Transcript Highlights:

• They also partake in social skills for the work environment.
• We do social skills. We do community integration.
• But now I've been going to off-campus dinners with my friends, been going to football games, and going
• to games and stuff with her.
• We have similar low-sensory social events planned for this year.

Committee: All TASK FORCE ON AUTISM

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from November 17 by motion and voice vote. It then heard a presentation from Arkansas State University on its inclusive postsecondary education programs, HOWL and ATLAS, led by Dr. Kristen Johnson and Shane Broadway. The programs serve students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism, by providing on-campus living, academic support, life-skills training, financial literacy, internships, employment support, and community integration. Johnson explained that HOWL is a comprehensive transition program that does not lead to a degree but is eligible for financial aid, while ATLAS is degree-seeking and provides additional supports. She reported strong outcomes, including high goal attainment and a majority of graduates working full time, and emphasized that the programs are designed to help students build autonomous adult lives. Members asked about recruitment, eligibility, costs, school outreach, business partnerships, and transition planning. Johnson said the programs have done extensive outreach through IEP meetings, transition symposia, email blasts, and school visits, but that awareness remains a challenge. She identified major roadblocks as business concerns about liability, fragmented collaboration, and difficulty navigating funding streams such as vocational rehabilitation and Medicaid. She also said more coordinated statewide communication and coalition-building are needed, and noted that ASU is helping launch a state alliance for similar programs, with new programs opening at ASU Mountain Home and the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff. The committee then heard from the University of Central Arkansas about Project Ascend, a new low-sensory living-learning community for neurodiverse students in Hughes Hall. Dr. Debbie Daly and Jeremy Gillum described it as a voluntary, self-identified program focused on community building, belonging, and retention rather than remediation or degree planning. The program has hosted a few low-sensory social events and plans to expand outreach through campus tours, orientation, and targeted communications. Members asked about recruitment, participation, success measures, and how to avoid duplicating ASU’s efforts; UCA said it is still in its infancy and will measure success mainly through participation, retention, and student engagement. The meeting ended with general support from members, discussion of collaboration across institutions and agencies, and adjournment of the task force.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was at a social this Saturday, Packerbacker Social, and I sat across from a bunch of your parents.
• Very poor sportsmanship on behalf of fans at games.
• You're not allowed to attend any games, home or away.
• You're changing the game.
• But it's your game.

Committees: Joint Education , Joint Education Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Primarily, the California Department of Health Care Services and the California Department of Social
• Digital readiness, digital skills, devices, confidence is increasingly a barrier.
• That is why building skills and trust matter and why the work underway of industry partners like CTF
• Digital readiness, digital skills, devices, confidence is increasingly a barrier.
• That is why building skills and trust matter and why the work underway of the industry partners like

Committee: House Communications and Conveyance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's talk a little bit about the skills shortage.
• And I think we've seen that as that game, as people have not wanted to play that game. as much the view
• This is a game, right? The lottery games? Yeah, it's just a game. Correct.
• And so as a player of a game, what's your goal? Any game. I'm not trying to...
• She used VR services to gain confidence and job skills.

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ensuring businesses have access to skilled talent.
• , one of the most comprehensive and responsive systems in the nation, equipping learners with the skills
• Those which prepare students for those mid skill high wage careers, price from 122,515 students.
• This ensures that the skills are students earned about relevant and recognized by employers across the
• In a warning, our districts and colleges preparing students with the knowledge skills and abilities for

Transcript Highlights:

• And it improves mental health and increases social and emotional learning.
• Social settings. Music benefits go beyond school. It makes better employees and citizens.
• The thrill of hearing your alma mater at a winning football game.
• At a winning football game. The song played at a family member's funeral.
• Oban, for playing along in the game show.

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The meeting began with a student performance from Horizon Middle School Show Choir, including songs from an eighth grade concert and the show choir piece “The Body Electric.” After the performance, Deputy Superintendent Donna Fishbeck spoke on behalf of State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler in support of music education, emphasizing its benefits for creativity, collaboration, school climate, and student development, and noting the department’s support for music grants and professional development. She also highlighted the North Dakota Music Educators Association’s role in expanding access and quality in music education. The committee then heard a presentation from Vital Network, introduced as a DPI-funded effort focused on teacher retention. Nate Eklund and Dr. Aaron Rob described the organization’s work with schools and districts to reduce educator burnout by improving workplace conditions, especially around time management, voice in decision-making, and care/support. They said the program uses surveys, dashboards, advisory support, and facilitated school and district processes to identify local friction points and help educators and leaders solve them, with examples ranging from simplifying material requests to improving PLC time and communication. They stressed that retention is driven more by workplace conditions than pay alone, and that solutions must be local rather than one-size-fits-all. Members asked about rural teacher overload, sustainability after grant funding ends, and whether the model could inform broader policy or continuing education reforms. Vital representatives said the work is designed to be embedded in district systems and strategic plans so it can continue beyond their direct involvement, and that the approach aligns with the state’s teacher retention and recruitment task force recommendations. They reported serving about half of North Dakota educators across roughly 50 districts, with partnerships through regional education associations to reach rural areas. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• People at uh football games, wine, uh volleyball games are be looking at their phones betting on will
• People at uh football games, wine, uh volleyball games are be looking at their phones betting on will
• People at uh football games, wine, uh volleyball games are be looking at their phones betting on will
• People at uh football games, wine, uh volleyball games are be looking at their phones betting on will
• People at uh football games, wine, uh volleyball games are be looking at their phones betting on will

