Transcript Highlights:

• </c> pair educators. Thank you. pair educators. Thank you.
• We've, you know, paired our staff down to where we have combined grades, but yet we're a school that's
• We've, you know, paired our staff down to where we have combined grades, but yet we're a school that's
• We've, you know, paired our staff down to where we have combined grades, but yet we're a school that's
• our staff down we've, you know, paired our staff down to<01:02:36.559><c> where</c><01:02:36.880><c>

Bills: SF0059 , SF0053

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:04:06.640><c> professionals</c><01:04:07.200><c> who</c><01:04:07.599><c> are</c> requires pair
• and<01:04:17.760><c> it</c><01:04:17.920><c> requires</c><01:04:18.240><c> a</c><01:04:18.400><c> pair
• </c><01:04:18.640><c> professional</c><01:04:19.039><c> or</c> and it requires a pair professional or
• and it requires a pair professional or other<01:04:19.440><c> unlicensed</c><01:04:20.079><c> person
• </c> to develop training for pair to develop training for pair professional<01:10:47.840><c> and</c><

Transcript Highlights:

• We’d like to be able to pair them up with a contractor who currently is deducting fees, that is of a
• Any work requirements, wherever they come from, really need to be paired with increased funding for child
• That analysis confirmed that high-fidelity wraparound, paired with the immediate needs program, is the
• That analysis confirmed that high fidelity wrap around, paired with the immediate needs program, is the
• It's really important to ensure that we're pairing that with strong community-based supports through

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy budget hearing focused on child care, child welfare, and immigration-related services, with most of the discussion centered on child care funding, slot utilization, and rate reform. Department of Social Services officials said the Governor’s budget would provide $6.8 billion for child care programs in 2026-27, including $11.5 million in Prop. 64 funds for mini-grants to licensed facilities affected by 2025 disasters. They also described federal CCDF and Prop. 64 revenue reductions that would reduce general child care funding by about 4,176 slots, while emphasizing that the cuts should not affect currently enrolled children. The LAO supported aligning spending with lower revenues and asked for more detail on the disaster grant program. Members questioned why so many awarded slots remain uncontracted or unfilled, and DSS said delays are largely due to providers building new infrastructure, licensing, staffing, and enrollment work. One senator criticized the repeated explanation, argued unspent funds revert to the General Fund instead of being redirected to child care, and urged shifting more funding from contract slots to vouchers and increasing flexibility for infrastructure and expansion costs. DSS said it is exploring more flexibility, better readiness screening, and quicker redistribution of relinquished slots. The committee also discussed the Emergency Child Care Bridge program, with DSS saying it can redistribute funds among counties to avoid disenrolling children. A second panel addressed the state’s broader commitment to expand child care and move toward a single rate structure. DSS reported that since 2021-22 nearly 125,000 new slots have been awarded across CCTR, CAPP, CMAP, and the Emergency Child Care Bridge program, bringing monthly service levels to more than 366,700 children. The department and CDE described progress on rate reform, including completion of the alternative methodology and joint recommendations from the labor-management committee on a single-rate framework. County and provider testimony emphasized persistent unmet need, especially for infant and toddler care, and argued that current reimbursement disparities between CDSS-funded programs and state preschool create inequities and discourage expansion. Stanislaus County Office of Education said rate differences can materially affect local program revenue and staffing, while Parent Voices California described the child care system as difficult to navigate and inequitable, especially for Black families and survivors of domestic violence. The California Budget and Policy Center argued that only a small share of eligible children are served, that Universal TK has concentrated investment in school-based settings, and that providers are still paid far below the cost of care. Members pressed the administration for deadlines on automation and implementation of the single-rate structure, and DSS said some work can proceed before collective bargaining concludes, though policy decisions are still needed. The committee also reviewed several trailer bill proposals. For the COLA, DSS proposed applying the 2026-27 increase through cost-of-care-plus payments, but acknowledged it had inadvertently excluded CalWORKs Child Care and the Emergency Child Care Bridge from the initial calculation; the LAO recommended making the COLA increase uniform across child care and state preschool programs. On the alternative methodology survey, DSS proposed replacing the market rate survey with the federally approved alternative methodology and aligning the timing with the federal CCDF state plan cycle. On licensed family child care homes, DSS proposed limiting temporary absences to 20% of monthly care hours and allowing more flexibility for medical appointments, jury duty, training, and union activities. On excessive unexplained absences, DSS proposed a statutory definition to align state policy with federal rules allowing disenrollment after 30 days of unexplained absences. The committee also discussed a proposal to require contractors to collect family fees directly so the full voucher value reaches providers, with DSS saying it is working with Riverside County on implementation and CDE asking that the same policy apply to state preschool. Finally, the committee reviewed an Early Childhood Policy Council reappropriation and reporting proposal, with DSS explaining that prior funds were underused because participation costs are hard to estimate and that additional staffing and contractor support would be needed for the expanded annual report requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• The language before you pairs flexibility and innovation with clear performance expectations and real
• The language before you pairs flexibility and innovation with clear performance expectations and real
• And in exchange, it pairs that flexibility with responsibility for results.
• ><c> flexibility</c><00:39:16.800><c> with</c> exchange, it pairs that flexibility with exchange, it
• pairs that flexibility with responsibility<00:39:18.079><c> for</c><00:39:18.400><c> results.

