Transcript Highlights:

• are tied directly to clinical care, while the remaining 80% is shaped by social, economic, and environmental
• is shaped by social, economic, and 80% is shaped by social, economic, and the<00:14:54.720><c> environmental
• </c><00:14:55.279><c> factors</c><00:14:55.839><c> in</c><00:14:56.079><c> which</c> the environmental
• factors in which the environmental factors in which people<00:14:56.720><c> live,</c><00:14:57.040><

Summary: The committee first approved the prior meeting minutes and recognized Eric Clark for his service, noting this may be his last meeting before he leaves state government. The main presentation was from Allison Adams, president and CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, who described the organization’s history, nonpartisan mission, and focus on health equity, prevention, and upstream policy solutions. She said Kentucky’s poor rankings in chronic disease, preventable hospitalizations, and life expectancy show the need to shift resources toward prevention and community-driven strategies rather than relying mainly on treatment after people become sick. Adams emphasized leading health indicators, arguing that lawmakers should track actionable measures such as quit attempts and smoke-free policies instead of only lagging indicators like disease rates and mortality. In response to questions, she said accountability should be shared across communities and systems, with possible incentives and disincentives tied to outcomes, and she supported creating a public data utility or dashboard, ideally with university partners, to help legislators and communities monitor progress. She also cited examples of accountable health community models and said Kentucky could adapt similar approaches. The committee then heard from Meade County Schools Superintendent Mark Martin and district health coordinator Karen Kotche about the Healthy Kids Clinic partnership with Cumberland Health. They described a seven-year effort that led to full implementation in the district, which now has a nurse in every school and a nurse practitioner, allowing services such as sports physicals and other clinic functions to be provided on campus. They said the program has been a strong investment for students and the community and began explaining how the district built the partnership after earlier efforts and delays, including the pandemic.

Transcript Highlights:

• is committed to advancing people, the planet, and the economy by transforming lives, reducing environmental
• transforming planet and the economy by transforming lives<01:28:14.320><c> reducing</c><01:28:15.000><c> environmental
• </c><01:28:15.600><c> waste</c><01:28:15.960><c> and</c> lives reducing environmental waste and lives
• reducing environmental waste and creating<01:28:16.520><c> job</c><01:28:17.000><c> opportunities</c

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Rail infrastructure is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to move goods by encouraging
• 18.040><c> and</c> infrastructure is a cost effective and infrastructure is a cost effective and environmentally
• 18.839><c> friendly</c><00:37:19.240><c> way</c><00:37:19.400><c> to</c><00:37:19.599><c> move</c> environmentally
• friendly way to move environmentally friendly way to move Goods<00:37:20.880><c> by</c><00:37:21.079

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• The situation is kind of an environmental tragedy in the sense that Poi Bay is continuing to be polluted
• area uh the uh situation is kind<01:10:32.159><c> of</c><01:10:32.280><c> an</c><01:10:32.520><c> environmental
• </c><01:10:33.520><c> tragedy</c><01:10:34.000><c> in</c><01:10:34.120><c> the</c> kind of an environmental
• tragedy in the kind of an environmental tragedy in the sense<01:10:34.520><c> that</c><01:10:34.719>

