Transcript Highlights:

• If you would, this morning, let's stand and represent Nazareth.
• Representative Duke, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Representative Gonzales-Worthen?
• Representative Beck, you are recognized.
• Representative Painter, you're recognized. Thank you.

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The joint education committee continued its adequacy study with a Bureau of Legislative Research presentation on resource allocation, covering how Arkansas school spending is mapped to the adequacy matrix and how expenditures are split between foundation funds and other funding sources. Staff explained the methodology, district and school categories used for comparisons, and key findings for matrix spending, including that classroom teachers account for the largest share of matrix expenditures and that districts spend more per student than charter districts in most categories. Members asked for additional breakdowns on waivers, trend data, and more detailed spending by district type, and staff agreed to provide follow-up information. The committee then reviewed non-matrix spending, including instructional aides, facilities, school safety, mental health services, dyslexia support, gifted and talented, career and technical education, and other items not explicitly in the matrix. Staff noted that non-matrix spending exceeded $2 billion and that superintendents consistently identified mental health services, school safety, and dyslexia support as important needs not fully captured in the matrix. Members raised concerns about dyslexia identification and funding, school safety, facilities spending, and whether some items such as food service should be included in adequacy calculations. Staff and Department of Education representatives explained that some expenditures are difficult to isolate because of coding and commingled funds, and that certain items are funded outside the matrix or through separate programs. In the final section, staff summarized total spending across matrix and non-matrix items, noting that districts spent more than the foundation amount per student and that most total spending was on matrix resources. They also highlighted data limitations, including two matrix lines that cannot be fully tracked through current accounting codes. The chair then proposed postponing the second part of the presentation until a May meeting after the fiscal session, with additional time set aside to address questions for both staff and the Department of Education. The committee agreed, and the meeting adjourned without any formal vote on policy changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Wall, yes. >> Representative Richards, yes. >> Representative Py, yes. >> Representative
• Representative Wall, yes. Representative Richards, yes. Representative Py, yes.
• Um, so it is to my understanding that we as state representatives are allowed to get out of jury duty
• I'm not sure I ever was excused because I had state representative duties."
• because I had state representative because I had state representative duties. duties. duties.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm proud to represent our 15,000 plus members and as... ...represent our 15,000 plus members, and as
• on active duty. ...as well as the 400,000 veterans, active duty, reserve, and Guard members in our state
• Each DSO should have a representative, and there should be two representatives based on their membership
• We may get 20% of them since we represent.
• We represent over.

Bills: HB154, HB153, HB180, SB70

Keywords: veterans affairs, Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs, State Board of Veterans Affairs, commissioner, governor appointment, board advisory, veteran service organizations, veterans homes, veterans cemeteries, veteran service officers, district managers, state veterans home trust fund, veterans benefits, military veterans, disabled veterans, elderly veterans, active-duty service members, state agency reorganization, executive authority, governance reform

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Baca. Representative Chatfield. Representative Garcia. Representative Gonzales.
• Representative Gurrola. Representative Lara. Here. Representative Moya. Here.
• Representative Caballero. Representative. Representative Caballero. Representative Collins.
• Representative Torres of Alaska. Representative Vincent. Representative Vice Chair Garratt. Here.
• Representative Gurrola? Representative Lara? Yes. Representative Baca? No.

Bills: SB23, SB73, SB210, SB234, SB243, SB244, SM16

Keywords: student use, wireless devices, public schools, policy implementation, education technology funding, driver education, driver's ed, driving school, motorcycle safety, traffic safety, vulnerable road users, pedestrian safety, bicycle safety, cyclist, bike lane, micromobility, scooter, moped, motorcycle training, DWI prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas Adi Kul Carney partnered with New Hampshire Representatives Seth Miller and Paige Boschman
• [Applause] [Music] Representatives Seth Miller and Paige Representatives Seth Miller and Paige Boschman
• need us to define the duties that they can and can't do.
• to carry them out on a in their duties to carry them out on a nonpartisan<00:22:26.880> basis
• duty, would that now be a criminal act? duty, would that now be a criminal act?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Alders. Here. Representative Bowers. Representative Cain. Representative Campos.
• Representative Cook. Representative Curry.
• Representative Garcia, Representative Olcott, Representative Rodriguez-Ramos, Representative Tenderloin
• Representative Cook. Aye. Representative Curry. Aye. Representative Garcia. Aye.
• The primary duty of the office is to represent the public interest as a party to matters before the commission

