Transcript Highlights:

• In the packet that you're receiving, there are a couple of maps from NERDL, which is a citizen science
• PFAS have been around since the 60s, and we don't have really great science regarding them.
• We believe that good policy comes from good science, and the science and understanding around PFAS includes
• Wheaton-Taqua is opposed to House Bill 1674 because of the following: It will not enhance science or
• But then in addition, just their science and data...

Bills: HB1341, HB1674, HB4028, SB2321

Keywords: hydrogen sulfide, public health, environmental regulation, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, ground level concentrations, emissions limit, emissions limits, ground-level concentrations, air quality, PFAS, agriculture, environmental protection, health risks, criminal offense, chemical regulation, preproduction plastic, water quality, pollution control, industrial waste, emissions

Transcript Highlights:

• Hi, I'm a current student pursuing a bachelor's degree in political science at the University of Texas
• courses, specifically prerequisites for my students, which include government, history, political science
• Inevitably, SB37 will devalue the humanities, social sciences, arts, and other disciplines—fields that
• I am an associate professor of political science at Texas A&M University, San Antonio.
• As both a former and current graduate student in both a hard science and social science, I can see...

Bills: SB 37

Keywords: fetal development, education, public health curriculum, middle school, age-appropriate instruction, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• have to have a four-year degree and that you have to have a certain number of hours in biological sciences
• , earth sciences, and soils classes.
• Yeah, mostly going to be in biology, earth science, physical science.
• So you have to have 30 hours in the biological and physical sciences, and then 15 hours in college?

Summary: The Occupational Licensing Review Subcommittee met to review two occupational licensing reports: the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and the State Board of Registration for Professional Soil Classifiers. For nursing, board officials described the board’s history, scope, and licensure categories, saying it regulates about 72,000 nurses across RN, LPN, advanced practice, medication assistant, and dialysis technician-related roles. Members asked about workforce shortages, complaint volume, and the board’s finances. The board said Arkansas has enough licensed nurses overall but faces vacancy and distribution issues, receives about 2,200 complaints annually, and most serious complaints involve criminal backgrounds, fraud or misrepresentation, misappropriation, drug abuse, and criminal investigations. Officials also said they are looking at ways to improve efficiency in case handling, including better documentation and added help positions, and noted outreach efforts through nursing associations and the Arkansas Center for Nursing. For professional soil classifiers, Agriculture Department officials explained that the occupation was created in 1975 and now is administered by the Natural Resources Commission after the former board was abolished in 2023. They said the profession is small and specialized, with about 29 registered soil classifiers in Arkansas, and requires a four-year degree plus coursework in biological, earth, and soil sciences. Members asked whether the current number is sufficient, what the work involves, and how the licensing fund is used. Officials said the current number appears adequate, though demand could change with more nutrient management or related work, and that soil classifiers commonly assist with septic system design, perk testing, wetland determinations, and other soil-related projects. They also noted the program has a small reserve and may look at training, curriculum, testing, and administrative budget adjustments. Both reports were reviewed without objection, and no votes were taken. The next meeting was announced for February 19 at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a sole source and it is to provide computer science professional learning for our K-12 teachers
• -12 teachers and to collaborate with the department to facilitate the development of the computer science
• Education in 2011 and so it came in with... the pilot of the college board's advanced placement computer science
• That collaboration was strengthened through the passage of the Alabama Computer Science Act in 2019,
• professional development that we're needing and the curriculum development that we're needing in computer science

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesotans need and deserve reliable, science-based information about their health and about which vaccines
• ,<00:14:25.120> um, your Minnesota science-based, um, your Minnesota science-based, um, advisory
• Um, let's open our eyes and our ears and our minds to the reality of the science that's going on here
• I am a science teacher at Glencoe-Silver Lake School District, and I am here asking you to support SF
• I am a science teacher at Kutkey.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Jacqueline Gardner, middle school science teacher in San Jacinto, California, I also oppose without the
• My school provided no environmental science courses and few resources to learn about the environment
• My school provided no environmental science courses and few resources to learn about the environment
• Jacqueline Gardner, middle school science teacher in San Jose.
• Jacqueline Gardner, middle school science teacher in San Jacinto, California, as well as the co-chair

