Transcript Highlights:

• You press a button, it generates a six-digit code, right?
• Second only to all agencies of education, which is higher and public education and Second only to all
• agencies of education, which is higher and public education and teachers.
• when you lump all education together.
• They provided at the time educate abundant janadoe.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services convened to discuss interim charges regarding fraud, waste, and abuse in Texas human services, particularly focusing on Medicaid and childcare programs. The meeting highlighted the importance of preventing misuse of taxpayer funds, with testimony from various stakeholders emphasizing the need for increased oversight and accountability in these programs. Key points included the alarming rise in healthcare fraud in other states, the necessity for Texas to enhance its fraud prevention measures, and the potential financial repercussions of failing to meet federal compliance standards. Several committee members expressed concerns about the impact of fraud on vulnerable populations, particularly those relying on Medicaid services. Testimonies from experts underscored the effectiveness of Texas's Office of Inspector General (OIG) in combating fraud, yet pointed out existing vulnerabilities, such as inconsistent enforcement and the need for better data sharing among agencies. The discussion also touched on the challenges faced by hospice care providers, with a significant increase in the number of hospices in Texas raising concerns about quality and oversight. The committee heard from various witnesses, including representatives from health plans and advocacy organizations, who provided insights into the complexities of managing Medicaid and the importance of maintaining program integrity. The meeting concluded with a commitment to further explore legislative solutions to enhance oversight and ensure that resources are directed to those in genuine need.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Find your seats and let's settle down the committee on Education Pre K through 12 will now come
• Let's take up Amendment bar code 4, 0, 1, 8, 5, 0, by Senator Burton.
• plan also known as the IP education plan.
• Let's take up bar code 4, 5, 1, 9, 1, for Senator.
• Jason Crawford, Home Education Foundation waives in support.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Education.
• It is in the education code that the CIF is to comply with both state and federal law.
• In 2013, Governor Brown signed into law **Assembly Bill 1266**, which added Education Code Section 221.5
• Education Code Section 221.5 F. is not just bad policy; it's also a flagrant violation of Title IX.
• As an educator and an advocate who cares deeply about ensuring each student has equal educational opportunities

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:24:42.960> at<00:24:43.200> DLI codes and licensing division at DLI codes and licensing
• <00:26:04.559> and necessary construction code and necessary construction code and licensing
• <00:47:46.720> and undergone the rigorous education and undergone the rigorous education and
• integrated workforce and education integrated workforce and education solutions.<00:48:46.400>
• that people are a little more educated that people are a little more educated on<01:08:29.600>

Bills: HF3228, HF2441

Keywords: workers' compensation, insurance programs, employee protection, Minnesota statutes, safety regulations, prevailing wage, certified payroll, payroll reporting, construction contracts, public works, project registration, labor standards, contractor compliance, subcontractor reporting, state government, Department of Administration, Commissioner of Labor and Industry, Metropolitan Council, highway construction, public construction

Transcript Highlights:

• Williams has a famous saying, and she likes to say, “We want to educate; we don't want to educate our
• And I am responsible for education about the Holocaust and educating youth. We are not hearing you.
• Everything was in Morse code.
• Secretary of Education on higher education and accreditation.
• Education accreditation.

