Transcript Highlights:

• And learning about the scientific research.
• We have Todd Myers, the Vice President for Research and the Director of Environmental Research.
• And we have Pam Lewis, the Director of Agricultural Research.
• We have researchers including Pam and agriculture.
• Forest Service-specific Northwest Research Station, has done good research on this.

Summary: The committee first received an update from Larry Madsen of the Office of Columbia River on eastern Washington water supply projects. He described the office’s mission to develop new water supplies for in-stream and out-of-stream uses, noting that funded projects have developed more than 800,000 acre-feet of water toward a 1 million acre-foot goal by 2030. He reviewed the four major program areas: the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program, the Walla Walla Water 2050 plan, the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan, and the Icicle Work Group. He highlighted major projects such as East Low Canal work, Springwood Ranch reservoir planning, Bateman Island causeway removal, and Icicle Creek improvements, and emphasized the importance of state, federal, tribal, and nonprofit partnerships and cost-sharing. Senators asked about accelerating the Springwood Ranch study, reservoir sizing and refill potential, and how conservation fits into the Yakima plan. The committee then heard from Betsy Peabody, Dr. Micah Horwith, and Bill Dewey on the Marine Resources Advisory Council and ocean acidification. They explained that Washington was an early bellwether for ocean acidification impacts, especially on shellfish hatcheries, where low aragonite saturation and changing pH caused major oyster larval mortality. They described the state’s monitoring network, hatchery buffering systems, research partnerships, and adaptation strategies such as kelp co-culture, selective breeding, and native oyster restoration. Testimony stressed that ocean acidification is affecting shellfish, Dungeness crab, razor clams, and even salmon, and that continued state investment, emissions reductions, and nutrient pollution control are needed. Senators asked about differences between native and farmed species, real-time monitoring, and the pH/aragonite thresholds that threaten shellfish production. Finally, Todd Myers and Pam Lewis of the Washington Policy Center presented concerns about agricultural viability, sustainability, and food security. Lewis said Washington farms are under severe financial pressure, citing negative farm take-home pay, high production and labor costs, and the need to rely more on voluntary programs, tax relief, and labor cost changes. She also argued that food insecurity is rising and that donations to food banks are harder when farms are financially strained. Myers followed with remarks on forest health and salmon recovery, arguing for more active forest management, expanded use of Good Neighbor Authority, and fewer permitting barriers. He also said salmon recovery funding should be locally prioritized and science-based, with regulatory barriers reduced so projects can move faster. The committee then voted to refer Senate Bill 6154, a culvert replacement permitting bill, to the Senate Local Government Committee without recommendation, and the motion passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• > is</c><00:02:13.080><c> non-partisan</c> Our research center uh is non-partisan Our research center
• </c><00:02:34.680><c> project</c> you is the result of a research project you is the result of a research
• ><c> is</c> Further research, of course, is Further research, of course, is warranted.<00:19:31.000><
• <c> presentations</c><00:51:10.360><c> and</c> research and your presentations and research and your
• I was also have about the research.

Committee: Senate Labor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AS HELPFUL AS THIS OFFICES THERE IS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT AND NEED TO PARTNER WITH
• TO PROMOTE INDUSTRY, RESEARCH AND EMPLOYMENT IN A CERTAIN FIELD.
• ASSISTANTS, RESEARCH TECHNICIANS AND CORE RESTORATION TECHNICIANS.
• THE ENTIRE PIECE OF EQUIPMENT AND IS NOW RESEARCH VESSEL WE HAVE A TURBINE.
• WE ALSO DO RESEARCH WORK. WE WORK WITH THE U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a reactor for research purposes.
• We are here for the research and development purpose.
• This is the team of researchers that built that.
• So, as I mentioned, it's a research reactor.
• The metal material is a very fascinating area of research if you want to do materials research.

Committee: Joint Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Research bioinformatics, testing, and medical laboratories.
• We would be working specifically with the research universities and the national labs.
• that want to innovate their bioscience-related research to commercialize.
• research.
• And so he did not say that it has impacted the research. That is going on.

Committee: House New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Education Policy Research Center.
• Did you find those in any of your research because they were not on the list?
• Did you find those in any of your research because they were not on the list?
• So that's not research that I've conducted directly, but research I've reviewed in the literature that's
• been conducted by other researchers.

