Transcript Highlights:

• I will say the executive budget does include... ...feel free to amend it as you see fit.
• I will say the executive budget does include money for attorney retention and recruitment.
• "I'm glad to see there's more movement to increase these budgets, but I am in agreement that I think
• It was, let's meet in the middle, try to make sure that we set the recurring budget up, talk through
• And again, an $11 billion budget for government functions here.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Jones of North Reading asked unanimous consent to withdraw his request for a roll call.
• The Chair respectfully requests that members take their seats and refrain from conversation.
• The gentleman has requested that members take their seats and refrain from conversation. Mr.
• Some families talk about budgeting, saving, and investments in the future.
• The House is asked for a moment of silence at the request of Mr. Massey of Charlton and Mr.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House took up several procedural orders early in the session, including extending the reporting deadline for the Housing Committee on H.4655 and suspending Joint Rule 12 for a petition seeking to rescind prior Article 5 constitutional convention applications. It then advanced three Ways and Means bills on education-related topics: personal financial literacy education (H.4670), expanded access to the state seal of biliteracy (H.4671), and teacher preparation and student literacy (H.4672), each moving through amendment adoption and third reading or engrossment procedures. A major portion of the meeting focused on H.4670, which would require personal financial literacy instruction in middle and high school and establish a financial literacy trust fund for curriculum and teacher training. Members spoke in support, emphasizing budgeting, credit, student loans, and long-term financial planning, and the bill passed to be engrossed by a 154-0 roll call. H.4671, which broadens access to the seal of biliteracy for students in public and private schools, also drew support and passed to be engrossed 155-0. The most extensive debate centered on H.4672, a literacy bill requiring evidence-based reading instruction, DESE-approved curricula or approved local alternatives, screening and progress monitoring, professional development, and related implementation measures. Members described concerns about declining reading scores and argued for a shift away from three-cueing toward phonics-based, science-of-reading approaches. Several amendments were considered: a proposal to change intervention language from “significantly” to “at risk of falling behind” failed, while amendments adding funding language, stakeholder collaboration, and other implementation details were adopted. One amendment clarifying that pictures may be used as a supplement in literacy curricula was also adopted, and the bill ultimately passed to be engrossed 155-0. The House also observed moments of silence for former Judge Leslie Harris, former Representative Mark Carron, and former Representative Dennis Rosa, and adjourned to meet the next day at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I would further request a roll call. I think we’re going to have a roll call vote anyway.
• Chair, I requested a roll call vote. Mr.
• That was one of the requests that you all requested for us in this thing.
• I think this bill requires SHPO to send its budget request directly to OSPB, so we're talking about the
• budget request.

Bills: HB2167, HB2168, HB2169, HB2171, HB2790, HB2905, HCM2005

Keywords: attorney general, nuisance action, consumer fraud, damages, civil penalty, public nuisance, nuisance abatement, abatement action, injunction, superior court, county attorney, city attorney, board of supervisors, obscenity, obscene materials, adult materials, pornography, schools, parks, residential district

Transcript Highlights:

• They generated a lot of growth units that was creating a hole in our budget. This amendment...
• request.
• These projected enrollment growth units are supplemental appropriation request.
• They made the reorganization request, which is still pending. This will secure.
• So there's already $25 million in the budget.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 253, a committee substitute dealing with virtual and distance learning programs and school funding. Sponsors and staff explained that the substitute removed several earlier restrictions on virtual education, including residency requirements, the 10% enrollment cap, the ban on K-5 distance programs, and the moratorium on new enrollments. It also changed the State Cyber Academy Act to the Distance Learning Act, added reporting and evaluation requirements for districts and charter schools, and allowed the Public Education Department to withhold funding if programs are out of compliance. Members discussed concerns about impacts on rural districts, charter schools, and programs like Mosquero and the New Mexico Communications Academy, as well as the temporary funding fix for Gallup Public Schools, which was amended to average prior-year and current-year enrollment rather than use current-year membership alone. Public testimony on HB 253 was largely supportive, with school leaders and education organizations backing the amendment and the broader substitute while noting that more work may be needed on oversight and funding formulas. Committee members then debated the bill’s temporary provisions, the study requirement, and whether the changes would adequately address the Gallup funding issue and broader virtual-learning accountability. The committee adopted the amendment and then gave the House Appropriations and Finance Committee substitute for HB 253 a do pass recommendation. The committee then heard House Bill 153, a voluntary industrial decarbonization package that combines an Environmental Product Declaration grant program, a rebate or incentive program for lower-carbon building materials, and production tax credits and capital grants for eligible industrial products. Members asked detailed questions about environmental product declarations, hydrogen, anti-donation concerns, funding sources, and whether the bill would support sawmills, engineered wood, biofuels, and forest-thinning-related industries. Supporters from the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce and Clean Air Task Force testified that the bill would encourage innovation, attract private investment, and reduce emissions without imposing mandates. The committee adopted the substitute and then voted do pass on the bill, with Representative Brown noted in opposition. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 255, which consolidates public safety workforce funding into a single competitive fund for recruitment, retention, and professional development in law enforcement, firefighting, corrections, and public attorney offices. Testimony from counties, the chamber, AFSCME, and State Police supported the measure as a targeted response to staffing shortages and public safety vacancies. The committee took no extended debate and approved HB 255 with a do pass recommendation. The meeting ended with notice that the committee would meet again the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• We still have some serious budgets to take care of.
• </c><00:25:53.760><c> from</c> president Trump the request from president Trump the request from president
• </c><00:56:18.599><c> year</c> 22 years during a recent budget year 22 years during a recent budget year
• </c> there were no other bills requesting there were no other bills requesting funding<00:56:21.119><
• </c><00:56:25.720><c> was</c> committee the funding mfrp requested was committee the funding mfrp requested

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're taking basically about 30-some percent of their budget.
• in their current budget to do that.
• And those budgets are hard to do.
• If you come onto a school board and you have a $30 million budget and you've never managed a budget like
• It's going to take you a long time to learn that budget.

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:

• The following areas are areas we request state assistance on.
• , because y'all are in budgets right now.
• So today I have a couple of simple, urgent requests.
• That's the thing that we requested and that happened on Monday.
• Our operating budget is provided by Texas A&M University.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Murdock, the chair would request unanimous consent to strike the title without objection.
• Senator, I think that's a very reasonable request.
• I respectfully request to do pass. Will there be questions? We have a due pass from Senator Kirt.
• And I know that this is one of those years where we're looking at a tight budget.
• We'll see how this goes as we go through the budget process.

Bills: SB134, SB1356, SB1407, SB1611, SB1639, SB169, SB1722, SB182, SB1870, SB2039, SB432, SB609, SB715, SB716

Keywords: retirement, public employees, reemployment, benefit adjustment, Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System, state government, OMES, Office of Management and Enterprise Services, Department of Labor, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Rehabilitation Services, civil service, human capital management, state employee disputes, whistleblower, veterans employment, veterans placement, fleet management, state fleet, motor vehicles

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> notwithstanding language in the budget notwithstanding language in the budget remained. remained
• The final report open record request.
• So they are implicated in budget situations.
• So they are implicated in budget situations.
• data requests in<01:28:00.480><c> 2025.

