Transcript Highlights:

• We have Scott Howitt, Orange County Public Schools, waving in support.
• Danielle Thomas waving in support from Pasco County Schools. Thank you.
• I wish you were in the Senate during my school board days.
• My Orange County Public Schools are here, and they have waved in support, and I am aligned with my school
• And so I think in the long term it makes our school system more efficient.

Summary: The Committee on Fiscal Policy heard and approved two bills. First, it took up CS for SB 290, an agriculture and consumer services bill, and adopted a strike-all amendment that covered a wide range of issues: density limits for certain small municipalities, a delay in biosolids rule changes from July 1, 2026 to July 1, 2028, higher insurance and penalty requirements for fumigation businesses, longer payment timeframes for contractors to pay subcontractors and suppliers, restrictions on county agritourism permitting ordinances, and renaming the Bonifay Forestry Station. Senators raised concerns about the contractor penalty increase, local government preemption, and the biosolids provisions. Audubon Florida testified in opposition to the state lands and biosolids sections, while several industry and agriculture groups waved in support. The committee then voted the bill favorably, with Senator Bracey Davis voting no. The committee next heard SB 320 on administrative efficiency in public schools. The bill would reduce district-level requirements in areas such as assessments, personnel, facilities, and budgeting; expand teacher apprenticeship and multi-year contracts; streamline salary supplements and testing calendars; give districts more flexibility with Title I and capital funds; update facility planning rules; and shift oversight of district-run VPK programs. Supporters from several school districts and education groups waved in favor. Senators generally supported the goal of reducing administrative burdens, though one question was raised about remedies if charter schools fail to respond directly to Department of Education inquiries. The sponsor said the bill is intended to create a more direct reporting path and reduce unnecessary layers of regulation. SB 320 was reported favorably, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Schools and the founder and director of the Massachusetts School Mental Health Consortium.
• in schools.
• , adjustment counselors, school social workers, and school psychologists.
• One, school-based Medicaid claiming would be unlocked for schools, which would allow for a consistent
• Their place of work happens to be in a school. Their place of practice happens to be in a school.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee opened a hearing of the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure and reviewed a broad agenda including credit card fees, event ticketing, music therapy licensure, senior psychologist licensure, CPA pathways, school mental health licensure, and a bill regulating alternative healing therapies. The chairs explained hearing logistics, including three-minute testimony limits and submission of written testimony, and noted that more than 70 people had signed up to testify. Legislators and advocates were heard out of order throughout the day. A major portion of the hearing focused on credit card surcharge and interchange legislation. Restaurant owners, the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, NFIB, and other small-business witnesses supported bills allowing merchants to add convenience fees and, in one proposal, preventing card companies from charging fees on tax and tip portions of transactions. They argued that swipe fees are a major and growing cost, especially for restaurants, and that Massachusetts is one of only two states that bars surcharges. Opponents from the Cooperative Credit Union Association, the Electronic Payment Coalition, and the Electronic Transactions Association warned that the proposals would create compliance burdens, fragment the payment system, raise legal preemption issues, and disrupt a system they described as efficient and secure. The committee also heard competing testimony on ticket transferability and ticket resale. Supporters, including the National Consumers League and Sports Fans Coalition, said bills on ticket transferability would protect consumers who cannot attend events and would increase competition and savings in the secondary market. Opponents, including United Musicians and Allied Workers and theater owners, argued that mandatory transferability would weaken artists’ and venues’ ability to prevent scalping and predatory resale, and that some ticket sellers should be exempt from the broader ticketing regulations. Separate testimony supported music therapy licensure, senior psychologist licensure, and new CPA education pathways, with witnesses saying these measures would expand access to care and strengthen the workforce while maintaining professional standards. The hearing also drew extensive opposition to S.261 on alternative healing therapies, with practitioners and clients arguing it would overregulate spiritual and holistic practices and was not an effective response to human trafficking concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• It updates the John Wesley Foster Act that was passed last year, which required schools and school athletics
• In schools with student athletes.
• This bill would prevent an independent school, a private school, from refusing to transfer the transcripts
• if individuals have not paid their fees, whether they go to public schools or any other schools.
• I think we found a specific school in Mobile.

