Transcript Highlights:

• </c> diesel technology program has for us. diesel technology program has for us.
• communities.
• New Auburn is a very small community. It's like most rural communities.
• </c> New Albert is a very small community. New Albert is a very small community.
• </c> members of the community uh committee. members of the community uh committee.

Bills: HF2418, HF1666, HF232, HF344, HF402, HF431, HF468, HF547, HF583, HF1476, HF1711, HF2787, HF2788, HF3207

Keywords: capital investment, political subdivisions, state assistance, funding, project grants, child care, Slayton, state bonds, economic development, extended time revenue, school funding, state aid, career and technical education, CTE, STEM, secondary credit, after-school programs, summer school, learning year program, extended day

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> be used in this techn technology. be used in this techn technology.
• </c> Hampshire a hub for this technology. Hampshire a hub for this technology.
• </c><04:25:41.760><c> So</c> doesn't work for every community. So doesn't work for every community.
• </c><04:30:00.399><c> So</c> whatever works for the community. So whatever works for the community.
• </c> with each community and each footprint. with each community and each footprint.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Community communities. Committee can come back to order now.
• Parkway Authority that even though this amendment would not require them to look at every plate, the technology
• and you think it's a good idea, this amendment just takes away the requirement for him to get the technology
• the Joint Committee on... ...Accountability in the interims and Chair of the Joint Committee on Technology
• As I recall, the Parkways Authority testified before us in Environment, Infrastructure, and Technology

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Infrastructure Committee first returned to engrossed House Bill 4419, which would require the West Virginia Parkways Authority to hold public hearings and give notice before increasing tolls, rents, fees, or charges, and would allow legislative auditing of related revenues and sinking funds. The committee debated two amendments related to E-ZPass transponders: one from the Senator from Jefferson to clarify that the Parkway Authority would not be required to read every plate failed on a 4-4 tie, and one from the Senator from Wetzel to codify a restriction on transferring single-fee transponders between vehicles was rejected after discussion with counsel and the Parkways Authority about current policy, convenience for users, and possible effects on the bill. The committee then approved a motion to send HB 4419 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass, but first be referred to Finance, and a separate motion to send it to Finance passed. The committee also considered engrossed House Bill 4563, on which Senator Randolph moved for a second reference to Finance because of fiscal concerns. After discussion of the newly filed fiscal note and the bill’s potential revenue impact, that motion failed by a 4-5 division vote. The committee then voted to report HB 4563 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 4538, which increases fines and penalties for failing to obey traffic control instructions or speeding in construction and work zones, and also references penalties tied to distracted driving provisions. Counsel noted the bill’s possible overlap with existing vehicular homicide penalties and that it had no fiscal note. Jason Pizzitella of the Contractors Association testified in support, emphasizing work-zone safety and recent fatalities, while senators from Fayette, Randolph, and Jefferson also supported the bill and discussed the need to protect workers and drivers. The committee adopted a motion to report HB 4538 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Community communities. Committee can come back to order now.
• Parkway Authority that even though this amendment would not require them to look at every plate, the technology
• and you think it's a good idea, this amendment just takes away the requirement for him to get the technology
• chair of... 22, Eastern Cabell County, and I serve as Chair of Environment, Infrastructure and Technology
• As I recall, the Parkways Authority testified before us in Environment, Infrastructure and Technology

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And it was just an amazing community.
• And it was just an amazing community asset to have a sworn law enforcement SRO.
• Because you have federal funding that can be used for professional development or for these technological
• They just funded, for our entire county, a parent technology protect system, and I know the state is
• We just, they just funded for our entire county of parents, a technology parent protect system, and I

