Transcript Highlights:

• To pay for college, I started a study skills class at the local high school.
• I'm here for you.
• for families.
• Thank you for being here and thank you for your comments.
• I'm hoping that we can do the same thing for traditional public schools because educators are magical

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The state also has a high potential for geologic hydrogen resources, which could be used for clean fuel
• for helium in the state as well as for for helium in the state as well as um<00:12:04.639><c> not</c
• </c><00:12:15.079><c> potential</c><00:12:15.959><c> for</c><00:12:16.480><c> geologic</c> uh a high
• potential for geologic uh a high potential for geologic hydrogen<00:12:17.800><c> resources</c><00:12
• </c><00:14:14.279><c> for</c><00:14:14.519><c> those</c> hadn't been uh the need for for those hadn't

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• To pay for college, I started a study skills class at the local high school.
• I'm here for you.
• for families.
• Thank you for being here and thank you for your comments.
• I'm hoping that we can do the same thing for traditional public schools because educators are magical

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The Senate Education Committee approved the February 4, 2026 minutes and then heard several Senate RS measures, all of which were moved to print. Senator Blaylock presented RS 33277C1 to create the Idaho High Need Student Fund, which would reimburse districts for extraordinary special education costs above $30,000 per student annually, with caps, documentation requirements, and annual reporting. Senator Cole presented RS 33271, the PROM Act, to let homeschooled students in grades 8-12 buy a social access pass to participate in public school dances, fairs, and cultural events without enrolling, with families paying a $25 annual fee plus event charges. Senator O’Conniewicz presented RS 33334 regarding foreign national students on college athletic teams, describing it as a way to balance athletics with retaining graduates who could stay and work in Idaho. Senator Semmelroth presented RS 33335, a revised code-cleanup bill that restores specialty diploma provisions after an earlier version mistakenly included them for repeal. Each of these RS measures received a motion and unanimous support to be printed. The committee also heard an informational presentation from Sam Abrams, superintendent of Hayden Canyon Charter, who argued that Idaho’s education system is too focused on seat time, compliance, and standardized testing rather than mastery and individualized learning. He urged the committee to consider shifting toward competency-based progression, greater accountability for student well-being and demonstrated learning, and more flexible reporting models. Abrams used examples from his work in Qatar and from a traditional gradebook to argue that students should advance by showing mastery rather than by time spent in class. Committee members responded with comments about the rigidity of traditional public schools, the flexibility of charter schools, and the need for options that fit different students, but no formal action was taken on the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• 50% for Wyoming, and 30.7% for South Dakota.
• So for our self-ident...
• So the full picture of what we're hoping for is fewer opioids prescribed because there's a more proactive
• So for the FQHCs, our Medicaid rate is not fee-for-service.
• For example, establishing residences for medical care. I mean, we talked about it for many years.