Bills: HB512, HB2248, HB2679, HB2832, HB3112, HB3368, HB3490, HB3512, HB3623, HB3666, HB3700, HB3711, HB3770, HB3963

Keywords: grievance procedures, state agency, employee rights, workplace regulations, employment law, employees, employment actions, appeal, state employees, workplace rights, disciplinary actions, employment conditions, employment disputes, job protections, public information, transparency, government accountability, information access, notification requirements, federal funding

Transcript Highlights:

• Buckley; Etheridge Zachary, with Representative Shaheen; Gabriel Diedrich, with Representative Hayes
• ; Santiago Gautera, with Representative Isaac; Caitlin Johnson, with Representative Hunter; Madison Cohen
• Voitus with Representative Cook.
• It is a dereliction of our fiduciary duty to our taxpayers if we let people take $16 billion... ...duty
• And Representative Hefner kept that as well.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered an invocation, approved the previous day’s journal, and received a House message announcing passage of HB 4 on public school accountability and assessment. The chamber also recognized the Doctor of the Day, adopted SR 520 honoring Rosser Coke-Newton Sr. for his biography of former Governor Richard Coke, and adopted SR 518 recognizing Texas Moral Injury Awareness Day, with remarks focused on the impact of moral injury on veterans and first responders. The Senate later adopted SR 395 honoring the ninth class of Governor William P. Clements, Jr. Scholars, and several other resolutions were adopted by voice vote, including college savings awareness recognition and other member-sponsored recognitions. The body then took up several bills and resolutions on the floor. HB 3307, allowing online continuing education for arbitrators in property tax appeals, passed unanimously after suspension of the rules and the three-day rule. HB 913, renaming and reorganizing certain state hospitals, and HB 2970, governing the Gulf Coast Protection District and coastal barrier design, also passed unanimously. HJR 1 and HB 9 advanced a proposed constitutional amendment and statutory change to raise the business personal property tax exemption from $2,500 to $125,000; both measures passed, with HJR 1 receiving one no vote and HB 9 passing unanimously after a clarifying amendment. The Senate also passed HB 1151, which limits child removals and termination of parental rights based solely on parental medical treatment decisions, and HB 116, which revises grounds for involuntary termination of the parent-child relationship by removing the “O grounds” and requiring support from financially able parents whose rights were terminated. HB 1899 lowered the age for pyrotechnic operator licenses and fireworks display permits from 21 to 18. SB 1285, as amended, passed to protect bats by prohibiting entombment while preserving removal options from unoccupied spaces, and SB 2847 passed to promote innovations in core curriculum for faster bachelor’s degrees. On criminal justice, SJR 87, a proposed constitutional amendment requiring denial of bail for certain repeat violent felony offenders, passed after two floor amendments clarifying due process and representation language; Senator Eckhardt spoke against it on final passage, arguing it lacked judicial discretion and a clear-and-convincing standard. SB 3073, requiring magistrates to make written findings in certain criminal proceedings, also passed. Later, SB 128, requiring hospitals to report suspected child abuse-related information to HHSC, advanced on a divided vote, and SB 2619 and SB 2972 passed on public school accountability and expressive activities at public colleges, respectively, with Senator Eckhardt opposing SB 2972 as too restrictive on campus protest rights. The chamber also heard extended debate on HB 21, targeting “traveling” housing finance corporations and their use of tax exemptions for apartment projects, with supporters arguing it curbs abuse of the tax code and critics warning about unintended effects on affordable housing; the discussion continued with questions but no final action shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 1775 represents not only a beacon of hope for the transgender veterans community, it's an investment
• This bill represents approximately 0.005% of that total.
• This will include our new active duty currently serving.
• In California, we recognize that when a service member is called to duty, their entire family is also
• Oftentimes, we're called to very short-notice active duty. Very much in support.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Signed, Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House of Representatives.
• Therefore, it is my duty to return HR 131 to the House of Representatives without my approval.
• Therefore, it is my duty to return H.R. 504 to the House of Representatives without my approval.
• Therefore, it is my duty Amendments Act.
• <00:14:28.000> without to the House of Representatives without to the House of Representatives

