Transcript Highlights:

• The Buddha teaches us this.

Bills: HB1800, HB1860, HB2250, HB472, HB649, HB1391, HB1481, HB1509, HB1511, HB1515, HB1518, HB1541, HB1548, HB1576, HB1618, HB1642, HB1643, HB1661, HB1667, HB1678, HB1682, HB1688, HB1692, HB1707, HB1710, HB1711, HB1713, HB1718, HB1721, HB1728, HB1737, HB1740, HB1741, HB1785, HB1801, HB1802, HB1804, HB1810, HB1815, HB1824, HB1838, HB1839, HB1853, HB1854, HB1864, HB1870, HB1881, HB1888, HB1890, HB1891, HB1894, HB1920, HB1959, HB1960, HB1969, HB1973, HB1974, HB2023, HB2050, HB2078, HB2094, HB2095, HB2104, HB2137, HB2152, HB2158, HB2171, HB2207, HB2218, HB2246, HB2270, HB2271, HB2272, HB2279, HB2282, HB2289, HB2293, HB2297, HB2300, HB2309, HB2310, HB2314, HB2319, HB2329, HB2338, HB2339, HB2344, HB2361, HB2385, HB2395, HB2417, HB2429, HB2443, HB2452, HB2474, HB2475, HB2498, HB2505, HB2547, HB2576

Keywords: supplemental appropriations, state budget, Hawaii budget, biennial budget, capital improvement projects, CIP, general fund, special fund, green fee, special land and development fund, clean energy revolving loan fund, agricultural development revolving fund, community grants, nonprofit grants, Office of Community Services, housing, affordable housing, homelessness, health care, mental health

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• At OSU-OKC, I teach legal aspects of code administration and legal liabilities of code administration

Bills: HB1170

Keywords: fiduciary responsibility, proxy voting, public finance, Oklahoma statutes, pension plans, pecuniary factors, nonpecuniary factors, financial risk, Attorney General

Summary: The Senate Committee on Retirement and Government Affairs met to consider two executive nominations and House Bill 1170. Mark Wood was introduced as nominee to lead OMES; he described his background in public accounting and tax administration, said his focus would be on stabilizing the agency, improving efficiency, and balancing accountability with service. Senators asked about OMES’s core mission and whether some duties should be returned to agencies; Wood said he would keep an open mind and work with legislators on possible changes. The committee advanced his nomination on a 9-0 vote. The committee then heard Dwayne Helmberger’s nomination to the State Fire Marshal Commission. Helmberger, currently Stillwater fire chief and formerly assistant chief in Midwest City, emphasized code administration, education, and coordination with other agencies. Senators questioned him about backlogs in fire marshal inspections for marijuana grow operations and certificates of occupancy; he said the backlog was driven by the volume of applications and could be addressed through better planning, coordination, and logistics. His nomination also advanced unanimously, 9-0. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 1170, which would direct pension fiduciaries to focus on pecuniary interests and avoid non-financial ESG considerations. Senator Daniels explained that the bill was intended to clarify state policy and align definitions with related measures, and she requested a title strike while continuing to work on the language. Members raised concerns about due process, immunity provisions, and whether the bill would conflict with recent court rulings or still allow consideration of ESG factors when financially relevant. After debate, the committee passed the bill 6-2.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, they don't really teach a lot of good history anymore to these young kids.