Summary: The committee first approved the previous meeting minutes and then heard a detailed annual report from Dr. Thomas Arnold, chair of the Maternal Mortality Review Committee, on maternal mortality trends and policy issues. He explained the committee’s review process, confidentiality protections, and national and North Dakota data showing that most maternal deaths are preventable and that mental health conditions, substance use, cardiovascular issues, infection, hemorrhage, and embolism are the leading causes. Members asked about suicide, domestic violence, midwife training, home births, and whether pregnancy testing at death scenes should be expanded; Dr. Arnold said better coroner education, more investigation of unexplained deaths, and possible post-mortem pregnancy testing could improve case identification, especially in rural areas. He also noted that deaths often occur well after 42 days postpartum and that mental health-related deaths remain a major concern. The committee then heard from State Fire Marshal Dr. Matthew Clark on cigarette reduced-ignition-propensity standards and related fire prevention issues. He recommended updating the state’s cigarette propensity law to current national standards and also raised a separate recommendation to require fast-breakaway oxygen tubing for home oxygen users, citing fatal fires linked to smoking around oxygen. Members asked about implementation, cost, insurance coverage, and whether the standards apply in tribal communities; Dr. Clark said he would provide follow-up information and was willing to help with any legislation, but no agency bill had yet been planned. Next, Christine Greff of the Department of Health and Human Services reported on the North Dakota Stroke System of Care. She described the statewide network of stroke-ready hospitals, registry-based quality improvement, and performance data showing continued improvement in stroke recognition, imaging, thrombolytic treatment, transfers, and EMS pre-notification. She highlighted new quality measures for inter-facility transfers and intracerebral hemorrhage care, and said the system remains strong but depends on continued legislative and hospital support. Committee members asked about participation by the VA hospital and were encouraged to consider outreach to include it more fully in the stroke system. Finally, the committee began a presentation on prior authorization and non-opioid pain treatment from Taha Khan of Vertex Pharmaceuticals. He argued that prior authorization can delay access to non-opioid acute pain medications, especially in the 24- to 72-hour post-discharge window when pain is most severe, and said delays can push patients toward opioids. He emphasized that prior authorization has a role in utilization management but should not create barriers in acute pain care, and he noted that current use of the company’s non-opioid product remains very low. The discussion was still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the project will serve as a model for high-performance standards, targeting 90% energy reduction
• </c> project will serve as a model for project will serve as a model for high-performance<00:05:20.480
• These projects translate directly into high-paying jobs for the constituents you represent, contractors
• for 14 million for actually just applied for 14 million for uh,<00:32:32.080><c> a</c><00:32:32.160>
• </c> is much better for them, much better for is much better for them, much better for our<00:59:16.440

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Not to mention this is a single rail system that's not designed for high-frequency, high-capacity traffic
• People are coming here for school and for work.
• The fund that we hold high.
• I call for the yeas and nays.
• Unfortunately, that's not good enough for us. Hope isn't good enough. Action is what we do here.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate considered a fiscal year 2025 close-out supplemental appropriations bill and a series of amendments, many of which were withdrawn, adopted, or rejected. Early debate focused heavily on funding for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Massachusetts, with Senators O’Connor and Feeney arguing for restoring money for transportation, safety, and event readiness, citing projected ridership surges, economic benefits, and the need for Boston and the Commonwealth to invest. Senator Driscoll also won adoption of an amendment directing the MBTA to study and report on its local assessment formula, using Milton and Quincy as examples of perceived inequities in how communities are charged relative to service received. The Senate then took up several other amendments, including measures on fire survivor support, vaccine liability, mental health and sidewalk projects, council on aging and public safety items, disaster relief, service dogs, and MBTA assessments. Senator Tarr offered amendments on driver record transparency and energy cost reporting, but those were not adopted. A major roll-call vote rejected Tarr’s amendment to restore a larger share of excess capital gains to the stabilization fund; supporters argued for stronger rainy day reserves, while the Ways and Means chair defended the bill’s use of a deficiency reserve fund and warned of revenue losses from federal tax changes. The Senate also adopted an amendment on shelter and Home Base spending transparency, requiring renewed reporting on emergency shelter and housing assistance programs. Later, the chamber adopted Senator Edwards’ amendment creating a Massachusetts Federal Employee and Service Member Civil Relief Act to protect federal workers and service members in the event of a shutdown, including relief from eviction and foreclosure-related harms. The Senate also adopted Senator Rodrigues’s Ways and Means amendment, then approved the underlying supplemental budget as amended and ordered it to third reading. After the final roll call, the bill was passed to be engrossed by a 39-0 vote. The Senate concluded by agreeing to adjourn and by honoring Mrs. Anne Lee in memory, with a brief communication from Senator Cyr noting a prior remote-vote error for the journal.