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard a long slate of education bills, beginning with SB 685 on nonpublic schools for students with disabilities. Senator Cortese and the California Department of Education described the bill as a response to the Ninth Circuit’s Laughman decision, removing the obsolete “non-sectarian” requirement while preserving secular use of public funds, nondiscrimination protections, background checks, credentialing, and incident reporting. There was no opposition, and the bill later passed 7-0 to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 1181, a pilot grant program for violence prevention, student wellness, and school safety in Central Valley and other schools. Supporters framed it as a prevention measure, while opponents from EFF, ACLU Cal Action, and community advocates warned it could increase law enforcement involvement, surveillance, and use of fusion centers; despite those concerns, it ultimately passed 5-0 to Appropriations. Members then considered SB 1067, which would create a statewide framework for annual K-2 math assessments starting in 2028-29 to identify students needing early intervention. The author and supporters argued California faces a serious math achievement crisis and that early assessment would help close gaps, while CTA and several educators and administrators sought additional clarity and amendments to ensure alignment with existing diagnostic practices and limits on high-stakes use. The bill drew broad support from educators, parents, and advocacy groups and passed 7-0 to Appropriations. SB 1107, a school shade-structure bill, would expand eligible shade projects and allow bundling through design-build to reduce costs; it received support from LAUSD, school boards, and climate-focused groups and passed 7-0. SB 1128, on take-home devices and screen time for kindergarteners, was presented as a modest first step to give families more flexibility and reduce early screen exposure, with support from early childhood advocates and no opposition, and it passed 7-0. The committee also approved SB 1048, creating a voluntary State Seal of Climate Literacy for students who complete climate coursework and hands-on projects. Supporters, including Ten Strands, students, teachers, and county offices, said it would recognize real-world climate learning and green career readiness; it passed 7-0. SB 1140, sponsored by CFT, would require LEA construction contractors to follow campus security provisions during school projects to reduce unauthorized access; it drew support from labor and gun violence prevention groups and passed 7-0. SB 930, requiring end-to-end encryption for proctoring companies handling K-12 exam data, was presented as a student privacy measure in response to cybersecurity risks and passed 6-0. Finally, SB 1083 was introduced by Senator Perez as a follow-up to last year’s Safe Learning Environments Act, with extensive committee amendments to refine the statewide misconduct data system, disclosure rules, contractor fingerprinting, and access requirements; the transcript cuts off before the bill’s full hearing and vote are shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a parent from Lano with a library science degree. Our public libraries are sacrosanct.
• His science, by the way, has been proven by the American Legislative Exchange Council to be criminal
• The science of the brain that we now have shows that... ...children through the years.
• Many hold master's degrees specifically in library and information science.
• We should trust librarians to cure a client. specifically in library and information science.

Bills: SB2101, SB2334, SB2633, SB2637, SB2713, SB2781, SB2782, SB3059, HB 1130

Keywords: minors, sexually explicit materials, public libraries, age verification, civil penalties, library collection review, alcohol storage, airline permits, beverage regulations, airport, commercial flights, alcoholic beverages, local option election, zoning regulations, municipality control, land use, state law, social media, bot accounts, misinformation

