Transcript Highlights:

• a request to send questions to the Arkansas Department of Health regarding sexual risk avoidance education
• The Standing Committee on Education Institutions, and Representative Duke is going to present that report
• Thirty-one education audit reports were included on the committee's agenda for review.
• This slide presents program expenditures by higher education institution for the life of the program,
• Because, I mean, you've spread the administration of this out over three or four higher education institutions

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING

Summary: The Legislative Joint Audit Committee met on February 13, 2026, and first adopted the January 9, 2026 minutes. It then received and adopted reports from the Executive Committee, the Standing Committee on Counties and Municipalities, the Standing Committee on Education Institutions, the Standing Committee on State Agencies, and the Medicaid Subcommittee. Those reports covered audit follow-up items, delinquent private water and sewer audits, municipal accounting compliance issues, education audit findings, state agency audit findings, and a Medicaid oversight presentation. Several reports were filed after discussion, and in multiple cases agencies or local officials were present to answer questions about repeat findings or compliance concerns. Among the notable audit matters, the committee reviewed a Cleburne County library audit that found more than $80,000 in unauthorized or questionable disbursements, including purchases that appeared personal in nature and improper fuel expenses. The library director had been placed on leave, later charged with felony theft of property and abuse of office, and the matter was referred to the prosecuting attorney and Attorney General. The committee also heard a special report on the Charles W. Donaldson Scholars Academy at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, which found scholarship ineligibility issues and numerous disbursement-processing exceptions, while noting that the program had ended in 2024 and remaining funds were returned to the school districts. During the state agency report, Legislative Audit described findings at DHS, Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, Corrections, and Veterans Affairs, including improper benefit payments, a cashed warrant by someone other than the intended payee, missing receipts, unauthorized fuel card purchases, and payroll and overtime issues. The committee filed that report after agency representatives responded to questions. The meeting ended with the filing of the Cleburne County and Donaldson Scholars Academy reports, and the next committee meeting was announced for March 12-13, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• partnerships with community-based organizations that help survivors develop new skills, continue their education
• Survivors develop new skills, continue their education, and find employment opportunities that allow
• Foundation, the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association, and our local partners for their employee education
• that Representative Wynn will temporarily replace Representative Willoughby on the Committee on Education
• Speaker Pro Tem, the Education Committee will resume at 2:00 p.m. after we finish.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for the school district local accountability plans and actions is focused on challenging the Texas Education
• Agency's decisions related to public school accountability for the Committee on Public Education.
• In populous counties, this bill is used to promote agricultural support for youth and provide educational
• program and the adoption of assessment instruments in public schools for the Committee on Public Education
• state-required assessments with instructionally supported assessments for the Committee on Public Education

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the simplest way to educate the public and our public health agencies about the risks and side
• ideology in the classroom and reinstate the requirements for parents to opt their children into sex education
• Look, this has passed the Senate and right now it's in public education.
• HB 1655 would ban social transitioning in public education, meaning that your, the teachers at schools
• That's HB 1655 and public education. We need that hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• being an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section that the conduct was for a bona fide educational
• I submit to you, Representative Fairley, that there is no bona fide educational, medical, psychological
• In which there was a bona fide educational use of the material in the arena of training law enforcement
• other words, became part of law enforcement or a branch of law enforcement, and it was a bona fide educational
• I would hope so, but I like the idea that education within law enforcement is also covered, at least

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Senator Davis: I AM NOT SURE THAT I HAVE ANY EDUCATION QUESTIONS BUT SENATOR GAETZ WHAT IS THE LEVEL
• OF EDUCATION, I HEARD YOU SAY THIS IS A TEMPORARY CERTIFICATE AND I GUESS THE COMPANIES ARE HAVING TROUBLE
• FINDING DEGREED FOLKS BUT WHAT IS THE LEVEL OF EDUCATION REQUIRED BY THESE FOLKS THAT WE ARE TALKING
• >> Chair: SENATOR GAETZ. >> Senator Gaetz: THE ANSWER IS THERE IS NO EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENT IN THE BILL
• BUT THERE IS NO EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENT PER SE.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We work to train and to educate what to do. If you see something, say something.
• the Texas Trucking Association and Titus Transportation to say boys are sex trafficked, to bring education
• the Texas Trucking Association and Titus Transportation to say boys are sex trafficked, to bring education
• So together, we must be able to fight this and bring education and awareness to this program.
• And it takes a team like this to come together to really bring education and awareness to this, to let

