Transcript Highlights:

• It has no effect on the state budget.
• On the state data, I can't...
• Just state your name.
• That's not who we are as a state.
• That's not who we are as a state.

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met to hear several education-related measures. It reported favorably, without objection, on House Bill 1215, which would transfer certain removed historical statues and monuments to the Office of State Parks, prohibit re-erection in the parish where they were removed, and require interpretive signage. The committee also advanced House Bill 682, which creates a school guardian program for honorably discharged veterans employed or contracted by local school systems or charter schools; testimony emphasized that guardians would be unarmed, trained, and used for mentoring and school safety. House Bill 1079, giving enrollment preferences in charter schools to children in early childhood programs, military families, foster children, and children in custody disputes, was also reported favorably, as was House Concurrent Resolution 81, directing the Department of Education to study options for districts facing declining enrollment. The committee then took up House Bill 1084, which would allow public postsecondary institutions to raise tuition and mandatory fees by up to 15 percent annually, with higher increases requiring Board of Supervisors approval. The bill drew extended debate over affordability, TOPS, student retention, and whether universities should have more autonomy to set prices. Members raised concerns about fee burdens on families and whether the state should first study the issue; supporters argued the bill would increase transparency and let institutions respond to funding needs and market conditions. Senator Mazzell offered an amendment lowering the cap from 15 percent to 10 percent, and the committee adopted the amendment before reporting the bill favorably as amended. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 342, which would shift the burden of proof in special education due process hearings from parents to local education agencies. The author and parents testified that the current system places an unfair burden on families of children with disabilities, who often lack access to records and legal resources, and that schools already control the documentation and should have to show compliance with IEP obligations. Jefferson Parish school officials opposed the bill, arguing it would increase legal costs, require more staff and attorney time, and potentially lead to more hearings; they also questioned the fiscal note. The Legislative Fiscal Office said the fiscal impact was indeterminable, and the committee continued hearing testimony from parents and school representatives as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• It has no effect on the state budget.
• And that's not possible for a state our size. I agree.
• What happens at that point is it goes to the state, and the state will give a 15-day resolution agreement
• The increase in hearings that they've stated is a warning.
• Just state your name.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ... ...about kids in our state care.
• Workman's compensation, state road fund is the state and ops.
• The State of Missouri at the State Fair is going to be giving up property for the road relocation.
• So there is a cost to the state as it relates to this, or I know there to be a cost to the state.
• Page 66, State Treasurer's Office. We did a... State Treasurer's Office.

Committee: House Conference Committee on Budget

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In response to that, the governor stood on the stage during the State of the State and promised two things
• Workman's compensation, state road fund is the state and ops.
• The State of Missouri at the State Fair is going to be given up property for the road relocation of the
• So there is a cost to the state as it relates to this, or I know there to be a cost to the state.
• We ended up at $5 million flat. 12.400 off of State Public Defender, E&E. 12.400, Office of State Public

