Transcript Highlights:

• weird to you, but really all it does is direct the department, which they've agreed to, to do some research
• So basically we want the department to study and go through with CMS and do all the research to make

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1542, Controlled Substances, Approval, Use, Research.
• SB 1542, Controlled Substances, Approval, Use, Research.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the pledge of allegiance, and an electronic roll call showing 26 members present and four excused. The journal for January 29, 2026, was approved, and the chamber recognized Lucid Motors Day at the Capitol, highlighting the company’s Arizona operations, investment, and job creation. The Senate also received a gubernatorial nomination for Troy L. Campbell to the State Liquor Board, which was referred to the Committee on Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency. A large number of bills were introduced and read for the first time, covering topics such as commerce, E-Verify, municipal self-certification, voter registration text notices, immigration enforcement training, school eligibility and testing, campaign finance, vulnerable adults, temporary vehicle plates, tribal flags, water projects, public works apprenticeships, housing and water supply, special plates, controlled substances research, and election-related resolutions. One bill, SB 1429, was further referred to the Committee on Finance. The Senate also placed many measures on second reading, including bills on roads, labor and collective bargaining, tax relief, education data, assisted living, liquor policy, public pensions, housing, utilities, and election and redistricting proposals. The President noted that it was the final day to submit bills by the 5:00 p.m. deadline and announced upcoming caucus and committee meetings for February 3. During a personal privilege statement, the Majority Leader criticized the Attorney General’s recent remarks as dangerous and confusing, argued she should retract them, and said elected officials should lower the temperature around rhetoric that could contribute to violence. The Senate then adjourned by motion until Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 1:15 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bickerton is working very diligently on the new research dairy that is being currently built in my district
• , which will be the nation's largest and most impressive research dairy.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then these other credits that Idaho has, the research activities credit and the Other credits that
• Idaho has, the research activities credit and the ITC, the investment tax credit.

Summary: The Revenue and Taxation Committee met on January 23, 2026, and considered only one item: RS 33071, Representative Jeff Ehlers’ annual tax conformity bill. Ehlers explained that the proposal would conform Idaho tax law retroactive to calendar year 2025 and forward to federal changes in the One Big Beautiful Bill, while continuing Idaho’s longstanding nonconformity with bonus depreciation. He said the bill also addresses federal R&E/R&D expensing and allows individuals to benefit from the federal changes, which he described as providing tax relief to Idaho taxpayers. Ehlers also said the bill would prevent “double dipping” by taxpayers who might otherwise use the same qualified expenses for both the new federal deduction and Idaho’s research activities credit or investment tax credit. Representative Gannon questioned the fiscal note, arguing that the Tax Commission’s estimate appeared too low compared with analyses from the Tax Foundation and other states, and raised concerns that the true revenue impact could be much higher, potentially affecting future budgets. Ehlers responded that the Tax Commission’s zero-impact view applied to the credit portion, while the main cost came from the R&D deduction and the personal provisions, and he said the committee’s fiscal estimate of about $155 million was based on the midpoint of Tax Commission estimates. After discussion, the committee took up Representative Raybould’s motion to introduce RS 33071. The motion passed on a voice vote, with one recorded nay, and the bill was introduced. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• have the authority to appoint members of the Advisory Board of the Florida Center for Brain Tumor Research
• This legislation also strengthens the FIU Office of Ocean Economy as a hub for research regarding Florida's

Committee: Senate Education Postsecondary

Summary: The Committee on Education Postsecondary heard two bills. First, it considered Senate Bill 312 relating to the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition. The committee took up a strike-all amendment and then a secondary amendment offered by Senator Fine to clarify that the current University of West Florida Board of Trustees chair would have no role in the organization. Members described the changes as friendly, and both amendments were adopted. The bill, as amended, was then reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1624 on higher education, which was presented as a broad higher-education package. The bill would set market-rate out-of-state fees for nonresident online students, revise financial aid and support program language, provide tuition and fee waivers for Florida State Guard members, change rules for adult and career education programs, redirect certain workforce-related funds, rename Hillsborough Community College as Hillsborough State College, rename the Florida Educational Equity Act as the Florida Educational Equality Act, adjust appointments to certain boards and councils, update admissions and scholarship references to include the classical learning test, broaden the definition of opioid antagonist, repeal a grandparent-based out-of-state fee waiver, and strengthen FIU’s Office of Ocean Economy. There was no public testimony or debate, and the bill was reported favorably by roll call vote. The meeting concluded after both measures were approved and no further business was raised.