Summary: Texas senators, representatives, trucking industry leaders, DPS, and Bob’s House of Hope held a press event to launch a new awareness campaign against human trafficking, with a particular focus on the trafficking of boys and young men. Speakers said Texas remains among the worst states for stopping trafficking and emphasized that the problem affects people of all ages and genders, not just women and girls. They described the trucking industry’s role in spotting suspicious activity, the importance of public education, and the need to tell people to “see something, say something.” The Texas Trucking Association and Titus Transport announced that trucks will carry decals/posters promoting Bob’s House of Hope and providing a QR code and phone number for help and information. Bob Williams said his organization operates the first safe house in the country specifically for boys and young men who have been sex trafficked, and he cited studies suggesting boys may make up a substantial share of trafficking victims. He also said many of the youth in their care have suffered severe abuse and some have also experienced labor trafficking. Legislators and DPS officials praised the partnership and said the state must give law enforcement every possible tool to combat trafficking. Senator Hinojosa added that the issue is especially visible in South Texas and along the border, and that private-sector involvement is needed to help eradicate the crime. The event ended with plans to photograph the first truck carrying the new decals.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hawaii is a statewide organization born out of efforts by parents who collaborated with the Board of Education
• parents who collaborated with the board parents who collaborated with the board ofed<00:02:29.920><c> education
• </c><00:02:30.280><c> to</c><00:02:30.440><c> shape</c><00:02:31.040><c> Hawaii's</c> ofed education
• to shape Hawaii's ofed education to shape Hawaii's homeschool<00:02:32.599><c> law</c><00:02:33.519><
• we need to find out what that policy is so that any of our students, no matter how they're being educated

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's why together with CTE caucus co-chair, education caucus, I'm proud to be an education caucus,
• Skills-based education and CTE programs.
• c><00:14:22.880><c> the</c><00:14:23.040><c> City</c> higher education degree at the City higher education
• </c><00:15:53.759><c> reform,</c> affordable housing, education reform, affordable housing, education
• . education. education.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 31.240><c> as</c><00:05:31.400><c> to</c> to educate voters as to to educate voters as to what<00:05:
• ,</c><00:43:49.760><c> say,</c> to the State Board of Education, say, to the State Board of Education
• </c><00:44:11.320><c> significantly</c> in impacted her education significantly in impacted her education
• ><c> at</c><01:13:26.640><c> New</c> education policy director at New education policy director at New
• </c> some time on the Senate Education some time on the Senate Education Committee,<01:51:21.360><c>

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It focuses on the sweat equity component and homebuyer education.
• </c><00:47:48.680><c> course</c> new home buyer education course new home buyer education course developed
• And we have public education efforts, educating last year over 11,000 members of the community—landlords
• And then the homeownership education counseling and training program.
• </c> um and then the home ownership education um and then the home ownership education counseling<01:

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• program, which allows soldiers and airmen to transfer their unused... ...family education program, which
• allows soldiers and airmen to transfer their unused education benefits to their dependents.
• Speaking as a retired career Massachusetts public school educator, I come before you today to advocate
• A special project I implemented during many years as an educator was Project Peace, which stands for
• political education at Crocker Elementary.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. Representative David Linsky supported HB 3383, which would designate the song “Roadrunner” as the official rock song of Massachusetts, describing its Boston roots and cultural significance. Representative Sean Garberle supported HB 3335 on public access to historical records, arguing that records from state institutions should be released after 75 years and that families and researchers should be able to identify people buried in unmarked graves at former state institutions. Representative Rodney Elliott and Lowell officials supported HB 4138, authorizing easements for a Lowell sewer separation project; they said the project is needed for Clean Water Act compliance, will reduce combined sewer overflows into the Merrimack River, and must proceed quickly to meet SRF and consent-decree timelines. Committee members asked about Article 97, the location and scope of the easement, environmental justice impacts, and minority/small business participation in construction. The committee also heard extensive testimony on Senate 2183 and its House companion, which would elevate the Massachusetts National Guard to a cabinet-level position reporting directly to the Governor. Senators Mike Moore and John Velis, along with the National Guard Association’s Matthew McKenna, argued the change would reduce bureaucracy, improve communication and readiness, and reflect the Guard’s broad domestic and military missions. Velis cited the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home tragedy as an example of a breakdown in communication, while committee members said they wanted more information, including input from the Governor’s office and Guard leadership, before acting. The committee noted the distinction between state-controlled and federalized Guard missions and said it would continue reviewing the issue. Senator Liz Miranda and a large panel of survivors, advocates, and Northeastern law students testified in support of S. 2174 and S. 2177, which would create an office and task force on unsolved homicides, allow families to petition for case review after three years, require written responses, and establish a tip line, database, and dedicated funding. Witnesses described long-standing lack of communication, low clearance rates, and the disproportionate impact on Black and Brown communities. Senator Becca Rausch also testified on S. 2210, extending public records law to the governor and Legislature, and S. 2207, creating stronger information-governance and records-retention standards; she said both would improve transparency and reduce waste. The transcript does not reflect any votes taken during the hearing, though chairs repeatedly indicated support for moving some bills favorably and said the committee would continue reviewing the National Guard proposal.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it could help with further educating...
• It can go towards education and outreach, which would include the voter information guide.
• The second proposal before you today is for the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education.
• I'll provide our comments on the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.
• The budget change proposal ...with the education and economic development systems.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Through my later teens and adulthood, I built a platform that was focused on LGBTQ education through
• Through my later teens and adulthood, I built a platform that was focused on LGBTQ education through
• And third would fall along the line of digital literacy and safety education.
• And so I started to educate people, flip the script, that sort of thing.
• , that they can find employment— Health, that they can participate in school and education, that they

Summary: The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee held an informational hearing on the impact of social media on LGBTQ+ youth, focusing on benefits, risks, and possible safeguards. Chair members framed the discussion around the tension between protecting young people from addictive design, harassment, hate speech, exploitation, and mental health harms while preserving access to affirming resources, community, and crisis support that many LGBTQ+ youth rely on online. Members emphasized that the hearing was meant to inform future policy rather than relitigate prior bills, and several members of the LGBTQ+ Caucus attended or participated. The first panel featured lived experience and advocacy testimony from Madi Roby of Alliance for Trans Youth Rights, Shea Gardner of LGBT Tech, and Casey Pick of the Trevor Project. Roby described social media as essential to exploring identity, finding trans language and safety information, and connecting to Trevor Project resources during a family crisis, while also acknowledging online hate and bullying. Gardner argued that lawmakers should regulate harms more precisely rather than impose broad age-based exclusions, warning that account bans and age-gating could cut off access to community, privacy-protective pseudonymity, and crisis resources. Pick testified that LGBTQ+ youth are more likely than peers to attempt suicide, that social media can be both a lifeline and a risk, and that Trevor Space and other moderated online spaces can improve mental health and reduce isolation; she also cautioned against policies that would push youth into less visible, less moderated spaces. Committee members questioned the witnesses about algorithmic feeds, addictive design, age verification, and whether platforms should be required to do more to protect youth. Several lawmakers distinguished between personalized feeds and addictive features such as infinite scroll and autoplay, and asked for more targeted prescriptions. Witnesses generally supported stronger privacy protections, limits on data collection and use, better reporting and moderation tools, digital literacy, and design changes that reduce harmful engagement patterns without eliminating access to community. The discussion also touched on the loss of LGBTQ-specific 988 services at the national level and the importance of maintaining alternative support pathways. The second panel presented research from Common Sense Media, UC Irvine, Hope Lab, and LGBTQ+ Health Australia. Researchers reported that LGBTQ+ youth often arrive online with higher depressive symptoms and limited in-person support, encounter homophobic and transphobic content at high rates, and may self-censor because of fear of harassment. At the same time, many said social media helps them feel less alone and find affirmation. Dr. Sean Young emphasized a harm-reduction approach, noting that online environments can be designed to support health and that policymakers should measure whether restrictions actually reduce harm or simply displace it. Dr. Amy Green echoed that social media is both harmful and supportive for LGBTQ+ youth, underscoring that the policy goal should be to make youth safer rather than less visible online.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then that this debate should be held in education because we're only here, I'm sorry, we've already
• So I believe that with the new substitute bill, it should be debated in Education Committee, not the
• This is appropriations, not education. Everybody knows where they're going to be at on this bill.
• Speaker: Well, I was assuming we’re going to recommit this education.
• Speaker: Are we going to move on the motion to move to education?

