Transcript Highlights:

• Is this program... ...programs.
• Is this program we pay for our school nurses outside the foundation program? Oh, good. Okay.
• PCEL at ACH is running that program called the re-engage program. But how do we get people with...
• Like you just said, if this program is...
• Just said, if this program is supposed to do this, we have this program available.

Bills: SB305, SB109, SB122, SB111, SB114, SB113, SB150, SB112, SB289, SB303

Keywords: education funding, RAISE Act, student outcomes, public schools, local education agencies, accountability, weighted allocations, special education, English language learners, gifted students, Tuskegee University, Alabama Education Trust Fund, appropriation, agricultural research, Southern Preparatory Academy, fiscal responsibility, financial reporting, Education Savings Accounts, RAISE Fund, CHOOSE Act Fund

Transcript Highlights:

• I was most recently in Little Rock with the Arkansas program, where I ran that program.
• where I ran that Arkansas program where I ran that program<01:23:04.639> uh<01:23:04.800>
• uh prior to that the Nebraska program uh prior to that the Nebraska program<01:23:06.920> in<
• The board and program are unable to fulfill the multiple legal mandates to hire, train, and appoint experienced
• <01:43:38.679> and knowledge and Advanced Training and knowledge and Advanced Training and

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This program is an educational internship program that was started by former State Representative Rodney
• This program provides opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students attending Texas colleges
• Session both in our office and leading this important program.
• It relates to training on dementia and Alzheimer's disease for certain guardians.
• Again, this will be a voluntary program for citizens who opt in.

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum, heard an invocation, dispensed with the previous journal, and received a House message. Members also recognized Dr. Namita Bardwaj as doctor of the day. The chamber then adopted Senate Resolution 554 honoring Christopher “Chris” Jake Stone of Santa Fe for his heroism during the 2018 Santa Fe High School shooting, with several senators and the lieutenant governor offering remarks about his sacrifice and the ongoing impact on his family and community. The Senate also signed a number of bills and resolutions and adopted Senate Resolution 533 recognizing the Texas Legislative Internship Program class, with multiple senators highlighting individual interns and the program’s role in developing future public servants. The floor then took up and passed several bills, often by suspending the regular order and the three-day rule. These included HB 1639 on a study of cancer incidence among female firefighters; HB 102 granting early registration for students in military-related programs; HB 4325 increasing civil penalties for barratry; HB 5342 creating a 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline trust fund and related funding study; HB 3370 allowing late timberland appraisal applications after an owner’s death; HB 3376 requiring certain guardians to complete dementia/Alzheimer’s training; HB 132 extending confidentiality protections to information about hostile acts by foreign adversaries; and HB 1978, which sought to restrict ERCOT interconnections, but its motion to pass to engrossment failed on a 20-11 vote. Additional measures passed included HB 511 on unsolicited voter registration mailings, HB 2187 on nurse staffing, retaliation, and overtime protections, HB 2510 creating offenses for unlicensed assisted living operations, HB 694 on DFPS notification timelines, HB 1893 making license plates in law-enforcement video nonconfidential for public information requests, HB 2733 updating barratry and solicitation laws for digital communications, HB 4506 allowing opt-in electronic zoning notices, HB 3751 transferring a TxDOT property to DPS, HB 3033 creating a grant program for nonprofits supporting injured or killed DPS employees, HB 4273 on Medicaid fraud prevention and eligibility verification, HB 3211 on vision care benefits, HB 4529 exempting certain DoD-certified child care facilities from state licensure, HB 2522 easing fingerprinting requirements for certain vehicle dealers, HB 4219 tightening public information request response requirements, and HB 4783 requiring a report on opioid antagonist programs. The Senate also received a House message noting passage of SB 9, and a nominations committee report was announced for future consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:45:45.160> In with support, education, training.
• In with support, education, training.
• ,<00:45:51.520> the for the grants for the training, the for the grants for the training,
• that DLI would providing the training that DLI would contract<00:45:58.440> with.
• <00:48:22.280> for we're here asking for more training for we're here asking for more training

