Transcript Highlights:

• school board, Mayor Mac Valley School Board, Penacook, Salsbury, Webster, Bosin, and Lon.
• school board, Mayor Mac Valley School Board, Penacook, Salsbury, Webster, Bosin, and Lon.
• ><c> mayor</c><00:13:28.639><c> Mac</c> am chair of my school board mayor Mac am chair of my school board
• ><00:13:30.079><c> Salsbury</c> Valley School Board Penacook Salsbury Valley School Board Penacook Salsbury
• </c> start when you become a high school start when you become a high school graduate<01:11:51.719><c

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting was the first session of a newly created House Education Funding Committee, which also handles career technical education and higher education legislation. The chair explained that the committee was split off from the larger education committee because of the high volume of bills in the prior biennium, and said its focus would be on education funding policy and related fiscal issues. He noted that the committee had already reviewed major topics with the Department of Education, including the foundation formula, building aid, career technical education, special education aid, catastrophic aid, and higher education funding, and that chancellors from the university and community college systems were scheduled to appear later that morning. The bulk of the meeting was an orientation on committee procedures and decorum. The chair reviewed attendance and replacement rules, hearing procedures, time limits for testimony, and how the committee would handle crowded hearings, early bills, and fiscal notes. He emphasized that hearings are not debates, that sponsors and co-sponsors may present but should not use their position to dominate questioning, and that the chair controls whether additional technical questions are asked of witnesses. He also stressed neutrality, saying members should not display buttons or placards or engage in running debates with testifiers, and that the committee should treat all testimony respectfully regardless of party or viewpoint. Additional housekeeping guidance covered security procedures, use of cell phones and computers during hearings, breaks and hydration in the dry hearing rooms, and courtesy toward the clerk and other staff. The chair also asked members to notify leadership in advance of absences and explained that some bills may require larger rooms or overflow arrangements. No votes were taken and no bills were acted on during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Item 3 discusses DPS troopers and recruit schools.
• Currently, we're training recruit schools on North Lamar.
• We have this same issue in our public school classrooms.
• as of August 31, 2024, there were 544 school marshals and 95 school districts throughout the state of
• and law enforcement in the schools, we know we’ve got a big shortage.

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard the Legislative Budget Board’s overview of the Texas Department of Public Safety’s 2026-27 budget, followed by extensive testimony from DPS leadership. The LBB presentation covered funding and staffing changes across driver license services, facilities, troopers and recruit schools, crime labs, vehicle and aircraft operations, and border security. The recommendations included added support for customer service staffing and trooper hiring, but did not include several DPS exceptional items such as major driver license staffing and technology requests, new regional headquarters in El Paso and San Antonio, and other capital projects. Members also discussed proposed rider changes, including a new rider to lapse unused trooper funding and require reporting after recruit schools. Much of the committee’s questioning focused on driver license operations, where senators criticized long call wait times, low call-answer rates, appointment delays, and what they viewed as an overreliance on adding staff rather than improving processes. DPS and LBB witnesses said the agency is pursuing some technology upgrades, including automation, online pre-population of applications, and appointment-system improvements, but acknowledged that the driver license division remains a major problem area. Senators also raised concerns about whether the 2019 efficiency study led to meaningful changes and whether the agency should consider broader process redesign or even a different administrative structure. Colonel Freeman and other DPS officials then defended the agency’s broader law enforcement and border-security work, emphasizing the need for the Williamson County training academy, the 500 additional troopers funded in prior sessions, and continued support for Operation Lone Star. They described DPS’s role in border interdiction, threat-to-life investigations, oilfield theft cases, Capitol and Alamo security, and highway safety, and said the agency is stretched thin by deployments and overtime. Members asked about border reimbursement possibilities, regional staffing differences, pursuit safety, fleet and aircraft replacement needs, and the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame museum. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:36:45.520><c> of</c> towards u renovations or purchase of towards u renovations or purchase of
• School building aid is one of the larger ones; you can see on rows 13 and 14 that's a source-of-fund
• </c> doing is moving public school doing is moving public school infrastructure<01:24:06.480><c> funding
• </c><01:24:24.639><c> Uh</c><01:24:25.040><c> school</c><01:24:25.360><c> building</c><01:24:25.600><
• Uh school building aid the bienium.