Transcript Highlights:

• Langren’s mission is to do research, extension, and education.
• And research, extension and education.
• </c> reach R2 status on the Carnegie Research reach R2 status on the Carnegie Research University<01:
• Uh we do research uh highly workforce.
• Uh we do research uh highly competitive<01:34:46.719><c> research</c><01:34:47.679><c> uh</c><01:34:47.760

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call: 0:00:00 Approval of Minutes: 0:01:45 Federal Education Updates 0:02:12 Dual Credit Updates: 0:43:38 Kentucky State University's Doctoral Program Request: 01:27:08 Postsecondary Accreditation: 1:49:05 Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations: 2:14:48 Adjournment 2:16:31, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the previous meeting minutes, and heard a presentation from Austin Reid of the National Conference of State Legislatures on education-related provisions in the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1). Reid said the law is projected to increase the federal deficit over 10 years, with major savings coming from Medicaid, student loan changes, and SNAP. He focused on how those changes could affect schools, including possible effects on free and reduced-price meal certification, state funding formulas that use SNAP as a proxy for low-income status, and Medicaid-funded school services for students with disabilities. Reid also outlined the new federal scholarship tax credit, which gives a dollar-for-dollar credit for donations to qualifying scholarship-granting organizations. He said families up to 300% of area median income may benefit, the program begins in 2027, and states must opt in and designate eligible organizations. He noted unresolved questions about whether states can add their own criteria and said Treasury regulations will be important. He also described the expansion of 529 plans to cover more K-12 and postsecondary expenses. On higher education, Reid explained a new workforce Pell grant option for short-term programs, with states and governors playing a role in determining eligible programs. He said the programs must meet placement, completion, and earnings measures and that implementation is expected to be tight before the July 1, 2026 effective date. He also reviewed student loan changes, including lower institutional loan limits, prorated borrowing for part-time enrollment, new caps on graduate and Parent PLUS loans, and a new earnings-based accountability standard that could make some programs ineligible for student loans if graduates earn too little. No votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the term the researchers use.
• That's the term the researchers use.
• ><c> fact</c><00:20:29.200><c> been</c><00:20:29.960><c> into</c> research has in fact been into research
• That's the term the researchers<00:20:36.000><c> use.
• </c> to uh research those cases potentially. to uh research those cases potentially.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Allen identified in his research memo.
• It may actually be a good question for our esteemed researcher. So I will, Mr.
• I will gladly rely on somebody's better research than mine, but a quick Google search has shown that
• um so I will uh Mr Allen um researcher um so I will uh Mr Allen um uh uh uh I<02:35:50.800><c> I</c>
• I will send a request or two out to our researcher, Mr.

Committee: House Election Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's amazing to realize I hadn't ever done any research on either side of the vaccine argument.
• </c> own research own research when<01:13:09.080><c> it</c><01:13:09.200><c> comes</c><01:13:09.520><
• </c><01:14:20.320><c> And</c><01:14:20.520><c> so,</c> don't research public health.
• And so, don't research public health.
• </c> supportive research. supportive research.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we also have at the table in the back our DFL researcher, and Bryce is also doing that work
• as researchers.
• Emily Sper is our DFL researcher.
• </c> also doing um that work as researchers also doing um that work as researchers so<00:07:59.520><c
• </c><00:27:07.120><c> opportunities</c> are different um research opportunities are different um research

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a forensic company that does research on this kind of stuff.
• Obviously, we're researchers, and we are educators as well.
• Since 2017, our research has been sponsored by TxDOT.
• This is the largest single research project in the history...
• support of our research effort.

