Transcript Highlights:

• <00:18:35.520> and Nven, for investing in the education and Nven, for investing in the education
• The code does not require this package.
• <00:35:28.640> For required by the 2021 energy code.
• For required by the 2021 energy code.
• The code ventilation energy package.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But sadly, many families can't afford a costly private education or even a home education.
• This is about educational access.
• I retired from public education in 2000 with 25 years of service and began my career in non-public education
• I'm not only an educator and an autism nonprofit founder, I'm not only an educator and an autism nonprofit
• their education tax dollars will follow them.

Summary: The committee met for public testimony on the Finance budget, with the main discussion focused first on funding for disability services and then on the LA GATOR scholarship program. Several individuals testified in support of fully funding Families Helping Families and Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS), describing how advocacy, transition services, and direct support workers help people with disabilities access education, employment, and independent living. Witnesses urged the committee to preserve or increase state general funds to draw down federal matching dollars, and provider groups said current reimbursement rates and staffing shortages are leaving agencies in deficit, creating waitlists, overtime costs, and difficulty retaining workers. Committee members thanked the speakers and noted that the testimony would be used to compare the governor’s, House, and remaining budget requests. The committee then heard extensive testimony in support of increasing funding for the LA GATOR scholarship program. Supporters included policy groups, school leaders, parents, and students who argued that the program expands educational choice, helps low-income and special-needs students find schools that fit their needs, and should be fully funded at the level of demonstrated demand. Speakers from Catholic and Christian schools said GATOR funding had helped students thrive academically and spiritually, but that shortfalls left many eligible students without awards, hurt kindergarten enrollment, and forced schools to raise private donations to cover gaps. Several witnesses emphasized that the program is not a zero-sum attack on public schools, but a way to let education dollars follow students. A few committee questions focused on the fiscal impact and on whether choice programs improve outcomes without harming public schools. Testimony cited enrollment growth, parent demand, and data from other states to argue that school choice can improve student and parent outcomes and may also strengthen traditional public schools through competition. No votes or formal actions were taken during the public testimony portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• OF THOSE REPORTS, 91% WERE CODED AS COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF A CHILD. 8% WERE CODED LABOR TRAFFICKING
• THAT IS ONLY THE SERVICES CODED TO THAT PARTICULAR FUNDING SOURCE.
• EDUCATIONAL SITUATION AND SAFETY.
• WE KNOW THE IMPACT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND EDUCATION.
• CHILD WELFARE JUVENILE JUSTICE AND EDUCATION.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and these are the result of a proposed<00:51:58.000> construction<00:51:58.480> codes
• c><00:51:58.880> and proposed construction codes and proposed construction codes and licensing
• Um, these include the construction codes Um, these include the construction codes and<00:53:44.480
• , additional pathway into education, additional pathway into education, helping<00:55:18.319>
• So, we don't have opposition to any of the proposed construction codes and licensing fees.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our education system is ranked 50th in the country. Our malpractice system is very pro-attorney.
• Because that's our tax code and that's the underlying foundation.
• The beauty of our tax code has always been we have a broad base.
• You know, we shouldn't be chipping away at the tax code. I mean, we all know that.
• NAICS codes. So it goes down pretty specific.

Transcript Highlights:

• code that is named the Craig Dickinson Act after her husband.
• President, round two of our education trio, if you include Senator Claudio, of our education policy.
• We should have an entire session on education policy alone, Mr. President.
• Thank you to the education trio.
• Thank you to the education trio.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of introductions recognizing interns, pages, and retiring Senate staff, including Pastor Gary Austin. Leaders also noted ongoing budget talks with the House and said senators would not need to plan on being in Tallahassee the following week. The chamber then moved to third reading and returned messages from the House later in the day. The main floor debate centered on Committee Substitute for House Bill 12.5, the citizen initiative/constitutional amendment bill. Sponsors said the measure was intended to address fraud in the petition process, citing investigations, arrests, pleas, and open cases involving paid circulators and invalid petitions. Opponents argued the bill would make citizen-led amendments far more difficult, expensive, and risky, warning it would chill grassroots participation, burden supervisors of elections, and effectively favor wealthy or corporate-backed efforts. Supporters responded that the bill preserved grassroots petitioning, placed reasonable guardrails on paid circulators and sponsors, and included a provision barring public funds from being used to advocate for or against ballot initiatives. The bill passed 28-10. The Senate also passed several education measures unanimously, including bills tied to Bright Futures, dual enrollment, educator preparation, and broader education policy. Later, the chamber concurred in House amendments on several bills: stem cell therapy legislation clarifying permitted therapies and penalties for improper use of fetal or embryonic tissue; an EKG requirement bill for student athletes with exemptions and partnership options for districts; and a cardiac emergency response bill that renamed the school emergency plan and removed a bill title honoring Rafe McCrone. These measures passed by wide margins, generally 37-0 or 38-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think we got all 2025 and have a QR code somewhere, which is exciting, outside.
• You could just go outside and press the QR code to get it all there. Yeah.
• There's also a QR code near the agenda posting outside the hearing room that I previously mentioned,
• Center, Our Voice, Communities for Quality Education, Parents Institute for Quality Education, Our Voice
• , Communities for Quality Education, Parents Institute for Quality Education, Insured the Uninsured Project