Transcript Highlights:

• high-end tourists, they didn't build for the middle and the lower-end tourists.
• high-end tourists, they didn't build for the middle and the lower-end tourists.
• And so I mean uh by hope for AI.
• I hope we stay on schedule for that. That's very quick and excellent news. Thank you. Thank you.
• I hope we stay on schedule<04:49:54.000><c> for</c><04:49:54.240><c> that.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a low-risk, high-reward investment for the state.
• I would hope you would consider this bill. Thank you, uh, Chair KCA for your bill.
• We're expanding the public facilities pool to support the high-demand projects that we're seeing for
• And I think you've been very clear about that's a high integrity issue for you and your department.
• What additional documents are you asking for, and what is this new technology that you are hoping to

Bills: HF3217 , HF2252

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: bioindustrial facilities, economic development, renewable energy, advanced biofuels, state funding, HF2252, Minnesota bonding, volume cap, private activity bonds, tax-exempt bonds, public facility bonds, public facilities pool, unified pool, bond allocation, municipal finance, bond cap, housing bonds, residential rental projects, manufacturing bonds, enterprise zone bonds

Transcript Highlights:

• For four years, Democrats told families not to believe their own eyes as inflation hit 40-year highs,
• For four years, Democrats told families not to believe their own eyes as inflation hit 40-year highs,
• For four years, Democrats told families not to believe their own eyes as inflation hit 40-year highs,
• It is my sincere hope that 2026 brings new opportunities for bipartisan action on these pressing issues
• It is my sincere hope that 2026 brings new opportunities for bipartisan action on these pressing issues

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that for me? that for me?
• </c><00:45:46.240><c> investments</c><00:45:46.880><c> for</c> fights for investments for fights for
• If Minnesota wants to remain competitive for these high-impact events and the jobs and tax revenue that
• ><c> and</c><01:02:15.680><c> the</c> for these high-impact events and the for these high-impact events
• </c> that's for the record. that's for the record.

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Under Red Clay, for the AI DuPont High School renovation, an add of $9,308,603.
• So for me, someone can make six figures at the port—I hope that's true.
• Students, high school students here, and we were all posing on the steps for a picture.
• So the hope is that we are forward funding a lot of schools for their CNs, because we’ve been hearing
• So the hope is that we are... Districts that they have been getting turned down for CNs.

Committee: Joint Capital Improvement

Summary: The committee met to finalize the FY27 bond bill, beginning with a roll call and a detailed review of updated appropriation amounts. The Comptroller General walked through major changes across agencies, including additions for OMB, the Department of State, DNREC, Agriculture, Education, and Transportation, and explained the funding sources that would cover the total $1.256 billion package. Members then debated several large items, especially the $110 million appropriation for the Diamond State Port Corporation, the $35 million Legislative Hall addition, the $20 million Community Reinvestment Fund, and the $30 million land and building acquisition line. Questions focused on the port project’s costs, expected jobs, return on investment, and whether the state would face future commitments; Secretary of State Charney Patitofunded Chances and other officials testified that the port expansion would create construction and permanent jobs and support long-term economic growth, while some members remained skeptical and objected to the process and spending priorities. The committee also discussed school construction funding, with officials explaining that additional money would forward-fund projects already in the pipeline and help districts that had been turned down for certificates of necessity. Other items reviewed included funding for park improvements, marina acquisition, the Plummer Center demolition and transfer, the Pyle Center sewer project, the Site Readiness Fund, affordable housing, the Arts Endowment Fund, an unclaimed property task force, and various transportation and community transportation projects. Several members raised concerns about county distribution, minority-party involvement in negotiations, and the scale of certain appropriations, but the majority defended the package as statewide investment and economic development. The committee then voted on the Section 1 addendum and a series of new and replacement epilogue sections, including provisions for the port project, Legislative Hall minor capital improvements, land acquisition, affordable housing, the Community Reinvestment Fund, downtown development districts, the Rite Aid demolition, the Site Readiness Fund, school construction formula review, and enhanced school capital funding. Most motions carried, with a few recorded no votes or abstentions on the main addendum. The meeting concluded with a motion authorizing technical corrections by the Comptroller General’s office, followed by closing remarks thanking staff and members for their work and noting that this was likely the final bond committee meeting for some participants before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for that. I think that's all for me. Thank you. Thank you for that. Thank you. All right.
• As someone who experienced homelessness as a youth in high school for about two and a half years, this
• The high school I went to did not have a dedicated office or program for students dealing with homelessness
• I do have two high school students that were very much prepared for today, and they're in my program
• I do have two high school students that very much prepared for today, and they're in my program standing

