Transcript Highlights:

• to rise in support of the amendment today representing Apple of Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak to Education
• The STEM education is critically important to low performing schools in impoverished neighborhoods.
• We're going to take up tab for in Senate Bill 472, and education and correctional facilities for license
• It's work for ifas down at the in Florida Research and Education Center.
• The parents are just letting these products be consumed by the kids as they thought they look nice in

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She says, I know two parents who took their children out to the doctor after they were bitten by this
• And parents take the blame for the children's actions so that they can keep their jobs and not have to
• Alfred says that parents and teachers in self-contained special-needs classrooms are still being subjected
• And we amended it so that, unless a child's parent or legal guardian has previously consented in writing
• Thank you. ...unless a child's parent or legal guardian has previously consented in writing.

Committee: Senate Judiciary C

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to just state, I don't know if any of you have parents that are placing in a nursing home
• So the issue is that when parents are unmarried, and again, this is dealing with an unmarried couple,
• , children, foster caregivers, pre-adoptive parents, and relatives providing care to a child, to require
• I spoke to DEQ this week, and it's really outside the realm of my educational expertise, but we talked
• He’s highly educated in the process. He brings up some valid points.

Bills: HB199 , HB222 , HB223 , HB224 , HB235 , HB246 , HB405 , HB535 , HB554 , HB907 , SCR3 , SB43 , SB52 , SB54 , SB113 , SB168 , SB219 , SB222 , SB270 , SB311 , SB359

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: nursing facilities, moratorium, healthcare, patient care, data collection, Medicaid, dental coverage, healthcare access, medical necessity, Louisiana Department of Health, Department of Children and Family Services, sunset law, statutory entities, regulatory authority, re-creation, termination dates, child welfare, foster care, children's rights, legal guardianship

Transcript Highlights:

• We have an educator group insurance study, and members, we have the grant to Helping Paws organization
• </c> also a teaching hospital that educates also a teaching hospital that educates the<01:05:15.680><
• you are putting them in the care of another, it's your responsibility as a parent for the well-being
• So, this requires access for parents when their kids are in daycare, which I was surprised this wasn't
• to find care for their children parents to find care for their children and<01:19:25.280><c> for</c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• These are exactly the sites that parents and families want, either near their work or near their home
• These are exactly the sites that parents and families want, either near their work or near their home
• ...and for their parents that need to work to provide for themselves and for the rest of the family.
• Rosanna Carvacho Elliott here on behalf of the Early Care and Education Consortium, in support.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Human Services met on January 12, 2026, beginning without a quorum but hearing four bills. SB 557 by Senator Hurtado would update California’s statutory definition of family resource centers to align with the federal definition and reflect their prevention-focused, low- or no-cost, multi-generational role. Supporters from the Child Abuse Prevention Center and California Family Resource Association said the change would clarify state law and help position California for future federal partnerships; no opposition was heard. SB 299 by Senator Cabaldon would correct a prior CEQA exemption for child care facilities so it applies in residential as well as nonresidential areas. Supporters, including Napa County Supervisor Liz Alessio and the Rural County Representatives of California, said the current language unintentionally blocks child care projects in places families need them most and has been used to delay or stop projects; several local government and early care organizations also supported the bill, and there was no opposition. SB 837 by Senator Gomez-Reyes would require aging and disability resource connection programs to provide disaster and emergency preparedness training tailored to older adults and people with disabilities. Testimony from the California Commission on Aging and the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers emphasized recent wildfire deaths and the need for better evacuation and preparedness support; no opposition was presented. SB 479 by Senator Arreguín would allow the cities of Berkeley, Pasadena, and Long Beach, as local health jurisdictions, to use multidisciplinary homeless response teams and share specified information across teams and departments, similar to counties under existing law. Supporters said the bill would improve coordination and outcomes for unsheltered residents, while noting confidentiality safeguards already exist; a privacy letter from Oakland Privacy was mentioned, but no formal opposition testified. After quorum was established, the committee voted 5-0 to pass each bill: SB 299 to Senate Environmental Quality, SB 557 and SB 837 to Senate Appropriations, and SB 479 to Senate Judiciary. All four measures were placed on call briefly and then cleared with unanimous votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are exactly the sites that parents and families want, either near their work or near their home
• These are exactly the sites that parents and families want, either near their work or near their home
• ...and for their parents that need to work to provide for themselves and for the rest of the family.
• Rosanna Carvacho Elliott here on behalf of the Early Care and Education Consortium in support.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, if you see the parent volunteer.
• They are parents. They're single parents.
• They are parents. They're single parents.
• They are parents.<04:15:35.279><c> They're</c><04:15:35.600><c> single</c><04:15:35.920><c> parents.
• </c> parents. They're single parents. parents. They're single parents.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's fundamentally an educational program, and UNM is a higher education institution in the state with
• You don't have to educate them in that sense.
• It's also that education is part of where we're at.
• Department of Education, so we have that grant.
• They have adult-based education.

