Transcript Highlights:

• three of that section of the statute. three of that section of the statute.
• And that code that describes the services has to be supported by a diagnosis code, an ICD-10 code that
• .<00:59:14.720> And<00:59:15.040> that<00:59:15.359> code<00:59:16.160> code<
• And that code code uh that code.
• ,<00:59:22.240> an supported by uh a diagnosis code, an supported by uh a diagnosis code,

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And we did that thanks to our federal government by just writing blank checks. I would agree.
• And I'll be happy to take questions on this section, or we can go ahead and move on.
• So that's going to conclude our categorical fund section.
• And this is because of the APSCAN coding structure.
• That wraps up our supplemental section, so we're going to move into our final section, which is just

Summary: The committee approved the March 9 and 10 minutes and then heard a presentation from the Arkansas Department of Education on the Arkansas Excellence in Teaching Fellowship, featuring three third-grade teachers from Cabot, Poyen, and Drew Central who are also teacher merit pay recipients. The teachers described the fellowship as a year-long Zoom-based collaboration with about 23 educators statewide, focused on sharing classroom strategies, data use, and professional support. Members asked about the teachers’ experience, how they share what they learn with their districts, the range of grades represented in the fellowship, and the relationship between the fellowship and merit pay. The teachers emphasized building relationships with students, using data to drive instruction, early intervention, and collaboration across grade levels, while the secretary said the program is intended to identify and elevate high-performing teachers and spread their practices. A major portion of the discussion focused on third-grade reading, retention, and the new ATLAS testing system. Teachers and the secretary said students are screened and progress monitored throughout the year, families are notified early if students are at risk, and schools are using interventions, tutoring, and individualized reading plans. They said ATLAS results are now available much faster than in the past, often within 24 hours or a few days, allowing teachers and parents to respond quickly. Members asked about the impact of poverty, trauma, foster care, DHS involvement, IEPs, and critical shortage areas; teachers said relationship-building, small-group instruction, and coordination with counselors and special education staff are key. The secretary said the fellowship is a small subset of a broader merit pay program, that participation was voluntary, and that the state is trying to build a coherent system with literacy coaches, high-impact tutoring, and clearer standards rather than teaching to the test. Members also discussed broader policy issues, including the need for more positive public messaging about public education, teacher input in decision-making, and support for early childhood education. Several legislators asked whether the state should expand funding for early learning and whether more literacy or academic coaches are needed in districts that improve and then lose eligibility for state support. The secretary said the state has committed literacy coaches to D and F schools and is still working through how to sustain support as schools improve. He also said the administration would look at data and return on investment before supporting additional funding, and he encouraged legislators to help recruit eligible teachers into future fellowship cohorts. After the teacher panel concluded, the committee moved on to the adequacy resource allocation study, where Bureau of Legislative Research staff began a presentation on state and local education funding sources, categorical funds, and district spending patterns.

Transcript Highlights:

• And again, government, I know down here a lot of people think that local governments are service owners
• Simpson, so you are opposed to letting governments, local governments, decide to either do a newspaper
• Simpson, so you are opposed to letting governments, local governments, decide to either do a newspaper
• There's no billing codes. There's no diagnosis codes.
• I oppose the expansion of government.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And it also moved two sections in the middle of the bill.
• The tax code did that.
• The tax code did that.
• The tax code<00:18:04.960> did<00:18:05.200> that.
• Well, the bill as code did that.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation and pledge, established a quorum, excused absent senators, and approved the journal. The clerk reported House-passed bills and Senate bills received from the House, and several Senate bills were read a second time and sent to the Rules Committee. Committee reports recommended passage of multiple measures, including bills from Appropriations and Revenue, Health Services, Natural Resources and Energy, State and Local Government, and Transportation. The chamber then moved to orders of the day and took up Senate Bill 50 and Senate Bill 191, while Senate Bill 137 and Senate Joint Resolution 54 were passed over and retained in the orders of the day. Senate Bill 50, relating to the disposition of property, was explained as a broad update to trust, probate, and intestacy law. Supporters said it would streamline probate when there are no disputes, add privacy protections for decedents’ estate information, give courts more flexibility, set retention and filing-fee rules for wills, recognize electronic wills and other uniform-law concepts, and allow transfer-on-death designation for motor vehicles. A floor amendment removed inheritance-tax provisions and corrected technical issues; it was adopted, and the bill passed 35-1 after debate in favor from several senators and no substantive opposition. Senate Bill 191, creating the Kentucky Kindergarten Readiness Performance-based Child Care Incentive Pilot Program, was also amended and passed. The bill would establish a three-year pilot administered by the University of Kentucky College of Education, providing a one-time $2,000 per child incentive payment or refundable tax credit to child care providers and low-income families when children are assessed as kindergarten ready. A floor amendment clarified that the study and recommendations must comply with federal child care regulations; it was adopted, and the bill passed 35-1 after a senator changed a vote from no to yes. The Senate then recessed for Rules and Committee on Committees meetings, after which the rules committee posted additional bills to future orders and the committee on committees referred several bills and resolutions to standing committees. Several members also made announcements about upcoming committee meetings, a legislative breakfast, a fish fry, and condolences for a community member.