Keywords: 0:00:03 - Call to Order and Roll Call 0:00:43 - Approval of October 14, 2025 and November 4, 2025 Minutes 0:01:15 - Acceptance of Office of Education Accountability Report: Analysis Of Student Discipline Data in Kentucky Schools 0:02:10 - Implementation Update on 26 RS HB 257 0:49:38 - Career and Technical Education in the Assessment and Accountability System 1:13:50 - Office of Education Accountability Annual Report 1:47:27 – Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Education Assessment & Accountability Review Subcommittee approved the minutes from its October 14 and November 4 meetings and also approved the Office of Education Accountability report analyzing student discipline data in Kentucky schools. The main presentation came from KDE Commissioner Dr. Robby Fletcher on implementation of House Bill 257, which he said has two major parts: selection of a statewide college entrance exam through a new procurement process, and development of locally designed indicators of quality for accountability. On the college exam, Fletcher explained that the state had to reopen procurement after Senate Bill 197, with the RFP released May 21, vendor questions handled through the Finance and Administration Cabinet, proposals due June 22, and scoring and review expected in July and August, with a vendor decision not likely until October. He emphasized that the exam is a norm-referenced college-readiness measure, not a test of Kentucky academic standards, which are assessed by the KSA. Members asked about the science requirement in statute, the possibility of multiple vendors or district choice, and whether the CLT could participate; Fletcher said vendors must address science in the RFP, multiple vendors could be possible, and any vendor could submit a proposal if it meets the rubric. He also noted that ACT and SAT differ in structure, that either can meet college-readiness benchmarks, and that there were no major complaints about the SAT during its first year of use. The second major topic was the locally developed indicators of quality under House Bill 257. Fletcher said these are intended to let districts measure themselves against their own goals rather than compare districts statewide, while still aligning with Kentucky standards. He described examples such as achievement, growth, student well-being, safety, fiscal responsibility, civics, internships, apprenticeships, project-based learning, and defenses of learning. He said districts may use local assessments such as MAP, STAR, and I-Ready alongside state data, and that local models should be developed with families, community members, and workforce partners. He added that KDE is providing technical assistance, has applied for a federal CGSA grant, and will use a one-time $15,000 cost offset for districts implementing local accountability models, with a superintendent webcast planned for August.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> to make adjustments to our budget. to make adjustments to our budget.
• to enable the department to finish out state fiscal year 26 until we could submit a new budget request
• </c> program from a your budget program from a your budget &gt;&gt; Yes.
• >> Correct. >> So, my question is: first of all, will the cabinet be making a budget request for this
• >> We are currently working on our budget and our budget request.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from its September 24 meeting after a motion and second. It then heard a presentation from New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Secretary Elizabeth Gragensky on that state’s early childhood system and planned universal child care rollout. She described how New Mexico consolidated multiple prenatal-to-age-five programs into a cabinet-level department, expanded pre-K to a longer day, and uses a cost model to set reimbursement rates intended to cover true provider costs, including wages, benefits, occupancy, food, and reserves. She also said the state created an Early Childhood Trust Fund and secured a constitutional amendment to dedicate 0.60% of the land grant permanent fund to early care and education, with the department’s budget growing from about $400 million in 2021 to just under $1 billion this year. Gragensky said families can begin applying for universal child care on November 1, with participation voluntary for both families and providers. She reported that New Mexico is aiming to expand capacity by adding 1,000 registered home providers, 120 group homes, and about 55 more centers, supported in part by a $13 million low-interest loan fund and a request for an additional $20 million. She said the state has seen growth in early childhood professionals, including a 64% increase over the last three to four years, and pointed to reported outcomes such as a 21% increase in literacy and a 75% kindergarten readiness rate, while noting that some measures are new and baseline comparisons are still being developed. Members asked about the funding sources, provider profitability, workforce development, and measurable outcomes. Gragensky said the program is designed to support provider sustainability through rates tied to true cost and includes allowances for sick leave, vacation, benefits, and reserves. She also said maternal labor force participation is 10% higher than the national rate and attributed that in part to child care access. The committee then moved to a separate presentation by Department for Community Based Services Commissioner Lisa Dennis and Division of Family Support Director Roger McCann on anticipated cuts to TANF and SNAP, beginning with an overview of TANF as a federal block grant with a fixed annual Kentucky allocation of about $180.7 million.