Summary: The Committee on Veterans and Armed Forces met primarily for a presentation from Nina DiAngelo, executive director of the Mid-America Veterans Museum, joined by Renee Esri. DiAngelo described the museum’s mission to preserve veteran stories, educate the public, and provide a free, accessible space for reflection and healing. She highlighted the museum’s origins with World War II veteran Ralph Borrelli Sr., whose vision led to the museum’s creation, and emphasized that the museum collects and preserves oral histories, runs educational tours, participates in the Library of Congress Veteran History Project, and produces the Operation Insight podcast. DiAngelo and committee members shared examples of the museum’s impact on veterans and families, including stories of healing, connection, and assistance with benefits and home repairs. She said the museum has collected more than 650 stories, recorded over 2,000 Veteran History Project interviews, and receives about 2,000 visitors annually. She also outlined plans to expand outreach across Missouri, especially in rural and underserved areas, and to modernize preservation efforts with more technology. Committee members praised the museum’s work and discussed the importance of veterans telling their stories, including for healing and suicide prevention. The presentation also included an invitation to an upcoming August event, “Light and the Shadows,” marking the five-year anniversary of Abbey Gate and featuring the Veterans and Athletes United Traveling Memorial. Members discussed related efforts in their districts, including a Joplin museum project using QR codes to preserve veteran stories. No legislation was considered and no votes were taken; the committee adjourned after the presentation and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lord, teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts and a days that we may apply our hearts

Keywords: 1204, all

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• discrimination in public housing in Missouri, establishing that they and her honor insurer schools can teach

Keywords: 959, house, all

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• to address and possibly amend a policy that directly relates to the environment in which they work, teach

Keywords: 1183, house

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• Speaker, a key lesson I've tried to teach my children as they got old enough to think about money is

Summary: The House was called to order, a quorum was confirmed, and members recited the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer. The chamber approved the previous day’s minutes, held brief party caucuses, and received a Senate message announcing the signing of engrossed substitute House Bill 1187. The House then moved through third-reading business on several bills, concurring in Senate amendments before final passage votes. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1795, dealing with school restraint and isolation practices, drew the most debate. Supporters said the Senate changes added clarity and strengthened protections around restraint, while opponents argued schools and private providers serving high-need students need more training and funding before restrictions are tightened. The bill passed 58-37. Engrossed House Bill 1941, allowing small cannabis producers to form limited agricultural cooperatives, also passed after debate over whether cannabis should be treated as an agricultural product; it passed 69-26. Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2034, concerning the use of surplus pension funds from the LEOFF 1 plan, generated extensive opposition from members who said pension money should remain for retirees and first responders and warned against using it to balance the budget. Supporters described the measure as a prudent fiscal step for an overfunded closed plan. It passed 50-46. House Bill 1526, which allows snack bar licensees to sell wine by the glass, passed 87-9, and Second Substitute House Bill 1701, allowing independently owned wineries and breweries to lease third-party kitchen space, passed 89-7. The House then went at ease.

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• Reverend Jackson would also make time to teach, support, and inspire others, especially youth leaders

Keywords: 1182, all

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• so I recognize that these would be very important people to put onto this task force because they teach

Summary: The committee first heard House Memorial 64, which urges the Indian Affairs Department to quickly fill open positions and build technical assistance capacity to help tribes, pueblos, and nations use capital outlay funds effectively, especially in light of changes made by House Bill 247. The sponsor and several members discussed concerns that the new capital outlay rules could cause tribal projects to lose funding and be forced into a competitive tribal infrastructure process. After brief discussion and no public opposition, the committee voted do pass. The committee then heard House Memorial 65, which asks the Department of Health and the Department of Public Safety to convene a task force and study firearm safety and gun violence as a public health issue, with recommendations to reduce firearm deaths in New Mexico. Supportive testimony emphasized gun violence, school shootings, suicide, rural impacts, and the value of data-driven prevention; several members also raised concerns about including gun safety trainers, rural and tribal voices, and clarifying some language in the memorial. The sponsor said the task force would meet monthly and report by September 15. After debate, the committee approved the memorial on a 4-3 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• celebrate love, I like to highlight the work we're doing in our state to help create peaceful families, teach

