Transcript Highlights:

• Jill was beloved by patriots across Texas as she spoke at grassroots clubs educating citizens on the
• Today I have the honor of recognizing country music superstar and Texas native Cody Johnson.
• As the region continues to invest in healthcare, in education, and in infrastructure, for an even greater
• Through research, advocacy... and public education, Preservation Texas plays a crucial role in raising
• Their commitment to public education. and student development is commendable.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

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• The economic impact, the chance to educate Texans, past and present about the present and educate about
• It was a visionary education initiative during the Progressive Era, created to expand educational access
• These two individuals implemented Rosenwald's educational facilities to help provide much-needed educational
• . educational heritage.
• That's the benefit of education.

Bills: HB370, HB738, HB2935, HB3227, HB4103, HB5259, SB519, SB1350, SB1247, SB1248, SB2112, HCR81, HCR83, HCR84, HCR59, HCR109, HCR111, HCR135, SCR6

Keywords: HB 370, Events Trust Fund, Texas events funding, sports eligibility, women's sports, girls' sports, biological sex, transgender athletes, sex-segregated sports, athletic competition, event subsidies, tourism funding, site selection organization, anti-trafficking plan, female athletes, public funding, economic impact, sports policy, Rosenwald Schools, historical preservation

Transcript Highlights:

• I AM DEPUTY DIRECTOR KEITH PRUITT, ORIGINALLY FROM WEST VIRGINIA AND NOT NATIVE TO THE HURRICANE WORLD
• CHANGING DIRECTION JUST A LITTLE BIT LET'S TALK EDUCATION AND COUNTIES IN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.
• WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP BRING THOSE COUNTIES ONLINE, GIVE THEM MORE EDUCATION, HOW CAN WE AS A STATE HELP
• THERE IS SOME GAP THERE IN WHAT WE ARE ABLE TO DO WHEN IT COMES TO YOU HAVE THE EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
• WE TRY TO OVERCOME AND WHAT ARE THE BEST PRACTICES WE CAN DEMONSTRATE SO WE TRIED TO SHARE THAT EDUCATION

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Who was a dedicated educator, attorney, and community leader in Houston.
• HR 50 by Leo Wilson, Education Foundations. HR 59 by Raymond Jose D Oliverdes.
• for public school students referred to the Committee on Public Education.
• referred to the Committee on Higher Education.
• refer to the Committee on Public Education.

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• Education and experience combined will qualify. No, a bachelor's is not a requirement.
• But education and experience both combined for minimum cost.
• Also, we have a lot of community education.
• , and through that education, people aren't having to pay fines.
• American communities, as well as all Native communities in the state of New Mexico.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you can see, the largest portion is dedicated to health and human services, followed by education,
• than $1.4 billion to the Florida Forever program, protecting nearly 390,000 acres of the state's native
• At the lottery, our mission is simple: maximizing revenue to enhance education.
• Since our inception, we've generated more than $50 billion for education in Florida and helped over 1
• million Florida students pursue their dreams of postgraduate education and technical training through

Summary: The committee first took up confirmation of five water management district appointees: Ted Everett and Jerome Pate to the Northwest Florida Water Management District, Michael Romano to the Big Cypress Basin Board of the South Florida Water Management District, and Paul Bissfam, John Hall, and Virginia Johns to the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Senator McClain moved confirmation, the roll was called, and the committee recommended all appointees favorably. Members then received the Governor’s Florida First budget presentations for environmental agencies. The environmental package totaled about $5.8 billion and emphasized Everglades restoration, water quality, resilience, land conservation, state parks, hazardous waste cleanup, wildlife management, wildfire response, and citrus support. DEP highlighted more than $1.4 billion for water resources, including $810 million for Everglades restoration, $202 million for Resilient Florida, $150 million for Florida Forever, $70 million for state parks, and $221 million for contamination cleanup. FWC, Agriculture, and Citrus funding priorities were also outlined. Members asked about Florida Forever funding, state park wastewater and septic needs, a reduction at the Florida Wildlife Research Institute, and beach renourishment funding for storm damage. The committee also heard the General Government portion of the budget, which totaled about $2.9 billion and covered DBPR, Lottery, Financial Services, Management Services, Revenue, PERC, and the Gaming Control Commission. DBPR requested funds for license processing, an animal abuse hotline, fleet replacement, and IT retention. FGCC sought new enforcement squads and an IT licensing/enforcement system. The Lottery proposed marketing, retail engagement, IT, and retention funding. DMS emphasized building modernization, fleet telematics, 911 and radio upgrades, cybersecurity, a local government cybersecurity grant program, and data interoperability. PERC described a sharp increase in labor cases and elections after SB 256 and requested staffing, election administration, and hearing officer pay increases. DFS highlighted My Safe Florida Home, fire marshal and first responder support, financial investigations, and gold and silver legal tender implementation. Revenue requested operational and IT funding and support for fiscally constrained counties. Questions focused on DBPR’s condo and HOA initiatives, cybersecurity grant reductions, and the My Safe Florida Home program’s abandoned grants and matching requirements. No additional votes were taken, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Education. Education.
• education.
• education.
• education.
• education.

