Video & Transcript : 'High Socks for Hope' :

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AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/18/2026 - Senate Education

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • for both the present and future workforce, where there are versatile, high-earning career opportunities
  • It's something that we believe school board members need, and so it is a very high value for us.
  • for our students, for our staff, and for our educators.
  • Like $6 million for a vendor for a roofing project.
  • for more.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> for beginning farmers. for beginning farmers.
  • </c> is for beginning farmers. is for beginning farmers.
  • For EDT. Thank you. For EDT. Thank you. Thank you for the clarification.
  • Testimony and comment available for<00:57:24.160><c> questions.</c> for questions. for questions.
  • We were starting our new program for the high school students.
Bills: SB2706, SB2320
Summary: The committees first heard SB 2371, which would prioritize lease offers on agrivoltaics parcels for beginning farmers, require annual compliance reports to DAB, authorize penalties for noncompliance, and allow solar facilities on certain agricultural lands. DAB, the State Energy Office, PUC, and Hawaii Farm Bureau generally supported the intent, while OPPSD recommended amendments to preserve agricultural lease affordability and strengthen food-production language. Members questioned whether the bill would meaningfully encourage solar on ag lands, whether beginning farmers would have enough information to use such parcels, and how the bill would interact with Land Use Commission review. The Farm Bureau said agrivoltaics remains challenging and largely in pilot form, and noted the Mililani project as a promising example of dual use. The committees voted to pass SB 2371 with amendments, with one member expressing a preference that it be opened to all farmers rather than only beginning farmers. The next measure, SB 2800, appropriates funds to DAB, DLNR, and ADC for acquisition, repair, and maintenance of irrigation systems. All testifying agencies and the Farm Bureau supported the bill, and members pressed them for estimates of needed funding and the condition of existing systems. DAB cited major repair needs, including Waimea, Molokai, Kahuku, and Kawailoa, and said its backlog could total roughly $65 million; ADC estimated about $35 million for several systems; and DLNR said its current needs for three systems were about $35 million, with the largest cost tied to piping in Kekaha. The committees amended the bill to defer its effective date to July 1, 2050 and to blank out the appropriation amounts in the bill text, with the agencies’ requested amounts to be included in the committee report for consideration. SB 2800 then passed in AEN, Water and Land, and EIG. The final measure discussed was SB 2718, a food hub pilot program beginning in 2028 that would require state departments and UH to source 30% of certain food purchases from local agricultural products, create a nutrition- and ʻāina-based school program, and have DAT partner with a regional aggregator for Native Hawaiian staple crops. DAT, DOH, the Farm Bureau, Food Plus Policy Group, HAPA, and others supported the bill’s intent, while the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation opposed it, saying it is already struggling to meet the current local procurement percentage and faces procurement and quantity barriers, especially for staple items used daily. The testimony focused on whether agencies could realistically meet the higher local purchasing target and whether smaller farms could supply the needed volumes.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Education Pre-K - 12 Jan 27th, 2026