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: Washington State Sen. Manka Dhingra opened a press conference focused on survivor-centered policies and funding for victim services, saying the state should continue supporting survivors despite a difficult budget climate and reduced federal support. She highlighted prior state actions such as extending the statute of limitations for sexual assault, restricting firearms for abusers, protecting survivors from discrimination, easing access to protection orders, and addressing female genital mutilation, while emphasizing the need to fund services that are trauma-informed and victim-centered. Much of the event focused on the request to restore about $21.38 million in victim services funding. Colleen McIngles of the King County Children’s Justice Center warned that without the funding, programs statewide would close, eliminating forensic interviewers, advocates, and coordinated response teams. Kate Garvey of the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center said agencies have already laid off staff and are triaging clients, and that the money would only maintain existing services. Several speakers tied the need for funding to broader public safety and survivor support, including references to federal VOCA cuts and the national reckoning over the Epstein case. Legislators also discussed several bills. Sen. T’wina Nobles described SB 5169, which would reduce the need for child victims and witnesses to repeatedly relive trauma in court. Rep. Jamila Taylor and Rep. Roger Goodman discussed HB 1591, which would provide mitigating treatment, resentencing options, and possible vacatur for survivors whose criminal conduct was connected to coercion or abuse. Rep. Chris Stearns and Sen. Tina Orwall discussed court-process reforms in SB 6017 and related efforts to prevent retraumatization of sexual assault survivors, along with recognition of female genital mutilation as sexual assault. Rep. Lauren Davis shared her personal experience with domestic violence and argued that cuts to system-based victim advocacy have left many survivors without support. The press conference also celebrated unanimous Senate passage of the Ebony Alert bill, which advocates said is needed to improve responses to missing Black women and girls; speakers urged the House to pass it next.

Transcript Highlights:

• This Black American history—we say Black history is 365, but it's only 365 if we teach it, if our kids

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Arizona House and Senate held a joint protocol session for African American Legislative Day, opening with prayer, presentation of the colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, and performances of the national anthem and “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” A representative from the Buffalo Soldiers of America also used the occasion to correct the program name and ask lawmakers for help securing a vacant building for a museum to preserve and display its historical exhibits and community work. Speaker Steve Montenegro and Senate President Warren Petersen welcomed attendees and said the event was an opportunity to hear directly from community leaders on priorities such as opportunity, public safety, education, affordability, and economic security. Representative Quante Cruz, chair of the African-American Legislative Conference, read a Black History Month proclamation and emphasized the importance of recognizing African American contributions and history. Ashley Anderson and Jerry McPherson of the Governor’s Office of African American Affairs highlighted the conference theme, “Made for This Moment,” and urged continued civic engagement, policy advocacy, and year-round collaboration with the office and community organizations. Senator Keiana Maria Sears delivered the main remarks, focusing on Black history, legacy, and the need to keep pushing for equality, economic parity, food security, and housing access. She spoke about the experiences of Black veterans, South Phoenix history, and the importance of teaching Black history and encouraging voting and civic participation. Representative Blackman also offered brief remarks about courage, faith, and the contributions of Black Americans to the country. The session ended with closing remarks and a benediction by Representative Cruz, who stressed building connections across districts and communities, followed by adjournment of the joint protocol session.

Transcript Highlights:

• This Black American history, we say Black history is 365, but it's only 365 if we teach it, if our kids

Summary: The joint protocol session for African American Legislative Day opened with prayer, the presentation of colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, and performances of the national anthem and “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” A representative from Buffalo Soldiers of America used the occasion to correct the program name and briefly described the organization’s history, community events, and interest in obtaining a vacant building for a museum. Speaker Steve Montenegro and Senate President Warren Petersen welcomed attendees and said the event was an opportunity to hear directly from African American leaders and advocates on issues such as opportunity, public safety, education, affordability, individual freedoms, and economic security. Representative Quante Cruz, chair of the African-American Legislative Conference, read a Black History Month proclamation and emphasized the 100-year recognition of Black History Month and the importance of honoring African American contributions in Arizona and nationally. Ashley Anderson and Jerry McPherson of the Governor’s Office of African American Affairs highlighted the conference theme, “Made for This Moment,” and urged continued civic engagement, policy advocacy, and year-round collaboration with the office. Representative Leah Landrum Taylor introduced the guest speakers, including Senator Kiana Maria Sears, who spoke about Black history, legacy, and the need to keep pushing for justice, food security, housing, and economic parity. She reflected on her father’s military service and the barriers Black veterans faced in Arizona, including difficulty using VA benefits to buy homes, and urged attendees to use their voices and votes. Representative Blackman also offered remarks connecting the day’s message to biblical themes of courage and perseverance. The session ended with closing remarks and a benediction from Representative Cruz, who stressed building community across districts and thanked participants before the joint protocol session was dissolved.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have an early childhood apprenticeship and a teaching apprenticeship.