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Every dollar of total revenue is programmed to pay for operations and maintenance, debt service, and
• Through programs such as our free roadside safety service, if a customer is in need of assistance, like
• Our ridership on the train has grown by double digits for four consecutive years.
• Well, one single-lane, high-capacity train can carry 1,000 passengers. At once.
• One of the things that this A-Train Enhancement Program also allows us to do is to connect with the Silver

Bills: HJR58, HJR63, HB263, HB542, HB905, HB 1288, HB1402, HB2003, HB2262, HB2323, HB2429, HB2876, HB3019, HB263

Keywords: healthcare, insurance, elderly, retirement, benefits, transit-oriented projects, constitutional amendment, state highway fund, funding allocation, voter approval, highway fund, funding, public transportation, transit projects, transportation, local transit, fund allocation, voting rights, election integrity, ballot access

Transcript Highlights:

• area, which is federal funding for workforce training support, and it's always been very lean funding
• area, which is federal funding for workforce training support, and it's always been very lean funding
• area, which is federal funding for workforce training support, and it's always been very lean funding
• So we really had to take immediate action with the RIF to effectively get the train back on the tracks
• Like, what's in control of this runaway train?

Summary: The committee first considered a Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism request to swap three administrative coordinator positions for one park superintendent, one maintenance supervisor, and one park manager for Blanchard Springs State Park. Members were told the change would be funded by conservation tax special revenues, would not increase total positions, and had OPM’s support. The item was reviewed and approved without objection. Members then approved two special compensation plans: one from the Department of Commerce for lump-sum bonuses of up to $5,000 for employees involved in the unemployment insurance system migration to a cloud-based platform, and one from the Department of Veterans Affairs for $2,000 recruitment bonuses for certified nursing assistants at the Fayetteville and North Little Rock State Veterans Homes. The Department of Health also received approval to reinstate a previously frozen fiscal support manager position for the State Medical Board, with the agency noting the position was already authorized and would not increase total staffing. The committee spent substantial time on a Commerce reduction-in-force affecting the Division of Services for the Blind and related workforce operations. Secretary Hugh McDonald said the layoffs were driven by over-obligated federal funds, lack of fiscal planning, and a need to realign operations; he said the RIF would be permanent and that 56 employees remained furloughed, with 17 positions slated for elimination. Senators questioned the division’s accountability structure, the role of the board and governor, and whether the cuts disproportionately affected African American employees; Commerce was asked to provide racial composition data for the workforce and the RIF. The committee also reviewed quarterly employment and overtime reports. Members asked about overtime levels at DHS, Corrections, and Transportation, and whether higher staffing levels and the new pay plan were reducing overtime. OPM said overtime was being monitored, that direct-care positions are exempt from the hiring freeze, and that the state had hired more than 1,200 employees at DHS since the new system went live. No further action was taken on the report items, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• the Medicaid program. the Medicaid program. Senator<00:03:34.239> Neal.
• PAs are trained to perform thorough eye exams during our training and are competent to provide these
• > that<00:43:07.080> curb And number four, programs that curb And number four, programs
• programs in-house.
• EMS leave behind program. EMS leave behind program.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee opened its sixth and final interim meeting with roll call, quorum confirmation, approval of the prior minutes, and a brief change in agenda order to preserve quorum and accommodate presenters’ schedules. Members then moved through several proposed health-related items with limited discussion, and the chair noted the committee would reconvene in January for further conversation. The first substantive item was a proposal relating to utilization controls for non-opioid analgesics in Medicaid. Senator Gerald Neal and Tara Hyde of People Advocating Recovery argued that pain parity is needed so patients can access non-opioid options without prior authorization or step therapy barriers, especially in acute pain situations and for people in recovery. Senator Berg supported the concept and suggested expanding the approach to other prescriptions by allowing physicians to explain why step therapy is inappropriate at the time of prescribing; another member cautioned against unintended cost increases if non-opioid drugs are used as add-ons to opioids. The committee then heard a proposal on physician assistants from Senator Scott and Andrew Rutherford of the Kentucky Academy of Physician Assistants. They described a shift from a supervisory to a collaborative practice model, with practice scope set at the practice level, limited Schedule II prescribing authority under guardrails, and permission for PAs to perform driver’s license vision testing. Supporters said the changes would improve rural access, reduce administrative burden, and align Kentucky with neighboring states; a question from Representative Bratcher focused on experience requirements and how the proposal compares with nurse practitioner rules. No vote was taken. Finally, Representative Nancy Tate, Adia Wuchner, and Representative Jason Nemes introduced a 2026 proposal aimed at “protecting vulnerable people.” They described a broad package focused on abortion pill trafficking, marketing to minors, commercial surrogacy, assisted suicide, and organ procurement safeguards, arguing that current law leaves gaps and that additional criminal and civil penalties are needed. The presentation was informational only, with no action taken before the meeting ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also ensures that within these three categories, each has to meet the basic safety and training
• It advances HAZWOPER training. And I want to say thank you so much to Dave Fote, who is here today.
• When properly trained and licensed contractors perform debris removal, starts with worker safety.
• It does not create a hydrogen deployment program.
• Third, the bill also eliminates the existing flexibility within the CalARP program that was mentioned