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education received a presentation from the Governor’s Office of Policy and Budget and the Department of Education on the Governor’s fiscal year 2026-27 education budget. Shelby Salmons outlined the overall budget framework, and Commissioner Stasi Kamoutsis highlighted major education investments, including $486 million for VPK, $30.6 billion for K-12 education, a $761.1 million increase in FEFP funding, the highest per-student funding level to date, and $201 million more for teacher pay flexibility. The presentation also emphasized school safety, mental health, civics education, and the Guardian Program, along with continued funding for TEACH, HIPPY, Help Me Grow, and civics debate and literacy initiatives. Members asked about how the mental health allocation would be used, counselor staffing ratios, school closures and whether the department intervenes, oversight of school choice and voucher-funded schools, and the Guardian Program’s pay structure and effectiveness. Senators also raised concerns about the FISH school capacity report, data collection, teacher pay, professional development, AI and tutoring technology, and whether the budget adequately supports mental health services and school safety. The Commissioner said many funding decisions are left to districts, that the department stands ready to assist, and that the Guardian Program has been successful and expanded over time. During public testimony, Pinellas County School Board member Laura Hine said her district spends far more on safety and mental health than it receives in state categorical funding, and urged the committee to consider full-day VPK funding, arguing it has improved third-grade reading outcomes in Pinellas. Senators followed up on district flexibility and local spending choices. The committee took no substantive vote on the budget presentation and adjourned after thanking the department for its recommendations and partnership.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> And then scrolling across technology And then scrolling across technology cost.<00:07:11.280><c>
• In 24 we spent $43,000 on technology technology technology confidential<00:07:16.800><c> funds</c> confidential
• </c> side, we also got in proactive community side, we also got in proactive community engagement<00:
• They're mentors in our community.
• </c> do in their community. judges. do in their community. judges.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the September 24 minutes, and heard a briefing from representatives of three Kentucky drug task forces: Greater Hardin County, Bowling Green-Warren County, and Bluegrass Narcotics. The presenters described how multi-jurisdictional task forces operate, their partner agencies, and the kinds of drugs and trafficking patterns they are seeing, with fentanyl identified as the most dangerous and fastest-growing threat. They also described large seizures and investigations involving fentanyl pills, cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, tractor-trailer shipments, postal shipments, and a case tied to a pill press and undercover work with the DEA. Bluegrass Narcotics said it was formed in response to overdose deaths and has since seen major reductions in complaints and overdose deaths in Harrison and Bourbon counties. A major theme of the presentation was funding. The task forces said Byrne JAG funding has declined from about $2.1 million statewide in 2023-2024 to $1.4 million this year, while their costs for vehicles, fuel, technology, overtime, office space, and training have risen sharply. They said local support and asset forfeiture help, but the revenue is uneven and unpredictable, and they asked the legislature to consider adding about $1 million per year in state support, with oversight from the Justice Cabinet or Office of Drug Control Policy. They also emphasized that if meth labs return, many agencies would need new training and equipment because those capabilities have largely expired or been scaled back. Members asked about possible statutory barriers, coordination across counties and states, the source of drugs, and how seized cash is handled. The task forces said coordination with federal, state, and other local agencies is generally strong, but money remains the main obstacle to broader operations. They explained that seized cash is held as evidence and, after court proceedings, may be awarded back to task forces or split under statute, with 15% going to the Commonwealth’s attorney and 85% to law enforcement. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we also have been coordinating with the consultant community, as well as the legal community, because
• The Transformative Climate Communities Program is very community-driven, and often it supports a partnership
• The Transformative Climate Communities Program is very community-driven.
• Yet our tiny Filipino community is the nation's last surviving Filipino farming community.
• , yet our tiny Filipino community is the nation's last surviving Filipino farming community.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, certainly the border crisis required Texas to stand up and protect its communities when the
• Evidence of communication, whether in person, in writing, or electronically, with a known member while
• Evidence that the individual uses technology, including the Internet and social media, to advertise the
• The key takeaway of the proposed changes ensures that the law reflects the evolution of technology in
• the United States. and the use of technology to communicate and recruit criminal activity.

