Transcript Highlights:

• . >> It's an academic process, is what you're saying. >> It's an academic.
• It is an academic process. >> Correct. >> Okay, because one of the things I'm talking about now is how
• we're changing our academic processes.

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Health Services heard Senate Bill 18, a bill described by the sponsor and podiatry witnesses as a modernization of Kentucky’s podiatry laws. The bill would recognize and regulate podiatric assistants, podiatric residents, and supervising podiatrists; allow podiatrists to supervise physician assistants in podiatry practices with approval from the relevant licensing boards; require new podiatrists licensed after January 1, 2027 to complete at least two years of residency; and extend disciplinary authority to the new categories. Witnesses said the measure would improve access to foot and ankle care, especially in rural areas, without expanding scope of practice. The Kentucky Medical Association was said to be neutral after working on the language with the sponsors. Committee members raised concerns about the meaning of “supervision,” whether it required direct or indirect oversight, and whether the bill could broaden billing or coding privileges. Dr. Roberts said supervision could mean direct supervision or indirect supervision, including being available by telephone, and noted the bill mirrors language used in allopathic PA supervision. He also said the bill would not change office staff billing roles and that podiatric assistants would not bill separately. Several senators said they supported moving the bill forward but remained concerned about workforce, cost, and scope creep. The committee adopted a committee substitute, then voted on the bill. The motion passed unanimously with favorable expression. After the vote, the committee moved on to a presentation on outpatient pediatric therapies, where providers described Medicaid reimbursement pressures, workforce turnover, and long waiting lists for children’s therapy services, but no action was taken on that presentation in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it would just be in addition to what we already have as far as the health academic standards that
• <00:38:58.320><c> health</c> already have as far as the health already have as far as the health academic
• 59.680><c> that</c><00:38:59.920><c> talk</c><00:39:00.079><c> about</c><00:39:00.880><c> um</c> academic
• standards that talk about um academic standards that talk about um sexual<00:39:01.440><c> behaviors

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Project-based learning allows students to apply academic knowledge directly to real-world construction
• allows students project-based learning allows students to<00:04:40.000><c> apply</c><00:04:40.400><c> academic
• c><00:04:40.880><c> knowledge</c><00:04:41.320><c> directly</c><00:04:41.639><c> to</c> to apply academic
• knowledge directly to to apply academic knowledge directly to real<00:04:42.039><c> word</c><00:04:42.320

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 46, which would allow lottery winners of $1 million or more to remain anonymous. After brief discussion and a motion with a second, the committee approved the bill unanimously and sent it to the House floor. Members then heard House Bill 54, a workforce and education measure aimed at aligning dual credit and project-based learning with licensed construction trades and other high-demand careers. The sponsor and witness said the bill is intended to help students meet both education and on-the-job training requirements, address labor shortages, and speed entry into the trades. Several members raised concerns about possible abuse of internships, the need for input from unions and other trade groups, and the amount of authority left to the Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction to write regulations. The sponsor said the bill does not replace current hands-on training requirements and expressed willingness to continue discussions. The committee passed the bill, with some members explaining their votes as conditional or in hopes of further amendments. The committee also approved House Bill 261, which would let retired CPAs provide certain uncompensated services, such as nonprofit work, while retaining their CPA designation, and would create a retirement-based CPE waiver for those limited services. A question from Representative Donworth focused on how retired CPAs would disclose their status to nonprofits; the board representative said retired status is noted in board records, but there is currently no separate requirement governing use of the CPA designation. The bill passed. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 262, which would remove restrictions on small CPA firm names after an owner dies or retires. The sponsor said Kentucky is an outlier because current law requires the remaining owner to change the firm name. The bill passed unanimously. After that, the chair turned the gavel over to the vice chair and began presenting House Bill 306, which would change engineering education requirements for licensure, especially to help Eastern Kentucky University fire protection engineering technology graduates qualify for licensure in Kentucky rather than leaving the state. The sponsor and witnesses explained that the bill would not change the rest of the PE licensure pathway, only the education component, and said most other states already allow this route. Members noted that engineers may have concerns and encouraged continued discussions before the bill advances further.