Committee: Senate Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Hawaiian Affairs briefly met and adjourned after noting that GM 574, a nomination on its agenda, had been withdrawn, leaving the committee with no business to consider. A separate joint hearing of the Senate Committees on Economic Development and Hawaiian Affairs then took up HCR 192, a resolution to convene a tourism and gaming working group. Testimony was sharply divided. Supporters, including representatives from the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, Nation of Hawaii, and CARES, said the measure would allow Hawaiians to have a seat at the table, learn from Native nations with gaming experience, and make informed decisions about whether and how gaming should be approached. Some supporters emphasized that the working group was about research and self-determination, not immediate legalization, and suggested the state should focus on broader economic development options as well. Opponents, including the Honolulu prosecuting attorney and several community members and faith leaders, warned that gambling would increase addiction, crime, family breakdown, debt, and exploitation of low-income and vulnerable residents. They argued that online sports betting and other forms of gaming would be especially harmful, with some citing examples from other states and concerns about problem gambling, domestic violence, and illegal activity. Committee members questioned witnesses about the purpose of the working group and whether it could provide enough data to make an informed decision, while supporters and opponents alike acknowledged the need for Hawaiians to be involved in any future discussion. No vote or final action on HCR 192 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's at affordable to them with the Social Security only.
• skills.
• skills.
• We posted on the Legislative Council social media accounts.
• Yes, I'll just call it Life Skills.

Committees: Joint Human Services , Joint Human Services Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:26:13.720><c> and</c><00:26:13.880><c> social</c><00:26:14.279><c> skills</c><00:26:14.720><c> but
• </c><00:26:14.840><c> T</c><00:26:15.000><c> night</c> skills and social skills but T night skills and
• social skills but T night well<00:26:15.799><c> we're</c><00:26:16.000><c> still</c><00:26:16.120><c
• </c> participants Sports Services social participants Sports Services social activities<00:29:02.000>
• skills.

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• But I'm not here to have a social services conversation.
• We know the negative effects that social media may have on some teens.
• where they are teaching social interactions and things, skills.
• studies, where they are teaching social interactions and things, skills.
• In today's world, we live in technology, social media.

Committee: House Children and Families

Summary: The Committee on Children and Families met with a quorum and first took up several bills in executive session. It voted House Bill 1792, the Murphy Media Literacy Program, and House Bill 1770, dealing with time limits on abuse cases, both do pass by unanimous roll call votes. The committee then considered House Bill 2426, Representative Keebley’s parental rights bill. An amendment was adopted to align the bill with a Senate floor substitute, clarify judicial review and compelling government interest standards, update parent/child definitions, add transparency provisions, and revise medical consent language. After extensive discussion about parental consent, minors’ access to STI and substance use treatment, foster parent authority, and potential impacts on abuse situations, the committee voted the House Committee Substitute do pass by a vote of 11 yes, 3 no, and 1 present. The committee then heard House Bill 2418, which would create the Missouri Crime Victims Fund within the Department of Social Services as a framework for future appropriations if federal VOCA funding continues to decline. The sponsor and numerous witnesses from domestic violence shelters, child advocacy centers, CASA programs, and prosecutors described major reductions in VOCA support, staffing losses, service cuts, and the risk of leaving victims without shelter, advocacy, counseling, and court support. No one testified in opposition, and the hearing concluded without a vote. Finally, Representative Schmidt presented House Bill 3077, which would require social media and internet safety curriculum for grades 6 through 12 and provide parent resources. Supporters said the bill would help students recognize grooming, sextortion, misinformation, and other online risks, while some committee members and witnesses raised concerns about adding burdens on schools and suggested the material should be embedded into existing instruction and possibly start earlier. The committee also heard House Bill 1819, “Conrad’s Law,” which would require safe-sleep training and rules for licensed child care facilities for children age one and older, set limits on weighted blankets, and require documented care plans and training for children with special needs. The sponsor and family members said the bill responds to a child’s death and is intended to improve child care safety without adding extra training hours. Both bills were heard in public testimony, and the committee adjourned after the House Bill 1819 hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• They talked about social media and educational technology.
• They love the gaming. I mean, you know, that's just, it's like candy, right?
• Skills that would allow them to keyboard successfully.
• Loss of fine motor skills. Talk to all your teacher friends.
• Socially, this is no surprise.

