Transcript Highlights:

• Even more so if there are mandatory programming that individuals are ordered to complete or educational
• Now we have the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
• Now we have the Individuals with Disabilities and Education Act.
• Today, there are no children at RHCs, and they do not provide educational services.
• We also made a... ...when they receive education in their local communities.

Bills: HB2510

Keywords: community custody, probation, Department of Corrections, DOC supervision, Washington criminal law, sentencing, felony supervision, risk assessment, sex offense, serious violent offense, domestic violence, repetitive domestic violence, failure to register, sex offender registration, dangerous mentally ill offender, indeterminate sentence, parole, conditional commutation, gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 656, by the Education Committee, an act relating to education, amending Chapter 1, Title 33
• House Bill 624, by the Education Committee, regarding education, and House Bill 576, by the Transportation
• Housewell number 656 by Education Committee and Act relating to Education Chapter, Amending Chapter 1
• House Bill 624 by Education Committee regarding Education, House Bill 576 by Transportation and Defense
• Committee relating to motor vehicle. by Education Committee regarding education, House Bill 57 by Transportation

Summary: The House convened with 68 members present, approved the February 12, 2026 journal, and received messages from the Senate, including referral of House Joint Memorial 10 for enrolling and return of Senate Joint Memorial 107 signed by the Speaker. Standing committee reports advanced several bills: House Bills 607, 528, 530, 519, and 599 were sent to second reading, while House Bills 522 and 570 were placed on general orders. House Concurrent Resolution 27, honoring Idaho civilians who served on Wake Island during World War II, was referred for printing. The House also introduced a large group of new bills, including measures on gold and silver coin, elections and presidential primaries, midwifery, foreign adversary investments, retirement and public safety death benefits, building codes, travel insurance, portable benefits, litigation financing, manufactured homes, anti-cancer medications, interest rates, state sovereignty, big game depredation claims, hunting as the state sport, police dogs, preceptor prior authorization exemptions, student data collection, and charter school admissions; all were referred for printing. On third reading, Senate Bill 1225 was moved to the top of the calendar and passed the House 67-1 after debate describing it as a public records and university presidential search bill that changes the disclosure rule from five finalists to a sole finalist and requires public updates and a 10-day public review period before final selection. House Bill 561 was sent to general orders after discussion of flag displays, including allowing the Basque flag and limiting certain city flagpole displays. House Bill 520, an Office of Administrative Hearings measure standardizing notice requirements in contested cases, passed 66-2 after concerns were raised about proving receipt of mailed notice. House Bill 579, updating justifiable homicide language to broaden who may be defended, passed 68-1. House Bill 580, repealing antiquated or unused criminal statutes, passed 68-1. House Bill 581, creating a formal process for legislative review of Supreme Court rules, passed 65-5. House Bill 583, the short-term rental bill, drew the most extensive debate. Supporters argued it protects private property rights and prevents local governments from effectively banning short-term rentals through restrictive ordinances, while opponents warned it weakens protections for residential neighborhoods and shifts enforcement burdens onto neighbors and local complaints. Several members declared Rule 80 conflicts, including ownership of short-term rentals or related businesses. After debate, the bill passed 54-16 and was sent to the Senate. The House then held the remaining third-reading bills for one legislative day, received the enrolled House Joint Memorial 10 back for the Senate President’s signature, made announcements about committee meetings and events, and adjourned until 11 a.m. on Friday, February 13, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• So Blaine is still being used as a legal club to try to block education choice.
• It constrains the forms of education choice programs, requiring unnecessary choice.
• It constrains the forms of education choice programs, requiring unnecessary workarounds, and provides
• choice access to public accommodation, including the direction of education choice funding.
• And I guess my time is up. ...uphold than in our public education system.

