Transcript Highlights:

• Our prep rallies that we need, and then our internet, too.

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• it would be insulting to assume that our artists don't also know how to do everything it takes to prep

Committee: House Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism

Transcript Highlights:

• A proud Spokane native. prep graduate, Ms. McClain embodies the adventurous spirit astronaut corps.

Bills: SB244 , SB28 , SB289 , SB323 , SB389 , SB414 , SB428 , SB433 , SB582 , SB613 , SB759 , SB792 , SB841 , SB843 , SB97

Committee: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Keywords: national security, cybersecurity, consumer technology, routers, modems, study, communication, consumer protection, smart devices, transparency, internet-connected devices, FTC enforcement, lithium-ion batteries, battery safety, consumer product safety, CPSC, Consumer Product Safety Commission, e-bikes, electric bicycles, e-scooters

Summary: The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held an important meeting where they discussed various bills aimed at addressing pressing issues like consumer protection, technology, and environmental management. Chairman Cruz opened the meeting by emphasizing the role of subpoenas in ensuring accountability and oversight, highlighting a recent compliance from several parties following such threats. The meeting progressed to consider several bills, including the Romance Scam Prevention Act championed by Senator Blackburn, which seeks to protect vulnerable populations from online dating scams that have resulted in enormous financial losses, particularly among seniors. The committee also nominated Michael Kratios for the Office of Science and Technology Policy and Mark Medder for the Federal Trade Commission, underscoring the significance of leadership in fostering innovation and consumer protection in technology sectors.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's called the Peabody Personalized Remote Education Program, or PREP program, and it's a virtual school
• Senator Lovely: The PREP program currently serves 131 students in grades K to 12, and it works for these
• The prep and lunchtime periods I planned to use today to prepare to speak, I spent assisting my colleagues
• The prepped and lunchtime periods I plan to use today to prepare to speak.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Education

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education opened a hybrid public hearing on a large slate of bills related to school buildings, school finance, technology, data privacy, safety, and related education issues. Chairs Jason Lewis and Ken Gordon outlined procedures for the hearing, including two-minute testimony limits and the plan to group similar bills together. Several bills drew no testimony and were closed without further discussion, while others drew extensive testimony from legislators, school officials, parents, advocates, and educators. A major theme was school safety and student well-being. Lori Al-Hadeth testified in support of bills on alert systems in public schools, describing the loss of her daughter in the Parkland shooting and urging adoption of Alyssa’s Law-style panic alert technology. Representative Gallagher and disability advocates also supported a bill authorizing, but not requiring, airway clearance devices in schools, arguing they could save lives in choking emergencies and provide an option for people who cannot use the Heimlich maneuver. Another bill on reducing cafeteria waste drew support from a legislator and a Lexington sustainability official, who said installing dishwashers during construction would reduce waste and long-term costs. Much of the hearing focused on Chapter 70 school funding and the inflation cap. Senator Pavel Payano, Senator Sal DiDomenico, Representative Senna, and multiple local officials and school committee members from Bridgewater, Chelsea, Groton-Dunstable, and other districts argued that the 4.5% cap on inflation adjustments has left schools underfunded during years of high inflation, forcing layoffs, larger class sizes, and cuts to programs and student supports. They urged bills to eliminate the cap, restore lost funding, increase the Commonwealth’s share of the foundation budget, or create commissions to study reforms. Testimony also highlighted the impact on special education, English learners, and low-income students, with Chelsea witnesses saying the cap has cost their district about $7 million annually. School construction and MSBA reform were the other major topic. AIA Massachusetts, Boston Public Schools, Lynn officials, and AFT Massachusetts described aging facilities, overcrowding, deferred maintenance, and the difficulty of financing new schools under current reimbursement rules. Boston officials said the district has many pre-World War II buildings and has only built a handful of new schools in decades, while Lynn leaders said reimbursement rates have fallen well below the statutory 80% because of caps and ineligible costs. Witnesses urged modernization of the MSBA program, higher reimbursement rates, and more resources for school construction. The committee also heard support for a bill to study the adequacy and equity of the school building program, and chairs indicated some bills would be closed after no one signed up to testify.