Keywords: 981, all

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• <00:34:45.839> Prairie<00:34:46.200> that for stocking the native Prairie that for
• stocking the native Prairie that supports<00:34:46.760> peasants<00:34:47.359> song<00:
• In the past, projects have included public school districts that have built early childhood education
• In the past, projects have included public school districts that have built early childhood education
• <01:30:46.840> and have built early childhood education and have built early childhood education

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

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• Chairman, I move that the Education Committee amendment be adopted.
• Chairman, I move that the Education Committee amendment as amended be adopted. Perfect.
• The question... ...Education Committee amendment as amended be adopted.
• This program is an opt-out program, while sex education is an opt-in program.
• Arizona, I'm a fourth-generation native Arizonan, and I was excited to sponsor this H.C.M.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 2621, public school special education. HB 2628, ballot delivery. HB 2630, election officers.
• HB 2810, health education abortion provider. HB 2811, obstructing government operations.
• savings accounts, has found positive... ...programs, including charter schools and education savings
• quality by fostering competition and responsiveness across educational providers.
• And whereas Arizona's experience with choice-based education demonstrates that many choice schools exceed

Keywords: 1182, all

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• And as the Chair of the Native American Caucus, I absolutely respect you and this community.
• Mandatory training without a definition is not education, it's pressure. Will there be a test?
• This initiative aligns with California's ongoing efforts to address historical injustice faced by Native
• support, also registering support for Immigrant Defenders Law Center, Services, Immigrant Rights, and Education
• , Also registering support for Immigrant Defenders Law Center, Services, Immigrant Rights, and Education

Keywords: 988, house, all

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• During the month of February, we celebrate career and technology education programs in our schools.
• and our three regional higher education and our three regional higher education centers<00:09:17.040
• Enhanced Requirement, Local Board of Education Transparency Act.
• I'm sure those boards of education are very thrilled about the goodter.
• > and<00:14:16.560> the Chair of Education, Energy, and the Chair of Education, Energy,

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Maryland Senate met on Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026, with a quorum present. The session opened with an invocation by Chaplain David Stadler, followed by journalization of his remarks and several introductions recognizing guests in the chamber, including dentists, an intern, a former legislative staffer, and representatives from the University System of Maryland and other groups. Senators also noted upcoming committee meetings and a Legislative Black Caucus photo the next day. The main floor action centered on a resolution honoring Maryland Career and Technical Student Organizations for Career and Technical Student Organization Week. The sponsor described the role of CTSOs in serving more than 12,000 students statewide and in building leadership, professional, and career skills. The resolution was read in full and adopted unanimously, with the Senate expressing congratulations and appreciation for the organizations’ work with young people. The Senate then took up layover items and calendar bills. Senate Bill 56, concerning Maryland Longitudinal Data Center external data sharing for multi-state reporting, was special ordered for one day after members raised privacy-related questions. Senate Bill 99, the Open Meetings Act/Local Board of Education Transparency Act measure, was also special ordered for one day after discussion of its committee amendment. The chamber also received administrative corrections from the Governor and referred them to the Executive Nominations Committee, and the majority leader later moved adjournment until February 19 at 10:00 a.m., which was adopted without objection.

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• I serve as a trustee on the Orange County Board of Education.
• Only this time we'll change the elections for five county boards of education.
• And that was when it was only affecting the Orange County Board of Education.
• Good morning, Mary Barkey, Vice President of the Orange County Board of Education.
• Elizabeth Schmidt, a native-born Californian, strong support. Shalnisa Baylis.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, although licensees and certificate holders are required to complete continuing education
• sample of licensees and certificate holders to verify that they completed the required continuing education
• One of the other sunset factor recommendations that the Auditor General noted was continuing education
• Specifically K-12 education and 12 other entities.
• So I'm just super touched because I am a fourth-generation native Arizonan, and I love this state and

