Transcript Highlights:

• [clears throat] So, I can't imagine they're going to lower the fee, so they can't fund themselves. >>
• You never know, man. >> There's a lot of things I said I can't imagine in this place.
• >> There's a lot of things I said I can't >> There's a lot of things I said I can't imagine
• </c><00:52:39.119><c> And</c><00:52:39.280><c> then</c> imagine in this place.
• And then imagine in this place.

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Nine new vet schools, and I imagine there are more to come. They are all trying to get faculty.
• Nine new vet schools<00:13:14.079><c> and</c><00:13:14.240><c> I</c><00:13:14.720><c> imagine</c><00:
• they are more to schools and I imagine they are more to come.<00:13:16.720><c> They</c><00:13:16.959
• So, you know, it's something that I imagine you're watching, and if there's anything we could be doing
• So, you know, it's something that I imagine you're watching, and if there's anything we could be doing

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 20 January, 2026; 2:30 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We get that we have to assess them, and we try to do that in as delicate a manner, but just imagine being
• Can't imagine that. >> Sorry. >> Okay. Good to see you. I think you know the routine here.
• some of the barriers that we amplify with, and I am here speaking English, a language that I never imagined
• /c><01:24:03.440><c> that</c><01:24:03.679><c> I</c><01:24:04.239><c> never</c><01:24:04.480><c> imagined
• </c> English a language that I never imagined English a language that I never imagined I'll<01:24:05.199

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity met in September 2025, established a quorum, introduced new member Larry Forester, and approved the minutes from the August 26 meeting. The main presentation came from Warren County Public Schools Superintendent Rob Clayton and Assistant Superintendent Sarah Johnson, who discussed the district’s work serving English language learners and multilingual students, including immigrant and refugee families. They said Warren County now serves roughly 5,500 multilingual students out of about 19,000 total, representing about 92 languages and 90 countries, with 57 certified multilingual teachers, a GO Center, migrant and refugee advocates, and the state’s first international high school. The presenters emphasized that the district welcomes immigrant families and that students and parents generally value public education, but they described major challenges tied to accountability and funding. They explained that multilingual students are tested after one year in the system, even though many need more time to become proficient in English and grade-level standards, and they argued that current graduation-rate rules can unfairly penalize schools when transient students enroll briefly and then leave. They also said the cost of serving this population has risen sharply, with special revenue and especially general-fund spending increasing substantially over the past decade, prompting the district to reallocate resources from EL teacher assistants toward translation technology and additional certified staff. Committee members asked questions about how long-term multilingual students compare with the general student body and whether the district’s data show similar graduation outcomes. Clayton said he did not have the specific comparison data at hand but believed students who stay K-12 generally reach proficiency. He and Johnson asked legislators to consider giving students more time before accountability measures apply and to shift some graduation accountability from individual schools to the district level for highly transient populations, while still maintaining accountability. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I can't even imagine how much you're spending right now in the state prison system after we have
• Imagine standing in front of your own brother, talking to him and realizing he doesn't even know who
• I never imagined THC would be the thing that broke my brother and tore a piece of my family apart.
• Imagine waking up almost every single day feeling like an ice... ...stabbing through your skull and to
• Can you imagine? And this is just from me, not to mention how many people did we have testify?

Bills: SB5 , SB11 , SB12 , SB 5 , SB 11 , SB 12

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, occupational licenses, criminal offenses, SB 11, Texas attorney general, election crimes, election law enforcement, criminal prosecution, Election Code, Government Code Chapter 402, local prosecutors, county attorney, district attorney, grand jury, probable cause reports, state election offenses, voter fraud, election integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• That took an imagination. beyond my comprehension to a tortured interpretation of the rule. here.
• Imagine what could have possibly been written to say that this is okay to sell to teenagers. sell on
• stores some gas stations if they're You know, I think Buc-ee's isn't a licensed retailer, but you imagine
• somewhere you've got to have some eyes out there on what's going on because it sounds like I can't imagine
• I would imagine, sales probably.

