo’s economic and educational role, its 1.4 to 1.5 million annual visitors, and its Free to Explore program, while stressing that many of its 50-year-old buildings are in poor condition, with more than $78 million in backlog and safety concerns for visitors, staff, and animals. The zoo said the governor recommended $4 million for critical life-support systems and asked for an additional $6 million in asset preservation to renovate the original animal hospital building so a new hospital wing can function properly. Testimony emphasized that the renovation is necessary for staff space, storage, code compliance, asbestos removal, and safe animal care, and described recent injuries and close calls tied to outdated facilities. Members asked questions about porcupine quills, natural predators, and the meaning of the zoo’s incident rate. Zoo staff explained that quills are not poisonous but are barbed and can be difficult to remove, and that predators include larger cats, owls, and fishers. On incidents, staff said they include close calls and injuries linked to aging infrastructure, such as a tiger reaching farther through a wall after fencing shifted over time, and staff injuries during animal procedures in older spaces. Members also confirmed that the hospital project has shifted from a standalone building to a wing attached to the existing hospital because of rising construction costs. The committee then heard from Perpich Center for Arts Education. Perpich described its statewide role as both a public high school and an arts education resource center, serving students and educators across Minnesota. It said it hosted 313 events last year for nearly 2,000 educators and administrators and worked with 275 school districts across all 67 Senate districts. Perpich emphasized that nearly seven in 10 students rely on its residential programs because there are no comparable arts high school options in greater Minnesota, and noted strong student outcomes including a 100% graduation rate and national recognition as an exemplary school. For capital needs, Perpich said it received $1.26 million last year for HVAC and building automation work, is grateful for the governor’s recommended $1.3 million this year, and requested $6 million to create a secure, accessible main entrance and upgrade outdated restrooms to ADA compliance.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are now Seeing access new in the last 3-4 years, we can access OAP before we could not access OAP
• We are working in lifelong learning in the arts.
• It is the state's supplemental online learning program.
• It's not just learning the material, but it's applying it to something.
• Full-time online learning partners could help support our supplemental.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm trying to learn as much as what I can about their operations up there.
• I had to learn later.
• And I am glad to say I've learned a lot in this committee today on that issue.
• Co-ops have wildfire mitigation plans in place because we've learned it's a necessity.
• Chair, well, you learn something new every day. We've known each other a long time.

Bills: HB 13, HB143, HB144, HB145, HB366, HB470, HB805, HB912, HB13, HB143, HB144, HB145

Keywords: emergency communication, infrastructure, first responders, grant program, interoperability, Texas Interoperability Council, local governments, HB 143, Texas Railroad Commission, Public Utility Commission of Texas, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas, well site, surface facility, electrical power line, National Electrical Code, NEC, electrical safety, utility disconnect, service disconnection

Transcript Highlights:

• currently no cure for ALS, and increased awareness is essential to advancing research, improving access
• to multidisciplinary care, and ensuring access to critical equipment, services, and support.
• to multidisciplinary care, and ensuring access to critical equipment, services, and care and ensuring
• access to critical equipment, services, and support.
• A few things stood out to me, but what I learned about Ginger from her daughter was that her mom was

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so it is extremely important that we have access to those, that our kids have access to those.
• Both need access to reproductive health care.
• To answer your question, what this bill does as far as when we talk about access, access information
• Access to prenatal care cannot wait.
• The data is accessible. The data is accessible on the FDA website.

Keywords: 987, senate, all