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee's oversight includes development of the system's biennial budget and capital budget request
• The committee's oversight includes development of the system's biennial budget and capital budget request
• The committee's oversight includes development of the system's biennial budget and capital budget request
• The committee's oversight includes development of the system's biennial budget and capital budget request
• </c> we work together and set budget we work together and set budget priorities<00:23:57.120><c> and<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The fiscal note was not requested, and I’m happy to take questions.”
• It’s essentially a letter that makes a request to a specific agency.
• “It’s essentially a letter that makes a request to a specific agency.
• But—” “But we do have a budget deficit, so I’d be willing to maybe make a 10.
• I'm here today to speak in support of this joint memorial and request that...

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on House Bill 2619, which would create a joint legislative task force to review and recommend ways to reduce regulatory burdens in agriculture, and on House Joint Memorial 4009, which asks Congress to ensure federal wildfire response agencies remain capable of protecting communities, natural resources, and firefighter safety. On HB 2619, the prime sponsor and supporters from the Washington State Department of Agriculture, cattle, wheat, potato, onion, and dairy interests said the bill responds to farm stress and suicide concerns by examining regulatory overload; WSDA supported the concept but noted a fiscal note, and members discussed whether the task force scope and cost could be reduced before policy cutoff. On HJM 4009, staff and the sponsor described the memorial as a request for stronger federal wildfire capacity and coordination, with testimony from tribes, counties, forest landowners, conservation groups, and public employees emphasizing wildfire risk, smoke impacts, and the importance of federal-state cooperation; the committee also repeatedly tied the memorial to support for state wildfire funding under 1168 and heard broad support for restoring that funding. The committee then took up House Bill 2221, which would require the Department of Fish and Wildlife to designate at-risk ungulate populations and begin predator mitigation when certain population declines occur, while also requiring annual reporting and white-tailed deer surveys. The sponsor argued the bill addresses rapidly declining deer and elk herds, predator pressure, food security, and rural economies in northeast Washington. Supporters included some local residents, ranchers, sheriffs, county officials, and the Colville Tribes, who said predators, livestock conflicts, and reduced hunting opportunity are harming communities and that the state should act more aggressively. Opponents included WDFW staff, Washington Wildlife First, the Sierra Club, the Animal Legal Defense Fund, and other conservation voices, who said the bill is not scientifically supported, would be costly, and wrongly blames predators rather than habitat, forage, weather, disease, and vehicle collisions; several said predator control would have limited value and could undermine wolf recovery. Some agricultural and sportsmen groups supported the bill in principle but asked for amendments, especially to remove or revise the in-state wolf translocation provision. No final votes or executive action were taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> your support in this bianual budget your support in this bianual budget around<00:14:58.959><c>
• </c> ledgers and you know monthly budget ledgers and you know monthly budget tracking,<01:00:55.359><
• The budget actually budgeted in number.
• c> requested</c><01:28:52.800><c> that</c> So the auditors request requested that So the auditors request
• <01:46:45.840><c> million</c><01:46:46.560><c> because</c> budget we budgeted uh 5 million because budget

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a full quorum and approved the prior minutes. Members offered introductions of guests and family members, then heard a presentation from University of Louisville President Thomas Jared Bradley, who was sworn in before testifying. He described his background and outlined U of L’s strategic priorities: student success, access and affordability, workforce development, community engagement, and research. Bradley highlighted enrollment growth, increases in first-generation and Pell-eligible students, strong transfer pathways with KCTCS, and support programs such as the Cardinal Commitment Grant, 15-to-Finish, Comeback Cards, tutoring, mentoring, and mental health services. Bradley also emphasized U of L’s statewide and regional impact through UofL Health, rural outreach, the Bullitt County rural cancer education and research center, nursing expansion, and the Kentucky Manufacturing Extension Partnership program. He noted major institutional distinctions, including R1 status, a new Carnegie Opportunity College and University designation, and community-engaged classification. He said the university is one of only 10 public universities nationwide with all three designations and reported record enrollment, improved retention, and strong research expenditures. He also thanked lawmakers for significant capital and operating support, including funding for the simulation center, health science center, asset preservation, and the MEP program. During questions, members praised the university’s public service role and asked about first-generation enrollment, retention, graduation rates, and post-graduation outcomes. Bradley said the university is working to improve completion by expanding academic support, early alerts, incentives for tutoring, and faculty/advisor mentoring, especially for first-generation and high-need students. He acknowledged that post-graduation employment data is difficult to collect but said the new Carnegie classification reflects positive outcomes. No votes were taken beyond approving the minutes, and no formal actions were taken on legislation in this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• On the budget on the House side.
• </c> rules and um you know I've had requests rules and um you know I've had requests from<00:24:50.880
• What they're requesting is repair and renovation of existing residence halls.
• That is a request by Mississippi Valley State and IHL.
• c><00:30:30.880><c> renovation</c><00:30:31.360><c> of</c> requesting is repair and renovation of requesting

