Transcript Highlights:

• In section three, subsection six, the word investigation was removed. What page are you on?
• In the original bill, in that section, it says each application for a school district position shall
• </c><00:19:21.400><c> the</c><00:19:21.559><c> the</c> months and in that section the the months and
• So those are two main sections in that.
• </c> regions so those are two main sections regions so those are two main sections in<00:22:03.000><c

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met with a quorum and first considered two concurrent resolutions. SCR 76, sponsored by Sen. Amanda Bledsoe, would create a Kentucky School for the Deaf Governance Task Force to examine the school’s future governance and its relationship with the Kentucky Department of Education. Bledsoe described the school’s long history and said the task force would give the small deaf-school community more voice. The committee adopted the resolution unanimously with favorable expression. The committee then took up SCR 131, sponsored by Sen. Max Wise, to continue the Efficient and Effective Districts Task Force from 2024. Wise said the prior task force met about 10 times and focused on student achievement and district policy, and the new version would continue that work as a legislature-only task force. The resolution passed unanimously with favorable expression. Members next considered HB 240 on primary school promotion. Rep. Truitt explained that the bill would require students who are not ready in kindergarten to repeat kindergarten, while a committee substitute softened the approach by allowing a school to hold a child back in kindergarten but requiring action in first grade. He said the bill aligns with existing reading-screening efforts and is intended to strengthen early literacy foundations. The committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill unanimously with favorable expression; Sen. Williams briefly explained his support as favoring performance-based advancement. The committee also approved HB 298, which would change the identification of schools for comprehensive support and improvement from every three years to annually, require KDE recommendations during management audits, add professional development in reading and math, and require effective instructional resources. The committee substitute also allowed districts with multiple CSI schools to contract for a turnaround vendor. The bill additionally carried employee-misconduct provisions from prior sessions, including disclosure requirements for applicants; the only change discussed was removing the word “investigation” from one disclosure section. HB 298 passed unanimously with favorable expression, and the committee also adopted a title amendment. Finally, the committee heard HB 424 on employment at public postsecondary institutions. Rep. Tipton said the bill would require performance and productivity reviews for faculty at least every four years, clarify appointment and removal authority for presidents at certain institutions, and expand “cause” for dismissal to include failure to meet performance and productivity requirements. Dr. Ray Horton, speaking for faculty groups, proposed a small substitute that would tie any performance measures to existing employment contracts to preserve academic integrity and avoid unintended changes to tenure processes. Members discussed how tenure works at Kentucky universities, and the committee was still in the middle of considering the proposed substitute when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:25:20.000><c> 831-3.2</c> amending section 831-3.2 amending section 831-3.2 two<02:25:22.319>
• So, I suggest removing section two, part D, section five, as an office.
• So, I suggest removing section two, part D, section five, as an office.
• So, I suggest removing section two, part D, section five, as an office.
• So, I suggest removing section two, part D, section five, as an office.

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs recessed briefly for a joint hearing, then reconvened and took up House Bill 2494, which would limit warrantless arrests for petty misdemeanors and violations, require officers to document arrest justification, expand citation-in-lieu-of-arrest use, and direct the Judiciary to create a standardized citation form. The chair also outlined hearing procedures and testimony time limits. Committee members later received an overview from the Policing Project about national trends in expanding citation use. Testimony was divided. Supporters, including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, the Office of the Public Defender, the ACLU of Hawaii, the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, and the Policing Project, argued the bill would reduce unnecessary arrests and pretrial detention, lessen jail overcrowding, save law enforcement time, and reduce harms such as job loss, housing instability, family disruption, and recidivism. They also said the bill preserves officer discretion through public-safety and flight-risk exceptions, and several supporters urged the committee to adopt a standardized citation form despite the Judiciary’s request for a delayed implementation date. Opposition came from the Department of the Attorney General, the Judiciary, county prosecutors, Honolulu Police Department, and other individuals. They argued the bill would unduly restrict law enforcement discretion, create administrative and data-processing problems, and make it harder to identify repeat or habitual offenders because of changes to citation information and fingerprinting. The Judiciary requested implementation no earlier than January 1, 2028 and said the citation form would need major changes. Opponents also warned the bill could increase litigation, suppress evidence, and not meaningfully reduce overcrowding because most jail populations are held on felony matters. The chair reported 14 testimonies in support, 21 in opposition, and one with comments; no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:24:34.720><c> from</c> the switch in the section from the switch in the section from 63710<00
• </c><00:54:29.760><c> section</c> under that section section under that section section three<00:54:32.119
• Sorry, oh, I was in section two.
• Sorry, oh, I was in section two.
• Sorry, oh, I was in section two.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 5B2 of the New Mexico Constitution, Members of the House, pursuant to Article 4, Section 5(B)(2) of
• House Bill 291, having been read by title, is deemed to remain pursuant to Article 4, Section 5(B)(1)
• Amending and repealing sections of the NMSA 1978, making an appropriation. House Bill 308.
• 30-32, NMSA 1978, being Laws 1882, Chapter 61, Section 7, as amended, and Section 37-1-4, NMSA 1978,
• being Laws 1880, Chapter 5, Section 4, as amended, to create... ...1880, Chapter 5, Section 4, as amended

