Transcript Highlights:

• The Green War tank that was paid part in our community, they used us as like to practice on us.
• town, or other political subdivision of the state that discharges the person from imprisonment or assesses
• convicting court and to the state or local agency that discharges the individual from custody or assesses

Bills: SB1152 , SB1156 , SB1157 , SB1213 , SB1232 , SB1268

Committee: Senate Military Affairs and Border Security

Keywords: immigration, public benefits, asylum, verification, Arizona Revised Statutes, appropriation, public safety, detention, unauthorized aliens, local government funding, border security, fencing, appropriations, southern border, local government, immigration enforcement, probation, law enforcement, court notification, civil rights

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have cost estimation tools, and we do an assessment of all of the things that we're responsible
• This is to assist the agricultural community in developing best management practices in water quality
• And in this preliminary budget, we're not making any assessment...

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Who pass the required exam performance assessment.
• That requirement can be met either through a performance assessment or satisfactorily completing training
• This will help schools continue to shift practices toward the science of reading.

Bills: HF1388

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: BARR Center, Building Assets, Reducing Risks, education finance, school funding, grant appropriation, evidence-based program, student achievement, social and emotional learning, school climate, teacher effectiveness, high school graduation, students in poverty, students of color, BIPOC, equity in education, Minnesota Department of Education, urban schools, suburban schools, rural schools, school coaching

Transcript Highlights:

• Understanding aquifers, tracking water levels. and assessing long-term trends require scientific tools
• storage, sharing and analysis of groundwater data. data, expanding water quality programs to better assess
• throughout the interim to discuss and analyze how the policy changes would be applied. in a real practical

Bills: HB 1089 , HB 1163 , HB 1177 , HB 1238 , HB1318 , HB1400 , HB1407 , HB1532 , HJR7 , HJR7

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: coastal protection, environmental management, Gulf Coast, storm risk management, funding, Texas General Land Office, healthcare, insurance reform, patient access, insurance regulation, affordable care, health insurance, consumer rights, coverage transparency, claims process, insurance regulations, aggregate production, environmental impact, financial responsibility, reclamation

Transcript Highlights:

• So those are comprehensive assessments, treatment coordination, as well as adolescent treatment programs
• This is an important step to make sure that RCOs understand best practices and have all the technical
• ,</c><00:10:25.839><c> peer</c><00:10:26.399><c> um</c> comprehensive assessments, peer um comprehensive
• assessments, peer um treatment<00:10:27.279><c> coordination,</c><00:10:27.920><c> and</c><00:10:28.240
• Um, and in terms of the amount, I think what I would just say is, um, practically speaking, most of the

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So there is no longer any kind of lag time for a juvenile to be assessed and be seen through this robust
• and and be for a juvenile to be assessed and and be seen<00:59:32.079><c> through</c><00:59:32.319><
• One of the things I get really concerned about is when I see to ensure alignment with best practices
• practices practices and<01:19:29.920><c> uh</c><01:19:30.159><c> inform</c><01:19:30.800><c> continuous
• We now include a day and a half of learning and 27 evidence-based best-practice educational sessions

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first established a quorum, approved the minutes from the November 10 meeting, and then approved a large agenda of contracts and related items, with the total agenda amount stated as $359,638,393.88. Most items were approved without objection, but two contracts were pulled for discussion: attorney general panel counsel contingency fee contracts and a Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission personal services contract. For the attorney general’s office, Chris Lewis explained that the contracts were panel counsel contingency fee agreements, with 14 qualified awards from 16 applicants. He said the contracts were contingency-based, so no money would be paid unless cases were successful, and that the fee structure worked out to roughly 5% under the statutory waterfall. Senators asked about the size of the contracts, whether the terms were uniform, why no Kentucky firms were among the awardees, and how the public should understand the large dollar figures. Lewis said one Kentucky firm applied but was disqualified for a late submission, other Kentucky firms had inquired but did not apply, and local firms could still work with national firms on cases. The committee then approved the contracts. The Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission contract drew more extensive questioning. Commission representatives said they had previously had a contract disapproved because the proper process was not followed, so they used an RFI process posted on the state and commission websites for at least three weeks. They received one applicant, a Kentucky firm, and set the rate at $125 per hour. Members questioned whether the commission was acting beyond its ethics mission, whether staff were helping draft complaints against legislators, and whether the commission was taking on a prosecutorial or human-resources role. The commission said its role is limited to enforcing the legislative code of ethics, providing advisory guidance, and following the formal complaint process; it does not pursue matters outside that code. Members also raised concerns about the earlier procurement misstep and the commission’s credibility, and the commission apologized, said it had corrected the process, and pledged to comply going forward. The committee then approved the contract.