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, January 2, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Joint Resolution 2 concerns a joint session of the Senate and the House of Representatives for
• for the purpose House of Representatives for the purpose of<00:51:08.640> hearing<00:51:08.880
• >> the duties of the office >> the duties of the office >> the<00:54:33.839> duties
• <00:54:34.160> of<00:54:34.400> the<00:54:34.559> office >> the duties
• of the office >> the duties of the office >> to<00:54:35.440> which<00:54:35.680>

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the journal from January 14, 2026, and confirmed that Senate bills and resolutions were correctly engrossed. The chamber then took up House amendments to Senate Joint Resolution 2, which concerns a joint session with the House to hear from Governor Jared Polis and appoint an escort committee. The Senate concurred with the House amendments by a vote of 34-0 and then repassed SJR 2 unanimously; Senator Bridges asked to have his name removed as a co-sponsor. The Senate also briefly recessed to swear in staff members, who took the oath of office and were welcomed by members. During announcements, senators mentioned the upcoming junior livestock auction and noted an excused absence for Senator Catlin for next Tuesday and Wednesday. The Majority Leader announced a corrected start time of 10:30 a.m. for the State of the Tribes address and reminded members that the Senate would later attend the State of the State joint session in the House at 11:00 a.m., with blue lanyards required for access. Security restrictions on Capitol parking circle entrances and exits were also announced during the governor's address. The Senate then adjourned until 12:00 p.m. that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Representative Bjinowski. >> Representative Camu. >> Representative Duval. >> Representative Fleming
• . >> Representative Johnson. >> Representative Petri. >> Representative Typton. >> Auditor Adalison Ballaker
• >> Representative Duval. >> Representative Fleming. >> Representative Johnson. >> Representative Petri
• Sorry, Representative Callaway. Sorry, Representative Callaway.
• Representative<00:31:52.159> Camu. Representative Camu. Representative Camu.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call: 00:00:17 Approval of Minutes: 00:02:09 Legislative Proposals: HB 213: 00:02:13 HB 516: 00:25:00 HB 589: 00:39:30 Kentucky Public Pension Authority: 00:44:52 Adjournment: 01:14:07, 958, all

Summary: The Public Pension Oversight Board met on February 13 and approved the minutes after establishing a quorum. The committee then took up three pension-related bills, beginning with Rep. Callaway’s proposal to allow certain retired police officers with 15 to 19 years of service to be rehired by local law enforcement agencies. Callaway and Brandon Lincoln of the FOP said the bill is intended to help recruitment and retention, especially for departments facing staffing shortages, and emphasized that it would be optional and would not allow double-dipping. Committee members raised concerns that lowering the service threshold from 20 to 15 years could create an unfunded liability and weaken the pension system, and several members said they did not yet fully understand how the pension and insurance provisions would work. The sponsor said she was open to working on the bill, and the chair noted the committee would continue to examine it with help from KPA staff. The second bill, presented by Rep. Lewis with Brandon Lincoln and Jeff Taylor, addressed probationary employees in CS agencies, including firefighters and police officers. The bill would let certain former probationary employees purchase service credit for time spent in probation, and would extend line-of-duty death and disability protections to employees who are injured or killed during probationary service. Testimony said the measure is optional for employers, could be used as a recruitment tool, and would allow employees within six months of the probationary period to buy back the time themselves if they choose. Members generally supported the concept, noted a negligible fiscal note, and discussed whether current employees could buy back older probationary periods; the sponsor said the bill did not appear to allow that, though he was open to further discussion. Throughout both bills, members focused on whether the proposals would create new pension costs or liabilities and how they would interact with existing retirement tiers and contribution rules. Several members asked for clarification on whether rehired workers would contribute to the pension system, whether employers would pay normal cost or any contribution at all, and whether the bills would affect future retirement benefits. The sponsors and witnesses repeatedly said the measures were limited, optional, and intended to address staffing and fairness issues without changing the core retirement system, but the committee did not take final action on the bills during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Representative Represent Ross. Thank you Mr. Chair. Um, thank you, uh, Mr.
• Chair, uh, Representative Terazos?
• Thank you, Representative Lord. Thank you Mr.
• Chair, uh, Representative Lord.
• Chair, Representative Lord, uh, as, as, uh, described by the Representative Tara earlier, the, the casualty

Transcript Highlights:

• I think each of those activities are, you know, representing— —Representative Simmons does not for a
• And during the time that Representative Simmons was employed with EEC, did both Representative Simmons
• “Representative Simmons.” “All right. Ms. Simmons.” “Ms.
• And the third one was my job duties at EEC. My job duties at EEC.
• I would never put that in any job duty.

