Transcript Highlights:

• There are eight types of nursing licenses, one level of certification that began in 2005, and one level
• order to be licensed, and advanced practice registered nurses are required to obtain national certification
• The LPNs in Arkansas receive a certificate.
• The LPNs in Arkansas receive a certification of graduation.
• I mean, we print certificates, so there’s ink, there’s paper, there’s some staff time.

Summary: The Occupational Licensing Review Subcommittee met to review two occupational licensing reports: the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and the State Board of Registration for Professional Soil Classifiers. For nursing, board officials described the board’s history, scope, and licensure categories, noting it regulates about 72,000 nurses and oversees RNs, LPNs, advanced practice nurses, medication assistants, and a new dialysis patient care technician registry. Members asked about workforce shortages, complaint types, and the board’s finances; the board said Arkansas has enough licensed nurses overall but has vacancy issues in some areas, complaints commonly involve criminal backgrounds, fraud, misrepresentation, drug abuse, and misappropriation, and the average case length is 191 days though some cases remain open much longer while awaiting criminal adjudication. Officials also said they are working on efficiency improvements and have added help positions with Department of Health support. The report was accepted without objection. The committee then reviewed the soil classifier program, now housed under the Natural Resources Commission after the former board was abolished in 2023. Agriculture Department officials explained that soil classifiers are a small, specialized profession requiring a four-year degree with coursework in biological, earth, and soil sciences, and that the state currently has 29 registered soil classifiers. Members asked whether that number is sufficient, what the work involves, and how the program’s finances are used. Officials said the profession is mainly used for septic system design, wetland determinations, nutrient management, and other soil-related work, and that current staffing appears adequate. They also noted the program has about $20,000 in reserves, above the statutory three-year balance, and discussed possible uses such as training, curriculum upgrades, and expanded administrative funding. The report was also accepted without objection, and the meeting adjourned with the next meeting scheduled for February 19 at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um we'll stand also alternate language.
• at it to see if maybe that language at it to see if maybe that language should<00:44:27.200>
• Um, does the department is okay with that language or— >> We support that language. >> It is broad and
• having them included in this language. having them included in this language.
• We'll insert language from section 3 of HB 2323 to replace language on page 11, line 2 of HB 1514.

Bills: SB3082, SB3110, SB3251

Keywords: military families, family leave, qualifying military exigency, Hawaii Revised Statutes, financial support, Hawaii National Guard, civil-military program, education, collective bargaining, exemption, SB3251, Hawaii public safety, ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Border Patrol, law enforcement hiring, state employment ban, police powers, Department of Law Enforcement, DLNR

Transcript Highlights:

• Then the industry certifications are the purple, the college certificates are the green, and then the
• here for the culinary certificate here for the culinary certificate students<00:28:42.080> learn
• <00:31:17.039> programs Fields our career certificate programs Fields our career certificate
• I chose a Health and Human Services certificate at MICC.
• chance to get that Workforce certificate chance to get that Workforce certificate but<00:56:49.880