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we have a number of programs.
• <01:27:34.320> This program and some of them won't. This program and some of them won't.
• an additional program.
• In our program, for instance, the asbestos program, we do have highly trained individuals who came from
• we do have highly asbestous program we do have highly trained<01:46:23.360> individuals<01:46

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So... ...as officers and fall under the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission.
• I need beds to get the kids into programs so they're not sitting in detention waiting.
• It doesn't count toward their working their program.
• So one of the things, If it is considered dead time, if they're not working toward their program.
• And is there a program that we can implement to help the kids start working the program while they're

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met to consider several gubernatorial appointees, beginning with Matthew Walsh, Secretary of Juvenile Justice, for confirmation. Walsh outlined his law enforcement background, social work training, and priorities at DJJ, including staff wellness, seeking statutory recognition and training standards for juvenile detention and probation officers, and increasing bed capacity so adjudicated youth can move from detention into residential programming sooner. Members asked about the impact of detention “dead time” and the need for more beds; Walsh said DJJ is evaluating ways to let youth begin programming earlier while in detention. Public support was noted, and the committee voted unanimously to confirm Walsh and forward his nomination to the full Senate. The committee then heard from Tina Vidal-Duarte, nominee to the Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees. She described her business background, service on multiple boards, and prior service on FAU’s board pending confirmation, emphasizing governance, accountability, and strategic planning. Senators questioned her about FAU’s handling of faculty social media controversies, the university’s relationship with its new president, student and faculty engagement, AI planning, diversity, and her role on the Hope Florida board and with CDR Health’s state contracts, including work related to the Everglades detention center. Public testimony included strong opposition from one speaker who criticized her ties to state contracts and Hope Florida, while another senator spoke in support, citing her community service and business experience. The committee voted 5-2 to confirm her, with Senators Polsky and Bernard voting no. Afterward, the committee considered the remaining nominees in Tabs 2 through 15, excluding Tab 10, en bloc. No separate votes were requested, and the committee approved the group of nominees by voice roll call to be forwarded to the full Senate. The meeting then concluded with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, is this program or in this resolution really called for if that program still exists, which could
• program program it<00:20:21.880> potentially<00:20:22.440> could<00:20:22.640> interfere
• So, you higher than this program costs.
• <00:28:02.040> and and probation officers need training and and probation officers need training
• <00:44:41.760> that like to see the previous program that like to see the previous program

Bills: HCR18, HCR32, HCR35, HCR105, HCR173

Keywords: hospice, health care, aging population, regulations, Medicare, working group, fraud prevention, quality of care, mental health, recidivism, civil commitment, Hawaii State Hospital, justice system, shelter, treatment pathways, biomarker testing, health insurance, precision medicine, healthcare access, medical necessity