Summary: The Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee heard AB 470 by Assembly Member McKinnor, a bill to modernize California’s carrier-of-last-resort rules for voice telephone service and create a process for carriers to transition away from obsolete copper networks in favor of advanced telecommunications infrastructure. The author and supporters said the bill is aimed at preserving reliable voice and 911 access while encouraging private investment in fiber and other modern networks, and emphasized that it is not a broadband bill. Support came from AT&T, business groups, and a former Cal OES director, who argued the bill provides a careful, phased modernization with CPUC oversight and increased public-safety investment requirements. Opposition came from TURN, CWA District 9, digital equity organizations, labor groups, and several local governments and county representatives. Critics raised concerns about the adequacy of the mapping process, reliance on broadband and wireless coverage data, the lack of on-the-ground verification, the challenge process, possible loss of Lifeline protections, and the impact on workers and union jobs. They also argued the bill could allow carriers to reduce universal-service obligations without enough safeguards for rural and vulnerable customers. Committee members discussed those concerns at length, especially the map-making process, the challenge procedure, and whether the bill sufficiently protects workers and customers who could be left behind. The author said the bill includes a 10-year backstop if service is lost, a CPUC-led process, and a three-to-one fiber buildout requirement tied to relinquishment, and expressed willingness to continue working with labor on workforce language. The committee ultimately passed AB 470 on a 7-0 due pass vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• We were established by the statute, and we're governed by, under the insurance code, by the workers'
• I'm the Executive Director for the Council. created in 1993 under Texas Government Code Chapter 2308
• They represent business, labor, education, and a community-based organization.
• The report shown here focuses on the Texas population in need of adult education and and literacy.
• There's a section of the property code, it's 202, where you can petition. to do that, but again, there's

Bills: HB406

Keywords: local economic development, notification, workforce development, municipal agreements, county contracts, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So most of the bill is simply bringing forward the code sections to give that authority to DFA.
• sections to give that forward the code sections to give that authority<00:02:56.000> to<00:02
• My last question is on line 29, we list several exemptions from this code. >> Yes, sir.
• My last question is on line 29, we list several exemptions from this code. >> Yes, sir.
• My last question is on line 29, we list several exemptions from this code. >> Yes, sir.

