Video & Transcript : 'Washington State Energy Code' :

Page 353 of 500
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Feb 16th, 2026

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • Chairman, I appreciate you embodying the whole state to be here.
  • We also need a little more help from our state of Idaho to help our districts.
  • budget, and now we're asking the feds to pony up more money to our state.
  • State support can turn intention into reality. State support can turn intention into reality.
  • By the state conference that spring, I had traveled to Washington, D.C., with our state team to speak
Committee: Senate Education
Keywords: 989, all
LA
Transcript Highlights:
  • “Just the QR code.
  • For the QR code?” “For the QR code?
  • And only 25% are in the state.
  • the state.
  • Because every state has this exact same issue. And so Washington is aware of this.
Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on March 16 and first disposed of several local bills without controversy. House Bills 590, 679, and 873 were voluntarily deferred. HB 503, allowing certain utility terrain vehicles and golf carts in Golden Meadow, was amended and reported. HB 720, clarifying tacit dedication and public access to waterways and related access points, was reported favorably. HB 856, expanding indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contracting authority for DOTD and the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction, was amended and reported. HB 487, increasing penalties for drivers who run red lights by using shoulders or turn lanes to pass stopped traffic, was amended and reported. HB 846, prohibiting obscured or covered license plates, was reported favorably. HB 733 and HB 875, both dealing with OMV reinstatement fees and lapses of insurance, were reported with amendments after discussion of audit findings and fee timing. HB 707, moving liquefied petroleum gas commission functions to Agriculture, was amended and reported. HB 693, creating legislator district signs, was amended and then voluntarily deferred. HB 777, requiring a driver's license renewal knowledge exam, was amended and voluntarily deferred for further work with the department. HB 746, concerning oversized trucking permits issued by local governments, was introduced but not advanced, with the author signaling a desire to work on the issue further rather than force a vote. Several bills drew extended debate over safety, enforcement, and government overreach. HB 309, which would have penalized pedestrians for looking at cell phones while crossing crosswalks, was amended from a criminal offense to a $25 civil fine but then voluntarily deferred after members raised concerns about enforceability, tourism, free will, and whether the bill targeted the right party. HB 695, requiring permits and QR-code documentation for consensual non-commercial towing of multiple connected vehicles, was heavily questioned over how it would work in practice, whether it applied to single or multiple vehicles, and how out-of-state travelers would know about the requirement; the committee asked the author to work with OMV and State Police and voluntarily returned the bill to the calendar. HB 868, removing the farm exemption from trailer safety-chain and attachment requirements after a fatal accident involving a trailer separation, was amended and reported despite concerns from members and the Agriculture Commissioner about impacts on older farm equipment and the need to preserve flexibility for agricultural operations. The committee also heard testimony from law enforcement, the auditor’s office, the Department of Transportation and Development, the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, and industry groups. Chiefs of police supported the red-light and license-plate bills as common-sense public safety measures, while the Legislative Auditor explained that the OMV fee bills were intended to align Louisiana’s reinstatement fees and grace periods more closely with other states and with audit recommendations. DOTD and the secretary supported the procurement bill as a tool to speed construction and maintenance work. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain supported the propane commission bill and urged caution on the farm trailer safety bill so that older and specialized equipment would not be unintentionally burdened.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Mar 12th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • Statutory authority can be found in Section 67-501 of Idaho Code.
  • , and $30,000 for replacement items at State Hospital North.
  • There is also $305,000 from the State Hospital North Endowment Income Fund for replacement items at State
  • out there that's federal code that we refer to here at 45 CFR 98.2.
  • I don't believe that's in any of those CFRs that you've stated here.
Summary: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee met with a quorum and took up several Department of Health and Welfare and related budget items. On the Commission on Aging, a motion to restore $129,900 in ongoing general funds for senior nutrition failed, but a revised motion to restore the same amount as one-time general funds passed. The committee then approved the Division of Welfare budget items tied to federal and state changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and House Bill 345, including SNAP administrative cost adjustments, Medicaid expansion work requirements, and Medicaid eligibility system changes. For Indirect Support Services, the committee approved a budget that included a fund-source change for the background check unit, replacement items, IT modernization and consolidation, and the fiscal impact of Senate Bill 1314. It also approved a separate motion to exempt several Health and Welfare divisions from transfer limitations, but only for Youth Safety and Permanency and Licensing and Certification after a substitute motion narrowed the original request. The committee then approved a $60,000 general fund restoration for the Domestic Violence Council within Independent Councils, with a senator disclosing a potential conflict of interest for the record. The committee next adopted revised language for the Idaho Child Care Program Capacity Grant in the Early Learning and Development budget after extensive discussion about clarifying eligibility, investigations, and provider definitions; the motion passed despite concerns from the department and some members that the language remained unclear and policy-heavy. Finally, the committee approved consolidation of the Office of Species, Minerals and Energy Coordination, combining the former species conservation and energy/mineral offices and funding personnel, fisheries projects, and one-time energy resiliency grants. The meeting ended with adjournment to the call of the chair, and no further meeting was scheduled for the next morning except one House Appropriations item at 9 a.m.
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • Out of Washington State, I actually worked on the development of that many years ago and helped develop
  • The witnesses have stated they have operational control.
  • We haven't— the United States is— Left a void there.
  • The United States and Panama have a very deep relationship.
  • I always tell people Indiana is a maritime state.
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session Apr 8th, 2025 at 01:00 pm