Committee: House Conference Committee on Budget

Summary: The conference committee spent most of the meeting working through House Bill 2, the education budget, with repeated debate over how to close the remaining gap in the foundation formula. Members discussed fund swaps involving the blind pension fund, capital commission fund, lottery proceeds, state school money, and classroom trust funds, with several senators arguing the committee should fully fund the formula if possible and warning against leaving schools with a shortfall. The committee also reviewed child care subsidies, Parents as Teachers language, school safety and assessment-related items, Title I reallocation language, and a compromise on flexibility percentages for certain education lines. Several members raised concerns about language restricting virtual Parents as Teachers visits and about child care subsidy language tied to enrollment-based payment and prospective payment, while others defended the compromise as a way to balance provider concerns and budget limits. House Bill 3, covering higher education, was also reviewed. The committee largely accepted Senate positions on appropriations, with a compromise on the St. Louis Community College nursing program and a new proposal directing the Department of Higher Education to develop a new funding model by December 1, 2026. That language drew concern from some members, who said the timeline was too aggressive and asked for more flexibility, but supporters said prior work on performance funding justified the deadline. The committee then moved through House Bill 2004, transportation, agreeing to a mix of Senate positions and compromises on items such as safety operations, low-volume roads, port funding, and road improvements, including a larger-than-expected appropriation for Clarendon Road tied to a State Fair relocation plan. House Bill 5, general administration and IT, generated the most controversy over new language directing a plan for state IT modernization and cloud migration; several members objected that it was too prescriptive, resembled a resolution, and could favor a specific vendor, but the chair said the goal was accountability and oversight. The committee left some House Bill 5 items open for further negotiation, then later returned to finalize several dollar amounts and a shorter conference proposal on the IT language. The committee also worked through House Bills 7, 8, and 9, mostly adopting Senate positions with a few compromises. House Bill 7 covered economic development and tourism items, including Main Street, Missouri One Start, broadband, Juneteenth, and the Great American State Fair, with some items set aside for later or moved to other bills. House Bill 8 focused on public safety and veterans’ funding, including school safety apps, fentanyl testing, crime lab workload, DNA testing, veterans’ programs, and Highway Patrol fleet and fuel items; members debated whether to keep fleet and fuel funding separated or rolled together, and several items were set at compromise levels. House Bill 9, covering mental health and corrections, was handled more briefly, with most items following Senate positions and a few compromises, including probation and parole funding and a reduction on one appropriation. The committee then recessed and later resumed with House Bill 2010, beginning work on another budget bill with a mix of Senate, House, and compromise positions on early line items, but the transcript cuts off before that bill is completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have some state agencies that are not in state buildings, so how do they...
• We do have some state agencies that are not in state buildings, so how do they...
• We do have some state agencies that are not in state buildings, so how do they...
• state state buildings<00:26:53.840><c> uh</c><00:26:54.279><c> yes</c><00:26:54.480><c> thank</c><00
• libraries libraries DOD<00:29:11.600><c> um</c><00:29:11.919><c> and</c><00:29:12.120><c> others</c>

Committee: Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing began with SB 133 on energy, which drew opposition testimony from James Abraham, who said the bill was unnecessary because the Public Utilities Commission had already opened a proceeding to investigate wheeling, including intergovernmental wheeling, and should be allowed to finish its collaborative process. The committees then moved to SB 161 on county permitting and inspection, where several agencies submitted written comments or opposition, while the Grassroots Institute and HCDA-related testimony supported the measure. Members raised concerns about accountability and whether state agencies would report back on projects approved under any permitting exemption, and witnesses suggested annual reporting or amendment language to address that issue. The hearing then turned to SB 232 and SB 588, both related to renewable energy permitting. Testimony on SB 232 was largely supportive, but Rocky Mold of the Hawaii Solar Energy Association said SB 232 was an older version of a bill and that SB 588 was the preferred, updated measure. Members discussed whether the bill should be limited to residential or behind-the-meter customer-sited systems rather than utility-scale projects, and Mold clarified that the proposal was intended for customer-sited systems, not utility-scale facilities. For SB 588, the Department of Land and Natural Resources warned that state or county laws inconsistent with the National Flood Insurance Program could jeopardize flood insurance eligibility and related federal assistance, while Mold argued the bill’s FEMA floodway exemption was needed to avoid blocking solar installations on existing structures. The chair expressed concern about risking federal funding and questioned whether the exemption could be narrowed without defeating the bill’s purpose. SB 412, also on renewable energy, received supportive testimony from the State Energy Office and others. Members questioned whether a single coordinating entity should compile agency assessments, and Mark Glick said the Energy Office could take on that role if given the duty and sufficient staff. The committee then discussed SB 635 on energy efficiency, which would require state agencies to use energy-efficient lighting. Mark Glick testified that much of the work was already underway through benchmarking and related contracts, and a DAGS representative said the state was already assessing 590 buildings over 10,000 square feet, with results expected around 2027. Members suggested amending the bill to require annual status reports so the committees could track progress and avoid duplication. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the bill establishes the Abortion Savings Program to create here in our state a dedicated state account
• for this funding to direct... ...a dedicated state account for this funding to direct via grants for
• It does a great thing for the state of Washington.
• It does a great thing for the state of Washington. Wow. Senator Saldaña. Thank you, Mr. President.
• We are struggling as a state, and this is the wrong move, one that the people of the state of Washington