Transcript Highlights:

• into the classroom where the students actually are, where they want to learn, and I think that this achieves
• That is a major problem, and we wonder why academic achievement has failed.
• This bill will help us achieve that goal. Representative Livingston, thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• make sure that I was doing my part to serve our country in a manner because we have a persistent achievement
• father, grandfather, mentor, and friend, believing that the true measure of a life is not what we achieve

Transcript Highlights:

• TPCA has studied the idea of regulation and found it to not be achievable.
• not being regulated, and they are savvy. ...to know that additional regulation will never be an achievable
• Teen marijuana use can result in difficulty with problem-solving, academic performance, and even work
• These are achievable safeguards that protect both consumers and the industry.
• I ask you to recognize that one way to achieve compliance, as opposed to having the pro se litigant go

Bills: SB5 , SB11 , SB12 , SB 5 , SB 11 , SB 12

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• hub of bioresearch and biotech, and I'm wondering: Boston certainly has huge medical facilities, academic
• research facilities, federal funding to support their research and their academic and clinical practices
• hub of bioresearch and biotech, and I'm wondering: Boston certainly has huge medical facilities, academic
• Boston certainly has huge medical facilities, academic research facilities, federal funding to support
• their research and their academic and clinical practices.

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• 42.560><c> time</c> DEI essentially includes elements of racial discrimination for the purposes of achieving
• business schools rankings and stands as the highest-ranking public business school in New England for academic
• business schools rankings and stands as the highest-ranking public business school in New England for academic
• business schools rankings and stands as the highest-ranking public business school in New England for academic
• Academic experience and career outcomes. And you're going to cut their budget.

Summary: The meeting was a House budget briefing focused on the overall state budget and the first of three divisions. The presenter reviewed the size and structure of the budget, noting that the state had eliminated the interest and dividends tax and still balanced the budget. He explained the major spending categories in the general fund and total budget, emphasizing that health and human services and education remain the largest areas, while transportation is largely self-funded. He also walked through the revenue picture, including business taxes, insurance taxes, court fees, communications taxes, and Medicaid recoveries, and said the remaining interest and dividends tax revenue reflected late payments from prior assessments. Members asked about the size of the tax cut from eliminating the interest and dividends tax, federal funding stability, and why Medicaid was being reduced if federal support was expected to remain steady. The response was that the lost revenue would have been about $200 million absent repeal, and that the budget gap was addressed through many small cuts across departments. On federal funds, the presenter said most aid is tied to multi-year grants and that core programs such as Medicare and Medicaid were expected to remain relatively stable, though some federal reductions could occur. He also said some agency reductions came from eliminating long-vacant, funded positions and from expected lapses. The discussion then moved into Division One, which covers smaller and miscellaneous agencies. The division made cuts to the governor’s office, eliminated a temporary position at the Governor’s Commission on Disability, reduced Department of Information Technology spending through a back-of-budget cut, and found savings in Administrative Services. It also delayed maintenance at the Sununu Youth Services Center, stopped advertising for paid family medical leave, changed retiree health insurance funding, and consolidated several personnel-related boards into one. The division eliminated the Commission on Aging and the Office of the Child Advocate, made a temporary special education advocate position permanent, reduced the Secretary of State’s budget, kept municipal rooms-and-meals distributions flat, and made changes to the retirement system, including $55 million to improve Group 2 retirement benefits and a new retirement structure for future state hires. The judicial branch was also asked to find savings and received two additional judges because of expected caseload increases from other eliminations.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill asks us to do more than academic researchers do.
• bill asks us to do more than academic researchers<01:11:06.640><c> do.
• It’d be impossible for this board to achieve.
• But all this takes an enormous amount of time, and that’s what you do when you’re an academic: it’s your
• is your research project and academic is your research project and then<01:17:28.880><c> you</c><01:

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• You talk about academic support and the things that we do.
• ><00:31:41.120><c> you</c><00:31:41.440><c> talk</c><00:31:41.600><c> about</c><00:31:41.840><c> academic
• Um, you talk about academic support us.
• Um, you talk about academic support and<00:31:42.880><c> the</c><00:31:43.039><c> things</c><00:31:43.200
• Not only do they support you academically, but they support you in and out of the classroom and whatever