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance held its first hearing of the year on Proposition 98, focusing on the Governor’s budget estimates for the three-year budget window, the Public School System Stabilization Account (PSSA), and repayment of education deferrals. The Department of Finance said the minimum guarantee would rise by about $21.7 billion over the 2025 Budget Act, with increases in each year, full repayment of the existing settle-up obligation in 2024-25, a new $5.6 billion settle-up obligation proposed for 2025-26, and a higher guarantee in 2026-27. Finance also noted revised downward estimates for transitional kindergarten attendance and Los Angeles County property tax reimbursements, and said community colleges would be funded above the split because of enrollment growth. The Legislative Analyst’s Office emphasized fiscal risk and volatility, warning that recent revenue gains are tied heavily to the stock market and tech sector and could reverse quickly. The LAO argued the Governor’s proposed $5.6 billion delay shifts risk into future years and recommended instead fully funding the current estimate, making a larger reserve deposit, considering advance payments or pension-related uses, and finding additional non-Prop 98 solutions to reduce the state’s structural deficit. On the reserve and deferral items, Finance described revised PSSA deposits and withdrawals that would leave about $4.1 billion in the reserve by 2026-27, and both Finance and the LAO supported paying off the remaining LCFF and SCFF deferrals as good fiscal practice. Committee members questioned the size of the settle-up amount, the degree of revenue volatility, the use of the reserve, and the ongoing K-12/community college split. Finance said the proposal is meant to avoid overappropriation if revenues fall, while the LAO said a buffer of roughly $3.5 billion would address typical forecasting risk. Public commenters, including school boards, county offices of education, teachers, and advocacy groups, largely opposed the $5.6 billion withholding or settle-up delay, calling it a manipulation of Prop. 98 and urging full funding and more stable revenue solutions. Several speakers also urged dedicated funding for students experiencing homelessness. The hearing ended with no vote, and the chair announced that broader program discussions would occur in later hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, I hope this may at least serve as a foundation for any further exploration of Family Court Services
• In fact, research proves that mandated treatment works for this high-risk population because it keeps
• And when we fail to intervene, the consequences compound for the individual, for the taxpayer, and for
• Senator Lent for a motion.
• Senator Lent, for a motion.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Rules

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you both for being here for all you do.
• That's 18% in their network account to pay for necessary network upgrades and high-rug crowd services
• I just hope you don't do that, because it's really not fair. And I'll speak for myself.
• The high point, or low point, I should say, was 2,200 individuals who were waiting for assignment of
• I just want to, before I let you go, say, number one, thank you for mentioning New Hope, a very, very