Keywords: Public Property - Room 409, 29 January, 2026; 2:30 P.M., 925, all

Summary: The Public Property Committee held its organizational meeting and elected Senator Ladner as secretary. It then took up Senate Bill 2203, which would centralize leasing authority for state agencies in privately owned space under DFA and, when cheaper, move certain agencies into the capital complex area to encourage consolidation and cost savings. Senator Seymour questioned specific references in the bill, including a corporation mentioned in current law and whether the measure could affect ports, the Gulf Coast Coliseum, universities, community colleges, or local offices outside Metro Jackson. Blunt said the bill was intended only for state agencies in the Metro Jackson area and not for local county offices or other institutions, and he later identified the corporation reference as the Mississippi Home Corporation. The committee adopted a title-sufficient do-pass motion and reported the bill out. The committee next considered a bill by Senator Hobson authorizing the Soil and Water Conservation Commission to construct a levee project in Yazoo County using federal funds, at an estimated cost of more than $100 million. Hobson said the project would address significant flooding and complete a portion of levee work near Carter and Satartia. With no questions, the committee again adopted a title-sufficient do-pass motion and reported the bill out. Senator Williams then presented Senate Bill 2594, the Mississippi Antiquities Law bill, which would streamline demolition of abandoned, vacant, or blighted buildings on public university and community college campuses while preserving historic properties. He said the measure would require coordination with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, define blight, require engineering analysis in some cases, and give MDH 90 days to respond before demolition or further inspection proceeds. Several senators raised concerns that the bill’s language was too broad, especially the definitions of blight and other causes, and that it might let institutions tear down too much without sufficient oversight. Williams said the bill was meant to balance preservation with practical needs and agreed to work on a floor amendment to tighten the language. The committee then voted to report the bill out. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2340, authorizing DFA to sell, lease, or convey the former DPS property at 1900 East Woodrow Wilson Avenue in Jackson. The committee substitute would direct proceeds to the general fund rather than DPS, while preserving mineral rights, allowing repurchase under certain conditions, and requiring DFA review of proposals. Senators discussed possible redevelopment uses, including University Medical Center, and the bill’s restrictions on uses such as heavy industrial, adult entertainment, casinos, liquor stores, and solid waste facilities. No final vote on this bill was reflected in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• First up is Senate Bill 24, allowing students under the age of 21 to taste wine in educational settings
• That's progressive discipline, working out of education and warnings into an actual violation.
• That's progressive discipline, working out of education and warnings into an actual violation.
• That's progressive discipline, working out of education and warnings into an actual violation.
• So if it happened prior to that, there's not much we could do in terms of education and getting them

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up several liquor-related bills. Senate Bill 24, allowing students under 21 to taste wine in educational settings, drew no opposition or amendment and was reported out 6-0. Senate Bill 79, authorizing self-pour automated systems under the liquor commission, also faced no opposition and was voted ought to pass 6-0. Senate Bill 80, shifting licensing, auditing, and enforcement for wholesale and retail e-cigarette sales to the liquor commission, prompted discussion about whether the change would add cost; members heard that the liquor commission already handles similar enforcement and that the change was meant to address nonreporting. It was voted ought to pass 6-0. The committee then discussed Senate Bill 87, concerning alcohol service in salons, barbershops, and spas. Members and staff focused on how to limit the amount served, whether to require recordkeeping, and privacy concerns about tracking what patrons drank. The discussion settled on removing references to alcohol type and quantity and keeping only patron records, with the understanding that the agency would set the details by rule. The bill was not formally amended at the meeting, but members agreed an amendment would be drafted for the following week; the bill itself was reported ought to pass with that amendment to be determined. Finally, the committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 245, the EMS No Surprises Act and System Stabilization Act. The sponsor, Senator Suprena, said the bill would prohibit balance billing for emergency ambulance calls and unscheduled transfers, while setting reimbursement at either locally set public rates or 325% of Medicare. She explained that the proposal was based on national work on ground ambulance billing and was intended to stabilize struggling EMS providers. Committee members sought clarification that the bill did not eliminate balance billing for non-emergency transfers, and the sponsor confirmed it did not. A second witness, Jerry Stringham, testified in support, citing his reimbursement background.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's nothing in my bill that exempts it from a local building code, from any building code.
• code from from any building code. code from from any building code.
• or any other codes that apply.
• I trust the other codes that apply.
• taxation, education. taxation, education.

