Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Wellman and members of the committee, Vanda Slatter, State Senator for the 48th Legislative District
• Chair Wellman and members of the committee, Vandana Slatter, State Senator for the 48th Legislative District
• from across the U.S. ...with that, and that I am part of a group of 18 legislators from across the U.S
• Again, for the record, Vandana Slatter, State Senator for the 48th Legislative District.
• The legislation that Senator Slatter has brought forward will prompt a renewed and timely conversation

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several education bills. SB 6078 would provide pre-licensing supports for prospective child care providers through DCYF, fire protection consultations, and a licensing resource guide; the sponsor, DCYF, and a community nonprofit all supported it, emphasizing that it would reduce fragmented permitting barriers and help expand child care access, while a senator raised the possibility of overlap with existing early learning facilities support. SB 6089 would create a public-private partnership account to support coordination across the P-20W system and fund a public-facing data dashboard; the sponsor and many advocates supported it as a way to align early learning through workforce systems and improve transparency, while some testifiers urged stronger public oversight, caution about private influence, and explicit inclusion of early learning. SB 5859 would expand competency-based assessments as graduation pathway options; supporters said it would better reflect how students learn and provide flexibility, while the State Board of Education and school principals urged caution and suggested waiting for the board’s broader Future Ready graduation review. SB 5861 would require more school board directors to be elected from director districts in larger districts; supporters said it would improve community representation, while some districts and WSSDA warned about local control, added costs, and governance disruption. SB 6065 would allow districts in binding conditions or under enhanced financial oversight to use transportation vehicle funds for temporary loans or transfers with OSPI approval; supporters said it could help districts recover financially without harming transportation needs. After the hearings, the committee moved into executive session and acted on two bills. It adopted a proposed substitute to SB 5956, which restricts certain automated decision systems, surveillance technologies, biometric data, and facial recognition uses in student discipline and school safety decisions, and then advanced the bill with a do-pass recommendation to Rules. It also adopted a proposed substitute to SB 5901, which concerns state funding for on-base school construction, and advanced that bill with a do-pass recommendation to Ways and Means. Both measures were reported out subject to signatures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, the Washington State passed Social Work Compact licensure legislation.
• But part of that legislation required a social work examination. ...legislation required a social work
• It's my 43rd legislative session.
• We are in strong support of this legislation.
• Microsoft and Amazon to support this legislation.

Bills: HB2286, HB2324, HB2363, HB2098

Keywords: social work, licensure, alternative routes, education requirements, professional regulation, tuition waivers, veterans, education, children of veterans, higher education, military families, music therapy, temporary exemptions, healthcare, therapy practice, funding, tuition, financial aid, state budget, 904

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a number of people signed in to testify on bills, and we have some exciting pieces of legislation
• And that's what this legislation is about.
• The purpose of this legislation is to make sure—well, it’s not simple.
• this legislation helps address that by reducing administrative burdens.
• With the uncertainty of federal and state funds, we really need this legislation.

Bills: SB6018, SB6026, SB6027, SB6028, SB5937, SB5938

Keywords: housing, finance, commission, state funding, affordable housing, residential development, zoning reform, mixed-use zoning, commercial zones, Growth Management Act, GMA, state preemption, local land use, development regulations, ground-floor retail, ground-floor commercial, permit waiver, waiver process, density, urban growth area

Transcript Highlights:

• “How would this legislation impact 501(c)(4)s who have international donors?”
• >> HOW WOULD THIS LEGISLATION IMPACT 501C-4s WHO HAVE INTERNATIONAL DONORS?
• COUNTY FOR THEIR TRAVEL, AND FOR THE 60 HOURS OF TRAINING REQUIRED IN THIS LEGISLATION.
• So I would say again, why is that included in your legislation today?
• This, he come back year after year after year, easily would pass the smell test under this legislation