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from Kentucky Recovery Vocational Workforce and Re-entry Incorporated, led by Executive Director Jerick D'vor, on its vocational training model for people in recovery and formerly incarcerated individuals. He said the nonprofit operates in Russell Springs and serves students from across Kentucky, offering manufacturing and welding training tied to recovery services through Spark Recovery. D'vor emphasized that the program combines treatment, soft-skills coaching, job placement, and continued support after employment, arguing that training should begin around 90 days into recovery rather than earlier. He reported strong outcomes, including 292 students served, 259 certificates earned, and 250 job placements, with many participants placed in manufacturing jobs and 17 welders trained and placed through the new welding academy. Members praised the program but asked about funding, retention, and employability barriers. D'vor said the pilot was supported by opioid abatement grant funding, and the program now relies mainly on donor contributions and Spark Recovery’s investment in clients, with possible future support from additional opioid abatement funds or 1915(i) mechanisms. He said participants are not charged tuition and that the organization provides soft-skills training and job coaches. In response to questions about long-term outcomes, he said the program does not yet have a full alumni tracking system but is exploring technology options and continues to provide post-employment support for 90 days. After approving the committee minutes, members received an update on college athletics and Senate Bill 3 from University of Louisville Athletic Director Josh Heird and University of Kentucky Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart. They said Kentucky’s NIL framework and reporting requirements are working reasonably well and praised the state for not trying to create a competitive advantage in the evolving college sports environment. Heird reported that 521 student-athletes have signed up for NILGO and about 240 deals have been approved through the system, while noting the need to ensure NIL agreements are legitimate marketplace deals rather than artificial payments. The discussion also touched on the House settlement, the $600 approval threshold, and broader federal changes affecting college athletics.

Transcript Highlights:

• font> <font color="aaaaaa">fee going towards need-based </font> <font color="aaaaaa">scholarships, academic
• > <font color="aaaaaa">programs, athletic programs in </font> <font color="aaaaaa">scholarships, academic
• So </font> <font color="aaaaaa">does does a lot of academics </font> <font color="aaaaaa">play, I went
• So </font> <font color="aaaaaa">does does a lot of academics </font> <font color="aaaaaa">there, which
• is impressive, </font> <font color="aaaaaa">does does a lot of academics </font> <font color="aaaaaa

Transcript Highlights:

• consumers of chiropractic services, applicants and licensees, students and faculty in chiropractic academic
• consumers of chiropractic services, applicants and licensees, students and faculty in chiropractic academic
• consumers of chiropractic services, applicants and licensees, students and faculty in chiropractic academic
• students and faculty<00:26:15.960><c> in</c><00:26:16.159><c> Chiropractic</c><00:26:16.840><c> academic
• </c> faculty in Chiropractic academic faculty in Chiropractic academic programs<00:26:18.320><c> other

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 1059 by Joint Budget: An act for the Department of Education, Division of Public School Academic

Transcript Highlights:

• The earlier we provide services, the greater changes of academic and life success for all of our students

Keywords: special education, funding, equity, advocacy, Texas Legislature, SB568, HB2, disabilities

Summary: This was a press conference calling on the Texas Legislature to increase and reform funding for special education, with speakers arguing that the current system leaves a roughly $1.7 billion gap and forces districts to stretch general education dollars to cover mandated services. Sabrina Gonzalez Ocedo of The Arc of Texas opened by framing the issue as one of equity and self-determination for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and noted support for legislative efforts including Senate Bill 568 and House Bill 2. She also thanked a coalition of advocacy groups and legislators involved in special education funding work. Representative Steve Toth spoke in favor of investing surplus dollars in special education, citing high rates of functional illiteracy and dyslexia among prison populations and saying earlier intervention could change life outcomes. Amy Litzinger described how accommodations and assistive technology helped her succeed in school and urged continued investment so other students can access similar supports. Sarah Harden, a parent and disability advocate, shared her daughter’s positive experience in a well-supported district but warned that many Texas districts cannot provide comparable services because of funding shortages and that families are increasingly worried about cuts. Rachel Hull, a special education director, said well-resourced special education is transformational and outlined the need for individualized services, therapies, vocational training, and college readiness supports. Jean Mayer, a school trustee, said districts are struggling to meet state and federal requirements because funding does not match actual costs, pointing to staffing shortages and the need for parent engagement and professional development. The speakers repeatedly urged lawmakers to fully fund Senate Bill 568 and broader special education reforms this session; no votes were taken, as this was an advocacy event rather than a committee hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's in the law that we have to achieve the 6 percent error rate or That's his tie.
• I would assert that it unfairly penalizes those who have achieved financial independence despite significant
• strengthens the accessibility and timeliness of our government services to Floridians and will help achieve
• students being given opportunities to share culture, share experiences, and share in the entire academic