Summary: The committee on Higher Education Appropriations heard and favorably reported two bills: SB 1570, which revives the former Project Leo program to help locate missing persons with special needs through voluntary tracking devices and coordination with sheriff’s offices, and CS/SB 1376, which creates a grant program to support genetic counseling education in response to a statewide shortage of genetic counselors. Both bills drew supportive comments, with the genetic counseling bill also receiving public support from a university representative. The committee then took up a large slate of confirmations. It first approved a block of reappointments to various university and college boards of trustees, including institutions such as UWF, Broward College, Chipola College, FIU, Pasco-Hernando, Polk State, St. Petersburg College, Valencia, FAMU, FAU, UCF, FSU, New College, UNF, USF, and Broward College. It then heard from numerous new appointees and some requested reappointments, many of whom emphasized workforce training, nursing, military and veteran support, dual enrollment, and local economic development as priorities for their institutions. Several nominees highlighted their personal ties to the schools and communities they would serve, including appointees to Pensacola State, Polk State, St. Petersburg College, UNF, UWF, FIU, the College of the Florida Keys, Valencia College, and Chipola College. Committee members repeatedly asked about nursing NCLEX pass rates, workforce alignment, and institutional growth. One reappointment, Thomas Zachary Smith to the UWF board, was pulled from the block for separate questioning about his past public comments and his role in Project 2025; he said he would serve in his personal capacity and treat all students equally. The committee also separately heard from a Florida Poly reappointment, I. Shapiro, who was questioned about prior remarks regarding race and Supreme Court nominations, and from a New College reappointment, Mark Bowerlaine, who described campus improvements and enrollment growth. The meeting ended amid ongoing confirmation processing and separate votes on the remaining nominees.

Transcript Highlights:

• Jacob Beliva, Department of Education.
• Being an educator myself, I really appreciate you all.
• We've had several go to the Department of Education.
• Every single education cooperative... Every single education cooperative has literacy coaches.
• And this is because of the APSCAN coding structure.

Summary: The committee first approved the March 9 and 10 minutes, then heard a presentation from the Arkansas Excellence in Teaching Fellowship Program featuring three third-grade teachers from Poyen, Drew Central, and Cabot, along with Department of Education Secretary Jacob Oliva. The teachers described the fellowship as a year-long collaboration among 23 merit-pay recipients from across the state, focused on sharing classroom strategies, data use, and professional support. Members asked about teacher experience, how the fellowship information is shared locally, the role of merit pay, and how teachers are addressing third-grade reading and retention concerns under the ATLAS assessment system. The teachers emphasized early intervention, relationships with students, small-group instruction, progress monitoring, and communication with families; they also described community supports such as churches, food backpacks, and local donations. Several members raised broader questions about poverty, trauma, social services, DHS involvement, and whether similar professional learning should be expanded to more teachers. Secretary Oliva said the fellowship is a small subset of a larger merit-pay program, that participation was voluntary, and that the state is working to improve literacy supports, clarity, and alignment across grades. He also said ATLAS results are now available to schools and families much faster than in the past, often within 24 to 72 hours, and that the state is using the data to identify at-risk students earlier and support intervention before retention decisions are made. The committee then moved to the adequacy/resource allocation presentation from the Bureau of Legislative Research. Staff explained that the report is part of the statutory adequacy review and focuses on state funding sources beyond foundation aid, including categorical and supplemental funds. They noted that districts and charters spent more than $7 billion in the 2025 school year, with roughly 49% from foundation funding and 51% from other sources over the last three years. The presentation outlined the four categorical funds—Alternative Learning Environment, English Learners, Enhanced Student Achievement, and Professional Development—describing their restricted uses, student-based funding formulas, and the ability of districts to transfer some money among categoricals while keeping it within allowable purposes. Staff said categorical funds account for about 4% of total spending, or less than $300 million, and reviewed superintendent feedback on whether those funds met district needs, with responses varying by category and district.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:36:48.680> uh uh the Department of Education uh uh the Department of Education uh supports
• as well as Maui Chamber of Education as well as Maui Chamber of Commerce<00:39:34.359> all<00
• Next, we have HB 423, relating to workers' compensation, to align the code with the Code of Federal Regulations
• <01:00:34.720> uh<01:00:34.960> with<01:00:35.119> the<01:00:35.280> code
• <01:00:35.839> of<01:00:36.160> federal the code uh with the code of federal the code