Bills: SB 28 , SB 687 , SJR 34 , SCR 9 , SB 523 , SB 62 , SB 847 , SB 706 , SB 869 , SB 890 , SB 992

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, SB 687, land surveyor, land surveying, surveying services, construction contract, anti-indemnity, indemnity, hold harmless, defense obligation, standard of care, professional negligence, civil practice and remedies code, local government code, governmental agency, public contracts

Summary: The meeting was a crucial session for discussing several important bills including SB992, which aims to establish a clear time frame for the Attorney General's approval on outside legal counsel for state agencies. Senator Nichols presented the bill, emphasizing its necessity for timely responses to ensure efficient legal processing. Another notable discussion centered around SB523, which seeks to allow parole and probation officers to use a business address on their driver's licenses for safety and security purposes. This bill passed favorably out of the committee, with public testimony supporting the need for such provisions due to the risks these officers face.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm trying to imagine which senators represent the area on the map that is the darkest color.
• And I'm trying to imagine which senators represent the area on the map that is the darkest color.
• 30.800><c> I'm</c> of the land within the park and so I'm of the land within the park and so I'm imagining
• ><c> that</c><01:27:31.960><c> must</c><01:27:32.239><c> translate</c><01:27:32.760><c> into</c> imagining
• that that must translate into imagining that that must translate into the<01:27:33.520><c> higher</c

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would imagine there'll be facilities adding machines sooner rather than later.
• So I would imagine you're driving a lot of that traffic from the northern Middlesex counties.
• but um I would imagine they'll move to<01:02:58.599><c> a</c><01:02:58.880><c> nicer</c><01:02:59.240
• there's a lot of and as you can imagine there's a lot of investment<01:34:51.400><c> that</c><01:34:
• that they want to and I can't imagine that they want to tie<01:51:02.920><c> their</c><01:51:03.119>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The public hearing opened on HB 728-FN, which would authorize video lottery terminals at charity gaming facilities and repeal historic horse racing licensing. Representative Om explained that the bill would convert the current historic horse racing terminals into true video lottery terminals/slot machines and change the revenue split, reducing the operator share from 75% to 70% while increasing the state share from 25% to 30%. He also noted the bill would increase the amount going to charities and other state beneficiaries. Former State Rep. Pat Brammy, who had served on the Charitable Gaming Study Commission, testified in support of the bill’s basic structure. He said a consultant’s report found historic racing machines cost facilities 12% to 18% more to operate because of totalizer and track-related fees, and that slot machines would be cheaper because there are more manufacturers and more competition. He argued that although the operator share drops by 5%, facilities could still benefit from lower operating costs, and he said the commission concluded that moving to slot machines would increase revenues to facilities, charities, and the state. He also said the bill would create a more stable stream of funding for problem gambling, since the current HHR “breakage” funding mechanism is limited and dependent on a single vendor. Brammy also discussed the commission’s concerns about market concentration in HHR machines, saying the commission found the market was dominated by only a few manufacturers and recommended legislation to address that issue under Article 83 of the state constitution. He interpreted the bill as allowing a phase-in of slot machines upon passage, with the remaining HHR provisions phasing out by January 1, 2028, and said facilities would likely transition as leases expire. Committee members asked about HHR contracts, machine programming, testing, and whether removing HHR would reduce competition; Brammy said he believed leases were likely short-term, machines are tested by a lab, and the legislature could decide whether the change is appropriate. No vote or final action was taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would imagine that they would have to just bid it out, and maybe it would take a bill, and that we
• I tell people, imagine having a house that's mainly comprised of I tell people, imagine having a house
• I tell people, imagine having a house that's mainly comprised of I tell people, imagine having a house

Committee: Joint Government Finance Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So imagine that we were in third grade, and then the next year we were in fourth grade, and then the
• So imagine that we were in third grade, and then the next year we were in fourth grade, and then the
• I would imagine most people kind of shudder a little bit about trying to do more through that system
• And I can't imagine any business.
• And I can't imagine any business trying to operate where it says all its input costs are exactly the

Committee: Joint Special Education Funding Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So imagine that we were in third grade, and then the next year we were in fourth grade, and then the
• So imagine that we were in third grade, and then the next year we were in fourth grade, and then the
• I would imagine most people kind of shudder a little bit about trying to do more through that system
• And I can't imagine any business.
• I can't imagine any business trying to operate where it says all its input costs are exactly the same