Bills: HF3714 , HF4399 , HF4176 , HF2544 , HF60 , HF4231 , HF4232

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: foster care, child welfare, enrollment priority, education programs, child care assistance, education, school board, elections, local governance, school district, site-governed schools, education reform, local control, autonomy, interchange, bond issuance, transportation, infrastructure funding, Sherburne County, student eligibility

Transcript Highlights:

• she said, the first day she came, was that her and this good representative here could make a great pair

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• positive that he was a committed Texan and he was not going to leave because he was wearing a beautiful pair
• positive that he was a committed Texan, and he was not going to leave because he was wearing a beautiful pair

Summary: The Supreme Court of Texas held a ceremonial investiture for two new justices, James Sullivan and Kyle Hawkins. Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock opened the session with welcoming remarks and led the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the National Anthem sung by Trooper Alena Gallardo. The event included an invocation by Father Dean Wilhelm, emphasizing the importance of justice and the rule of law. Governor Greg Abbott praised the new justices, highlighting their qualifications and the significance of their appointments to the court. Justice Samuel Alito administered the oath of office to Justice Hawkins, while Judge Thomas Griffith administered the oath to Justice Sullivan. Both justices expressed gratitude for their appointments and acknowledged the support of their families, mentors, and colleagues. The ceremony also honored former justices Jeff Boyd and Nathan Hecht, with heartfelt tributes reflecting on their contributions to the court and the legal community in Texas. The event concluded with a benediction by Reverend Greg Davidson, encouraging the justices to work diligently and honorably in their new roles.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've paired that with some federal dollars that we are administering in partnership with the Economic
• Are we a pair needing to be thinking about adding a?

Committee: House Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, I think when we started digging into this, what we really saw that it needs to be paired with
• I always think about how we need to pair accountability with resources, right?
• it</c><01:29:20.720><c> needs</c><01:29:20.960><c> to</c><01:29:21.000><c> be</c><01:29:21.120><c> paired
• </c> really saw that it needs to be paired really saw that it needs to be paired with<01:29:21.640><c
• </c><01:29:54.280><c> accountability</c> how we need to pair accountability how we need to pair accountability

Bills: HF3119

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: teacher compensation, educational staff, unlicensed staff, minimum wage, inflation adjustment, education finance

Transcript Highlights:

• 01:03:06.200><c> medical</c><01:03:06.560><c> center,</c><01:03:06.880><c> we</c><01:03:07.040><c> pair
• </c> As an academic medical center, we pair As an academic medical center, we pair research<01:03:07.880
• So, there’s probably some leeway in there, but I, from what I remember, this never paired well.
• </c><01:25:45.640><c> Um,</c><01:25:46.240><c> employees</c><01:25:46.720><c> are</c> never paired well
• Um, employees are never paired well.