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Joint Natural Resources and House Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committees of Reference heard the Arizona Auditor General’s sunset review of the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board. The audit found the board generally met some licensing requirements, but it did not timely investigate and resolve 49 of 159 complaints in fiscal year 2024, and it did not fully comply with conflict-of-interest disclosure and filing requirements. The Auditor General also identified weaknesses in continuing-education verification and other sunset-factor areas, and the board agreed to implement all 21 recommendations. Board staff said complaint volume has risen sharply since the pandemic, that the board’s process is slower because every case goes through an investigative committee and then the full board, and that it has already corrected some conflict-of-interest issues and is adding tools to improve continuing-education audits. The committee then heard testimony from the board’s executive director and from the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association. The executive director emphasized the board’s public-protection mission, described the shortage of veterinarians and veterinary technicians, and said the board is working to improve efficiency through a new e-licensing system and staff training. Members asked about the shortage of large-animal veterinarians, complaint backlogs, and whether the board could do more to recruit rural practitioners; the board said it lacks direct recruiting authority but supports multiple licensure pathways and loan-assistance efforts. The veterinary association supported the board’s oversight and said it is also working on rural and large-animal workforce issues through partnerships and advocacy. The committee then voted to recommend continuing the board for eight years, until July 1, 2034. The committee next took up the Arizona State Land Department, beginning with the Auditor General’s presentation on the department’s sunset review and prior special audit. The audit found the department had not updated its required five-year disposition plan since 2011, had sold more than 48,000 acres without an active plan, had allowed agricultural rental rates to go unchanged since 2006 despite market increases, and had not consistently inspected mineral-related leases or properly managed reclamation bonds. The Auditor General said these issues created risks of lost revenue, reduced transparency, and public-safety hazards, and recommended 18 corrective actions in the main review plus 34 additional recommendations on other issues; the department agreed to most recommendations but declined to adopt a written policy for commissioner-initiated land sales. Commissioner Robin Sahid said the department is working through audit recommendations, has created a rules team, improved its customer portal, and is pursuing new policies on water use, transportation-basin leases, and disposition planning. Members questioned the department about agricultural leases, groundwater valuation, the Fondomonte leases and reimbursement for improvements, the canceled Coyotes land auction, backlog and processing times, and the use of consultants and administrative funds. The commissioner said the department had over 2,000 applications in queue when she arrived, that it has made progress reducing the backlog, and that it is conducting stakeholder outreach on water-efficiency standards and lease addenda. No final vote on the land department continuation was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• A bit about my background: I am an Arizona native.
• So there's really that joint education piece because education can be expensive, and so we need to sort
• I appreciate, especially learning by your educational background.
• I mean, the impact to children's mental health, to their educational health, and to their educational
• My wife is an Arizona native, hailing from San Manuel in southern Arizona.

Summary: The Committee on Director Nominations met with four members present and approved the prior minutes without objection. Chair Jay Kaufman outlined the committee’s role in reviewing executive nominations and explained the hearing process for three nominees: Mary Foote for the Office of Economic Opportunity, Debbie Johnston for the Department of Health Services, and Chuck Bassett. Foote did not appear for her hearing, and members discussed her absence and alleged omissions in her disclosure materials, including prior service with Planned Parenthood-related organizations. The committee then moved to reject her nomination, and the motion passed 3-2, recommending that the full Senate reject Mary Foote. Debbie Johnston, nominee to lead the Department of Health Services, appeared and gave an opening statement describing her Arizona background, prior Senate staff work, and more than 20 years with the Arizona Hospital and Health Care Association. She said her priorities at ADHS include rebuilding trust in public health licensing, improving stakeholder engagement, standardizing rulemaking communication, addressing alleged religious discrimination and retaliation concerns in licensing, and using technology and AI to improve efficiency. In questioning, senators pressed her on her management style, conflict-of-interest safeguards given her prior industry role, enforcement priorities, budget pressures, behavioral health and assisted living oversight, and the department’s response to COVID-19. Johnston said she would follow statutes, recuse herself from enforcement matters involving former contacts, and resign if directed to carry out an unlawful policy. She also said the department does not regulate therapy itself, only facilities, and that it would rely on legal counsel regarding the governor’s conversion-therapy executive order and related federal civil-rights allegations. Several senators focused on public health trust and the department’s pandemic response, with Johnston acknowledging concerns about closures, data collection, and communication during COVID-19 while saying she would review past after-action materials and be better prepared in the future. Public testimony from stakeholders in aging services and health care strongly supported her confirmation, praising her accessibility, responsiveness, and collaborative approach. After testimony, the vice chair moved to recommend Johnston’s confirmation to the full Senate. The roll call was underway when the transcript ended, with several members voting aye and one member expressing reservations about her not reviewing the pandemic after-action report before another crisis occurs.

