Transcript Highlights:

• However, they are frequently updated in response to legislation or changes as needed.
• Yes, yeah, I can say that the need.
• Yeah, I think that would be helpful to know that we need to update these.
• We can update these according to—maybe we don't need to do things exactly.
• I know at least I've heard in a few areas that still show higher need in my area.

Summary: The committee received a lengthy Bureau of Legislative Research presentation on Arkansas academic standards, accountability systems, and adequacy requirements. Staff reviewed how state curriculum and standards have evolved from the 1997 Public Education Act through the 2003 Quality Education Act and the 2017 Educational Support and Accountability Act, including required coursework, standards for accreditation, career and technical education, graduation requirements, and recent additions such as computer science, personal finance, firearm safety, and fetal growth and development instruction. Members asked for a chart comparing the major laws and repeals over time, and staff agreed to provide one. The presentation then turned to federal ESSA requirements and Arkansas’s state accountability system. Staff explained Arkansas’s long-term goals for proficiency, English learner progress, and graduation rates, and reported 2025 ATLAS proficiency results, which remained below the 80% goal across student groups. They also reviewed English learner progress, graduation rates, school support and improvement, and equitable access to educators. Data showed gaps by subgroup and by school poverty/minority concentration, with Title I and high-poverty schools more likely to have emergency/provisional teachers and less experienced staff. Members questioned the lack of recent data for some ESSA measures, including equity labs and school index calculations, and asked staff to follow up with the Department of Education. The committee also discussed NAEP results, ACT scores, and teacher quality measures under the state accountability act. Arkansas’s NAEP performance remained below national averages in fourth- and eighth-grade reading and math, and ACT composite scores and benchmark attainment were also reviewed. Members asked for additional information on historical highs and lows, the number of assessments students take by grade, dropout data, and comparisons with other states. No formal votes were taken; the main action was agreement to request additional information from DESE and to schedule department follow-up at a future meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to intervene. We need to get serious.
• <01:24:33.920> We<01:24:34.080> need<01:24:34.239> to need [snorts] to intervene
• We need to need [snorts] to intervene. We need to get<01:24:34.560> serious.
• <01:41:52.000> And<01:41:52.159> again, needed throughout the state.
• And again, needed throughout the state.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The commission's IFSAC staff's analysis.
• They need to get out there and investigate quickly.
• So the to enable more detailed analysis.
• There you really can't meet their needs.
• So meeting their needs, uh we do needs.

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call- 00:00:14 Staff Report on the Firefighter Commission Minimum Training Standards and Administrative Spending- 00:02:02 Response from the Kentucky Fire Commission-00:32:06 Judge Testimony on Child Removal-00:42:47 Update on Child Removal and Reunification-01:11:19 Staffing at Kentucky Veteran Centers-01:40:15 Adjournment-02:05:55, 958, all