Committee: Joint Special Education Funding Committee

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the March 4, 2026 minutes, and received a lengthy Department of Public Instruction presentation from Stanley Schauer Jr. on North Dakota student performance data in math and ELA, with comparisons between students with disabilities and students without disabilities. Schauer explained the assessment systems used, the 1% alternate assessment cap for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities, the absence of 2019-20 data due to the pandemic, and how state standards are set by North Dakota educators. Members asked about cohort trends, the role of alternate assessments, grade-level patterns, and whether the state should focus more on reducing the novice category than on moving students from approaching to proficient. Schauer also discussed the new NDA Plus assessment, the state’s planned growth model, and the possibility of future breakdowns by disability category or by schools using science-of-math approaches. Special education educators testified that students with disabilities continued to receive services during COVID because of FAPE obligations, which likely helped limit learning loss, and emphasized that IEP teams focus on individual growth rather than only proficiency buckets. Committee members then shifted to special education funding and possible funding models. Brandon Bombach of Grand Forks Public Schools presented on the state aid formula, focusing on the special education weighting factor and arguing that the current formula does not adequately respond to growing student needs because it counts enrollment but does not adjust when the number of students with IEPs rises. He used examples to show that a district can have the same enrollment and receive the same weighting even if the number of students needing services increases. Members discussed whether the formula should be tied more closely to actual need and accountability, and the chair indicated that the committee would continue gathering data and ideas for a later meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we have done almost everything that I can imagine to speed up and get housing.
• Imagine paying your HOA dues on time only to find out later that the HOA quietly changed payment and
• And if this is happening to me as an assemblywoman, I can't imagine all of the other Californians who
• HOA members are Imagine paying your HOA dues on time only to find out later that the HOA quietly changed
• And if this is happening to me as an assemblywoman, I can't imagine all of the other Californians who

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Just completely outed me, which, as you can imagine, led to more of me crying on my front step.
• I want to be clear, I'm talking about the resolution, not the person whose fever dream I can only imagine
• You know, I want everyone in this room and everyone in the public to imagine for a moment, if you will
• billion with the fraud would have happened under Governor Tim Pawlenty. everyone in the public to imagine
• for a everyone in the public to imagine for a moment,<01:03:10.160><c> if</c><01:03:10.320><c> you</

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and as you can imagine, a lot of the contaminated areas are areas that are more highly and have been
• and</c><00:41:04.080><c> as</c><00:41:04.240><c> you</c><00:41:04.360><c> can</c><00:41:04.480><c> imagine
• Um and as you can imagine, a our cities.
• Um and as you can imagine, a lot<00:41:05.520><c> of</c><00:41:05.800><c> the</c><00:41:06.120><c> contaminated
• And, you know, I have to imagine that there are a lot of Sharons out there.

Bills: HF2715 , HF2499 , HF3420 , HF3657 , HF2303

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: HF2715, homestead credit refund, property tax refund, property tax relief, homeowner tax relief, homestead credit, co-pay reduction, Minnesota property taxes, tax rebate, state refund, income thresholds, inflation adjustment, property tax circuit breaker, housing affordability, elderly homeowners, fixed income, taxation, Minnesota Statutes 290A.04, renters credit, income tax

Transcript Highlights:

• And so imagine me hearing that as a little girl and then living it for so many years in a district that
• And so imagine me hearing that as a little girl and then living it for so many years in a district that
• the Smithville State community.<01:12:43.320><c> And</c><01:12:43.520><c> so</c><01:12:43.720><c> imagine
• And so imagine me hearing community.
• And so imagine me hearing that<01:12:45.200><c> as</c><01:12:45.360><c> a</c><01:12:45.400><c> little

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that the court system gets paid first when the victim got abused more than anybody else than we can imagine
• “I imagine that every entity that depends on court cost are going to be impacted by this, including victims
• Oh, &gt;&gt; I<01:08:54.799><c> imagine</c><01:08:55.679><c> that</c><01:08:56.080><c> every</c><01:08
• :56.400><c> entity</c><01:08:56.799><c> that</c><01:08:57.120><c> depends</c> &gt;&gt; I imagine that
• every entity that depends &gt;&gt; I imagine that every entity that depends on<01:08:58.080><c> court