Summary: The Appropriations Committee considered a large agenda of bills and reported several measures favorably. Early action included SB 6, a settled claim bill involving the Department of Children and Families and a trust for Leila Estrada and Sapphire Williams, and CS/CS/SB 1266, which creates a cybersecurity experiential learning and clearance-readiness program through the Department of Commerce and Cyber Florida. The committee also approved SB 532 on clerks of court funding, allowing clerks to retain all excess Article V revenue rather than returning half to the state and clarifying foreclosure sale procedures. In addition, the committee passed CS/CS/SB 1602 and CS/CS/SB 1604 to create and fund a pilot housing program for veterans through the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, and CS/SB 1110 to expand Medicaid and private insurance coverage for medically necessary orthotics and prosthetics, including testimony from affected families and advocates. The committee also adopted an amendment and then favorably reported CS/CS/SB 1012 on inmate services, removing the bill’s medical-services compensation provisions while retaining changes to the inmate welfare trust fund and related facility uses. It also adopted a delete-all amendment and then favorably reported CS/CS/CS/SB 1614, which was narrowed to remove a provision allowing local governments to use excess fees to construct new buildings. The committee spent substantial time on CS/SB 17, a Medicaid oversight and transparency bill. The sponsor said the measure would create a joint legislative Medicaid oversight committee, authorize the Legislature to retain its own actuary, modernize Medicaid statutes, strengthen managed-care performance standards, and increase accountability for pharmacy benefit managers and related entities. After amendment, the committee adopted changes removing several PBM-related provisions while retaining the broader oversight framework. Testimony from supporters emphasized transparency, fraud prevention, and cost control, while a PBM trade association asked to continue working on affiliate-manufacturer, network, and payment issues. The bill was reported favorably. The most extensive discussion centered on CS/SB 1758, which proposes major changes to Medicaid and SNAP. The sponsor described five reforms: stronger fraud and overpayment recovery authority, a Medicaid work requirement for certain able-bodied adults, expanded behavioral-health services through Medicaid waivers, pharmacy-program changes to obtain rebates and reduce institutional costs, and SNAP/EBT reforms including photo IDs and work requirements. The committee adopted two amendments: one adding a transitional “glide path” for people who gain employment but risk losing Medicaid, and another exempting hospice patients with six months or less to live. Supporters argued the bill would reduce fraud, improve accountability, and encourage work, while opponents warned it would increase administrative burdens, push eligible people off coverage, and conflict with federal law or guidance. The bill remained under debate with extensive public testimony from advocates, providers, and affected families, and the transcript ends before final disposition on the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's in the law that we have to achieve the 6 percent error rate or... That's his tie.
• I would assert that unfairly penalizes those who have achieved financial independence despite significant
• strengthens the accessibility and timeliness of our government services to Floridians and will help achieve
• students being given opportunities to share culture, share experiences, and share in the entire academic

Bills: S0006 , S0026 , S0206 , S0532 , S0576 , S1012 , S1110 , S1178 , S1192 , S1758 , S1760 , S7046 , S7048

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: child welfare, negligence, settlement, injury compensation, Department of Children and Families, motorcycle accident, compensation, Department of Transportation, legal claim, autism, autism spectrum disorder, ASD, special education, exceptional student education, ESE, teacher preparation, educator certification, micro-credential, loan forgiveness, student loan repayment

Transcript Highlights:

• Al attended McCarty School, where he thrived in academics and athletics.
• Through his home business, he helped families achieve home ownership at a time when many faced redlining
• What is the goal we're trying to achieve? And so I just wanted to get that on the record.
• How is this going to achieve that goal? Madam President, Senator, thank you for that question.