Committee: Senate Education Pre-K - 12

Summary: The committee met to discuss student attendance and chronic absenteeism in Florida K-12 schools, with Chair Simon outlining the state’s attendance requirements and intervention process, including school contact after unexcused absences, child study team review, district superintendent referral, DJJ family services referral, truancy petitions, and possible parental prosecution and driver’s license consequences. Dr. Chris Curran of the University of Florida presented statewide data showing chronic absenteeism has risen sharply since the pandemic, with Florida at about 31.4% in 2023–24, and noted that absenteeism varies by district, school level, demographics, and urbanicity. He emphasized that causes are multifaceted—ranging from transportation, mental health, housing instability, safety concerns, and family circumstances—and said effective responses include early warning systems, text or phone outreach, multi-tiered interventions, mentoring programs like Check & Connect, and community partnerships. He also cautioned that punitive responses alone are often less effective than addressing root causes and keeping students engaged academically even when they miss school. Collier County Superintendent Leslie Ricciardelli described her district’s attendance efforts as a priority supported by attendance specialists, social workers, mental health staff, home visits, attendance contracts, and extensive parent communication. She said Collier’s chronic absenteeism rate was about 9% in 2023–24 and attributed success to consistent monitoring, family outreach, and community support, while stressing that students must be physically present to learn. She also argued that many absences are tied to barriers such as clothing, transportation, childcare, or family mental health, and that districts need resources to address those issues. Dr. Rachel Dawes added that Collier uses multilingual brochures, attendance awareness campaigns, vacation-planning guidance, door tags, automated calls and letters, and a truancy flow chart, with truancy court used as a last resort. Volusia County Executive Director Mike McAuliffe described a districtwide overhaul that included an attendance matters campaign, automated notices sent early and often, same-day and period-by-period notifications, a data dashboard, and tiered supports through MTSS. He said Volusia reduced chronic absenteeism from 34% in 2023–24 to a projected 29% and reported a first-quarter rate of about 20% in the current year. He highlighted community partnerships, including AdventHealth support for washers and dryers, bikes for students with transportation barriers, and monetary recognition for schools that reduce absenteeism. In response to questions, both district leaders emphasized that funding, staffing, and consistent follow-through are essential, and that attendance work is most effective when paired with family engagement, data monitoring, and practical supports rather than punishment alone.

Transcript Highlights:

• Last year, we published multiple research briefs that focus on California.
• But it's also other very basic types of research: cancer, heart and lung and blood research, aging.
• So this is Nicole, who's a graduate student researcher at UC Berkeley.
• Nicole is a graduate student researcher at UC Berkeley.
• This is CETA, who's a graduate student researcher at USC.

Committee: Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then also other research I can provide you.
• We do have real research in Louisiana.
• Because there is a pipeline to getting research and access to health... ...pipeline to getting research
• Amendment 16 amends what a research entity shall do relative to escalation to designated research entity
• It's a contractual research organization.

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 267, which would change the membership rules for the Louisiana State Board of Home Inspectors by adjusting appointment qualifications, term limits, and nomination procedures. Vice Chair Thomas explained the bill was meant to address the lack of nominations from existing entities and to allow the governor more flexibility, especially in smaller districts. After adopting a technical amendment, the committee reported HB 267 favorably. The committee then considered House Bill 478 on utility overcharge reimbursements. The bill, as amended, requires utilities to clearly label reimbursements on customer bills and sets a deadline for issuing refunds. After discussion with the Public Service Commission and utility representatives, the committee changed the reimbursement timeline from 45 days to 90 days and clarified that the bill would not interfere with larger settlement or regulatory credits. HB 478 was then reported favorably as amended. The longest discussion centered on House Bill 924, a consumer protection measure aimed at contractors who solicit residential property owners after declared disasters. The author said the bill was intended to curb predatory storm-chasing and fraudulent insurance-related practices, while still allowing emergency mitigation work. The committee adopted technical amendments and then a conceptual amendment shortening the catastrophe response period from six months to 30 days. Testimony was split: the Insurance Commissioner and some roofing industry witnesses supported the bill as a way to deter fraud, while other contractors argued it would hurt small businesses, limit legitimate door-to-door work, and not solve enforcement problems. The bill remained under consideration after extensive testimony and public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• research on fines and fees reforms and data nationwide.
• That same group of researchers in 2024 did a follow-up study.
• Unfortunately, the research doesn't bear that out.
• Yes, in the long run, that is what the research bears out.
• So there's a lot of confounding factors, is what we call them, research.

