Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 731, by the Revenue and Taxation Committee, relating to education.
• House Bill 623, by the Education Committee, relating to education.
• House Bill 728, by the Education Committee, relating to education.
• House Bill 623 by the Education Committee, relating to education.
• House Bill 728 by the Education Committee, relating to education.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and received committee reports and bill referrals. Among the measures introduced or advanced were bills on restroom access and indecency, assertive community treatment, foreign law in Idaho courts, police dog protections, hospital taxing district petitions, legislative residency requirements, driver education options for parents, and redesigning the agricultural license plate. The House also passed several bills on second or third reading, including HB 652, HB 556, HB 602, HB 654, HB 549, HB 628, and HB 663, sending them to the Senate. HB 556 drew the most debate. Supporters argued the state should raise reimbursement to counties for housing state inmates in county jails because county costs have risen well above current reimbursement levels, counties are overcrowded, and property taxpayers are subsidizing state obligations. Opponents said the fiscal note was too large for the current budget year, though several members still acknowledged the underlying problem. The bill ultimately passed the House 59-10. HB 602, which limits the use of foreign law when it conflicts with Idaho or U.S. constitutional rights, also passed after questions about prior legislation affecting child support enforcement; the sponsor said this bill was narrower and preserved existing law as the guardrail. HB 673, which would require legislative candidates to have lived in their district for 120 days in the preceding year before filing, generated significant concern about retroactivity, fairness, and impacts on military members, missionaries, traveling workers, and others with temporary absences. After debate, the House voted to send it to general orders for further work rather than advancing it immediately. HB 628, concerning parent-taught driver education in urban districts, was defended as expanding parental choice and reducing costs, while opponents raised safety concerns about teaching teens on busy roads without dual brakes or other safeguards; it passed 63-6. The House adjourned after announcements and committee meeting notices.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, has the House considered Senate Bill 37 on higher education governance?
• acting in the course of their official duties previously. ...to conduct that was for a bona fide educational
• The chairman of education is doing a great job up there.
• Our doctors and nurses have to be educated in medicine. ...nutrition, that is a requirement.
• They'll be taking that in graduate medical education, as well as our nurses. We have to get moving.