Committee: House Joint Committee on Education

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education heard testimony focused on the effects of educational technology and screen time on K-12 students, with particular attention to House Bill 2230 and related policy changes. Dr. Mariam Mohamed Connie argued that one-to-one devices, digital instruction, and early screen exposure harm children’s learning, attention, physical development, and mental health, and that schools should return to more analog methods such as paper, handwriting, cursive, phonics, and print-based materials. She cited international and national assessments, research on handwriting versus typing, and her experience on the Springfield Public Schools board, saying the district saw improved MAP scores after scaling back Chromebook use in elementary grades and reintroducing books and cursive. Several witnesses and committee members discussed the practical and budgetary implications of reducing screen use. A Springfield administrator said many teachers were trained in technology-heavy environments and would need support to teach without relying on devices, and she estimated Chromebooks and related infrastructure cost more per student than textbooks, manipulatives, and paper. Another witness from the Missouri National Education Association supported the bill’s direction, saying elementary years are critical and that the state should signal a move away from overuse of screens while allowing districts time to adjust. Committee members emphasized local control, the need for a task force, and the importance of involving DESE because state testing and standards currently drive much of the digital use in schools. The discussion also covered Missouri Learning Standards, computer science requirements, and the tension between digital testing and classroom instruction. Speakers criticized the fact that MAP testing is digital and adaptive, arguing it forces schools to keep devices in elementary grades just to prepare students for state assessments. The chair and other members said the bill was intentionally nonprescriptive, aiming instead to create a task force and encourage local districts to develop screen-time policies, especially for elementary students. The hearing ended without a vote, and the committee adjourned after public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Social and institutional pressure make compliance the default.
• It also models a life skill, which is the ability to sit still and be quiet, which I think all of us
• And I remember starting high school football before every game we went out.
• We've got any time you watch a football game or any other sporting game, you know, almost every player
• For example, Boise State has hosted neutral site NCAA basketball tournament games on campus.

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The Senate Education Committee first approved minutes from February 23, February 24, March 2, and March 5, 2026, and then unanimously agreed to switch the order of the day’s bills. The committee took up House Bill 623, which would require Idaho public schools to begin the day with a 60-second moment of silence. Representative Skog and supporters said the bill is a neutral, low-cost way to help students calm down, reflect, and improve behavior and mental health, citing other states and testimony from a rabbi, pastor, and others. Opponents argued it was government overreach, could be used to promote prayer, and raised First Amendment and implementation concerns, especially for young children and special education classrooms. After testimony and questions, the committee voted to send HB 623 to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1357, which would limit the share of foreign national student-athletes receiving scholarships at Idaho public colleges and universities. Senator O’Conniewicz said the bill was intended to prioritize Idaho and U.S. students, increase opportunities for local athletes, and reduce reliance on foreign national athletes in scholarship sports. Athletic directors, coaches, and conference officials opposed the bill, arguing it would hurt competitiveness, create administrative burdens, reduce recruiting flexibility, and potentially trigger NCAA concerns; they also said some programs, especially tennis and golf, would be especially affected. Supporters said the bill still allowed many foreign national athletes and would help develop Idaho talent. After extensive debate, the committee voted to hold SB 1357 in committee at the call of the chair, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Apprenticeship program as their skills and abilities increase, they also get a wage increase.
• And it has to involve skilled and establish a career-sustaining employment: middle- and high-skilled
• media, in the groups—Hispanic groups on social media.
• If they want the skilled workforce that we produce, we need them to also invest in us.
• If they want the skilled workforce that we produce, we need them to also invest in us.