Bills: SB2199, SB2200, SB2201, SB2949, SB2332

Keywords: overweight vehicle, vehicle weight limits, hazardous materials, hazmat, cargo tank, fuel transport, trucking, commercial vehicle, Transportation Code, criminal penalty, second-degree felony, loading violation, truck weight, axle weight, gross weight, public safety, commercial carrier, Texas, commercial truck, truck route

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, our disaster playbook for communities, really taking into consideration information that communities
• Requesting enough so we can we are not in arrears and for owing communities their 12.5% and then the
• We are already in communication with the legacy system, and we have a meeting set this week.
• The technology that we've been operating on.
• About 1.4 Million of those carryovers did go into the technology project.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But, of course, that's how we communicate now, so thank you for that. Stephanie Badaglia?
• I'm with Parent Guidance Center; I'm the communications director and co-founder.
• The other thing about the technology, even back then, 10 years ago, you don't need any new technology
• We must invest in technology and staff to ensure everyone has access no matter how they reach out.
• We used to have people who grew up in the community, opened a business there, and knew everybody.

Bills: HB107, HB742, HB1639, HB1700, HB2071, HB2187, HB2402, HB2516, HB3211, HB4529, HB5342, HB694, HB923, HB4655, HB107

Keywords: sickle cell disease, registry, health data, confidentiality, healthcare access, human trafficking, first responders, health care, training, reporting, protection, cancer, female firefighters, health study, state health services, fire protection, telemedicine, teledentistry, telehealth, health records

Transcript Highlights:

• Community water fluoridation saves U.S. communities approximately $6.5 billion annually in dental treatment
• how would this bill impact lower-income communities?
• They wanted fluoride in their communities.
• It's a new technology.
• And you're someone who's in the community.

Summary: The committee heard a series of bills on taxes, public health, veterans’ benefits, public notices, HOA rules, and school policy. SB 1045, which would bar local governments from taxing or feeing blockchain use in residences, passed 4-3 after brief discussion; supporters framed it as a tax-preemption measure, while opponents argued it would reduce local revenue. SB 1019, which would prohibit adding fluoride to public water systems, drew extensive testimony. The sponsor argued fluoride should be topical rather than systemic and cited emerging research on possible health risks, while dental and public health advocates strongly opposed the bill, citing decades of evidence that fluoridation reduces tooth decay and saves money. The committee voted 4-3 to advance the bill, with members on both sides explaining their votes at length. The committee also advanced SB 1050, granting free lifetime state park passes to Arizona veterans, after Arizona State Parks said it was neutral but warned of possible revenue losses; the bill passed 4-3. SB 1078, clarifying that court review of public-records denials is de novo, passed unanimously 7-0 with support from the Goldwater Institute and no opposition testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• We recognize the importance of communities throughout the state, including the community in Keene, having
• It looks at the risk that the utilities identify, looks at modern technology, advancing technology, and
• communities.
• So rural communities don't tend to have that choice.
• real communities.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications held an oversight hearing focused on electric rates, utility regulation, affordability, reliability, and wildfire-related costs. The chair framed the discussion around the challenge of transitioning to a cleaner grid while keeping bills affordable and the system reliable, and noted the hearing also served as the annual update from the CPUC and Public Advocates Office. Professor Severin Borenstein gave a primer on utility regulation, explaining the split between deregulated generation and regulated transmission/distribution, the basics of cost-of-service regulation, and the role of return on equity. He argued that high allowed returns can encourage capital-intensive spending and that many public policy costs now embedded in rates would be better funded through the state budget, while warning that price caps or performance-based regulation are not silver bullets. CPUC President-designate Alice Reynolds described the commission’s role as economic regulator of investor-owned utilities and said affordability is being addressed through rate case scrutiny, reasonableness reviews, and legislative direction. She said wildfire mitigation and insurance costs have been major drivers of rate increases, but some wildfire-related costs are time-limited and will roll off rates over time. She also highlighted progress on clean energy procurement, battery storage growth, and integrated resource planning to meet climate goals while maintaining reliability. Reynolds said the CPUC is reviewing utility spending, disallowing imprudent costs where appropriate, and litigating at FERC to challenge transmission costs. Members pressed both witnesses on several issues, including whether rates are being inflated by legislative mandates and balancing accounts, whether utility returns are too high, and whether the state should shift more public-policy costs off electric bills and into the General Fund. Senators also raised concerns about load growth from data centers and ports, gas-system stranded assets as electrification advances, and whether the CPUC is over-regulating or discouraging innovation. Reynolds said the CPUC is working with the Energy Commission, CAISO, and the Air Resources Board on a holistic planning process, and pointed to tools such as interconnection reforms and demand flexibility. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with several follow-up requests for reports and data.

