Transcript Highlights:

• And House Bill No. 3290, introduced by Plank, an act relating to public entity contracts.
• And removed from those times, we can look back in horror and wonder what was the thought process that
• It simplifies the process by which a dentist or dental hygienist can work in this state.
• America has a process for that.
• . conditions should not exempt anyone from accessing all judicial processes.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the previous day’s journal by a 119-0 vote. Members then used personal privilege remarks to recognize a 40th wedding anniversary, honor Sherry Anderson for her service to the House, and observe Black History Month with a tribute to former Senator Yvonne Starks-Wilson. The chamber also welcomed several guest groups, including representatives from the Alzheimer’s Association, the Festus girls cross-country team, the Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce Leadership Conference, and advocates connected to the blind pension fund. The main floor debate centered on House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2033, 1608, 1672, and 1854, which would remove the sunset from the SAFE Act and continue restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors. Supporters argued the bill protects children, citing concerns about puberty blockers, hormones, surgery, and evolving medical guidance; opponents said it targets transgender youth, interferes with family and medical decisions, and misstates the science. After extended debate, the previous question was adopted 102-45, and the combined bill package passed 102-40. House Bill 1847, creating the Dental Licensure Compact, also passed 138-10 after questions about reciprocity, data sharing, and state sovereignty. The House then passed House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1866, which bars peace officer licensure for applicants whose certification was revoked or suspended and for non-citizens, by a 101-36 vote after debate over citizenship, military service, and law enforcement standards. House Committee Substitute for House Bills 1908 and 2337 passed 147-0; the sponsor described it as protecting women and children in abusive situations and addressing legal responsibility in marriage. House Bill 1961, allowing temporary dietitian licenses and a compact for interstate practice, passed 137-8. House Bill 2180, changing Department of Revenue and blind pension notice delivery methods and allowing electronic notices, passed 146-0 and was described as both a service improvement and a cost saver. House Bill 2591, updating speech-language pathologist licensure to allow out-of-state training and practice in Missouri, passed 144-0. The House then announced upcoming committee meetings, a Scouting America Eagle Scout recognition, an America 250 celebration event, and a Labor Caucus meeting before adjourning until Monday, February 16, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• But this will be a living process, so you'll have an opportunity to give additional input for updating
• Pete, thank you for thinking about how we improve this process and having prepared this work.
• Licensing holds contracts with each of the five manufacturers in the state.
• One was around the sort of the way the process works. I think that Mr.
• So that's the way the process works there.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee met on January 7, 2026, approved the December minutes, and adopted an amended work plan. Staff proposed moving the drug takeback program sunset review up to 2026 and delaying the thermal energy network pilot review to 2028, which would free capacity for new studies. Members also noted bills that would eliminate two recurring JLARC reports, including one on unemployment insurance training benefits and one on lodging tax revenue reporting. The committee then discussed JLARC’s own performance measures and a pilot approach for evaluating tax preference performance statements in fiscal notes. Staff said JLARC will begin surveying members and the full legislature on satisfaction, track invitations to present to other committees, monitor recommendation resolution rates, staff retention, on-time report delivery, peer review results, and national recognition. For tax preference reviews, staff proposed a standard rubric to assess whether performance metrics match policy goals, are measurable, use reliable data, and allow enough time for evaluation; members generally supported the effort. Staff also outlined planned changes to public records reporting, including allowing agencies to opt out of tracking low-volume metrics, targeted outreach to nonreporting agencies, better data validation, clearer online guidance, and a survey of public records officers. The main audit presentation was a preliminary report on ignition interlock device compliance and monitoring. JLARC found that about 41% of drivers required to install devices had done so, with installation rates rising sharply with income; half of affected drivers earned less than $28,000 a year, and the typical annual device cost was about $2,700. Staff said the state’s financial assistance program has limited reach and lacks clear goals, performance measures, and coordination between the Department of Licensing and State Patrol. They recommended that the agencies formalize their roles and develop a coordinated strategy to improve installation rates. State Patrol and Licensing said they support the findings, described recent outreach pilots, and said they would work on a management plan and possible expansion of outreach efforts. JLARC also presented an expedited preliminary report on the drug take-back program’s fee setting and expenditures. Staff concluded that the current fee design limits the Department of Health’s ability to recover oversight costs and that public reporting of oversight expenditures would improve transparency. They recommended that DOH publicly report its oversight activities and that the legislature amend the fee structure to remove the cap tied to program operator expenditures. DOH agreed the current structure does not fully recover costs and said it would support a statutory change. The committee adjourned after noting its next regular meeting is scheduled for April 8, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• The contract will contain language for accepting and reserving these easements for the city of Concord
• The contract will contain language for accepting and reserving these easements for the city of Concord
• The contract will contain language for accepting and reserving these easements for the city of Concord
• The process will be sold as is, where is, with no additional conditions.
• will be sold as commission the process will be sold as is<00:35:35.440><c> where</c><00:35:35.760><c