Transcript Highlights:

• conversations currently with Eastern Kentucky University, Murray State, and the University of Kentucky Ed Prep
• University<00:25:51.520><c> of</c><00:25:51.760><c> Kentucky</c><00:25:52.159><c> Ed</c><00:25:52.400><c> Prep
• </c><00:25:52.720><c> programs</c> University of Kentucky Ed Prep programs University of Kentucky Ed
• Prep programs uh<00:25:53.679><c> to</c><00:25:53.919><c> get</c><00:25:54.000><c> them</c><00:25:54.240

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Apollo High School and Independence High School in my district, LD-24, as well as Arizona College Prep

Transcript Highlights:

• It would also ensure that clinical prep for all educators who are responsible for teaching reading only
• The department would document the degree to which the prep programs are effectively teaching the science
• So there are other categories that would have some reading training in our prep programs, but that's
• would have some reading training<00:33:20.720><c> in</c><00:33:21.039><c> our</c><00:33:21.279><c> prep
• in our prep programs, but that's<00:33:22.720><c> not</c><00:33:22.880><c> the</c><00:33:23.039><c>

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• It's another national accreditation often used by these alternative prep programs.

Bills: HB4274 , HB3076 , HB4358 , HB3312 , HB3288 , HB3885

Committee: House Common Education

Keywords: HB4274, Oklahoma schools, interdistrict transfer, open transfer, school enrollment, military families, active duty, National Guard, Reserve orders, military installation, residency requirements, district of choice, public school transfer, student transfer, special education, IEP, Section 504, military housing, base housing, electronic enrollment

Transcript Highlights:

• She is a freshman at Anthem Prep, Great Hearts, and is observing us today to learn more about the legislative

Summary: The Senate convened with a prayer by Rabbi Mendel Soup of Lake Havasu and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Senator Carroll, then completed an electronic roll call and approved the journal for January 20, 2026. The chamber recognized several guest groups and visitors, including CRNA Capital Day participants, rural electric cooperative representatives, AEA Retired members, March of Dimes advocates, students and school officials, and other invited guests. Senators used points of personal privilege to highlight the work of these groups and to introduce visitors in the gallery. The body then read a long list of bills on second reading, covering a wide range of topics including child welfare, public school safety, health insurance, water policy, taxation, housing, elections, public safety, transportation, and abortion-related measures. The Senate also received first-reading introductions and committee referrals for additional bills on subjects such as motor vehicle booting fees, traumatic event counseling, election procedures, assisted living, short-term rentals, and various appropriations and policy changes. No substantive debate or votes on the bills were recorded in the transcript. After committee reports were noted and the Senate briefly recessed for bill assignments, the chamber returned to order and continued with first reading and reference of more bills and resolutions. At the end of the session, the Majority Whip moved to adjourn, and the Senate adjourned until Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• She is a freshman at Anthem Prep, Great Hearts, and is observing us today to learn more about the legislative

Transcript Highlights:

• They've had over 2,000 students sign up for prep courses of their choice in just the first few weeks
• They've had over 2,000 students sign up for prep courses of their choice in just the first few weeks
• They've had over 2,000 students sign up for prep courses of their choice in just the first few weeks
• I think it is absolutely critical that we allow and help more kids get this test prep.
• This is a very different environment now, and kids need to take that test prep.

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:23:34.640><c> Senator</c><00:23:34.880><c> Prep.
• Senator Prep. Uh just just follow-up? Senator Prep. Uh just just one,<00:23:36.720><c> Mr.
• This includes job training and soft skills development, resume building, interview prep, job shadowing
• development, resume<01:26:59.600><c> building,</c><01:27:00.080><c> interview</c><01:27:00.400><c> prep
• ,</c><01:27:01.120><c> job</c> resume building, interview prep, job resume building, interview prep,

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• licensing you know it doesn't really regulate the quality of the food it regulates the area that is prepped
• licensing you know it doesn't really regulate the quality of the food it regulates the area that is prepped
• licensing you know it doesn't really regulate the quality of the food it regulates the area that is prepped
• You know, it doesn't really regulate the quality of the food; it regulates the area that is prepped,
• Area that is prepped, the coolness, the temperatures, those things that really don't deal with whether

Transcript Highlights:

• But it could all be prepped and then a... Right. Again, that’s...
• That transition time has been essential for prepping polling locations, deploying equipment, resolving
• That transition time has been essential for prepping polling locations, deploying equipment, resolving

Committee: House Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• road and relocation of a county owned road and necessary<00:45:55.640><c> site</c><00:45:55.960><c> prep
• </c><00:45:57.000><c> Required</c><00:45:57.440><c> local</c> necessary site prep work.
• Required local necessary site prep work.