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SCR 21 SD1, which asks Hawaii Health Systems Corporation’s East Hawaii Regional Health Care System to study the feasibility of a rural health clinic or similar access point for the Volcano community. Testimony in strong support came from HHSC representatives, Volcano residents, the Volcano Health Collaborative, the Rotary Club of Volcano, and others, who said the area has a clear need and that local primary and urgent care would align with regional plans. HHSC said it had already looked at the area, found no suitable temporary buildings, and would need a longer-term, capital-intensive solution, but that the study could help accelerate next steps. The committee then took up SCR 50 SD1, proposing a Hawaii Health Plan Working Group to design a basic affordable health plan for residents. Dr. Jack Lewin of SHIPTA said the state faces a growing uninsured population and argued for a short-term, lower-cost plan focused on preventive and primary care, drawing on the old State Health Insurance Plan as a possible model. Members asked about whether that prior program still exists and whether the working group should include the Hawaii Medical Association and Hawaii Primary Care Association; Dr. Lewin said the statute still exists but is unfunded, and that the group should be inclusive. The Department of Labor and other organizations also provided comments. For SCR 75 SD1, which urges a coordinated interdepartmental effort to reduce fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, Dr. Lewin and others said prevention, prenatal screening, and early intervention are needed because FASD is often hidden until later problems appear. Amanda from Hawaii FASD Action Group said current implementation under Act 192 is still largely a landscape analysis and that Hawaii lacks the infrastructure and specialists for a full system. Darlene Chance Govor urged adding the judiciary as a partner so juvenile justice and probation staff can be trained and referral pathways improved, while the Department of Health said it supports prevention but prefers a broader, systems-based approach focused on child needs and upstream care. The Disability Rights Center supported the resolution and asked for an earlier reporting date. The committee also heard SCR 149 SD1, which seeks an informal working group to address complex patients with multiple diagnoses involving substance use, mental health, or chronic physical illness. The Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition and Ke Nui Malo strongly supported the measure, saying current siloed systems leave people bouncing between medical, mental health, and substance use providers without coordinated care, often ending up in crisis, emergency rooms, or the justice system. They said integrated residential care and a coordinated working group could improve outcomes and align with federal funding opportunities. The transcript ended before any final vote or action on the measures was announced, and SCR 109 was noted as withdrawn from the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• program? program?
• of that program. of that program.
• And we wanted to create a program that can both train additional providers in that area, but also conduct
• <01:53:51.840> can<01:53:52.159> both<01:53:53.119> train create a program that
• can both train create a program that can both train additional<01:53:54.960> uh<01:53:55.119><

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At this time, we're going to take up tab 2, SB 1318, on the Florida tax credit scholarship program by
• Let's take up tab 1, SB 182 on school teacher training and mentoring programs by Senator Jones.
• School teacher training and mentoring programs by Senator Jones.
• It also authorizes the use of educational enrichment allocation funds for this program.
• And it also authorizes the use of educational enrichment allocation funds for this program.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education Pre-K through 12 considered three bills and reported each favorably. SB 1318, by Senator Rodriguez, made a technical clarification to the Florida tax credit scholarship program so that when a scholarship account is closed, any remaining funds revert but do not revert to the state. The bill was passed without debate or amendments. The committee then heard CS for SB 1690, by Senator Claudio, which updates child care and early learning laws, including transparency, accountability, terminology, and regulation of before- and after-school programs. An amendment was adopted to clarify rulemaking authority by specifying the State Board of Education rather than the Department of Education. Senator Berman raised a concern about the bill’s removal of a parent-notification requirement related to leaving children in vehicles, and the sponsor said she would follow up. The committee then voted the bill favorably. Finally, the committee considered CS for SB 182, by Senator Jones, on school teacher training and mentoring programs. A strike-all amendment was adopted that refocused the program on schools with D or F grades, allowed districts and charter schools to place mentors, tightened mentor qualifications, authorized stipends up to $3,000, and directed the Department of Education to set standards and create a contract template. Supportive appearance forms were filed by Nancy Lothar and Orange County Public Schools. The bill was reported favorably, and the meeting ended with remarks thanking staff and recognizing Kathy Missouri for her service.