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from February 2 and 3, then heard RS 33159 on OITS powers and duties, which would shift most state IT procurement to IT professionals rather than other departments, with exceptions for entities like the military, judiciary, legislature, constitutional officers, and schools. The motion to introduce the RS passed. The committee also heard RS 33195, a campaign finance cleanup bill requiring candidates to maintain a separate bank account for election funds and to certify loans to campaign accounts within seven days; that motion to introduce also passed. The main item was H.J.R. 7, which would place before Idaho voters the question of repealing Article 9, Section 5 of the Idaho Constitution, the Blaine Amendment prohibiting aid to sectarian institutions. The sponsor and supporters argued the provision is rooted in anti-Catholic and anti-Mormon discrimination, conflicts with U.S. Supreme Court precedent on religious neutrality, and has already caused litigation and confusion in Idaho. Opponents argued the amendment helps preserve separation of church and state, protects public school funding, and prevents state money from flowing to religious schools or creating entanglement with religion. Testimony was split along those lines, with supporters emphasizing equal access and constitutional conflict, and opponents warning about discrimination, public funding, and the consequences of repeal. After extensive questioning and testimony from advocates, clergy, policy groups, students, and attorneys, the sponsor closed by saying repeal would not automatically send money to religious schools and that any future funding issues would require further legislation. The committee then voted on the motion to send H.J.R. 7 to the floor with a due pass recommendation, and it passed 8-6.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Education and Employment Committee will come to order. Andrea, please call the roll.
• Natalie Brown, RSA Consulting, Helios Education Foundation, waves in support.
• I think that that is something that is such an educational opportunity.
• Bob Harris, representing Panhandle Area Educational Consortium, a proponent of the bill.
• I believe we will see more parents, students, and education institutions...

Summary: The Education and Employment Committee met with a quorum and took up seven bills, all of which were reported favorably. First, HB 1367 on school attendance was presented as a response to rising chronic absenteeism; it would standardize attendance definitions and reporting statewide, and it passed 18-0 after supportive testimony from education and business groups. HB 949 would prohibit student use of wireless devices during the school day, while allowing district policies for designated use areas and existing medical/disability exceptions; members discussed classroom disruption, bullying, public safety, and accommodations, and the bill passed favorably. The committee also approved PCS for CS for HB 1135, requiring ECGs for student athletes in grades 9-12, with exemptions for religious objections and provisions on cost, liability, and medical clearance; the bill drew extensive emotional testimony from parents and advocates who described children lost to sudden cardiac arrest and was reported favorably after unanimous support. Members then approved CS for CS for HB 597 on diabetes management in schools, which would allow schools to keep glucagon pens and authorize trained personnel to administer them in emergencies; an amendment clarified charter schools are included as public schools. HB 1309 on reading interventions and instruction would expand reading support and training for grades 4-12 and require district reading plans to include evidence-based interventions; it also passed without opposition. CS for HB 981 on athlete representation and compensation would cap certain NIL agent fees, allow some high school athletes to earn NIL compensation, and create a framework for registered advisors; members raised concerns about predatory practices and coach involvement, but the bill passed favorably after amendment. Finally, HB 1111 would eliminate the certificate of completion option for students who do not meet graduation requirements, with the sponsor arguing it would better motivate students to earn a standard diploma and improve postsecondary and workforce opportunities. Members discussed the need for stronger supports to help students meet graduation standards, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee adjourned after completing all agenda items.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 2477, Arizona's education savings plan revision. Finance.
• Education. HB 2482, building renewal grant job order contracting. Education.
• Education. HB 4033, school bonding ballot language. Education.
• Here is the Education Committee amendment. Mr.
• All right, there is an Education Committee amendment. Mr.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and a series of personal privilege introductions recognizing guests including the Doctor of the Day, realtors visiting for Realtor Day, and the family of former Senator Barbara Leff. The chamber also adopted House Concurrent Resolution 264 honoring Barbara Leff, followed by a moment of silence in her memory. The Senate then moved through a large number of bill introductions and first readings, as well as Committee of the Whole consideration of several measures. In Committee of the Whole, senators considered and advanced multiple bills, often with technical or negotiated floor amendments. Among those reported out as do pass or do pass as amended were SB 1494, SB 1497, SB 1503, SB 1535, SB 1544, SB 1580, SB 1582, SB 1584, SB 1585, SB 1602, SB 1632, SB 1723, and SB 1798. The amendments addressed topics such as technical corrections to mining and pension language, classical learning tests, sex trafficking record sealing, probation reporting, school safety funding, kinship foster care stipends, DES credentialing, domestic violence release conditions, and a school safety/threat identification pilot program that was revised into a FAFSA awareness recognition program. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted. The Senate then took up third-reading votes on several bills. HB 4115, SB 1012, SB 1213, SB 1416, SB 1474, SB 1511, SB 1549, SB 1573, SB 1634, SB 1647, SB 1649, SB 1664, and SB 1725 were considered, with most passing on party-line or near-party-line votes; SB 1416 and SB 1664 passed unanimously, while SB 1549 passed with broader support. Several members explained votes on immigration enforcement, concealed carry in establishments serving alcohol, commercial driver licensing, campaign finance, and a digital asset reserve fund. HB 2993, dealing with DPS legal representation funding, passed 16-13 after debate over constitutional concerns, funding sources, and the use of the Attorney General’s consumer fraud fund. The session ended with the Senate adopting the Committee of the Whole report and transmitting the passed bills to the House.

