Transcript Highlights:

• and high school start times.
• This bill removes the statewide mandate for middle schools and high schools to start at specific times
• This bill removes the statewide mandate for middle schools and high schools to start at specific times
• impacts of sleep deprivation, and that school districts consider the benefits of later school start
• and high school start times.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and included several member introductions and recognitions, including awareness resolutions and visiting groups in the galleries. The chamber then moved to a special order calendar and took up a series of bills, with most receiving unanimous or near-unanimous support. Early measures included SB 88 on utility terrain vehicles, which would allow local governments to designate certain roads for UTV use under safety restrictions; it passed 32-5 after debate over safety concerns. SB 102 on exceptional student education would create a workforce credential and badge program for students with autism spectrum disorder or modified curricula, and passed 36-0 after discussion of workforce access and district costs. SB 106 on exploitation of vulnerable adults would allow alternative service of process through the same app used by scammers, and passed 37-0. SB 130 on compensation for victims of wrongful incarceration would extend filing deadlines and remove restrictive bars to compensation, and passed 38-0. SB 158 would eliminate cost sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast exams under the state employee health plan, and passed 38-0 after testimony about early detection and access to follow-up care. The most extensive debate came on SB 234, which would revise laws on resisting law enforcement and add a mandatory life sentence for manslaughter of a law enforcement officer. Supporters argued it was needed after the killing of Officer Jason Raynor and to clarify that violent resistance to officers is not justified; opponents raised concerns about removing “good faith” language, potential impacts on Fourth Amendment issues, racial profiling, and the severity of the mandatory sentence. An amendment to restore “in good faith” failed, and after further debate the sponsor temporarily postponed the bill. The Senate then passed SB 262 on technical trust-code changes by a 36-0 vote, and later recognized Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity members in the gallery. Additional bills passed with broad support. SB 274 designated portions of Orlando roadways as Harris Rosen Way and Geraldine Thompson Way, honoring philanthropist Harris Rosen and the late Senator Geraldine Thompson; it passed 38-0 and drew a motion for co-sponsorship. SB 280 created an enforcement mechanism for candidate party-affiliation qualification requirements and passed 38-0. SB 296 repealed the statewide mandate for later middle and high school start times and shifted the issue to local districts after reporting requirements, passing 38-0. SB 356 designated January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Florida and passed after remarks about the Holocaust memorial and the need to confront antisemitism. Throughout the session, senators frequently framed their votes in terms of public safety, education, access to care, civil justice, and commemorating community leaders and historical events.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know both of my school districts.
• Columbia schools actually already has a program.
• And I know you want to let the schools determine how this goes.
• So is it a parent saying no to vaccines for schools?
• It's very likely that the schools don't have it or even CPS.

Committee: House Children and Families

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also added money to each of the specialty schools, the cyber school, the school of fine arts, the
• c> the</c> specialty schools, the cyber school, the specialty schools, the cyber school, the school<00
• </c><00:20:24.960><c> of</c><00:20:25.440><c> math</c> school of fine arts, the school of math school
• </c> out for local school projects. out for local school projects.
• </c> from multiple school districts. from multiple school districts.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Senator Rebecca Perkins<00:35:49.920><c> School.</c> Perkins School. Perkins School.
• I go to school here.
• I go to school here.
• ><c> schools.
• </c> closure of schools. closure of schools.

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to participate in the Florida Safe Schools K-9 program. $20 million for public school hardening, $20
• of connecting multiple first responder agencies. 3.3 million to provide assistance to schools to schools
• to participate in the Florida Safe Schools K-9 program. $20 million for public school hardening, $20
• Based on growth and an increase in number of charter schools, I'm sorry.
• It's a small school.