Bills: HB4 , HB20 , HB40 , HB46 , HB101 , HB112 , HB117 , HB121 , HB127 , HB146 , HB150 , HB186 , HB229 , HB426 , HB521 , HB541 , HB549 , HB632 , HB713 , HB796 , HB1052 , HB1106 , HB1135 , HB1234 , HB1306 , HB1403 , HB1523 , HB1532 , HB1690 , HB1960 , HB2035 , HB2217 , HB2399 , HB2488 , HB2517 , HB2594 , HB2655 , HB2686 , HB2731 , HB2757 , HB2820 , HB2963 , HB3005 , HB3053 , HB3073 , HB3225 , HB3320 , HB3333 , HB3336 , HB3441 , HB3483 , HB3516 , HB3520 , HB3697 , HB3748 , HB3793 , HB3848 , HB4099 , HB4134 , HB4144 , HB4158 , HB4233 , HB4236 , HB4285 , HB4350 , HB4359 , HB4464 , HB4580 , HB4690 , HB4730 , HB4848 , HB4904 , HB4995 , HB5196 , HB5294 , HB5381 , HB5435 , HB5437 , HB5509 , HB5606 , HB5646 , HB5658 , HB5661 , HB5663 , HB5666 , HB5672 , HCR40 , HCR59 , SB867 , SB2919 , SJR5 , SJR27 , SB4 , SB6 , SB7 , SB9 , SB13 , SB15 , SB23 , SB27 , SB30 , SB40 , SB57 , SB66 , SB140 , SB268 , SB293 , SB331 , SB413 , SB447 , SB457 , SB467 , SB506 , SB510 , SB512 , SB571 , SB650 , SB763 , SB777 , SB785 , SB800 , SB850 , SB863 , SB865 , SB973 , SB974 , SB1191 , SB1281 , SB1300 , SB1362 , SB1494 , SB1522 , SB1540 , SB1567 , SB1579 , SB1580 , SB1610 , SB1660 , SB1723 , SB1760 , SB1838 , SB1923 , SB1946 , SB1957 , SB1964 , SB2018 , SB2024 , SB2121 , SB2167 , SB2217 , SB2221 , SB2321 , SB2337 , SB2368 , SB2373 , SB2407 , SB2431 , SB2477 , SB2587 , SB2615 , SB2753 , SB2807 , SB2900 , SB2965 , SB2972 , SB2986 , SB3039 , SB3047 , SB3059 , SB3070 , SB1 , SB17 , SB21 , SB260 , SB379 , SB509 , SB1198 , SB1405 , SB1506 , SB1637 , SB1833 , SB2155 , SB2308 , SB2601 , SB2778 , HB300 , HB2011 , HB2525 , HB5246 , HB100 , HB101 , HB119 , HB227 , HB252 , HB322 , HB346 , HB654 , HB705 , HB718 , HB721 , HB824 , HB1094 , HB1234 , HB1306 , HB1506 , HB1523 , HB1629 , HB1690 , HB1868 , HB1960 , HB1973 , HB2012 , HB2035 , HB2037 , HB2078 , HB2128 , HB2213 , HB2240 , HB2348 , HB2520 , HB2598 , HB2686 , HB2694 , HB2820 , HB3005 , HB3057 , HB3092 , HB3112 , HB3171 , HB3181 , HB3185 , HB3333 , HB3388 , HB3516 , HB3546 , HB3619 , HB3623 , HB3629 , HB3642 , HB3686 , HB3697 , HB3749 , HB3793 , HB3812 , HB3815 , HB3848 , HB3909 , HB4081 , HB4145 , HB4157 , HB4158 , HB4170 , HB4202 , HB4211 , HB4214 , HB4233 , HB4285 , HB4350 , HB4361 , HB4463 , HB4464 , HB4466 , HB4559 , HB4630 , HB4748 , HB4765 , HB4848 , HB4894 , HB4904 , HB4995 , HB5093 , HB5196 , HB5320 , HB5437 , HB5624 , HB5650 , HB5651 , HB5652 , HB5654 , HB5655 , HB5656 , HB5658 , HB5661 , HB5662 , HB5664 , HB5665 , HB5666 , HB5670 , HB5672 , HB5674 , HB5677 , HB5679 , HB5682 , HB5689 , HB5690 , HB5694 , HB5695 , HB5698 , HB5699 , HCR46 , HCR76 , HCR81 , HCR83 , HCR84 , HCR111 , HB748 , HB5652 , HB3395 , HB180 , HB1306 , HB5650 , HB4894 , HB1629 , HB5698 , HB3171 , HB2694 , HB5664 , HB4690 , HB4464 , HB3623 , HB2520 , HB2213 , HB252 , HB146 , HB5596 , HB3619 , HB5320 , HB5651 , HB5670 , HB5665 , HB5437 , HB5679 , HB5661 , HB5662 , HB5654 , HB5672 , HB5656 , HB2035 , HB721 , HB346 , HB5695 , HB5694 , HB5674 , HB3185 , HB2348 , HB1135 , HB101 , HB5666 , HB5677 , HB5682 , HB5658 , HB4144 , HB3642 , HB3815 , HB2686 , HB2012 , HB1960 , HB227 , HB654 , HB4158 , HB4630 , HB1523 , HB1973 , HB3333 , HB3697 , HB3546 , HB3225 , HB2820 , HB186 , HB119 , HB4466 , HB4170 , HB3909 , HB4081 , HB4145 , HB4285 , HB4463 , HB4995 , HB5624 , HB1449 , HB2598 , HB3629 , HB4361 , HB824 , HB1868 , HB4848 , HB40 , HB117 , HB3686 , HB3793 , HB112 , HB104 , HB718 , HB4904 , HB4202 , HB4765 , HB4559 , HB4350 , HB4214 , HB3388 , HB3112 , HB5196 , HB3516 , HB3092 , HB4233 , HB1094 , HB2037 , HB3005 , HB3848 , HB121 , HB3336 , HB5294 , HB5646 , HB4236 , HB1052 , HB5509 , HB5435 , HB3520 , HB3320 , HB2517 , HB2488 , HB5663 , HB2731 , HB3073 , HB2655 , HB2399 , HB541 , HB4099 , HB111 , HB1532 , HB3483 , HB2963 , HB4580 , HB3748 , HB713 , HB632 , HB426 , HB4730 , HB127 , HB5690 , HB5689 , HB5655 , HB3385 , HB2757 , HB4359 , HB5381 , HB20 , HB123 , HB549 , HB5606 , HB2217 , HB2594 , HB796 , HB1057 , HB3664 , HCR141 , HCR40 , HCR59 , HCR76 , HCR81 , HCR46 , HCR111 , HCR83 , HCR84 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SB2023 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB507 , SB1434 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1122 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB1085 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB1200 , SB1845 , SB2458 , SB801 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB2797 , SB2076 , SB2876 , SB1640 , SB1449 , SB1181 , SB1234 , SB2926 , SB2841 , SB1528 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB1237 , SB2819 , SB629 , SB2608 , SB1602 , SB2009 , SB867 , SB640 , SB1698 , SB2680 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1483 , SB1444 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1703 , SB2133 , SB2297 , SB2298 , SB2622 , SB2955 , SB2334 , SB1367 , SB2044 , SB2363 , SB2565 , SB1888 , SB3036 , SB3057 , SB3043 , SB3063 , SB3035 , SB203 , SB2688 , SB2522 , SB2459 , SB2655 , SB2251 , SB1884 , SB2928 , SB2566 , SB2549 , SB2553 , SB2919 , SB1944 , SB1232 , SB1798 , SB2603 , SB2607 , SB2683 , SB1319 , SB3045 , SB3071 , HB40 , HB117 , HB121 , HB426 , HB541 , HB713 , HB1052 , HB1532 , HB2217 , HB2488 , HB2517 , HB2655 , HB2757 , HB2963 , HB3073 , HB3697 , HB4099 , HB4144 , HB4158 , HB4236 , HB4285 , HB4848 , HB5435 , HB5437 , HB5509 , HB5646 , HB5666 , HB14 , HB1240 , HB796 , HB1523 , HB5294 , SR559 , SR587 , SR614 , SCR53 , SJR59 , SB10 , SB22 , SB25 , SB34 , SB36 , SB38 , SB261 , SB777 , SB924 , SB1188 , SB1318 , SB1333 , SB1398 , SB1448 , SB1621 , SB1862 , SB2405 , SB2406 , SB8 , SB12 , SB37 , SB441 , SB1566 , SB2878 , HB300 , HB2011 , HB5246 , HB101 , HB119 , HB227 , HB252 , HB346 , HB654 , HB718 , HB721 , HB824 , HB1306 , HB1629 , HB1868 , HB1960 , HB1973 , HB2012 , HB2035 , HB2037 , HB2213 , HB2348 , HB2520 , HB2598 , HB2686 , HB2694 , HB2820 , HB3005 , HB3092 , HB3112 , HB3185 , HB3333 , HB3388 , HB3516 , HB3546 , HB3619 , HB3623 , HB3629 , HB3642 , HB3686 , HB3815 , HB3848 , HB3909 , HB4081 , HB4145 , HB4170 , HB4202 , HB4214 , HB4350 , HB4361 , HB4463 , HB4464 , HB4466 , HB4559 , HB4630 , HB4765 , HB4894 , HB4904 , HB4995 , HB5196 , HB5320 , HB5624 , HB5650 , HB5651 , HB5652 , HB5654 , HB5655 , HB5656 , HB5658 , HB5661 , HB5662 , HB5664 , HB5665 , HB5670 , HB5672 , HB5674 , HB5677 , HB5679 , HB5682 , HB5695 , HB5698 , HCR46 , HCR76 , HCR81 , HCR83 , HCR84 , HCR111 , HB1094 , HB3171 , HB3793 , HB4233 , HB5689 , HB5690 , HB5694