Keywords: LBA Briefing on Budget, 928, house, all

Summary: The presentation was an LBA overview of Senate changes to the House-passed state budget, with Michael Kane explaining how Senate Finance updated revenue and spending estimates after April revenue figures and agency discussions. He said the Senate’s revenue outlook was higher than the House’s in some areas, but lower in others, especially video lottery terminal revenue, and that the biggest differences also came from changes to revenue splits between the general fund and education trust fund, lapse estimates, and several policy changes in House Bill 1 and House Bill 2. Kane highlighted several major revenue and policy differences: the Senate changed the business tax, tobacco tax, and real estate transfer tax splits; adjusted liquor revenue dedication; removed the House’s meals-and-rooms distribution cap; delayed the Lakes Region facility proceeds plan; altered the PECARD fund treatment; added a granite patron of the arts tax credit; and changed the treatment of unique funds and video lottery terminal revenue. On spending, he noted Senate changes to judicial, corrections, HHS, human rights commission, and other budgets, including additional settlement costs, higher lapse assumptions, and a different approach to Medicaid premium revenue and retirement savings. He also described Senate additions such as a nursing home bed fee, Hampstead Hospital transition funding, and changes to the YDC claims settlement fund. The presentation focused on comparing House and Senate surplus statements across fiscal years 2025 through 2027, including projected ending balances and rainy day fund transfers. Kane repeatedly emphasized that the numbers were still dependent on final revenues and lapse amounts, and that some balances would be carried forward and trued up later in the biennium. No committee vote or final action was described in the excerpt; it was an informational budget briefing and comparison of the two chambers’ proposals.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we helped finance INL, helped finance the purchase of Hewlett-Packard buildings.
• challenges that we've seen, I believe, are just in, like, we just did some financing, the bonds for the schools

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill 2 that, uh, lowered the rollback rate for municipalities and counties, and I, and I think, uh, school
• reduce that ability for those counties to do that, they're gonna have to go ahead and make those purchases

Committee: House Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:

• They've been doing some amazing work in the after-school programs, free after-school programs for all
• programs free after the after school programs free after school<00:19:08.440><c> programs</c><00:19:
• We have sanctioned tools that are school-appropriate. There's, I know, Magic School AI.
• school right to I school and nanul high school right to I might<01:28:34.719><c> not</c><01:28:34.880
• </c> the private schools went back to school the private schools went back to school weeks<01:32:22.080

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• experience high school.
• So they would have to purchase that separately.
• We believe no matter who you are, you're a student in our schools.
• It also comes from schools.
• It also comes from schools.

Summary: The joint hearing focused on access to gender-affirming care in California, with members of the Senate and Assembly budget subcommittees hearing first from the Department of Justice, Department of Managed Health Care, and Department of Health Care Services. State officials described California’s legal protections against discrimination, privacy protections, shield laws, and Medi-Cal and commercial plan coverage requirements for medically necessary gender-affirming care. They also outlined ongoing litigation and advocacy against federal actions and proposed rules that could restrict care, including challenges to executive orders, HHS declarations, and federal reimbursement rules, as well as a temporary restraining order protecting care at Rady Children’s Hospital. Committee members pressed the agencies on why some hospitals that had stopped providing care had not been sued, how the state measures network adequacy and equitable access, whether the $15 million previously allocated for gender-affirming care had been used, and what additional statutory changes might be needed. DMHC and DHCS said they regulate health plans rather than providers directly, rely on complaints and independent medical review to address denials or delays, and do not track utilization or have a specific provider category for gender-affirming care. DOJ said it is focused on the federal government as the source of pressure on hospitals and providers, while members discussed possible shield-law expansions and, if federal rules are finalized, the possibility of state-only funding to preserve access. The second panel featured a physician, clinic leaders, parents, and a transgender teen describing how families navigate care and the effects of hospital closures and insurance barriers. Dr. Johanna Olson-Kennedy gave a history of transgender health care, described puberty blockers and hormones as established treatments, and said minors need parental consent for medical interventions. J.M. Jaffe of Lyon Martin Community Health Services said community clinics are absorbing patients after hospital programs closed and asked for $26 million in state funding to expand capacity. Parents and youth testified about delays, out-of-network referrals, lost coverage, and the emotional strain of uncertainty, while also urging the Legislature to stabilize access and protect continuity of care.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there a specific school?
• And it will happen at our schools and with your children too.
• It's billed directly to cities, counties, schools, and other entities.
• After graduating high school, I enrolled at Texas State University, a public university.
• My tax dollars should fund public schools, not be drained by your cannery.