Summary: The hearing resumed in the Legislative Ethics Board matter involving Tara Simmons after the board confirmed no ex parte communications had occurred overnight. Respondent’s counsel moved to dismiss two allegations at the close of the board staff’s case: that Simmons pressured the Administrative Office of the Courts to alter a contract in favor of her employer, and that she violated ethics rules by combining legislative support for AEJG with a personal donation to the organization. Board staff opposed the motion, arguing the evidence showed Simmons’s legislative and personal dealings were intertwined. After a recess for deliberation, the board denied the motion to dismiss, and the hearing moved into the defense case. The first defense witness was Sharon Navas, executive director of the Equity and Education Coalition (EEC). Navas testified that she met Simmons in 2018, later hired her, and took steps to separate Simmons’s legislative duties from her work for EEC. She said Simmons was never paid for lobbying or legislative acts, that her compensation came from unrestricted funds, and that the organization used written ethics-compliance language and a formal scope of work. Navas also described the proviso-funded dashboard project involving Anthony Powers and Chris Stanley, testifying that Simmons was not involved in the project’s day-to-day work, did not attend the meetings about the dispute, and was not part of the alleged contract disagreement. On cross-examination, staff focused on the contract documents, the dashboard work, and whether the scope of work matched the parties’ understanding. Tara Simmons then testified in her own defense. She described her background, legislative career, disability accommodations, and extensive efforts to seek ethics guidance from House counsel and board-related materials before taking outside employment or supporting provisos. She said she relied on prior ethics advice when separating her legislative role from outside work and when seeking provisos for AEJG and EEC. Simmons also addressed her relationship with Anthony Powers, describing it as a friendship rooted in criminal justice reform work and prior collaboration. The hearing was still in the middle of Simmons’s direct testimony when the transcript excerpt ended, with no final ruling on the merits or disposition of the allegations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Keeler. Representative Keeler.
• your duty as a representative<00:16:00.880> would<00:16:01.079> certainly<00:16:01.680
• Representative<00:40:56.640> Engan. Representative Engan. Representative Engan.
• Representative<00:41:34.120> Engan. Representative Engan. Representative Engan.
• Chair, Representative. Representative. Representative.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Jackson. I move for a favorable report. Second by Representative Pettis.
• Representative... members. Representative England.
• All right, um, Representative Wadsworth and then Representative Bsel.
• All right, Representative Bedo, then Representative Jackson, followed by Representative Morris.
• Thank you, Representative...

Bills: HB403, HB224

Keywords: criminal enterprise, database, law enforcement, data privacy, criminal justice, HB224, Alabama, obstructing governmental operations, first responder, emergency responder, police, firefighter, EMT, paramedic, public safety, harassment, interference with emergency personnel, crime, Class A misdemeanor, emergency scene

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Representative.
• Representative, this bill affects... well, what county? The county we both represent. Yeah.
• : both the duty of care and the duty of loyalty.
• I want to thank Representative Garcia, along with Representative Cook, and I also want to thank Representative
• Representative, that's possible.