Summary: The joint Senate and House disaster preparedness and flooding hearing opened with quorum calls, prayer, testimony time limits, and remarks from legislative leaders emphasizing decorum, respect, and the goal of learning from the July 4 flood to prevent future loss of life. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and Speaker Dustin Burrows said the special session and hearings were intended to hear directly from local officials and residents, and that the state would pursue immediate and longer-term legislation and continue working beyond the current session. The committee then heard invited testimony from Kerr County, Kerrville, Kendall County, Real County, and the Upper Guadalupe River Authority, followed by member questions. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, Sheriff Larry Leitha, and emergency management coordinator William B. Thomas described the flood as a sudden, unprecedented event that overwhelmed local systems before many officials or residents understood the danger. They said the county received multiple National Weather Service and IPAWS alerts, but the rain fell in remote upstream areas with limited gauges, and the flood rose too quickly for normal response. They detailed the emergency response, including dispatchers handling heavy call volumes, deputies and volunteer firefighters conducting rescues, and state and federal partners assisting. County officials said 108 people died, including 37 children, and two remained missing. They called for better real-time flood detection, stronger rural emergency management resources, improved broadband and cell coverage, and more funding for swift-water rescue and warning systems. Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring and City Manager Dalton Rice said the city had floodplain rules, emergency plans, and prior preparedness efforts, but the event exposed gaps in communications and regional warning capacity. They urged the Legislature to fund a flood warning system, whether sirens, automated alerts, or a hybrid, and asked for support for predictive weather modeling, broadband expansion, a hazard mitigation fund, and disaster recovery resources. The Upper Guadalupe River Authority said it had long funded gauges and pursued flood-warning and mitigation projects, including a new software-based flood prediction system and possible retention dams, and planned to dedicate reserve funds to feasibility studies and infrastructure improvements. Kendall County Judge Shane Stolarczyk said his county’s emergency action plan and early alerts helped prevent deaths there, and he recommended easier access to alerting tools, a river-wide warning system, simpler grant applications, and regional coordination. Real County Judge Bella Rubio said rural counties face major challenges because of limited cell service, broadband, staffing, and funding, especially for camps and visitors along the Frio and Nueces rivers, and argued that reliable alert systems should be treated as a necessity, not a luxury. Members asked about the timeline of the flood, low-water crossings, communications failures, sirens, bridges, and funding, and several witnesses said the key lessons were better communications, better warning systems, and more investment in rural flood mitigation and emergency response.

Transcript Highlights:

• them I was on the planning researched them I was on the planning board<00:54:59.760><c> for</c><00:54
• May readily assess the user researchers May readily assess the user interfaces<01:50:35.639><c> for<
• </c> thrust of this is that if a researcher thrust of this is that if a researcher is<01:51:44.560><c
• </c><02:02:50.320><c> for</c> office would have to do research for office would have to do research for
• been conducting research in digital media<03:13:54.800><c> forensic</c><03:13:55.319><c> since</c><03

Committee: House Election Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Would they be able to help you with some of these numbers or else research?
• House Research, Mr.
• Uh, I have heard even from House Research how this would supersede it.
• But that's just based upon what I've heard today from the researchers.
• . researchers. researchers.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• There is some research that has gone into this.
• Are there any additional questions of our Office of Program Research analysts?
• Are there any additional questions of our Office of Program Research analysts?
• And decades of research confirms consolidation is a major part of these rising costs.
• They're going to research criminal histories to confirm registration duties.

Bills: HB1316 , HB2401 , HB2557 , HB2720 , HB1073 , HB2685 , HB2640 , HB2403

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: postsecondary education, homelessness, foster youth, education access, support programs, commission, gender equity, boys, men, advocacy, state policy, special education, parental rights, educational access, evaluation reports, disability services, behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access

Transcript Highlights:

• Their duties would include administrative support, business management, research and data collection,
• There is some research that has gone into this.
• Are there any additional questions of our Office of Program Research analysts?
• And decades of research confirms consolidation is a major part of these rising costs.
• They're going to research criminal histories to confirm registration duties.