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 105, which reinstates a sunset-expired TOPS Tech benefit for eligible veterans. Senator Kathy said the bill would use existing TOPS dollars, not new funding, and would help veterans stay in Louisiana and enter the workforce. After brief questions about eligibility and funding, Representative Marcelle moved the bill favorably, and it was reported favorably without objection. House Resolution 3, by Representative Newell, asked the Louisiana Housing Corporation to study whether vacant state-owned property could be repurposed for housing and rental assistance for cost-burdened state employees. Members discussed the high fiscal note and whether the work could be absorbed in existing budgets. Fiscal staff said LHC had requested a full-time position and four part-time positions for the study, but the committee also talked about narrowing the study’s scope. Representative Marcelle moved the resolution favorably, and it was reported favorably without objection. The committee then debated House Bill 189, which would extend supplemental pay to fire protection officers at the Lakefront Management Authority’s airport fire department. Representative Newell and airport representatives argued the firefighters perform specialized, hazardous ARFF duties and should receive the same supplemental pay as other qualifying public firefighters. Some members questioned whether the airport and its employees qualify under existing law and whether the supplement should be expanded further. After discussion, Representative Marcelle moved the bill favorably, but the motion failed on a roll call vote of 8 yeas to 10 nays. Later, Senate Bill 461, concerning Office of Group Benefits coverage for certain small employee groups, was reported favorably without objection. House Bill 623, creating a three-tier permitting system for vapor products, was amended to clarify direct-to-consumer shipment restrictions and then reported favorably as amended. House Bill 1222, creating a grocery initiative grants and financial support program through LED to address food deserts, drew extended debate over whether it would amount to government-run grocery stores; supporters framed it as an incentive and grant program for private grocers, while critics raised concerns about government involvement. After amendment, it was reported favorably as amended by a vote of 16 yeas to 2 nays. Finally, House Resolution 80, directing a comprehensive fiscal audit related to Board of Regents and university system spending on certain executive budget metrics, was amended into a substitute version. Members debated whether the resolution would require universities to do additional work and whether it belonged in Appropriations at all, especially since the fiscal note had been removed. The discussion also raised concerns about the listed schools and the resolution’s purpose in light of a federal civil rights investigation. The transcript ends while the committee is still discussing the resolution and related procedural motions.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll move to Substitute House Bill 2410, establishing a commercial truck safety and education council
• The trucking industry is lacking in safety and education, but is the most crucial piece of keeping our
• It's a disruption to medical care, access to government services, commerce, education, and family life
• It's a disruption to medical care, access to government services, commerce, education, and family life
• At Northwest Maritime, we work across education and workforce development to build a strong maritime