Transcript Highlights:

• That being said, I actually worked at the Department of Education.
• It's our responsibility to educate our children. It's our responsibility, you know, from birth.
• We need to get educated. This is not rocket science.
• I want to... immunity or any of the that's all been said by folks that are educated on the issue.
• Senators, the bill supports transparency, again, educated decision-making, the right to an education,

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• education from preK through<00:45:12.640><c> higher</c><00:45:12.960><c> ed.
• Committee in January the House Education Committee in January 2021. 2021. 2021.
• </c> the select committee on higher education the select committee on higher education in<00:45:59.359
• </c><00:48:02.800><c> Janet</c> Education Committee since 2021.
• Janet Education Committee since 2021.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Education helps us improve how people respond.
• Time use in education was having an inverse effect on the outcomes in education.
• Our phones rang off the hook in education.
• It goes against everything we know that works in education.
• This is fantastic for the educational process. If Mr.

Summary: The House first established a quorum after introductions of the Freedom of the Road Riders and Warsaw High School students. Members then took up House Bill 1855, a reporting bill on alpha-gal syndrome. The sponsor described the bill as a public health surveillance measure to add alpha-gal to Missouri’s reportable conditions, require lab reporting to the Department of Health and Senior Services, and send aggregated data to the CDC. Supporters said the bill would help identify hotspots, guide education and funding, and address a serious tick-borne condition affecting rural and urban Missourians alike. Opponents raised concerns about cost, false positives/negatives, and privacy, but the sponsor and others said the system would be HIPAA-compliant and de-identified at the federal level. Two amendments to HB 1855 were debated. An amendment changing the department’s follow-up authority from “may” to “shall” was adopted, with supporters arguing that if the legislature funds follow-up, the department should be required to do it. A second amendment creating an opt-in/opt-out consent process for reporting was rejected 41-10 after extensive debate over privacy, data collection, and whether consent would undermine disease surveillance. The House then adopted the House committee substitute for HB 1855 as amended and ordered it perfected and printed. The chamber next considered House Bills 2230 and 2978, a revised education measure aimed at reducing screen time in K-5 classrooms and encouraging handwriting and cursive instruction. The sponsor said the bill was based on research linking heavy screen use to poorer educational and behavioral outcomes, and supporters emphasized local control, parent access to screen-time policies, and the need to bring experts together through a state-level focus group. An amendment to exclude virtual school programs was adopted. The House then adopted the committee substitute for HB 2230 and 2978 as amended and ordered it perfected and printed. Finally, the House began debate on House Bill 2355, the Food Is Medicine Initiative. The sponsor said the bill would let Missouri use federal funds through 1115 waivers to pilot medically tailored meals, produce prescriptions, nutrition counseling, and related interventions to improve health and lower Medicaid costs. Members generally supported the concept, citing food deserts and the benefits of better nutrition, but an amendment adding vitamin therapies and cleanup language prompted concern from one member about supplement quality and regulation; the transcript ends during that amendment discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• And most importantly, our educators have housing security.
• to support the development of educator workforce housing.
• I've been studying education workforce housing for the past seven years.
• to support the development of educator workforce housing.
• the best education to California's next generation.