Bills: SB166, HB365, HB272, HB232, HB234, SB278, SB277

Keywords: Ten Commandments, public education, displays, funding, Alabama law, sex education, abstinence, public schools, parental consent, human reproductive process, teen pregnancy, educational policy, sexual risk avoidance, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• School District, 185,000 for Desert Sands Unified School District, child care programs, and more funding
• our schools, and our communities.
• federal funding that is essential to our school meals programs.
• Farm to school programs not only improve the quality of school meals, but also help shift perceptions
• about the value of school nutrition programs.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• discussed in classrooms and law schools discussed in classrooms and law schools and<01:42:45.520
• . school. school.
• to their school board.
• I've long made the case that school funding has not been adequate for our schools to be successful.
• I'm a product of public public schools. I'm a product of public schools<03:01:07.040> myself.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the school year began.
• These are on the outside of the school bus.
• It's just going to be: the school district may install and operate school bus safety cameras on school
• Oh, how many of these happen close to school?
• Okay, so if the school district decided they wouldn't put cameras in the school zones and catch speeders

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a great school for kids going out of high school, and a very good engineering school. >> Mr.
• It's a great school for kids going out of high school, and a very good engineering school. >> Mr.
• >> School. >> School. >> School.
• >> their school year. >> their school year.
• :25.279> New<03:45:25.439> Hampshire school public schooling in New Hampshire school public

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I started as a high school ag teacher, and that's where it was.
• That other school, some of you have said, I'm sorry, I graduated from UND.
• program, with our out-of-school time programs both on-site and then at our local schools.
• , so all of our schools have an opportunity to, you know, identify.
• I go to Cheyenne High School. I'm also a 2026 Governor's School scholar.

Summary: The committee met at NDSU and approved the April 9 minutes. The main purpose of the meeting was an informational presentation from NDSU President David Stewart and university leaders on the university’s priorities, including enrollment, student success, research, commercialization, and use of New Horizons funding. Stewart emphasized a “One NDSU” approach, thanked legislators for past support, and said the university will focus on recruitment and retention, a new strategic plan, and growing research and tech transfer while serving North Dakota’s workforce needs. University leaders said NDSU is using tuition waivers more strategically and will work to reduce them over time through scholarship optimization. Provost Sherry Vale described academic portfolio reviews, program closures or consolidations, strategic hiring, and workload policies aimed at aligning resources with demand. They also highlighted student outcomes, including high completion rates, strong employment placement, and NDSU’s role in producing a large share of the state’s engineers, nurses, and agriculture graduates. Several students testified about how NDSU’s mentoring, internships, research, and support services helped them succeed. The committee also heard from partners on New Horizons-related collaborations: Gateway to Science described K-12 STEM outreach in rural and tribal areas, and Sanford Research discussed joint research efforts, including COBRE-related work, obesity and GLP-1 studies, and a joint biostatistics hire. Later speakers highlighted Governor’s School and NDSU’s research and commercialization efforts, including growth in research expenditures and invention disclosures. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• to go to school.
• Um, whenever there might be a threat to a school, and most of these threats to the schools generally
• to the schools generally are threats to the schools generally are callin<00:45:47.359> threats.
• administrator, other school employee. administrator, other school employee.
• the ongoing operations of the school. the ongoing operations of the school.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• high schools, many of them.
• Robert Hernandez is a native Phoenician, a graduate of East High School in the Phoenix Union High School
• She is my seatmate on the Scottsdale School Board.
• She's currently the president of the Peoria School Board.
• House Bill 1080, school district property housing. Education.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Arizona Senate convened for the opening day of the second regular session of the 57th Legislature with prayer, presentation of colors, the pledge, and the national anthem, then recorded attendance and welcomed members and guests. Senate leadership reflected on the chamber’s prior session, emphasizing member-driven budgeting, committee authority, tax cuts, and a conservative agenda under divided government. The Senate also heard an opening-day address from Grand Canyon University President Brian Mueller, who argued Arizona could reduce poverty by aligning education and workforce training with projected job growth, including expanded degree, online, apprenticeship, and technical programs, along with AI skills and neighborhood investment in west Phoenix. The body then handled organizational business. Members adopted a motion to simplify reading of bills and memorials, appointed a committee to notify the House and Governor that the Senate was organized, and received the House’s reciprocal notice that it was ready for business. Senators also introduced numerous guests, including family members, local officials, law enforcement leaders, education advocates, tribal leaders, and community representatives. Several members used their introductions to highlight policy interests such as victim rights, water, housing, public safety, education, and support for historic neighborhoods and tribal communities. The Senate adopted an amendment to Senate Rule 7A and then adopted the rules of the 57th Legislature as amended. It also approved committee assignments for standing and statutory committees, including Appropriations, Education, Finance, Government, Military Affairs and Border Security, Natural Resources, Rules, Legislative Council, Legislative Audit, and the Joint Legislative Budget Committee. The chamber requested House consent to adjourn from January 15 to January 20, 2026, after completing its work. A long list of bills was introduced and assigned to committees, covering topics such as health care, education, public safety, elections, housing, water, immigration-related reporting, cryptocurrency, transportation, and other regulatory matters. The Senate then announced committee schedules and adjourned until January 14, 2026, at 1:15 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• CS for SB 182 on school teacher training and mentoring, school teacher training and mentoring program
• The program authorizes school districts and charter schools to place current and retired high-performing
• Are you trying to take them from the same school? That's a very good question.
• high-performing teachers to go work in low-performing schools.
• really, really help locally in school districts to help school board members be empowered to esteem