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held its sixth public hearing on the Governor’s FY27 H-2 budget proposal, focused on public safety and judiciary agencies, at the Foxborough Community Center. After opening remarks and local welcomes, the committee heard testimony from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS), led by Secretary Gina Kwan, who described the $1.72 billion budget as a 4% increase over FY26 and emphasized readiness, local partnerships, and support for core operations rather than expansion. She highlighted ongoing work on firearms-law implementation, State Police academy reforms, DOC’s new strategic plan, disaster response, hate-crime prevention, and planning for major 2026 events including the World Cup, Marathon, and America’s 250th anniversary. Members also raised concerns about State Police capacity, DNA backlog reporting, academy boxing/training reforms after a trooper’s death, ICE coordination, diversity in public safety leadership, the disaster relief fund, crime lab funding, reentry programming, and whether OEMS should move from DPH to EOPSS; Kwan said she would keep an open mind on some issues but was not ready to commit to an OEMS transfer. The committee then questioned EOPSS officials and the State Police colonel on several operational matters. The colonel said the academy boxing program remains suspended and likely will not return in its prior form, pending an IACP review, and that future training will likely emphasize jujitsu-style control techniques. He also said the State Police uses the civil service exam, with current advancement scores ranging from 83.72 to 98.78 for the most recent class, and acknowledged the need to improve recruitment, preparation, and diversity. On the DNA and sexual assault kit backlog, EOPSS said it supports extending the statute of limitations and is working with the courts and crime lab to identify and collect lawfully owed DNA. On disaster preparedness, officials said the new disaster relief fund is being developed with MEMA and A&F, is currently capitalized at $14 million with another $14 million expected, and should be designed to respond flexibly to different regional needs. They also said the crime lab increase is largely to cover core operations and a structural deficiency rather than expansion. Several members focused on public safety coordination and staffing. Questions from legislators from Bristol, Plymouth, Cape Cod, and elsewhere stressed the need for State Police to absorb additional forensic work if county resources shift, and to maintain strong communication with local chiefs and federal partners. Rep. Holmes pressed EOPSS on racial and gender diversity in the department and State Police; Kwan and Colonel Noble said diversity has improved but will take time to show up in senior leadership, and they pointed to internships and hiring practices as ways to broaden the pipeline. The hearing also included discussion of the World Cup security plan, with Kwan saying planning has been underway for about 18 months through 14 working groups and that current staffing and overtime resources appear sufficient for now. After EOPSS concluded, the committee recessed briefly and then began testimony from district attorneys, led by Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden, who said prosecutors are seeking a 10% budget increase to address staffing and salary pressures, especially the widening pay gap between assistant district attorneys and newly hired public defenders after recent CPCS funding increases.

Transcript Highlights:

• This systemic effort will ensure best practices which allow for engagement in high-quality math learning
• high-quality instructional materials, comprehensive K-3 assessments, and immediate intervention for
• Throughout the year, the Office of Special Education has provided high-quality IEP trainings for educators
• I hope you've been able to see that we're excited about this. We have a passion for this work.
• for at-risk students.

Transcript Highlights:

• For that reason, we hope you support this measure. Thank you very much. Yes, ma'am.
• Thank you for that.
• Multiplier for it, and hoping then that we could replicate that similar scenario inside of a trade port
• Always, sometimes we're always hoping for the best, but I hope that this would create more jobs and Both
• So for staff, for our assistants, for everybody here, the LSA.

Committee: House House Taxation & Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• For your testimony. Thank you for being here today.
• Also for, important for people to be represented, um, uh, to be able to advocate for themselves.
• Uh, for, for those who, who, um, who needed assistance.
• I've been chair now for, of this committee for 4 sessions.
• for our patrons.

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:

• This is only for a potential new plant. This is a 35% discount for the fixed costs.
• So, thank you for your testimony. I do have a question for you.
• We're for this bill because we're getting the blame for this.
• Like right now, you won't believe it, but copper is down, and it has been flying high for a while.
• for Senate Bill 903.