Transcript Highlights:

• addition of a new Section 6-2110 Idaho Code to establish provisions regarding public employee communications
• with the legislature, and to provide protections for such communications, amending Chapter 1, Title
• For nearly 30 years, this legislature, the counties, and local communities have shared a vision of the
• Treatment courts play a proven role in helping individuals become productive members of their communities
• address the physical security needs, the judicial branch has continued parallel efforts on the technology

Summary: The House convened with roll call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the journal from the previous legislative day. In committee reports, several measures were printed and referred: House Joint Memorial 9, House Resolution 19, House Concurrent Resolution 22, and House Bills 499 through 506 were assigned to the appropriate standing committees or calendars. Later, House Bills 507 through 510 were also introduced and referred for printing, including a transportation bill on vehicle inspections, a government transparency and ethics bill, and other technical or policy measures. The House also took up House Resolution 20, a State Affairs Committee resolution condemning political violence, honoring victims, and urging Idahoans to reject political violence. During announcements, members noted the Chief Justice’s scheduled address, a birthday recognition for the Sergeant at Arms, a gallery introduction, and an invitation to a legislative reception hosted by the Idaho Association of Building Officials. Committee meeting schedules for the week were also read into the record. Chief Justice G. Richard Bevan addressed the House on the state of Idaho’s judiciary, emphasizing fiscal restraint, rising caseloads, treatment courts, mediation, access to justice, courthouse modernization, security concerns, cybersecurity threats, and civic education efforts. He highlighted the judiciary’s use of existing resources, the importance of peer support in mental health courts, and ongoing collaboration with counties and the legislature. The House responded appreciatively, and then adjourned until 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• addition of a new Section 6-2110, Idaho Code, to establish provisions regarding public employee communications
• with the legislature and to provide protections for such communications, amending Chapter 1, Title 74
• For nearly 30 years, this legislature, the counties, and local communities have shared a vision of the
• Treatment courts play a proven role in helping individuals become productive members of their communities
• address the physical security needs, the judicial branch has continued parallel efforts on the technology

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House convened with roll call, prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the previous journal. Committee reports then moved several measures: House Joint Memorial 9, House Resolution 19, House Concurrent Resolution 22, and House Bills 499 through 506 were printed and referred to the appropriate committees or calendars. House Resolution 20, condemning political violence and honoring victims, was introduced and sent to Judiciary, Rules and Administration for printing. The House also received first readings of House Bills 507 through 510. These bills would revise militia and military affairs provisions, make changes to highway and bridge laws, limit certain vehicle inspections by the Idaho Transportation Department, and update government transparency and ethics laws, including protections for public employee communications with the legislature and legislative public records requests. All four bills were referred to the Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee for printing. The main event of the day was an address by the Chief Justice to the House. He described the judiciary’s workload, including rising civil caseloads, criminal and juvenile cases, and the continued use of treatment courts, mediation, remote hearings, and online access tools. He emphasized fiscal restraint, courthouse security, cybersecurity threats, and the need for public education about the courts, while noting recent county courthouse projects and the loss of funding for peer support services in mental health courts. The House thanked the Chief Justice and other judges, then adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Rehabilitation for the most vulnerable in the communities.
• This impacts students in all of our communities, no matter what communities it may be.
• The Community Foundation for...
• So, to my community, that is a big deal.
• There is also a local pharmacy, a community pharmacy that does not have access to the same technology