Summary: The Assembly Local Government Committee heard a long agenda of housing, water, and local finance bills, with the chair repeatedly reminding attendees about hearing rules and noting that several measures were being heard without a quorum at first. Early items included AB 407, which would broaden eligibility for state-run loan and financing programs to help small businesses fund environmental, seismic, and ADA upgrades, and AB 93, which would require data centers to estimate and report water use and follow state best practices. AB 93 drew support from water advocates and local government groups, while the Data Center Coalition opposed it, arguing the bill could be overly restrictive, difficult to retrofit, and raise trade secret or security concerns. The committee also heard AB 650 on housing element review, AB 1044 on creating a new Tulare County groundwater sustainability agency, and AB 523 on allowing proxy voting for single-representative member agencies on the Metropolitan Water District board; all drew broad support from local agencies and related stakeholders and no recorded opposition in the room. Several housing bills were presented as part of a broader fast-track housing package. AB 507 would streamline adaptive reuse of office buildings into housing, especially in downtowns with high vacancy; supporters said it would revive urban cores and help meet housing and climate goals, while the League of California Cities and a few cities opposed it unless amended, citing concerns about one-size-fits-all by-right approval and fee limitations. AB 1294 would create a universal housing application and limit early application requirements; it drew strong support from housing and business groups, with the American Planning Association and League of California Cities seeking more flexibility and input. AB 610 would require local governments to disclose housing constraints in their housing elements and limit new constraints after certification for three years unless disclosed; supporters said it would improve transparency and certainty, while opponents warned it could chill legitimate local policy choices and inclusionary housing requirements. Both AB 610 and AB 698, which would require analysis of the housing and property tax impacts of proposed transfer taxes, were moved out of committee on 7-0 votes after discussion and amendments. The committee also heard AB 1112, which would repeal an outdated Riverside County property tax provision affecting Rancho Mirage; the city argued it was the only qualifying no-low property tax city not receiving the standard minimum and sought equal treatment. After quorum was established, the bill was passed 6-0 with amendments and sent to Appropriations. AB 1021, heard later, would make it easier for school districts and other local education agencies to build employee housing, with the author citing teacher recruitment and retention problems and support from education stakeholders. Throughout the hearing, members and witnesses repeatedly emphasized the need to balance housing production, local fiscal tools, and infrastructure needs, and several authors accepted committee amendments and committed to continued negotiations with opponents.

Transcript Highlights:

• I’d like to call to order, first of all, the Committee on Higher Education for our 3 o’clock agenda today
• Okay, I guess I have to adjourn the one going to order the Education and Joint Committee with the Joint
• /c><00:02:46.680><c> uh</c><00:02:46.879><c> order</c><00:02:47.440><c> the</c><00:02:47.640><c> education
• </c><00:02:48.599><c> and</c> going to uh order the education and going to uh order the education and
• To order the Committee on Higher Education, we are in decision-making. We have just two measures.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Higher Education, meeting jointly at points with the Committee on Health and Human Services, heard testimony on SCR 137, which asks the Office of the Auditor to conduct a performance audit of the University of Hawaiʻi Foundation, and on SCR 203/SR 163, which asks the University of Hawaiʻi to explore establishing an Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and to identify requirements for federal funding from the National Institute on Aging. The meeting also noted that it was being streamed live and could be recessed or adjourned due to technical issues, with any unfinished business to be taken up later. For SCR 203/SR 163, Kobe Chop of the Alzheimer’s Association testified in support, saying the measure would help get the process started for an ADRC in Hawaiʻi and that recent federal action had kept funding available long enough to clarify next steps. Another supporter said the state’s diverse population and research opportunities made the proposal worthwhile. No opposition testimony was recorded, and the committees moved the measure to decision-making. In voting, the joint committees recommended passage of SCR 203/SR 163 as is, with members voting aye and the recommendation adopted. The Higher Education Committee then took up SCR 137 and likewise recommended passage as is; one member stated an intent to vote no while the chair and others voted aye, and the recommendation was adopted. The committee then adjourned/recessed after completing the agenda items.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House Education Committee is called to order. The secretary will note the roll.
• So they have multiple pathways via the county or the Department of Education.
• I had been educated in it. I had been down here a lot already by that time.
• And I think having a backstop of the State Department of Education is excellent.
• I'm just noticing that it gives some rulemaking authority to the State Board of Education.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is educational </font> <font color="aaaaaa">your bill. Thank you, chair.
• Sb 1528. a bill that is </font> <font color="aaaaaa">crucial for the educational </font> <font color=
• Sb 1528. a bill that is </font> <font color="aaaaaa">crucial for the educational </font> <font color=
• This training will </font> <font color="aaaaaa">equip educators with the </font> <font color="aaaaaa"
• This training will </font> <font color="aaaaaa">equip educators with the </font> <font color="aaaaaa"