Committees: Joint Judiciary , Joint Judiciary Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and capital projects at our research universities.
• In fact, they expand research capacity and remain nationally competitive.
• In addition to our research universities, investments are needed in our regional universities and our
• and will bring in more research stars.
• Oh, you want to go out and try to build out the research operation.

Committee: House Appropriations and Budget

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Researcher Luke Lebrun, thanks for your input and coming up with those research summaries for every meeting
• That's all I can say. researcher<00:02:36.080><c> Luke</c><00:02:36.519><c> Lebrun.
• Thanks for your researcher Luke Lebrun.
• </c> input and coming up with those research input and coming up with those research summaries<00:02:
• We want to look at the research on that.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• As an SRA, I help facilitate education and research for the Department of Food Science at UC.
• My name is Nico Vincent, and I'm a clinical research coordinator at UC Davis.
• Clinical research is sometimes a patient's only hope.
• Management, watering, other types of agricultural research, and improvements.
• The required lead time Including market research, is about nine months.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance held an extended hearing focused primarily on University of California budget issues, enrollment, housing, and Title IX. Chair David Alvarez opened by noting the governor’s proposed 8% ongoing General Fund reduction to UC, the deferral of compact funding, and the College of the Law budget item, while emphasizing that no votes would be taken that day. Public commenters, including UC Davis employees and lecturers, urged restoration of UC funding and opposed the hiring freeze, saying cuts would worsen staffing shortages, reduce research capacity, and harm students and patients. On UC core operations, the Department of Finance said the governor’s budget maintains the compact but defers $240.8 million in ongoing support and continues a planned 7.95% reduction, while the LAO recommended rejecting the deferrals and instead making any changes in the budget year. UC San Diego’s chancellor and UC Office of the President argued the cuts and deferrals would create major campus shortfalls, force hiring freezes, larger class sizes, fewer course offerings, delayed projects, and possible layoffs. Committee members questioned whether cuts could be shifted away from students and toward administration, discussed UCOP reserves and bond debt, and noted that UC’s budget structure makes the campus-level impact larger than the headline reduction. The committee also reviewed enrollment trends and nonresident replacement. The LAO said UC resident enrollment has grown and recommended revisiting 2026-27 targets and pausing the nonresident replacement plan if state funding does not improve. UC said it has exceeded California undergraduate enrollment and nonresident replacement goals, but warned that continued growth without funding would force enrollment reductions and harm quality. Members discussed the role of nonresident and international students, tuition rates, and the value of UC as a pathway for California students and a source of talent for the state. A separate housing item covered the state’s Higher Education Student Housing Grant Program. UC reported that recent bond savings could support additional affordable beds at UC Davis and UC Santa Barbara, but the LAO and Finance noted the Legislature would need to decide how to use the $6.2 million in savings from the original projects. The committee also heard a Title IX update from UC’s systemwide civil rights office, which described campus Title IX structures, training, and policy enforcement, and said the system has been working to improve confidentiality guidance and streamline complaint processes after survey feedback showed confusion and lengthy procedures.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a senior researcher at the Niskanen Center.
• There’s some research by UC Irvine professor Emily Owens. She’s got great work.
• I wanted to highlight four of the clearest lessons from that research.
• The picture from research is clearer today than it has been in decades.
• But thank you very much for this opportunity to present this research to you all.