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 410, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs’ biennium operating budget. OHA asked for a modest increase over its base budget, including $1.2 million to fund 13 new full-time positions for a strategy and implementation team tied to its long-term plan, with emphasis on housing, education, health, and economic resilience. OHA also described a broader effort to work directly with executive branch departments to improve outcomes for Native Hawaiians. Testimony was largely supportive, with several individuals speaking in favor and one testifier expressing strong frustration about Native Hawaiian rights and access to resources. The chair noted there were 38 additional written/supporting testimonies and three in opposition. Members asked about OHA’s funding sources and public land trust revenues; OHA said it is not receiving the full 20 percent share, described a public land trust working group and system issues, and said a related bill would seek funding to begin an inventory. No vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee then considered House Bill 304, which would make the Hawaiian version of a law binding when the law was originally drafted in Hawaiian and later translated into English. The Judiciary supported the bill, saying it reinforces Hawaiian as an official language and looks to the original language for legislative intent. The Attorney General supported the intent but recommended narrowing the bill with a proviso to avoid ambiguities, limiting it to laws originally drafted in Hawaiian that were not later amended, codified, recodified, or reenacted in English. Public testimony was generally supportive, though one speaker raised broader sovereignty concerns. Members questioned how many laws would be affected and whether the proposed amendment would undercut the bill; the Attorney General said the amendment was meant to address uncertainty in interpretation. No final action was reported. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 603, which would direct OHA to administer a Native Hawaiian business marketing program to promote Native Hawaiian-owned businesses through marketing and technical assistance. OHA supported the concept, saying a label or branding program could help consumers identify and support Native Hawaiian-owned businesses, but requested that funding be redirected to a working group to study program design, implementation, enforcement, and long-term viability. The chair noted four supportive testimonies had been received, and a member asked OHA to confirm that its programs serve all Hawaiians, not only those eligible for homelands; OHA said it serves all Hawaiians in the state. The transcript ends before any vote or further action on HB 603.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> tuition agreements are negotiated rates. tuition agreements are negotiated rates.
• I can do tuition agreements.
• We have area agreements.
• I can do tuition agreements. I hardship. I can do tuition agreements.
• We have area agreements. We each other?" We have area agreements.

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Bills: HB145 , SB29 , SB37 , SB64 , HB279 , HB292 , SB35 , SB40 , SB43 , SB48 , SB96 , SB143 , HB132 , SB20 , SB21 , SB101 , SJR1 , HJM1 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM32 , HM13 , HM47 , HM20 , HM51 , HM1 , HM31 , HM35 , HM36 , HM46 , HM53 , HM54 , HM39 , HM29 , HM43 , HM59 , HM30 , HM52 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50 , HB2 , SB264 , SB241

Keywords: high-wage jobs, tax credit, job creation, New Mexico, economic development, SB29, math requirements for teaching license, teacher licensure, teacher endorsement, mathematics methods, elementary education, secondary education, special education, early childhood education, reciprocity, Public Education Department, Mathematics and Science Education Act, mathematics instructional leadership framework, professional learning plan, K-3 screening

Bills: HB145 , HR1 , SB29 , SB37 , SB193 , SB58 , SB64 , HB195 , HB234 , HB279 , HB287 , HB292 , HB303 , SB30 , SB35 , SB40 , SB43 , SB48 , SB96 , SB143 , HJM1 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM32 , HM13 , HM47 , HM20 , HM51 , HM1 , HM31 , HM35 , HM36 , HM46 , HM53 , HM54 , HM39 , HM29 , HM43 , HM59 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50 , HB332

Keywords: high-wage jobs, tax credit, job creation, New Mexico, economic development, House Resolution 1, HR1, House investigatory subcommittee, special committee, legislative investigation, subpoena power, public corruption, criminal activity, Zorro ranch, Santa Fe County, public accountability, government oversight, impeachment power, children and vulnerable persons, public funds

Transcript Highlights:

• Griffith authored approximately 200 opinions on a wide range of matters, including administrative, environmental

Summary: The Supreme Court of Texas held a ceremonial investiture for two new justices, James Sullivan and Kyle Hawkins. Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock opened the session with welcoming remarks and led the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the National Anthem sung by Trooper Alena Gallardo. The event included an invocation by Father Dean Wilhelm, emphasizing the importance of justice and the rule of law. Governor Greg Abbott praised the new justices, highlighting their qualifications and the significance of their appointments to the court. Justice Samuel Alito administered the oath of office to Justice Hawkins, while Judge Thomas Griffith administered the oath to Justice Sullivan. Both justices expressed gratitude for their appointments and acknowledged the support of their families, mentors, and colleagues. The ceremony also honored former justices Jeff Boyd and Nathan Hecht, with heartfelt tributes reflecting on their contributions to the court and the legal community in Texas. The event concluded with a benediction by Reverend Greg Davidson, encouraging the justices to work diligently and honorably in their new roles.