Bills: HB7 , SB 8 , HB7 , SB 8

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: abortion, healthcare, jurisdiction, civil action, qui tam, prohibition, state law, sex designation, restroom access, civil penalties, private civil right of action, women's privacy, 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , 7 at middle schools, and 5 at high schools.
• districts and charter schools.
• and to implement disciplinary action while in school, as opposed to removing from School.
• I've been thinking a lot about every school has an artist, every school has an engineer, every school
• They have night school, they have cram school, they have summer school, they have extra tutoring, and

Transcript Highlights:

• to answer that question, regional centers would be picking that up, and it would be funded out of purchase
• All purchase services must be compliant with federal funding requirements. This includes HCBS.
• We know from overall purchase of service data that top-line numbers about spending on one population
• compared to a Purchase of service data that top-line numbers about spending on one population compared
• I worked as a teacher and then as a school principal, so I worked many, many years, and I couldn't find

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services heard testimony on Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and related budget and trailer bill proposals, with a major focus on the impacts of H.R. 1 on people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). DDS and the Department of Social Services (DSS) said H.R. 1 could affect Medi-Cal and CalFresh access, but that people with disabilities and caregivers are exempt from the work requirements; the administration is working on data matching and automation through the statewide eligibility system to identify exemptions, with June 1, 2026 as the implementation date for CalFresh changes. Witnesses and advocates warned that any loss of Medi-Cal could create fiscal pressure on regional centers and households, while public commenters described the real-life consequences of losing services. Committee members repeatedly expressed concern about cost shifts to counties and asked for harm-mitigation strategies before the May Revision. The committee also reviewed the governor’s IHSS-related proposals. DSS said the budget would set a baseline for authorized hours, align IHSS disenrollment/reinstatement with Medi-Cal eligibility processes, and eliminate the IHSS backup provider system, while emphasizing that individual service hours would still be based on assessed need. DDS said if a person loses IHSS or Medi-Cal, regional centers may have to step in as payer of last resort for some services, potentially at higher state cost. Members and the Legislative Analyst’s Office questioned whether counties could absorb the proposed shifts without reducing services, and asked for more detail on implementation, data quality controls, and how regional centers could help families navigate disruptions. A separate trailer bill on DDS rate reform and the Quality Incentive Program drew mixed reactions. DDS proposed extending a contract exemption and delaying final rate reform regulations to 2030, saying the changes are budget-neutral and needed for implementation. DDS reported that about 81% of providers had completed the current Quality Incentive Program requirements, but providers and advocates argued the 90-10 structure can function like a penalty and may destabilize services if providers lose 10% of funding. Committee members asked for clearer assistance to providers, possible flexibility for good-faith efforts, and a redlined version of the language before the May Revision. The committee also heard DDS’s proposed trailer bill on regional center governance and provider capacity. DDS said the language would consolidate regional center contracts and performance measures, strengthen board training and oversight, require consumer advisory committees, expand independent legal support, raise the threshold for board approval of contracts, and remove barriers such as physical-office requirements and duplicate vendorization. DDS said the goal is to improve accountability and efficiency while preserving person-centered services, and members indicated they wanted further refinement and stakeholder input before moving forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to keep our students safe in schools.
• known as school bus stop-arm violations.
• the school year began.
• known as school bus stop-arm violations.
• the school year began.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the House Journal by a 121-0 vote, and a brief suspension of business for the Speaker to sign HB 2014. Members also observed a moment of silence for Butler County Fire Protection District Sergeant Commander Jatin Warren, who died in the line of duty, and the chamber introduced several guest groups, including Missouri Council on Aging representatives and county clerks. A resolution was also presented honoring former state representative K. H. Steinmetz for her 18 years of service in the Missouri House. The House then received committee reports recommending passage of HB 2934, HB 1800, and HB 1707. On third reading, HB 2974 passed 136-0 on telehealth and licensure reciprocity; HB 2934 passed 121-24 on consolidating St. Louis convention center governance; HB 2057 passed 137-10 on entertainment districts for Osage Beach and Chesterfield; the combined HB 1839/2921/3015 passed 120-19 on age verification for harmful online content; HB 1707 passed 149-0 to bar the Department of Revenue from taxing credit card processing fees; HB 2819 passed 145-0 to set rounding rules as the penny is phased out; and HB 2600 passed 148-0 to allow ambulance districts to combine resources for coverage. HB 1800, which reduces the inflationary growth factor for certain taxing districts from 5% to 3% and adjusts assessment ranges, drew the most extended debate over its effect on schools, fire districts, and taxpayers; it ultimately passed 82-61. Members also perfected HB 2774, which bars state and local governments from restricting equipment sales or use based on fuel source, and HB 2383, a utility infrastructure protection bill adding wired/copper infrastructure to existing critical infrastructure protections and setting penalties for theft or damage; HB 2383 was amended to align with the Senate version and then perfected. Finally, the House began debate on a combined bill package including HB 1664, 1610, 1645, and 2182, which would extend the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse civil claims while also shortening the general personal injury statute of limitations from five years to three; the child sexual abuse provisions drew broad support, while the tort-reform portion prompted sharp disagreement over access to justice versus business certainty.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to introduce you to a class of juniors from one of my favorite schools, Tinsle School.
• </c> Crumb, keeping amateurism in high school Crumb, keeping amateurism in high school athletics,<00:
• </c> happen in high schools in our country. happen in high schools in our country.
• c><01:49:42.400><c> district</c> the state share of the school district the state share of the school
• </c> number two for farm state farm to school number two for farm state farm to school grants. grants