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• call it a member state.
• to pick on any won't pick a random state to pick on any state.<00:49:46.079><c> If</c><00:49:46.240>
• We would call it a multi-state license to be able to practice in any other compact state.
• </c> the the um the current state of play. the the um the current state of play.
• </c> think there's a pharmacy in the state think there's a pharmacy in the state that<00:59:34.559><c

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened by approving the September 5, 2025 minutes, with one member asking that future minutes use honorifics such as Mr. or Ms. The agenda was then adjusted so Police Standards and Training could present first. Director John Skipa reported on the 2019 performance audit, saying 12 of 16 findings were fully resolved and the remaining items were substantially or partially resolved. He highlighted work on a job task analysis to update curriculum and develop a more realistic physical aptitude test, including possible replacement of the long-used Cooper test and a shift away from mandatory baton training toward electronic weapons training. He said stakeholder work groups would meet in October and November, with a goal of completing the work by the first quarter of 2026. On the strategic planning and performance measurement finding, Skipa said the agency had relied on the 2019 audit and the LEAC report as guides while also implementing a digital records system. He acknowledged that a formal forward-looking strategic plan with the council had not yet been completed, but said he and the council chair wanted to do so, possibly through a retreat-style planning session. Members asked how many LEAC recommendations had been fully implemented; Skipa said he did not know the exact number but believed nearly all of the 22 items assigned to his agency were complete. On the administrative rules finding, he said a part-time former director had been brought back to help revise outdated rules, the council subcommittee had finished its work, and proposed changes would be sent to the full council, then to stakeholders and the public, with a public hearing expected and implementation targeted for 2026. For the Corrections Advisory Committee finding, Skipa said the committee had been reconvened in 2020 and 2021 but had limited usefulness because the statutorily named members were mostly high-level administrators rather than line supervisors or newer corrections staff. He said some positions later went unfilled because of budget and staffing issues, and the committee had not been called back, but he was open to either informal adjustments or possible legislative changes to make the committee more useful. Committee members suggested that the statute may need to be amended to allow more appropriate designees or supervisors to participate. After Police Standards and Training concluded, the committee moved on to the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, where the executive director said he would focus on the partially resolved items in the dental examiner audit and the National Path audit, noting that many changes were tied to recent statutory revisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands
• , one nation, under God, to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it
• SCR 1033, state retirement systems digital assets.
• SCR 1033, state retirement systems digital assets.
• SB 1435, schools, libraries, explicit materials classification. Government.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill would help farm wineries across the state.
• </c> wineries throughout our beautiful state. wineries throughout our beautiful state.
• </c> affects our entire state. affects our entire state.
• </c> the state auditor. the state auditor.
• certified by the state auditor for all cities under subdivision two.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• General, and United States Senator Mark Warner.
• events and setting a state record in one of the relay events.
• What the State Corporation Commission is able to do.
• This legislation relates to state officers and employees and requires state agencies to establish alternative
• and civilian employees of the United States returning from station.