Keywords: applied sciences, career education, high school diploma, certificate program, work-based learning, job placement, high-growth jobs, technical training, business court, civil procedure, litigation, jurisdiction, arbitration, low-THC cannabis, dispensing organization, Texas Compassionate-Use Program, medical use, patient access, registration, healthcare

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, when we started the lottery back in '90, this was around the idea to fund education, whether
• On the third page, we take a picture of education characteristics.
• On the first page, in the far right column, you have the estimated contribution to education, which was
• Twenty-five million of that, so about a quarter of it, is going to education.
• Three days out of a calendar year of education, you know.

Bills: SB82 , SB1807 , SB2254 , HB119 , HB130 , HB581 , HJR98 , SB1988 , SB 18 , SB 34

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: business liability, concealed carry, handgun policy, premises liability, criminal acts, civil liability, business premises, concealed handgun, property liability, property rights, gun regulations, criminal liability, protective order, confidentiality, personal information, court records, victim protection, charitable raffle, nonprofit, wildlife conservation

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to say that many are highly educated and bring value to this state. I will. Thank you.
• I just want to say that many are highly educated and bring value to this state.
• I'm from California's Central Valley, where higher education is often a path to opportunity, but student
• I'm from California's Central Valley, where higher education is often a path to opportunity, but student
• The bill generates General Fund and education revenue losses, which the California Tax Reform Association

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation held its second regular hearing of the 2025-26 session and announced that, under reinstated suspense-file rules, every bill on the agenda would be referred to suspense rather than voted on immediately. The committee first heard AB 53, which would create a state income tax exemption of up to $20,000 for military retirees and certain survivor benefits. Supporters, including veterans’ groups, military retirees, and local officials, argued California is the only state taxing military retirement pay in full and that the exemption would help retain veterans and their families. Committee members voiced strong support, but the bill was sent to suspense. The committee then heard several wildfire-related tax relief bills. AB 429 would exempt certain wildfire settlement payments from gross income for victims of fires from 2020 through 2026; the author and a Greenville fire victim described the burden of taxing settlement funds, and rural county and forestry groups supported the measure. AB 97 proposed similar relief for Bobcat Fire settlement payments, and AB 389 would create a personal income tax credit for home-hardening expenses in high fire-risk areas, with Cal Fire and realtor representatives supporting the bill as a way to reduce future losses. Each of these measures drew no formal opposition in the hearing and was referred to suspense. AB 386 would create a tax credit for employers that help full-time employees repay student loans, up to $3,000 per employee per year. Supporters said it would help recruit and retain workers and reduce student debt burdens, while the California Tax Reform Association opposed the bill because it lacked allocation criteria and would reduce General Fund and education revenues. Committee members expressed interest but asked for clearer eligibility standards, and the bill was sent to suspense. AB 490 would allow a deduction for interest paid on qualified personal vehicle loans; the author framed it as relief for families dependent on cars, but opposition again came from the tax reform group, which argued the deduction would mainly benefit higher-income taxpayers. The bill also went to suspense. The committee also heard AB 547, which would create a tax credit of up to $5,000 for IVF and other fertility-treatment expenses. The author and a witness who described a long and costly IVF journey said the credit would help families afford treatment and support parenthood; members responded sympathetically and asked why the proposal was structured as a tax credit rather than a health coverage mandate. Finally, AB 330 would extend the prepaid mobile telephony services collection act through 2031, preserving an 80-cent surcharge that supports 911 and local government revenues; local government representatives and cities supported the extension, and it too was referred to suspense. The hearing ended with the committee adjourning after all measures were held for suspense-file consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Marshal's Office helps communities prevent, reduce, and investigate fire losses through education and
• We do a lot of consumer education and outreach, and we do some boards.
• We do a fairly extensive consumer education program, like TDI.
• Brown told you about focusing on consumer education and shopping, and that's what we do.
• So a lot of it is about agent education. Okay, Ms. Piller. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The council has also discussed that there's a need for educating our homeless providers to ensure that
• But like I said, it needs to come with an education piece so that we teach them how to use it.
• Institute for Early Childhood Education Research and their benchmarks for maximum class size, and both
• on a combination of education, work experience, and training and professional development.
• The parents or guardians must be in the workforce, in education or training, or in an education or training

Committees: Joint Human Services , Joint Human Services Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Brenda Lewis for reappointment to the State Board of Education. Dr.
• We also employ ...lived, been educated, and have deep ties into our community.
• It's supported by a broad array of education and climate advocates.
• Senate Bill 998 by Senator González, an act relating to educational equity.
• Senate Bill 1381 by Senator Cervantes, relating to special education.