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You can imagine right now that's kind of terrifying, and it was very terrifying during COVID for this
• You can imagine right now that's kind of terrifying, and it was very terrifying during COVID for this
• You<00:20:57.200><c> can</c><00:20:57.360><c> imagine</c><00:20:57.840><c> right</c><00:20:58.159><c>
• now</c> You can imagine right now You can imagine right now that's<00:21:00.000><c> kind</c><00:21:00.240

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• In other words, imagine that a county or a school district has one charter school, and it's a district-sponsored
• And let's imagine that it has a thousand students.
• In other words, imagine that a county or a school district has one charter school, and it's a district-sponsored
• And let's imagine that it has a thousand students. And now, Several years ago.
• And let's imagine that it has a thousand students.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee considered a large agenda of bills and reported several measures favorably. Early action included SB 6, a settled claim bill involving the Department of Children and Families and a trust for Leila Estrada and Sapphire Williams, and CS/CS/SB 1266, which creates a cybersecurity experiential learning and clearance-readiness program through the Department of Commerce and Cyber Florida. The committee also approved SB 532 on clerks of court funding, allowing clerks to retain all excess Article V revenue rather than returning half to the state and clarifying foreclosure sale procedures. In addition, the committee passed CS/CS/SB 1602 and CS/CS/SB 1604 to create and fund a pilot housing program for veterans through the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, and CS/SB 1110 to expand Medicaid and private insurance coverage for medically necessary orthotics and prosthetics, including testimony from affected families and advocates. The committee also adopted an amendment and then favorably reported CS/CS/SB 1012 on inmate services, removing the bill’s medical-services compensation provisions while retaining changes to the inmate welfare trust fund and related facility uses. It also adopted a delete-all amendment and then favorably reported CS/CS/CS/SB 1614, which was narrowed to remove a provision allowing local governments to use excess fees to construct new buildings. The committee spent substantial time on CS/SB 17, a Medicaid oversight and transparency bill. The sponsor said the measure would create a joint legislative Medicaid oversight committee, authorize the Legislature to retain its own actuary, modernize Medicaid statutes, strengthen managed-care performance standards, and increase accountability for pharmacy benefit managers and related entities. After amendment, the committee adopted changes removing several PBM-related provisions while retaining the broader oversight framework. Testimony from supporters emphasized transparency, fraud prevention, and cost control, while a PBM trade association asked to continue working on affiliate-manufacturer, network, and payment issues. The bill was reported favorably. The most extensive discussion centered on CS/SB 1758, which proposes major changes to Medicaid and SNAP. The sponsor described five reforms: stronger fraud and overpayment recovery authority, a Medicaid work requirement for certain able-bodied adults, expanded behavioral-health services through Medicaid waivers, pharmacy-program changes to obtain rebates and reduce institutional costs, and SNAP/EBT reforms including photo IDs and work requirements. The committee adopted two amendments: one adding a transitional “glide path” for people who gain employment but risk losing Medicaid, and another exempting hospice patients with six months or less to live. Supporters argued the bill would reduce fraud, improve accountability, and encourage work, while opponents warned it would increase administrative burdens, push eligible people off coverage, and conflict with federal law or guidance. The bill remained under debate with extensive public testimony from advocates, providers, and affected families, and the transcript ends before final disposition on the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• In other words, imagine that a county or a school district has one charter school, and it's a district-sponsored
• And let's imagine that it has a thousand students. And now, to be net zero greenhouse by 2050.
• In other words, imagine that a county or a school district has one charter school, and it's a district-sponsored
• And let's imagine that it has a thousand students. And now, Several years ago.
• And let's imagine that it has a thousand students.