Summary: The work session focused first on Washington’s apprenticeship system, especially building trades programs and support services. Labor and Industries staff explained how registered apprenticeship works in the state, including the role of the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council, the requirements for paid on-the-job training and classroom instruction, and the difference between apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship. Panelists emphasized that apprenticeship is tied to actual jobs and training agents, and that many waitlists reflect a shortage of job openings and employer participation rather than a lack of interest. They also discussed youth apprenticeship, the growth of apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, and the use of Career Bridge and L&I’s database to help people find programs. Representatives asked whether the state should expand apprenticeship programs and how people can find openings. Speakers said more programs alone would not solve the backlog without more employers signing on as training agents and more apprenticeship utilization on projects. The panel also highlighted the Constructed Career Initiative, a grant-funded navigation and support program that helps people enter and stay in building trades apprenticeships through outreach, case management, and wraparound aid such as transportation, tools, and work clothes. A related nonprofit, Build Up, described similar support services, including prison-based boot and PPE programs and assistance for reentry participants. The panel said these services are especially important because apprentices often face unstable income, housing, food, and transportation barriers. The panel also discussed House Bill 2084 and the new Construction Training Pathway Oversight Committee, which is examining construction training in correctional facilities and how to create clearer pathways from prison-based training to apprenticeship, college, or work. Speakers said the committee is still in its early stages and will report to the legislature. The session ended with committee members thanking the panel and noting the importance of support services and referral networks for apprentices. The meeting then resumed at Renton Technical College, where college leaders and faculty discussed serving non-traditional students. The college reported strong enrollment growth, a median student age of 30, a diverse student body, and high job placement rates, while also noting significant budget cuts and program reductions from the prior year. Health care and early childhood education programs were highlighted, including efforts to expand access through hybrid scheduling, evening and Saturday classes, Spanish-language offerings, and in-person wraparound support for admissions, financial aid, and registration. Faculty said these changes were driven by student data and were aimed at helping working parents, English learners, and other non-traditional students complete credentials and enter family-wage careers.

Transcript Highlights:

• ROCK THAT WE HAVE LIMITED CHARITABLE GAMING.
• THEY ARE SPREAD BY WORD OF MOUTH AND SOCIAL MEDIA.
• THEY MIGHT SEE IT IN A TRIBAL GAMING FACILITY.
• THIS IS NOT THE GAMING CONTROL COMMISSION WAREHOUSE.
• THE PROGRAMMERS ARE NOT USING LAWFUL GAMING TECHNOLOGY.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of the state tribal gaming compacts.
• You know, they see this as a violation of their state's gaming regulations.
• It is online gaming. And so the Attorney General did agree with us and Jack.
• But it's amazing what social media has done.
• Against that hurts on things like this—posting on social media.

Committee: House Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that I'm sure that will be quoted somewhere on some social media post.
• One, to consider the knowledge, skills, and skills Texas graduates need to succeed in the 21st century
• You had direct targeting on social media, true? Yeah.
• Rural and urban alike, have enough skilled graduates to sustain the economy.
• There’s also the Skills Development Fund, administered by TWC, the JET Program.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Higher Education met with a quorum, adopted its interim rules on a 6-0 vote, and heard opening remarks from members and staff introductions. The chair emphasized higher education’s role in workforce development and noted a Legislative Budget Board survey issue that was resolved after a community college initially did not respond because the survey was marked optional. The committee then focused on monitoring implementation of Senate Bill 37, which governs public higher education boards, curriculum review, faculty senates/councils, training for regents, and the ombudsman office. Testimony from Chancellor Brandon Creighton of Texas Tech, Commissioner Wynn Rosser, UNT Chancellor Michael Williams, and Ombudsman Brandon Simmons described how SB 37 is being implemented. They said boards now have stronger authority, faculty senates are advisory, and institutions are reviewing general education curricula and other programs for rigor, relevance, and workforce value. Rosser said the statewide advisory committee is reviewing the core curriculum and board training requirements are being administered, while Simmons reported the ombudsman office has received 73 complaints, opened two investigations, and expects a third, with many complaints outside its jurisdiction or harassing in nature. Members questioned witnesses about transfer credits, board training content, auditing, conflicts of interest, curriculum decisions, and whether any institutions were missing deadlines. Rosser said non-transferable credits have declined since reporting began under earlier law, and that the most common reason is courses outside degree requirements. Witnesses said they were not aware of institutions missing the SB 37 review deadlines. Senators also raised concerns about an appearance of impropriety in a Texas Tech-related matter and about whether a Dred Scott case should be taught in law school, with Creighton saying the curriculum review process did not prohibit teaching Supreme Court cases and that he would follow up. Later testimony from University of Houston, Texas State, UT, and Texas A&M system officials said their systems had updated policies, abolished prior faculty senates, created compliant advisory councils, and completed or were completing core curriculum reviews and related governance changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you get on social media, as I do, and you read many, many pilots saying, 'Avoid this airport because
• If you get on social media, as I do, and you get on social media and you read many, many pilots, avoid
• So ADS-B has been an absolute game changer for safety, and it's, it's the only thing my friend Ron said
• They happen quite often when we will not play the game. It does. It does.
• And greater skill comes with greater safety.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The Transportation Committee met and first took up CS/SB 86, which would make operation of a commercial motor vehicle by an unauthorized alien an imminent safety hazard and require lawful presence, a valid CDL, English proficiency, and ability to communicate with law enforcement. The bill also authorizes impoundment, a $250,000 civil penalty on the motor carrier, and an out-of-service order until violations are corrected. After adopting an amendment and hearing support from the Florida PBA, the committee reported the bill favorably on a vote with Senator Arrington voting no. The committee then considered CS/SB 706, which preempts naming of major commercial service airports to the state and would rename Palm Beach International Airport as Donald J. Trump International Airport. An amendment added FAA approval, trademark authorization, and a flexible implementation period for Palm Beach County. Palm Beach County representatives supported the measure, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also passed CS/SB 1670, a specialty license plate bill for the “outsider” plate, after amending the distribution of proceeds so the Huber Brothers Foundation may receive up to 10% instead of 25%. Next, the committee approved CS/SB 1054, which increases penalties for traffic infractions that result in a crash after running a red light or stop sign, including higher fines, license suspensions, and a one-year bodily injury insurance requirement after an injury crash. Law enforcement testimony supported the bill. The committee also considered CS/SB 422 on ADS-B aviation surveillance data, which would bar use of that data to calculate or collect landing-related fees; an amendment narrowed the prohibition to landing and touch-and-go fee scenarios. Aviation groups and pilots supported the bill as protecting safety and preventing surprise billing, while airport representatives said they could still charge landing fees but would need to rely on more manual methods. The committee reported CS/SB 422 favorably, and the meeting adjourned after all measures were approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• The next amendment, COB-043, offered by Representative Penner, directs the Department of Social and Health
• This provides one-time 1.5 million general fund state appropriations for an AI-ready skills program.
• They do AI-ready skills, coding, and a bunch of stuff that are actually getting kids onto high school
• I don't understand what it does to help our social safety net in this state.
• I don't understand what it does to help our social safety net in this state.