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 2 February, 2026; 1:30 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In the three-year budget window, the Governor's budget shows an increase of about $7.5 billion.
• , and the repayment of the deferrals as proposed in the governor's budget for the 2024-25 budget and
• the 2025-26 budget.
• budget.
• There aren't any increases or payment deferrals proposed under the Governor's budget. budget.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a modified version of one of Minnesota State's biennial budget requests.
• </c> State's bienial budget State's bienial budget requests.<00:15:29.600><c> On</c><00:15:30.040><c>
• On line 123, there's a $1 requests.
• </c> have to absorb within its budget. have to absorb within its budget.
• </c> operations and maintenance in his budget operations and maintenance in his budget recommendations

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to be re-requested to explain the strike all.
• Now request passage by the use of ready.
• We should be requested. Anyone object?
• </c> Immediate release has been requested. Immediate release has been requested.
• </c> Immediate release has been requested. Immediate release has been requested.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 2 March, 2026; 4:00 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you have a budget request in to support school districts on purchase of computers or infrastructure
• There is an active budget request right now, but there are several grants throughout the state that we
• Small LEAs are exempt from the budget reserve cap.
• So for these and other reasons I respectfully request your aye vote on AB. 1224.
• Yeah, thank you to our budget subcommittee chair.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, I did request a fiscal note and it came back as undetermined because we can't really predict the
• </c><00:10:27.560><c> of</c><00:10:28.160><c> the</c> in the budget of the in the budget of the National
• Yes, I did request a representative.
• Search and Rescue came and requested this.
• </c> requested this. requested this.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've had a request that Ms.
• I requested a conflict-of-interest policy be sent to the board.
• Their budget is well over $260 billion.
• If any senator requests a separate vote on any individual appointee, we will honor that request and take
• Are there any requests in that vein for a separate vote on any nominee?

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met to consider several gubernatorial appointees, beginning with Matthew Walsh, Secretary of Juvenile Justice, for confirmation. Walsh outlined his law enforcement background, social work training, and priorities at DJJ, including staff wellness, seeking statutory recognition and training standards for juvenile detention and probation officers, and increasing bed capacity so adjudicated youth can move from detention into residential programming sooner. Members asked about the impact of detention “dead time” and the need for more beds; Walsh said DJJ is evaluating ways to let youth begin programming earlier while in detention. Public support was noted, and the committee voted unanimously to confirm Walsh and forward his nomination to the full Senate. The committee then heard from Tina Vidal-Duarte, nominee to the Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees. She described her business background, service on multiple boards, and prior service on FAU’s board pending confirmation, emphasizing governance, accountability, and strategic planning. Senators questioned her about FAU’s handling of faculty social media controversies, the university’s relationship with its new president, student and faculty engagement, AI planning, diversity, and her role on the Hope Florida board and with CDR Health’s state contracts, including work related to the Everglades detention center. Public testimony included strong opposition from one speaker who criticized her ties to state contracts and Hope Florida, while another senator spoke in support, citing her community service and business experience. The committee voted 5-2 to confirm her, with Senators Polsky and Bernard voting no. Afterward, the committee considered the remaining nominees in Tabs 2 through 15, excluding Tab 10, en bloc. No separate votes were requested, and the committee approved the group of nominees by voice roll call to be forwarded to the full Senate. The meeting then concluded with no further business.