Summary: The committee first approved the April 27 minutes and then received several informational reports, including University of Kentucky medical equipment purchases, UK’s use of $200 million in Ever funds for a public-private partnership, school district debt issuances, UK’s planned use of construction manager-at-risk delivery on five projects, Kentucky Communications Network Authority capital projects under House Bill 6, and 14 UK lease improvements. Members were told the House Bill 6 item was also being discussed in the Information Technology Oversight Committee and could return later if needed. The main action item was University of Kentucky’s request to approve a $600 million public-private partnership for central plants and utility infrastructure tied to the Chandler expansion. UK said it would shift $200 million from previously authorized restricted funds into the P3, leaving the project financed through private equity and nonprofit debt with no UK or Commonwealth debt. UK representatives said the project is necessary to support 24/7 hospital operations, expand and modernize utility systems, improve redundancy and efficiency, and reduce long-term operating risk. Members asked about the source of the availability payments, which UK said would come from UK Healthcare revenues, and the committee approved the P3 agreement unanimously. The committee also approved a UK lease renewal for a 20,000-square-foot College of Medicine annex near the Bowling Green Medical Center. UK said the lease costs $38 per square foot, or $912,000 annually, and supports medical education expansion in the region, including growth from 120 to 160 students over four years. Members voiced support for the local impact, and the lease passed unanimously. Later, the committee approved a Transportation Cabinet aviation project for two medium box hangars at Capital City Airport, funded by $1,153,000 in federal money and $950,000 from the Aviation Economic Development Fund, which is supported by a 6% jet fuel tax with a $1 million annual cap per company. Members asked about the fund balance, the cap, and airport revenue sources, and staff said the airport also receives entitlement and federal infrastructure funds and earns revenue from hangar rent and fuel sales. The committee then approved two Finance and Administration Cabinet pool projects: a roof and skylight replacement at the Libraries and Archives building and exterior repairs at several state buildings. Finally, the committee approved six Kentucky Infrastructure Authority action items after hearing about one loan increase for the Springfield Wastewater Treatment Plant and five grant reallocations tied to Cleaner Water Program and county allocation pool funds. Members asked why one project approved in 2024 was only now increasing, and KIA explained that design, water division review, environmental review, and bidding can take one to two years. KIA also reported additional no-action items, including a Brandenburg water grant split among two projects and 17 Kentucky Waters projects provided for information. The meeting ended with approval of the action items and no further action on the informational grants.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have prepped with the dog because they needed it. Those people have come to our office.
• They have prepped with the dog because they needed it, and when they are there.
• They have prepped with the dog because they needed it and when they are there.

Committee: House Judiciary

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary met on March 19, 2006, and considered a series of mostly local and judicial bills. Early action included HB 436, which authorizes appointment of honorably discharged veterans as park wardens; supporters said it would give veterans meaningful service roles and improve park safety. The committee adopted an amendment requiring honorable discharge, employment qualification compliance if hired by a public entity, and firearms training where applicable, then reported the bill favorably. The committee also advanced HB 16, extending the jurisdiction of the City Court of Franklin, and HB 44, which shifts certain blight-related hearings in St. Bernard Parish from the Bureau of Administrative Adjudication to justices of the peace and constables; members asked about appeals, fines, jurisdictional limits, and whether the change would affect HOAs, and the bill was reported favorably. Members then approved HB 61 creating Battle of New Orleans Day, with an amendment clarifying holiday language and adding a detailed historical commemoration of the battle and its diverse forces. HB 233, which raises juror mileage reimbursement from 16 cents per mile to the state travel rate, drew support but also concern about the cost to local governments; the sponsor and members discussed the fiscal impact, and the bill was reported favorably. HB 164, expanding commissioner powers in the 15th Judicial District Court, was also reported favorably after testimony that it would help manage caseloads and mirror procedures used in other districts. HB 455, defining public works employees as first responders for coordination and recognition purposes, generated extensive questions about emergency authority, FEMA reimbursement, workers’ compensation, liability, and unintended consequences; the committee deferred the bill to a later meeting for further review. The committee also approved HB 242, authorizing deputy constables in St. Tammany Parish at no state cost, and HB 10, making the Friday of the International Rice Festival a legal holiday in Acadia Parish. HB 9, designating Shreveport as the stuffed shrimp capital of Louisiana, was reported favorably after light discussion. HB 571, which would make permanent the complex litigation section program in the 19th Judicial District Court, was supported by judges and court staff who said it improves efficiency in large cases such as asbestos and hurricane litigation; it was reported favorably. Finally, HB 16 and several other local measures moved forward without objection, while the committee also heard a deeply personal presentation on HB 61 designating February 24 as SCN2A Awareness Day, later amended to honor Emily Catherine Diedon by name; members expressed sympathy, discussed genetic testing and access to care, and reported the bill favorably as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• And now they're looking at options where we may have to use this for demolition and site prep.
• Kim's prepped all this, and I'm jumping in. Go ahead, Kim.
• Kim's prepped all this, and I'm jumping in. Go ahead, Kim.