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> reason, your Committee on Education reason, your Committee on Education thoughtfully<00:05:09.560
• </c><00:05:28.560><c> find</c> your Senate Committee on Education find your Senate Committee on Education
• </c> wanted to thank the chair of education wanted to thank the chair of education for<00:11:01.520><
• </c> these laws and take an educational these laws and take an educational course<00:30:51.600><c> as
• </c> Draft 1 relating to education. Draft 1 relating to education.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The education part is key. I don't know how we could do any...
• My parents took me to a doctor in North Louisiana.
• Thankfully, they had the means, and my parents were willing to participate.
• I'm a proud parent of a child with a disability.
• I am also an I am a proud parent of a child with a disability.

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 267, which would change the membership rules for the Louisiana State Board of Home Inspectors by adjusting appointment qualifications, term limits, and nomination procedures. Vice Chair Thomas explained the bill was meant to address the lack of nominations from existing entities and to allow the governor more flexibility, especially in smaller districts. After adopting a technical amendment, the committee reported HB 267 favorably. The committee then considered House Bill 478 on utility overcharge reimbursements. The bill, as amended, requires utilities to clearly label reimbursements on customer bills and sets a deadline for issuing refunds. After discussion with the Public Service Commission and utility representatives, the committee changed the reimbursement timeline from 45 days to 90 days and clarified that the bill would not interfere with larger settlement or regulatory credits. HB 478 was then reported favorably as amended. The longest discussion centered on House Bill 924, a consumer protection measure aimed at contractors who solicit residential property owners after declared disasters. The author said the bill was intended to curb predatory storm-chasing and fraudulent insurance-related practices, while still allowing emergency mitigation work. The committee adopted technical amendments and then a conceptual amendment shortening the catastrophe response period from six months to 30 days. Testimony was split: the Insurance Commissioner and some roofing industry witnesses supported the bill as a way to deter fraud, while other contractors argued it would hurt small businesses, limit legitimate door-to-door work, and not solve enforcement problems. The bill remained under consideration after extensive testimony and public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Collins: Educator Pay. Senator Collins. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Some of you know the story of Amanda Browalski from the town of Webster, her parents, Ed and Beth, who
• I'm glad we're going to address both educational and adequate formulas... ...adequate formulas, and I'm
• Whether it meant that we needed to do better on local aid, K-12 education, or food insecurity, it was
• , things like Things like increasing funding for K-12 education.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate met on the FY27 budget and began with several ceremonial introductions and brief amendment withdrawals. Senator Collins withdrew amendments related to restoring DCF social worker funding and educator pay. The chamber then ruled a package of tax-related amendments offered by Senator Tarr out of order on constitutional grounds, finding they would create money-bill provisions that must originate in the House; the Senate upheld that ruling by a vote of 35-4. Senator Tarr later offered amendments on a gas tax suspension and related tax relief themes, but those were not adopted. The Senate considered and rejected several other amendments, including proposals on commemorating Commonwealth history, naming a bridge, repeat offenders, and no-cost calls. One amendment by Senator Fattman to extend domestic violence leave protections to contract employees was adopted unanimously, with 39 votes in favor and none opposed. The chamber also adopted an amendment creating a special commission to study the adequacy, reliability, and distribution of unrestricted general government aid (UGA), after extended debate about inequities in municipal aid and local budget pressures. Members from across the chamber supported the commission, while some emphasized that adequacy of funding, not just redistribution, remains a concern. The Senate then took up Chapter 90, passing the municipal roads and bridges bill to be engrossed. It also adopted a community programming amendment and a Senate Ways and Means amendment, then adopted the Ways and Means budget amendment as amended and ordered the underlying FY27 appropriations bill to a third reading. After lengthy closing remarks from the Ways and Means chair, minority leader, and the Senate President praising the budget process and highlighting investments in local aid, education, public safety, and other priorities, the Senate voted 40-0 to pass the FY27 budget bill to be engrossed. The chamber then adopted an order to reconvene the following Tuesday at 11 a.m. and adjourned in memory of Trooper Kevin Thomas Traynor.

Transcript Highlights:

• Collins: Educator Pay. Senator Collins. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Some of you know the story of Amanda Browalski from the town of Webster, her parents, Ed and Beth, who
• Whether it meant that we needed to do better on local aid, K-12 education, or food insecurity.
• Things like increasing funding for K-12 education.
• Things like increasing funding for K-12 education.