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, excused absent senators, and adopted the previous day’s journal. The chamber received several House messages referring local bills to the Committee on Local Legislation, including measures affecting Lawrence, Clayurn, Limestone, Shelby, and Alabaster. The Senate also recognized guests in the gallery, including local leaders, law enforcement officials, and a Jackson County Junior Leadership group. During personal privilege remarks, Senator Figures offered a tribute to Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr., highlighting his civil rights legacy, political influence, and impact on Black voter participation and representation; the Senate observed a moment of silence. Senator Smitherman also thanked her for the remarks. The Senate then adopted Senate Joint Resolution 47, mourning the death and celebrating the life of John J. Guthrie Jr., and Senate Joint Resolution 48, commending Tommy Jax for emergency actions to help a sick child. The Senate considered numerous confirmations from the Committee on Confirmations, all receiving favorable reports and being confirmed by unanimous or near-unanimous roll calls, including Walter Bracie and Eric Bone to the Alabama Manufactured Housing Commission, Morgan Garner and Susie Beal to the Alabama Electronic Security Board of Licensure, and Joe Brown, Brian Williams, James Spears, Charles Hedrickk, and Kathy Pierce to the Alabama Board of Polygraph Examiners. Committee reports also advanced several bills, including local legislation and county/municipal government measures. On the floor, the Senate adopted a special order calendar and passed or adopted several bills: SB 239 on child custody jurisdiction enforcement, SB 190 on a sales tax exemption for an ocular eye service company, SB 252 on Governor’s Mansion Authority employees and leave benefits, SB 170 on health savings account regulatory coordination, SB 210 on the chiropractic board, SB 242 on commercial driver’s licenses, and SB 70 on crimes and offenses. SB 247 on insurance was carried over at the sponsor’s request for further work, and SB 83 on guardianships and conservatorships was taken up with discussion of a committee amendment to clarify removal of proceedings from probate to circuit court and notice requirements; the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• It amends Chapter 18 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code to conform the statute to case law and to
• , OK, which is the code that all doctors are supposed to use and it's the same thing.
• You know, let's just look at what that doctor for that CPT code was willing to accept. Sorry, Mr.
• Um, I think education is going to be a big piece of this. Unfortunately, I do.
• I think that's educating our physicians is going to be a big piece.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:08:26.000> and receive the required education and receive the required education and training
• would have to continue their education would have to continue their education to<00:16:52.560>
• the the experience and the education the the experience and the education blended<03:18:16.160><
• It's knowing codes. It's a whole safety. It's knowing codes.
• educational process. educational process.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The House Standing Committee on Postsecondary Education will come to order.
• Post-secondary Education. Post-secondary Education.
• transfer into the pathway of education transfer into the pathway of education at<00:09:27.840>
• <00:18:33.320> So and obtain postsecondary education.
• So and obtain postsecondary education.

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call: 0:00 Bills for Consideration: 26RS HB 94 – 2:40 26RS HB 307 – 15:00 Adjournment: 20:15, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Postsecondary Education met with a quorum, welcomed new member Representative Beverly Chester-Burton, and recognized interns in attendance. The committee then took up House Bill 94, which would require the Council on Postsecondary Education to host an online transfer portal for students, require annual university updates to transfer data, and convene academic officers to study and report on streamlining high-demand pathways such as teaching and nursing. Representative Vanessa Grossl said the bill was revised in response to prior concerns and emphasized that the goal was to improve transparency, reduce time to degree, and lower student debt. Travis Powell of CPE supported the measure, saying the portal and study would improve transparency and help identify barriers to transfer. The committee adopted the committee substitute for House Bill 94 and then passed the bill out favorably by roll call vote, sending it to the House floor. The committee also reconsidered House Bill 307, dealing with proactive postsecondary admissions, after earlier discussion and additional meetings. Chair James Tipton explained that the new substitute made several changes, including addressing a FERPA concern by having KDE share student information directly with universities, limiting social security number use to the last four digits plus date of birth, and adding provisions for KIA to include a link or QR code to the common online application in KEYS scholarship notifications. Members adopted House Committee Substitute 3 for House Bill 307, with Representative Stalker noting support for the social security number change. The committee then passed House Bill 307 as amended with a favorable recommendation to the House floor. No other substantive actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we have Democratic Party of Hawaii Education Caucus in support. Emo Alliance in support.
• <00:05:04.320> Hawaii have Democratic Party of Hawaii have Democratic Party of Hawaii Education
• Education Education Caucus<00:05:07.840> in<00:05:08.160> support.
• And so when we look at the Code of Federal Regulations, I'm not sure if there is someone that we can
• And so when we look at the Code of Federal Regulations, I'm not sure if there is someone that we can