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The House Labor, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee met to hear House Bill 7, sponsored by Representative Garrett and Representative Cates, which would continue and support apprenticeship and workforce training funding. The sponsors and the Department of Workforce Solutions described strong growth in apprenticeship participation, especially in the building trades, and said the fund has helped expand programs while maintaining high retention and employment outcomes. They emphasized that the bill would provide predictable, sustained investment in skilled labor needed for construction, infrastructure, and other growing sectors. Supportive testimony came from contractors, chambers of commerce, trade unions, and a small business owner, all of whom said apprenticeship funding is essential to meeting workforce shortages and keeping workers in New Mexico. Committee members asked about program demographics, geographic distribution, rural participation, reentry and high school dropout data, and how apprenticeships connect to displaced workers from energy and industrial closures. The secretary explained that the department uses Rapid Response and economic transition programs for layoffs and closures, and also surveys current energy workers to gauge retraining interest. Several members praised the bill’s return on investment and retention of workers in the state, while Representative de Rassas suggested adding more public transparency and performance metrics. Representative Ortiz asked about future funding after 2031 and whether the program could scale with more money. After discussion, Representative Hall moved a do pass, Representative de Rassas seconded, and the committee approved House Bill 7 with no opposition. The chair also announced upcoming committee meetings and asked members to consent to sharing contact information for committee purposes.

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• Dental schools across the country, including Texas, already teach these techniques for both therapeutic

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• is expected because the FEFP statute requires bonuses to be paid from these funds to teachers who teach

Summary: The Pre-K through 12 Budget Subcommittee met for its first meeting of the 2025 session and received an overview of add-on weights in the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP), followed by a Department of Education presentation on a legislatively required study of add-on weight funding and expenditures. The chair explained that add-on weights apply to acceleration and career programs such as AP, IB, ACE, CAPE, dual enrollment, early graduation, and certain small-district needs, and noted that add-on funding has grown substantially as the base student allocation increased. The chair also raised concerns that the department’s report did not clearly show whether districts’ reported costs included the full costs required by the proviso, and asked for more specificity on any recommended adjustment to the weights. Deputy Commissioner Suzanne Pridgen said the department surveyed districts on how they spent add-on revenue for fiscal years 2021-22 through 2023-24, with categories including teacher compensation, materials, equipment, professional development, exam fees, counseling, apprenticeship costs, and other expenditures. She said most add-on funds were spent on teacher bonuses and compensation, with AP, ACE, CAPE, and dual enrollment showing the largest increases in spending in 2023-24 due to higher FEFP funding; IB and early graduation were relatively flat. The department reported that add-on revenue covered between 41.8% and 79.2% of total program expenditures in 2023-24 and recommended adjusting add-on weights to better align with pre-2023-24 funding relationships, though no specific percentage was given during the meeting. Members asked about how “other” expenditures were categorized, whether teacher compensation included only statutory bonuses, how dual enrollment tuition and fees were counted, the small district factor, and whether the weights incentivize districts to offer advanced programs. The department clarified that teacher compensation in the study referred only to bonuses, that some “other” costs included charter school payments and dual enrollment tuition/fees, and that the small district factor is 1.0277, increasing base funding by 2.77% for fiscally constrained counties. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentation and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just came from teaching government and economics to the seniors, so literally I'm from Eastwick Christian