Summary: The Senate took up the 2026-2027 budget package, beginning with an overview of the $115 billion General Appropriations Bill (SB 2500/HB 500). Appropriations Chair Hooper said the budget is smaller than last year’s, maintains strong reserves, and includes a 3% pay raise for all state employees and 5% raises for state law enforcement, firefighters, correctional officers, and park rangers. Committee chairs then highlighted major spending in their areas, including $34.9 billion for Pre-K-12 education, $11.9 billion for higher education, a $2.1 billion-plus increase in health and human services, $7.9 billion for criminal and civil justice, $16.8 billion for transportation/tourism/economic development, and major environmental and regulatory investments such as Everglades restoration, water quality, and land acquisition. Members asked detailed questions about several items. Topics included the Emergency Management Trust Fund, arts and cultural grants, Florida Forever land acquisition versus conservation easements, teacher salaries and charter school funding, New College funding, ADAP/HIV drug assistance, Medicaid rate reductions for non-critical access hospitals, DOC operational deficits and inmate health/food costs, judicial staffing, and school enrollment supplements. Chairs explained that some reductions reflected shifts in how scholarship and categorical funds are tracked, that the ADAP appropriation would take effect immediately upon enactment but would only cover part of the year, and that hospital reductions were tied to a broader DPP funding increase. Questions also covered lottery staffing, concealed carry licensing workload, and whether vacant positions were being eliminated as part of budget right-sizing. After the budget discussion, the Senate substituted House bills for the Senate budget bills and adopted amendments placing the Senate language onto the House vehicles. The chamber then passed HB 500, HB 503, and HB 5201, and agreed to conference on each. It also passed SB 7028/HB 5205 on retirement, SB 2506 on fuel taxes, SB 2508 on the state agency law enforcement radio system, SB 2510/HB 5401 on court trust funds, SB 2512 on judgeships, SB 2514 on K-12 education, SB 2516 on higher education, and SB 2518 on health, with each bill passing by unanimous or near-unanimous votes and then being sent to conference or requested of the House for concurrence.

Transcript Highlights:

• LOOKED AT SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY.
• , SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS.
• WE APPROACHING 50 KIDS THAT HAVE GOTTEN A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA.
• LOOK AT ADVANCED PLACEMENT, MIDDLE SCHOOL ACCELERATION.
• IT HAPPENS IN SCHOOLS, IT HAPPENS IN OUR SCHOOL AND THEY ADDRESS IT.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is the intent, right, to depoliticize schools and what's going on in schools.
• </c> were certainly prevalent in the school were certainly prevalent in the school when<00:08:30.680>
• be done in the school with a flag.
• </c> schools and what's going on in schools. schools and what's going on in schools.
• </c> their masts at the school their masts at the school uh<00:10:23.720><c> and</c><00:10:23.800><c>

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> election season, we saw with the school election season, we saw with the school choice<00:05:22.479
• schools, school employees, anybody connected to a school?
• Representative Layman then said the school boards could argue they are advocating for the schools too
• the schools too.
• advocating for the schools too.

Keywords: Discussion of BR 25 (2026 RS) 04:15 Presentation on voting systems by ES&S 48:14 Presentation on voting systems by Hart InterCivic and Harp Enterprises 01:13:07, 958, all

Summary: The committee met, approved the October 21 minutes, and then took up BR 25 for the 2026 regular session, a proposal to prohibit the use of tax dollars and public resources to advocate for or against ballot questions, including constitutional amendments. Senator Rawlings and the other presenters argued the current law already bars such advocacy but lacks meaningful enforcement, citing the 2024 school choice amendment campaign and other examples where public officials and school systems allegedly used taxpayer-funded resources to influence voters. They said the bill would add civil and criminal penalties, while preserving First Amendment rights for public employees acting in their personal capacities. Much of the discussion focused on whether the bill should be limited to school districts or broadened to cover other public entities, and on how to define terms such as “advocating in impartial terms.” Members raised concerns about possible effects on county and city lobbying through groups like KLC and KCO, on legitimate factual explanations by public officials, and on whether the bill could unintentionally restrict needed representation for local governments. The sponsors said the measure was intended to be narrow, would be vetted further, and would not bar individuals from speaking on their own behalf. Several members suggested revisions. Representative Lockett asked that schools and school employees be specifically named, and suggested separating the lobbying restrictions from the ballot-measure provisions into different bills. Representative Layman questioned the meaning of the bill’s language and whether it would cover factual testimony by officials. Representative Heen asked about a Jefferson County example involving legal fees used to challenge petition signatures; counsel said that situation would likely be allowable under the bill as drafted, though some members thought it should be covered. No final vote was taken on BR 25 during this discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• students in public schools for the committee on public education.
• Ailes of Harris relating to nurses employed by public schools.
• HB 532 by Rosenthal, relating to the applicability to open enrollment charter schools of certain laws
• district's grace period policies and the provisions of school meals for public school students.
• H.B. 596 by Howard relating to the school program including an adjustment in those amounts to reflect

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• School, playground, and crosswalk speed zones must be marked with standard school speed limit signs.
• and student safety in school bus loading and unloading areas.
• If you speed in a school zone, you get a double penalty.
• Now if you drive distracted in a school zone, you would be doubly penalized.
• You can now do camera enforcement of school bus cross-arm violations.