Summary: The Legislative Oversight and Investigation Committee met without a quorum, so no votes were taken. Staff presented a study of the Kentucky Fire Commission focused on firefighter minimum training standards and administrative spending. The presentation explained that Kentucky’s training standards are built from NFPA guidelines, that the commission currently requires 115 hours for volunteer firefighters and 300 hours for paid firefighters, and that those reduced hours were adopted by removing electives and other non-NFPA content. Staff also said the commission’s IFSAC certification testing for firefighter 1 and firefighter 2 aligns with NFPA standards, but the commission cannot require local departments to train or certify firefighters. Staff recommended that the commission formally promulgate regulations establishing the reduced training hours and work with KCTCS to better separate administrative costs for certain programs so compliance with the statute can be demonstrated. The finance portion of the report said the commission is funded by general fund appropriations for State Fire Rescue Training and by an insurance premium surcharge that supports the Firefighter Foundation Program Fund. Staff reported that the commission stayed within the 5% administrative cap tied to the overall surcharge allotment, but could not confirm compliance with a separate 5% cap for specific programs because KCTCS accounting does not break out those costs in enough detail. Staff suggested the General Assembly may want to clarify what counts as administrative cost in statute. Members asked about investment returns, local fire department funding, and whether training documentation is required; staff said some of those topics were outside the study scope and that IFSAC testing relies on chief certification that a candidate is ready to test. Representatives from the Fire Commission then responded, saying they agreed with the report’s recommendations and would work to clarify the 5% issue with legislators and KCTCS. They explained that the reduction in training hours was intended to remove electives, better align with NFPA standards, and address the difficulty volunteer departments have in getting members to complete lengthy training. Commission officials said training is documented through rosters and annual compliance reviews, and that IFSAC-certified firefighter testing is based on demonstrated skills rather than a required number of training hours. They also said the difficulty in tracking the second 5% cap stems from the way KCTCS’s PeopleSoft system records reimbursements as single transactions, making it hard to isolate administrative costs by program.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:54.360> from for any answer that you will need from for any answer that you will need
• primarily involve collection analysis primarily involve collection analysis mapping<00:13:19.320
• foundational data and information needed foundational data and information needed for<00:13:22.760
• <00:21:09.919> to with that extension um they do need to with that extension um they do need
• <00:29:51.760> to recipients that they do not need to recipients that they do not need to

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Something needs to be done. Bring us something. Something needs to be done.
• Something needs to be done. Bring us something. Something needs to be done. And this year.
• It needs to be done this year.
• A healthy workforce needs access to health care.
• Maybe I need a, maybe I need a doctor on my whiplash here. So my view of this is, I'm glad.

Keywords: House Committee Room C, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas State is swinging open the door. doors of opportunity wider than ever before to meet the needs
• In 1947, the legislature authorized us. to train veterans of World War II for jobs needed by industry
• Everybody in Texas needs to be watching, and certainly your location. to bring sharply into focus, so
• It will allow us to develop a training industrial academy to meet the ever-growing needs of vocational
• and workforce needs in and around the rural areas of Hardin County.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• designed to prepare graduates for high-demand fields, ensuring Texas has the skilled workforce it needs
• In 1947, the legislature authorized us to train veterans of World War II for jobs needed by industry
• And that has allowed us to do absolutely the things we needed to get done. Chairman: OK.
• The funding is essential for our operations and maintenance support needs in a cost environment that
• Everybody in Texas needs to be watching and certainly your location brings it sharply into focus.

Transcript Highlights:

• analysis on the front end of how this is analysis on the front end of how this is going<00:07:47.440>
• need them, >> right?
• that those who need to be here that those who need to be here weren't<00:55:34.000> here<00:55
• need to do one of them by itself.
• how many you need? how many you need?

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the October 13 minutes and then moved through a large agenda of contracts and agreements, including a deferred list from the September 2025 agenda. Members questioned several agencies about the purpose, cost, and duration of the items before them, with repeated motions to consider the contracts reviewed without objection passing by roll call. The Office of Energy Policy and Energy and Environment Cabinet presented a solar-and-battery program. Members asked about panel and battery lifespan, warranty coverage, who would pay for replacement or disposal, and whether the program made sense in Kentucky. The agency said panels and batteries generally last 25 to 30 years, warranties would cover replacement during the warranty period, EPA guidance would govern disposal, and federal funds would cover program expenses. Officials estimated the program could reduce participating homeowners’ utility bills by about 70%, with a minimum required savings of 20%. The Department for Community Based Services explained a new vendor contract for SSI initial and redetermination work for children in out-of-home care, saying the work is federally required, the department lacks in-house capacity, and the contract replaced a prior vendor after an RFP protest and rebid. The Department of Highways described umbrella traffic engineering contracts for smaller highway safety projects, noting they are used for spot improvements and are nearing full utilization. The Kentucky Historical Society said its contract funded a temporary exhibit tied to 250th anniversary programming, and the Board of Medical Licensure discussed an amended audit contract, explaining that annual audits were adopted after an auditor’s recommendation and that the board is funded by state allocation plus fees and fines. The Department for Natural Resources/Abandoned Mine Lands gave the most extensive presentation, describing a $5 million engineering services contract as part of a much larger workload increase driven by Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding, with projects prioritized by citizen complaints and safety impacts; the agency said the contract supports design and oversight for community-scale mine reclamation projects that exceed in-house capacity.