Transcript Highlights:

• SINCE WE ARE IN AN APPROPRIATIONS THE FISCAL IMPACT OF THIS BILL NEGATIVE FISCAL IMPACT ON A LOCAL GOVERNMENT
• YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO EXPLAIN THE AMENDMENT BAR CODE 121756. >> THANK YOU.
• YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO EXPLAIN BAR CODE 123052. >> Senator Collins: THANK YOU.
• AMENDMENT BAR CODE 120532 A TECHNICAL FIX OF THE BILL.
• BAR CODE 649872.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Natural Resources Code 91.
• Section 319, theft of petroleum products, and Penal Code Section 3103, general theft related to oil
• Unlike the federal government, whose U.S.
• section that is the basis for that statewide jurisdiction for prosecution.
• They are responsible not only to the federal government but also to their shareholders.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh first section will be your administrative reviews.
• be<00:04:15.440> your Uh first section will be your Uh first section will be your administrative
• We do building codes that address building across the state. Cities can't do that.
• that<00:59:52.720> address We do building codes that address We do building codes that address
• And I have governments to overreach.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Laws Chapter 123, Section 21.
• And then in 1919, formal control was shifted from what was a social welfare entity and government to
• General Laws, Chapter 123, Sections 15B, 16B, 16C, or 18A.
• The reference to legal section 7 and 8 is the loophole.
• We do have them sign a code of conduct.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on a broad set of mental health, substance use, recovery, and patients’ rights bills. Early testimony focused on H. 2227, which would replace stigmatizing substance use terminology in the General Laws, and H. 3950, which would support parents in recovery involved with DCF by requiring more individualized recovery plans, clearer benchmarks for parenting time, access to recovery coaches or counselors, family counseling after sustained recovery, and staff training on addiction and lived experience. Speakers described the bills as ways to reduce stigma, increase accountability, and improve reunification outcomes for families. A major portion of the hearing centered on S. 1386, which would transfer Bridgewater State Hospital from the Department of Correction to the Department of Mental Health. Advocates, family members, and disability groups testified that Bridgewater functions like a prison rather than a hospital, with excessive restraint, seclusion, involuntary medication, poor conditions, and racial disparities, and argued DMH should oversee a treatment setting. One DMH occupational therapist and MNA member opposed the transfer, saying the real issue is mixing forensic and continuing-care patients and that DMH should instead create designated forensic units under bills H. 228/S. 1408. Committee members asked about Bridgewater’s population, the history of DOC control, capacity, staffing, and how a transfer might be implemented. The committee also heard testimony on modernizing the six fundamental rights for psychiatric inpatients, including expanding communication options, clarifying visitation and advocacy definitions, and improving access to gender-appropriate and culturally relevant items. Another bill, H. 2216, would require stronger oversight before antipsychotic medication is prescribed in nursing homes, prompted by concerns about inappropriate use. Finally, testimony supported H. 2240 and H. 2239 on sober homes, with supporters saying discharge and relocation policies are needed when a resident returns to active use or becomes unsafe, while preserving the recovery environment and resident rights. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just kind of section-by-section breakdown. Would that be good? Okay.
• Would that section by section breakdown. Would that be<01:15:40.000> good?
• Section four amends KRS 200.505, definitions for Kentucky Penal Code.
• So then we flip over here to section four and you're actually changing the criminal code, are you not
• It's in section begins at section that?