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on February 18 and heard several Senate transportation bills, then announced it would caucus after the public hearings. Engrossed Senate Bill 5081, concerning unattended motor vehicles and remote starter systems, was briefly introduced and described as having no fiscal impact; the sponsor framed it as a public-safety and anti-theft measure, but no substantive testimony followed before the hearing was closed. The committee then heard Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5203 on wildlife habitat connectivity and safe wildlife crossings, which would require WSDOT and WDFW to develop and update a statewide connectivity strategy, create dedicated wildlife corridors and crossings accounts, and report regularly to the legislature. Supporters emphasized reduced wildlife-vehicle collisions, better habitat connectivity, and access to federal matching funds, while opponents from southwest Washington argued the bill lacked local landowner and county input and could push wolves or other wildlife into agricultural areas. No vote was taken. The committee also heard Engrossed Senate Bill 5705, which would double penalties for using a personal electronic device while driving in school, playground, and crosswalk speed zones and direct the additional revenue to school zone safety accounts. Testimony from the Traffic Safety Commission and the sponsor stressed rising distracted-driving fatalities, the vulnerability of children and pedestrians, and the need for stronger deterrence; members asked about messaging, enforcement, and how the new penalties would be used. Finally, Engrossed Senate Bill 5581 was heard, a broad active transportation and complete streets bill that would update roundabout and crosswalk definitions, integrate shared-use paths into highway planning, and allow WSDOT to use local or tribal facilities as mitigation when they provide equal or better access. Supporters from transportation advocacy groups and local governments said it would improve safety and clarify existing law, while one Lake Forest Park official warned that complete streets mandates can create unfunded costs that delay needed maintenance. The committee closed public testimony on all bills and adjourned without taking final action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Commission but has done so much for the school in my district, where he was principal.
• A top-performing school, Cocohead Elementary is honored as a Blue Ribbon School.
• the Performance Award criteria for exemplary high-performing schools.
• Please join me in recognizing the success of Cocohead Elementary School.
• Please join me in recognizing the success of Cocohead Elementary School.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• we are already more than halfway through the 24 25 school year.
• Like the other schools that have been mentioned.
• It's partnerships with secondary schools to allow high school students to dual enroll.
• He's a dear friend from school site is set to miss a little bit.
• school students.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Raymond. school staff and we hope you will school staff and we hope you will support<00
• or school personnel.
• </c><03:33:02.479><c> and</c> school and the teacher the school and school and the teacher the school
• They only will deal with actual... to school. Children should have a right to school.
• </c> their kids off at school. their kids off at school.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened with Senate Bill 22-FN, which would expand child care licensing background checks so the Department of Health and Human Services can receive fuller criminal history information, including pending charges and other non-conviction records, similar to the system already used for school staff. Grant Bossi, for Senator Pearl, and DHHS officials Melissa Clement and Christine Sheay testified in support, saying the bill closes a gap that can allow people with disqualifying charges to work with children. They explained that the FBI record is a snapshot in time, that juvenile records are not included, and that the bill would apply to child care programs including residential group homes. Questions focused on what “confidential criminal history” means and how often checks are repeated; DHHS said checks are done every five years or sooner if new charge information is received. The hearing on SB 22 was then closed. The committee then took up Senate Bill 23-FN, which would expand the child endangerment statute and remove the word “purposely” from part of the language. Senator Pat Long said the bill is intended to strengthen protection for children and allow more serious conduct to be charged appropriately. Testimony from law enforcement, including Executive Counselor Dave Wheeler, Sergeant Ryan Rooney of Nashua Police, and Nicholas Georgulis of Manchester Police, supported the bill as a way to distinguish routine misdemeanor cases from the most egregious abuse and neglect cases, such as children living in squalor or being exposed to severe danger. Wheeler and some members raised concerns that the language could be vague or overbroad and cited a prior Manchester firearm-in-a-car arrest as an example of possible unintended consequences; supporters responded that the bill still requires knowingly violating a duty of care and that the serious bodily injury or death standard limits its reach. Rooney also described a fentanyl overdose case involving an 11-year-old and said the current misdemeanor charge did not fully reflect the seriousness of the conduct. The committee recessed SB 23 briefly to open and close SB 161, then returned to SB 23, which remained under hearing with no final vote taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> used um for certain School used um for certain School levies<00:02:07.240><c> a</c><00:02:07.439
• to the school trust to get dispersed to the schools.
• levy for our school districts.
• to the school trust to get dispersed to the schools.
• levy for our school districts.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• school district elections.
• Schools must school districts must have Schools must school districts must have partisan<00:29:10.880
• </c><01:07:16.640><c> I</c> elected school. You know what? I elected school. You know what?
• Um, it does—it is for SB2 school districts, but traditional school district, no.
• He said there was a town meeting or school meeting, and he thinks it was a school meeting.