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• School, [applause] St.
• Louis School, Stonley Elementary School, and Wilson Whims Elementary School.
• </c><00:05:24.880><c> School,</c> Meyersville Elementary School, Meyersville Elementary School, [applause
• </c><00:05:28.240><c> Louis</c><00:05:28.720><c> School,</c> S St. Louis School, S St.
• </c> and Wilson Whims Elementary School. and Wilson Whims Elementary School.

Keywords: House streaming session for Thursday, March 5, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• grounds or while engaged in school activities off school grounds during the day.
• on school grounds or while engaged in school activities off school grounds during the day.
• They're sent to school.
• They're sent to school.
• Will this be a requirement for charter schools and private schools as well? Thank you.

Committee: Senate Education Pre-K - 12

Summary: The Senate Education Pre-K-12 Committee heard and advanced a series of education-related bills, beginning with SB 540, the Evan B. Hartzell Act, which would require age-appropriate disability history and awareness instruction across grade bands. The committee adopted a delete-all amendment, heard emotional testimony from Melissa Hartzell about her son Evan’s experience with disability and inclusion, and reported the bill favorably. The committee also passed SB 1296, creating a pilot study on school cellphone bans; SB 1590, creating a task force to review educator preparation, certification, and professional learning; SB 1702, a broad education bill with provisions on private school facilities, marching band credit, school readiness reimbursements, and charter school monitoring tools; SB 1150, exempting school social workers from certain certification testing requirements; SB 1708, revising School of Hope rules and adding a Miami-Dade co-location framework; SB 822, updating charter school governance and operations; SB 444, requiring annual human trafficking awareness training for school personnel; and SB 742, expanding workforce development and money-back guarantee programs. Most of these bills were amended before being reported favorably by committee vote. The committee also considered and reported favorably SB 8, a claims bill providing a $1.2 million settlement for Marcus Button and his family arising from a 2006 Pasco County school bus crash that caused severe lifelong injuries. Senator Gaetz opposed claims bills in general, arguing the sovereign immunity cap should be raised so such cases can be resolved locally. Several bills drew questions and debate over implementation details, including concerns about charter school dress and hair policies under SB 822, the scope of human trafficking training under SB 444, and the zoning implications of private school facility provisions in SB 1702. Sponsor responses generally emphasized that the bills were intended to clarify existing policy or improve student safety, access, or educational outcomes. The committee also took up confirmation appointments. It recommended confirmation of the slate of appointees on Tabs 12 and 14 through 21 by voice vote, and separately recommended confirmation of Daniel Fogunoli to the State Board of Education after debate in which Senator Davis and Senator Osgood opposed the appointment. The meeting concluded with members recording additional votes, including Senator Burgess’s affirmative vote on SB 1150, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 73 simply asks drivers and schools to teach a minimum of three hours about vulnerable road users,
• Drivers at schools take place at public schools.
• When I was in high school, I took my driver's ed at my high school.
• There's a middle school, so we're adding sidewalks and multi-use paths.
• Page 13: continues our local government with our school bus route, our school district cooperative agreements

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• IN THE STATE AND ONLY ONE IN FLORIDA TO PLACE IN THE HIGHEST TIER OF MEDICAL SCHOOLS.
• CLOSER TO OUR HEARTS USF HAS RECOGNIZED FOR A TOP SCHOOL OF VETERANS EARNING THE PURPLE SCHOOL DESIGNATION
• A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT FOR THE RELIEF OF MARCUS BUTTON BY THE PASCO COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD.
• SEPTEMBER 22, 2006 A PASCO COUNTY SCHOOL BUS DRIVER EXCUSE ME.
• THE SCHOOL BUS DRIVER AND EMPLOYEE OF PASCO COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD FAILED TO DRIVE SAFELY LEADING TO THE

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> school and regular worship service. school and regular worship service.
• , our school, very well um in your school, our school, very well um in your homes<00:22:54.400><c> and
• Our reform<02:00:17.280><c> schools.</c> reform schools. reform schools. Yes,<02:00:19.000><c> sir.
• in schools.
• </c> it comes to firearms in schools. it comes to firearms in schools.