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Agency Updates: 00:01:45 26RS SB 125: 00:02:10 26RS SB 101: 01:14:58, 958, all

Summary: The Juvenile Justice Oversight Council met on February 6, 2026, took roll, approved a motion to convene, and heard agency updates from materials in the packet. The council then took up Senate Bill 125 out of order because Senator Carol was present. The bill was presented as a collaborative effort focused on creating a secure, state-run high-acuity mental health facility for justice-involved youth who need specialized psychiatric care and cannot be appropriately served in detention or by private hospitals. Speakers said the facility would fill a gap in services, improve safety and treatment outcomes, and be designed with trauma-informed, medically equipped spaces rather than a jail-like setting. The presenters also outlined other parts of the bill, including a placement process in which DJJ and CHFS would evaluate youth and provide recommendations before the judge makes the final decision, with certain hospital-declination provisions to be delayed until the new facility is operating. They described payment incentives for hospitals treating high-acuity youth, confidentiality and escape-related disclosure provisions, and contracts with a public teaching university for clinical services. The proposed facility was described as a 24-bed center at Central State, with staffing to include mental health professionals and juvenile detention staff receiving enhanced training. Dr. Clark Lester said staffing needs would vary by youth and could include one-to-one supervision for some patients. The bill also addressed female juvenile detention capacity. Speakers said the number of detained girls has risen sharply since 2024, peaking at 51 in 2025, and that current facilities cannot meet the separation requirements for boys and girls or high- and low-level youth. The proposal would build two female detention centers, with possible locations discussed in central Kentucky and western Kentucky, and a third or fourth center could be added if population data show the need. Members asked about hospital placement authority, staffing, and average length of stay for girls; the presenters said the current court-order process would remain until the new facility is built and that they would provide additional data later. No vote was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• with other California governing bodies.
• This simply improves access to our governing board members.
• I think even in this code section, we've added, you know, one every other year.
• I think even in this code section, we've added, we've added, you know, one every other year.
• But, yeah, for the narrow question of, yes, cybersecurity added to the same code section that includes

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment is coded A1.
• The amendment is coded coded coded DEA<00:02:33.599> 1615. DEA 1615. DEA 1615.
• The amendment is coded A16. amended. The amendment is coded A16.
• The amendment is coded A7. I amended. The amendment is coded A7.
• The amendment is coded A17. The amendment is coded A17.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So, section 2, line 1, line 2.
• <00:33:48.960> 2 testimony so section 2 testimony so section 2 one<00:33:52.159> uh
• thirdparty reports by any government thirdparty reports by any government official<00:43:16.720>
• <00:45:56.000> 321 as that term is defined in section 321 as that term is defined in section
• <00:48:56.880> 658 party's choice pursuant to section 658 party's choice pursuant to section

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on SB 284, which would remove the requirement that wiretapping applications to a designated judge be accompanied by a written memorandum from the Department of the Attorney General. The Department of the Attorney General opposed the bill as drafted and instead proposed a new emergency-wiretap procedure allowing county prosecutors to seek immediate judicial authorization in exigent circumstances, followed by AG review and a follow-up application within 48 hours. The Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney’s office supported creating an emergency exception, citing a kidnapping case involving a missing material witness and the need to obtain live phone location data quickly, but asked that the AG be required to respond clearly within the follow-up period. The AG said the current wiretap process often arrives incomplete and noted a prior Honolulu application that was returned for more information and then abandoned. The committee also heard public testimony, including one speaker in support and another in opposition, and discussed whether the proposed emergency process should include imminent danger findings and what happens if the follow-up application is not approved. No vote or final action was taken in the transcript. The committee then took up SB 295, which increases penalties for violating temporary restraining orders and orders for protection and makes related changes. The Deputy Public Defender opposed the bill’s higher penalties, arguing that not all restraining-order cases involve domestic violence and that the measure could affect family disputes, property conflicts, custody battles, and other non-domestic situations. The Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney supported the bill, saying it would create a more uniform and efficient charging framework and that violations of court orders can be serious even when the conduct appears minor in isolation. Domestic violence advocates also supported the measure, emphasizing the need for meaningful enforcement and deterrence; one witness cited statewide data showing thousands of TRO petitions but relatively few convictions and fines. A representative from the Domestic Violence Action Center supported the bill but requested amendments to reduce unintended consequences for survivors. During discussion, the committee focused on the proposed minimum sentence, with the Domestic Violence Action Center recommending reducing it from 15 days to 5 days. The witness explained that longer minimums can create hardships such as job loss, housing instability, and child care problems, while still allowing time for survivors to access shelter and services. The committee chair indicated support for amending the bill to reflect that recommendation. The Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney also clarified that the bill is intended to address violations of already-issued protective orders after judicial review, not the initial issuance of restraining orders, and said the office supports eliminating the distinction between domestic and non-domestic protective-order violations because charging decisions are often made under time pressure. Multiple individuals and organizations signed up in support, and one witness testified in opposition. No vote or final committee action was announced in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• And five of Southern Section Masters.
• The code ventilation energy package.
• people to establish government people to establish government presupposes<02:30:04.560> the
• to obey the established government. to obey the established government.
• And can it be... the government in making it, and for a the government in making it, and for a spirit