Education Pre-K - 12

Transcript Highlights:
  • First, James Morissetti for information. And Becky Watson, also for information. Ms.
  • Thank you for your consideration. Great. Thank you, Ms. Watson, for being with us today.
  • us to clarify the purpose here, which is for high school students to count these community service hours
  • He can probably clarify, but for purposes of the bill, just for volunteer hours. All right.
  • So thank you for paving the way for it. And we're at the next stop.
Bills: S0564, S1062, S1340, S1646, S1718
Summary: The Senate Committee on Education Pre-K through 12 met with a quorum present and heard several education-related bills. The committee first considered CS/SB 1062 on speech and debate, which would create a Speech and Debate Hall of Fame, designate Speech and Debate Week, authorize a teacher endorsement, require FLVS to establish an institute for speech and debate, direct development of related coursework and credentials, and require annual district reporting. Supporters, including a parent and representatives of the Florida Debate Initiative and school groups, emphasized the academic and civic benefits of debate and the need for funding for travel and training. The committee adopted a delete-all amendment and then reported the bill favorably. The committee also heard and reported favorably SB 1718 on educator preparation and certification, with testimony from an Orange County principal and others supporting a proposal to let educators bank professional learning hours, and SB 1646 on educational facilities, which revises how facility funding is calculated and prioritized, including safety and planning considerations. The committee then took up CS/SB 564 on student volunteers at polling locations. An amendment clarified that high school students who are registered or pre-registered to vote may volunteer at polling places and count the service toward graduation or postsecondary financial aid requirements. Testimony from a county supervisor of elections and civic groups supported the bill as a way to engage students in elections and expand volunteer opportunities, while clarifying it would not conflict with existing election funding rules. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 1340 on coordinated screening and progress monitoring, which requires school districts to screen students for characteristics of dyslexia and dyscalculia, place identified students on support plans, and use evidence-based interventions, with State Board of Education rulemaking to implement the process. The sponsor and a supporting parent group stressed early identification and intervention. The committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also recommended confirmation of Laila Collins to the State Board of Education, and then adjourned.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> for middle mile transport. for middle mile transport.
  • </c> as as the director of state advocacy for as as the director of state advocacy for for<00:59:05.760
  • Um for a larger area.
  • for.
  • :17:55.360><c> for</c><01:17:55.520><c> a</c> keeps things affordable for for a keeps things affordable
Summary: The committee first focused on a disputed KCNA procurement for a statewide network-related RFP. Members questioned why the RFP had been labeled non-technical, whether COT should have reviewed it, and whether the KCNA board could direct that it be withdrawn. Finance and Administration Cabinet counsel Barbie Dickens said the RFP was authorized by KCNA working with procurement services after termination of the prior contract and breach notices, was issued in November 2025, paused during a protest, later resumed, and remained an open procurement. She said the agency—not the board—directs the procurement process, though she acknowledged an agency and OPS could cancel or reissue an RFP if needed. Legislators pushed back, citing KRS 154 and House Bill 314 as evidence that the KCNA board controls contracts and operations, and one member said the board had requested the RFP be withdrawn. Dickens said she could not predict the outcome and was not KCNA’s counsel. The discussion also touched on whether the current director had asked to stop the RFP and whether that request had been denied, with no final action taken during the exchange. The committee then turned to Kentucky Wired Infrastructure Corporation and the Kentucky Wired refresh project. Jim Barnhart described the structure of the nonprofit corporation, the role of Quick and Quack in the financing and operations arrangement, and the board membership, noting that the refresh funding had been approved in the 2024-26 capital budget. He said the equipment upgrade is necessary because of end-of-life hardware and software support issues, and that the refresh would expand capacity, lower risk, and reduce operating costs. Barnhart said some equipment had already been received, the rest would be purchased later, and the project should begin before September and take about a year to complete. When asked about contract disputes involving Ledcor and whether the vendor had an ongoing contract, Barnhart and the authority representative said they had not been notified of any issues and were not directly involved in that contract dispute. Committee members also raised concerns about a prior market test and whether a lower-cost bidder had been blocked from a previous RFP process. Barnhart said he understood Quack could make that decision and that the Commonwealth did not have input so long as the network was maintained, but he was not involved at the time. A legislator then read from the KCNA statute and argued that the board, not agency staff, is supposed to direct KCNA contracts and operations, saying House Bill 314 did not change those duties. The chair agreed the committee’s intent was for the board to control KCNA and direct contracts, and the discussion ended with a transition away from the KCNA dispute toward future testimony, including a presentation from Zayo Networks on open access networks and broadband infrastructure.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • And there was legislation that provided funding for grants for the purchase of those high-quality instructional
  • Uh, we had a high school student arrested for, uh, she had a three-ring binder at home, manifesto that
  • for had a high school student arrested for uh<00:34:38.560><c> she</c><00:34:38.800><c> had</c><00:34
  • So I hope he stays for a long time and does a really good job where he's at.
  • So I hope he stays for a mountain girl.
Summary: The committee heard a presentation from KDE on the revised Kentucky academic standards for reading and writing. KDE explained the statutory six-year review process, the public comment periods, and the main revisions, including updates tied to the science of reading, decodable text, encoding/decoding, and an updated vision statement. KDE said 308 responses were received on the initial public comment, most respondents favored keeping standards as-is, and about 12% of standards were revised. The department also said the document was streamlined by removing repeated graphics and reducing its size by about 24%, and that a later comment period drew more than 400 responses. No new standards were flagged for review. Members asked about alignment between standards, curriculum, assessments, and NAEP, and KDE said instructional resources should be aligned to standards, KSA assessments are aligned to the standards, and screeners/diagnostics help identify student needs. Representative Truett raised the idea of a textbook-to-standards crosswalk, and KDE said publishers and a future repository partner should provide such crosswalks for local districts. Representative Bojanowski asked why foundational reading skills are not directly assessed on the third-grade KSA; KDE responded that the assessment is designed to measure end-of-grade expectations, while screening and diagnostics are used earlier to identify decoding needs. Representative Gel asked about early childhood supports, and KDE said it is working with early learning and special education offices and promoting LETRS professional learning for both teachers and preschool educators. The committee then received the mathematics improvement committee report. KDE said the mathematics committee unanimously approved a new strategic plan for improving math achievement from pre-K through grade 20 and adult education. The plan centers on six priorities: student empowerment, effective mathematics teaching and learning, continuous educator development and growth, a continuum of learning, community and family partnerships, and teacher recruitment and retention. KDE said the plan is intended as a living document with goals, recommended actions, and evidence bases, and that it aligns with the Kentucky Numeracy Counts Act by supporting high-quality instructional resources, professional learning, and family resources. In response to Senator Thomas, KDE explained that the professional learning recommendation means districts should tailor teacher training to classroom needs and instructional materials so math teachers are better equipped to implement standards and support students.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> establishes basic protections for establishes basic protections for citizens<00:01:52.000><c> from