Bills: HJR 99, HB 1399, HB 1400, HB 1094, HB 365, HB 1109, HB 647, HCR 35, SB 14, HB 12, HB 1522, HB 422, HB 675, HB 204, HB 748, HB 912, HJR 99, HB 1399, HB 1400, HB 1094, HB 365, HB 1109, HB 647, HCR 35, HCR 123, HCR 124, HR 57, HR 87, HR 111, HR 228, HR 230, HR 322, HR 624, HR 625, HR 626, HR 627, HR 628, HR 630, HR 631, HR 634, HR 635, HR 636, HR 637, HR 638, HR 639, HR 640, HR 645, HR 646, HR 648, HR 649, HR 651, HR 652, HR 653, HR 654, HR 664, HR 665, HR 668, HR 675, HR 676, HR 678, HR 679, HR 680, HR 683, HR 686, HR 688, HR 689, HR 694, HR 695, HR 697, HR 698, HR 699, HR 472, HR 622, HR 632, HR 633, HR 643, HR 655, HR 657, HR 660, HR 661, HR 662, HR 663, HR 667, HR 670, HR 674, HR 681, HR 682, HR 696

Keywords: animal feed, tax exemption, ad valorem taxation, retail, constitutional amendment, retail sale, tangible personal property, Texas tax code, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption, regulation, deceased transportation, HB 365

Transcript Highlights:

• This preserves the initiative process, which we use in the conservation and environmental community,
• so it would apply to us ...which we use in the conservation and environmental community, so it would
• That would help so I can do this AI technology.
• That's why I mentioned the AI technology that we could put in there.
• Today, modern technology has allowed petitioners to check for fraud as signatures come in, and paper

Bills: HJR4209, HB2260, HB2259

Keywords: redistricting, congressional representation, census, state law, legislative boundaries, ballot measures, petitioners, signature gatherers, voting rights, election integrity, initiative process, referendum, signature gathering, ballot measure, citizen actions, support demonstration, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have 15 communities listed on my phone.
• I live in a condo community. I live in a co-housing condominium community. Okay.
• So that they are going to push it onto the communities.
• communities of color.
• We have the technology.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused mainly on two subjects: expansion of the Massachusetts bottle bill and bills to remove woody biomass from state clean-energy and greenhouse-gas programs. On the bottle bill, supporters from municipal, environmental, public health, and local government groups argued that the 5-cent deposit is outdated, redemption rates have fallen, and expanding coverage to more beverage containers—especially water, sports drinks, and small alcohol bottles—would reduce litter, cut plastic waste and microplastics, and save cities and towns money. Several speakers also backed raising handling fees for retailers and redemption centers, and some supported restoring a Clean Environment Fund so unclaimed deposits would support recycling-related purposes. Opponents, including the Massachusetts Beverage Association and the National Waste and Recycling Association, argued that curbside recycling and transfer-station systems are more convenient, that the targeted containers are valuable to local recycling programs, and that the proposal would shift costs onto consumers and municipalities. Committee members questioned witnesses about redemption rates, handling fees, the 2014 ballot question, and whether the bill had changed from prior sessions. The biomass portion drew strong support from Springfield officials, state legislators, environmental advocates, and public health groups. They said woody biomass should not count as clean energy because burning wood produces particulate pollution and carbon emissions, and they warned that current law contains a loophole that could help finance the proposed Palmer Renewable Energy biomass plant in Springfield. Witnesses emphasized Springfield’s air-quality and asthma burdens, the public health impacts of PM2.5, and the need to close the loophole before a January 1, 2026 deadline. One forest-industry witness supported a separate bill promoting modern wood heat with pollution controls, arguing it is cleaner than older wood systems and has minimal ratepayer cost, while noting that those credits would be affected if the governor’s broader energy affordability bill repeals the alternative energy portfolio standard. No votes were taken during the hearing. The chairs managed testimony by alternating between the bottle bill and biomass topics, asking speakers to keep remarks brief and to note when they agreed with prior testimony. Several legislators also testified in support of the bills, and committee members asked follow-up questions on deposit levels, retailer handling fees, recycling economics, and the public-health rationale for the biomass restrictions.