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Long Range Capital Planning and Utilization Committee met in organizational session and first elected Representative John Cluder as clerk. A nomination of Senator Mark Makoni as vice chair was made but not voted on because he was absent; it was carried over to the next meeting. The committee also reviewed its guidelines and procedures, including how it handles property-disposal requests, late items, and informational materials, and then approved the November 12, 2024 minutes with one abstention from a member who had been absent. The committee then considered several state property and lease requests. It approved a 50-year, $1-per-year ground lease for about 5.66 acres at Berlin Regional Airport in Milan for a New Hampshire Army National Guard hangar/support facility, after hearing that the project is federally funded, intended for training and search-and-rescue support, and would have no permanent full-time staffing. The committee also approved a 30-year lease for the Department of Justice to move the chief medical examiner’s offices, morgue, and autopsy suite to 279 Pleasant Street in Concord, with testimony that the current Concord Hospital space is inadequate and that the new site would double body-storage capacity. Several Department of Safety and Department of Transportation property items were approved as well. Safety received approval for a 10-year lease, with renewal options, for the State Police aircraft hangar at 91 Airport Road in Concord. Transportation was authorized to continue disposal efforts for remnant parcels in Concord, Conway, Lisbon, Effingham, and Mount Vernon, with testimony explaining market conditions, appraisals, access limits, and easements; members asked questions about access and buildability, but each item was approved. During the Berlin lease item, the committee was told the FAA objects to any lease longer than 50 years at that airport, so the request was revised from 55 years to 50 years on the record before approval.

Transcript Highlights:

• other violations of general courtesy or decorum may subject you to removal or other enforcement processes
• It is absorbable cost current regional bargaining process so that we can work towards getting more court
• Rebuilding after disaster is a difficult and costly process that doesn't need to include unnecessary
• This is a process that most people do not have the technical ability or patience to do.
• This is contrary to current legal processes and has created unnecessary, costly delays in parole.

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:09:55.279><c> which</c> uh out of respect for the process, which uh out of respect for the process
• a</c><01:48:56.800><c> permanent</c> process of hiring a permanent process of hiring a permanent director
• Um, we would then contract director.
• We'd have a contract with June of 2025.
• </c> Section five clar clarifies the process Section five clar clarifies the process which<02:00:41.440

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am here to give you an overview of the grantee selection process, as well as our role implementing
• I think it speaks to the value of the process we're undertaking here by doing it through CBOs.
• It's in process. Hopefully, by the end of this. It's not like a technology program.
• He received mental health counseling to process the trauma.
• Kathy's therapist helped her process the discrimination, boost her confidence, and provided emotional

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ultimately, that's discussed and determined in the budget process.
• It's more an educational process.
• Instead, at the very end of the process, they are stopped.
• So I would characterize it as a difficult negotiation process.
• I was reading in there some of the process here.