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is to keep three vacant education positions temporarily filled as they search for replacements.
• This is to keep three vacant education positions temporarily filled as they search for.
• Contract number three, Higher Education Division with ASU-BB.
• It's a new contract for Code Help Blue Points on UALR campus.
• It's a new contract for Code Help Blue Points on UALORC campus.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• MY NAME IS BRIAN MEYER, I AM THE DEPUTY SECRETARY OF MEDICAID AT THE HEALTHCARE EDUCATION AND I SERVE
• IT WAS REALLY JUST ADDING SIX ADDITIONAL CODES TO OUR EXISTING POLICIES OF THIS HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED
• GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION, THIS IS A SUPPLEMENTAL PAYMENT PROGRAM BUT IN EXISTENCE IT EXPANDED IN 24
• FIRST OF ALL YOU AND YOUR WIFE HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY HELPFUL EDUCATING ME AND I DO APPRECIATE IT.
• I WILL TELL YOU AT MY LEVEL AND THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION I HAVEN'T GONE THERE YET.

Transcript Highlights:

• The state began increasing its share of the cost of special education.
• The 2022 budget funded 90% of extraordinary special education costs.
• It does only if they live in the right zip code.
• We have an education crisis. We have a state health plan crisis.
• At a four-year public institution of higher education. Senator McCurdy moves the bill.

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• through educational initiatives. through educational initiatives.
• They were the code talkers um which actually one of the only codes uh that I believe they couldn't break
• They were the code talkers um which actually one of the only codes uh that I believe they couldn't break
• believe<01:24:34.000> they the only codes uh that I believe they the only codes uh that I
• that these educators are doing. that these educators are doing.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It spans education, with Corps members advancing their academic credentials while they serve.
• I can pursue higher education, and it's very likely that I'll have a career in the natural resources.
• Permanent staffing ensures continuity of inspections, public education, and enforcement under Public
• Resources Code 4291, and supports anticipated future workload under the Governor's Executive Order N-
• resource inspections, public education, and enforcement under public resource code 4291, and supports

Summary: The subcommittee heard an overview from the California Conservation Corps on its 50-year history, current operations, and budget proposals. Director J.P. Patton described the CCC’s work in conservation, disaster response, education, and workforce development, noting 26 facilities, about 3,000 Corps members annually, and a funding mix of roughly 55% General Fund and 45% reimbursements. Members praised the program and asked about revenue sources, recruitment, retention, and post-service tracking. The CCC said it has a 5,000-person waitlist, uses first-come, first-served admissions with minimal eligibility requirements, and is working to improve data on outcomes. The committee also discussed the Greenwood Residential Center, where the CCC seeks staffing and operating funds to reopen a rebuilt facility in El Dorado County; the LAO suggested considering fewer new members or a delayed opening to reduce General Fund pressure, but no vote was taken and the item was held open. The committee then considered a CCC wildfire readiness proposal to move hand crews to a seven-day operational schedule. CCC and Cal Fire representatives said the change is needed because wildfire is now year-round and because the current model leaves crews unavailable in many months due to staffing gaps. They said the proposal would improve reliability for Cal Fire, preserve training opportunities for Corps members, and better align the CCC with Cal Fire’s 66-hour workweek. The LAO supported the concept but recommended considering lower-cost alternatives, such as relief staffing or partial reimbursement. Members also discussed the decline in incarcerated fire crews, with Cal Fire explaining that reforms and eligibility changes have reduced the pool of incarcerated people who qualify for camp and fire work. One member raised the use of goats and grazing for fuel reduction, and staff responded that such methods can help with prevention but cannot replace hand crews for suppression. The item was held open. Cal Fire then presented its department overview, emphasizing its expanded workforce, year-round wildfire response, vegetation management, community preparedness, and partnerships with federal, local, tribal, and private entities. Members asked about contract counties such as Orange County, reforestation and seedling capacity, federal reimbursement, and the 66-hour workweek rollout. Cal Fire said it is still below the seedling capacity needed for post-fire reforestation and relies heavily on public-private partnerships. The committee also reviewed a proposal for permanent funding for defensible space inspections. Cal Fire said it needs 31 positions and ongoing General Fund support to replace temporary funding that expires in 2027 and to maintain a goal of 250,000 inspections per year. The LAO said the proposal has merit but suggested alternatives such as a different General Fund/GGRF mix, reinstating an SRA fee, or approving the positions on a one-time basis. Members generally supported the work but raised budget concerns, and the proposal was held open. Finally, Cal Fire began presenting a fixed-wing pilot and mechanics contract increase, explaining that its aviation fleet has grown and become more complex, requiring more pilots and maintainers for year-round operations. The department said labor market pressures have increased contractor costs and that the contract is needed to support continuous aerial firefighting readiness. The transcript cuts off before further discussion or any action on that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• Kindergarten includes TK as defined in Education Code Section 48000.
• Is that in the Education Code?
• But that's all in the Education Code? That's right. Okay.
• Code 3256(d) and 52064.4 that were enacted as part of the 2024 education omnibus trailer bill.
• Yeah, Department of Education.