Transcript Highlights:

• In practice, fault may involve mismarked or unmarked facilities, delayed or incomplete locate responses
• Currently, 44% of the budget for the private security examiners was enforcement actions. 11% for practical
• Basically, I've worked with several attorneys that practice pretty extensively in this field, and we're
• by Representative Owen to create the task force on residential construction cost and inspection practices
• 252 by Representative Chassan to urge and request the Attorney General to study the inconsistent practices

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Summary: The House Committee on Commerce met on May 18, 2026, with a quorum present and the chair noting it was the committee’s last meeting of the session. The committee first considered Senate Bill 254, which would prohibit certain excess debit card surcharges and authorize enforcement by the Attorney General. After adopting technical amendments and a committee amendment requiring written notice before a private right of action, the bill was reported favorably as amended. The committee then took up Senate Bill 80 on broadband administration fees and GUMBO program closeout. Members questioned the proposed increase in administrative and contractor fees, the timing of project completion, and how withheld reimbursements would work for utility damage. After adopting several amendments, including cleanup language and a provision to restore the reimbursement process, the bill was reported favorably as amended, though the Louisiana Telecommunications Association voiced concerns about the withholding language and lack of a clearer fault-determination process. The committee next considered Senate Bill 469, updating the Louisiana Underground Utilities and Facilities Damage Prevention Law. Technical amendments were adopted, along with amendments clarifying that the bill’s 30-day notice to utility owner-operators is separate from existing GUMBO notice requirements and creating a rapid dispute-resolution process involving the Office of Broadband, the utility operator, and the local governing authority. Testimony from broadband and municipal stakeholders emphasized the need for quicker responses to excavation damage and better enforcement, while some witnesses raised concerns about the late amendment and the need for clearer recourse and standards. The bill was reported favorably as amended. Senate Bill 468, dealing with fuel rewards programs and fuel discount limits, was also amended to allow such discounts while capping them at $1 below the advertised price; it was reported favorably as amended. Senate Bill 131, concerning attorney’s fees and costs in professional licensing disciplinary proceedings, drew testimony from a cosmetology board representative and the Pelican Institute. Supporters argued the bill would curb incentives for boards to generate revenue through enforcement and give licensees a fairer opportunity to resolve cases; board testimony noted that some boards already have fee caps and that enforcement actions are relatively limited. After adopting an amendment clarifying when a licensee is the prevailing party, the bill was reported favorably as amended. Senate Bill 251 on critical infrastructure protection also received technical amendments and several substantive changes, including adding ports and airports to the definition of critical infrastructure, clarifying “significant access,” adding a knowledge requirement, and adjusting exemptions and enforcement timing; it was reported favorably as amended after testimony from State Armor representatives about foreign adversary threats. Finally, House Resolution 253 was introduced to create a task force to study how post-2005 building code additions and inspection requirements affect residential construction costs, with the sponsor explaining the goal was to gather industry input and return recommendations next session.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then you are de-identifying it to work with when best practice, and we talked about this last year
• We conduct assessments. We gather baselines. We analyze data.
• We conduct assessments. We gather baselines. We analyze data.
• It really enforces good practice and the standard that we should already be meeting within and across
• It really enforces good practice and the standard that we should already be meeting within and across

Bills: HB113 , HB342 , HB632 , HB690 , HB1003 , HB1078 , HB1132 , HB1146

Committee: House Education

Keywords: grading scale, education reform, students, public schools, academic policy, special education, due process, local education agency, burden of proof, IEP, education law, data sharing, student information, privacy, education, LA FIRST, foreign adversaries, terrorism, contracting, school funding

Transcript Highlights:

• We will have a fresh assessment. We're in the middle of it right now.
• It's like, now how does that actually work in practice?
• It's actually the applied artificial intelligence is the part we're practicing at the state the most,
• It's like, now how does that actually work in practice?
• the most: how do you actually apply that to practical, real-world problems?