Committee: House Election Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and school boards.
• and into high school.
• through middle school and in the<01:11:46.000><c> high</c><01:11:46.159><c> school.
• they're</c> whatever school happy day school they're whatever school happy day school they're actually
• </c> school. Now, there's some combination. school. Now, there's some combination.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 14 January, 2026; 1:00 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> High School League State High School High School League State High School Debate<00:07:04.120><c
• And they compete at school, regional, And they compete at school, regional, and<00:52:03.040><c> state
• </c> Divya Thoman is from Edina High School. Divya Thoman is from Edina High School.
• We have programs to recognize students with essay programs and in the middle school and high school and
• We have programs to recognize students with essay programs and in the middle school and high school and

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The committee held a joint hearing recognizing the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and focusing on civic education, free speech, voting, and Minnesota’s America 250 commemorations. Opening remarks emphasized the importance of education, Indigenous land acknowledgement, and the idea that democracy depends on informed and engaged citizens. The chair then invited student debaters from the Minnesota High School League to testify about how debate, free speech, and evidence-based reasoning have shaped their education and civic participation. The students argued that debate teaches critical thinking, helps young people engage with difficult issues, and should be protected as part of a healthy democracy; one also urged lawmakers to move beyond empty promises and take action on issues such as eviction moratoriums, ICE collaboration, and protest protections. Commissioner Willie Jett of the Minnesota Department of Education testified that public education is where citizenship first becomes real, and that schools, libraries, and educators help students learn to listen, question, debate respectfully, and understand both the ideals and failures of American history. He said democracy is something each generation must learn and strengthen, and thanked the committee for convening the hearing. Former students Sarah Griffin and Charlie Crocker then offered tributes to Senator Swedzinski, describing how his teaching encouraged civic engagement, disagreement, and action, and how his classroom shaped their lives and public service. Their remarks emphasized that democracy is not a spectator sport and that ordinary people build it through small, courageous acts. Secretary of State Steve Simon followed with testimony on Minnesota’s civic culture and voter participation. He said Minnesota has long ranked near the top nationally in voter turnout, including youth turnout, and attributed that to a combination of good election laws and a strong pro-voting culture. He highlighted school-based civic education efforts such as pre-registration for 16- and 17-year-olds and the Students Vote mock election program, and noted that Minnesota’s congressional delegation was unanimous in supporting the Voting Rights Act in 1965 as an example of the state coming together on major moral questions. The Minnesota Historical Society then began its presentation on America 250, with Kent Whitworth describing the organization’s role, the new edition of the Northern Lights curriculum, and broader commemorative activities; Dr. Bill Convery introduced historical context about how Americans have celebrated independence and how the semiquincentennial can leave a legacy for future generations.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> seventh grader at Barry Middle School seventh grader at Barry Middle School and<00:12:33.760><c>
• </c> fact that you have elementary school fact that you have elementary school students<01:04:32.319>
• And, you know, I take pride in Jefferson County schools and even Birmingham City Schools.
• </c><01:12:12.719><c> So</c> shelter in place in some schools. So shelter in place in some schools.
• , school, school.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That would support about 2,000 new school-day ECAP slots in the 2026-27 school year.
• We have a plan for expansion, which includes increasing school-based slots for school districts, but
• We have a plan for expansion, which includes increasing school-based slots for school districts, but
• 20 years ago with the Vader School District.