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

Transcript Highlights:

• in government today did not everyone in government today did not create<00:58:38.079> the<00:
• Article 4, Section 2 of the U.S.
• because I pointed out article 4 section because I pointed out article 4 section two<02:14:45.719
• I said, if the federal government, under Article 1, Section 8 of the enumerated powers, gives them the
• <02:32:41.600> 8<02:32:41.880> of government under Article 1 Section 8 of government

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:04:23.840> I but before we dig into the sections, I but before we dig into the sections
• Um, that is your mostly section one.
• Um, reducing minimum government subsidy.
• <00:18:15.520> representatives and local government representatives and local government representatives
• change and and cities and government change and and cities and government changed<01:25:34.320><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• While current law under Chapter 211 of the Local Government Code and the Texas Constitution provides
• Additionally, the committee substitute just adds retroactive language in the new Section 2.
• Now, do you have to waive government immunity to get a DEC action or a mandamus? Great question.
• Y'all all know how bad it was getting, and y'all remedied it in part by putting Section 43.908, which
• million rehabilitation of a building with no economic value and subjected us to dozens of spurious code

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 2215, which would clarify that property owners may challenge municipal zoning ordinances that are adopted without following Chapter 211 procedures, and would expressly waive municipal sovereign immunity for declaratory, injunctive, and mandamus actions in those cases. The bill sponsor and witnesses argued it would simply enforce existing notice, hearing, and due process requirements and give landowners a practical remedy when cities fail to comply. Testimony in support came from attorneys and a landowner describing alleged zoning actions in Selma that they said occurred without proper notice or hearings and caused significant financial harm. After questions, the committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill was left pending. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2639, which would add disclosure and compensation requirements for local historic designations, including compensation based on the greater of repair/restoration costs or the difference in appraised value with and without the designation. The bill author said it was intended to address situations where historic designation delays or blocks redevelopment and to ensure property owners are fairly compensated. A property owner testified in support, describing an Austin case in which a demolition permit led to historic designation and what he said was a costly forced rehabilitation. Opponents, including a preservation advocate and an East Austin resident, argued the current process is already rigorous, rare, and balanced, and that the bill would undermine cities’ ability to preserve historic places and community heritage. During closing on SB 2639, the chair raised a concern that Section 3B appeared to apply retroactively to pending cases, which he said could be unconstitutional under the Texas Constitution’s prohibition on retroactive laws. The committee did not resolve that issue during the hearing, and the bill was left pending. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• think, an act to amend the Public Housing Law. >> Read the last section. >> Section 2, this act shall
• >> READ THE LAST SECTION. >> SECTION 2, THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.
• >> CALENDAR 777, SENATE PRINT >> Read the last section. >> Section 2, this act shall take effect
• >> READ THE LAST SECTION. >> SECTION 2, THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.
• Read the last section. >> Section 2, this act shall take effect one year after it shall become a law.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and adopted a resolution calendar with several exceptions before taking up a series of ceremonial resolutions and bills. Members welcomed student visitors from the YWCA of White Plains’ Voices Unfiltered Policy Program, then adopted resolutions honoring Senegalese independence and the Senegalese community, MWBE Advocacy Day, John Coltrane’s 100th birthday, the Sing Sing Prison Museum, I Love My Park Day, Animal Advocacy Day, Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder Awareness Month, and Denim Day. Speakers emphasized cultural recognition, public service, environmental stewardship, animal welfare, rare disease awareness, and support for survivors of sexual violence; each resolution was adopted. The chamber then moved through the regular calendar, passing a number of bills on broad roll-call votes. Among the measures approved were bills amending the Penal Law, Executive Law, Public Housing Law, Retirement and Social Security Law, Social Services Law, Environmental Conservation Law, General Municipal Law, Railroad Law, Election Law, Labor Law, and Public Service Law. Several bills passed unanimously or nearly so, while a few drew notable opposition, including a public health measure that passed 39-19 and the labor-related bill on ghost job postings that passed 39-19 after extended debate. The most detailed floor debate centered on the Labor Law bill addressing “ghost jobs,” requiring employers with 100 or more employees to disclose whether postings are for current vacancies, expected future openings, or general resume collection, with Department of Labor enforcement and civil penalties. Supporters argued it would protect job seekers from deceptive postings; opponents said it was unnecessary, burdensome, and could invite litigation or penalties disproportionate to the problem. The Senate also debated and passed a bill expanding election-language assistance under the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act to Haitian Creole and Middle Eastern and North African communities, with supporters citing growing language-access needs and opponents raising concerns about scope and local costs. The Senate then adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you go to Section 7, the legislature added that in 2023, and now Section 8 we're going to add in 2026
• New Jersey Kids Code Act adopts the Jersey age-appropriate design code and requires certain online service
• So it was approved by the federal government.
• E of section two in the bill into a new and expanded section three to establish certain exclusions.
• Around Section 3C that adds some language.