Transcript Highlights:

• Father, we admit we are a needy people, and to be honest, we need help.
• In the midst of life, we just need a whole bunch of love and grace.
• We need money to be able to train these teachers to validate these badges.
• We need police officers. I work a lot with them in my community.
• And I was politely told that I needed to wear it under my coat.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and included several member introductions and recognitions, including awareness resolutions and visiting groups in the galleries. The chamber then moved to a special order calendar and took up a series of bills, with most receiving unanimous or near-unanimous support. Early measures included SB 88 on utility terrain vehicles, which would allow local governments to designate certain roads for UTV use under safety restrictions; it passed 32-5 after debate over safety concerns. SB 102 on exceptional student education would create a workforce credential and badge program for students with autism spectrum disorder or modified curricula, and passed 36-0 after discussion of workforce access and district costs. SB 106 on exploitation of vulnerable adults would allow alternative service of process through the same app used by scammers, and passed 37-0. SB 130 on compensation for victims of wrongful incarceration would extend filing deadlines and remove restrictive bars to compensation, and passed 38-0. SB 158 would eliminate cost sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast exams under the state employee health plan, and passed 38-0 after testimony about early detection and access to follow-up care. The most extensive debate came on SB 234, which would revise laws on resisting law enforcement and add a mandatory life sentence for manslaughter of a law enforcement officer. Supporters argued it was needed after the killing of Officer Jason Raynor and to clarify that violent resistance to officers is not justified; opponents raised concerns about removing “good faith” language, potential impacts on Fourth Amendment issues, racial profiling, and the severity of the mandatory sentence. An amendment to restore “in good faith” failed, and after further debate the sponsor temporarily postponed the bill. The Senate then passed SB 262 on technical trust-code changes by a 36-0 vote, and later recognized Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity members in the gallery. Additional bills passed with broad support. SB 274 designated portions of Orlando roadways as Harris Rosen Way and Geraldine Thompson Way, honoring philanthropist Harris Rosen and the late Senator Geraldine Thompson; it passed 38-0 and drew a motion for co-sponsorship. SB 280 created an enforcement mechanism for candidate party-affiliation qualification requirements and passed 38-0. SB 296 repealed the statewide mandate for later middle and high school start times and shifted the issue to local districts after reporting requirements, passing 38-0. SB 356 designated January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Florida and passed after remarks about the Holocaust memorial and the need to confront antisemitism. Throughout the session, senators frequently framed their votes in terms of public safety, education, access to care, civil justice, and commemorating community leaders and historical events.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not an attorney, so I need this explained to me in layman's terms here.
• We need our justice system. We need a jury to decide. Thank you. Can I make a comment?
• We need to be much more deliberate about this process.
• , what we need, when we need it.
• And we need to prohibit, if possible, experimentation and intervention.