Bills: HB2289

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: appropriations, budget, fiscal matters, state spending, general fund, supplemental budget, biennial budget, substitute bill, public defense, civil legal aid, courts, judicial branch, homelessness, supportive housing, affordable housing, behavioral health, juvenile rehabilitation, youth services, child welfare, foster care

Transcript Highlights:

• They've demonstrated remarkable skills in depth in all parts of it.
• You need some skin in the game. You need some incentive to do the right thing for some folks.
• You need some skin in the game. You need some incentive to do the right thing for some folks.
• And I think the progress. the game, you need some incentive to do the right thing for some folks.
• So it allows for both parties to have skin in the game. And with that, I'll take any questions.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the House Journal by a 125-0 roll call vote. Members then spent a large portion of the morning recognizing special guests, interns, students, and constituents, including school groups, interns, a Savannah Bananas player, and several birthday and personal privilege announcements. On legislation, the House agreed to conference on Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 1421. The chamber then took up Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 1000, a bipartisan measure to reauthorize the Missouri Tourism Supplemental Revenue Fund and continue support for the Division of Tourism and Missouri Film Office. Supporters from both parties emphasized tourism’s economic importance statewide; the bill passed 136-6. The House next debated House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1020, an omnibus Department of Revenue bill covering fee office contracting, vehicle registration penalties, Real ID document retention, and other DOR changes. The body adopted an amendment lowering late registration penalties, making document retention opt-in, and restoring a five-year plate option, followed by a second amendment removing cosmetic damage as a basis for rejecting rebuilt-vehicle inspections. The bill then passed 130-10. Later, the House began debate on a combined judiciary/civil legislation bill involving insurance assignment-of-benefits restrictions, anti-SLAPP protections, workers’ compensation and court administration changes, and expungement-related funding; members adopted a title change and several amendments, including one to make attorney-fee awards more even in anti-SLAPP motions, while also debating a proposed St. Louis police legal expense fund amendment and whether it had been properly vetted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 46, Skill-Based Amusement Games, Licensed Liquor Establishments, sponsor: Management Council
• Senate file 46, skill-based<00:40:43.520><c> amusement</c><00:40:44.160><c> games,</c><00:40:44.800><
• c> licensed</c> skill-based amusement games, licensed skill-based amusement games, licensed liquor<00
• Senate File 46, Skill-Based Amusement Games Licensed Liquor Establishments, is assigned to Committee
• ><c> amusement</c> Senate file 46 skill-based amusement Senate file 46 skill-based amusement games<01

Keywords: 916, all