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• Coast Elite Basketball Tournament in Denver, Colorado, where he received praise and recognition from prep
• He completed high school at Mercersburg Academy, a college prep school, attended the University of Colorado
• Solomon, in addition to having a great personality, is a junior at Sandia Prep.

Bills: HB111 , HB103 , HB60 , HB108 , HB120 , HB145 , HB154 , HB164 , HB291 , HJR6 , HR1 , HJM2 , HJM3 , HJM1 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM32 , HM13 , HM47 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50 , HB38 , HB47 , HB63 , HB64 , HB127 , HB165 , HB184 , HB200 , HM20 , HM51

Keywords: water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance

Transcript Highlights:

• We have started communication with some of the counties and are having even for the tax prep And things
• That, but we're adding additional elements to the services like audit prep services.
• recommendations: you need to add another facet to this program, and so we're going to be Launching audit prep

Transcript Highlights:

• We spend on average at Cushing ISD 18 days prepping for or giving the STAAR test.
• We spend on average at Cushing ISD 18 days prepping for or giving the start test.
• Prepping for or giving the start test. That's 10% of our school year. That's way too much.

Bills: HB4 , HB20

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, fraudulent solicitation, disaster relief, nonprofit organizations, criminal penalties, consumer protection, fraud prevention, charitable donations

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2853, which would allow the UT System Board of Regents to adjust the University of Texas at El Paso student union fee above the current statutory cap, subject to student approval, to help fund a new student union building. Senator Blanco explained the bill and the committee substitute, there were no questions or witnesses, public testimony was closed, and the committee adopted the substitute and left the bill pending subject to the call of the chair. The committee then heard House Bill 610, which would limit severance payments for terminated independent school district superintendents to six months’ salary and benefits. Senator Paxton described large severance payouts and said the bill had passed the House overwhelmingly. There were no witnesses, public testimony was closed, and the bill was left pending. A lengthy hearing followed on House Bill 4623, which would waive school district immunity in certain cases involving negligent hiring, supervision, or employment of professional school employees who commit abuse or related misconduct against students. Senator Paxton and several witnesses, including survivors and parents, argued the bill was needed to address cover-ups, delayed reporting, and repeated failures to remove dangerous employees; some members raised concerns about liability caps, litigation, and how the bill would interact with the Tort Claims Act. The committee also heard from TEA staff and employee-group witnesses who discussed possible injunctions and stronger no-hire protections. Public testimony was then closed and the bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 4, an accountability and assessment bill that would restore A-F ratings, change the state testing system, and replace STAAR with shorter, more instructionally useful assessments. Senator Bettencourt explained the committee substitute, including annual ratings, limits on taxpayer-funded lawsuits, and a phased-in testing redesign with beginning, middle, and end-of-year assessments. Testimony was generally supportive from education and business groups, though some witnesses favored norm-referenced testing while others emphasized criterion-referenced, TEKS-aligned assessments; one witness noted social studies assessments were restored in the bill. The hearing concluded with additional invited testimony and no final vote reported in the transcript.