Bills: HB95 , HB111 , HJR1 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM3 , HM11 , HM14 , HM15 , HM21 , HM34 , HB2 , HB32 , HB33 , HB61 , HJM2 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26

Keywords: HB95, additional judgeship, district court, judicial district, First Judicial District, Second Judicial District, district judges, court administration, judicial staffing, caseload, access to justice, New Mexico courts, judiciary, judge vacancy, court backlog, state courts, water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order

Summary: The House convened with quorum, offered an invocation and pledges, and then moved through a series of memorials, recognitions, and announcements. House Memorial 49, declaring February 4, 2026 UNM Day, was taken from the Speaker’s table, explained, and debated at length. Members from both parties and several guests praised the University of New Mexico for its role in education, health care, research, public service, and workforce development, with special recognition of President Garnett Stokes, interim provost Barbara Rodriguez, and Health Sciences leaders and students. The memorial highlighted UNM’s enrollment, degrees awarded, scholarship support, patent activity, and the UNM Hospital and Health Sciences Center. It passed 70-0. House Memorial 48, declaring February 4, 2026 Valencia County Day, was also brought forward and passed unanimously. Supporters described Valencia County’s history, culture, economic growth, and traditions, including the annual matanza, Route 66 heritage, and major employers and development projects. Members from the county and local officials were recognized, and the memorial emphasized both historic communities and current business and infrastructure expansion. House Memorial 50, declaring Lincoln County Day, was introduced by title and placed on the Speaker’s table, but not taken up for final passage during this segment. The chamber also recognized the Artesia Bulldogs football team for winning another state championship, Del Norte High School’s class of 1966 on its 60th anniversary, and a number of guests tied to nursing, education, and local community service. Several members used announcements to highlight nurses, school programs, and local events, including a Legislative Sportsman’s Caucus invitation and a reminder that the day was the final day to file bills with the clerk. The session closed with continued announcements and guest introductions, reflecting a day focused heavily on community recognition and celebratory memorials rather than substantive legislation beyond the memorial votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• This would amend General Law Chapter 54, Section 86, to remove the word "physical" as a disability requirement
• General Law Chapter 54, Section 86, to remove the word "physical" as a disability requirement for absentee
• by section of the Elections Upgrades Act.
• Tarr's office, So with the help from Senator Tarr's office, we wrote up S. 536, which amends the section
• So, as I mentioned earlier, the federal law, Section 203, hopefully Congress will eventually update it

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Election Laws

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Election Laws held a hearing on several election-related bills, with most testimony focused on voting access, ballot administration, and election procedures. Senator Driscoll testified for S. 509, a Randolph home rule petition to require bilingual ballots in English and Haitian Creole, and Randolph officials and community members strongly supported it, saying it would improve access, confidence, and participation for Haitian Creole speakers. Other speakers, including advocates and residents, described language barriers as a form of voter suppression and urged favorable action. Leader Donato testified on H. 822, which would remove the word “physical” from the absentee voting disability standard, and on a bill to raise the signature threshold for creating political designations and allow dormant designations to be dissolved. Senator Rausch testified on several bills, including one expanding the State Ballot Law Commission’s jurisdiction over presidential primary candidate placement and a broader elections infrastructure bill that would change registration deadlines, primary dates, reporting systems, ballot design, mail voting procedures, and voter outreach. Representative Cattelda also testified on a bill to rename the ballot title for governor’s councilor to “governor’s counselor.” The Massachusetts Town Clerks Association, through Tom Joyce and Ben Kaufman, said it supported a number of the bills and offered local election administration expertise. Former Representative Lenny Mera and Sandra Cato testified for S. 536, a bill on accountability for defective and spoiled ballots, citing a disputed 2022 Revere recount and arguing that spoiled ballots should be documented and publicly inspectable so improperly rejected ballots are not lost. Emma Chinman of Partners in Democracy supported multiple reforms, including the elections infrastructure bill and a bill allowing unenrolled voters to serve on boards of registrars. After testimony concluded, the committee accepted written testimony by email and then adjourned without taking any votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, I move to amend House Bill 1346, page 4, Section 2, lines 1 through 20, by deleting subsection
• Um, the reason for removing the hearing is, the hearing that is referenced in this section of the statute
• Chairman, I move to amend House Bill 2071, page 5, section 3, lines 5, by deleting the phrase 2 cents
• And on page 5, section 3, lines 13, by deleting the phrase 2 cents and by unstriking the phrase 1 cent
• And again, I move to amend House Bill 2071 on page 5, section 3, lines 20 by deleting the phrase of the