Transcript Highlights:

• Justice and Accountability, the Center on Race, Poverty, and the Environment, and the California Environmental

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• So, on behalf of GM 736, we have Department of Health in support, Environmental Agent Health Administration

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Summary: The Health and Human Services committee heard and considered several gubernatorial nominations to state boards and councils. The nominees included Jody Hashimoto for the Honolulu County Subarea Health Planning Council (GM 539), Mary Pat Waterhouse for the State Council on Mental Health (GM 556), Shaun Kanani Apuuni for the Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council (GM 564), Chrissy Kiamaluhia Doyle for the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission (GM 732), and John Kawamura for the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment (GM 736). Each nominee described relevant experience and why they wanted to serve, and supporters from the Department of Health and various community organizations testified in favor of the appointments. Committee members and supporting testimony emphasized the nominees’ experience and the value of their perspectives. Hashimoto was praised for healthcare consulting, management, financial, IT, and organizational expertise; Waterhouse for her lived experience and active service in mental health; Apuuni for juvenile justice policy work and national coalition ties; Doyle for her work in education and community representation; and Kawamura for his long career in wastewater operations and environmental protection. The Department of Health also strongly supported Waterhouse and Kawamura. Because quorum was initially limited, the chair noted that decision-making would occur later in the calendar once more members were present. At the end of the meeting, the committee took up each nomination and adopted the chair’s recommendation to advise and consent on all five measures, with no objections or written reservations noted. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• 2439, an act amending section 49 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, relating to the Department of Environmental

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal, and announced that several House messages and Senate bills had been transmitted to the governor. Members also noted a planned recess to recognize the University of Arizona men’s basketball team later in the morning. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider bills on multiple calendars. On Calendar 4, House Bill 2812, dealing with accumulated sick leave payments and compensation/insurance issues, received a do-pass recommendation after an amendment, but it later failed on third reading by a vote of 15-11. House Bill 2032, on school assessment accountability and testing, was amended with a floor change extending a timeline from four to six weeks and then passed 26-0 on third reading. House Bill 2033, also on school assessment accountability and written versus digital testing, drew debate over a Diaz floor amendment limiting written-test authority to grades 3-8; the amendment failed on a 15-10 division vote, and the bill then received a do-pass recommendation and passed the Senate. House Bill 293, relating to school curricula and mental health instruction requirements, prompted extended floor debate, with supporters arguing it preserved evidence-based mental health and social-emotional learning instruction for students; it passed 16-10. House Bill 4033, concerning education bond elections, also passed 16-10. In a second Committee of the Whole, members considered House Bill 2016 on tax administration and late filing penalties, House Bill 2140 on depository state money and financial institutions, House Bill 2308 on the State Board of Dental Examiners, House Bill 2320 on school district bonds and financial advisors, House Bill 2439 on public health and exempting certain submissions, and House Bill 2873 on competitive bidding. HB 2320 was retained on the calendar, while the others received do-pass recommendations, with HB 2439 and HB 2873 amended. HB 2873 generated the most debate: a Bullock floor amendment added an emergency clause, and supporters said the measure was needed to allow withdrawal of referendum petitions before ballot qualification, while opponents argued it would undercut the referendum process and voter rights, especially in the Marana data center dispute. The amended bill ultimately received a do-pass recommendation. The Senate then adopted the Committee of the Whole reports, including a failed attempt by Senator Diaz to add her HB 2033 amendment back into the report by roll call (10-16). After third readings, HB 2032 and HB 293 passed, while HB 2812 failed. The chamber then recessed to honor the University of Arizona men’s basketball team with a proclamation recognizing its 2026 Final Four appearance and Big 12 championships. The Senate later reconvened briefly, received committee announcements, and adjourned until Monday, April 13, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill 2439, amending section 49 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, relating to the Department of Environmental

Transcript Highlights:

• activities focusing on the many shared areas of cooperation between our two regions, including environmental