Summary: The Senate convened, established a quorum, offered an invocation, and handled several announcements and courtesy motions, including excusing some members and relaxing the dress code. The chamber then adopted committee reports on several bills, including Senate Bill 50, Senate Bill 30, and Senate Bill 43. It then moved to third reading of Senate Judiciary Committee substitute for Senate Bill 17, the “Stop Illegal Gun Trade and Extremely Dangerous Weapons Act.” SB 17 was read at length and explained by Senator O’Malley and co-sponsor Senator Bergman as a gun crime prevention measure aimed at dealer security, employee training, recordkeeping, reporting requirements, inspections, and a ban on future dealer sales or transfers of certain firearms and accessories, including high-capacity magazines, .50-caliber rifles and cartridges, gas-operated semi-automatic firearms with detachable magazines, and machine guns. Supporters argued the bill targets the retail-to-criminal pipeline, improves accountability, and would help reduce gun trafficking and violence. Opponents argued it infringes on constitutional rights, would not stop criminals from obtaining guns, and would burden law-abiding citizens and dealers. The chamber then debated Floor Amendment No. 1 by Senator Brantley, which would have struck Section 7, the portion banning certain weapons and devices. Supporters of the amendment said Section 7 was the most constitutionally vulnerable part of the bill and would likely be litigated, while opponents said the section was central to the bill’s purpose and consistent with Second Amendment case law. The amendment failed on a roll call vote, 15-22. A second amendment by Senator Block, which would have exempted certain under-21 employees from the bill’s age restriction if they were military members, veterans, or had completed hunter safety or 4-H programs, was then taken up and debated, with supporters emphasizing military training and youth firearms education as evidence of responsibility.

Transcript Highlights:

• actually didn't have, you know, most people were, you know, nominated by their schools based on academic

Summary: The House received communications from the Senate announcing passage of several bills and resolutions and requesting concurrence on a number of measures, including Senate Bills 287, 326, 337, 264, 294, 217, 319, and House bills such as HB 131, 299, 291, 380, 323, 296, 339, and 308, along with House Concurrent Resolution 140. The chamber briefly adjourned and then reconvened, established a quorum, approved the previous day’s minutes, and heard a prayer focused on guidance, justice, Juneteenth, and voting rights. A major item of business was House Concurrent Resolution 155, recognizing the young men from across Delaware participating in the 2026 session of Delaware’s Boy State. Several Boy State delegates were introduced and spoke about their experiences and future plans. The resolution was read by title, a voice vote was taken, and HCR 155 passed the House. Members also used privilege of the floor to introduce guests, including local officials, constituents, and a job-shadowing student. Announcements included a staff birthday, a reminder about illegal fireworks and House Bill 63, and notice that Doggy Day would return to Legislative Hall the next day. The House then passed consent calendar number 26, consisting of SCR 200, 206, 207, 209, 210, 211, and 212, and recessed to the call of the Speaker until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• transferring to Oklahoma State, she attended Rose State College, where she collaborated on several academic

Bills: SB1323 , SB1863 , SB1932 , SB1950 , SB1956 , SB1970 , SB1599 , SB1312 , SB1776 , SB1858 , SB1985 , SB1302 , SB1809 , SB1401 , SB2053 , SB1503 , SB1553 , SB1427 , SB1642 , SB1421 , SB1837 , SB1566 , SB1567 , SB1794 , SB1484 , SB1557 , SB1564 , SB1591 , SB1395 , SB1456 , SB1562 , SB1613 , SB1983 , SB1550 , SB2065 , SB2152 , SB2159 , SB2172 , SB2110 , SB2111 , SB2114

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and pledges, and recognized several guests and Senate family members, including the psychologist and nurse of the day. Members then moved to the agenda, laying over items 1 and 4 before taking up several bills. Senate Bill 1395, a recommendation from the Incentive Evaluation Commission, would eliminate the tax credit portion of the investment and new jobs tax credit incentive and limit carry-forward of the investment portion to seven years; it passed 48-0. Senate Bill 1456, as amended, extended the sunset of the Board of Tests for Alcohol and Drug Influence, with the amendment changing the sunset date to 2031; it passed 48-0 and was also approved as an emergency measure. Senate Bill 1562, requested by the Oklahoma Hospice and Palliative Care Association, was described as protecting terminally ill patients and families from aggressive hospice marketing practices; it passed 48-0. Senate Bill 1613, requested by the Oklahoma Liquefied Gas Association, was revised to remove language the governor had previously objected to regarding vehicle ownership and leasing outside OMES; it passed 48-0. Senate Bill 1983 directed the Department of Human Services to provide de-identified foster care data to resource family partners, including information on children without placement, demographic and geographic trends, areas of high need and low availability, placement disruptions, sibling separations, and distance from original homes. After a question from Senator Deevers about the scope of the data, the bill advanced and passed 48-0. The Senate then heard announcements about committee meeting times and adopted a motion to adjourn until Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Her passion for service is matched by her dedication to academic excellence, consistently earning honor

Transcript Highlights:

• Permanent Standing Subcommittee on Academic and Career-Oriented Education.