Transcript Highlights:

• My community is in many communities.
• and let the business community do. what the business community was going to do.
• lives of their communities.
• Industry is now driven by technology.
• In low-income communities, underserved communities, we have the training in Spanish, which has been a

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our community has embraced those young people... But they are successful.
• “Community, they find themselves there.
• We are really technology savvy. And in 2025, we received recording hardware.
• And they want a healthy, thriving community like where you live.
• In my district, a lot of my community people work two and three jobs.

Bills: HCR11, HB153, HB278, HB424, HB454, HB455, HB687, HB816, HB833, HB942, HB1053, HB1097, HB1147, HB1148, HB1190, SB75, SB85, SB197, SB200, SB217

Keywords: Camp Beauregard, Louisiana National Guard, Youth Challenge Program, military affairs, Pineville, National Guard training, emergency response, youth development, alternative education, high school equivalency, GED, at-risk youth, leadership training, job skills, citizenship, veterans, state military operations, mobilization, logistics staging area, public service

Summary: The committee first adopted a three-minute rule for the rest of the meeting by a 9-3 vote. It then took up SB 217, which would reorganize Orleans Parish courts by reducing judgeships in criminal, juvenile, traffic, and municipal courts and, through an adopted amendment, creating one civil district court with 13 judges and allowing hearing officers. Senator Morris argued the changes were based on caseload comparisons and population data; opponents from the Urban League and ACLU said the bill was driven by power rather than efficiency, relied on incomplete or inconsistent data, would strain the courts, and would reduce minority representation on the bench. The committee reported the bill favorably as amended by an 11-4 vote. The committee next considered SB 197, which would reduce the number of judges on the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal by two. Senator Morris again cited filings and caseload comparisons, while opponents argued the bill ignored the intensity and complexity of appellate work, could increase backlog and costs, and would disproportionately affect Black women judges. The bill was reported favorably by an 11-4 vote. The committee also adopted HCR 11, expressing support for the Louisiana National Guard at Camp Beauregard and the Youth Challenge Program, and reported favorably SB 85, creating an insurance fund for retired St. Charles Parish sheriff’s employees. Several other measures were advanced with little or no opposition. HB 833 created the Sexual Assault Survivor Empowerment Task Force and was amended to add representatives from the coroners’ association, a survivor appointed by STAR, and a licensed clinical social worker; it was reported favorably. HB 816, with a technical correction, prohibited foreign adversaries from acquiring property near military installations and was reported favorably. HB 1053, dealing with definitions for dealers and retail dealers and allowing certain businesses to serve complimentary alcoholic beverages under agreed-upon floor amendments, was reported favorably. HB 153, as amended, removed the Office of Debt Recovery from the bill and limited it to prohibiting reporting certain criminal fines and fees to credit bureaus; it was reported favorably. SB 75, on cybersecurity reimbursement and baseline standards for local governments after cyber incidents, was reported favorably after testimony from GOSEP and others. SB 200, allowing expropriation of land near military bases owned by foreign adversaries when a court finds a threat to public health and safety, was also reported favorably after extensive testimony and discussion. Finally, HB 454, the Gracie Claire Rushing Act on chain of custody for human remains and internal organs, was converted into a substitute bill, adopted, and then introduced for further discussion, with the sponsor describing it as a transparency and accountability measure for grieving families.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I want to keep bridge building and getting the community together for that.
• By every measurement and metric, Miami-Dade College is just a beacon in the community.
• I think we have lost communication. I think we have lost communication with Teams.
• I'm vested in this community. In fact, I've lived in Florida for most of my life.
• Obviously, we're a great stepping stone and are here for the community.

Keywords: 999, senate, all