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate met briefly, approved the prior journal, and then took up a Rules Committee report that advanced a large package of bills, mostly Election Law measures, along with several bills in other subject areas. The chamber then moved through a supplemental and controversial calendar focused primarily on election administration, campaign finance, and voter access. Senators also announced committee meetings and later filed majority committee assignments in the journal. On the supplemental calendar, the Senate passed several Election Law bills. One measure by Senator Gianaris aimed to curb foreign influence in New York elections by restricting foreign-influenced corporations; Senator Walczyk argued it was too narrow and ignored dark money, while Senator Gianaris said it was needed to address foreign meddling. Senator May’s bill creating short-term early voting sites passed after debate over whether pop-up sites would confuse voters or improve access, especially in rural areas; supporters said it would help bring voting closer to where people are, while opponents called it costly and confusing. Senator Myrie’s bill establishing standardized training for elections commissioners also passed, with supporters citing the need for uniform training and opponents calling it an unfunded mandate. On the controversial calendar, the Senate passed Senator Myrie’s bill allowing additional early voting locations and clarifying that a voter’s intent can determine residency for voting purposes, including in some cases a second or vacation home. The most debated measure was Senator Gonzalez’s bill creating civil remedies and confidentiality protections for election officers who are threatened or intimidated; supporters said it responds to rising threats against election workers, while opponents warned it could chill legitimate questioning at polling places and create vague liability. Several senators explained their votes on both sides, and the bill passed despite significant opposition. The Senate then adjourned until Tuesday, January 14 at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• . legislation forward.
• The New Mexico Utility Contractors Association future legislation to deal with permitting issues.
• So I'm glad that the legislators did learn about that.
• Then there's legislation that comes back every year for rent control.
• But we got to do some legislation to protect these people in the future.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a staff attorney with the Legislative Council Service. Edwards and Lisa Rivera Morrison.
• or any legislation.
• So, as you know, you guys are legislators. Things take time.
• This is when a lot of legislation gets written and drafted.
• In 2005 and 2006, I introduced some legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I will tell you that Mary's impact on the Northland far exceeds any other legislator in our region
• legislator in our history.<00:29:07.279><c> But</c><00:29:07.440><c> I</c><00:29:07.679><c> think</c
• President, that is why one of the many reasons why she was an effective legislator during her tenure
• President, that is why one of the many reasons why she was an effective legislator during her tenure
• President, that is why one of the many reasons why she was an effective legislator during her tenure

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am **Ian Klein** with the **LAO** [Legislative Analyst's Office].
• Yeah, they were utilizing that space at 60% of the legislative standard capacity, so below legislative
• From the Legislative Analyst's Office, please.
• Good morning, Lisa King with the Legislative Analyst's Office.
• Natalie Gonzalez with the Legislative Analyst Office.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• legislators voted against it.
• Thank you to Chairman Burwell for carrying this important piece of legislation.
• I believe we have adopted it on your A through F legislation. So Senator Paxton moves.
• I believe we have adopted it on your A through F legislation. So Senator Paxton moves.
• Members, the next piece of legislation will be Senate Bill 769 by Senator Menendez.

Summary: The committee heard and discussed several higher education and public school bills. Senator Burwell presented SB 1242 to remove an outdated Coordinating Board approval requirement for Texas State Technical College land and facility acquisitions, and SJR 59 to create a constitutionally dedicated endowment for TSTC capital needs; both drew strong support from industry and workforce groups and were left pending. SB 757, by Senator Middleton, would create a debt-to-earnings accountability system for public college programs, with supporters saying it would protect students from low-value degrees and opponents warning it could unfairly penalize programs with long-term value, especially graduate, medical, and public service fields; it was also left pending. SB 1241, by Senator Millington, would expand acceptable college entrance exams beyond the SAT and ACT, including the Classic Learning Test, and was left pending after testimony from CLT, homeschool, and student groups in support. SB 1085, by Senator Blanco, would let Sul Ross State University offer lower-division courses at its satellite campuses in the Middle Rio Grande region; it too was left pending. The committee then took up a series of public school and higher education measures, voting several out favorably. SB 605, as substituted, limits commissioner approval of charter school expansion amendments for schools under conservatorship or a management team and was reported favorably 9-0. SB 1871 and SB 1873, both by Senator Perry, were revised to narrow teacher immunity, clarify removal and suspension procedures, require periodic review of in-school suspension placements, and align discipline rules; both substitutes were adopted and reported favorably. SB 1872, SB 1874, SB 762, SB 1962, SB 1750, SB 2252, SB 2253, SB 2365, SB 1924, and SB 37 were also considered, with most reported favorably on party-line or near-unanimous votes. SB 1750 would replace a flat charter school facilities funding cap with an attendance-based formula; SB 2252 and SB 2253 address kindergarten readiness, early literacy/numeracy, and educator preparation; SB 2365 concerns student phone use during instructional time; SB 1924 restores local citation authority for certain school offenses and adds reporting, notice, and completion requirements; and SB 37 would expand state oversight of higher education curriculum, governance, faculty senates, and compliance with state law. Other measures heard included SB 769, which would require a Coordinating Board report on barriers faced by students with disabilities in higher education; supporters emphasized the need for better data and accessibility, while witnesses suggested broader reporting on race, disability types, and K-12-to-college transitions. SB 2231 would designate a Free College Application Week in October and was left pending. SB 1878 would modernize the Josie School statute and provide formula funding and aid eligibility for Polytechnic College. SB 1409 would authorize universities to offer self-funded student health benefit plans, with Rice University and Texas 2036 supporting the measure as a way to lower costs and expand coverage. SB 2431 would require universities to give foreign language credit for study abroad programs, SB 2314 would require schools to inform students about opting in or out of record sharing for direct admissions through My Texas Future, and SB 2138 would extend the state’s anti-ESG contracting restrictions to public higher education endowments and governing boards; these later bills were introduced and left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gates is sponsoring the legislation, sir.
• Gates is sponsoring the legislation, sir.
• I've spent the last 25 years working with legislators to help craft legislation that would help students
• And building out this very good piece of legislation.
• That concludes our legislative part of it.