Summary: The Senate continued debate on the FY27 state budget, with several distinguished introductions and a series of amendment actions. Early amendments from Senator Collins on restoring DCF social worker funding and educator pay were withdrawn without objection. The Chair then sustained a point of order that a group of tax-related amendments, including proposals on teacher tax relief, tips, overtime, estate tax, and income tax rates, were out of order because they would create money bills that must originate in the House; the Senate voted 35-4 to uphold that ruling. Senator Tarr’s gas tax suspension amendment and several other amendments were defeated, while Senator Fattman’s amendment extending domestic violence leave protections to contract employees was adopted unanimously, 39-0. The Senate also adopted Senator Fernandes’ amendment creating a commission to study the adequacy, reliability, and distribution of unrestricted general government aid (UGA), after debate focused on inequities in local aid distribution and the need for a modern formula. The chamber then took up House No. 5375, the Chapter 90 municipal roads and bridges bill, and passed it to be engrossed. Additional amendments were considered on the budget, including a community programming amendment and a Senate Ways and Means amendment, both adopted, after which the Ways and Means amendment as amended was adopted and the underlying budget was ordered to a third reading. The Senate also handled several procedural matters, including concurrence in a House referral for a bill on poverty-related legislation and ordering a sick leave bank bill for Carla Johnson to a third reading. After extensive closing remarks from the Ways and Means chair, minority leader, and others praising the collaborative budget process and highlighting investments in local aid, education, public safety, and other priorities, the Senate voted on final passage of House No. 5501, the FY27 appropriations bill. The roll call showed 40-0 in favor, and the bill was passed to be engrossed. The Senate then adopted an order to reconvene the following Tuesday at 11 a.m. and adjourned in memory of Trooper Kevin Thomas Traynor.

Transcript Highlights:

• Everybody should have the right to decide for themselves when to become a parent, how to become a parent
• As we heard from a parent just now, his... ...for parents.
• As we heard from a parent just now, his testimony has quite a bit of passion in it.
• And even parents have to heal. And so we're talking about penalizing people.
• And on top of that, also to thank our parent advocate that was here, too.

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Elections Committee heard and advanced several House bills dealing with criminal law, victims’ rights, and court fees. HB 2131 would remove the financial-gain requirement from weapons and explosives trafficking and make trafficking three or more weapons or explosives in one offense ineligible for probation, pardon, commutation, or early release until the sentence is served; it passed 6-1. HB 2132 lowered the fentanyl trafficking threshold from 200 grams to 100 grams and adjusted related sentencing language; supporters said it would help law enforcement and prosecutors, while opponents argued it would sweep in heavy users and lacked data on current enforcement; it passed 4-3. HB 2223 requires sex offenders seeking a name change to notify prosecutors and victims, and to register under the new name if granted; it passed 6-1. The committee also passed HB 2411, which creates the crime of coerced abortion for secretly or forcibly administering an abortion-inducing drug with intent to cause an abortion, as a class 2 felony. Supporters described cases of covert or forced abortion drug use and said existing laws do not clearly cover situations where the drug is given but no death occurs; opponents argued current assault, manslaughter, homicide, and food-contamination statutes already address the conduct and that the bill is unnecessary. HB 2043, which adds unborn children to the felony-murder statute, also passed 4-3 after testimony from prosecutors and advocates on both sides; supporters called it a cleanup measure, while opponents warned it advances fetal personhood and could have broader reproductive-health consequences. HB 2046, requiring victims to be notified of pre-hearings in probation review proceedings for certain sex offenders, passed unanimously after emotional testimony from a victim’s family and county prosecutors. The committee then approved HB 2666, which increases penalties for sexual extortion involving 15-, 16-, and 17-year-olds when the offender is an adult and knew or should have known the victim’s age. Finally, HB 2265, which eliminates court-imposed fees and assessments on criminal defendants for public defense, jury trials, and appeals, passed 7-0 despite county opposition over lost revenue and shifting costs to taxpayers. The last bill, HB 2133, would require commercial websites hosting sexual material to verify the age and consent of depicted persons, retain records, and treat synthetic depictions like AI-generated images similarly to existing revenge-porn laws; it drew support from adult-industry representatives on some implementation issues but also significant constitutional and privacy concerns, and the committee adopted an amendment before passing the bill as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION PRE-K-12 WILL NOW COME TO ORDER. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
• WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THIS CREDENTIAL IS AVAILABLE TO THOSE EARLY EDUCATORS HAVE THE HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE
• PROUDLY A FORMER SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER AND THE PARENT OF TWO NEURO DIVERGENT ADULTS.
• UNDER THIS BILL THE DEPARTMENT EDUCATION IS REQUIRED TO DEVELOP WORKFORCE CREDENTIAL, ESPECIALLY FOR
• MODIFIED CURRICULUM IN EDUCATION PARLANCE MEANS THE CURRICULUM THAT IS DEVELOPED AND IS MODIFIED FOR