Committee: Senate Senate Public Safety Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee approved the February 4 minutes and announced several bills would be held, including SB 1317, SB 1416, SB 1419, SB 1490, and SB 1493. It then heard SB 1579, which would appropriate about $4.7 million from the general fund to expand a law enforcement data-sharing pilot through the Department of Administration, with funding for DPS, county sheriffs, university police, city/town police, and an amendment adding $125,900 for Scottsdale Police. Supporters, including the Flagstaff mayor, the Eloy police chief, and Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office staff, said the system improves real-time information sharing, officer safety, and efficiency. The committee adopted the amendment and gave SB 1579 a do pass as amended recommendation by a 6-0 vote with one not voting. The committee next heard SB 1581, which would use the Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund for pepper ball equipment and public safety training simulators. The amendment increased the Nogales Police Department’s pepper ball appropriation and expanded simulator funding so Yavapai County could buy two simulators with a three-year warranty. Testimony from the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office, Phoenix Police, Glendale Police, Flagstaff, and Cochise County emphasized pepper ball’s de-escalation value and the simulators’ role in crisis-response and scenario-based training, including interactions involving autism, mental illness, and hearing impairments. The committee adopted the amendment and passed SB 1581 as amended on a 7-0 vote. SB 1673 was then heard to appropriate $8.2 million from the general fund to the Law Enforcement Crime Victim Notification Fund, with the sponsor and witnesses describing the automated victim-notification system as constitutionally required and already reducing workload while keeping victims informed through texts and other alerts. The committee passed SB 1673 with no amendment on a 7-0 vote. SB 1544, which would make adult probation records public on request subject to redactions and appeal procedures, drew mixed testimony over transparency versus privacy concerns, especially around risk assessment tools and sensitive records; the committee passed it 4-3, with several members explaining no votes pending amendments. SB 1376, a civic leadership development special plate bill directing funds to a nonprofit focused on youth civic education and leadership, passed unanimously 7-0. Finally, SB 1550, a three-year Queen Creek pilot program to address runaway youth and exploitation through specialized police work, received support from local officials and anti-trafficking advocates but drew a no vote from one member over concerns about how runaway youth are treated in other legislation; it passed 5-1 with one not voting. The committee also heard SB 1504, a public safety retirement bill changing normal retirement and COLA timing for Tier 2 and Tier 3 members, with strong support from police and fire groups and opposition from local government and pension reform advocates, but no vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The process for those farms is that they are reviewed.
• The process for those farms is that they are reviewed.
• And they say, ‘We’ve identified, as I noted, it’s a risk assessment process.
• And they say, ‘We’ve identified, as I noted, it’s a risk assessment process.
• And they say, ‘We’ve identified, as I noted, it’s a risk assessment process.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• includes visits to the state capital and state agencies to meet with individuals firsthand to learn the process
• So we immediately take all the local decision-making process out of anything having to do with the coast
• And to persist in their pursuit of justice, a process that forces them to relive the trauma over and
• Senate Bill 1058 by Senator McNerney, an act relating to public contracts.
• Senate Bill 1058 by Senator McNerney, an act relating to public contracts.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through privileges of the floor recognizing visitors, including Fresno State Ag Leadership students and members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. The body also approved the Senate journals and took up several gubernatorial appointments, confirming Heather Lynn Gonzalez to the Court Reporters Board and reappointing Anacubas to the California Law Revision Commission and David Hübner to the same commission, each by 26-10 votes. The chamber then considered SCR 136, commemorating the 50th anniversaries of the California Coastal Act, Coastal Commission, and Coastal Conservancy. Supporters emphasized coastal access, environmental protection, habitat restoration, public trails, and climate resilience, while opponents argued the commission can override local control and hinder development and infrastructure. The resolution passed 27-4. The Senate also adopted SR 68 on Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Denim Day unanimously, with members discussing survivor support, consent, and the need for stronger protections and accountability. Additional resolutions and bills were approved, including SCR 130 recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month, SB 1058 on school nutrition procurement flexibility, SB 930 requiring end-to-end encryption for certain school exam proctoring services, SB 917 expanding farmers’ market sales opportunities for wineries, SB 1002 on continuity of telehealth care for eligible patients, SB 1036 clarifying mitigation fee credits for redevelopment, SCR 131 calling for urgent action on unsheltered homelessness, SB 1285 on juvenile record dismissal, SB 969 on remote developmental services, and SCR 157 honoring School Bus Driver’s Day. Most of these items passed unanimously, while SCR 131 passed 34-0 after debate over housing-first approaches, self-sufficiency, interim shelter, and coordination among state and local governments. The consent calendar was then approved, committee announcements were made, and the Senate adjourned in memory of Sandy Steers, with the next floor session scheduled for April 30, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then being a Tier 1 teacher coming out of this expedited process, they're not going to be, they're
• I think former Representative Baker had a part of this process, if I remember right, when I first came
• And also, as a part of that, to struggle, to fail, and to feel frustration in the process.
• This bill also recognizes educators' rights to regularly scheduled prep time during contract hours.
• This bill also recognizes the educators' rights to regularly scheduled prep time during contract hours