Summary: The committee first heard the proposed Pre-K-12 education budget for fiscal year 2025-26, totaling $34.7 billion. The chair highlighted major increases for the FEFP, including $29.6 billion for public schools and K-12 scholarships, a $984 million year-over-year increase, along with higher per-FTE funding, $4 billion for the Family Empowerment Scholarship, $431.4 million for VPK, funding for school safety, the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, school hardening, Jewish day school security, and an education enrollment stabilization fund. With no public comment, the committee adopted a motion for staff technical corrections and then approved the budget proposal as a recommendation to the full Senate Appropriations Committee. The committee then considered SB 1402 on dropout retrieval programs. The bill expands eligibility so any individual who has withdrawn from high school may enroll in dropout retrieval services and clarifies how school grades are calculated for virtual instruction providers that offer those services. An amendment clarifying the grading calculation was adopted, and the committee reported the bill favorably. Next, the committee took up SPB 7030 on educational scholarship programs, a broad measure addressing school choice funding and administration. The bill would fund the Family Empowerment Scholarship as a separate categorical, expand the education stabilization fund, create fall and spring application windows, require a single scholarship application and more documentation, assign student IDs, standardize payment timing to monthly installments, require continued eligibility verification, and add Level 2 background checks for providers receiving state funds. Members raised questions about background-check enforcement, payment timing, data sharing, and the impact on homeschool and private-school families. Public testimony included support from school-choice advocates and concerns from private-school representatives about added regulatory burdens and deadlines. The committee adopted the bill as a committee bill and reported it favorably, with Senator Osgood voting no. Finally, the committee considered SB 508 on the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program, which requires private schools to disclose in writing what accommodations, modifications, and services they will provide to students with existing plans such as IEPs, EEPs, 504 plans, or ELL plans before enrollment. An amendment was adopted to require public schools to consult with private schools about equitable services. Testimony was mixed: supporters said the bill would give parents needed information for informed choice, while private-school representatives said the language could be burdensome and vague. The committee reported the bill favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Happy Legislative Day! You know what? We're not going to do this anymore. Happy Legislative Day!
• And other times, he made me ponder about the purpose of our duty as legislators.
• has always maintained that it wants to keep within our area of legislative control.
• Speaker and Representative Chatfield, that is indeed the purpose of this legislation.
• I will be supporting this legislation because it is already in effect.

Transcript Highlights:

• and Population Studies, where he does data analysis aimed at informing public safety officials, legislators
• Introduction of legislation.
• I'm carrying this legislation on behalf of the NMFA's Interim Legislative Oversight Committee, which
• Speaker, what the price tag is on this legislation?
• From my understanding with the legislation, it's just...