Summary: The Pre-K-12 Education Appropriations Subcommittee met with a quorum present and took up two bills. First, it heard SB 1318 on the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program, which makes a technical clarification that when a scholarship account is closed, any remaining funds revert but do not revert to the state. There was no substantive opposition or debate, and the bill was reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then considered CS for SB 182, which creates a school teacher training and mentor program within the Department of Education. The bill authorizes school districts and charter schools to place current or retired high-performing teachers in D- or F-rated schools to mentor classroom teachers, with mentors required to have at least three years of experience, a highly effective evaluation, and eligibility for a stipend of up to $3,000. A late-filed amendment was adopted to align the bill with the House version by setting the mentoring term to one grading period, capping the number of mentees per mentor, and clarifying use of enrichment funds when available. Senators asked about implementation, including timing, logistics, and whether mentors would remain within the same school; the sponsor said principals would manage assignments and that the program would operate within the same school. Testimony came from a seven-year-old student, Kyler Nixon, who urged support for the bill, and his mother, Kiara Nixon, who also spoke in favor. Additional support was voiced by committee members, and CS for SB 182 was reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, the chair thanked members and staff for their work during the session, noted it may be the committee’s last policy meeting, and the committee adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Public schools.
• schools.
• Members, I am Catholic and I went to a Catholic school, and the foundation of that Catholic school is
• This bill started off talking about discriminatory practices in public schools, not in private schools
• Yet, it... schools, not in private schools. Yet, it got broadened.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If it's go I school.
• Senator Find SB 814, weapons or firearms as school-sponsored events or on school property.
• A person may not store any firearm at a school sanctioned activity or school-sponsored event.
• school-sponsored event or on the property of any school law.
• There are a whole school growing. We have been to school drills, shooting drills.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• College Corps didn't just help me stay in school; it helped shape my purpose.
• Our office has been very active in outreach and engagement with school districts and charter schools
• The school facility program does have some means of providing assistance to those school districts and
• charter schools.
• District as well as the Pioneer Union Elementary School District up in...