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It mandates an unprecedented change in language and font on the DHH website.
• correct the language in a new amendment? correct the language in a new amendment?
• , which is a program certification currently in action by the DOT.
• DOT said more and more applicators are getting the Green Snow Pro certification.
• DOT said more and more applicators are getting the Green Snow Pro certification.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It also amended the motor vehicle kill switch language. That is the amendment. Okay.
• , we believe the language that's being added.
• We do not believe that language needs to be struck through. Thank you. Thank you. William B.
• So those are our concerns with the unintended consequences of that tampering language. Thank you.
• This bill restructures the language regarding criteria for involuntary placement or treatment.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice considered and reported favorably a series of criminal justice, corrections, and public safety bills. Among the measures approved were SB 468, increasing penalties for fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement and allowing impoundment of involved vehicles; SB 1136, tightening age-related criminal offense provisions and clarifying that ignorance or misrepresentation of a victim’s age is not a defense in covered cases; SB 144, which was described as a broad public safety measure addressing law enforcement tools, AI/body camera use, concealed carry licensing exemptions for law enforcement, blood testing after exposure incidents, and related matters; and SB 1782, creating a dangerous excessive speeding offense for extreme speeding conduct. The committee also approved SB 964 on objective parole guidelines, SB 1450 giving law enforcement discretion on immediate arrest of individuals with significant medical conditions in nursing home or assisted living settings, SB 612 closing a loophole related to charging minors in drug-distribution deaths, SB 1838 protecting court officials from tampering, harassment, and retaliation, SB 776 adding an aggravating factor for assassination or attempted assassination of a head of state, and SB 716 imposing mandatory minimums for certain sexual offenses committed by registered sex offenders or predators. Several bills drew notable testimony and debate. SB 1804, which would make sex trafficking of a child under 12 or a mentally incapacitated person a capital offense, received strong support from the sponsor and some members who argued it was needed to address the most heinous trafficking cases, but it also drew opposition from the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and others who argued the death penalty should not be expanded to non-homicide crimes and would be unconstitutional, costly, and retraumatizing to victims. SB 1604 on corrections, which included provisions on inmate litigation, limitations periods, tracking devices, and involuntary mental health treatment, prompted questions about inmate rights, accountability, and possible abuse; the sponsor said the bill was intended to balance access to claims with institutional safety and to continue refining the language. SB 1838 also drew concerns from criminal defense lawyers about possible unintended effects on attorneys, and the sponsor said he would work on clarifying the language. The committee adopted amendments on several bills, including a substitute amendment to SB 144 that removed some provisions for further work, added first responder-related provisions, and adjusted motor vehicle kill-switch language; an amendment to SB 1136 changing the age threshold and refining luring/enticement language; a strike-all amendment to SB 964 limiting retroactivity and focusing on presumptive parolees; and a delete-all amendment to SB 1604 that revised multiple provisions, including tracking devices and consecutive sentencing under 10-20 Life. Most bills were reported favorably by roll call, with SB 776 and SB 1804 passing despite recorded no votes from some members. The chair closed by noting it was the committee’s final meeting of the session and thanked members before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• The problem with that is the equipment that's necessary to produce the registration certificate or decal
• certificate or decal that<01:10:12.880> the<01:10:13.040> law<01:10:13.199> requires
• The language that you're referring to with regard to a award converting into a judgment addresses awards
• > referring<01:39:21.119> to the language that you're referring to the language that you're
• allows the claimant to that language allows the claimant to convert<01:39:51.840> their<01:39

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first adopted the September 5 minutes and then approved the remaining consent calendar items after removing several bills for separate consideration, including 25-252, 25-248, 25-251, and 25-253. The committee then took up 25-252 from the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, where members asked about the arts tax credit program, staffing, and volunteer coordination. Department representatives said the program had recently been authorized, forms had been finalized, three of six laid-off staff had been rehired through a federal grant, and the agency was now trying to recruit participants. Members also discussed whether tax-credit-raised funds could count as federal match; the department said they could not, because federal rules require state dollars. The item was adopted. The committee next considered 25-248 from the Department of Safety, which was described as a technical correction moving funds from equipment to hardware and software after consultation with the Department of Administrative Services. A member asked about “buy American” waivers, and the department said it would follow up with more information. The item was adopted. The committee then approved 25-251 from the Department of Administrative Services, which included discussion of ongoing problems with Anthem’s retiree health plan mail-order pharmacy. Department staff said many issues were tied to implementation changes and prescription renewal rules, that some complaints were being resolved through the vendor and the retiree health office, and that the contract would be rebid in the coming year, likely causing further changes. On 25-253 from the Department of Health and Human Services, members questioned the department’s September 5 health alert and whether it diverged from CDC guidance. DHHS said the alert was an annual evidence-based guideline for respiratory virus season and immunizations, largely aligned with CDC recommendations, and that some differences reflected timing and population-specific guidance. The item was adopted. The committee then heard 25-237 from the Department of Justice on the annual litigation fund request. Attorney General John Formela said the request was about $4.3 million, roughly 40% below last year and below the five-year average, with major costs tied to YDC civil and criminal litigation and some DHHS class actions. A member criticized the large increase over the budgeted $350,000 and said the budgeting approach should be corrected in the next cycle. Another member asked about YDC settlement reductions; the attorney general said confidentiality limited specifics, but explained that under the new statute the office had accepted well over half of administrator awards, rejected some, and negotiated lower amounts in others while still resolving most cases. The item remained under discussion at the end of the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:07:19.520> that no issue with adding some language that no issue with adding some language
• are you opposed to additional language are you opposed to additional language or<00:07:44.639>
• <00:08:38.399> in but but I'll I want that language in but but I'll I want that language in
• He explained that the language would look familiar because it was the language previously entered on
• :27.599> entered<00:45:27.920> on language that we had entered on language that we had