• The fiscal note shows no fiscal impact to school districts.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee held a public hearing on several bills. Senate Bill 5109 would raise the mortgage lending fraud prosecution surcharge on recorded deeds of trust from $1 to $5 and remove the 2027 sunset on the surcharge and account. Committee staff said the change would generate additional revenue for county auditors and the Department of Financial Institutions to contract with prosecutors; King County and the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys testified in strong support, saying the current funding has eroded and the bill would better sustain mortgage fraud prosecutions. A question was raised about whether other budget funding could serve a similar purpose, but supporters said the dedicated surcharge/account structure was the best fit. No vote was taken. The committee also heard Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5500, which would require DCYF’s biennial child care report to include a current cost-of-quality study in addition to the market rate survey. Testifiers from Child Care Aware of Washington, child care providers, and the early education design team supported the bill, saying the market rate survey alone does not capture the true cost of providing quality care. Staff said the bill would have a small fiscal impact for DCYF. The committee then heard Substitute Senate Bill 5834 and Senate Bill 5835, both Department of Retirement Systems request bills: one would broaden use of pension fund interest earnings for fund-protection expenses beyond the 2025-27 biennium, and the other would raise the threshold for lump-sum payment of small monthly benefits from $50 to $250. Neither bill drew public testimony, and staff said the fiscal impacts were minimal. Later, the committee heard Engrossed Senate Bill 5872, which would create the Pre-K Promise Account for ECAP funding and allow gifts, grants, and donations to be used solely to expand the program. Supporters including rural health coalitions, the Balmer Group, and Snohomish County said the account would help expand access to early learning, especially in child care deserts; DCYF estimated staffing costs to administer the account. Substitute Senate Bill 6007 would direct WSIPP to study DCYF’s child welfare screening tools and their effects on outcomes, with a reported cost of about $234,000; there was no public testimony. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6019 would clarify home care agency rate-setting and require that no more than 20% of Medicaid home care rates go to administrative costs, with DSHS saying there would be no fiscal impact. Labor and caregiver witnesses supported it as a parity and accountability measure. Finally, Senate Bill 6065 would allow school districts in binding conditions or enhanced financial oversight to use transportation vehicle funds more flexibly, including temporary loans or permanent transfers with approval; a rural education representative supported the bill, and staff said OSPI would incur only modest administrative costs. The committee took no final action and adjourned after the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• School, Tracy Espinosa; district 19, Rockville High School, Tandy Labor; district 10, Randlestown High
• School, Somaya Laguda; district 34, Aberdine High School, Gabrielle Moore Brooks; and our last page
• </c> district 31, Sivera Park High School. district 31, Sivera Park High School.
• ,</c> Uh, District 19, Rockville High School, Uh, District 19, Rockville High School, Tandy<00:09:56.880
• ,</c> District 10, Randlestown High School, District 10, Randlestown High School, Somaya<00:10:03.120

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Thursday, January 15, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Maryland Senate convened on January 15 with a prayer offered by Reverend Sheridan Almond of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Kensington, introduced as a guest of the senator from the 18th district. Her remarks were journalized without objection. The chamber also welcomed several guests, including Carter Pry, a recent Crofton High School graduate interested in cybersecurity and AI, interns Isabelle War and Daniel Mora, and the Catonsville Middle School Student Council and adviser Katie Tucci. Members also recognized the day’s pages and thanked them for their service. The only bill read at the desk was Senate Bill 232, by Senator Salling, concerning state procurement preferences for historically underutilized business zone businesses; it was referred to the appropriate standing committee. Committee announcements followed, with Finance, Education, Energy, and the Environment, Judicial Proceedings, and Ethics all scheduling organizational meetings and related briefings later that day. Additional announcements noted Baltimore City and Baltimore County delegation meetings, a Fire EMS Coalition meeting, and Cecil Day events in Annapolis. A senator from Montgomery County highlighted an art exhibit, Art in Full Spectrum, on the fourth floor of the House office building, featuring artists with disabilities from many districts and a future reception. The Senate then confirmed a quorum of 45 members and, on motion of the majority leader, adjourned pro forma until Friday, January 16 at 11:00 a.m.