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through a series of guest introductions, including Canadian diplomatic visitors and youth soccer champions from Senator Niello’s district. The body also recognized guests connected to arts education and later heard adjournment-in-memory tributes for Caitlin “Katie” Mallet and Roxanne Miller. The President announced the Senate would enter a one-week spring recess and return on April 6, 2026. On the floor, the Senate adopted SR 89 by Senator Alvarado-Gil, recognizing March 17, 2026 as Profound Autism Day in California. Supporters emphasized the need for greater awareness, research inclusion, and services for people with profound autism and their families. The resolution passed by a 35-0 vote. The Senate also adopted SCR 147 by Senator Allen, proclaiming March 26 as Arts Education Month, with remarks stressing the value of arts education for creativity, engagement, and student success; it passed 37-0. The chamber then adopted SCR 141 by Senator Wahab, recognizing March 26, 2026 as Women’s Equal Pay Day. Senators discussed the gender pay gap, its impact on families, and the need for transparency and enforcement; the resolution passed 37-0. The Senate also approved AB 2156, an urgency measure to proclaim March 31 as Farm Worker Day, with extensive debate about farm workers’ historical contributions, labor conditions, and the decision to rename the day in light of recent allegations involving the prior honoree. The bill passed unanimously, 37-0, including the urgency clause. Finally, the Senate adopted the consent calendar, which included SB 968, SJR 11, SB 1005, and SB 1080, by unanimous vote. A committee announcement noted Budget Subcommittee 3 would meet upon adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• activities focusing on the many shared areas of cooperation between our two regions, including environmental

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through several guest introductions, including a Canadian diplomatic delegation visiting for Canada Day at the Capitol and the undefeated Under-11 San Juan Spirits soccer team. The chamber also recognized guests connected to later resolutions, including families and advocates tied to profound autism and farm worker issues, as well as arts education leaders. The Senate adopted SR 89, recognizing March 17, 2026 as Profound Autism Day, after remarks emphasizing the need for greater awareness, research inclusion, and lifelong services for people with profound autism and their caregivers. Members also adopted SCR 147, proclaiming March 26 as Arts Education Month, with support focused on the value of arts education for creativity, engagement, and student success. Both resolutions passed by unanimous or near-unanimous roll call votes. The chamber then took up AB 2156, an urgency measure renaming Cesar Chavez Day as Farm Worker Day and proclaiming March 31 as Farm Worker Day. Supporters from multiple caucuses and regions spoke about the history of farm labor, the contributions and sacrifices of farm workers, and the need to honor the broader movement and its diverse participants; some speakers also referenced recent allegations and the desire to center survivors and workers rather than one individual. The bill passed with 37 ayes and 0 noes, including the urgency clause. The Senate also adopted a consent calendar of several items without objection, then adjourned in memory of Caitlin Mardell Mallet and Roxanne Miller. The session concluded with announcements of a committee meeting and a one-week spring recess, with the next floor session scheduled for April 6, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• activities focusing on the many shared areas of cooperation between our two regions, including environmental

Transcript Highlights:

• regulations that are creating costs without delivering some sort of human safety increase, some sort of environmental

Summary: The Special Committee on Regulatory Reform met as a study hearing with a quorum present but no plans to take votes. Chair Mark Wright opened by noting a draft resolution on regulatory reform and introducing Patrick McLaughlin of the Hoover Institution and Pacific Legal Foundation, who was invited to discuss his research on state regulatory accumulation and reform. McLaughlin described his method of measuring regulation through counts of binding terms like “shall” and “must,” and said Louisiana ranks among the most regulated states, with about 183,000 restrictions and faster-than-average growth in its regulatory stock. He argued that regulatory accumulation slows GDP growth, raises consumer prices, and disproportionately burdens small businesses and low-income households. McLaughlin pointed to reform models in British Columbia, Idaho, and Virginia, saying those states reduced regulations through centralized oversight, periodic review, simplified benefit-cost analysis, transparency tools, and AI-assisted comparison of rules across states. He said Virginia’s regulatory management office helped cut requirements and guidance, reduce licensing delays, and lower homebuilding costs, while similar reforms in Louisiana could produce significant economic gains. Committee members asked about the reliability of the research, the distinction between necessary and duplicative rules, the role of federal mandates, and how AI could help identify outdated or “gold-plated” regulations. McLaughlin said AI should assist human reviewers, not replace them, and emphasized that agencies need a process for reviewing old rules, not just issuing new ones. Members also discussed Louisiana’s own reform efforts, including LaDOGE, permit streamlining, and prior legislation creating public hearings and committee review of regulations. Chair Wright said he had filed a broader bill this session and was working with the administration on next steps. Representative Walters requested supporting data and examples from other states, and other members asked for practical comparisons, including how regulations affect housing, occupational licensing, and small businesses. The hearing ended without any votes or formal action.