Summary: The committee first reopened public testimony on Senate Bill 2713, which concerned protections for freedom of conscience in the context of Realtor association discipline. Texas Realtors representatives testified that their organization is a separate Texas legal entity but affiliated with the National Association of Realtors through a charter and code of ethics. They said Texas Realtors is neutral on SB 2713, that their ethics process is focused on fair housing and equal professional service, and that they have not suspended or terminated anyone in Texas for religious or political speech. Senators pressed them on whether national standards could override Texas law and on examples from other states; the witnesses said state and federal law control and that they would comply with Texas law if the bill passed. Public testimony then closed and SB 2713 was left pending. The committee then took up Senate Bill 1698 on e-cigarettes. Senator Parker explained a committee substitute that tightened enforcement, required distributor registration, expanded regulation to nicotine from any source, added restrictions on child-appealing packaging, authorized inspections and audits, and set compliance deadlines later in 2025 and 2026. After questions, the substitute was adopted and SB 1698, as substituted, was reported favorably to the full Senate on a 6-0 vote, with a recommendation for the local and uncontested calendar. Next, the committee considered Senate Bill 2487 on crisis and mental health facilities. Senator Parker described a substitute that renamed the program a crisis service model, allowed multiple county facilities, added local siting limits, expanded staffing options, shortened clinical timelines, required discharge referrals, directed law enforcement and EMS to transport people there first, and created local boards and expanded reporting. The substitute was adopted and the bill was reported favorably on a 6-0 vote, also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. Senate Bill 2819, dealing with political activities of county elections administrators, was then reported favorably on a 6-0 vote and likewise sent to the local and uncontested calendar. Senate Bill 2043 was withdrawn. The committee spent substantial time on Senate Bill 2101, which would require municipal public libraries to move sexually explicit materials out of minors’ sections and impose age-verification and review requirements. Supporters argued the bill would protect children from explicit material in public libraries and that libraries should not be left to self-regulate. Opponents, including librarians, parents, authors, and ACLU representatives, argued the definitions were vague, the bill would be costly and burdensome for small libraries, could function as a book ban, and would restrict teens’ access to classics, research materials, and other books. Several witnesses said parents should make those decisions, not the state. The bill’s author said the committee substitute was still being worked on and asked witnesses to review it; public testimony remained open in the portion provided, with no final action on SB 2101 shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• , resources, family and consumer sciences, resources, family and consumer sciences, 4<00:47:26.079
• around the science of reading. around the science of reading.
• <01:40:27.280> of letters or the foundational science of letters or the foundational science
• practices around the science of reading. practices around the science of reading.
• c><01:47:10.960> lasting<01:47:11.600> change science tells us that lasting change science

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call – 0:00:00 Workforce Pell Grant Update – 0:03:30 Extension Office Update – 0:33:25 Kentucky Academic Standards for Social Studies – 1:07:08 Early Literacy Outcomes – 1:32:20 Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations – 1:58:30 Adjournment 2:13:13, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• have to have a four-year degree and that you have to have a certain number of hours in biological sciences
• , earth sciences, and soils classes.
• Yeah, mostly going to be in the biology, earth science, physical science.
• So you have to have 30 hours in the biological and physical sciences, and then 15 hours in college before

Summary: The Occupational Licensing Review Subcommittee met to review two occupational licensing reports: the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and the State Board of Registration for Professional Soil Classifiers. For nursing, board officials described the board’s history, scope, and licensure categories, noting it regulates about 72,000 nurses and oversees RNs, LPNs, advanced practice nurses, medication assistants, and a new dialysis patient care technician registry. Members asked about workforce shortages, complaint types, and the board’s finances; the board said Arkansas has enough licensed nurses overall but has vacancy issues in some areas, complaints commonly involve criminal backgrounds, fraud, misrepresentation, drug abuse, and misappropriation, and the average case length is 191 days though some cases remain open much longer while awaiting criminal adjudication. Officials also said they are working on efficiency improvements and have added help positions with Department of Health support. The report was accepted without objection. The committee then reviewed the soil classifier program, now housed under the Natural Resources Commission after the former board was abolished in 2023. Agriculture Department officials explained that soil classifiers are a small, specialized profession requiring a four-year degree with coursework in biological, earth, and soil sciences, and that the state currently has 29 registered soil classifiers. Members asked whether that number is sufficient, what the work involves, and how the program’s finances are used. Officials said the profession is mainly used for septic system design, wetland determinations, nutrient management, and other soil-related work, and that current staffing appears adequate. They also noted the program has about $20,000 in reserves, above the statutory three-year balance, and discussed possible uses such as training, curriculum upgrades, and expanded administrative funding. The report was also accepted without objection, and the meeting adjourned with the next meeting scheduled for February 19 at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• participated in projects including food preservation, baking, quilting, embroidery, macrame, wood science
• , cultural arts, wildlife, forestry, plant and soil sciences, wildlife, forestry, plant and soil sciences
• is deeply involved in leadership and service within 4-H, and she serves as a family and consumer sciences
• is deeply involved in leadership and service within 4H, and she serves as a family and consumer sciences
• in Ag Media and a Master of Science in Agriculture from West Texas A&M.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Dario Gil to be Undersecretary of Energy for Science. and he's as well qualified and has my support.
• Andrea Travnick, and she has been nominated to be Assistant Secretary of Interior for Water and Science
• Dario Gil to be Undersecretary of Energy for Science. The clerk will call the roll. Aye. Mr.
• Travnik has been nominated to be the Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Water and Science.
• If confirmed, as the Assistant Secretary of Water and Science, I'll bring my core values and natural