Bills: HF4343

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: sales tax, use tax, advertising tax, taxable services, digital advertising, online marketing, marketing services, search engine marketing, lead generation, internet advertising, ad agency, media buying, campaign planning, Minnesota tax law, service tax, broadening tax base, web advertising, promotional services

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the proposed amendments removing the income restrictions and, if they pair with the workforce housing
• with</c><00:13:58.320><c> the</c><00:13:58.560><c> workforce</c><00:13:59.040><c> housing</c> if they pair
• with the workforce housing if they pair with the workforce housing fund,<00:14:00.240><c> eliminating
• homeowners over the next decade, providing up to $50,000 per household in down payment assistance paired
• </c><00:41:59.760><c> with</c> down payment assistance paired with down payment assistance paired with

Bills: HF3902 , HF3895

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Keywords: housing tax credit, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, qualified projects, taxpayer contributions, greater Minnesota, zoning, housing, local government, multifamily development, affordable housing, land use, urban development

Transcript Highlights:

• I think reasonable minds can differ on some of those points, but I won't get into the splitting of pairs
• that high level there, yeah, if you have a student that's receiving busing services, and it has a pair
• that high level there, yeah, if you have a student that's receiving busing services, and it has a pair
• ;&gt; and<01:30:24.080><c> it</c><01:30:24.239><c> has</c><01:30:24.400><c> a</c><01:30:24.560><c> pair
• , &gt;&gt; and it has a pair of professional, you're<01:30:25.679><c> pretty</c><01:30:25.920><c> close

Summary: The commission to study special education costs under SB 57 met for its second meeting, with members introducing themselves and reviewing background materials on New Hampshire special education identification rates, NAEP results, and a Wall Street Journal article about the rise in autism diagnoses. The chair explained that the commission is examining special education aid formulas, including how New Hampshire’s current catastrophic aid threshold works and how changes to that threshold might affect school districts, but noted that the needed data on how many students would shift into the aid system at lower thresholds is not yet available. The main testimony came from Henry Litman of HHS on Medicaid reimbursement in schools. He explained that school-based Medicaid funding is tied to health-related services, not all special education services, and that federal rules are changing in state fiscal year 2027. Under the new approach, schools will move away from an in-kind methodology to a certified public expenditure model that may also allow recovery of some overhead costs, such as support staff time. He said the state won a federal grant to help build the new system, hired a vendor, and is setting up training and a help center for districts. Members asked about why Medicaid claims have declined and whether districts are leaving money on the table. Litman said claims are down about 25% from pre-pandemic levels, with declines tied to federal and state rule changes, documentation requirements, provider qualification rules, and the end of temporary pandemic flexibilities. He said some districts adapted better than others depending on local medical-provider access and administrative capacity. He also said the new federal legislation does not directly affect schools, while New Hampshire’s return to pre-pandemic eligibility rules has reduced enrollment somewhat. No votes were taken, and the discussion ended with agreement that the commission needs better data to determine how much special education spending is truly Medicaid-eligible and whether additional legislation is needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Whenever it was free, his audiologist recommended upgrading his hearing aids to a pair that cost $5,000
• 00:56:12.720><c> received</c><00:56:13.040><c> his</c><00:56:13.560><c> first</c><00:56:13.800><c> pair
• </c><00:56:13.960><c> of</c> whenever it received his first pair of whenever it received his first pair
• his hearing aids recommended upgrading his hearing aids to<00:56:52.080><c> a</c><00:56:52.120><c> pair
• </c> to a pair that cost $5,000. to a pair that cost $5,000.

Summary: The Health Services Committee met with a quorum and took up House Bill 414 with a committee substitute. The bill, described by sponsors and supporters as a continuation of prior maternal-health legislation, was framed as a clarification of medical standards and an effort to improve care for women and families facing complicated pregnancies. Representative Tate, Representative Nemes, Adair Wushar of Kentucky Right to Life, and Dr. Jeff Goldberg of ACOG Kentucky all testified in support, saying the substitute was developed collaboratively to reduce confusion in the law and help physicians provide evidence-based care without fear of criminal penalties. Supporters said the committee substitute was intended to define what is not an abortion under Kentucky law and to spell out medical treatments for conditions such as miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, sepsis, hemorrhage, preeclampsia, premature rupture of membranes, and fetal demise. Dr. Goldberg said current statutes contain significant ambiguity and have created unintended barriers to treating pregnancy complications, including emergency situations, and he gave examples of patients who were delayed or harmed because physicians were uncertain about what the law allowed. Representative Nemes said the measure was the result of unusual cooperation among groups that do not usually agree and described it as a first step toward fixing a discrete problem. Representative Wilner raised concerns that the language could effectively require a patient to be in severe distress before treatment is clearly permitted and that it was too prescriptive about how physicians should manage miscarriages. In response, Dr. Goldberg and the sponsors said the substitute was not perfect, was meant as a short-term solution, and was designed to give doctors more confidence in providing routine, medically necessary care for pregnancy complications. The transcript indicates the committee substitute was adopted, but no final vote on the bill itself is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• 700 pairs.
• 700 pairs.
• 700 pairs.
• 700 pairs.
• 700 pairs.