Summary: The subcommittee held an informational budget hearing covering several GovOps, CDT, CPPA, and DGS items. GovOps reported that most deliverables under the Governor’s generative AI executive order have been completed, including guidelines, procurement tools, community-impact guidance, and a new project delivery lifecycle for Gen AI projects; one workforce-related deliverable remains. Members and public commenters raised concerns about privacy, labor impacts, and how the state will explain and oversee Gen AI use. The committee also heard a proposal to create a California Education Interagency Council with $5 million ongoing and 16 positions to coordinate workforce and education systems; LAO questioned duplication and recommended limited-term funding, while supporters said a neutral convening body is needed to improve coordination and student outcomes. GoServe presented the College Corps budget proposals, describing the program as a paid service and career-development opportunity for undergraduate students that helps reduce college costs while supporting communities through tutoring, food insecurity work, climate and disaster response, and other service. The administration sought one-time and ongoing funding to expand the program to more campuses and students, while LAO objected to the high administrative costs and recommended rejection. Several students and alumni testified that College Corps provided financial support, professional experience, and career pathways. The committee also heard a $5 million proposal for a Belonging Campaign to address loneliness and social isolation through research, outreach, and local grants; LAO said the proposal lacked clear goals and measures, while supporters said the effort is needed for youth, seniors, and community resilience. The Department of Technology updated the Middle Mile Broadband Initiative, saying construction is underway on the statewide open-access network and the project remains on track for the 2026 deadline, though LAO noted a required business plan had not yet been submitted. The California Privacy Protection Agency presented its Delete Act implementation request for the DROP platform, which will let consumers request deletion of personal information held by data brokers; LAO flagged oversight concerns because CDT is both developing the system and involved in project support. Public commenters from business groups urged caution on CPPA’s rulemakings, warning of compliance costs and job impacts. The Department of General Services then discussed implementation of Proposition 2 school facilities bonds, requesting staffing and administrative funding to manage the new bond program and continue school facility work. Officials said the program can also help districts affected by the January wildfires, including interim site funding and expedited assistance. Finally, DGS requested authority and positions to operate Building 18 for labor-agency tenants relocating from older Capitol Mall space; SEIU Local 1000 criticized the state’s four-day return-to-office policy and said telework has improved productivity and retention. No formal votes were taken; the hearing concluded after public testimony and member questions on each item.

Transcript Highlights:

• When she graduates high school, she plans to go on to law school or perhaps medicine.
• My story at the lab took me there as a high school senior, as a high school co-op.
• Senate Bill 256, adding school employees licensed and appointed to carry handguns on school premises
• comprehensive human sexuality education beginning in the 2027-2028 school year for middle school and
• and high school grades.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 27 by King relating to courses of personal finance, literacy, and economics for high school students
• in public schools.
• HB 508 by Morales of Harris relating to nurses employed by public schools.
• HB 527 by Morales of Harris relating to librarians employed by public schools.
• HB 567 by Bernal relating to school district grace-period policies and the provision of school meals

Summary: The House met for first reading and referral of a large number of bills and joint resolutions, with no substantive debate on the measures themselves. The filings covered a broad range of topics, including agency rulemaking and regulatory deference, occupational licensing reciprocity, business entities, eviction procedures, higher education, public education, health care, elections and voting procedures, criminal justice, property tax and appraisal issues, transportation, agriculture, energy, and local government authority. Several proposals also addressed constitutional amendments on matters such as Medicaid expansion, property tax limits, quorum and special-session rules, voting citizenship proof, parental rights, reproductive autonomy, and state funding allocations. Many of the measures focused on education, public health, and election administration. Examples included bills on financial literacy in schools, school nurses and librarians, student meal debt policies, suicide prevention notices, menstrual products, and community-based learning programs, as well as election-related bills on voter registration, disability access, ballot corrections, political advertising, and voting equipment or procedures. Other notable bills dealt with housing and property issues, including evictions, homestead tax exemptions, and land ownership, along with criminal justice measures involving sentencing, juror challenges, trafficking-related nondisclosure, and firearm reporting or transfer restrictions. The House also referred a set of resolutions to the Local and Consent Calendars Committee. At the end of the proceedings, Mr. Bell moved that the House adjourn until 2:00 p.m. Tuesday in memory of James Edward Cook of Eustace, Texas. There was no objection, and the House adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 3301 by Reynolds relating to establishing the permanent public school fund to reduce the school district
• maintenance and operation of ad taxes and provide funding for the public school kindergarten programs
• public schools do not employ those persons or for the Committee on Public Education.
• schools, and school employees for the Committee on Public Education.
• district, private schools.