Keywords: MS House Floor - 31 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This goes after the customers as a deterrent, increasing the penalties for the customers who purchase
• The bill makes it so that a person must be at least 21 years old to purchase kratom products instead.
• The bill makes it so that a person must be at least 21 years old to purchase kratom products instead
• constructed is it would allow someone like the City of Scottsdale or DPS or someone else who were to purchase
• medical treatment, including reasons such as litigation, requests for life insurance, requests from schools

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Elections Committee approved the minutes from its March 18, 2026 meeting and then took up a long agenda of bills and a clemency nomination. HB 2825, as amended, was heard first. The bill would replace criminal enforcement tools for nonpayment of fines, fees, restitution, and surcharges with a civil collection process, including a required summons and civil default procedures. Supporters said it would streamline restitution collection and reduce costs, while opponents argued it would weaken victims’ rights and remove effective enforcement leverage. The committee adopted the Rogers amendment and passed the bill 5-2. The committee also confirmed Neil McDowell to the Arizona Board of Executive Clemency by a 6-0 vote after hearing his background in corrections and his plans to help the board function efficiently. The committee then passed HB 4070, as amended, 5-2. That bill bars incorporation of corporations whose officers, directors, or trustees have been convicted of sex trafficking or human trafficking, and expands civil liability to those who facilitate trafficking. Supporters framed it as a corporate accountability tool to deter trafficking, while the ACLU opposed it as overbroad and potentially sweeping in people not intended to be covered. HB 2720, which increases penalties for paying or agreeing to pay for sexual conduct and adds a fee to support anti-trafficking services, also passed, 4-3. Supporters, including survivors and law enforcement, said it targets demand and helps victims; opponents warned it could criminalize victims and lacked sufficient safeguards. The committee heard several additional bills. HB 2047 would raise trespass penalties after eviction-related writs of restitution from third-degree to first-degree trespass; the sponsor and constables said it would improve scene safety and encourage law enforcement response. HB 2136 would create new crimes for “civil terrorism” and “subversion” and increase penalties for certain highway obstruction; the ACLU argued it would punish protest and speech critical of government. HB 2406 would make images and recordings of abused children and deceased minors confidential, limit dissemination, and impose civil and criminal penalties for misuse; supporters said it would prevent re-victimization and reduce trauma, while defense and media concerns were raised about access. HB 2415, dealing with kratom and 7-OH products, drew sharply divided testimony over whether the bill is a needed safety regulation or an overbroad ban that could push users to illicit drugs; the transcript ends before a final vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• , both charter and district schools, to give schools money for SROs, SSOs, counselors, and school hardening
• schools.
• Members, school districts are more than just a school for children.
• Members, school districts are more than just a school for children.
• Members, school districts are more than just a school for children.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and a series of guest introductions, including the day’s Doctor of the Day and many school board members and students visiting for Arizona School Board Association Advocacy Day. Members repeatedly highlighted concerns about school facilities funding and welcomed local education leaders from across the state. The chamber then moved through attendance, committee assignments, and a large number of Senate and House bill readings and referrals. A major portion of the day was spent in Committee of the Whole considering numerous bills and amendments. Among the most notable was SCR 1054, a memorial resolution honoring former Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich, which was unanimously adopted after remarks praising his public service and consumer-protection work. The House also considered HB 2728 on Department of Economic Security continuation and policy changes; after divided-question debate and a recorded division vote, the amended bill received a do-pass recommendation by 32-25. Other bills receiving do-pass recommendations in committee included measures on school safety center funding and governance (HB 2142), school board training (HB 2379), HOA disclosure reforms (HB 2397), credit freezes for foster youth (HB 2321), and several health and human services and judiciary measures. The House then took up third-reading votes on several bills. HB 2053, appropriating money to the Department of Water Resources, passed 32-24; HB 2175, on sentencing, failed 25-31; HB 2327, on records confidentiality, passed 54-2; HB 2416, appropriating money to the Department of Public Safety, passed 33-23 after debate over immigration enforcement funding; HB 2492, relating to urban growth boundaries and initiative/referendum effects, failed 27-29; and HB 2805, making school board races partisan, passed 31-25 despite strong opposition from members who argued school boards should remain nonpartisan. The transcript ends with the House continuing through additional business and votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• understand, our IEPs are done at our public schools and not at our charter schools or private schools
• Where the IEPs are only provided by public schools, not by charter schools.
• public school students?
• So, charter schools are not voucher schools? They are not. But charter schools receive vouchers?
• these IEPs both with charter schools... schools as well as private schools, at least in my county; I