Keywords: March 11, 2026 - Regular Session, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands
• We're a federally funded state agency mandated by the ADA.
• We're a federally funded state agency mandated by the ADA.
• Um, there's 14 other states in the country that require certification.
• Thirty-five states require a minimum of a BSN to be a school nurse.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're talking about Plymouth State University and Keene State College over on the river.
• We're talking about Plymouth State University and Keene State College over on the river.
• We're talking about Plymouth State University and Keene State College over on the river.
• We're talking about Plymouth State University and Keene State College over on the river.
• We're talking about Plymouth State University and Keene State College over on the river.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 362, which would give the Department of Education rulemaking authority over educator licensing and testing requirements, including professional education assessments. Representative Ladd argued the bill is meant to preserve New Hampshire’s higher standards for teacher preparation and to avoid lowering requirements for licensed educators, while also allowing flexibility for career and technical education (CTE) instructors who may have strong industry experience but not traditional classroom credentials. Members discussed whether the bill should preserve industry-recognized credentials and basic academic skills testing while exempting CTE teachers from content exams; DOE Director Steven Appy said an amendment would clarify that the bill applies to initial licenses, exempt CTE teachers from the content-testing requirement, and keep current administrative practice on basic skills and industry credentials in statute. The committee also noted that an executive session would be scheduled later, likely the following week, to act on the bills and amendment. The committee then took up House Bill 90, dealing with the definition of part-time teachers. Representative Ladd explained that the bill is intended to let university and community college faculty teach limited hours in high school concurrent enrollment settings, especially in subjects like math and STEM where some schools cannot find locally certified teachers with a master’s degree. He said the measure is designed to expand student access to college-level courses, not to replace fully certified teachers or reduce standards, and emphasized that the bill is limited to faculty employed or contracted by the University System of New Hampshire or the Community College System of New Hampshire, with criminal background checks and ethics/conduct rules still applying. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the discussion ended with the understanding that further action would come in executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the total amount for state parks on line 197 is $51.5 million.
• So the total amount for state parks on line 197 is $51.5 million.
• So the total amount for state parks on line 197 is $51.5 million.
• </c><00:18:20.080><c> the</c> to the regional libraries. the to the regional libraries. the Department
• I'd like to see state government bill.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They listen to local school boards across our state. local school boards across our state.
• ,</c> National Honor Society, Girls State, National Honor Society, Girls State, Girls<00:18:50.160><c
• I would like to introduce you to the Library of the Year, the Gann County Library.
• </c> 23 counties and then the state system. 23 counties and then the state system.
• </c> say that almost all 50 states have it. say that almost all 50 states have it.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for various state agencies through the end of the fiscal year, including over $30 million in state general
• other state revenue sources as recognized by REC and a reduction of $47.1 million in state general fund
• State general fund savings in the Medicaid program.
• Office of State Procurement... Office of State Procurement, $13.4 million with 99 T.O. positions.
• Environmental State Revolving Loan Funds, $126.5 million.

Committee: Senate Finance

Summary: Senate Finance met on May 21, 2026, with nine members present. The committee first recognized Mother Pearl Porter during a personal privilege presentation by Senator Boudreaux. It then took up the major budget measures for fiscal year 2026-27, beginning with HB 1, the general appropriation bill. The committee heard that the state budget was about $46.6 billion and that recent Revenue Estimating Conference revisions required reductions in recurring spending. Amendments removed new funding for GATOR and increased MFP amounts, while also directing Revenue Stabilization Fund dollars toward infrastructure, economic development, and local government needs. The committee adopted amendment set 4238 and reported HB 1 as amended, with authority for technical changes. The committee next considered HB 312, the supplemental appropriations bill for the current fiscal year. Members were told the amendments balanced the budget to the May REC forecast through a net reduction in state general fund spending, including savings in Medicaid and other agencies, while covering updated costs such as medical vendor administration, DCFS operations, DOC offender medical expenses, and disaster-related costs. Amendment set 4239 was adopted, and HB 312 was reported favorably as amended. HB 2, the capital outlay/infrastructure bill, was then amended with set 4230 and reported as amended. HB 3, the omnibus bond act authorizing bond usage for HB 2, had no amendments and was reported favorably. The committee also advanced HB 313, the funds bill, which includes the constitutionally required deposit of $144.3 million of FY 2025 surplus into the Budget Stabilization Fund and various transfers and fund adjustments. Amendments expanded or created several funds and mechanisms, including infrastructure and economic development-related funds, and HB 313 was reported favorably as amended. HB 314, the revenue sharing bill distributing the constitutionally mandated $90 million to local governments, was reported favorably without amendment. HB 383, the ancillary appropriations bill for fee-supported agencies, received amendment 3138 and was reported favorably as amended. HB 983, funding the judiciary, was amended to remove judicial pay adjustments and instead fund a possible transfer of the integrated criminal justice information system to the Supreme Court if SB 141 becomes law; it was reported favorably as amended. HB 1126, the legislative branch appropriations bill, was amended and reported favorably as amended. Finally, HCR 3, the hospital stabilization resolution used to support Medicaid hospital reimbursements, was amended to give LDH more flexibility on the timing of directed payments and preprint submissions, then reported as amended. The committee adjourned after a motion to do so.