Summary: The Committee on Rules met with a quorum and heard extensive debate on SB 734, which would repeal Florida’s wrongful-death medical malpractice exception that bars certain adult children and parents from recovering noneconomic damages. Senator Yarborough presented the bill as a fairness and accountability measure, while many family members testified in support, describing deaths they believed were caused by medical negligence and arguing the current law denies equal justice. Opponents, including physician and insurer representatives, warned the bill could increase malpractice exposure, premiums, defensive medicine, and physician shortages. The committee also considered two late-filed amendments: Senator Burton’s amendment would make Department of Health investigative findings admissible in court, and Senator Martin’s amendment to that amendment would broaden admissibility/discoverability to additional disciplinary and prior-adverse-incident records and insurance coverage facts. After debate, the Martin amendment was adopted, but the Burton amendment as amended failed on a roll call vote. The committee then reported SB 734 favorably without the amendment. The committee next unanimously reported CS for SB 86 favorably. That bill, by Senator Burgess, expands peer support protections for first responders to include support personnel; there was little debate and several law-enforcement-related organizations indicated support. The committee also took up SB 316 on series limited liability companies. Senator Berman explained that the bill creates rules for series LLCs in Florida, and a late-filed amendment, requested by the Secretary of State, delayed implementation by one year. The amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee considered CS for CS for SB 384, which requires municipalities seeking to annex state-owned land to notify the relevant county legislative delegation when the first public hearing is advertised. Senator Burton presented the bill briefly, there was no opposition or debate, and the committee proceeded to vote on the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• And for some students, this needs.
• > intensive For students needing more intensive For students needing more intensive supports,<
• <00:46:56.280> to controlling the slides or do I need to controlling the slides or do I need
• And that's what we need to see more of in our communities to help our kids.
• <01:46:13.720> um and legislate as needed um and legislate as needed um on<01:46:14.480>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• year, Chief Justice Guerrero emphasized that one of our priorities, one of her priorities, was the need
• Madam Chief Justice, we're grateful for your work, and we know it's needed now more than ever.
• We need funding to properly fulfill the solemn responsibility, as a co-equal branch of government, to
• This helps us to accurately assess resource needs.
• This helps us to accurately assess resource needs and equitably allocate the resources you provide.

Summary: The California Legislature met in joint convention for the annual State of the Judiciary address, with judges and justices from across the state in attendance along with Governor Newsom and other statewide officials. The opening included prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the formal introduction of Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero and the California Supreme Court justices. Speakers emphasized the importance of judicial independence, the courts’ role in protecting rights and democracy, and the value of collaboration between the legislative and judicial branches. Chief Justice Guerrero focused on the state of the judicial branch, beginning with budget pressures from prior cuts and noting partial restoration in the governor’s proposed budget, while urging continued stable funding for courts, court-appointed counsel, and judgeships in high-need counties. She highlighted the expansion and benefits of remote proceedings, ongoing judicial vacancies, workload growth, and efforts to improve data collection and case-weighting. She also discussed implementation of the CARE Act, the court interpreter workforce pilot, CASA and kin-first child welfare efforts, courthouse security and facilities projects, and the judiciary’s work on generative AI guardrails. A major portion of the address addressed the recent problems with the California bar exam and broader State Bar oversight. Guerrero said the court would pursue remedies for examinees harmed by the failures and would strengthen admissions oversight, including the role of the Committee of Bar Examiners. She also reiterated support for pro bono legal services and discussed immigration-related courthouse access, citing state laws limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement in courthouses. The convention concluded after remarks thanking the judiciary and Legislature, and the joint session adjourned without any recorded votes or formal legislative action.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's why H.R. 2988 is needed. Mr.
• stepping in to help a neighbor in need. stepping in to help a neighbor in need.
• need to impeach right here. need to impeach right here.
• <03:09:01.200> to least people do not feel the need to least people do not feel the need to
• premise that we need even more revenue. premise that we need even more revenue.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, January 15, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, where does it make sense that we need this in Logan County? Maybe not.
• And we're not giving them the tools they need.
• How much RLD would need, you know, to implement this program.
• Those are the things that need to be answered.
• They just need less regulation. Thank you. Thank you, Representative Dow.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it will also help free up those rental units that other people need.
• To the home builder, what's going to need to be approved?
• So I'll be happy to stand for questions and provide support where needed.
• Two, the need to diversify our economy away from over-reliance on oil and gas.
• We need to stop the New Mexico brain drain and become a net importer of talent.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We agree with the committee's analysis that there is no cost to the state.
• Some of the most in need patients who need access to medicinal marijuana have struggled to get access
• to the products that they need. solution.
• I hope it gets funded, because this is what people need. They wanted me to oppose the bill.
• now in 2045 when we need to meet our carbon goals.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members' current eligibility and funding structures do not fully accommodate the needs of larger rural
• the growing economic development needs of rural areas in Texas.
• This ensures that every community has the tools they need to protect these vital facilities.
• Do we need to call them up? If not, we're going to close public testimony and leave HB4396.
• All right, is there any need to bring up the resource witnesses? Good. All right.