  • He actually had to preach at a funeral for a classmate of his, so I am filling in for him instead.
  • We are terribly sorry for your loss, and thank you for being here today to share.
  • I really feel for Ms. Morris.
  • I really feel for Ms. Morris.
Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor met for its fifth meeting of the 2025 session, took roll, established a quorum, and considered several bills. The committee first heard House Bill 19, which would create protections against unauthorized drone surveillance of people and private property and allow injunctive relief and civil actions. Representative John Hodgson said the bill was intended to protect privacy while preserving legitimate drone uses, and the committee reported the bill favorably on a 10-0 vote. The committee then considered House Bill 54, which would allow work hours earned through dual credit programs to count toward apprenticeship or licensing requirements in certain trades. Representative Banta and witness Brian Miller said the measure had been worked out with labor interests and would help students in career pathways. The bill passed unanimously and was reported favorably. House Bill 313, a cleanup measure related to last year’s consumer data privacy legislation, was also presented and passed unanimously with a favorable expression. The most extensive discussion centered on House Bill 196, which would change the number of mine emergency technicians required on coal mine shifts, especially for smaller mines. Senator Philip Wheeler presented the bill in place of Representative Blandon, arguing that smaller mines were struggling to meet current staffing requirements and that the UMWA was neutral. Stella Morris and Courtney Rhoads opposed the bill, with Morris describing the 2005 death of her husband in a mining accident and Rhoads arguing the change would reduce mine safety and roll back protections adopted after that tragedy. Several senators explained their votes, citing the balance between coal jobs and miner safety. The bill passed 7-4 and was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
  • So I think that has given us a lot of hope.
  • That has given us a lot of hope.
  • Did they get your socks, though? Yeah, these are my favorite signing-day socks.
  • Any comments on funding for local public defense?
  • Was he invited to join you tonight for this? Relationship.
Keywords: 904, all
Summary: Legislative leaders from the Washington Senate and House reflected on the end of the 60-day session, saying they were relieved to adjourn on time despite last-minute negotiations and a fire alarm evacuation. They described the session’s main goals as protecting Washington from federal actions and improving affordability, and said they made progress on both fronts. Among the measures highlighted were bills related to masking for law enforcement, election data security, joining the West Coast Health Collaborative, using science in vaccine and health-care recommendations, protecting immigrant rights, prohibiting impersonation of law enforcement, setting uniform standards for law enforcement, and the Flock camera bill. They also emphasized affordability and budget actions, including the “millionaires tax,” which they said would help fund tax relief on items such as diapers, over-the-counter medicines, and hygiene products, along with free school lunches and an expanded senior and disabled property tax credit. Leaders said all three budgets were completed, and credited unusually strong collaboration among House, Senate, and governor’s staff for getting the operating, transportation, and capital budgets across the finish line. They also noted a bill expanding energy assistance for low-income residents. In response to questions, leaders said the data center tax break bill fell short because it lacked votes in Ways and Means, with labor concerns and the pace of regulation cited as major issues. They said the Mosquito Fleet bill did not advance because the House and Senate could not reconcile differences in time. Looking ahead, they said juvenile rehabilitation, jobs in response to federal tariffs, data center regulation, education funding, health-care access and hospital support, charity care, public defense funding, and AI regulation are likely to be priorities next session. They also said their relationship with the governor improved significantly this year because of more regular communication and alignment.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
  • So I think that has given us a lot of hope.
  • Did they get your socks, though? Yeah, these are my favorite signing-day socks.
  • Any comments on funding for local public defense?
  • Was he invited to join you tonight for this?
  • I have tremendous appreciation for his staff in particular.
Summary: Legislative leaders from the Senate and House gave a session wrap-up focused on the major priorities they said were accomplished in the 60-day session: protecting Washington from federal actions, improving affordability, and passing the state budgets on time. They highlighted bills on masking for law enforcement, election data security, joining the West Coast Health Collaborative, using science in vaccine and health-care decisions, protecting immigrant rights, prohibiting impersonation of law enforcement, setting uniform standards for law enforcement, and a Flock camera bill. On affordability, they pointed to the “millionaires tax” package, which they said will eliminate sales tax on certain hygiene products, over-the-counter medicines, and diapers, expand school meals, and help fund investments in state services. They also cited a larger senior and disabled property tax credit and energy assistance for low-income residents. The leaders said the House and Senate budget teams worked closely together, especially after the final revenue forecast, to complete the operating, capital, and transportation budgets despite concerns about the state’s fiscal outlook. They described the governor’s relationship with legislative leaders as stronger this year, with more regular communication and coordination. They also noted that some bills did not make it through, including the Mosquito Fleet bill, which stalled because the House and Senate could not agree on changes, and a data center tax break bill, which did not have enough votes in Ways and Means and drew significant concern from labor and construction trades about job impacts. Looking ahead, they said juvenile rehabilitation, public defense funding, data center regulation, education funding, health-care access, and a possible jobs package will likely be priorities next session. They also said the new AI bill provides a starting point for future regulation. No formal votes were taken in the exchange itself; the discussion was a press availability summarizing session outcomes and unfinished business.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Appropriations Jan 19th, 2026 at 04:00 pm