Transcript Highlights:

• branch, including human resources, finance, legal research, information technology, and statewide program
• management the Chief Justice of program management the Chief Justice of course<00:04:26.639> leads
• This one-time funding will be used to remediate our existing online resources and provide training on
• At the same time, we've seen printing, postage, and other costs strain our jury program budget.
• At the same time, we've seen printing, postage, and other costs strain our jury program budget.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee heard a presentation from State Court Administrator Jeff Shorba on the Minnesota judicial branch’s 2026-27 budget request. He outlined the courts’ structure and workload, noting 322 judges, about 2,800 staff, roughly 1 million district court cases annually, and a current budget of about $479 million. Shorba emphasized the courts’ constitutional role, the fact that court fines and fees are deposited into the general fund rather than retained by the branch, and recent legislative investments that helped reduce pandemic-era backlogs, improve technology, sustain treatment courts, and raise interpreter and examiner pay. The budget request focused on several areas: a 6% judicial salary increase to address recruitment and retention problems, including a 15% rise in turnover and a 27% drop in applicants since 2020; funding for health care and office lease cost increases; digital accessibility compliance work required by new federal ADA rules; a modernized justice partner access system for court records; higher pay for forensic psychological examiners, whose workload has risen sharply; increased juror compensation from $20 to $100 per day and mileage adjustments; and ongoing funding for interpreters, jury services, and cybersecurity. Shorba said the total request would be a 12% increase over the FY 2026-27 base budget. Members asked follow-up questions about funding for newly launched treatment courts and how those courts are financed after federal grants expire. Shorba said he would provide more detail later and noted the branch generally starts treatment courts with federal funding before seeking state support. Representative Ric also asked about labor negotiations, and Shorba explained that the judicial branch negotiates its own contracts rather than using the executive branch, with three unions involved and many unrepresented employees. No votes or formal actions were taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have two programs that I'm going to be talking about today: the HOWL and the ATLAS transition programs
• In our program, because we are a comprehensive transition program, you have to have the diagnosis of
• HOWL is our comprehensive transition program. ATLAS is not a comprehensive transition program.
• ...come to our program.
• you first start the program.

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from November 17 by motion and voice vote. It then heard a presentation from Arkansas State University on its inclusive postsecondary education programs, HOWL and ATLAS, led by Dr. Kristen Johnson and Shane Broadway. The programs serve students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism, by providing on-campus living, academic support, life-skills training, financial literacy, internships, employment support, and community integration. Johnson explained that HOWL is a comprehensive transition program that does not lead to a degree but is eligible for financial aid, while ATLAS is degree-seeking and provides additional supports. She reported strong outcomes, including high goal attainment and a majority of graduates working full time, and emphasized that the programs are designed to help students build autonomous adult lives. Members asked about recruitment, eligibility, costs, school outreach, business partnerships, and transition planning. Johnson said the programs have done extensive outreach through IEP meetings, transition symposia, email blasts, and school visits, but that awareness remains a challenge. She identified major roadblocks as business concerns about liability, fragmented collaboration, and difficulty navigating funding streams such as vocational rehabilitation and Medicaid. She also said more coordinated statewide communication and coalition-building are needed, and noted that ASU is helping launch a state alliance for similar programs, with new programs opening at ASU Mountain Home and the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff. The committee then heard from the University of Central Arkansas about Project Ascend, a new low-sensory living-learning community for neurodiverse students in Hughes Hall. Dr. Debbie Daly and Jeremy Gillum described it as a voluntary, self-identified program focused on community building, belonging, and retention rather than remediation or degree planning. The program has hosted a few low-sensory social events and plans to expand outreach through campus tours, orientation, and targeted communications. Members asked about recruitment, participation, success measures, and how to avoid duplicating ASU’s efforts; UCA said it is still in its infancy and will measure success mainly through participation, retention, and student engagement. The meeting ended with general support from members, discussion of collaboration across institutions and agencies, and adjournment of the task force.