Committee: House Utilities

Summary: The Committee on Utilities first took up House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2762, 2816, and 2402, a solar-energy measure. The committee substitute combined the bills’ titles and focused on three main areas: a taxation framework for solar projects, setback requirements from occupied dwellings and property lines, and a decommissioning/bonding framework for project cleanup. Supporters said the bill would create baseline rules for a growing industry, protect neighboring landowners, and ensure land is restored after projects end. Members asked about Chapter 100 agreements, the setback distances, county rulemaking authority, and how reclamation and bonding would work. The committee adopted the amendment, rolled it into a new substitute, and then voted the substitute do pass by 18 ayes and 2 noes. The committee then heard House Bill 2248, which would change Missouri’s economic development electric rate structure and close a loophole that could allow data centers under 75 megawatts to receive reduced rates. The sponsor and utility witnesses said the bill would make incentives more predictable by replacing a variable formula with a fixed discount for qualifying new industrial projects, while still requiring customers to pay full cost to serve and meet load-factor and other requirements. Witnesses from Evergy, Ameren Missouri, the Missouri Chamber, and Ford discussed the value of incentives for manufacturing, the difference between new load and retention of existing large users, and whether the bill should also address retention discounts. No action was taken on the bill during the hearing. Finally, the committee heard Senate Substitute for Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 903, which would expand critical infrastructure protections. The bill adds wireline and broadband facilities to the definition of critical infrastructure, increases penalties for damaging or tampering with such facilities, and creates an offense for unauthorized possession of certain stolen materials such as copper and related telecom materials. The sponsor and witnesses from AT&T, Verizon, cable, railroad, electric cooperative, recycling, municipal utility, and chamber groups said the measure responds to rising theft and vandalism, including copper theft and fiber cuts that disrupt 911 and other services. Members asked about scrap dealers, fiber versus copper, trespassing concerns, and whether harsher penalties would deter theft. The hearing concluded without a vote, and the committee adjourned after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• for the New Glen vehicle. and built for Blues design and specs specifically for the New Glen vehicle
• You know, the need for high-quality broadband is here, and in fact in Florida, I just pulled some recent
• So thank you for doing this, and thanks for being here today. Absolutely. Thank you for having me.
• We're number one for new and high-tech business formation.
• It is my absolute hope that this KSC Florida Space Research Consortium will become the powerhouse for

Summary: The committee on Military, Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security met with a quorum present and heard a series of presentations focused on Florida’s space and aerospace industry. Blue Origin’s Anna Spencer described the company’s Florida operations at Rocket Park, including New Glenn manufacturing and launch activities, Blue Moon lunar lander work, workforce development, and recent booster recovery and launch milestones. Amazon’s Beth Cooley presented an update on Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper), outlining the satellite broadband network, customer terminals, dark skies mitigation efforts, Florida facilities and jobs, and launch plans; members asked about RV/mobile applications, satellite counts, and the role of fiber, but no action was taken. Starcatcher Industries CEO Andrew Rush then described his company’s effort to create an orbital energy grid that beams power to satellites to extend mission life and increase available power, citing demonstrations in Jacksonville and Cape Canaveral and plans for a first satellite launch next year. Space Florida CEO Rob Long gave a strategic update on the state’s aerospace sector, citing billions in private investment, hundreds of projects in the pipeline, the leverage of state spaceport funding, workforce and university programs, and the need for additional tools and infrastructure to keep Florida competitive. He emphasized growth in launch activity, manufacturing, research, and military support infrastructure, and said Space Florida would bring forward legislative proposals. Kennedy Space Center Director Janet Petro delivered the strongest policy message of the meeting, warning that KSC’s aging infrastructure and relatively smaller NASA budget share could cause Florida to lose aerospace leadership to states like Texas unless the state strengthens its partnership, research investment, and infrastructure support. Members questioned her about federal restrictions on commercial investment in common-use infrastructure, the need for more state-federal alignment, and how Florida can preserve its role as the launch capital of the world. After the presentations and questions, Senator Burgess moved to adjourn, there was no objection, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was just hoping for an over— Would you repeat the question? Oh, yeah, thank you.
• I was just hoping for an overview of kind of examples, or at least a general overview, of the provisions
• Stern, for being here.
• Chairman, for a question. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Ma'am, thank you for coming today.
• And I echo the other attorney's commentary that the neutrality of the court is so, so important for high-conflict

Committee: House Judiciary, Rules and Administration

Keywords: 989, all