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But if that were to turn into a video screen, it's already hard enough driving, and he couldn't imagine
• It is just one of those things I never imagined I would be digging into a particular issue like this,
• things you<01:03:22.240><c> I</c><01:03:22.480><c> I</c><01:03:22.799><c> never</c><01:03:23.039><c> imagined
• </c><01:03:23.359><c> I'd</c><01:03:23.680><c> be</c><01:03:23.760><c> digging</c> you I I never imagined
• I'd be digging you I I never imagined I'd be digging into<01:03:24.240><c> a</c><01:03:24.480><c> particular

Bills: HF3131 , HF3436 , HF3106 , HF3241 , HF3531

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: cancer, disability, parking certificates, transportation, state law, school bus, schoolchildren, student safety, traffic safety, stop arm, flashing red lights, amber lights, passing a school bus, 20 feet, vehicle stopping distance, driver duties, school transportation, Minnesota traffic law, school bus law, bus stop signal

Transcript Highlights:

• a pro se litigant against the other agencies that you would be challenging that against, you can imagine
• You<00:27:19.200><c> can</c><00:27:19.360><c> imagine</c><00:27:20.080><c> um</c><00:27:20.320><c> what
• </c><00:27:20.559><c> an</c><00:27:20.720><c> unfair</c><00:27:21.679><c> fight</c> You can imagine um
• what an unfair fight You can imagine um what an unfair fight that<00:27:22.159><c> is.
• that system as a pro se litigant against the other agencies that you would be challenging, you can imagine

Bills: SB2444 , SB2446 , SB2450 , SB2453 , SB2461 , SB2457 , SB2462 , SB2313 , SB2528 , SB2532 , SB2571 , SB2678 , SB2529

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: real property, exemption, attachment, execution, consumer protection, financial security, inflation adjustment, head of family, senior citizens, Intermediate Court of Appeals, judges, Hawaii judiciary, court membership, legal system, presidential preference primary, elections, political parties, Hawaii voting, 2028 election, voting

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 2444 would raise the real property exemption amount for attachment or execution, which the Attorney General said could create vague retroactivity language and litigation risk; the committee noted the exemption had last been adjusted around 1978. SB 2446 would add a seventh associate judge to the Intermediate Court of Appeals. Judiciary staff testified in opposition, saying recent internal restructuring and a pending vacancy had improved output and that it would be prudent to wait and see the effect before adding another judge. The Public Defender supported the goal of faster appellate resolution but said it would defer to the court’s assessment and had no objection to revisiting the issue later. The committee also discussed current appellate timelines, with staff saying at least 225 days is built into the process before a case reaches a merit panel, and that a two-year delay from panel assignment was realistic under the current structure. The committee then heard SB 2450, which would establish a presidential preference primary for the 2028 cycle. The Chief Election Officer said the election would cost about $4 million, less if combined with the regular primary. Several opponents argued the bill would add bureaucracy, duplicate or undermine party-run processes, and waste taxpayer money; one speaker estimated the total cost could be closer to $6 million when county costs are included. Supporters and committee members discussed that the measure would not require parties to use the results and that Hawaii remains one of the few states still using caucuses. The committee also asked whether counties could staff the election and whether the results would be useful given Hawaii’s current primary timing. SB 2453 would require the Office of Elections to include a notice with each ballot that a digital and printed voter information guide is available, with the notice in 32-point font as a separate insert. The Chief Election Officer said the insert would cost about $90,000 and asked for an effective date of January 1, 2027 because mailing preparations for the primary would already be underway. The Disability and Communications Access Board, League of Women Voters, National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii, and others supported the bill. The committee also began hearing SB 2461, which would have the Office of Elections prepare a questionnaire for candidates and publish responses online and in the voter guide; the Chief Election Officer said the office did not think it should be the agency to shape campaign questions, though he said it could work if the questions were specified in statute. Finally, the committee heard SB 2457, which would require a criminal conviction before seized property could be forfeited. The Attorney General and Honolulu Police Department opposed the bill, arguing it would prolong cases, increase storage costs, and make forfeiture less effective against crime, especially where owners flee, die, or hide assets through shell companies. The Public Defender strongly supported the measure, saying forfeiture should be tied to convictions and that people challenging forfeiture often lack counsel. The Honolulu Prosecutor also opposed the bill, but said it supported transparency, due process, and even a right to counsel; it argued conviction-only forfeiture would fail in cases involving fugitives, deceased suspects, or hidden ownership structures. The committee questioned what would happen to property if an owner could not be found, and the prosecutor said the outcome would depend on the type of property and could involve abandonment or interpleader proceedings.