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, confirmed a quorum, excused absent senators, and adopted the previous day’s journal. The chamber also recognized guests, including members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and employees of the Central Alabama Electric Cooperative. A senator then delivered a Black History Month-style presentation highlighting James Weldon Johnson, A. Philip Randolph, Jan E. Matzeliger, and Percy Lavon Julian for their contributions to civil rights, labor, industry, and science. The Senate received House messages referring two Archives and History board appointments to the Committee on Confirmations, then took up numerous committee reports. Several bills from Finance and Taxation, Judiciary, Education Policy, Agriculture, Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development, Healthcare, Tourism, Veterans and Military Affairs, State Government Affairs, and Local Legislation received favorable reports, some with amendments or substitutes, and were advanced to second reading and placement on the next legislative day’s calendar. The chamber also recommitted Senate Bill 266 to the Tourism Committee. The Senate confirmed multiple appointments, including Llaya McNair to the Alabama Trust Fund Board, several members to the Credit Union Administration Board, and Elizabeth Smithart, Leslie Sanders, and Wayne Sers to the Alabama State Board of Human Resources. It then adopted several resolutions, including commendations and memorials, such as resolutions honoring Mary Francis Holland, the Stanhope Elmore boys bowling team, and Alicia Cannon for more than 50 years of service to the Alabama judicial system. The Senate also adopted a resolution creating the Study Commission on Artificial Intelligence and Children’s Internet Safety, after discussion about its purpose, membership, and duties; an amendment to the commission resolution was adopted before the resolution itself was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• You take a, you pay for, you know, a pair of shoelaces on a card, and, you know, that 10 or 9 cents is
• And like Eric said, it's great when it's a big expensive pair of shoes, but, you know, mom comes in and
• And like Eric said, it's great when it's a big expensive pair of shoes, but, you know, mom comes in and

Summary: The commission met for its second hearing to study the future of credit card payments and sales transactions and their impacts on small businesses. Members heard extensive testimony from credit unions, retailers, restaurants, and payment-industry representatives on interchange fees, processing fees, fraud, chargebacks, rewards programs, and the ability of businesses to pass fees on to customers. Several witnesses argued that swipe fees have risen sharply, are especially burdensome for restaurants and other small businesses, and are charged on taxes and tips that are merely pass-through amounts. They urged state action to prohibit fees on tax and tip portions, improve transparency, and allow surcharging or convenience fees, while opponents warned that state regulation could reduce fraud protections, increase compliance costs, and threaten consumer rewards programs. Business owners and trade groups described thin margins, rising costs, and the difficulty of understanding merchant statements or negotiating with processors. Restaurant witnesses said card-not-present and online transactions create the greatest fraud and chargeback risk, with money often removed immediately from merchants’ accounts and disputes rarely resolved in their favor. Retail witnesses gave examples of rising effective rates, higher fees on rewards cards, and the burden of processing fees on low-value transactions. A representative from the Massachusetts Restaurant Association and others said restaurants are effectively paying fees on meals tax and gratuities, which they argued should not be subject to interchange charges. On the other side, the Cooperative Credit Union Association said interchange revenue helps credit unions fund fraud prevention, rapid card replacement, and member protections, and warned that state limits on interchange could weaken those safeguards and lead to higher consumer costs or reduced services. Airlines for America testified that airline credit card rewards are popular, support travel and jobs in Massachusetts, and could be harmed by interchange reform. The National Restaurant Association and a payments-policy attorney countered that interchange fees are set by card networks rather than competitive markets, that banks remain highly profitable even with rewards, and that states can act after recent court decisions. No votes were taken; the hearing consisted of testimony and questions from commissioners.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Pair. Tate. Tate. And Brumfield. >> Senator Ladner, for what purpose?
• >> To the vote. >> Please proceed. >> Announce a pair.
• If Senator Wamba were here, he'd vote no and I'd vote I. >> Pair. Ladner. Barnett. Anyone else? Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• Clerk, lock the machine and report the pair.
• And read the pairs. Ely votes aye. Palmer votes nay. Raymond votes aye. Hawkins votes nay.
• And read the pair: Hawkins votes aye. Crane 12 votes nay. 60 ayes, 6 nays, 4 absent and excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• Clerk, lock the machine and report the pairs. Crane, 12 votes aye; Weber votes nay.
• Clerk Locksheen court and report the pairs. Crane 12 votes aye, Weber votes nay.
• Clerk will lock the machine and report the pairs. Boltzclaw votes aye, Crane 13 votes nay.