Bills: SB1346 , SB1509 , SB1928 , SB2028 , SB2071 , SB2110 , SB2117 , SB2127 , SB2134 , SB722 , SB3

Committee: House Agriculture

Keywords: water infrastructure, wastewater, investment program, loans, local government, SB1509, groundwater, water wells, well spacing, water rights, Oklahoma Water Resources Board, OWRB, basin, subbasin, maximum annual yield, aquifer management, water allocation, water permits, temporary permits, irrigation

Transcript Highlights:

• It's on the bottom of page one into the first section of page two.
• It's on the bottom of page one into the first section of page two. Any additional discussion?
• The sub says it’s section 537.1250, like sub letter B, right? Yes. Okay, that’s it. That’s it.
• The sub says it's section 537.1250. Like sub letter B, right? Yes. Okay, that's it. That's it.
• in drafting, We had a situation where, I think, in drafting, there wasn't the complete number of sections

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment

Summary: The Commerce Committee first met in executive session and considered a substitute for Senate Bill 973. Members adopted an amendment that revised the bill’s title and removed language tied to “certain written disclosures” and a two-year unused-facilities requirement from related school property language. After adopting the amendment and rolling it into the House Committee substitute, the committee voted the bill do pass by a 6-3 roll call vote. The committee then held a public hearing on Senate Bill 907 and related bills, dealing with abusive website access litigation. Senator Brad Hudson said the measure targets a single plaintiff’s pattern of threatening businesses with ADA-related website lawsuits and settlements, and explained changes made to refine definitions and extend coverage to political subdivisions. Witnesses from the Missouri Chamber, NFIB, Associated Industries of Missouri, the Columbia Chamber, the Missouri Insurance Coalition, and the Missouri Broadband Providers Association testified in support, describing the suits as costly and coercive for small businesses and nonprofits. Members questioned the scope of the bill, including whether it should also cover churches and nonprofits, and whether the “good faith” standard in the Senate version was too vague or burdensome. A committee attorney explained that good faith would likely be a fact-based issue decided by a court under a preponderance standard. Several members expressed support for narrowing the bill to avoid broader tort reform, while others raised concerns about litigation costs and the lack of an early mechanism to stop abusive suits. No opposition testimony was presented, and the committee adjourned after the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So just to be transparent, I'd like to go ahead and work backwards, starting with section 555.
• That ran into some issues in fiscal, not because of that, but some of another section of the bill.
• They removed the section that says you need 95% of owner consent.
• I'm drawing a blank on what that section does. I'll come back in a minute here.
• It's section 19. Okay. It's an administrative rule, it looks like. Or, okay.

Keywords: 964, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He is appearing again, assuming he does appear, pursuant to section 2, subsection D of the rules of the
• agenda sponsored by Senator Jackson, and he's appearing again, assuming he does appear, pursuant to section
• Senate Bill 3208 by Senator Kavanagh, an act to repeal paragraphs 3 and 4 of subdivision A of section
• Lopez is appearing pursuant to section 2, subsection D of the rules of the New York State Senate, which
• I'm going to note we have about a minute and a half left in this section.