Summary: The Senate began with a roll call, a moment of silence for the shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance. The body then moved through gubernatorial appointments, confirming Julia Montgomery as General Counsel for the Agricultural Labor Relations Board and reappointing Dr. Cynthia Glover Woods, Dr. Brenda Lewis, and Gabriela Orozco Gonzalez to the State Board of Education, and George Cardona as Chief Trial Counsel for the State Bar. The Senate also heard a guest introduction welcoming Cal Lutheran University students, faculty, and staff to the gallery. The chamber then took up several resolutions, including SR 111 recognizing the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersex Phobia, and Transphobia; SCR 129 designating part of Highway 152 as the Rusty Arraes Highway; SCR 169 proclaiming October 2026 as Women's Small Business Month; and SCR 173 designating May 2026 as California Fairgrounds Appreciation Month. All of these resolutions passed, with members speaking in support of Arraes, women-owned businesses, and the public safety and community roles of fairgrounds. The Senate also passed a series of policy bills. These included SB 1154 on best-value procurement for community college public works, SB 1369 on judicial recall safeguards, SB 1106 shortening the data broker deletion timeline under the Delete Act, SB 1417 increasing transparency for mutual water companies, SB 1408 authorizing a future Contra Costa transportation sales tax measure, SB 1172 adding guardrails to local tax sharing agreements, SB 1383 protecting locally adopted labor standards in density bonus projects, SB 1371 barring waste haulers from suspending service during lawful labor disputes, SB 908 streamlining residential window replacement permits, SB 1361 limiting actions taken solely to avoid transit-oriented housing standards, SB 1014 requiring early fee and improvement estimates for housing projects, SB 1272 giving homeowners more time to fix preexisting code violations, SB 1406 targeting the Montana tax loophole, SB 1238 increasing HOA transparency and oversight, and SB 868 creating a plug-in solar framework. Most passed on largely party-line votes, with some Republican members objecting to labor-related or regulatory measures. Later in the day, the Senate approved additional health, education, privacy, and AI measures, including SB 950 on early-onset Alzheimer’s treatment coverage, SB 874 on Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment oversight, SB 1049 on correcting health plan claims, SB 1067 on early math screening, SB 1202 on Medi-Cal outreach amid federal changes, SB 944 on acupuncture coverage, SB 957 on notice for federal subpoenas to social media companies, SB 998 on discrimination prevention coordinators, and SB 1000 on AI content transparency. The final item shown, SB 1056 on protective orders for sexually explicit material involving adult victims, was introduced with the author noting ongoing work on amendments, but the transcript cuts off before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:44:18.880><c> trust</c> there was money in the education trust there was money in the education
• I I really for an adequate education.
• . education. education.
• </c> additional funds for special education. additional funds for special education.
• </c> funding for for education. funding for for education.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I spend so much time trying to educate people about why...
• I spend so much time trying to educate people about why school-age vaccinations are needed.
• It endangers the educators. It endangers our medical professionals.
• This is dangerous for the educators that are in those classrooms.
• Earlier amendments... about to be entitled in an act relating to public education.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, then devoted most of the first part of the meeting to a farewell-style recognition of Senator Joe Gruters. Senators from both parties offered extended remarks praising his loyalty, political instincts, family involvement, and work as a legislator and as incoming Republican National Committee chair. Gruters responded with remarks about his background, including overcoming a childhood speech impediment, his service in the Legislature, and major policy efforts he highlighted such as alimony reform and the undergrounding of utilities. A ceremonial gift was presented to him recognizing his work on a 2019 public-safety/immigration bill, and the Senate adopted a motion to spread his remarks upon the journal before recessing briefly. After the recess, the Senate returned to regular business. No committee reports, governor’s messages, House messages, or reconsideration matters were reported. The chamber then moved to third reading and temporarily postponed CS/CS/CS/SB 354, relating to blue ribbon projects. The next bill, CS/CS/SB 1758, relating to public assistance, was taken up, and Senator Gaetz explained that it contained five reforms to the public assistance system previously discussed by the Senate. Debate was about to continue when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're designed for education.
• Looking at removing the carve-outs for the educational facilities so...
• It happens at every level of education, from pre-K to college.
• It happens at every level of education from pre-K to college.
• Let's talk about educating our children if we want to protect women.