Committee: House Subcommittee on Appropriations - General Administration

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If my students wrote that letter, I would give them a bad grade because it's a bad assessment of what
• It's a bad assessment of what the Constitution requires.
• This practice was particularly directed toward Black and other minority communities, hindering their
• Redlining and gerrymandering, while distinct practices, both contribute to systemic inequality and have
• Redlining and gerrymandering, while distinct practices, both contribute to systemic inequality and have

Summary: The Senate Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting held its first regional hearing, focused on South and Central Texas, including Bexar County, Travis County, and the Rio Grande Valley. After establishing a quorum, the committee adopted its rules on a 6-3 roll-call vote, with Senators Alvarado and Miles voting no. Chair Phil King explained the regional-hearing format, the use of 2020 census data, the online testimony process, and the availability of written comments and future hearings. Several members then gave opening remarks, with Republicans emphasizing public input and Democrats arguing the special session and mid-decade redistricting were unnecessary and aimed at minority districts. A major procedural issue arose over whether the committee should invite or subpoena the DOJ attorney who authored the July 7 letter that prompted the redistricting discussion. Senator Miles moved to subpoena the attorney; the motion was seconded but then set aside after the chair said the committee could not take formal action on a non-procedural matter during a regional hearing under the adopted rules. The chair said he would consult legal counsel about issuing an invitation, and members discussed the August 7 deadline referenced in the DOJ letter. The committee then moved on to public testimony. Witnesses, including Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, law professor Ellen Katz, and Texas NAACP president Gary Bledsoe, argued that the DOJ letter misread the law and that the targeted districts were lawful opportunity or coalition districts. They said the Fifth Circuit’s Pettway decision was limited to Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and did not declare coalition districts unconstitutional, and they cited Bartlett v. Strickland as warning against intentionally dismantling effective minority districts. Garcia and Bledsoe said the hearing was politically motivated and would harm Black and Latino representation; Katz said Texas would act illegally if it followed the DOJ letter’s instructions. Members asked questions about the legal status of coalition districts, the 2021 map-drawing process, and the difference between opportunity, coalition, and crossover districts. The hearing continued with additional public witnesses, including labor representative Emily Amps, who said workers and communities of color were being harmed by the proposed redistricting effort.

Transcript Highlights:

• So GTEN and GED did the environmental assessment.
• So GTEN and GED did the environmental assessment.
• 27:47.280><c> the</c> and GED did the and GED did the environmental environmental environmental assessment
• assessment assessment USGS<01:27:53.280><c> have</c><01:27:53.600><c> have</c><01:27:53.800><c> have
• </c><01:33:26.000><c> but</c> traditional and cultural practices but traditional and cultural practices

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> period, the total district assessment, period, the total district assessment, or<01:59:26.560><
• >> Yes, the portion of the assessment.
• So it's a a district the assessment.
• </c><02:02:28.000><c> to</c><02:02:28.159><c> total</c> assessment as it relates to total assessment
• HB 1636 is a practical and thoughtful approach to that challenge.

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:12:58.720><c> some</c> Under cur under current practices, some Under cur under current practices
• But that is not true in practice.
• </c><00:32:25.600><c> Because</c> that is not true in practice.
• Because that is not true in practice.
• though they're assessing assets of all<03:07:04.479><c> kinds.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, January 15, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In light of very tough budget times, this is a responsible and practical tax bill.
• tax bill it really looks to practical tax bill it really looks to create<00:10:19.079><c> a</c><00:10
• It's a big change to go from assessing sales tax on optional services to charging sales tax on a fee
• </c> it's a big change to go from assessing it's a big change to go from assessing sales<00:38:17.359
• </c> revenue generating move but in practice revenue generating move but in practice IT<01:09:52.120>