Transcript Highlights:

• We serve as the State Service Commission for the Commonwealth.
• The state rejected the offer, and it broke our hearts.
• Friday at 1 o'clock, The six New England states.
• Massachusetts is the only state to fund low-income tax clinics for state tax problems.
• Now, the state is different than a private tax collector.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a public hearing on bills related to income and estates, with Chairs James Eldridge and Adrian Madaro presiding and members participating in person and virtually. The committee explained hearing procedures, written testimony deadlines, and the new joint rules for acting on bills. No votes were taken during the hearing. The first major topic was increasing Massachusetts 529 college savings deductions, through House Bill 3151 and Senate Bill 2066. Brad Freeman of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts testified in support, saying the current deduction has encouraged more families to save for college and should be expanded to match other states. He argued the change would help middle-income families and noted the original deduction was designed with a revenue offset and later made permanent. The committee also heard support for House Bill 3010 and Senate Bill 1963, which would exclude the federal Segal AmeriCorps Education Award from Massachusetts taxable income. Beth McGuinness and Lindsay Rooney of the Massachusetts Service Alliance said the tax creates a burden for AmeriCorps members, many of whom have low incomes and use the award directly for tuition or student loans, and that removing the tax would aid recruitment and retention. Another bill, House Bill 3062 on settlements of tax liability, drew testimony from a taxpayer, a tax practitioner, and a legal aid attorney who described the current offer-in-settlement process as too restrictive and underused; they urged changes to make tax debt resolution more equitable and more consistent with federal practice.

Transcript Highlights:

• unless it were a free state.
• . state.
• It's very very within the state.
• in the old state library.
• The state state administrative procedure act governs the administrative procedures by which state agencies

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• be going to young people to raise them if they're under state care.
• And the bill establishes the Abortion Savings Program to create here in our state a dedicated state account
• I'm just saying how the sponsor is doing so much great work for the state of Washington.
• It does a great thing for the state of Washington. Wow. Further remarks?
• We are struggling as a state, and this is the wrong move, one that the people of the state of Washington