North Dakota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I don't see anything that states it here. I don't see anything that states it here.
  • They take the same state assessments and follow the same standards in the Century Code, and they report
  • As previously stated, there's 46 other states that have done this already.
  • in the United States.
  • in the United States.
Keywords: 908, all
Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. The chamber received notice that the governor had signed several bills, and the Speaker appointed conference committees after the Senate failed to concur with House amendments on Senate Bills 2180 and 2330. The House also approved several sixth-order amendments without objection before moving into reconsideration and final action on House Bill 1300, which concerns legislative term limits. After procedural motions to reconsider and undo concurrence, the House voted to do not concur on HB 1300, sending it back to the chair’s lap for further negotiation. A major portion of the meeting focused on Senate Bill 2232, which changes mandatory reporting rules for prenatal exposure to controlled substances and alcohol. Supporters said the bill is intended to keep pregnant women in prenatal care by removing an automatic CPS report if a woman tests positive but enters and stays on a treatment plan; opponents argued it weakens protections for unborn children and creates vague standards for mandated reporters. The House passed the bill 57-36. The chamber also passed Senate Bill 2280 unanimously, establishing timelines and standards for prior authorization in health insurance, and passed Senate Bill 2186, which creates a civil remedy for interference with court-ordered parenting time, a child custody review task force, and related reporting requirements. The House then took up Senate Bill 2239, an apprenticeship grant program with a $1.1 million appropriation, but rejected it 14-79 after the committee said the program lacked a clear administrative home. Senate Bill 2241, creating a framework for public charter schools, generated extensive debate over school choice, local control, funding, staffing, and rural impacts; supporters emphasized flexibility and community-driven options, while opponents warned about diversion of funds and weak guardrails. The bill passed 64-29. The House also passed Senate Bill 2024, the Department of Environmental Quality budget, after discussion about federal funding uncertainty; Senate Bill 2374, updating property insurance laws and market rules; Senate Bill 2216, creating a waterfowl habitat restoration stamp; Senate Bill 2245, allowing certain duck and goose hunting from anchored floating craft; and Senate Bill 233, establishing a distressed ambulance services process, which drew questions about how affected districts and neighboring services would be involved.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Mar 12th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • Statutory authority can be found in Section 67-501 of Idaho Code.
  • costs from 50% on the state's responsibility to 75% state and 25% federal.
  • some replacement items at State Hospital North, and $85,000 from federal funds for LED upgrades at State
  • There's different code out there that's federal code that we refer to here at 45 CFR 982.
  • I don't believe that's in any of those CFRs that you've stated here.
Keywords: 989, all
Summary: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee considered several Department of Health and Welfare budgets and related language items. For the Commission on Aging, the committee first rejected an ongoing $129,900 general fund restoration for senior nutrition, then approved the same amount as a one-time restoration for Meals on Wheels. The Division of Welfare budget was then approved with adjustments for the SNAP federal-state cost split, Medicaid expansion work requirements, and Medicaid eligibility system changes; members discussed the growing state share of federal program costs and the need to implement legislative eligibility requirements. The committee also approved the Indirect Support Services budget, including a budget-neutral fund source change for the background check unit, replacement items, IT modernization and consolidation funding, and a reduction tied to Senate Bill 1314. It then approved a one-time $77,100 restoration for Mental Health Services, with supporters citing staffing needs for designated examiners and children’s mental health services. In addition, the committee adopted transfer-limitation exemption language for selected Health and Welfare divisions, after a substitute motion narrowed the exemption to Youth Safety and Permanency and Licensing and Certification. For Independent Councils, the committee approved a $60,000 ongoing general fund restoration for the Domestic Violence Council. It also adopted revised Idaho Child Care Program Capacity Grant language for Early Learning and Development after discussion about clarifying terms such as “under investigation,” “out-of-school care,” and “qualifying providers,” and then withdrew the earlier version of that language. Finally, the committee approved the new Office of Species, Minerals, and Energy Coordination budget to consolidate the former species conservation and energy/mineral offices, including funding for nuclear coordination, fisheries projects, and energy resiliency grants. The meeting ended with adjournment to the call of the chair, and one House Appropriations item was announced for the following day.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session - 05/07/26

Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And it has to do with the international energy conservation code.
  • </c><00:53:52.720><c> a</c><00:53:53.200><c> 70%</c> energy code does not require a 70% energy code does
  • And it has to do with the International Energy Conservation Code.
  • Conservation Code, which applies across the United States.
  • Energy Conservation Code.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Mar 25th, 2026

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • For the record, Secretary of State Phil McGrane for the great state of Idaho.
  • For the record, Secretary of State Phil McRane for the Great State of Idaho.
  • I support mineral and energy development, but the State Historic Preservation Office should not be there
  • And we want to ensure that we're not closing the door in the state, but that all new large energy loads
  • own, they put forth a call to the states and said states, if you want to have your own state level regulation
Summary: The committee first approved the March 16 and March 17, 2026 minutes. It then introduced RS 33798, a proposal related to cooperative and group discount purchasing in the Department of Administration procurement division, and sent it for printing. The main policy item was Senate Bill 1422, a major rewrite of Idaho campaign finance law. Senator Harris and Secretary of State Phil McGrane said the bill would move the laws into Title 74, reorganize reporting rules, prohibit foreign contributions, require new disclosures for signature-gathering and independent expenditures, add pre-primary and pre-general reports, increase contribution limits modestly, and create a graduated fine structure. Questions focused on reporting thresholds, commercial recordkeeping, and the distinction between reporting violations and other violations. The committee voted to send SB 1422 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then heard House Bill 889, a broad update to the State Procurement Act. Representative Britt Raibolt said the bill clarifies procurement definitions, best-and-final-offer procedures, use of subject-matter experts, multiple-award contracts, bid scoring, prior performance, federal CMS approval timing, confidentiality of technical information, debarment, cooling-off periods, protest bonds, and disclosure of procurement-related spending. He said the goal was to improve consistency, transparency, and efficiency in large state procurements. After brief questions about the need for the overhaul and the definition of frivolous protests, the committee voted to send HB 889 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 890, also presented by Raibolt, would repeal a surplus-property carve-out used in the ITD building sale and return disposal of surplus administrative property to the regular process under the State Board of Land Commissioners. The committee also advanced HB 900, which sets procedures for private insurance claims over $100,000 involving state property damage, requires appraisal opportunities, public notice of settlement offers, and a public hearing plus legislative notice if an agency relocates services or sells property after such a claim. Both bills received due pass recommendations. The longest discussion was on House Bill 898, which would move the State Historic Preservation Office from the Idaho State Historical Society into the new Office of Species, Minerals, and Energy Coordination. Senator Den Hartog said the move would improve coordination on federal permitting and preserve SHPO’s functions, while opponents argued the current placement supports preservation work, grants, archives, and Section 106 review, and that moving SHPO into an office focused on energy and minerals could create conflicts of interest and weaken preservation outcomes. Testimony came from historians, preservation professionals, local commission members, utility and water industry representatives, and a youth witness, with supporters emphasizing streamlined permitting and opponents emphasizing mission alignment and public trust. The sponsor closed by saying the bill complies with federal law and that federal law allows states flexibility in where to house the office; the transcript ends before any final committee action on HB 898.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Mar 25th, 2026