Committee: Senate Housing, Construction, and Community Development

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Housing, Construction, and Community Development Committee met on February 25 and took up a series of housing-related bills, many of which had previously passed the Senate or been reported by the committee in prior sessions. Measures advanced included bills on NYCHA utility accountability, a small rental housing development initiative, uniform waiting list priorities for domestic violence survivors, protections for dependent children named in eviction papers, expansion of veterans’ housing preferences, inclusion of illegal conversions in the definition of harassment, repeal of obsolete rent formula language, inspection of major capital improvement rent increases and rent stabilization extensions, a community land trust acquisition fund, and an affordable independent senior housing assistance program. Most were reported to finance, Codes, or the floor, typically with some minority negative or “without recommendation” votes noted. The committee then returned to Senate Bill 6718B, sponsored by Senator Jackson, which would eliminate certain surcharges landlords may charge when tenants install appliances in rent-regulated housing. A guest speaker, Mr. Umberto Lopez, argued the bill would further squeeze landlords, especially small property owners, and warned that rising costs and regulation could lead to more units being taken off the market or “warehoused.” Committee members asked about the bill’s practical effect, including whether tenants could install appliances only with landlord approval and how current surcharge amounts are calculated for air conditioners, washers, dryers, and dishwashers. The chair explained that the bill would remove the ability to charge those existing fees, which are intended to cover wear and tear and utility-related costs. After the discussion, the committee voted to report S6718B, with minority negative votes recorded. The chair also noted an upcoming housing budget hearing later that day and repeatedly emphasized time limits during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 3 of the 14th Amendment bans insurrectionists, and it also gives Congress the power to waive
• that ban, and Section 5 of the 14th Amendment gives Congress the power to enforce the 14th Amendment.
• Section 3 of the 14th Amendment bans insurrectionists, and it also gives Congress the power to waive
• that ban, and Section 5 of the 14th Amendment gives Congress the power to enforce the 14th Amendment.
• Because Section 5, exactly. And it's silent in this other area? Absolutely.

Committee: Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 3301, as Article 4, Section B of the TRA stipulates that wherever the laws of the United States refer
• </c> Code, Title 22, Section Code, Title 22, Section 3301,<00:13:22.880><c> as</c><00:13:23.120><c> article
• </c><00:13:23.680><c> 4,</c><00:13:24.160><c> section</c><00:13:24.639><c> B</c><00:13:24.959><c> of<
• /c><00:13:25.120><c> the</c><00:13:25.279><c> TR</c> 3301, as article 4, section B of the TR 3301, as
• article 4, section B of the TR stipulates<00:13:26.639><c> that</c><00:13:27.200><c> wherever</c><00

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> pursuant to this section. pursuant to this section. our<01:14:00.560><c> first</c><01:14:00.800>
• . section. section.
• ,</c><01:45:23.600><c> civil</c> And as used in this section, civil And as used in this section, civil
• ,</c> this section, this section, a<01:52:32.480><c> person</c><01:52:32.719><c> does</c><01:52:32.880
• </c> a civil action pursuant to this section a civil action pursuant to this section for<01:52:35.920

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• uh before I financial crimes section uh before I speak<00:03:53.760><c> to</c><00:03:53.879><c> the<
• The section of over 40 FTE will be the state's fraud experts.
• it resides within the state section it resides within the state forensic<00:12:53.160><c> laboratory
• </c> each each one of these are a section each each one of these are a section within<00:15:00.519><c
• </c> standalone singularly focused section standalone singularly focused section that<00:15:12.880><c