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• the family is to identify assess the family is to identify appropriate<01:46:54.400><c> services</c>
• But I had not voiced specific concern around consent for procedures, as that is in practice how that
• </c><01:55:27.840><c> how</c> procedures as that is in practice how procedures as that is in practice
• I did also practice private family law, 461A. So, you know, that's why you got the question.
• I did also practice private family law, 461A. So, you know, that's why you got the question.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I know that we get pretty wonky when it comes to ranked choice voting, but I think we practice ranked
• This bill is framed as giving local governments more choice in elections, but in practice it fragments
• I think the Secretary's statement had a lot of practical points that are hard to argue against.
• This required environmental justice assessments by state agencies.
• In practice, the requirement increases paperwork and costs without proving transparency.

Bills: HB2210 , HB2123 , HB2206 , HB2281 , HB2411

Committee: House State Government & Tribal Relations

Keywords: local representation, fair elections, government accountability, voter rights, transparency, foreign nationals, elections, Washington state, voter participation, government oversight, voting rights, uniform standards, overseas voting, civilian voting, state legislation, tribal relations, government, state policy, sovereignty, federalism

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 878, Insurance Business Practices. The motion is due pass.
• SB 878, insurance business practice. 70. SB 878 insurance business practices.
• SB 1158, Energy Reliability Planning Assessment.

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• children's injuries or illness to be further examined for a second opinion, which is really just best practices
• Ranking Member: So, you know, I've seen this in my practice.
• this evolution is critical for informed policymaking, community relations, and national security assessment
• So everybody now is revolving around changing of the rules and time frames because it's not practical

Transcript Highlights:

• The distribution amount equals the district timber assessed value, or TAV, times the excess levy rate
• One example is a recent rulemaking by the Washington Forest Practices Board that will take an additional
• Practically, what that means is that if you have a staffing company, blood testing lab, or doctor's office
• As you heard from staff, this is a bill that is trying to change a longstanding tax practice in the state

Bills: SB5872 , SB5879 , SB6047 , SB5988 , SB5923 , SB5832 , SB5970 , SB5994 , SB5949

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: preK promise account, early childhood education, child care, preschool, pre-kindergarten, DCYF, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, state treasury, trust fund, investment earnings, gift grants donations, dedicated account, general fund, nonreverting balance, appropriation, treasurer, Washington early learning, school readiness, education assistance program, legislative audit

Transcript Highlights:

• He specializes in the treatment of adult spinal conditions and primarily practices at Tucson Medical
• Outside of his practice, his interests include history, hiking, and gardening.
• kind of upset some Republicans because it meant increasing tax revenue, but that was the standard practice
• HB 2261, court fees assessed, judiciary. HB 2266, school attendance purposes, education.

Summary: The House convened, approved the journal, recognized the Doctor of the Day, and welcomed several guest groups, including JAG students and students from Heila Ben High School. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider HB 2153, the annual tax conformity bill, which was described by supporters as aligning Arizona tax law with recent federal changes and providing relief through no tax on tips and overtime, a larger child tax credit, a new child care expense deduction, and a deduction for certain retirement income. Opponents argued the measure would primarily benefit wealthy individuals and corporations, reduce state revenue, and leave some seniors out because the retirement-income deduction is tied to retirement accounts. Members also discussed the Department of Revenue’s already-issued tax forms and the need for certainty for filers. After extended debate, the Committee of the Whole gave HB 2153 a do pass recommendation by a vote of 31-26, and the House adopted the report and sent the bill to engrossing. The House then took up the Senate mirror bill, SB 1106, substituted for HB 2153, and after floor explanations of vote, passed it 31-27 with 2 not voting. Supporters said the bill would help working families, seniors, and small businesses and prevent filing confusion, while opponents repeated concerns about cost, fairness, and impacts on public services. The bill was transmitted to the Senate. Following the tax vote, members made several announcements, including birthday wishes and a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and committee chairs announced upcoming cancellations. The House then recessed and reconvened for first reading and referral of a long list of new bills covering topics such as elections, health care, education, transportation, public safety, taxation, housing, and appropriations. The session ended with a motion to adjourn until the next scheduled meeting.