Summary: The committee first heard Substitute House Bill 1128, which would create a Child Care Workforce Standards Board within the Department of Labor and Industries to study child care workforce conditions and make recommendations on employment standards. Staff explained that the proposed second substitute narrows the board’s role from setting enforceable standards to making recommendations, with estimated ongoing costs for L&I staffing and smaller costs for board member stipends and possible DCYF support. Supporters, including child care providers, SEIU 925, and labor representatives, said the bill would help address understaffing, low wages, and retention problems; opponents, including child care industry groups and private schools, argued it duplicates existing work, adds bureaucracy, and creates unfunded costs. No vote was taken in the hearing. The committee then heard Second Substitute House Bill 1634, which would direct OSPI and ESDs to develop a technical assistance and training framework to help schools coordinate student behavioral health supports. Staff said the bill aligns with the Washington Thriving Strategic Plan and could largely be implemented with existing work and limited additional costs, though DOH would need some support. Testifiers from behavioral health and school counseling fields described severe youth mental health needs and urged passage, and OSPI said the work is doable with current resources. The committee also heard Substitute House Bill 2636, which would create a public education review advisory council to recommend K-12 policies and funding provisions for JLARC review; staff described JLARC, OSPI, and State Board costs, and no public testimony was offered. The committee next heard House Bill 1316, which would expand the Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness program so additional university campuses can access funding. The sponsor said the program has strong retention outcomes, and student advocates testified that campuses such as UW Bothell need access to already appropriated funds for emergency aid, food pantries, and case management. Staff then briefed Substitute House Bill 2474, which would allow the Student Achievement Council Tuition Recovery Trust Fund to be used for refunds tied to broader consumer protection violations, with no expected fiscal impact; there was no testimony. The committee also heard Substitute House Bill 2365 on digital equity, which would expand the Broadband Office’s role, revise the digital equity forum, and rename the grant program; supporters emphasized rural access, affordability, and the loss of federal digital equity funding, while staff estimated significant Commerce staffing costs and some additional agency impacts. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2401, creating a Washington State Boys and Men Commission contingent on non-state funding, with staff outlining OFM startup and fundraising costs and an estimated operating budget if fully funded. Supporters said boys and men face mental health, education, and mentorship gaps and that the commission would improve coordination; the bill drew testimony from rural school leaders, nonprofit advocates, and community members. The committee then heard Substitute House Bill 2475 on language access, which would require the Office of Equity to develop uniform language-access guidelines and a report on interpreter and translator shortages; staff said the office could absorb the work but other agency and local government impacts were uncertain. Substitute House Bill 2517, on permitting for high-capacity transit, would let regional transit authorities apply for permits earlier and streamline land-use processes; Sound Transit and the sponsor said it would speed delivery of major projects, while staff estimated Commerce technical-assistance costs and possible local government impacts. The last bill heard was Substitute House Bill 2145 on the 340B drug pricing program, which would bar manufacturers from restricting contract-pharmacy access and require reporting to DOH; supporters said it protects safety-net providers and patient services, while opponents warned of higher costs for employers, state health plans, and litigation burdens. No final committee action or votes were recorded in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate research Emily Spera, Bryce Hanks, they've been with us for all.
• Senate research Emily Spera, Bryce Hanks, they've been with us for all.
• Senate research Emily Spera, Bryce Hanks, they've been with us for all.
• Senate research Emily Spera, thank you.
• House research Molly Peterson, Tom all.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And just so we get it right on the record, I'd like House Research to just kind of go through what the
• House Research to just kind of go through what the bill does, but before that, just a little history.
• And so what this will do, well, I'm going to let someone from House Research describe exactly what I'm
• </c><00:00:55.440><c> describe</c> someone from house research describe someone from house research describe
• I might have to go to House Research. What is a pictograph? Oh, man. I meant infographic.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Having been quickly educated about the trigger word of investigations, I learned to call this research
• It was the idea that in our research we needed to be looking for standards that would raise at least
• into uh data and public Research into uh data and public engagement<00:04:01.200><c> that</c><00:04:
• </c><00:04:48.880><c> we</c><00:04:49.039><c> needed</c> the idea that in our research we needed the
• We had done that research and those public forums in the winter and early spring, and so then we dove

Bills: HF1419 , HF500

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: nursing facilities, reimbursement rates, elderly care, minimum wage, healthcare funding, nursing home, employment standards, worker rights, Minnesota Statutes, labor compensation, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's well supported in research. How's that fair to Minnesota taxpayers and families?
• how's that fair to Minnesota in research how's that fair to Minnesota taxpayers<01:04:20.279><c> and
• In our letter, we discussed industry research that suggests increased data center activity could easily
• </c><01:15:24.080><c> and</c> already as large as the research and already as large as the research and
• </c><01:16:06.760><c> that</c> discussed industry research that discussed industry research that suggests

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Janelle Taylor with House Research.
• Janelle Taylor with House Research.
• </c> good Janelle Taylor with house research good Janelle Taylor with house research I<00:09:54.720><
• I am DFL research for the Legacy Committee.
• I'm a public researcher, and I'll second what Representative Skraba said.

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Keywords: 1183, house