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First, with the Florida Bar Elder Law Section, waiving in support.
• So I'm going to be down now and I'm hoping you'll figure out section 13. Thank you.
• Every patient in Florida deserves access to care regardless of zip code.
• In Florida deserves access to care regardless of zip code. Members, this is the bill.
• HB 567 removes some government inefficiencies.

Transcript Highlights:

• At a time when the federal government is dismantling environmental programs and defunding scientific
• , as well as penalties. ...or criminal sanction from the federal government, as well as penalties in
• federal tax-exempt status under Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code.
• However, ...under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
• 23701D of the Revenue and Taxation Code.

Summary: The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, and opened with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Members then moved through guest introductions, including students and fellows from California Lutheran University, UC Merced’s CAPE program, the Maddy Institute, and Madera High School’s Madtown Robotics Team 1323, which was recognized for multiple robotics world championships. The chamber also adopted an adjournment in memory and took up the daily file. Several bills and resolutions were considered and passed, including AB 1390 on school board compensation thresholds, AB 1338 on air district cost recovery for fence-line air monitoring, AB 648 on community college housing, AB 1207 on cap-and-trade price ceilings, ACR 66 recognizing Skin Cancer Awareness Month, AB 49 on keeping ICE out of public schools, AB 317 on a CEQA exemption for certain single-family homes, AB 527 on geothermal exploratory wells, AB 665 on the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation ombudsman report, AB 940 creating quantum innovation zones, AB 1021 on workforce housing for education agencies, AB 1112 on property tax apportionment in Rancho Mirage, AB 1318 on nonprofit eligibility for public funding, and AB 1470 on using student housing loan funds for affordable housing in downtowns and commercial districts. Most measures passed with broad support; AB 49 and AB 1318 were urgency bills and passed with the required higher vote threshold. The floor also adopted H.R. 40, declaring May 25 as Rosenda’s Day to honor a teen killed by a drunk driver, and H.R. 42, recognizing May as Behavioral Health Awareness Month. Both drew extensive personal testimony from members about mental health, suicide, substance use, and the need to reduce stigma and expand access to care. Additional health-related bills passed, including AB 408 creating a physician health and wellness program, AB 546 requiring coverage for HEPA purifiers for certain enrollees after wildfire disasters, AB 967 expediting licenses for out-of-state physicians, and AB 968 expanding pharmacist authority to provide non-hormonal contraception. The Assembly also debated AB 1056 on phasing out gill net fishing and AB 1376 on limiting juvenile probation terms, with supporters framing both as conservation or rehabilitation measures and opponents warning about economic harm or public safety concerns. Both bills ultimately passed. Throughout the session, members repeatedly emphasized public safety, education, housing, climate, health care access, and support for immigrant and youth communities, with recorded roll-call votes and voice votes taken on each measure.