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We'd also like to add a section to repeal section 328J-111.5, and that's similar to HB 380, which passed
• </c><00:53:42.280><c> 601</c> slight amendment to section 601 slight amendment to section 601 regarding
• </c> proposed by Bill 128 in uh section proposed by Bill 128 in uh section 8036<02:02:02.360><c> we</
• </c> amending section amending section 8036<02:03:40.840><c> again</c><02:03:41.159><c> similarly</c>
• We're adding a new section D.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint Commerce and Consumer Protection and Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs committees heard HB 756 HD1, a measure on flavored tobacco products. Supporters included the Attorney General, Department of Health, Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, youth advocates, public health groups, and Kaiser Permanente. They argued flavored tobacco and menthol are used to attract and addict young people, cited rising youth and young adult vaping rates, and pointed to public health harms and evidence from other states that flavor restrictions reduced e-cigarette sales. The Attorney General requested oral amendments to correct a statutory reference, repeal a county preemption provision so counties could enact stricter flavor bans, and restore appropriations, positions, and the original effective date. Opponents, including retail and wholesale businesses, argued the bill would hurt small businesses and state tax revenue, push sales to the black market, and remove a harm-reduction option for adult smokers; they urged stronger enforcement instead of a ban. After testimony, the committees took up amendments and recommendations. The chair proposed correcting the statutory citation to HRS 26-38, adopting a Department of Health amendment on disposal of electronic smoking devices and e-liquids as hazardous waste, and noting the appropriations, FTE, and effective date in the committee report. Members then voted to pass HB 756 HD1 with amendments in both committees, with the Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs committee recording one member as supporting with reservations. The transcript then moved to HB 806, relating to fireworks, which would appropriate funds for the Department of Law Enforcement to conduct sting operations on Oʻahu to enforce fireworks laws. The Department of Law Enforcement and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, saying undercover enforcement is costly and additional funding is needed. A community testifier also supported stronger enforcement, citing illegal aerial fireworks, noise, and impacts on pets and kupuna. No final vote on HB 806 was shown in the excerpt. The Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs committee also heard HB 438, which would create a Due Process in Immigration Proceedings Program to provide legal representation in immigration court for income-qualified individuals. Support came from civil rights, legal aid, ACLU, and law school clinic representatives, who said counsel is needed to ensure due process and fair access to justice, especially because immigration proceedings can lead to deportation and family separation. Opposition testifiers argued taxpayer-funded counsel for people in immigration proceedings is inappropriate, unlawful, or unfair to citizens and legal residents. One law school representative suggested a technical amendment to broaden language about training and education. The excerpt ends before a final vote on HB 438 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, the first section, uh, is section one, curiously enough.
• Uh, section four and section five are... so I got that right?
• </c> Uh the first section uh is section one.
• Uh the first section uh is section one. curiously<03:30:38.479><c> enough.
• ><c> 6</c><04:23:01.199><c> through</c> Sections four and sections 6 through Sections four and sections

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• are eliminated from section six.
• I'm sorry, which section?
• So I guess let's kind of take this, not necessarily page by page, but maybe section by section—so section
• We are still on the VT section. We're talking about section 65.
• </c><04:29:10.760><c> that</c><04:29:10.920><c> can</c> section and a financial section that can section

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The public hearing opened on HB 728-FN, which would authorize video lottery terminals at charity gaming facilities and repeal historic horse racing licensing. Representative Om explained that the bill would convert the current historic horse racing terminals into true video lottery terminals/slot machines and change the revenue split, reducing the operator share from 75% to 70% while increasing the state share from 25% to 30%. He also noted the bill would increase the amount going to charities and other state beneficiaries. Former State Rep. Pat Brammy, who had served on the Charitable Gaming Study Commission, testified in support of the bill’s basic structure. He said a consultant’s report found historic racing machines cost facilities 12% to 18% more to operate because of totalizer and track-related fees, and that slot machines would be cheaper because there are more manufacturers and more competition. He argued that although the operator share drops by 5%, facilities could still benefit from lower operating costs, and he said the commission concluded that moving to slot machines would increase revenues to facilities, charities, and the state. He also said the bill would create a more stable stream of funding for problem gambling, since the current HHR “breakage” funding mechanism is limited and dependent on a single vendor. Brammy also discussed the commission’s concerns about market concentration in HHR machines, saying the commission found the market was dominated by only a few manufacturers and recommended legislation to address that issue under Article 83 of the state constitution. He interpreted the bill as allowing a phase-in of slot machines upon passage, with the remaining HHR provisions phasing out by January 1, 2028, and said facilities would likely transition as leases expire. Committee members asked about HHR contracts, machine programming, testing, and whether removing HHR would reduce competition; Brammy said he believed leases were likely short-term, machines are tested by a lab, and the legislature could decide whether the change is appropriate. No vote or final action was taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill repeals obsolete code sections and makes technical... ...private market system.
• This bill repeals obsolete and outdated sections of the Education Code.
• The Committee on Finance moved to amend the bill on page 3, Section 3. Yes, sir.
• The Committee on Finance moved to amend the bill on page 3, Section 3.
• The bill creates three... ...Section 16. Thank you, Mr. President.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate considered and passed a series of House bills and one constitutional resolution, with several measures receiving title amendments and some taking effect immediately or on a specified date. Early action included moving House Bill 5438, concerning the foundation allowance for instructional programs, to the foot of third-reading bills. House Bill 5441, reforming the state personnel system, was amended with a Judiciary strike-and-insert technical fix, then passed 28-6 and was set to take effect July 1, 2026. House Bill 5462 on mine subsidence insurance passed unanimously, with a title amendment adopted. House Bill 5484, creating felony offenses related to denying medical treatment to sexual offense victims, also passed unanimously with a title amendment. House Bill 5515 modernizing workers’ compensation statutes passed unanimously with a title amendment, and House Bill 5527 establishing licensure and regulation for wellness reimbursement programs passed unanimously. House Bill 5528, protecting personal residential information of certain public officials, passed unanimously with a title amendment. The most extended debate centered on House Bill 5537, an education-related bill that was amended to add a child-protection provision later referred to as “Rayleigh’s law.” The amendment would bar approval of home instruction requests in certain child abuse or neglect cases until the Department of Human Services confirms the investigation is unfounded, closed, or not substantiated, or until 10 days pass without a response. Senators argued the measure was intended to protect children and not target homeschooling. After a point of order, the chair initially ruled the amended language not germane; that ruling was challenged and ultimately overruled by a 24-7 vote, allowing the amendment to remain. The bill then passed 24-7, and a title amendment was adopted. Other measures passed with little or no opposition. House Bill 5582 removed the sunset on the TANF applicant drug-screening program and passed 28-3 after a technical committee amendment. House Bill 5687 reduced the metallurgical coal severance tax over time and adjusted oil and gas tax allocations, passing 31-3. Several supplemental appropriations also passed and were made effective from passage, including funds for Homeland Security/corrections, the Adjutant General, Health, the State Road Fund, and Tourism/Culture and History. The Senate also adopted House Joint Resolution 42, which would place on the ballot a constitutional amendment increasing the homestead exemption from $20,000 to $40,000 and allowing future changes by general law. In second reading, the Senate advanced bills on workforce training reimbursements, aerospace and advanced manufacturing incentives, portable benefit accounts, literacy and science-of-reading training, school aid formula changes, and wedding venue regulation, with amendments adopted on several of them before advancement to third reading.