Keywords: Judiciary, Division B - Room 409, 25 February, 2026; 9:00 A.M., 925, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 611, which would require the Mississippi Board of Law Enforcement Standards and Training to provide discovery to an officer facing suspension of certification. Representative Burch said officers currently may receive only a brief notice of alleged misconduct without access to the underlying information, and the bill would give them the materials related to the infraction. There were no questions, and the committee approved the motion by voice vote. The next measure, House Bill 1142, would modernize notice requirements for judgment nisi and bench warrants by allowing clerks to notify bail agents electronically or by personal notice instead of certified mail. Representative Owen said the change would reduce county costs, align bail-agent notice with the electronic notice already used for attorneys, and had support from the clerks’ association. Senators asked whether notice would still appear on MEC, and Owen said attorneys already receive notice there and bail agents could receive it electronically as well. The committee then adopted the motion by voice vote. The committee then heard House Bill 1404, sponsored by Representative Yates, creating the crime of fraudulent utility conversion. Yates explained the bill was aimed at apartment complexes and other landlords that collect utility payments from tenants as part of rent but fail to remit those funds to the utility provider, citing large unpaid water bills and similar legislation in Louisiana. Senators raised concerns about intent, possible criminal liability for landlords or LLCs when utility bills are delayed, faulty, or disputed, and the severity of penalties, which could reach 20 years in prison for higher amounts. Yates said she was open to adding intentional-conduct language and clarified the bill targets those who collect tenant utility money and do not remit it, not tenants themselves. Members discussed possible amendments, including adding mens rea language and a defense for disputed bills, but no final action on the bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• establish requirements and certification establish requirements and certification for<00:26:56.080
• <00:54:25.920> for appreciate the inclusion of language for appreciate the inclusion of language
• So, my other um initial language.
• . language. language.
• <01:53:27.920> is and areas where guardrail language is and areas where guardrail language

Bills: HF2434

Keywords: healthcare, personal care assistance, worker retention, disability services, state funding, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• $150 billion... in debt, and while this cannot be attributed entirely to tax increment bonds and certificates
• The new language in the committee substitute refers to revenue sent from a park board.
• This committee substitute language removes that function in large part.
• All municipalities over the entire state of Texas who receive HOT, as well as punitive language aimed
• The committee's substitute clarifies some language regarding the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's

Bills: SB317, SB1250, SB1520, SB1950, SB2298, SB2532, SB2539, SB2747, SB2925, SB2993

Keywords: monuments, memorials, public property, historical significance, civil penalties, local governance, project financing zone, municipal tax revenue, convention centers, multipurpose arenas, infrastructure development, hike and bike trails, outdoor recreation, environmental stewardship, Bicentennial Trail, Texas history, cultural heritage, unemployment benefits, eligibility, Texas Workforce Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• When I look at some of this language, I see situations where quite frankly, we would have HIPPA preempting
• This man meant amendment simply clarifies language on the certified paramedics in in the course of providing
• And one last question for me as far as a language in your bill, what are the mechanisms in place to,
• First, the Department of Health's and reviewing the bill made some suggestions and we added some language
• And so all we're trying to do is cut actually codified some language so that it's clear as to the that's

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:18:12.479> They whole language and all that? Yeah. They whole language and all that?
• <03:05:43.520> is invest in, but because the language is invest in, but because the language
• <03:10:56.240> as House as they reviewed this language as House as they reviewed this language
• this type of language. this type of language.
• that's been replaced with new language that's been replaced with new language at<04:33:38.080>

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 2389, replace the new certificates and environmental compatibility. Natural Resources.
• HB 2170, program, language, acquisition, grain. HB 2239, child kill great, crampton fund.
• Needless to say, if I change the language in the House and the governor doesn't like it, the governor

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• disorder, with our presenters being from Maine Health, who also offer tobacco treatment specialist certification
• I do think that either the legislation or the language in the settlement agreements are generally focused
• Is it something that you can adjust the language or something to get a better return, or is that just

Transcript Highlights:

• initiatives to improve air quality, such as working with law enforcement to combat fraudulent inspection certificates
• We'd like to see it mention something about local initiative projects and part of the language, and I'll
• Uh, the bill makes a change in language of prioritization. Um, so they're eligible for these.