Summary: The House Committee on Community Safety held a December 4, 2025 work session focused first on crime trends and then on policing effectiveness. Adam Gelb of the Council on Criminal Justice reviewed long-term national data showing major declines in reported crime and victimization since the early 1990s, a pandemic-era spike in homicide and some violent crime, and a recent drop back toward pre-pandemic levels. He also highlighted a sharp decline in juvenile arrests and incarceration, a substantial reduction in racial disparities in imprisonment, and noted that much of the disparity reduction appears tied to changes in arrest patterns. James McMahon of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs then presented Washington’s 2024 crime report, saying total crime fell 8.4% from 2023, with decreases in violent crime, property crime, murders, robberies, aggravated assaults, hate crimes, and vehicle theft, while crimes against society rose. He emphasized that domestic violence makes up about half of crimes against persons, that Washington remains above its 2019 levels in several categories, and that underreporting affects the data. Marshall Clement of the Council of State Governments Justice Center added that Washington remains one of the states still above 2019 violent-crime levels, with homicide and juvenile victimization especially concerning, and noted wide variation in juvenile arrests and violent-crime trends across cities and counties. Jeff Asher of the Real Time Crime Index said his near-real-time data through September 2025 suggests continued national and Washington declines in murder, violent crime, and property crime, with Washington’s murder trend likely continuing downward into 2025. The second half of the work session shifted to policing methods and clearance rates. Richard Hahn of the Niskanen Center argued that disorder and neighborhood conditions affect public safety perceptions, that environmental design and street lighting can reduce crime, and that police agencies need better deployment, investigative capacity, and clearance rates, especially amid staffing shortages. Mark Kropanski of Arnold Ventures summarized research finding that police staffing matters, hotspots and problem-oriented policing reduce crime, and better investigations increase deterrence and trust; he stressed that homicide clearance rates remain only around 60% in Washington and that property-crime clearance is much lower. Marshall Clement returned to focus on Washington’s solve rates, saying only 44% of violent crimes reported to police are solved, with 62% of homicides, 51% of aggravated assaults, 25% of rapes, and 31% of robberies cleared in 2024, and that large numbers of serious crimes remain unsolved over a three-year period. He urged state leaders to set goals, improve data collection, strengthen investigative resources, and support victims and witnesses. No votes or formal actions were taken; the session was informational and included extensive member questions about juvenile crime, domestic violence, underreporting, detective staffing, and how to improve clearance rates.

Transcript Highlights:

• The research is there, yet our system refuses to act.
• The research is there, yet our system refuses to act.
• The research is there, yet our system refuses to act.
• The research is there, yet our system refuses to act.
• research.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services Committee heard testimony on several measures related to child welfare, health care access, overdose response, disability services, and waste management. For SB 710 on child welfare, the Department of Human Services, the Office of Wellness and Resilience, the Attorney General’s office, and multiple advocacy groups testified in support, with the Governor’s office noting support but deferring to the Attorney General on implementation because of separation-of-powers concerns. For SB 952 on child welfare services, DHS, the Governor’s office, and child- and trauma-informed care advocates supported the bill, saying it would help families access services, provide basic material support, and reduce strain on the child welfare system. SB 954 on a home health services rate study also drew support, including from DHS, the Hawaii Healthcare Association, and a public testifier who said the study would help ensure funds reach low-income, disabled, and kupuna recipients. SB 957 on overdose prevention received support from the Department of Health and the Attorney General, who said overdose prevention centers are evidence-based but raised federal-law concerns and recommended amendments; the Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center and others also testified in support. The committee then moved to the 1:00 regular calendar and heard SB 850 on disability health disparity, which was supported by the Executive Office on Aging, the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Hawaii Disability Rights Center, self-advocates, and others. Testimony emphasized that a disparity study could improve workforce development, training, and services for people with disabilities. SB 838 on continuous glucose monitoring drew support from health agencies and advocates, with testimony stressing that monitors can be critical for some diabetes patients. SB 829 on health care was supported by the Department of Health and health care stakeholders, who said it would help rotating physicians serve neighbor islands without local hospital privileges and align with CMS rules. SB 446 on waste management drew mixed testimony: the Department of Health and several public entities provided comments, the County of Maui opposed, and environmental advocates urged stronger aquifer protections and limits on ash reuse. During decision making, the committee adopted recommendations to pass SB 298, SB 322, SB 299, SB 450, SB 451, SB 949, SB 710, SB 957, SB 69, and SD 952 with various amendments, including technical changes, blank appropriations, and defective dates. SB 323, SB 324, SB 712, SB 950, SB 954, and SB 959 were deferred, largely because companion House measures were moving or similar Senate measures had already passed. The chair also announced recesses to find quorum and noted that some bills from the earlier Monday calendar were being deferred to avoid duplication.