Transcript Highlights:

• Potentially, you could see, I guess, in a lot of cases, when we see locally, is that agencies will pair
• Potentially, you could see, I guess, in a lot of cases, when we see locally is that agencies will pair
• And if it's a large investigation, they could bring members to agencies will pair up.

Bills: SB5536 , SB5868 , SJM8006 , SB6011

Committee: House Civil Rights & Judiciary

Keywords: divorce, dissolution, marriage, domestic partnership, property division, real property, community property, separate property, liabilities, family law, equitable distribution, court order, personal jurisdiction, absent spouse, absent domestic partner, creditors, secured creditors, unsecured creditors, home equity, family home

Transcript Highlights:

• We urge legislators to pair SB 222 with clear accountability expectations.
• We urge legislators to pair SB2-2-2-2-2. squeezed when short-term returns take priority.
• We urge legislators to pair SB 222 with clear accountability expectations.

Bills: SB211 , SB131 , SB183 , SB222 , SB246 , SB254

Committee: Senate Senate Health & Public Affairs

Keywords: appropriation, local government, Las Vegas, Rodriguez Park, public facilities, zoning reform, building regulations, residential apartments, commercial use, multigenerational housing, local government authority, healthcare, urgent care, emergency services, feasibility study, medical facilities, physician training, medical residency, New Mexico, massage therapy

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a research-based program that pairs students in schools with mentors, a dedicated adult when a student
• every-day branding type deal, as you would call it, that we started marketing last year, and then we paired
• We wanted this to mirror each other, Started marketing last year and then we paired it with on-time every

Committee: Senate Education Pre-K - 12

Summary: The committee met to discuss student attendance and chronic absenteeism in Florida K-12 schools, with Chair Simon outlining the state’s attendance requirements and intervention process, including school contact after unexcused absences, child study team review, district superintendent referral, DJJ family services referral, truancy petitions, and possible parental prosecution and driver’s license consequences. Dr. Chris Curran of the University of Florida presented statewide data showing chronic absenteeism has risen sharply since the pandemic, with Florida at about 31.4% in 2023–24, and noted that absenteeism varies by district, school level, demographics, and urbanicity. He emphasized that causes are multifaceted—ranging from transportation, mental health, housing instability, safety concerns, and family circumstances—and said effective responses include early warning systems, text or phone outreach, multi-tiered interventions, mentoring programs like Check & Connect, and community partnerships. He also cautioned that punitive responses alone are often less effective than addressing root causes and keeping students engaged academically even when they miss school. Collier County Superintendent Leslie Ricciardelli described her district’s attendance efforts as a priority supported by attendance specialists, social workers, mental health staff, home visits, attendance contracts, and extensive parent communication. She said Collier’s chronic absenteeism rate was about 9% in 2023–24 and attributed success to consistent monitoring, family outreach, and community support, while stressing that students must be physically present to learn. She also argued that many absences are tied to barriers such as clothing, transportation, childcare, or family mental health, and that districts need resources to address those issues. Dr. Rachel Dawes added that Collier uses multilingual brochures, attendance awareness campaigns, vacation-planning guidance, door tags, automated calls and letters, and a truancy flow chart, with truancy court used as a last resort. Volusia County Executive Director Mike McAuliffe described a districtwide overhaul that included an attendance matters campaign, automated notices sent early and often, same-day and period-by-period notifications, a data dashboard, and tiered supports through MTSS. He said Volusia reduced chronic absenteeism from 34% in 2023–24 to a projected 29% and reported a first-quarter rate of about 20% in the current year. He highlighted community partnerships, including AdventHealth support for washers and dryers, bikes for students with transportation barriers, and monetary recognition for schools that reduce absenteeism. In response to questions, both district leaders emphasized that funding, staffing, and consistent follow-through are essential, and that attendance work is most effective when paired with family engagement, data monitoring, and practical supports rather than punishment alone.