Transcript Highlights:

• A bit about my background: I am an Arizona native.
• So there's really that joint education... ...piece because education can be expensive.
• I appreciate, especially learning about your educational background.
• I mean, the impact to children's mental health, to their educational health, and to their educational
• I mean, the impact to children's mental health, to their educational health, and to their educational

Keywords: 1182, all

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• I am a Massachusetts native who resided in Philadelphia for 18 years, and for 17 of those years, I represented
• Along with doing what we can to keep farm workers safe through education, legal action, and protest,
• Fund Program, a tax-advantaged savings program designed to help families save for their children's education
• We want to contribute to their education and also protect their future from climate change.
• program, but maybe elsewhere, and not have to forego this valuable tax deduction that would support education

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing opened with remarks from the co-chairs explaining committee procedures, testimony limits, submission instructions, and the new deadlines for acting on House and Senate bills. The committee then heard testimony on several bills related to agriculture, land use, environment, housing, transportation, and taxation, with legislators often taken out of turn. No votes were taken during the hearing. The first major topic was H. 3206, a bill to allow fossil fuel-free 529 college savings plans to qualify for the state tax deduction if MEFA does not offer a comparable option. Representative Steve Owens said the bill would not force MEFA or Fidelity to change existing plans, but would create a definition for fossil fuel-free funds and extend the deduction to qualifying out-of-state plans. The committee also heard strong local testimony on a Belmont home-rule petition, H. 3970, to change tax treatment for the Belmont Country Club under Chapter 61B. Belmont residents and officials argued the private golf course receives an unfair tax break that shifts costs to other taxpayers, while Senator Brownsberger and Representative Rogers supported the measure as a way to help the town recover revenue. Committee members asked about town meeting support, the club’s lack of payment in lieu of taxes, and the size of the tax savings. The committee next heard testimony on a vehicle miles traveled tax proposal, S. 1925, from Senator Barrett and economists Gilbert Metcalf and Christopher Knittel. They argued that declining gas-tax revenue and rising fuel efficiency, especially with electric vehicles, require a more stable transportation funding source; they also said a VMT tax could be designed to be revenue-neutral and mildly progressive, though members raised concerns about administration, fairness, EV disincentives, and the possibility of annual tax shocks. The largest block of testimony focused on the Ahead Act, H. 3194/S. 1973, which would double the deed excise fee and dedicate the new revenue to affordable housing and climate adaptation. Supporters from MACDC, MAPC, FICC, Boston Climate Action Network, CLF, 350 Mass, CHAPA, and a tenant advocate said the bill could generate about $300 million annually for housing production, vouchers, weatherization, resilience, and environmental justice communities, and that it links two urgent crises with a stable funding stream. The committee also heard testimony on the Conservation Land Tax Credit bills, H. 3147/S. 2083, which would raise the annual cap on the credit from $2 million to $5 million for three years and then sunset back down. Conservation groups and a landowner said the program has conserved thousands of acres and that the higher cap would reduce delays and help meet state conservation goals. Finally, the committee took testimony on the Fairness for Farm Workers bills, S. 2011/H. 3107 and S. 2012, which would extend overtime, minimum wage, breaks, and paid time off protections to farm workers and include a refundable tax credit to help farmers offset overtime costs. Senator Gomez and advocates described the bills as overdue civil rights and public health measures, citing low wages, long hours, dangerous conditions, and the racial history behind farm labor exclusions. The hearing also included testimony on H. 3240, a bill to give municipalities a local option vacancy tax on chronically vacant shopping malls, with the sponsor arguing it would help towns address blight, encourage redevelopment, and potentially create housing and tax revenue.

Transcript Highlights:

• And as the chair of the Native American Caucus, I absolutely respect you and this community.
• Mandatory training without a definition is not education; it's pressure. Will there be a test?
• Mandatory training without a definition is not education; it's pressure. Will there be a test?
• This initiative aligns with California's ongoing efforts to address historical injustice faced by Native
• Also registering support for Immigrant Defenders Law Center, Services, Immigrant Rights and Education