Summary: The committee heard presentations on the Governor’s education budget proposals for the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), Learning Recovery Block Grant, and Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP), followed by testimony from State Board of Education President Linda Darling-Hammond. On LCFF, Finance outlined the proposed 2.43% COLA, repayment of prior deferrals, and a trailer bill penalty for LEAs that fail to adopt Local Control Accountability Plans on time. The LAO said its COLA estimate was slightly lower and raised concerns that the Governor’s proposed TK staffing ratio increase may be more costly than estimated. Members also discussed whether the current COLA formula should better reflect California-specific or district staffing costs, and whether TK should be more clearly separated from the K-3 grade span adjustment to avoid larger K-3 class sizes. The chair asked staff to work with the LAO on both the TK/K-3 issue and alternative COLA calculations. For the Learning Recovery Block Grant, Finance proposed restoring the first of three delayed payments, $378.6 million one-time Proposition 98 General Fund, while the LAO recommended adopting the proposal but extending the expenditure deadline by at least a year. The LAO reported that districts had spent $1.6 billion of the $6.8 billion received through 2023-24 and said most districts were only now shifting from federal COVID relief to block grant spending. Members questioned whether the large state and federal investments were improving outcomes, citing declining reading and math trends, while Finance and the State Board president pointed to some signs of improvement, especially in math, attendance, and gains for some student groups. Darling-Hammond emphasized that student needs have grown, that recovery spending has gone to devices, ventilation, staffing, tutoring, summer school, and community schools, and that targeted interventions appear to be helping some districts recover faster than others. On ELOP, Finance proposed adding $435 million to expand universal access by lowering the Tier 1 threshold from 75% to 55% unduplicated pupils, bringing ongoing funding to $4.4 billion. The LAO said the estimate was reasonable but recommended delaying implementation for a year, aligning ELOP with ASES to reduce overlap, moving toward funding based on participation rather than enrollment, and considering a fixed Tier 2 rate. Members and witnesses discussed staffing challenges, the use of funds for students with disabilities, and uncertainty in Tier 2 funding caused by unspent dollars and opt-outs. Darling-Hammond supported ELOP as part of California’s broader after-school and summer learning strategy, said most districts are now offering full-day TK and expanded learning, and urged the state to reduce fragmentation across categorical programs and build more unified systems for funding, reporting, and support.

Transcript Highlights:

• Repealing this restrictive language allows trained agents to educate families about lawful, faith-based
• The current ban limits consumer education and also raises First Amendment concerns.
• Repealing this restrictive language allows trained agents to educate families about lawful, faith-based
• The current ban limits consumer education and also raises First Amendment concerns.
• It's not subject to the regulatory requirements or consumer protections of the insurance code.