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, it creates a new section 620.514 to operationalize federal workforce Pell Grants right here in
• Second, it creates a new section 620.514 to operationalize federal workforce Pell Grants right here in
• We could probably check in section 620.513 of the existing statute.
• And then on page two, this may just be a cleanup piece in section 620.512.
• When you checked out section 620.513, was that regarding higher education or was it regarding...

Committee: House Higher Education and Workforce Development

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2510, sponsored by Rep. Steinmeier, which would create a coordinated state framework for critical minerals involving the Departments of Natural Resources, Economic Development, and Higher Education and Workforce Development. The sponsor said Missouri is well positioned because it contains 36 of 60 minerals deemed critical to national security and manufacturing, and argued the bill would help Missouri pursue federal funding, build a workforce pipeline, and support advanced manufacturing with a five-year sunset. Committee members questioned the need for a new state structure and fund, the cost to Missouri, the role of universities, and whether the task force was too narrowly written around the University of Missouri system and mistakenly included DESE instead of higher education. A Missouri Chamber witness supported the bill for its economic and national security benefits, while an environmental witness urged adding an environmental professional to the task force and a mining permitting framework, citing health and water concerns and suggesting a separate mining-regulation bill as an amendment. The committee then took up House Bill 2585, sponsored by Rep. Castile, which updates Missouri workforce development statutes to align with federal law and implement the new Workforce Pell Grant program. The sponsor said the bill would allow short-term, high-value training programs in fields like welding, public safety academies, health technology, and trucking to qualify for Pell support, while preserving oversight and tying eligibility to outcomes such as completion, job placement, and earnings. Members asked about the number and makeup of the workforce board, whether the bill’s staffing references still pointed to the wrong department, how the 150% poverty-level threshold and reporting metrics would work, and whether the board could move quickly enough to meet federal timelines. A Missouri Community College Association witness said all 12 community colleges have programs likely to qualify and explained the federal eligibility standards, including a 70% completion rate, 70% job placement rate, and three-year rolling data review; a FGA Action witness and the Missouri Chamber also supported the bill as a way to expand access to skills training and draw down federal funds. After the bill hearings, the committee received an informational presentation from the Midwestern Higher Education Compact. The presenter described the compact’s regional cost-saving work, including reciprocity for distance education, technology contracts, grants, and efforts on dual credit and FAFSA support. She also shared Missouri-specific data on educational attainment, enrollment trends, student migration, and net price, noting that Missouri lags slightly behind the U.S. in attainment, has projected declines in high school graduates, retains most in-state students, and has higher net prices for low-income students than the Midwest average. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• sell that section of land, retaining that revenue stream, and then the next person who comes in has
• Well, so at an 800-foot setback, if there's houses on four sides, how many feet of a quarter section
• So we're putting an additional 500 feet all the way around the quarter section. That is correct.
• I do have one question on page three, section two, which is lines four to six.
• So would we kick functioning mines over into section... Right now.