Summary: The committee and rules meeting advanced a package pull of measures and then moved a series of individual bills and one joint memorial from the white sheet to the floor calendar or second reading calendar. Among the measures discussed were SB 6308 on tools for courts in shelter care hearings to address child protection and tort liability concerns; SB 6200 on tenant rights to install portable cooling devices; SB 6080 on parameters for local jails holding ICE detainees and reimbursement; SB 5911 on protecting benefits and funds for youth in extended foster care; SB 6177 on expanding disclosures on the LEAP website; SB 6052 on a statewide digital transcript data-sharing environment; SB 6182 on an Abortion Savings Program; SB 5828 on college scholarships for private universities; SB 6335 on changes to the Transportation Commission; SB 6017 on trauma-informed treatment of victims and witnesses; SB 6346 on a tax on high earners, which drew opposition over constitutionality and impacts on businesses; SB 6262 on vehicle weight thresholds for certain transportation vehicles; SB 5470 on detached accessory dwelling units outside urban growth areas; SB 5999 on allowing advanced practice registered nurses or physician assistants to serve as acting local health officers in smaller counties; SB 6244 on extending a hazardous substance tax exemption for agricultural crop protection products; and SB 5961 on transferring the Imagination Library Program to SPI. The committee also advanced Senate Joint Memorial 8014 requesting an investigation into a killing. Most measures were described by sponsors as technical, administrative, or supportive of housing, transportation, public health, child welfare, or transparency goals. SB 6346 prompted the most substantive debate, with Senator Braun arguing it functioned as an income tax that could harm small and medium businesses and raise constitutional concerns, while the sponsor characterized it as a tax on millionaires. SB 5999 drew a brief concern about how long acting local health officers could serve, though the member said they would still support it. SB 5961 was noted as having local support and was framed as better aligning the Imagination Library with early childhood literacy goals. The committee approved the package pull and each individual motion by voice vote, with the record reflecting ayes carrying the motions and no recorded roll-call votes. At the end of the meeting, Senator Peterson said it was likely the last sit-down of the first half of session and noted one more standing rules meeting was expected on Monday before cutoff on Tuesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• Many of our new state office buildings are highly energy efficient, carbon-free, and fully Our new state
• These are four extraordinary, exemplary architects in the state of California.
• Amazing work, and welcome to the California State Senate. Them.
• Amazing work, and welcome to the California State Senate. All right.
• Maya Angelou monument that is now at the San Francisco Public Library.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized guests on the floor, including students honored for a young authors program and representatives connected to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. The body then took up SCR 138 by Senator Ashby, designating Architecture Week and highlighting California architects’ work in climate resilience, energy efficiency, wildfire safety, and housing innovation. The resolution also noted the low percentage of women in the profession and recognized Ida Claire, California’s first female state architect, along with other architects in attendance. SCR 138 passed unanimously, 32-0. The Senate also considered two gubernatorial appointments. Francisco Kim’s reappointment to the California Acupuncture Board was confirmed without opposition. Davina Hurt’s appointment to the California Water Commission was then considered, with supportive remarks from Senator Becker citing her service and qualifications; the appointment was confirmed on a 26-7 vote. The chamber also approved the Senate journals for March 23-26, 2026, and pulled SCR 124 from the consent agenda. Later, members made announcements about committee hearings scheduled after adjournment, including the Senate Human Services Committee, the new Senate Committee on Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection, and a joint budget subcommittee hearing. The session concluded with adjournment in memory of several individuals, including Andrea Schroeder, Country Joe McDonald, and Brenda Joe Martin, with members offering tributes to their civic, artistic, and community contributions. The Senate announced it would recess and reconvene on April 9, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Many of our new state office buildings are highly energy efficient, carbon-free, and fully Our new state
• California's first female state architect, Ida Claire.
• These are four extraordinary, exemplary architects in the state of California.
• Amazing work, and welcome to the California State Senate.
• Amazing work, and welcome to the California State Senate. All right.

Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then recognized guests including young authors selected for publication and leaders involved with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. The chamber adopted SCR 138, recognizing Architecture Week, with the author highlighting California architects’ work on climate resilience, energy efficiency, wildfire safety, and housing innovation, and noting the underrepresentation of women in the profession. The resolution passed unanimously, 32-0. The Senate also confirmed two gubernatorial appointments. Francisco Kim was confirmed to the California Acupuncture Board by a unanimous 28-0 vote. Davina Hurt was confirmed to the California Water Commission by a 26-7 vote after supportive remarks from Senator Becker, who cited her experience on the Belmont City Council and the Air Resources Board. The body also approved the Senate journals, pulled SCR 124 from the consent agenda, and announced upcoming committee hearings after adjournment. The remainder of the session was devoted to adjournment-in-memory tributes. Senator Wiener honored Andrea Schroeder, describing her long career in LGBTQ advocacy, women’s leadership, civic service, and political organizing in San Francisco and beyond. Senator Arreguín remembered Country Joe McDonald for his music, anti-war activism, and Berkeley ties, and Senator Hurtado honored Brenda Joe Martin for her community leadership in Lamor and work with local business and civic organizations. The Senate then recessed with plans to reconvene on April 9, 2026.