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with extensive testimony and debate. AB 2507 by Assembly Member Wynn would strengthen state consultation with federally recognized tribal governments by requiring clearer tribal liaison roles, a tribal advisory committee, and more consistent early engagement across agencies. Support came from Wilton Rancheria and the California Tribal Business Alliance, with members praising the bill as improving respect, coordination, and outcomes for tribes. AB 2024, also by Wynn, would require the Outdoor Advertising Act permitting process to reach a determination on submitted applications, aimed at reducing delays and uncertainty; it drew support from the outdoor advertising industry and the California Association of Realtors, with members describing it as a technical cleanup measure. Both bills were later moved to Appropriations, along with a consent calendar of several other measures. AB 1585 by Assembly Member Connolly would require wine labeled as American to be made from 100% American-grown grapes, aligning the federal “American” label with California’s existing 100% state-origin standard. Supporters, including California wine grape growers, family wineries, consumer advocates, and several local agricultural groups, argued the bill would improve truth in labeling and help struggling growers. Opponents from major wine companies and industry groups warned it could reduce flexibility, create labeling complications, and limit the ability to list varietal and vintage on some blended wines. After a lengthy debate over labeling standards, consumer expectations, and impacts on interstate wine sales, the committee passed the bill to Appropriations. AB 1605 by Assembly Member Ransom would allow judges to place a no-alcohol-sales notice on the licenses of repeat or serious DUI offenders, restricting their ability to purchase alcohol as a preventive measure. Supporters, including the California Police Chiefs Association, the Safe California Roads Coalition, and the California Association of Highway Patrolmen, said the bill would give courts another tool to reduce recidivism and save lives. Retailers and restaurant representatives raised concerns about implementation and ID-checking burdens, but the bill was amended and passed to Appropriations. AB 2211 by Assembly Member Hoover, which would allow craft distillers to operate a second tasting room, also advanced with support from the California Distillers Association. Finally, AB 1578 by Assembly Member Jackson, presented by Assembly Member Solache, would require anti-hate speech training for local and state elected officials; it drew strong opposition over First Amendment and definitional concerns, and members pressed for a clearer definition of hate speech before further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Similar differences occur among Black or African-American households as well as Native American households
• includes offering policy actions that boost residential construction, support the workforce, provide education
• I'm a native New Mexican, born and raised in Albuquerque, a UNM grad, APS product.
• And it has benefits that go far beyond just housing, to your health, education, and employment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Tristan Brown with the CFT, a union of educators and classified professionals.
• Student safety is paramount to our members, and I'm sure everybody in the educational community.
• Also registering support on behalf of the California Native Plant Society, Defenders of Wildlife, Pacific
• My pleasure to present SB 1299, the State Fire Marshal Fire Suppression, Education, and Training Safety
• My pleasure to present SB 1299, the State Fire Marshal Fire Suppression, Education, and Training Safety

Summary: The committee heard SB 921, which would create a tax credit to help agricultural employers offset overtime premium costs for farmworkers. Senator Grove and supporters, including farmworkers, the California Farm Bureau, and agricultural groups, argued the bill would restore lost hours and take-home pay after California’s agricultural overtime law reduced schedules. Opponents, including the California Federation of Labor Unions and CRLA Foundation, argued the proposal would subsidize employers with taxpayer dollars and undermine the principle that employers should pay overtime themselves. The bill was held in subcommittee until more members arrived. The committee then took up SB 1083, a cleanup bill to the prior year’s school employee misconduct database law. The author and supporters said it would add due process protections for classified school employees, require an administrative law judge review before placement in the database, and improve notice and vetting rules for contractors and non-permanent staff. School employer groups and other opponents warned the bill could slow investigations and weaken child-safety protections. The committee approved the bill 3-0 and sent it to Senate Appropriations. Members also considered SB 1089, which would require CalPERS health plans to cover GLP-1 medications and expand access through CalRX for chronic weight management and related health conditions. The author and supporters, including the American Diabetes Association and medical groups, said the drugs can prevent diabetes and improve health outcomes but remain unaffordable for many. Pharma representatives expressed concerns about the bill as drafted but said they were open to continued discussions. The bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations. The committee also approved the consent calendar 4-0. Later, the committee heard SB 954, which would narrow and add guardrails to last year’s CEQA exemption for advanced manufacturing, including environmental review near disadvantaged communities and labor standards such as prevailing wage and skilled-and-trained workforce requirements. Labor, environmental, and community groups supported the bill as a cleanup of an overly broad exemption, while business and manufacturing groups opposed it, warning it would discourage investment and worsen California’s competitiveness. The bill passed 3-1 to Appropriations. Finally, SB 1299, a fire sprinkler fitter certification bill, was heard and passed 3-0 to Appropriations with support from the sprinkler fitters and building trades and no recorded opposition.