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:13.600><c> Signed,</c> Finance and Taxation Education.
• Signed, Finance and Taxation Education. Signed, John<00:09:14.080><c> Treadwell.
• </c><00:10:06.800><c> Policy</c> to the Committee on Education Policy to the Committee on Education Policy
• </c> textbook committee for arts education textbook committee for arts education receives<00:17:06.720
• </c> and the House Ways and Means Education and the House Ways and Means Education Budget<00:48:55.359

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Senate began with a resolution honoring Special Agent Senior Josh Taylor for his long service in state law enforcement, including work as a traffic homicide investigator, field training officer, SBI major crimes investigator, and later on the Lieutenant Governor’s protective detail. The resolution was adopted by voice vote. The chamber then received a series of gubernatorial confirmations and House messages, including multiple Alabama Army National Guard promotions, appointments to state boards, and several House bills referred to Senate committees. Committee reports followed, with favorable reports on a number of bills from Finance and Taxation Education, Judiciary, State Governmental Affairs, County and Municipal Government, Agriculture, Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development, Children and Youth Health, and Local Legislation. The Senate confirmed Leon M. Nash to the Board of Pardons and Paroles by a 33-0 vote, and also confirmed several State Textbook Committee appointees by unanimous votes. The chamber also adopted several resolutions, including memorials for John David Williams and William Grant Lynch Jr., a commendation for Sandra Thompson, and a resolution urging federal action on sextortion and child exploitation. During local legislation, the Senate passed or certified several county-specific measures, including bills involving Pickens, Colbert, Marshall, Blount, Fayette, Franklin, and Walker counties; one Marshall County bill was later indefinitely postponed after word that its House companion had passed. In the special order calendar, the Senate adopted Senate Resolution 30 and then passed Senate Bill 95 extending the sunset on the “call before you dig” law, Senate Bill 42 addressing municipal election tie situations, Senate Bill 9 adding vaping to the Alabama Clean Indoor Air Act, and Senate Bill 41 on elder abuse and exploitation after adopting two amendments. The session ended with adjournment until 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 2nd.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first item is a letter from the Department of Education, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education
• It's a letter from the Department of Education, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education.
• "Courtney Sallis, Department of Education. Darrell Smith, Department of Education.
• When we were first talking, I support the education funds.
• The first item is a letter from the Department of Education, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education