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Act, which mandates early childhood education services be provided for eligible infants and toddlers
• work supports in the form of child care subsidies to families who are working or completing their education
• That need is for education, prevention, or screening.
• It's really just prevention, education outreach that is done through the department and also through
• That guidance is very specific to an individual family, parents, and their provider.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee heard budget presentations from Legislative Services analyst Morgan Poloni and Department of Health and Welfare Director Juliet Sharon on the Division of Early Learning and Development, the Division of Public Health Services, and Family and Community Partnerships. Major topics included the Idaho Child Care Program (ICCP), the Idaho Home Visiting Program, the Idaho Immunization Assessment Fund, HIV and hepatitis prevention, ARPA-funded public health projects, kinship navigation services, and proposed agency reorganizations and transfer authority changes. Poloni explained that several divisions were recently reorganized, making year-to-year comparisons difficult, and outlined the governor’s and agency’s FY 2027 requests, including additional federal and dedicated funds for child care capacity, public health programs, and prevention services.

Transcript Highlights:

• The students and parents we have heard from do not want us to choose between banning weapons of war and
• And then finally, we have Department of Education Appropriations.
• </c><00:10:17.680><c> Line</c><00:10:18.000><c> 28,</c> Education Appropriations.
• Line 28, Education Appropriations.
• And I think we've got in our packets a number of letters from parents.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, couldn't ask for better parents.
• So, couldn't ask for better parents.
• </c> So, how will we pay for education So, how will we pay for education with<01:19:11.440><c> no</c>
• . education. education.
• </c> education enrollment options program. education enrollment options program.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Increased awareness and workplace education can reduce stigma. It can improve access to resources.
• We need education about menopause.
• I mean, I'll tell you, I didn't know a few things, and I'm relatively well educated.
• These are sons, daughters, parents, loved ones.
• No parent wants to get that phone call. No family wants to stand at a gravesite.

Bills: SB274 , SB301 , SB249

Committee: House Health & Human Development

Keywords: healthcare, life-sustaining treatment, patient preferences, POLST, advance directive, medical orders, hospital discharge, pregnancy, patient care, discharge planning, healthcare policy, substance use, harm reduction, syringe services, needle exchange, overdose prevention, naloxone, opioid antagonist, drug paraphernalia, syringe

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several measures related to health care, public health, and patient protections. House Concurrent Resolution 148, urging a statewide educational strategy on menopause, was presented as a workplace awareness measure and received supportive comments from members before being released. Senate Bill 274, updating Delaware’s MOST program to POLST and clarifying capacity determinations and documentation for end-of-life orders, also drew supportive testimony from medical and nursing groups and was released. House Bill 458, limiting local backflow preventer requirements for certain low-hazard buildings, was presented as a cost-relief measure for homeowners and small businesses; DHSS expressed concerns but said it was willing to work on amendments and a sunset provision, and the bill was released. Senate Joint Resolution 18, designating August 31, 2026 as International Overdose Awareness Day and ordering flags at half-staff, was released after brief supportive remarks. The committee then considered Senate Bill 339, a technical correction to the advance health care directive form clarifying that an agent’s authority for voluntary mental health admission cannot exceed 72 hours, consistent with existing law. Members asked detailed questions about how the 72-hour limit works and whether it applies to voluntary directives; the sponsor and a Disability Rights Delaware witness explained that the bill only aligns the form with current statute and does not expand authority. The bill was released. House Bill 301, requiring hospitals to create discharge plans for pregnant patients discharged while showing signs of labor, prompted extensive discussion. The sponsor and supporters said it would improve safety, transportation planning, and aftercare, while some members noted Delaware hospitals already do much of this work and questioned whether codifying it was necessary; supporters emphasized maternal mortality disparities and the need for guardrails. The bill was released. Senate Bill 196, creating ownership disclosure requirements for long-term care facilities and resident notice rules after ownership transfers, was presented as a transparency measure for seniors and families and was released after supportive testimony from the Delaware Nurses Association and elder-care advocates. Senate Bill 320, expanding pharmacists’ independent prescriptive authority for certain non-controlled medications and allowing opioid use disorder medications under standing order, with added malpractice reporting requirements in Senate Amendment 2, was supported by pharmacists and nurse practitioners as an access-to-care measure and was released. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 161, establishing a unified licensing and oversight framework for adult behavioral health providers under DSAM, was presented as a patient-protection measure; providers supported the goal but cautioned that regulations must be workable, and the substitute was released. Senate Joint Resolution 19, directing DHSS to study strategies to reduce health care costs, was released with a note reflecting concerns about broadening the analysis to include additional cost drivers and alternatives. Finally, Senate Bill 249 with Senate Amendment 2, modernizing harm-reduction programs and paraphernalia laws, generated the most extended debate: supporters framed it as life-saving public health policy, while opponents raised concerns about needle litter, community impacts, and whether the approach facilitates addiction. Despite the objections, the bill was released.