Transcript Highlights:

• licensed in the state regardless of discipline, which means types of license: civil engineers, environmental

Committee: House Professional Registration and Licensing

Transcript Highlights:

• the amount that the board must distribute annually for natural resource conservation district environmental

Summary: The caucus meeting began with introductions from pages and interns, followed by a procedural reminder from Rhonda about caucus consent and third-read consent calendars. She explained that bills coming out of rules can be placed on consent if they are not amended, and that pulling a bill from consent means members should be prepared to speak to it on the floor. The meeting then moved through a long Minority Caucus calendar of bills, with staff giving brief descriptions and members frequently noting bills for no further comment, pulling several from consent, or stating opposition. The bills discussed covered a wide range of topics, including appropriations and federal monies (HB 2148), a Buffalo Soldiers memorial (HB 2062), school library funding restrictions (HB 2008), prayer at public school governing body meetings (HB 2110), school safety administration (HB 2142), parental rights and social transitioning notifications (HB 2249), insurer assessments (HB 2091), agricultural property classification and inspection rules (HB 2104 and HB 2105), firefighters’ workers’ compensation status (HB 2138), truth-in-taxation bond notices (HB 2289), tax filing penalties (HB 2016), engineer and architect reciprocity (HB 2122), felony murder involving an unborn child (HB 2043), body concealment and related felony classifications (HB 2044), domestic violence order-of-protection service rules (HB 2048), mandatory reporting for partial-birth abortions (HB 2074), unlawful flight sentencing enhancements (HB 2108), weapons trafficking penalties (HB 2131), fentanyl sentencing thresholds (HB 2132), drive-by shooting definitions and forfeiture (HB 2045), probation review notices for sex offender hearings (HB 2046), venue changes in superior court when judicial employees are parties (HB 2126), and child support for pre-born children (HB 2144). Water-related bills included snowpack augmentation funding (HB 2024), WIFA grant disclosures (HB 2029), removing water conservation education as an eligible use (HB 2030), stormwater recharge mapping with an appropriation (HB 253), cesspool remediation assistance (HB 2096), groundwater pumping limits in INAs (HB 2097), Colorado River litigation funding (HB 2116), and natural resource board changes and education funding (HB 2117). Election-related measures included moving the primary date and adjusting cure periods and observer rules (HB 2022), and a proposed constitutional amendment on citizenship, ID, foreign contributions, early voting, and mail voting (HCR 2001). The committee also heard two memorials urging federal terrorist designations for the Muslim Brotherhood and CARE (HCM 2001 and HCM 2002). Members and staff offered substantive objections to many bills, often arguing they were anti-student, anti-abortion, overly punitive, unfunded mandates, or unfair tax policy. Several bills were pulled from consent for further discussion, including HB 2008, HB 2110, HB 2142, HB 2249, HB 2043, HB 2074, HB 2108, and HB 2144. Supportive remarks were also made for some measures, such as the cesspool remediation bill, which was noted as having unanimous support, while other bills were flagged for stakeholder meetings or future amendments. The meeting ended with announcements recognizing members’ birthdays and noting Muslim Day at the Capitol, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Johns River, water use and environmental restoration program is lots of work they do out there.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our program focuses on garden-based learning, nutrition education, agriculture, environmental science

Committee: House Special Committee on Rural Issues