Summary: The committee met to consider a series of temporary appropriation requests, reserve fund transfers, federal grant appropriations, and review items. Early items included a $32 million appropriation and matching reserve transfer for the Department of Education’s educational freedom account program, a $476,000 request for the State Crime Lab, and a $90,000 assessment coordination request from DFA. Members asked questions about the assessment contract costs, and the item was approved. The committee also approved a $1 ARPA return to the CDC and a Department of Human Services reallocation package that moved general revenue and positions among divisions to meet client needs. The most extensive discussion centered on a $32 million restricted reserve transfer for the educational freedom account program. Members questioned the growing number of participating students, the program’s long-term funding needs, and safeguards against improper purchases. Agency representatives said about 44,000 students were being funded, that reimbursements and marketplace purchases are reviewed, and that reporting and audit controls are in place, though not every instance of fraud can be prevented. The committee approved the transfer after discussion. Members also approved smaller cash and federal grant items, including funding for a teacher shortage data dashboard, All Kids Bike grants, crime lab outsourcing, veterans cemetery operations, and a podiatric medicine licensing investigation fund. The most contentious item was a $7 million federal Forest Legacy grant request for Central Arkansas Water and the Department of Agriculture to acquire land in the Maumelle watershed, including acreage in Perry County and Pulaski County. Members debated water quality, development pressure, property tax impacts, local support, and whether Perry County had been adequately consulted. Agency and company representatives argued the acquisition would protect drinking water, preserve forested watershed land, and support recreation, while some legislators emphasized the county’s tax and development concerns. Senator Davis moved to defer the item to the full Legislative Council and to request removal of the Perry County portion; that motion passed. The committee then reviewed the remaining items, including a Veterans Affairs pay plan request, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> public safety, and community education public safety, and community education regarding<00:16:35.600
• Our first testifier is increased community outreach and increased community outreach and education.<00
• More funding and increased education.
• </c><00:27:31.279><c> visitors</c> form, we would like to educate visitors form, we would like to educate
• </c> um so that it becomes an educational um so that it becomes an educational tool<00:46:45.839><c>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill creates the West Virginia-Ireland Education Alliance, which partners West Virginia higher education
• and collaborative educational initiatives.
• and collaborative educational initiatives.
• Under the Alliance, a state four-year higher education institution and a state two-year higher education
• education institutions are eligible for one of the grants.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum present, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then considered a series of House bills and committee substitutes. House Bill 5438, dealing with changes to Step 7 of the school aid formula and allowable uses of certain education allocations, was amended to adopt the Education Committee’s changes and then reported to the full Senate. House Bill 4087 creating the West Virginia-Ireland Education Alliance was also reported, as was House Bill 4191, which expands child care tax credit eligibility for employer-sponsored facilities and changes subsidy payments from attendance-based to enrollment-based reimbursement; senators emphasized its workforce and economic development benefits. House Bill 5074, which reallocates medical cannabis fund balances and future revenues, was amended to increase the Child Protective Commission pilot funding from $3 million to $5 million and remove proposed ibogaine research funding for Marshall and WVU before being reported. House Bill 5353, regulating virtual currency kiosks and money transmission licensure, and House Bill 5527, creating licensure and oversight for wellness reimbursement program administrators, both received strike-and-insert amendments and were reported. House Bill 5687, which phases down the metallurgical coal severance tax and adds a temporary oil and gas tax reduction with county/municipal revenue adjustments, was amended and reported. House Bill 4418, creating an electronic system for municipal business and occupation tax filing and collection with a 1% administrative fee and a participation threshold, was also reported. The committee then took up House Bill 4245, the Revenue Rules Bundle, which bundles 26 legislative rules from the Department of Revenue and related agencies. The bundle included alcohol, banking, insurance, racing, and tax rules, with several sunset extensions and repeals of outdated rules; the committee adopted a strike-and-insert amendment affecting a lottery consumer protection rule and a pre-need cemetery company rule, then reported the bill. House Bill 5168, providing a $12 million lottery-funded stream for emergency medical services, was amended to clarify the uses of the funds, rename one fund, require a 30% county match for mental health treatment spending, and create two additional county-based EMS funds; senators described it as a needed permanent funding source for EMS, and it was reported. Throughout the meeting, members generally supported the measures, with some discussion on technical details, funding allocations, and the impact of the bills on local services and workforce needs. At the end of the meeting, the chair announced that Senate House Bills 4004, 4006, and 4009 would not be taken up that day, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of our fastest-growing areas, for example, is early education.
• We have apprenticeships in bio and in early education.
• of education and preparedness?
• So you gave two examples, early education, right? especially, right?
• What does the early education?