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Labor and Technology heard several resolutions focused on workforce shortages and program development. STR 145/SR 117 would create a legislative working group on paid family and medical leave; testimony from state agencies, labor groups, advocacy organizations, and others was overwhelmingly supportive, though some asked for broader representation and legal expertise. Members raised questions about prior studies, staffing estimates, and funding needs for administering a future program. The chair ultimately deferred decision making on this measure to March 28, 2025. The committee also heard STR 55/SR 37 on reviewing the boiler and elevator inspection branch to improve recruitment and retention. DLIR supported the measure, while the Department of Human Resources Development supported the intent but suggested labor should lead the study. Industry witnesses described long inspection wait times, backlogs, and difficulty recruiting inspectors, and several said higher pay and training pathways were needed. The committee voted to pass the resolution unamended. For STR 64/SR 49, which would establish a Hawaii State Fellows Program, the department supported the concept but said resources would be needed and should be included in the budget rather than a resolution; the committee recommended deferral indefinitely. STR 67/SR 51, addressing hiring shortages in the public mental health care system, drew support from the State Council on Mental Health and others, with requests for amendments to ensure broader cooperation and added agencies. The committee moved the measure as a Senate draft with amendments. STR 63/SR 48, proposing a Hawaii Workforce Excellence Award, received support from DLIR, and the committee later recessed and reconvened for decision making on the measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• in the wrong um object code. in the wrong um object code.
• education portion Yes. education portion Yes. >> of<02:02:24.560> SNAP?
• > for<02:50:58.080> CTE<02:50:58.920> education, CTE educators, just for CTE education
• Are there any adult education.
• education scholarship. education scholarship.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• existing alternative energy code existing alternative energy code sections<00:15:10.080> where
• increment financing, or TIF, code increment financing, or TIF, code section.<00:19:54.680> This
• You know, just a few pages earlier in our code is a tax incentive whereby this state, in the tax code
• But, on the on the education side.
• what we were giving to public education. what we were giving to public education.

Keywords: MS House Floor - 25 February, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, dispensed with the reading of the journal, and welcomed several student and FFA groups from around the state, including chapters from Tippah, Forrest, Newton, and Wheeler counties, as well as the Puckett High School student council and an AP government class from Madison-Ridgeland Academy. After announcements, the chamber moved to the Ways and Means calendar and took up a series of tax and finance measures. House Bill 327 would extend Mississippi’s existing film tax credit to television production businesses, with a $42 million aggregate cap and a requirement that qualifying production activity occur in-state. House Bill 343 would create a tax credit for employers offering private health insurance to employees, set at $400 per employee in the first year and $200 in the second, capped at $10 million. House Bill 420 would lower the age threshold for an existing full homestead exemption for honorably discharged veterans and spouses from 90 to 85; members discussed the local cost impact, but the sponsor said the state cost would be zero. House Bill 489 would exempt from income tax any capital gains from a forced sale through eminent domain, so the property owner would not owe tax on that transaction. The House also passed House Bill 715, clarifying that both perishable and non-perishable food sold to food pantries are exempt from sales tax. House Bill 1063 would adjust an alternative energy/local tax provision by allowing a fee-in-lieu rate down to 10% and adding energy storage, such as large-scale batteries, to qualifying projects. House Bill 1793, by committee substitute, would add gun safes to the state’s Second Amendment sales tax holiday. House Bill 1941 would raise the Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund’s administrative fee from 2% to 3% and authorize $5 million in bonds. House Bill 1942 would create a conduit bond mechanism under the TIF code for local development projects. House Bill 1944, by committee substitute, would expand the Children’s Promise Act tax credit program from $18 million to $40 million over three years and add a new $1 million credit for facilities serving adults with mental handicaps; members debated its effects on private schools, foster care entities, and public education funding. Most bills passed overwhelmingly, including several unanimous votes; House Bill 327 passed 115-1, House Bill 343 passed 118-0, House Bill 420 passed 120-0, House Bill 489 passed 120-0, House Bill 715 passed 120-0, House Bill 1063 passed 115-0, House Bill 1793 passed 109-3, House Bill 1941 passed 118-0, House Bill 1942 passed 116-0, and House Bill 1944 passed after extended debate. The discussion on House Bill 1944 featured questions about whether the credits favored private schools over public schools, whether schools could also receive ESA-related funds, and how much money individual institutions could receive; the sponsor said the credits are separate from tuition, are administered by DOR on a first-come, first-served basis, and do not reduce direct public school funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• Billy, Ashley Ngo, a 2023 Milken Educator, Jonathan Ngo, husband of Ms.
• Friedman and Connor Boyle from the New Mexico Public Education Department.
• We have Rashinda Billy, 2024 Milken Educator; Louise Billy, mother of Ms.
• House Education Committee, Ranking Member Brian Baca (member_13938).
• And again, welcome to these magnificent educators.

Transcript Highlights:

• , 1502.057, Local Government Code, and case law.
• , 1502, 057, local government code, and case law.
• Educate me.
• education.
• So Texas Water Code 16.060 outlines the criteria for zone designation.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because I think that having some form of education.
• It's an important step to have education for families...
• Education is the foundation to understanding everything, right?
• I mean, you know, okay, cool, education on the North Dakota court system, education on co-parenting,
• And I'll have the code call roll. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Keywords: 908, all