Bills: HB1520, HB1545, HJR110, HJR203, HB245, HB1465, HB1482, HB294, HB793, HB809, HB3928, HB334, HB2037, HB1973, HB285, HB4341, HB4264, HB 1043, HB837, HB 1234, HB 1193, HB 1194, HB1646, HB1729, HB2498, HB1314, HB2295, HB1353, HB1531, HB1988, HB5398, HB3960, HB3923, HB1407, HB1764, HB2221, HB2214, HB2517, HB2518, HB2213, HB5008, HB5092, HB3421, HB3663, HB3748, HB3800, HB3756, HB2613, HB3782, HB5246, HB4344, HB4044, HB4066, HB2702, HB2807, HB2869, HB2898, HB3181, HB3250, HB4153, HB2091, HB2115, HB2542, HB2768, HB3349, HB3352, HB4406, HB1593, HB1899, HB3133, HB4432, HB4960, HB3214, HB3915, HB3508, HB2145, SB304, SB608, SB2312, SB494, SB530, HB45, HB2520, HB35, HB47, HB318, HB349, HB554, HB1359, HB1373, HB2254, HB2259, HB2853, HB3073, HB3088, HB353, HB355, HB786, HB762, HB705, HB932, HB849, HB 1119, HB3041, HB713, HB3104, HB3970, HB4042, HB4490, HB1731, HB2607, HB3689, HB1788, HB1612, HB138, HB15, HB1971, HB1338, HB2989, HB267, HB 1201, HB2954, HB5265, HB1804, HB5061, HB1520, HB1545, HJR110, HJR203, HB1887, HB1914, HB2402, HB2306, HB1809, HB2350, HB3000, HB3237, HB3326, HB3211, HB 1056, HB2081, HB2187, HB3092, HB3308, HB3526, HB3750, HB3527, HB4219, HB4230, HB4290, HB5238, HB4804, HB4749, HB245, HB1465, HB1482, HB294, HB793, HB809, HB3928, HB334, HB2037, HB1973, HB285, HB4341, HB4264, HB 1043, HB837, HB 1234, HB 1193, HB 1194, HB1646, HB1729, HB2498, HB1314, HB2295, HB1353, HB1531, HB1988, HB5398, HB3960, HB3923, HB1407, HB1764, HB2221, HB2214, HB2517, HB2518, HB2213, HB5008, HB5092, HB3421, HB3663, HB3748, HB3800, HB3756, HB2613, HB3782, HB5246, HB4344, HB4044, HB4066, HB2702, HB2807, HB2869, HB2898, HB3181, HB3250, HB4153, HB2091, HB2115, HB2542, HB2768, HB3349, HB3352, HB4406, HB1593, HB1899, HB3133, HB4432, HB4960, HB3214, HB3915, HB3508, HB2145, HCR6, HCR12, HCR34, HCR50, HCR55, HCR58, HCR70, HCR71, HCR72, HCR74, HCR75, HCR78, HCR80, HCR93, HCR100, HCR107, HCR116, HCR117, HCR90

Keywords: Angelina and Neches River Authority, river authority, Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Sunset Act, Special District Local Laws Code, local government, natural resources, board of directors, director training, board governance, public testimony, open meetings, public information, conflict of interest, ethics, complaint system, general manager, board president, staggered terms, removal of director

Transcript Highlights:

• that it's outside the scope of their duties, so I think it... ...of their duties, so I think it clarifies
• Ladies and gentlemen, we're carrying over: - 232, Representative Baker - 58, Representative England We
• Representative Gan, you don't talk about...
• Thank you, representative V. I appreciate it. You got a... Representative V, I appreciate it.
• Representative Simpson. Representative Simpson.

Bills: SB156, SB134, SB108, SB47, SB88, SB89, SB106, SB18, SB9, HB38, HB54

Keywords: habitual felony offender, resentencing, Alabama Department of Corrections, victim notification, criminal justice reform, life sentences, parole eligibility, pardon, parole, law enforcement, GPS monitoring, data sharing, mail theft, stolen mail, criminal penalties, personally identifying information, felony, misdemeanor, expungement, criminal records

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Representative Pfluger.
• So, Representative Pfluger, you are free to go.
• Thank you very, very much, Representative Williams. Mr. Hansel.
• This is our duty.
• Now, Representative Williams, you've got one.

Keywords: national security, nuclear energy, Department of Defense, military readiness, public commentary, nominations

Summary: The meeting convened with a focus on the scrutiny of various nominations and their implications for national security. Mr. Brandon Williams was nominated as the Undersecretary of Energy for Nuclear Security, drawing attention to the pressing need to modernize the U.S. nuclear arsenal amid growing threats from other countries. This was echoed in discussions led by committee members who expressed concern over military readiness and the management of military installations, with emphasis on ensuring accountability within the Department of Defense. Public commentary was notably supportive of the nominations, although some concerns were raised regarding the administration's broader strategies.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Cole Hefner here. A quorum is present.
• Senator Hancock moves and Lieutenant Governor Patrick's representative seconds that Representative Cole
• Representative Cole Heffner, Lieutenant Governor's Representative Suzanne Tomlin, and the Speaker's Representative
• I can't thank Admiral Sands, duty?
• Representative Co Hefner.

Transcript Highlights:

• may you be blessed with the courage to care for the communities and values that you're called to represent
• you're called to represent. you're called to represent.
• And it is a duty that this body has refused to exercise for too long.
• the duty of the Senate in particular. the duty of the Senate in particular. and<00:11:33.880>
• , party, we do our constitutional duty, party, we do our constitutional duty, we<00:31:53.800>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all