Committee: House Emerging Issues and Professional Registration

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several bills, beginning with HB 2855, which would let the Department of Labor adjust workers’ compensation administrative taxes and the second injury fund surcharge in smaller 0.1% increments instead of 0.5%. The sponsor and the department said the change would better right-size collections and reduce the burden on employers; the Missouri Chamber also supported the bill as good governance. No opposition was presented, and the hearing on HB 2855 was closed. The committee then heard extensive testimony on HB 3142, a camp-safety bill prompted by the Camp Mystic flooding tragedy in Texas and a Missouri drowning case. The sponsor and multiple grieving parents urged mandatory emergency plans, staff training, background checks, licensing, weather warnings, and clearer oversight for summer camps. Supporters included the American Camp Association and some state and youth-safety advocates, while opponents—especially camp operators, the Missouri Afterschool Network, and park and recreation representatives—argued the bill was too broad, could burden day camps and church camps, and might worsen child-care shortages. Several witnesses suggested the bill should be narrowed to distinguish overnight residential camps from lower-risk day camps and possibly be housed under DSS rather than DESE. No vote was taken. Finally, the committee took testimony on HB 1893 and HB 2075, which would require sex-segregated multi-occupancy restrooms and locker rooms in private schools and public buildings, with enforcement tied to state funding in some cases. Sponsors said the bills were meant to create clear statewide standards and protect privacy and safety; opponents argued the measures would harm transgender and intersex people, be difficult or impossible to enforce, and create safety and discrimination problems. Supporters emphasized private-school autonomy and concerns about safety in shared facilities. The hearing concluded after extensive questioning, with no action or vote reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're designed for education.
• I'm with the Missouri Equity Education Partnership, and we are opposed to these bills.
• It happens at every level of education, from pre-K to college.
• It happens at every level of education from pre-K to college.
• Let's talk about educating our children if we want to protect women and girls.

Committee: House Emerging Issues

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Public awareness and education on the value of nature-based solutions for coastal resiliency.
• It restores meaningful use of cost-of-living adjustments for educators with direct student contact.
• The current ban limits consumer education and raises First Amendment concerns.
• We have stronger postpartum education through our Senate Bill 606.
• Senate Bill 1646 by Senator Simon, Educational Facilities. The reading of the bills.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Page three, we know the requirements for training, education, and experience, and the requirements of
• Page three, we know the requirements for training, education, and experience, and the requirements of
• Page three, we know the requirements for training, education, and experience, and the requirements of
• </c> training, education, and experience. training, education, and experience.
• than a PA as a pharmacist, um, and are educated to do some assessment and to do point of care testing

Bills: HB0143 , HB0129

Committee: Senate Labor, Health & Social Services

Keywords: health care providers, free speech, discrimination, governmental agencies, civil remedies, physician access, internationally trained physicians, medical licensing, provisional license, healthcare workforce, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The future cancer cases forever prevented through vaccinations and education.
• Its educational outreach is extremely timely and extremely vital.
• Those are highly educated, highly trained positions.
• Investing in arts education means investing in better Gabriela Cain: educational outcomes, higher civic
• Yet access to arts education remains deeply inequitable across our state.

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V

Transcript Highlights:

• But he said the public must be educated so bears do not become reliant on people.
• She said she appreciated it, agreed that the public should be educated on the history of the black bear
• Representative Burton said it is very important to educate the public.
• Representative Burton [member_15323] said it is important to educate the public that you do not want
• He clarified that Representative Taylor had been educating him about the bell, meaning the bell you ring