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • For the record, Dan Jones, staff to this committee, for not-your-resource issues. Good afternoon.
  • So, thanks for your time.
  • The state must cover the cost for these clients and for clients without state coverage.
  • Thank you for the briefing.
  • So asking for support for a bill that I wish we weren't here testifying on. Thank you.
Bills: HB2251, HB2254, HB2385
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

JLCAR Administrative Rules (01/16/2026)

Transcript Highlights:
  • They would ask for this not mistaken.
  • It's just it just kind of sock report.
  • It just means recent sock report. Yes.
  • </c><00:08:55.360><c> it</c> the department asks for it the department asks for it &gt;&gt; or<00:08:
  • Sorry to make you guys drive all the way in for 9 minutes.
Keywords: 1189, house, all
Summary: The committee first adopted the minutes and then approved the consent calendar, with one item removed for separate consideration. On the regular calendar, the Department of Agriculture rule item 25207 drew concern because it involved adopting rules that had expired years earlier, and the agency was not present to answer questions. A motion was made and approved to grant a waiver and postpone that item until next month. The removed lottery item was then taken up with representatives from the New Hampshire Lottery and Gaming Commission present. The discussion focused on a reporting requirement that operators said could be burdensome if required on a regular basis. The committee agreed to revise the language so the report would be provided only upon request, rather than annually, with the agency clarifying that the request would likely arise during an audit and that the report should be the most recent stock report. After the verbal edits were agreed to, a motion for conditional approval of the lottery rule was made and seconded, and the committee approved it unanimously. No other business was raised, and the meeting adjourned.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