Committee: House Elementary and Secondary Education

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2195, a driver education-related measure. The ranking member offered an amendment to remove the word “training” and add specific safe-driving topics such as pedestrian and motorcycle safety, based on prior testimony. The amendment and then a committee substitute were adopted. Members clarified that the bill does not require schools to offer driver education; it instead creates a mechanism for schools that choose to provide it. The committee then voted the House Committee Substitute for HB 2195 do pass by a unanimous 18-0 vote. Next, the committee considered House Bill 2502. The substitute mainly changed the term “non-public” to more specific references to private, parochial, and parish schools. The substitute was adopted, and the committee voted the House Committee Substitute for HB 2502 do pass unanimously, 18-0. The committee then revisited House Bill 2776, which had previously been voted out but was brought back after additional concerns from PSRS and others. The sponsor described major revisions, including changes to teacher certification tiers, more flexible service timelines, expanded credit for professional development, and limits to elementary grades. Members debated whether the bill watered down teacher preparation, whether the new certification structure could create unintended rights or salary issues, and whether the elementary-only scope was appropriate. After extensive discussion, the committee adopted the substitute and voted the House Committee Substitute for HB 2776 do pass by a 14-4 vote. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1767, the Missouri Educators and Parental Empowerment and Rights Act. The sponsor said the bill was intended to balance educator and parent rights and encourage collaboration rather than conflict. Supporters from Missouri NEA and the Missouri State Teachers Association said the bill would help address teacher retention by protecting classroom discipline authority, planning time, and other working conditions. School administrators raised concerns about practical implementation, potential legal conflicts, and added burdens on districts. After testimony and discussion, no further action was taken and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Why are controlling measures and oversight responsibilities for the clearinghouse process and has explicit
• on this amendment to the amendment because the underlying delete everything amendment changes the process
• We're gonna keep you up there for one more bill. >> CS for HB 1387 state economic development contracts
• The bill also requires timely written capacity determinations and creates a clear process to challenge
• We all have different things, and this This process allows us to express our views and work together

Committee: House Commerce Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• His amendment in the education committees ensures that parents and families participate in this process
• His amendment in the education committees ensure that parents and families participate in this process
• And by nature of the way the legislative process works, we don't really have a built-in system to review
• We were having two processes for fingerprinting, and we consolidated that.
• Have you thought, put any process into actual some resources behind this?

Summary: The committee held public hearings on three K-12 bills focused on behavioral health, literacy, and review of education mandates. On House Bill 1634, staff and Rep. Milin Tai described a framework for OSPI and educational service districts to coordinate with state and local partners on behavioral health technical assistance and training for schools, aligned with the Washington Thriving prenatal-to-25 plan. Testifiers, including students and education/behavioral health representatives, said the bill would improve coordination, early intervention, and access to supports for students and families. The bill was presented as having no fiscal note because it relies on existing funding, and testimony emphasized parent and student engagement in the framework. On House Bill 2636, staff and Rep. Skyler Rude explained that the bill creates a Public Education Review Steering Committee to identify existing policies and funding provisions for JLARC review, with the goal of determining whether they achieve intended outcomes, improve student performance, are cost-effective, and should be maintained, modified, or repealed. Supporters said the bill is intended to help reduce burdensome or ineffective requirements on school districts and free resources for students, while some members questioned how the committee would define policy and whether it could affect future mandates. A representative of the Washington State School Directors Association supported the concept as a meaningful review of unfunded mandates. The committee also heard House Bill 1295, which would require evidence-aligned literacy curriculum updates after 2027, require comprehensive K-4 literacy programs using structured literacy practices, direct PESB to revise literacy endorsement standards, require literacy-related continuing education, and direct OSPI to develop educator literacy training. Supporters, including parents, educators, students, dyslexia advocates, and district staff, argued that structured literacy is supported by research and would improve outcomes for struggling readers and students with dyslexia. One witness from the Washington Education Association supported the bill but raised concern about adding another continuing-education requirement. Testimony on the bill was extensive and largely in favor, with some discussion about whether the approach would address older students and how it would interact with existing district and ESD efforts. After public hearings, the committee moved into executive session and approved three gubernatorial appointments for confirmation recommendation. It adopted an amendment to House Bill 1796 and advanced the bill to Ways and Means, passed Engrossed House Bill 2317 to Rules, and adopted a striking amendment to Substitute House Bill 2594 before advancing it to Ways and Means. All actions were taken by voice vote, with no opposition recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• How would this bill expand that process or change that access?” “...where I live.
• How would this bill expand that process or change that access?”
• If I’m reading it right, it looks like the family members would be counted in that process.
• I think more importantly, get them inside of a pool process that will lower their rates.
• There are also due process concerns as well.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And as we all know, it's not as efficient a process.
• And we received, when we went to hearing, our hearing process is that we go and meet with the impacted
• We go to a multi-hearing process across the state.
• out some of ...the inspection staff that you have, and do you contract out some of that?
• I love the amendment because it's about streamlined permitting requirements and processes.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: During the legislative meeting, House Bill 287 was discussed, which proposes the establishment of a permanent Health and Human Services Committee to oversee the state's $14.4 billion expenditure in this area. An amendment to the bill was adopted, which clarified funding and operational details. Public comments were solicited, but no one spoke in opposition. The committee ultimately voted, with some members expressing concerns about budget implications, but the motion to pass the bill as amended was made and seconded, with several members opposing it. House Bill 371 was also addressed, which focuses on creating an Acequia Infrastructure Fund to support land grant and Acequia communities. The bill aims to provide a financial mechanism for these communities to access funds for infrastructure projects without relying on capital outlay requests. The committee discussed the bill's implications, potential funding sources, and the need for further amendments regarding representation and oversight. A motion to pass the bill was made, with some opposition noted, particularly regarding the lack of specificity in the bill's provisions. Lastly, Senate Bill 143 was presented, which seeks to raise the caps on inspection fees under the Egg Grading Act, among other agricultural regulations. Supportive testimony was provided by representatives from agricultural organizations, emphasizing the need for updated fee structures. The committee engaged in discussions about the bill's implications for consumers and the agricultural sector, ultimately moving towards a vote to pass the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• You've been crucial to getting House Bill 5 passed and working through the selection committee process
• staff because we also need to have our own communications, our own finance officer to assist with contracts
• So it’s great to see it’s in your lineage, in your personality, your education, and now in the process
• So I think that it would be useful to address how that process would work and what the time frame would
• My worry is that that process could be lengthy and burdensome and would only result in things that were