Committee: House Conservation and Natural Resources

Summary: The Committee on Conservation and Natural Resources met in executive session and first considered House Bill 3193. The committee adopted a House Committee amendment adding broader exceptions for health, safety, and compelling human need, then rolled the amendment into a substitute and passed the House Committee substitute by an 8-3 roll call vote. Members discussed the bill’s effect on plastic water bottles in state parks, with supporters saying it would reduce plastic waste in parks and waterways while preserving access to water through alternative means. The committee then heard House Bill 3366, which would establish Missouri Black Bear Awareness Day. Representative Michael Burton presented the bill and described the growth of Missouri’s black bear population, the history of bear reintroduction in the region, and the need to educate the public on avoiding conflicts with bears, including not feeding them and using precautions such as bear bells, bear spray, and proper food storage. Members asked lighthearted questions about bear behavior and safety, and several expressed support for public education and bear conservation. No testimony was offered in opposition or for informational purposes on HB 3366, and the hearing concluded without a vote on that bill. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Governor's Letter 20 is for the Department of Education.
• Also for the Department of Education, this amends Arkansas Code to comply with Act 909 of 2025, designating
• that the Department of Education will pay the EBD employer contribution for school districts.
• Also for the Department of Department. 39 through 43 pages also for the Department of Education this
• amends Arkansas code to comply with Act 909 of 2025 designating that the Department of Education will

Committee: All JBC-SPECIAL LANGUAGE

Summary: The special language subcommittee met for its first meeting of the session and reviewed several governor’s letters containing special language for appropriations bills. Members were reminded that the subcommittee only handles special language, while personnel and appropriation items go to other budget committees. Most items were explained by DFA Secretary Jim Hudson and agency representatives, with no major opposition raised. The committee adopted amendments for the Department of Finance and Administration to require administrative costs for pregnancy help organization grants to stay under 25%; for the Department of Correction to remove conflicting language about county jail reimbursement funds and make a technical fund-name correction; and for the Department of Education to designate the Department of Agriculture as the child nutrition agency and to implement Act 909 of 2025 changes related to EBD employer contributions and phasing out teacher equalization funds. It also adopted language allowing the CFO to waive the 3% state central services fee for agricultural promotion boards, allowing Department of Public Safety revenues from Camp Robinson facilities to be used for maintenance, and authorizing shared administrative services billing under the Arkansas Ford Initiative while removing duplicative reporting language. Additional adopted amendments designated Arkansas Rehab Services as the state unit for the vocational rehabilitation grant and capped the reimbursement rate for the used tire program at $2.31 effective July 1, 2026, to stabilize funding. One item was skipped because a later governor’s letter superseded it. All amendments considered were adopted, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Governor's Letter Number 20 is for the Department of Education.
• Also for the Department of Education, this amends Arkansas Code to comply with Act 909 of 2025, designating
• that the Department of Education will pay the EBD employer contribution for school districts.
• year amount in addition to the current fiscal year. 39 through 43 pages also for the Department of Education
• this amends Arkansas code to comply with Act 909 of 2025 designating that the Department of Education

Committee: All JBC-SPECIAL LANGUAGE

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is just an extension of the Commission on County Government Personnel Education and Training.
• House Bill 3006 is an extension of the sunset on the Oklahoma Advisory on Indian Education.
• House Bill 3006 is an extension of the sunset on the Oklahoma Advisory on Indian Education.
• Those of you that still have outstanding rules on education, we sent out education rules a week ago.

Bills: HB3000 , HB3001 , HB3002 , HB3003 , HB3004 , HB3005 , HB3006 , HB3007 , HB3008 , HB4319

Committee: House Administrative Rules

Keywords: cosmetology, barbering, massage therapy, State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering, Service Oklahoma, license renewal, license reinstatement, licensing fees, sunset extension, board membership, human trafficking, victim services, beauty school, barber school, esthetics, manicurist, eyelash extension, blow-dry styling, makeup artist, occupational licensing