Transcript Highlights:

• Each state will keep the monies within its own state to fund research.
• All of that money will be used to conduct research in Kentucky.
• Although the exact research did not include ibogaine, it was still addiction research.
• In this bill, monies were paid research.
• </c><00:47:16.000><c> for</c> know, I'm all for uh the research for know, I'm all for uh the research

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first reviewed preferred administrative regulations and, hearing no concerns, considered them reviewed. It then took up House Bill 388, described as a Casper cleanup bill. The sponsor said it would exempt charitable health care providers from e-prescribing requirements, allow Casper data sharing with certain federal entities, update references to hydrocodone’s schedule status, clean up drafting errors, and clarify practitioner registration with Casper. The bill passed 9-0 and was then approved for consent. Next, House Bill 134 was presented as a follow-up to a prior study on shortages of sexual assault nurse examiners and SANE-ready hospitals. The sponsor and a representative from the Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs said the bill would create a statewide SANE coordinator. The committee adopted a substitute, then passed the bill unanimously and sent it to consent. Senate Bill 147 was then heard as an administrative update to vital records, modernizing certified-copy requests, adjusting fees, and requiring the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to send the annual death report to the State Board of Elections by July 1 each year. It passed unanimously and was also moved to consent. House Bill 280, a Kentucky Board of Nursing cleanup bill, would let the board investigate out-of-state nurses applying for Kentucky licenses, clarify licensing language, and update school rescue medication provisions, including inhalers, nebulizers, glucagon, Solu-Cortef, and nasal epinephrine. A committee substitute narrowed the bill to glucagon updates, and one senator asked whether the bill also covered child care centers; the sponsor said it addressed school medications only but was open to further discussion. The bill passed 10-0 and was reported favorably. Finally, Senate Bill 77 drew extended testimony. The sponsor and supporters argued that ibogaine research and treatment could help address addiction, PTSD, and depression, citing studies, personal recovery stories, and a proposed public-private partnership funded through opioid settlement money. The committee substitute removed the bill’s appropriation request and emergency clause, and members asked questions about whether PTSD is an addiction, whether smoking was included, whether the bill was authorizing research rather than funding, and how the treatment works. The sponsor said the substitute was only creating a structure for research, not appropriating money, and supporters described ibogaine as a one-time, medically supervised treatment. The transcript cuts off before a final vote on Senate Bill 77 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• WITH A LARGER WORK PROGRAM WE HAD TO BECOME MORE NIMBLE USING INNOVATIONS IN PROJECT DELIVERY, RESEARCH
• LAB AND STATE STRUCTURES RESEARCH LAB.
• THE FLORIDA TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH INSTITUTE IS LIKE THE FLORIDA ACADEMY AND WAS STOOD UP AS PART OF
• RESEARCH AT THIS FACILITY INCLUDES TESTING OF ASPHALT AND CONCRETE MIXTURES, GEOTECHNICAL MATERIALS,
• TO DELIVER A WORLD CLASS TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM WOULD ALSO NEED TO HAVE WORLD CLASS TALENT AND RESEARCH

Transcript Highlights:

• Revises several aspects of the Casey DeSantis Cancer research program.
• The bill creates the Cancer Connect collaborative research.
• This bill proposes that the targeted area of research will be pediatric cancer.
• that is our research grants are awarded.
• We are continuing this endeavor down the research path for cancer research.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's why I did three years of post-doc research.
• I've brought with me a fraction of the research I've brought with me a fraction of the research studies
• And it isn't old research in terms of neuroscience that we are talking about in this House bill.
• That provides some of the research.
• Many before me have brought up data, research, all of that.

Bills: HB1295 , HB2007 , HB2262 , HB2636

Committee: House Education

Keywords: reading instruction, structured literacy, early literacy, dyslexia, phonics, phonological awareness, language comprehension, vocabulary, fluency, oral language, orthographic knowledge, multi-tiered system of supports, MTSS, screening assessments, intervention, reading intervention, elementary education, kindergarten, first grade, second grade

Transcript Highlights:

• Moffitt Cancer Center is home to researchers, physicians, volunteers and advocates who all work together
• Today is Moffitt Cancer Day and we are celebrating the research Moffitt is doing to combat this really
• The research to me is critical.
• Research is the key and we are doing step one. Certainly moving along in step two is research.
• We need to do the research. That is key. If you remember, we started the Research Innovation Fund.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The legislation directs NASA to leverage its unique research and development expertise in aeronautics
• NASA has done further research, development, and demonstration work to use its tools and technologies
• NASA has done further research, development, and demonstration work to use its tools and technologies
• The agency evaluated available satellite data, explored how it could advance scientific research and
• The agency evaluated available satellite data, explored how it could advance scientific research and

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, February 23, 2026, 1012, house, all