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • For the record, Secretary of State Phil McGrane for the great state of Idaho.
  • I support mineral and energy development, but the State Historic Preservation Office should not be there
  • So it's a lot of energy.
  • And we want to ensure that we're not closing the door in the state, but that all new large energy loads
  • They put forth a call to the states and said, states, if you want to have your own state-level regulation
Keywords: 989, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee Jun 24th, 2026

Utilities and Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Hydrogen, as the Senator has stated, is critical to our energy future in California.
  • Improving energy affordability.
  • state.
  • Many other states that experienced this rapid development have struggled with high energy costs and have
  • Our state must take steps to ensure grid investments for large energy consumers on a scale not yet seen
Keywords: 988, house, all
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Energy resilience is so critical to our national security that Congress has mandated in 10 United States
  • Code 2920 that all Department of Defense critical energy loads be 99.9% energy resilient by 2030.
  • It was actually established by the United States Department of Energy as a solar permitting platform,
  • It was actually established by the United States Department of Energy solar permitting platform, which
  • Peak energy demand comes when the energy system is at its most stressed.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The hearing focused broadly on solar policy and several related bills, especially S. 2269, S. 2270, H. 3520, H. 3521, and related measures on distributed energy resources, municipal solar caps, permitting reform, and tax credits. Testimony from the Air Force supported S. 2232, which would exempt federal military installations from renewable energy production caps and net metering limits to support energy resilience at bases like Hanscom. Most other witnesses argued that Massachusetts needs to speed up rooftop, municipal, and community solar deployment to address high electricity prices, federal tax credit rollbacks, grid reliability, and climate goals. A major theme was streamlining permitting through automated or “smart” solar permitting, including a statewide platform managed by DOER. Permit Power, SEIA, Vote Solar, 350 Mass, and others said current local permitting is fragmented and costly, and that instant permitting could reduce soft costs and speed installations. Several witnesses also urged changes to interconnection rules, including flexible interconnection, remote inspections, and faster utility approval timelines. Some speakers raised concerns about small towns lacking staff to meet short deadlines and suggested a state-hosted platform to reduce the burden on municipalities. Another major topic was lifting caps on solar deployment. Municipal officials from Lexington and Cambridge said the 10-megawatt municipal cap and regional caps are blocking shovel-ready projects and should be removed, including for behind-the-meter municipal solar and MBTA-community housing. Other witnesses described additional limits on project size, net metering, and residential tax credits, and called for making the state residential solar credit refundable and larger. Several speakers also supported virtual power plants, distributed energy resource targets, solar canopies, microgrids, and expanded access for affordable housing, tenants, and low- and moderate-income customers. No votes were taken. Committee members asked questions about permitting timelines, grid modernization, the rationale for caps, balcony solar, and interconnection delays, and witnesses said they would follow up with additional information where needed. The hearing ended with broad support from industry, municipal, environmental, and advocacy groups for advancing the solar and distributed energy bills, while some witnesses opposed provisions they viewed as overly restrictive, such as mandatory SMART participation for all solar projects.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Natural Resources Committee Apr 20th, 2026

Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • AB 1577 requires data centers to report various energy usage statistics to the Energy Commission on a
  • Our member companies are investing billions in the state in capital, jobs, clean energy procurement,
  • I really do think that, obviously, my views about nuclear energy being a carbon-free source of energy
  • Testifying with me in support are Keith Dunn, State Building Trades, and Paul DeRero, Western States
  • We at PG&E are required by the Public Resources Code and various state agencies, from the PUC to forestry
Keywords: 988, house, all
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • All energy infrastructure in the United States operates within a global supply chain, including the clean
  • energy space.
  • NASEO, which is the group of state energy offices, and NARUC, which is the state PUC group, have put
  • County fire code. Yes.
  • They will follow the state law. State law. I'll just double-check.
Keywords: 1185, senate, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Across the state, downtowns are still struggling.
  • They're recovering faster here in our state.
  • The nightlife economy is responsible in our state.
  • They invest in our state because of it.
  • And we reached out to the state to say, how do we ensure that our city and our state is competitive and
Keywords: 988, house, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Across the state, downtowns are still struggling.
  • They're recovering faster here in our state.
  • They invest in our state.
  • and work with state legislators like the chair.
  • And we reached out to the state to say, how do we ensure that our city and our state is competitive and
Summary: The Select Committee on Downtown Recovery held a hearing titled “Revitalizing California’s Downtowns Through the Nightlife Economy,” focused on how nightlife, arts, entertainment, and late-night transportation can support downtown recovery after the pandemic. Chair Matt Haney framed nightlife as a major economic and cultural sector and said the committee hopes to produce policy, budget, and legislative proposals, building on last year’s downtown recovery bills. The hearing included three panels: nightlife policy experts and a venue owner; representatives from entertainment, tourism, and rideshare; and remote witnesses from London, Philadelphia, and New York discussing how other cities manage 24-hour economies. Witnesses on the first panel emphasized that nightlife is an ecosystem that includes workers, venues, transportation, and public safety. Michael Fishman described the growth of night managers and argued that zoning, licensing, and land costs can either support or choke off creative venues; he also said extending hours can reduce congestion and unsafe spillover if done in a regulated way. Ben Van Houten highlighted San Francisco’s entertainment zones, hospitality zone liquor licenses, Type 90 music venue licenses, and other local reforms, while urging more state coordination and possible tax and licensing changes. Darcy Drolinger of Oasis said independent venues are operating on thin margins, have faced repeated near-closures, and need tools such as extended alcohol service hours to remain viable and preserve community and LGBTQ+ cultural spaces. The second panel focused on tourism, major events, and transportation. Another Planet Entertainment’s Mary Condi said festivals and venues like Outside Lands, the Castro Theatre, and the Fox and Greek theaters draw large numbers of visitors, support hotels and restaurants, and require close coordination with city agencies; she also raised concerns about unexpected possessory interest tax bills and the burden of secondary ticketing and cannabis taxes. Amelia Zamani of Cal Travel said travel and tourism remain a major economic engine and argued that nightlife is central to attracting international visitors, conventions, and major events, especially if California wants to compete with cities that allow later alcohol service. Lyft’s Nicholas Johnson said late-night rides serve workers as well as patrons, reduce DUI risk, and are essential for safe access to downtowns and event venues. In the final panel, officials from London and Philadelphia described their nighttime governance models. London witnesses said the city created a 24-hour city strategy, a night czar, and a nightlife commission, and found that nightlife supports economic activity, workforce retention, and safer, more diverse districts when paired with flexible licensing and better transit. Philadelphia’s Rahim Manning said his city treats the nighttime economy as a major industry, with a $26.2 billion annual impact, and stressed that it includes manufacturing, logistics, health care, transportation, food service, arts, and sports—not just bars and clubs. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with committee members asking questions about extended hours, transportation, family-friendly programming, cannabis activation, ticketing, and how California can better support a safe and competitive nighttime economy.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • If you could just state your name and what you do. Sure.
  • It came out of the state of Kentucky, and it was a federal district court case that stated that Title
  • It is in the Education Code that the CIF is to comply with both state and federal law.
  • It's happening across the state, the nation, and the world.
  • All seven affiliates throughout the state that believe in autonomy.
Summary: The committee met on April 1, 2025, first adopting its rules and then taking up AB 89, a bill to require CIF to align girls’ high school sports with federal policy and restrict participation to biological females. The author and supporters argued the bill was needed to protect fairness, safety, privacy, and competitive opportunities for girls, citing individual student-athlete stories and examples of transgender participation. Opponents, including parents, athletes, advocates, and technical witnesses, argued the bill would stigmatize transgender youth, invite invasive scrutiny and harassment, and solve a problem they said was extremely rare or unsupported by data. After lengthy public testimony and debate, the committee rejected AB 89 on a 2-7 vote and sent it to the Committee on Education as a failed motion. The committee then heard AB 844, a related measure framed by the author as restoring competitive integrity, protecting student privacy, and bringing California into compliance with Title IX and federal directives. Supporters, including Matt Walsh and a student athlete who said she lost a varsity spot to a transgender student, argued that sex-based sports rules are necessary because biological males retain athletic advantages and that California risks federal funding if it does not change course. Opponents, including educators, parents, LGBTQ advocates, and trans youth, said the bill would increase bullying, harassment, and exclusion, and that existing policies have worked without evidence of harm from transgender athletes. Public comment was again heavily divided, with many speakers on both sides. The transcript ends during public testimony on AB 844, before any final committee vote or action is shown.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Crime and Public Safety Jan 13th, 2026

Crime and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • State and local law enforcement enforces state law.
  • Not all states regulate alcohol the same. That authority was given to the states.
  • and in Washington, D.C.
  • the state of Missouri.
  • the state of Missouri.
Keywords: 959, house, all
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Business and Commerce Apr 1st, 2026

Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • battery energy storage system.
  • All energy infrastructure in the United States operates within a global supply chain, including the clean
  • energy space.
  • Both, NASIR, which is the group of state energy offices, and NARUC, which is the state PUC group, have
  • Do they follow the county fire code? They will follow the state law.
Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce convened to discuss critical infrastructure and supply chain integrity, particularly focusing on Texas's power grid and associated vulnerabilities. The meeting highlighted Texas's recent ranking as 10th in electricity affordability, emphasizing the state's commitment to maintaining a reliable and resilient electric grid. New committee members introduced themselves, and the agenda included testimony from ERCOT and the Public Utility Commission regarding the implementation of the Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act, which aims to mitigate risks posed by foreign entities to the power grid. Chad Sealy from ERCOT presented updates on the attestation process for market participants, revealing that over 1,500 entities had submitted attestations regarding their corporate structures and affiliations with designated foreign countries. Concerns were raised about the adequacy of the current vetting process, particularly regarding indirect relationships with foreign adversaries. Testimonies from the PUC and the Attorney General's office underscored the challenges of enforcing compliance and the need for improved legislative measures to enhance oversight and security. The committee also heard from experts, including Dr. Emma Stewart from Idaho National Laboratory, who discussed the evolving threats to the grid from foreign adversaries and the importance of securing communication systems. Recommendations included prioritizing inspections of critical components and enhancing collaboration with national laboratories to address vulnerabilities. The discussion concluded with an acknowledgment of the balance needed between ensuring grid security and maintaining affordability for consumers.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
  • The state auditor is elected directly by the people of the state of Washington.
  • The state auditor is elected directly by the people of the state of Washington.
  • We narrowed that list to about 30 or so that we end up presenting to the state... ...state of Washington
  • One here that I would highlight is just an audit looking at the Washington State ferry system.
  • One here that I would highlight is just an audit looking at the Washington state ferry system.
Summary: The committee meeting began with a brief explanation of the renamed Joint Legislative Audit Review Committee subcommittee, now called the Committee to Hear SAO Performance Audits, and a presentation from the State Auditor’s Office on its current biennium performance audit work plan. The auditor described how topics are selected from a large pool of potential audits and highlighted several ongoing or planned audits, including the Liquor and Cannabis Board, oversight of authorized entities serving students with disabilities, the Quality Home Care Initiative, Medicaid managed care versus fee-for-service costs, the Housing Commission tenant ownership follow-up, DSHS vendor payment patterns, implementation of the Since Time Memorial curriculum, and the Washington State ferry system. Members asked about coordination with JLARC to avoid duplication, and the auditor said the offices exchange work plans, monthly updates, and quarterly coordination meetings. The committee then heard the State Auditor’s performance audit on how charter schools identify and support at-risk students. Auditors reviewed four charter schools—Catalyst Public Schools, Innovation High School, Pinnacles Prep, and Rainier Prep—and focused on English language learners, homeless students, and special education students. The audit found the schools met nearly all legal requirements reviewed, with only one area where two schools partially met a language-access requirement. The schools also used several promising practices, including small-group instruction, culturally responsive environments, and multi-tiered systems of support, though the auditors recommended better documentation of procedures to improve consistency. Families interviewed generally reported positive experiences, while noting resource constraints. Committee members asked about how the four schools were selected, whether the audit compared charter populations to home districts, and how MTSS requirements applied to the schools reviewed. The State Auditor’s Office said the sample was chosen for geographic diversity, student population characteristics, and representation from both authorizers, and that K-2 MTSS requirements were not evaluated because they applied to only one school. Representatives from the Charter School Commission and charter school advocates responded positively, emphasizing technical assistance, collaboration, and sharing best practices across schools. Two public testifiers also supported the report and said it highlighted effective practices that could be expanded across charter and traditional public schools.
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama House Jan 13th, 2026

Alabama House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We bring the state of Alabama before your throne.
  • </c> this state house. this state house.
  • </c> Jacob Shears, Jacksonville State Jacob Shears, Jacksonville State University,<00:17:21.039><c> Ty
  • </c><00:18:02.480><c> Avenue</c> the flags entrance on Washington Avenue the flags entrance on Washington
  • He and his wife were also state house.
Keywords: 1136, house, all