Summary: The committee met in a new room and took up a package of 10 bills, mostly sunset extensions. Chairman Kendrick explained that although the bills were drafted as one-year extensions, he moved committee amendments on each to change the sunset date from 2027 to 2031 so the agencies would stay on a five-year cycle and avoid having too many sunsets come due in the same year. The committee adopted the amendments, and the bills were then presented and advanced. The bills extended the Board of Cosmetology and Barbering (HB 3000), Child Death Review Board (HB 3001), Commission on County Government Personnel Education and Training (HB 3002), Board of Chiropractic Examiners (HB 3003), Board of Examiners of Optometry (HB 3004), Oklahoma Climatological Survey (HB 3005), Oklahoma Advisory on Indian Education (HB 3006), Environmental and Natural Resources Advisory Councils (HB 3007), and Board of Tests for Alcohol and Drug Influence (HB 3008). HB 4319 was a separate policy bill changing the Administrative Procedures Act to require specific and explicit statutory authority, codifying a common-law requirement. Most bills passed unanimously after the amendments, with HB 3007 passing 9-2. After the bill votes, Chairman Kendrick returned to the chair and gave an update on administrative rules work, saying the committee was preparing multiple rules bundles and resolutions for floor consideration. He emphasized that fiscal analyses marked “unknown” are unacceptable under the Administrative Procedures Act and the Raines Act, and that agencies must provide a comprehensive analysis or use “zero” or “none” instead. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill expands when a district may declare an educational emergency by adding persistently low-performing
• Lastly, the bill strengthens the educator pipeline by updating eligibility for teachers' certification
• Gail Olenik with the Florida Education Association is waving against.
• I think it will help us strengthen our education system.
• I think it will help us strengthen our education system.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Pre-K-12 Appropriations met with a quorum present, but the chair announced that the committee would not be presenting its budget that day due to a Senate memorandum. The only bill heard was SB 7036 by Senator Corey Simon, which was described as a broad education package strengthening school turnaround tools, early literacy supports, early learning policies, academic interventions, and educator pipeline provisions. Simon explained that the bill would expand educational emergency authority, clarify use of Title I funds for STEM, align charter renewal and dismissal rules, update epinephrine policy, protect gold seal provider status in certain cases, expand VPK summer bridge eligibility, support math and reading interventions, expand agriculture and Algebra I career-based instruction, re-engage students through GATE, and update teacher certification pathways, including computer science. The committee adopted an amendment offered by Simon that removed provisions on temporary door locks and DOE-developed instructional materials and added a GATE startup grant update to expand rule eligibility and allowable implementation costs. The bill drew many appearance forms, with several individuals and the Florida Education Association waving against, while one speaker, Ella Latimore, appeared in support/for the bill. Simon said concerns from the prior stop had been addressed by removing the contested language and noted discussions with the CFO’s office and law enforcement regarding the door lock provisions. After closing debate, the committee approved the bill on a roll call vote and reported CS for SB 7036 favorably. The remainder of the meeting included brief remarks recognizing visiting students from Childs High School and the Rack Pack, comments about community member Misty Cash, and a discussion by Senator Osgood about declining immigrant student enrollment and its budget impact on school districts. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill expands when a district may declare an educational emergency by adding persistently low-performing
• Lastly, the bill strengthens the educator pipeline by updating eligibility for teachers' certification
• Gail Olenik with the Florida Education Association is waving against.
• I think it will help us strengthen our education system.
• I think it will help us strengthen our education system.

Bills: S7036

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education

Keywords: education, epinephrine, charter schools, voluntary prekindergarten, school funding, teacher incentives, student progress monitoring

Summary: The Senate Committee on Pre-K-12 Appropriations met with a quorum present and announced it would not be presenting its budget at this time, per a Senate memorandum. The sole bill on the agenda was SB 7036 by Senator Corey Simon, which was described as a broad education package strengthening school turnaround tools, early literacy supports, early learning policies, academic offerings, and educator pipeline provisions. Senator Simon explained that the bill addresses persistently low-performing schools, Title I use for STEM curricula, charter school renewal and dismissal rules, epinephrine device policies, VPK summer bridge eligibility, disability-aligned interventions, agriculture and Algebra 1 instruction, GATE access, and certification updates for teachers and computer science. An amendment was adopted that removed provisions on temporary door locks and DOE-developed instructional materials and added a GATE startup grant update. The committee heard numerous appearance forms, with many individuals and organizations waving against the bill, while one student, Ella Latimore, appeared and spoke briefly. Much of the exchange with her was lighthearted and unrelated to the bill, but Senator Simon used his closing to note that concerns from the prior stop had been addressed by removing the DOE materials and door-lock language, and he asked for favorable support. The committee then voted on the bill as amended, and CS for SB 7036 was reported favorably. After the vote, members made several informal statements, including remarks about a Valentine’s Day visit from students and appreciation for community member Misty Cash. Senator Osgood also raised a serious concern about declining immigrant student enrollment affecting district budgets, especially in Broward County, and urged the committee to address the issue proactively with school districts. The chair said staff were already working with districts on the matter and that more discussion would follow. The meeting then adjourned after additional light banter among members.