Bills: HB205

Keywords: disaster recovery, economic development, grants, loans, infrastructure support

Transcript Highlights:

• The confirmation process begins when the Senate receives the appointment letter, certificate of appointment
• I'm sure you'll advise us in writing as to how you think we should proceed with proposed statutory language
• Please provide those recommendations in writing, along with any proposed statutory language that you

Summary: The Senate Committee on Ethics and Elections convened, established a quorum, and members introduced themselves and the committee staff. Chair Gaetz outlined the committee’s jurisdiction over election law, ethics law, executive appointments, and related confirmations, and described the committee’s process for handling gubernatorial nominations and member concerns about nominees. The committee then received a briefing from the Florida Commission on Ethics on its 2025 legislative priorities and on implementation of Senate Bill 7014 from the prior year. The commission recommended three changes: expanding the definition of “relative” in the gift law to include current and former foster parents and foster children; authorizing salary withholding to help collect civil penalties and restitution; and adding whistleblower-like protections for people who file ethics complaints. Commission staff also explained how SB 7014 changed complaint processing by requiring allegations to be based on personal knowledge or non-hearsay information and by imposing new deadlines for legal sufficiency review, investigations, and advocates’ recommendations. They said the commission has adapted its intake and review process and is currently meeting the new timelines, though the tighter deadlines may create staffing and scheduling challenges. Commission counsel also provided an update on two active lawsuits. One challenges the constitutional in-office lobbying ban, and the other challenges the requirement that elected municipal officers and mayors file Form 6 financial disclosure forms. The committee discussed the impact of the new complaint standards, the possibility of litigation if deadlines are missed, and whether local ethics boards are implementing SB 7014 similarly. Members expressed support for the commission’s work and asked for written legislative recommendations and proposed statutory language. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our certification is our certification, but our CEUs are where we have the opportunity to sort of address
• Our certification<00:49:24.880> is<00:49:25.119> our<00:49:25.280> certification
• <00:49:25.839> but certification is our certification but certification is our certification but
• Um, we also explored voluntary certification for supervisors.
• And that's a operator certification.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting began with roll call, adoption of the minutes, and brief remarks, including birthday recognition for Representative Maseroni and a moment of reflection for a soldier who died during training at Fort Knox. The committee then heard a presentation from Tony Hatton, commissioner of the Department for Environmental Protection and acting director of the Kentucky Division of Water, with Amanda Lefer, deputy commissioner, on the state’s water and wastewater programs and planning. Hatton described Kentucky’s water resources and the Division of Water’s responsibilities, including watershed and nonpoint source work, KPDES discharge permitting, PFAS response, engineering review of water infrastructure, inspections, public outreach, and sampling. He said Kentucky has 428 public water systems, 263 water treatment plants, about 1.9 million service connections, and nearly 97% of the population has access to municipally treated water. He also noted that the state has 43 systems receiving awards for EPA areawide optimization and emphasized operator training, regionalization, and use of GIS mapping and Kentucky Infrastructure Authority data to support planning and funding decisions. Members raised concerns about aging infrastructure, water loss, staffing shortages, and wastewater problems in local systems. Representative Blandon described severe failures in a city system, including major water loss and sewer backups, and asked whether the state could intervene; Hatton said the division inspects treatment facilities and provides compliance assistance but is not authorized to manage delivery systems, though third-party help and emergency funding can be used in some cases. Senator Smith and others shared similar experiences with line loss and system failures, while Hatton pointed to regionalization and funding support as the main tools available. The discussion also highlighted PFAS as an emerging issue, with Hatton saying the department is working with systems to meet anticipated federal requirements by 2029.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 407, enacting a certificate of need. Representative Proctor.
• House Bill 409, an act relating to certificate of need. Representative Proctor.
• enacting a certificate of need. enacting a certificate of need.
• <00:18:54.000> Representative to certificate of need.
• Representative to certificate of need. Representative Proctor. Proctor. Proctor.

Keywords: Video Starts 00:00 Convene 07:18 Calendar/Second Readings 12:04 Report of Committees 12:31 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 13:30 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 16:50 Recess for ConC and Rules Meeting 20:44 ConC and Rules Report 23:01 Adjournment 25:50, 958, all