Bills: S0052, S0502, S0624, S0758, S0834, S0840

Keywords: places of worship, house of worship, church, mosque, synagogue, religious security, armed security, volunteer security, private security, security guard licensing, licensure exemption, Florida Statutes chapter 493, Class G license, Class C license, security services, faith-based institutions, public safety, military jurisdiction, delinquency, concurrent jurisdiction

Summary: The committee considered several bills and reported each favorably. SB 624, by Senator Yarborough, would allow batterers intervention programs to offer optional supplemental faith-based activities, with no participant required to take part. Supporters said it would expand provider options and help address a shortage of certified programs; opponents raised concerns about mixing government-ordered programming with religion and about the state’s prior rule change. The bill passed 7-2. The committee also approved CS/SB 834, which repeals a 2022 restriction barring licensed insurance agents from partnering with health care sharing ministries to market or sell their programs. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill restores free speech, consumer choice, and access to faith-based alternatives, while opponents warned about consumer confusion, higher commissions, and weak protections because these ministries are not insurance. After extended debate, the measure passed 8-2. Other measures advanced unanimously or near-unanimously. CS/SB 502, as amended, would give Florida concurrent jurisdiction over certain juvenile offenses on military installations so juveniles can be handled in the state system; it passed 9-0. CS/SB 52 would exempt volunteer armed security for houses of worship from Class D or G licensing requirements, and supporters cited rising threats to churches and the need for organized volunteer security; it passed 9-0. SB 840, a cleanup bill to narrow and clarify last year’s emergency-related land-use restrictions after hurricanes, also passed 9-0, and CS/SB 758, which updates the membership of the Justice Administration Commission, passed 9-0 after an amendment restoring two public defenders to the commission.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there anybody here that can kind of educate us on how it works? I'm just going to ask.
• If there's a code in ICU, I got to be there. If there's a code in ER, I got to be there.
• There's a code pink, meaning a baby, I got to be there.
• There, at another hospital I work at, we have to go from Taking care of a baby who just coded.
• New Mexico paid for your education. Will you give New Mexico two years back and stay?"

Transcript Highlights:

• We're extending the repeal order on this code section for another five years.
• sections forward for is brings the code sections forward for what's<00:32:03.039> known<00:32
• So we brought these code sections forward to work on this, and then what we did in Judiciary A, which
• <00:44:53.520> I videotapes uh for the educational TV.
• I videotapes uh for the educational TV.

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 3 February, 2026; 1:30 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first heard a proposal to consolidate small or outdated Treasury and agency accounts into pooled investment accounts so idle balances could earn interest and administrative costs could be reduced. Senator DuPree asked whether the change would also eliminate old accounts, and the sponsor said it would close outdated accounts and move funds where they could earn interest. The committee then voted title sufficient, do pass. Senate Bill 2694, described as the biomarker bill, would require mandatory biomarker testing for diagnosis, treatment, management, and monitoring of certain conditions when supported by medical and scientific evidence and nationally recognized clinical guidelines. The bill would apply to health insurance policies written in the state after September 1, 2026, require written reasons for denials, and include reporting requirements back to the Legislature. The sponsor estimated a total cost of about $5.2 million, with roughly $1 million as the state share, and the committee voted title sufficient, do pass. The committee then took up the ARPA bill, which would accelerate the spending deadline from December 31 to September 30 and create three buckets for remaining funds: $100 million for MDOT, about $62 million for lost revenue to help offset insurance costs, and any additional funds to be handled by DFA under the governor’s discretion within ARPA rules. Senators asked about lists of projects, the risk of rushing money out the door, and whether local city and county projects could be repurposed; sponsors said the bill is aimed at keeping funds from being returned to Washington and that projects already in process should be nudged to completion, while unused funds could be clawed back after missed reporting or reimbursement requests. The committee also discussed prior technical problems with some completed projects and said those cases would likely require separate legislative action. The committee voted title sufficient, do pass, committee sub. Finally, the committee considered Senate Bill 2578, which creates a small municipality match fund to help cities under 10,000 population meet the 20% local match needed for discretionary federal and state grants. The chair clarified that the bill establishes the fund but does not create a funding source, and the sponsor confirmed that point. The committee then voted title sufficient, do pass.