Transcript Highlights:

• An Ya'i Apok Elementary School provides our children with a quality education rooted in Mojave language
• Three million dollars that go to education, health care, building houses, and so forth.
• My parents have both passed. My mother was Laura Florence.
• And especially to my husband, who always supported me in the work that I do as a poet, and to my parents

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Arizona House and Senate held the joint protocol session for the 31st Annual Indian Nations and Tribes Legislative Day, opening with a tribal blessing, presentation of the colors, the national anthem, and the Pledge of Allegiance. House Speaker Steve Montenegro and Senate President Warren Petersen welcomed tribal leaders, elders, and guests, emphasizing the importance of government-to-government collaboration, tribal sovereignty, and the role of Arizona’s 22 federally recognized tribes in issues such as water, energy, infrastructure, public safety, and economic development. The tribal address was delivered by Fort Mojave Chairman Timothy Williams, who focused heavily on Colorado River water rights, drought, climate change, and the need to include tribes in any future river management framework as current guidelines expire. He also discussed tribal economic development, education, public safety, border security, and the importance of protecting culture, language, land, and water. Thana Autumn Nation Chairman Verlin Jose similarly stressed unity, tribal sovereignty, border issues, water stewardship, and the economic impact of tribal gaming, arguing that tribes should be full partners in state and federal policy discussions and opposing a fixed border wall. Dr. Laura Tohi of the Navajo Nation gave a poetry reading and spoke about her background, the importance of language and oral tradition, and her role as Arizona State Poet Laureate. Her poems centered on food, water, weaving, and homeland. The session concluded with closing remarks from legislative leaders thanking participants for their perspectives and contributions, and the joint protocol session was dissolved. No votes or formal legislative actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:15:59.240><c> um</c> of the committee on higher education um of the committee on higher education
• </c><00:16:39.920><c> workers</c> workers skilled and educated workers workers skilled and educated workers
• , sometimes even better education.
• education education program<00:54:28.640><c> up</c><00:54:28.880><c> first</c><00:54:29.280><c> we</
• </c> four-year college with an education four-year college with an education program<02:03:33.719><c>

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education met at the University of Hawaiʻi’s Bachman Hall and heard testimony on several UH-related bills. HB 542 would expand the Hawaiʻi Promise Program to provide unmet-need scholarships at four-year UH campuses. UH system officials, the UH Student Caucus, and a Honolulu Community College student testified in support, emphasizing college affordability, student retention, and workforce needs. Committee members asked about current program data, eligibility, transfer patterns, and cost; UH said it had data available, noted about 10% of current Hawaiʻi Promise students transfer to four-year campuses, and estimated the full expansion would cost about $12 million. UH also suggested a possible alternative of focusing on transfer opportunities from two-year to four-year campuses. The committee then heard HB 840, which concerns athletics appropriations for UH. UH Mānoa and UH Hilo supported the bill. UH officials said the funding would help cover recurring athletics operating costs, women’s sports travel and recruiting, Austin Awards, and a new nutrition fueling station, while Hilo said the money would help with travel, per diem, and conference-related costs. Members asked about the history of the athletics funding, the difference between Austin Awards and special talent waivers, NIL planning, and whether the appropriation should be restored to the base budget. UH explained that a $4 million athletics appropriation was originally made in 2018 or 2019, later removed from the base, and has been reappropriated annually since then. Finally, the committee heard HB 842, which would fund three additional permanent mental health practitioner positions at UH Mānoa’s Counseling and Student Development Center. UH supported the bill, and Academic Labor United and a high school student testified in favor, citing student stress, overwork, and the need for more counseling access. In questions, members discussed the current counselor-to-student ratio, recruitment challenges in a tight labor market, and strategies for hiring, including looking at candidates on soft-money grants who may be seeking stable employment. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.