Transcript Highlights:

• These test scores are valuable for high school students and how schools are evaluated by the state, and
• None of us went through the COVID pandemic while still in school.
• It's a practical way to help kids navigate school, you know.
• It's a practical way to help kids navigate school and relationships and stress.
• House Bill 2320, relating to school bond elections.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, recorded attendance, approved the journal, and announced a recess at 11:30 a.m. for a proclamation honoring the University of Arizona men’s basketball team. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider several bills, mostly on education and finance topics, including school assessment accountability, mental health instruction, public education, accumulated sick leave payments, tax administration, depository state money, dental board regulation, environmental quality, and competitive bidding. On the education calendar, HB 2032 and HB 2033 dealt with school assessment accountability. An Angius amendment to HB 2032 changed a testing timeline from four to six weeks and was adopted; HB 2032 later passed 26-0. A Diaz amendment to HB 2033 would have limited written statewide assessments to grades 3-8, but after debate over testing uniformity and local control it failed 15-10, and HB 2033 passed without it. HB 293, relating to mental health instruction requirements, drew extended floor debate, with senators arguing it was important for student well-being and social-emotional learning; the bill passed 16-10. HB 4033, relating to education bond elections, also passed. On the finance and regulatory calendar, HB 2812 on accumulated sick leave payments was amended and recommended do pass in committee, but later failed final passage on the floor 15-11 after concerns were raised about a provision affecting Attorney General representation. HB 2016 and HB 2140 were amended and recommended do pass in Committee of the Whole, HB 2308 and HB 2439 also received do-pass recommendations, and HB 2320 was retained on the calendar. HB 2873, a competitive bidding bill, became the subject of extensive debate over an emergency clause and a strike-everything amendment tied by opponents to a Marana data-center referendum; supporters argued it restored the ability to withdraw referendum petitions. The amended bill ultimately received a do-pass recommendation. The Senate then adopted the Committee of the Whole report, heard the University of Arizona proclamation, and adjourned until Monday, April 13, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• School districts must provide or must be given the chance to compete.
• The bill reduces regulations on school board operations to align school district board meetings requirements
• I was thinking as you were talking about being on the school board and going to schools during testing
• To choose the school that is best suited for them.
• My child graduated from high school and went into welding.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Lansdown High School, Jaylen Hall. Lansdown High School, Jaylen Hall.
• ,<00:07:00.160> Tanvi Mount Hebrin High School, Tanvi Mount Hebrin High School, Tanvi Modula
• Lla High School, Nila Rooney. Lla High School, Nila Rooney.
• High School, Marcus Schwarz. High School, Marcus Schwarz.
• ,<00:07:28.800> Crystal District 23, Buoie High School, Crystal District 23, Buoie High School

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Monday, February 23, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Maryland Senate convened on February 23, 2026, with an invocation by Reverend David Drake of the Church of Resurrection in Timonium, introduced by the senator from District 11. The chamber also recognized Denise Henderson Hector for 50 years as a licensed mortician and director at Recent Sons Mortuary in Annapolis, honoring her as a trailblazer and community leader during Black History Month. The Senate then welcomed several student pages, a guest from District 25, and Dr. Sarah Merritt, the doctor of the day. The Senate devoted a lengthy portion of the session to honoring fallen service members. Members presented tributes to Staff Sergeant Jared Allen Fenry, Specialist Jacob Mullen, Petty Officer First Class Dakota Brown Cullison, and Private First Class Devon Moore, describing their military service, community involvement, and family lives. The chamber then observed taps and a moment of silence, and members noted that the families present were deeply appreciated. The remarks were journalized for the record. After the memorial presentations, the Senate moved to routine business. It considered the introduction of Senate Bill 984 on correctional services and private immigration detention facilities, referred to the Rules Committee, and a bond initiative for Elton Flood Mitigation Management, referred to the Capital Budget Subcommittee. House Bill 146 on on-site wastewater systems, inspection and pumping requirements, and implementation dates was also read and referred to the appropriate standing committee. The Senate left the third reading calendar for the next day, announced caucus meetings for both parties on February 24, and adjourned until Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.