Transcript Highlights:

• To just sort of emphasize the relative importance of each sector, health and education is 17,155,000
• Does the tax code require people to pay based on their ability to pay? Got it.
• It is what funds our public education; it is what funds our early childhood investment.
• My first term in office, a lot of bipartisan work on reforming... ...the tax code. Mr.
• I mean, the way our tax code is, we're picking winners and losers.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• since they normally uh higher education since they normally uh selfappoint<00:22:11.760> like
• And all the education components that came with it was great.
• That's in a different section of the code.
• This moves it to the section of code under a nice law. clerk<00:54:43.040> lock<00:54:43.280><
• a section of code that deals with<00:56:14.480> a<00:56:14.960> defendant<00:56:15.839

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:50:13.359> to state cost of in education to state cost of in education to operate<00:50
• looking at um special education looking at um special education differential<01:38:54.679> Aid
• I must say that special education—and I had that special education because I've been in college work
• <02:01:34.599> if<02:01:34.760> I education if I education if I may<02:01:36.679> it
• into uh the payment of educational into uh the payment of educational costs<03:22:30.479> uh<

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session focused on school funding formulas, adequacy aid, and special education aid, with the chair outlining a schedule for the next several Tuesdays and noting that the committee would likely need multiple executive sessions to narrow down the bills. Members discussed the FY 26 formula, including base cost, differentiated aid, extraordinary needs grants, hold harmless provisions, and the roughly $28 million in excess statewide education property tax (SWP) funds that are not currently returned to the state under the existing formula. The first bill discussed was HB 137, which would allow excess SWP funds to remain with the local municipality for school and municipal purposes. Representative Spilsbury argued the issue is fundamental and suggested the state should require excess funds to be remitted back to the state, while Representative Damon said the bill appears to codify current practice and may be unnecessary, especially given possible court action. The discussion then shifted to a related bill from Representative Fellas that would redefine SWP as local money rather than state money and keep the current adequacy aid numbers revenue-neutral for now. Representative Fellas explained that SWP was created in 1999 after the Claremont lawsuit as part of the state’s effort to show increased school aid, but that it effectively labeled part of the local property tax as state money without changing property tax bills. She argued the state should not be tapping local property tax revenue and said her bill would preserve the current distribution while removing the SWP tax label, with future work possible on a different measure of local capacity such as income, home values, or poverty rate. Members also referenced prior discussions of fiscal capacity aid, relief aid, and other formula changes as part of the broader effort to restructure school funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, you have an invitation on your desk for the higher education legislative reception, 5 to 7:00
• You need your zip code and your name, and you might be having your lucky day.
• You<00:31:16.240> need<00:31:16.399> your<00:31:16.640> zip<00:31:16.880> code
• c><00:31:17.200> and<00:31:17.520> your<00:31:18.320> name, You need your zip code
• and your name, You need your zip code and your name, and<00:31:18.880> you<00:31:19.039> might

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with 55 members present and 10 excused, established a quorum, and approved the journal of Monday, January 26, 2026, as corrected. The chamber then took up Senate Joint Resolution 5, designating Colorado 4-H Day. Representatives Johnson and McCormick spoke in support, noting the visit from 4-H members and reciting the 4-H pledge. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 59-0, with six excused. The remainder of the meeting consisted largely of announcements and recognitions. Members highlighted upcoming legislative receptions for the Colorado Airport Operators Association and livestock groups, committee meetings including SMART Act hearings, Judiciary Committee items, Transportation/Housing/Local Government business, and a House Finance Committee meeting. Several members also recognized visiting groups and constituents, including behavioral health providers, Aurora Mental Health and Recovery, Heritage Heights Academy students, and House District 6 community leaders. A significant portion of the floor time was devoted to a personal privilege statement by Minority Leader Caldwell, who responded to concerns about immigration enforcement, emphasized the rule of law and due process, and criticized rhetoric he said endangered law enforcement and others. The House then moved into recess later in the day.