Bills: HB2564, HB2760, HB2765, HB2898, HB3260, HB3800, HB4341, HB4396, HB5195

Keywords: Defense Economic Adjustment, grant applications, economic assistance, local government, Evaluation panel, judicial review, Texas Workforce Commission, unemployment compensation, legal proceedings, labor law, rural development, infrastructure, Texas economic fund, private investment, job creation, meteorological evaluation towers, wind resources, aviation safety, regulations, construction notice

Transcript Highlights:

• GROWTH HAPPENING BUT STILL MAINTAINING THE NET AMOUNT OF WATERSHED WE HAVE SO GOOD LUCK AND IF YOU NEED
• Harrell: THANK YOU, WE ALL WANT TO JUMP ON THIS BILL BECAUSE WE SEE THE NEED.
• IT NEEDS SOME REFINEMENT AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO DOING THAT.
• WE ALSO NEED TO LOOK AT OUR FISCALLY CONSTRAINED AREAS.
• I THINK ALSO WE NEED TO LOOK AT OUR STORM WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS IN SO MANY AREAS.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He goes, "I need a Bible."
• So, thank you again for joining us here this morning. uh teacher we need into the future.
• Uh uh teacher we need into the future.
• <00:53:14.680> Um<00:53:14.960> so, the supports that they need.
• Um so, the supports that they need.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:57.839> more Lexington so it's personal we need more Lexington so it's personal we
• need more sensible<00:14:58.600> gun<00:14:58.800> leg<00:14:59.040> legislation
• So that's the legal analysis.
• He said they need to look at a few of those things and thanked the sponsor for bringing that up.
• ever get it off your record so we need ever get it off your record so we need to<00:31:11.360>

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:06 SB 75: 00:01:05 Discussion in Opposition to SB 75: 00:11:00 SCR 89: 00:26:30 HB 38: 00:34:51 HB 201: 00:50:16, 958, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 75, sponsored by Senator Reed, which would lower Kentucky’s concealed carry age from 21 to 18. The bill’s supporters, including Taylor McKe of the NRA, argued that 18- to 20-year-olds are legal adults who should have equal Second Amendment rights, noting they can vote, serve in the military, and otherwise be treated as adults. Supporters also cited court decisions and historical arguments, while opponents, including Kathy Hobart and Chuck Eddie, warned that the bill would increase gun violence and put more guns in the hands of young people without adequate training. Senator Carol said he opposed the bill because the brain is not fully mature until about age 25 and called the measure irresponsible; Senator Denine said he would pass the bill but wanted training requirements added; Senator Thomas also opposed it on public safety grounds; and Senator Wheeler supported it as a parity and self-defense measure for law-abiding young adults. After debate, the committee voted on SB 75 and reported it favorably with the expression of opinion that it should pass. The roll call reflected a mix of support and opposition, with several members explaining their votes. Supporters emphasized self-defense, constitutional rights, and consistency with adult responsibilities, while opponents focused on youth violence, public safety, and the lack of a training requirement. The committee then took up Senate Concurrent Resolution 89, sponsored by Senator Jimmy Higdon, which would direct the establishment of a Kentucky Restoration of Voting Rights Task Force. Higdon described it as a typical interim work group and said it would include five House and five Senate members. Discussion broadened to expungement and restoration issues, including marijuana-related convictions and other records that members said should be reviewed in light of changing laws. Chair Storm noted he had filed a separate expungement task force resolution and suggested the measures could be coordinated. The resolution was moved, seconded, and the roll was called, with Senator Thomas later explaining support for treating older marijuana convictions more equitably in light of current law.