Committee: Senate Senate Rules

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ingestion of psilocybin may produce changes in perception, mood, and cognitive processes common to other
• Under this bill, subject to appropriation, the Department of Health must contract with a training entity
• And that is particularly exciting about this particular process.
• Throughout that experience, I was finally able to process trauma rather than relive it.
• Throughout that experience, I was finally able to process trauma rather than relive it.

Bills: SB5921 , SB5185 , SB6182 , SB6115 , SB6258 , SB5916 , SB5981 , SB5985 , SB6019 , SB6161 , SB6183

Committee: Senate Health & Long-Term Care

Keywords: psilocybin, mental health, therapy, decriminalization, legalization, international medical graduates, preceptorship, hardship pathways, medical practice, licensure, abortion, reproductive health, pregnancy termination, clinic access, abortion access fund, abortion savings account, health carrier assessment, insurance assessment, health insurer tax, Department of Health

Transcript Highlights:

• eliminate that and encourage the development and higher use of these properties out there and in the process
• And you're sending now, you, you just lost the Maverick County, uh, contract, uh, for the appraisal district
• does not currently have the in-house technical expertise to develop this format and may need to contract
• This redundant and inefficient process forces property owners to spend excessive time and efforts simply
• which streamline data sharing between counties and third-party vendors, reducing redundant data processing

Bills: SB 4 , SB 23 , SJR 2

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: redistricting, election, Texas legislature, district composition, political representation, congressional redistricting, Texas House of Representatives, U.S. House, Congressional districts, district map, district boundaries, gerrymandering, voting rights, election law, apportionment, representation, special committee, PLANC2308, redistricting plan, elections

Transcript Highlights:

• eliminate that and encourage the development and higher use of these properties out there, and in the process
• Now you just lost the Maverick County contract for the appraisal district, Representative Perez, and
• does not currently have the in-house technical expertise to develop this format and may need to contract
• This redundant and inefficient process forces property owners to spend excessive time and effort simply
• to the taxing entity, and to the— I guess my question is, it still allows for that competitive bid process

Bills: HB485 , HB1367 , HB1370 , HB1827 , HB1879 , HB2032 , HB2133 , HB2357 , HB3581 , HB3830 , HB4060 , HB4085 , HB4270 , HB4979 , HB5217 , HB5268 , HB5478 , HJR96 , HJR97 , HJR119 , HJR195 , HJR209 , SB4 , SB23 , SJR2 , SJR85 , SB 4 , SB 23 , SJR 2

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: healthcare, insurance, access, affordability, public health, emergency services district, sales tax, gas and electricity, residential use, tax exemption, emergency services, gas, electricity, HB 485, ESD, use tax, residential utilities, utility tax, local option tax, Texas Health and Safety Code

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, we are in the process of building a huge prison facility, and we have to put in new equipment and
• That over a period of time we are committed to making that process.
• We work with campuses to help them with their processes, you know, better customer service, things like
• That contract with digital journals and things like that is to provide that information so you save a
• Macky, do you know how many teachers we have currently on the teams contract?

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This state deserves this process to be more objective.
• This state deserves this process to be more objective.
• This state deserves this process to be more objective.
• And I I I needed to with this process.
• It's a gradual process that the university is aware of and taking and making plans for.

Keywords: 916, all