Bills: SB140, HB102, SB133, SB34

Keywords: Coach Safely Act, youth athletics, noncompliance penalties, Department of Public Health, youth athlete, dual enrollment, high school, community college, university, educational access, high school credit, violence prevention, conflict resolution, mediation, public education, high school graduation, 1136, house, all

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• person they hire, which is the superintendent, and to keep healthy relationships with the teachers who teach
• warehousing and reselling of prescription drugs is a relic from before we had an economic nexus standard
• warehousing and reselling of prescription drugs is a relic from before we had an economic nexus standard

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6244, SB6044, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification

Summary: The House first took up Substitute Senate Bill 6225, a transportation bond measure. Supporters said it was needed to fund preservation and maintenance of Washington’s transportation system, including road upkeep and emergency repairs, while opponents argued the state had already addressed current needs through a recent unanimous budget and existing bond authority. The bill passed final passage 59-38, meeting the required three-fifths vote. The House then considered Gross Substitute Senate Bill 6260, an education budget-related bill with many floor amendments focused on transition to kindergarten, alternative learning experience (ALE) funding, local effort assistance (LEA), educational service district reserves, superintendent pay, MSOC funding, and collective bargaining limits. Most proposed amendments were rejected, though Amendment 2654 on TK priorities was adopted. After the committee amendment as amended was adopted, the bill advanced to third reading and then passed 50-47. Supporters described it as a necessary budget reduction and risk-management measure; opponents argued it cut K-12 funding too deeply, especially in rural and property-poor districts, and would worsen inequities and invite litigation. The House also concurred in Senate amendments and passed several other bills. House Bill 1796, about school construction financing and capital levy use, passed 95-2. Second Substitute House Bill 2105, dealing with immigrant worker protections, passed 58-38. Engrossed House Bill 2211, on food sourcing for a health-related program, passed unanimously. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2225, regulating companion chatbots and child safety, passed 74-21. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2247, related to animal care, passed unanimously. Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2418, streamlining permitting timelines to support housing affordability, also passed unanimously. The House then moved on to additional Senate-concurred bills, beginning with Second Substitute House Bill 1906.

Transcript Highlights:

• While this is the correct standard in the vast majority of cases, existing law ignores the complicated
• This is why the typical standard for duress is insufficient, as it only considers force.
• Schools here don't teach comprehensive sex education or tell... People about contraception.

Bills: SB10, SB16, SB6, SB 6, SB 10, SB 16

Keywords: trafficking, prostitution, affirmative defense, victims, criminal justice reform, victim rights, criminal justice, judicial reform, court procedures, mental health services, criminal penalties, court security, SB 6, Woman and Child Protection Act, abortion, abortion-inducing drugs, medication abortion, mifepristone, misoprostol, pro-life

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• </c> to summarize the existing standards to summarize the existing standards related<00:09:59.760><c>
• Um, LURE sets minimum standards.
• Um, LURE sets minimum standards.
• and enhancing cultural its standards and enhancing cultural responsiveness<00:47:34.240><c> and</c><
• </c><00:55:38.839><c> isn't</c> requirements or provider standards isn't requirements or provider standards

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

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• What has been standard is it's community-based living. We've went to a home-based model.
• c> that</c><00:03:04.720><c> would</c><00:03:04.880><c> be</c> standard break times that would be standard
• What has been standard meal in the car.
• Minimum labor standards create a floor so that no worker is left behind.
• </c><01:36:30.920><c> for</c> law to create a a minimum standard for law to create a a minimum standard

Bills: HF4110, HF2113, HF4569, HF4414

Keywords: workplace regulations, employee rights, meal breaks, rest breaks, exemptions, paid leave, small employers, employment law, Minnesota Statutes, workforce development, HF4569, Minnesota Paid Leave Law, protected leave, seasonal employee, seasonal worker, hospitality, hospitality industry, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, employer certification