Bills: SB1246 , SB1510 , SB1979 , SB1929 , SB1930 , SB1976

Committee: Senate Energy

Keywords: environmental permitting, Oklahoma, Department of Environmental Quality, public participation, regulatory framework, administered applications, energy, wind energy, financial assurance, property restoration, environmental regulation, mining, blasting, residential protection, buffer zone, Department of Mines, public utilities, electric transmission lines, landowner rights, payment regulations

Summary: The committee heard several energy, mining, and environmental bills. Senate Bill 1246, a DEQ request bill, was described as a permitting reform measure intended to reduce delays, increase transparency, and improve public notice; members discussed newspaper publication and digital alerts, and the bill passed 11-0. Senate Bill 1929 proposed a new framework for transmission lines that would compensate landowners with recurring payments for lines crossing their property; members raised concerns about eminent domain, ratepayer impacts, existing easements, and whether payments would transfer with land sales, but the bill passed 6-5 after the author said it was an idea to start a broader conversation. Senate Bill 1510 addressed bonding requirements and reclamation standards, with the author saying the goal was to make bonds meaningful and ensure funds are available for cleanup if operators fail to reclaim sites. Members discussed bond levels, acceptable financial instruments, and the need to balance industry viability with land restoration; the bill passed 11-0. Senate Bill 1979, the Mining and Blasting Residential Protection Act, would create an 800-foot buffer around residences and sensitive facilities near mining and blasting operations and require notifications/signage; the author said it was a constituent-driven good-neighbor bill, but members worried it could affect existing mines, raise costs, and potentially be read to restrict current operations. After title was struck, the bill failed 2-8. The committee also passed Senate Bill 1930, which creates a framework for compensating surface owners when iodine is recovered from produced water for commercial use, and Senate Bill 1976, which phases in surety requirements for small oil and gas producers to soften the impact of prior regulatory changes. Both bills passed unanimously or near-unanimously after brief discussion about balancing regulation with economic impacts. The meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• When you adopted the biennial capital budget last year, you included language in Section 8018 expressing
• Unfortunately, the Department of Ecology is interpreting Section 8018 as applying to remedial action
• I want to thank you for the new section, Section 50707, which is school building electrification.
• Section 805 of that proposal clarifies the clawback language, which Sean referenced in Section 8018,
• The clawback language, which Sean referenced in Section 8018, does not apply to remedial action grants

Summary: The Capital Budget Committee held a hearing on Proposed Substitute House Bill 2295, the supplemental capital budget. Staff said the proposal totals nearly $911 million, including about $400 million in bonds and $511 million from other state and federal sources, with much of the increase over the governor’s proposal coming from Climate Commitment Act (CCA) funding. Major spending areas include housing and homelessness, K-12 construction, human services facilities, and CCA-funded clean energy, decarbonization, and habitat restoration projects. The chair said the committee would not take amendments at the hearing and planned to vote out the budget on Thursday, with a technical fix striker expected. Testimony was largely supportive of the House proposal, with many witnesses asking the committee to preserve or increase specific items in final negotiations. Housing advocates urged support for the Housing Trust Fund, manufactured housing preservation, and projects such as Alliance Place, Cloverdale Cottages, Cherry Street Village, Somos, and the Thrive Center. Education and public facility witnesses backed investments in school seismic safety, small district modernization, Healthy Kids Healthy Schools, community college and university maintenance, and projects at Cascadia College, WSU, CWU, and UW. Health and human services testimony supported behavioral health, Tubman Center, HealthPoint, pregnant parenting treatment, and the Yakima Behavioral Health Hub. Natural resources, climate, and infrastructure witnesses praised funding for Flood Plains by Design, community forests, trust land transfer, salmon recovery, the Skokomish land purchase, and the Lower Columbia River dredging project. Several local governments and organizations requested additional support or Senate-level funding for specific projects, while Climate Solutions cautioned against using CCA dollars to backfill existing obligations. The committee heard no votes during the hearing, and the chair closed by saying the budget would be executed on Thursday.