Summary: The House convened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum with 95 members present. Members approved excusing absences, suspended rules to allow co-sponsorships and vote modifications, and approved the journal from January 14, 2026. The clerk reported second readings of House Bills 176, 184, and 265, and the Health Services Committee reported favorably on House Bills 178 and 280, as well as House Joint Resolution 24, which would direct the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to withdraw a previously submitted 1115A waiver application for a mandatory community engagement program; those measures were advanced to first reading and placed on the calendar. During announcements, members noted a KPA breakfast the next morning, a House Committee on Local Government meeting cancellation, a POB meeting after adjournment, a “Bags of Hope” service project for children in foster care, an open house for higher education leaders, and a Legislative Oversight and Investigation Committee meeting after adjournment. The House then received a large batch of new bill and resolution introductions covering school bus safety, education, literacy funding, local public agency transactions, Alzheimer’s services, tax-dollar restrictions, curriculum, public holidays, trophy catfish, electric generating unit decommissioning costs, sexual offenses against children, fertility treatment, medicinal cannabis, workers’ compensation, occupational license fees, pension supplemental payments, certificate of need, end-of-life patient-directed care, risk protection orders, affordable housing, physician continuing medical education, constitutional term limits for governor and lieutenant governor, jail booking procedures, educators, farmland preservation loans, domestic violence, and several resolutions including Burn Awareness Week, Profound Autism Day, and Suits and Sneakers Day. The House recessed for a Committee on Committees meeting, then received the committee’s report assigning numerous bills to standing committees and making several membership changes, including appointing Representatives Burke, Gentry, and Camuel to specified committees and removing Representatives Gentry, Watkins, and Stevenson from others. No floor amendments were introduced. The House then adjourned by unanimous consent until 9:00 a.m. Friday, January 16, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our cultures, languages, histories, and communities deserve to be recognized within California's education
• There's no word in the Filipino language for boundaries. I mean, sit with that.
• There's no word in the Filipino language for boundaries. I mean, sit with that.
• AB 2121 also adds transparency requirements through annual district certifications and includes a sunset
• federal grant amounts, as well as language stating that districts must maintain 50% law compliance.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He had language. And then my sister, she wrote like three pages of nonstop narration.
• And we don't want to see our language die.
• Constitution, state and federal law, treaty language, and court decisions.
• If so, could you possibly give us some language to have at that next meeting?
• Putra is able to bring forth some legislative language fix?

Summary: The Tribal and State Relations Committee met at Standing Rock with tribal council members, state legislators, and agency representatives to discuss state-tribal coordination and local priorities. Early discussion focused on process concerns, including the short agenda time and the need for better communication, more advance notice, and more relevant state department staff at future meetings. Tribal leaders asked for lists of state tribal liaisons and bills affecting tribes, and state members said they would follow up, share grant and deadline information, and plan another meeting in Bismarck with program experts and agency staff. A major portion of the meeting centered on health, child welfare, law enforcement, housing, infrastructure, and sovereignty issues. Tribal speakers said rural health transformation funding and other state programs often do not fit direct-service tribes or IHS-funded systems, and they raised concerns about Medicaid, ICWA, foster care delays, human service zones, housing shortages, and the placement of Native children off-reservation. They also discussed missing and murdered Indigenous people, search-and-rescue cooperation, cross-deputization, extradition and banishment ordinances, and the need for stronger law enforcement partnerships that respect tribal sovereignty. Other concerns included poor roads, water and sewer needs in Sioux County communities, census accuracy, and the impact of data centers and other development on water and health. Economic development and regulatory issues were also discussed. Standing Rock representatives raised concerns about charitable gaming and e-pull tabs, saying the machines function like Class III gaming and have harmed tribal revenue while spreading into local businesses. They also described problems with county-issued fireworks permits and state/county liquor licensing rules that they said undermine tribal authority within reservation boundaries. In response, legislators said the committee would continue to look at these issues, and one member suggested possible legislation such as limiting e-tabs near tribal lands. The committee also heard from Joseph McNeil of Sage Development Authority about a 235-megawatt wind project on tribal, allotted, and fee land; he said federal permitting delays have stalled the project and asked for state support to help move it forward. The meeting concluded with a presentation from Dave Archambo of Wojou, a nonprofit focused on land regeneration, buffalo, food sovereignty, cultural programming, and youth wellness. He described the organization’s work on buffalo processing, gardening, fishing, hunting, language, and arts programs, and framed it as a response to historical trauma and community healing. The committee then broke for lunch and planned to resume with the Wojou presentation after the recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:16:27.360> learners, education, English language learners, education, English language
• language language would<01:32:22.320> suspend would suspend would suspend existing<01:32:24.639
• Um, as a 77G passed this language.
• <04:19:34.319> And one-year certificate of eligibility.
• And one-year certificate of eligibility.

Keywords: 1189, house, all