Summary: The subcommittee met to approve the January minutes and then heard an update from Undersecretary of Labor and Workforce Development Josh Cutler on apprenticeship expansion in the Healey-Driscoll administration. Cutler described apprenticeship as a key workforce tool, especially for sectors with labor shortages, and highlighted growth in early education, health care, banking, bio, and human services. He noted the administration’s milestones and supports, including reaching 10,000 registered apprenticeships, expanding the registered apprenticeship tax credit (RATSY), lowering program fees, adding apprenticeship liaisons, and issuing Grow grants to help employers start programs. Members focused on how apprenticeship could better serve people with disabilities and human services employers. They raised examples such as sterile processing, radiology, PCA services, developmental disability supports, and community college partnerships, and asked how smaller or lower-paid providers could afford to participate. Cutler explained that apprentices are W-2 employees, programs must include on-the-job learning, related instruction, mentorship, and progressive wages, and employers largely design their own programs. He said the state can support through tax credits, grants, and intermediaries such as trade associations or disability organizations that help employers navigate the process. The discussion also covered employer outreach, the role of intermediaries, and possible collaboration with community colleges and organizations like Commonwealth Corporation. Cutler said Eastern Bank did not currently have a program but could be a potential partner, and he confirmed that the RATSY credit is $4,800 per apprentice, with a cap and online application process, and that it can be stacked with the disability employment tax credit. The subcommittee agreed to follow up with Cutler’s team, identify a few priority occupations, and consider a targeted panel or information session to help expand apprenticeship opportunities for people with disabilities and in human services.

Transcript Highlights:

• During the month of February, we celebrate career and technology education programs in our schools.
• </c> and our three regional higher education and our three regional higher education centers<00:09:17.040
• Enhanced Requirement, Local Board of Education Transparency Act.
• I'm sure those boards of education are very thrilled about the goodter.
• ><c> and</c><00:14:16.560><c> the</c> Chair of Education, Energy, and the Chair of Education, Energy,

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Maryland Senate met on Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026, with a quorum present. The session opened with an invocation by Chaplain David Stadler, followed by journalization of his remarks and several introductions recognizing guests in the chamber, including dentists, an intern, a former legislative staffer, and representatives from the University System of Maryland and other groups. Senators also noted upcoming committee meetings and a Legislative Black Caucus photo the next day. The main floor action centered on a resolution honoring Maryland Career and Technical Student Organizations for Career and Technical Student Organization Week. The sponsor described the role of CTSOs in serving more than 12,000 students statewide and in building leadership, professional, and career skills. The resolution was read in full and adopted unanimously, with the Senate expressing congratulations and appreciation for the organizations’ work with young people. The Senate then took up layover items and calendar bills. Senate Bill 56, concerning Maryland Longitudinal Data Center external data sharing for multi-state reporting, was special ordered for one day after members raised privacy-related questions. Senate Bill 99, the Open Meetings Act/Local Board of Education Transparency Act measure, was also special ordered for one day after discussion of its committee amendment. The chamber also received administrative corrections from the Governor and referred them to the Executive Nominations Committee, and the majority leader later moved adjournment until February 19 at 10:00 a.m., which was adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• I serve as a trustee on the Orange County Board of Education.
• Only this time we'll change the elections for five county boards of education.
• And that was when it was only affecting the Orange County Board of Education.
• Good morning, Mary Barkey, Vice President of the Orange County Board of Education.
• I'm the general counsel of the Orange County Department of Education, and we're in opposition.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:01:15.880><c> and</c> Community music education and Community music education and performance
• Thank you, Director Brown. students educational experiences but students educational experiences but
• </c> they choose to become Farmers Educators they choose to become Farmers Educators or<00:18:53.600>
• </c> funding for music and arts education funding for music and arts education this<00:19:42.679><c>
• </c><00:20:06.960><c> and</c> investing in creativity education and investing in creativity education

Keywords: 1187, senate, all