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to note that this packet reflects the agency's exceptional items as of their legislative
• I would like to note that this packet reflects the agency's exceptional items as of their legislative
• session, where it creates a process so we don't have to wait for the next legislative session to pay
• Every one of us has filed a bill in our past, in our experience, in our legislative tenure.
• So, thank you for these updates, and let's keep pushing for legislative improvements.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, big kudos to the author for this legislation.
• That doesn't mean our work as legislators ends.
• I am very proud to carry this legislation today. Thank you, Senator.
• My previous legislation from 2021, AB 1111, described in the analysis.
• So you've done a significant amount of amending legislation.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They were presented to the Legislative Administrative Rules Committee.
• Fourteen years is the next seven legislative sessions.
• And also during the legislative sessions, I'd like to see more of you.
• Part of the Legislative Management Committee, and I appreciate that.
• Part of the Legislative Management Committee, and I appreciate that. part of the Legislative Management

Summary: The Water Topics Overview Committee met with a quorum and heard updates from Department of Water Resources Director Reese Haas and Lieutenant Governor/State Water Commission Chair Michelle Strinden on statewide water funding, major projects, and two legislative studies requested in House Bill 1020. Haas reviewed the status of the Northwest Area Water Supply and Southwest Pipeline projects, noting NAWS construction is expected to move water by fall and Southwest’s Hebron-Rugby expansion phase one is in final design with bids expected next month. He also summarized the department’s budget outlook, including Resources Trust Fund and Water Project Stabilization Fund balances, the effect of oil price volatility and stripper well exemptions on revenues, and the status of project buckets, carryover, lines of credit, regionalization, bid trends, and administrative/process updates. Committee members asked about project prioritization, municipal funding demand, maintenance expectations, replacement versus deferred maintenance, and whether the 2025 session may have underfunded municipal water supply needs. Haas said the commission uses the same high/medium/low prioritization process across all buckets, reviews maintenance plans as part of policy, and is seeing strong demand in the municipal bucket. He also explained that the department’s 14-year projection is based on the next seven legislative sessions and that the state faces a projected $1.3 billion shortfall over that period if all planned projects are funded under current assumptions. Deloitte then presented draft findings from the cost-share policy study and the governance/finance study. For cost share, Deloitte said the model shows a roughly $1.3 billion shortfall over 14 years and about $1.8 billion through 2031 under current policy, and offered seven options including tighter eligibility for replacement projects, state funding caps for the Mouse River and Red River Valley projects, a priority-based cost-share scale, timing shifts, use of existing lines of credit, and delayed reimbursement timing. For governance, Deloitte outlined draft options for Southwest, NAWS, and Red River ranging from maintaining current structures with stronger planning to transferring ownership or adding formal oversight, and recommended broader use of performance metrics, long-term financial planning, and clearer decision trees. No votes or formal actions were taken; the commission discussed the scenarios and the studies will return in revised form later in the spring.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> session</c> After a previous legislative session After a previous legislative session that<00:26
• Today, I am presenting Senate File 3762, legislation to clarify the legislative intent regarding the
• So, the remedial legislation is intended to further that apparent legislative intent.
• </c> this legislation. this legislation.
• </c> local legislator allowed to invite? local legislator allowed to invite?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• have a strong legislative response in have a strong legislative response in this<00:24:22.799><c> bill
• </c> part to that strong legislative part to that strong legislative response.<00:24:29.600><c> It'll
• It's really how legislation effort.
• </c> require and ask the legislative require and ask the legislative inspector<00:43:23.200><c> general's
• </c> would say um it would say legislative would say um it would say legislative inspector<00:43:56.560

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> citizens they protect this legislation citizens they protect this legislation we<00:20:34.720><c
• </c> unaddressed this piece of legislation unaddressed this piece of legislation does<01:02:57.760><c
• I move Senate Bill 219 inexpedient to legislate.
• The motion is adopted, and Senate Bill 219 is inexpedient to legislate. get us where our legislators
• Thank you. outcomes this legislation applies to outcomes this legislation applies to solar<04:53:35.840

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> operating outside normal legislative operating outside normal legislative oversight.<00:31:53.039
• </c> that it is inexpedient to legislate. that it is inexpedient to legislate.
• That was a bad way to legislate two months ago, and it's a bad way to legislate today.
• </c> that is inexpedient to legislate. that is inexpedient to legislate.
• </c> Stavis moves in expedience to legislate. Stavis moves in expedience to legislate.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Fury needed to answer legislators' questions regarding his corrections work.
• Perfuri, as former Secretary of Corrections, should have been there to answer legislators' questions,
• He should have been there to answer legislators' questions, as I was told during that meeting he was
• He didn't even reply and chose to snub legislators' questions.
• legislative branch that has the right and authority to do that.

Keywords: 1204, all