Summary: The committee first held an executive session on several transportation measures heard earlier in the session, including bills on rounding cash transactions to eliminate pennies, vehicle title transfers to insurers, a memorial bridge naming, BAT lane access for private employer transportation services, oil tanker escort requirements, Traffic Safety Commission authority, fifth-wheel trailer length, electric vehicle sales and funding, and vehicle loads on public highways. Most of the measures were advanced with due pass recommendations to the Rules Committee, and the committee adopted amendments on the penny-rounding bill, the EV funding bill, and the vehicle-loads bill. Members noted some opposition or reservations on a few items, including the penny-rounding proposal and the vehicle-loads amendment, but the motions carried. The committee then returned to public hearing on several bills. Substitute House Bill 2323 would create a blue envelope program for neurodiverse drivers to help communicate with law enforcement during traffic stops; the Department of Licensing and State Patrol fiscal notes were described, and the bill drew strong support in signed-in testimony. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2588 would expand county ferry district authority to include vehicle ferries and require voter approval for new taxes after the effective date; testimony was mixed, with Whatcom County officials and ferry users supporting the bill as a funding tool, while one opponent criticized the tax and timing provisions. The committee also heard public testimony on Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2172, which would change the route jurisdiction transfer and abandonment process for state highways by requiring agreements or legislative review for longer abandonments or bridge transfers; cities, counties, the Transportation Commission, and the TIB supported the bill as a more transparent process. Additional public hearings covered Substitute House Bill 2203, creating reckless interference with emergency operations for drivers who bypass emergency road closures; a defense-lawyer witness opposed the mandatory license suspension, while the sponsor described the bill as a response to flood and fire rescues. Substitute House Bill 2410 would create a Commercial Truck Safety and Education Council and raise the commercial vehicle safety enforcement fee from $16 to $32 per vehicle; the trucking industry and business groups supported it as a safety and training investment. The committee also heard a staff briefing and sponsor testimony on Second Substitute House Bill 1923, the Mosquito Fleet Act, which would expand passenger-only ferry district options and was presented as a local tool to improve ferry access and relieve Washington State Ferries congestion.

Transcript Highlights:

• And yet, instead of investing in housing, health care, or education, this legislature is choosing to
• The pilot program must use a proactive, preventative approach to stress and resilience using education
• The pilot program must use a proactive, preventative approach to stress and resilience using education
• The facility would allow officers to receive continuing education and ongoing skills-based training in
• I heard this bill in education because I’ve had a very positive experience with community gardens, much

Bills: SB1088 , SB1156 , SB1157 , SB1169 , SB1245 , SB1273 , SB1330 , SB1332 , SB1391 , SB1498 , SB1531 , SB1550 , SB1598 , SB1677 , SB1707 , SB1811 , SB1818

Committee: Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology

Keywords: cybersecurity, homeland security, artificial intelligence, state appropriation, VPN security, zero trust, appropriation, public safety, detention, unauthorized aliens, local government funding, border security, fencing, appropriations, southern border, local government, medical education, physician shortage, healthcare funding, Arizona health care

Transcript Highlights:

• My questions are going to be around pre-K through higher education. Mr.
• In the case of The special education services, the schools essentially certify that they've...
• Director Bucas is here who can talk about how we're coordinating with Education side.
• We need to educate more in New Mexico. So we need more education. We need more other policies.
• We teach it in early childhood education as well as with parents. So it does start young.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> institution of higher education. institution of higher education.
• </c><00:45:23.040><c> or</c> in the arena of higher education or in the arena of higher education or
• ,</c> be well educated, be well educated, wellskilled,<00:47:00.800><c> trained</c><00:47:01.280><c>
• Seeing none education committee report?
• </c><01:43:46.080><c> committee</c> adoption of the education committee adoption of the education committee

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:45:41.760><c> and</c> agencies and um special education and agencies and um special education
• </c> have one purpose and that is to educate have one purpose and that is to educate children.<02:09:
• </c><02:20:17.760><c> and</c> schools remain focused on education and schools remain focused on education
• ><c> begins</c><02:20:39.040><c> to</c> And the educational mission begins to And the educational mission
• Schools should not be educational ones.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all