Transcript Highlights:

• Your background is in science, biology, and genetics. So, how did you get into politics?
• So, I got really interested into genetics in 10th grade with the DNA fingerprinting for forensic science
• also, you know, tease that I'm kind of a nerd because I still love being in genetics and being in science
• genetics<00:07:36.440> and<00:07:36.560> being<00:07:36.760> in<00:07:36.880> science
• <00:07:37.920> Um genetics and being in science. Um genetics and being in science.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: Senator Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger discussed her path from science and genetics into politics, saying her lab work showed her that research was not always translating into effective policy. She described getting involved through her union, helping pass paid parental leave for state employees, and then moving into elected office after opportunities opened up in 2022. She also said her House experience helped prepare her for the Senate by teaching her the legislative process, committee work, and relationship-building. On policy priorities, she said her district is focused on affordable health care, climate change, education, PFAS contamination and drinking water, and concerns about federal actions. She framed her agenda this session as “protect, respond, and recover,” including protecting existing laws such as paid Minnesota leave, responding to possible Medicaid and SNAP cuts, child care costs, and tariffs affecting groceries, and helping the community recover from recent ICE activity that she said disrupted public safety, businesses, and residents. She identified one specific bill effort: continuing work to ban cryptocurrency kiosk machines, which she said are being used to scam seniors. She said the idea came from the Woodbury Police Department and that she is working with House and Senate colleagues on it. She also described herself as a thoughtful, data-driven “scientist at heart” and said her butterfly earrings symbolize pollinators, native plants, and hope, as well as her own journey and the arrival of spring.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then finally, we provide for a science-based, research-based...
• As you know, Representative Rick Hansen mentioned science, so what's in the bill pertaining to food and
• Now, lastly, this is a great segue to science.
• we are doing to make sure that future policy in the agriculture sphere in this state is rooted in science
• Thank you for investing in a policy approach that is rooted in science.

Transcript Highlights:

• as I... ...have information in your packet as I admit, Auburn University is a great university for science
• So we've got problems with the science, and we have... ...problems with the science.
• We have scientists who say there's problems with the science.
• So we're talking about problems with the science; we're talking about the people who don't want it, and
• their concerns—one of their economic concerns... ... concerns, and that we are also listening to the science

Bills: HB1, HB143, HB1, HB92

Keywords: DUI, driving under the influence, ignition interlock, interlock device, driver license suspension, restricted license, motor vehicle, alcohol offense, first offense, repeat offender, blood alcohol concentration, BAC, license revocation, Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency, ALEA, public safety, traffic safety, chemical dependency, substance abuse, court referral program

Transcript Highlights:

• And the Iroquois Middle School Science Bowl champions coached by Elizabeth Keny.
• And the Iroquois Middle School Science Bowl champions coached by Elizabeth Keny.
• And the Iroquois Middle School Science Bowl champions coached by Elizabeth Keny.
• Department of Energy National Science Bowl National Finals, from April 30 to May 4, 2026.
• And lastly, I thank Senator Bailey for mentioning the Holocaust Museum of Science.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior day’s journal, and then processed a large number of motions to discharge bills from committees and substitute identical Senate or Assembly versions for third reading. The chamber also adopted the resolution calendar with exceptions and took up several resolutions and ceremonial recognitions, including a resolution mourning Hudson Talbott, a Dairy Month resolution highlighting New York’s dairy industry, and introductions honoring Niskayuna academic teams, Gabriella Scheer for receiving the Liberty Medal, the Hartstein family’s civic engagement, and Diana Cochran’s advocacy for safe firearm storage. The Senate then moved through the calendar and passed many bills on topics including insurance, public health, education, labor, social services, banking, local government, veterans, public service, consumer protection, criminal procedure, cannabis, parks, taxation, election law, and highway matters. Several members explained votes on notable measures: support for acupuncture insurance coverage, consumer protections for doorbell-camera data sharing, expanded protections in debt collection cases, trauma-informed procedures for sexual assault survivors, a Legionnaires’ disease awareness program, changes to mandatory minimum sentencing, and universal safe storage of firearms. A number of home rule and local authorization bills were also approved, including parkland alienation measures and local tax exemption authorizations. Most measures passed with broad bipartisan support, though some drew recorded opposition. Notable roll calls included the consumer debt uniformity bill, the mandatory minimum sentencing bill, the safe storage/firearms bill, and the public housing and public health measures, each with more divided votes. The chamber also accepted a lengthy Rules Committee report sending many additional bills directly to third reading, and then began the supplemental calendar, passing at least the first items before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• That works closely in tandem with math and cyber and computer science.
• So Brian, he's the chair of our MSU Department of Science.
• When it comes to FTE, I could compare our plant science department...
• , takes a certain health-sciences-related science course as a dual credit in their junior year and then
• We have four campuses to go to Lake Region, UND, School of Science, and ND.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There needs to be systematic science here, and science demonstrates that sterile insect technique can
• Science here, and science demonstrates that sterile insect technique can work.
• Science doesn't feel comfortable with that risk margin.
• Science doesn't feel comfortable with that risk margin.
• “So I get, we don’t have any, but surely we’ve talked in here today, science, science, science, science

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 4751 isn't just a science bill; it's a business and security imperative.
• Institute of Quantum Science and Engineering at Texas A&M.
• But as you discuss a lot of these new sciences...
• Okay, and so every aspect of applied science...
• County Institute of Forensic Sciences.

Bills: HB106, HB144, HB145, HB252, HB1732, HB2221, HB2467, HB2468, HB2517, HB2518, HB2963, HB3016, HB3689, HB3960, HB4386, HB4490, HB4751, HB5247, HJR175, HB2213, HB106, HB144, HB145, HB252

Keywords: HB 106, oil and gas, Railroad Commission of Texas, overhead electrical lines, electrical distribution system, power line maintenance, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas lease, well operator, energy safety, utility infrastructure, regulatory compliance, cleanup fund, oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund, production safety, leasehold operations, electric utility, distribution poles, inspection

Transcript Highlights:

• Alex Hastings, the Fitzpatrick Chair of Paleontology at the Science Museum of Minnesota.
• Um, and it is currently on exhibit at the Science Museum.
• c><00:03:11.480> exhibit<00:03:11.879> at<00:03:12.000> the<00:03:12.159> science
• currently on exhibit at the science currently on exhibit at the science museum<00:03:12.840>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research and is a program started by the National Science
• They are establishing 32 new faculty in high-impact science and engineering disciplines, and they're
• In their program, the main goals are to support students who want to study science and engineering, yay
• , and to help improve science and engineering in ways that last in New Mexico, and to encourage research
• His areas of interest are engineering, robotics, political science, business, and music.

Keywords: 996, all