Transcript Highlights:

• areas and given the limited training areas and given the limited training programs<01:46:30.159>
• The Hudson Valley needed primary care providers, and the development of training programs for family
• The Hudson Valley needed primary care providers, and the development of training programs for family
• <01:50:33.159> programs<01:50:33.960> for development of a training programs for development
• > I<02:34:24.960> I program improves training completion I I program improves training

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your continued support of the Thriving Texas Families Program, a program that is saving
• How many people does the program keep out of jail? Those participants who were in the program?
• Texas Families Program.
• I go to the ACAA program myself.
• They help us with training goals.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As you fast forward 25 years, we have a program now.
• How would people get proper training?
• Proper training.
• It tells the public that care is about compassion, not training. care is about compassion, not training
• There are, um, I lost my train of thought. I'm so sorry.

Bills: HB448, HB448

Keywords: wildlife rehabilitation, conservation, good samaritan, injured animals, orphaned animals, debilitated wildlife, wild birds, wild animals, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, DCNR, permit exemption, animal rescue, animal welfare, veterinary medicine, veterinary licensing, animal cruelty, wildlife care, rehabilitation act, non-federally protected species, endangered species

Transcript Highlights:

• , the ALE program, and the different types of program models that fall under this.
• Our partner program, Stride, provides us the curriculum and also helps us audit every single program
• We are a full ALE program.
• We have a highly capable program. We have a Spanish program.
• We have a great ML program. We have a phenomenal SPED program.

Summary: The committee met to hear an overview of Washington’s alternative learning experience (ALE) programs and then an update on artificial intelligence in schools. OSPI’s Anissa Sherritt explained that ALE is a course-level funding designation for instruction that occurs partly or wholly away from the traditional seat-time model, with online, site-based, and remote course types. She emphasized that ALE is still basic education, subject to the same public school requirements, and that OSPI provides technical assistance, annual reporting review, and program reviews. Representatives from several programs described different models: Washington Virtual Academy (a large online ALE operated through Omak School District and partnered with for-profit Stride), Columbia Virtual Academy in Valley School District (a district-run, nonprofit online/remote program), Pearl in Quilcene (a K-8 remote parent partnership program), and River Home Link in Battleground (a site-based hybrid program). They discussed student supports, special education, enrichment, family choice, transportation, and how they measure outcomes. Members asked for follow-up information on funding, demographics, racial and ethnic data, multilingual learners, and post-graduation outcomes, and OSPI agreed to provide additional data where available. The committee then heard from OSPI and several districts about AI guidance and implementation. OSPI’s Holly Ryan Calloway described the agency’s human-centered AI framework, three guidance documents for schools, statewide professional learning, an AI innovation summit, and new AI literacy and informatics course frameworks and CIP codes. Quincy School District described a multi-year effort to integrate AI by centering student needs, creating district policy and classroom guidance, and training teachers to use AI responsibly while building an AI readiness plan from elementary through high school. Peninsula School District described its AI action research team, teacher professional learning, and classroom uses of generative AI to support science instruction, communication, and prompt engineering, while stressing that AI should enhance rather than replace learning. Members raised questions about privacy, energy and water use, prompt engineering, workforce and university connections, and the need for clear standards and ongoing educator training. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• But as someone who has been directly involved in the adult job training programs and helping SPEAKER,
• BUT AS SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THE ADULT JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS AND HELPING Equip career
• UNDER HIS LEADERSHIP, OIC DELIVERED GED PROGRAMS, VOCATIONAL TRAINING, CAREER COUNSELING, JOB PLACEMENT
• Require staff to complete respectful care trainings and develop and implement a program to provide doula
• Require staff to complete respectful care trainings and develop and implement a program to provide doula

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, April 20, 2026, 1012, house, all