89th Legislative Session Mar 28th, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I was here for a treat all the way through. I was here for 20 years. That's a long time.
  • I've loved it for 40 years, and I hope you will love and appreciate it too. Thank you.
  • We are so grateful for your... ...service, but I will always say thank your spouses for doing the hard
  • and I know for all of us.
  • So thank you for the opportunity to come say hello again. I appreciate what you do for Texas.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Apr 21st, 2026

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • And for the record, I did take French in high school.
  • For the record, I did take French in high school.
  • And thank you for bringing it, Representative Bacala, and hope we can get this passed. Thank you.
  • Thank you for bringing Representative Bacala, and hope we can get this passed. Thank you, sir.
  • high school students for future technical careers.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-09 (1:00PM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • To the people in District 63, thank you for trusting me with your hopes and your stories.
  • To the people in District 63, thank you for trusting me with your hopes and your stories.
  • Like, is that for high school exams, or what would be the harm in showing somebody a scoring rubric for
  • They built a life with honest hands and hopes that reached so high. In the 1950s, they fled.
  • Even for those with no hope in sight who felt as if their souls were pierced by a knife.
Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Lee County Judge John Carlin, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Officer Cody Popple of the FSU Police Department for his actions during the April campus shooting. The Speaker also outlined the final week of session, noting the chamber had passed 253 House bills and 149 Senate bills to date, with budget negotiations still unresolved and the 2026-27 budget not expected to be completed that week. The special order report was adopted, setting the day’s calendar and debate times. The chamber then took up several Senate bills, mostly technical or open-government sunset review measures, and passed them with little or no opposition: SB 100, SB 104, and SB 102 on Florida statutes; SB 7006, SB 7014, SB 7002, SB 7012, SB 7024, SB 7016, SB 7026, SB 7008, SB 7000, and SB 7004 on public-records or meeting exemptions; and SB 7022 on public records related to exams. Members asked questions on a few of these bills, especially the exam-records bill and the military and gaming-related exemptions, but the measures generally advanced without amendment. Votes ranged from unanimous to modest opposition, with SB 7026 passing 106-3 and SB 7022 passing 101-8. The most substantial debate centered on SB 7040, which recreates the emergency preparedness and response trust fund in the Executive Office of the Governor. Rep. Eskamani offered an amendment to let the fund expire, arguing the money had been misused and that the Legislature should retain control over spending; several members supported her position, while others said the fund is needed for rapid disaster response. A strike-all amendment from Rep. Griffiths was adopted instead, adding accountability provisions and expanding the fund to cover man-made emergencies as well as natural disasters. The bill then passed 82-25. The House also passed CS/CS/SB 302 on coastal resiliency, CS/CS/SB 984 on firefighter cancer benefits, CS/SB 474 on military affairs, and SB 488 on Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles issues, with SB 488 still under amendment debate when the transcript ends.
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

Interim Joint Committee on Education (6-2-26)

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • Programs must prepare students for high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand occupation.
  • </c> Programs must prepare students for Programs must prepare students for high-skll,<00:08:06.639><c
  • Thank you all for high wage or high skill. In addition, high wage or high skill.
  • On the screen you can see an example standard for high school civics.
  • :31.360><c> it</c> hope not just for Kucky's strand, but it hope not just for Kucky's strand, but it
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Legislative Session Day 8 (1-15-26)

Kentucky House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Loving triune God, we give you thanks for your many and abundant blessings, for life itself, for sustenance
  • Thank you for useful work and for the honor of bearing this responsibility appropriately.
  • </c> Help us to value and always ask you for Help us to value and always ask you for ample<00:08:36.080
  • </c> June 25th, 2025 to the Centers for June 25th, 2025 to the Centers for Medicare<00:13:06.160><c>
  • </c> for electric generating units. for electric generating units.