Transcript Highlights:

• Uh in a nutshell, this bill adds a grace period for continuing education.
• And currently there's no grace period and if uh continuing education is missed for any uh unforeseen
• > continuing</c> bill adds a grace period for continuing bill adds a grace period for continuing education
• And currently there's no education.
• is missed for any uh education is missed for any uh unforeseen<00:05:21.680><c> circumstance,</c><00

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection met with a quorum and heard two bills. House Bill 369, presented by Rep. Mark Hart with support from the Kentucky League of Cities and the Kentucky Police Chiefs Association, would clarify how certain police departments accrue and use the 15 days of paid leave required under KRS 95.495 by allowing departments to adopt policies such as monthly accrual. The committee adopted a committee substitute and passed the bill unanimously. The committee then heard House Bill 403, presented by Rep. Deanna Frasier Gordon, which creates a six-month grace period for completing missed continuing education requirements so affected individuals can make up two courses instead of restarting the process. After a motion and second, the bill passed favorably and unanimously. The meeting also included introductions of guests, including county coroners and representatives from the coroner association, and concluded with a brief request to record a vote from the first bill and a motion for any other business.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Department of Education is also responsible for educating our kids on agriculture, if you want to
• But, one discussion, it was a very thoughtful Education Committee that looked at this bill.
• And I had no idea how the vote would be when I went to the Education Committee.
• Education is not my forte. It's the first time I've ever been in front of that committee.
• Talk about laying burdens on educators.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He's also an educator. Former Representative Vivandro Carvalu, which is the. Also an educator.
• She's an educator and community leader from Scituate.
• Both brothers were educators, one in Taunton, one in New Bedford.
• Both brothers were educators, one in Taunton, one in New Bedford.
• Those were educators.

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The commission met to continue work on planning a Cape Verdean Cultural Center in Massachusetts, with a focus on finalizing membership and preparing for a feasibility study. After roll call and introductions, members reviewed and unanimously approved the November 25 minutes. The chair described the commission’s mandate, including monthly meetings, cultural institution visits, listening sessions, and hiring a consultant to conduct the feasibility study. Members also discussed the historical importance of the project in light of Cape Verde’s 50th anniversary of independence and the 250th anniversary of the United States. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to a draft nomination criteria document for expanding the commission. The criteria emphasized geographic, generational, gender, and sector diversity, along with needed expertise in areas such as arts and cultural programming, history, museum work, architecture, fundraising, nonprofit governance, higher education, language preservation, community organizing, economic development, legal issues, and communications. Members highlighted several organizations and institutions as important designees, including Bridgewater State’s Pedro Pires Institute, Mili Mila, the Schooner Ernestina Morrissey Advisory Board, and the New Bedford Whaling Museum. The criteria document was amended to explicitly include Cape Cod, and then approved unanimously. The commission then reviewed a slate of 16 additional nominees to fill the remaining seats, discussing gaps in legal expertise, Taunton representation, and other regional needs. Members noted that some nominees could also support a separate Cape Verdean associations body rather than serve on the commission itself. After discussion, the body approved forming a three-member nominating committee consisting of the chair, Commissioner Monica Vega, and Commissioner Manny Lopes to narrow the list and report back. Commissioners also agreed to schedule another meeting later in the month to vote on final appointments, and the meeting adjourned after those action steps were set.

Transcript Highlights:

• Educational services are the main economic activity.
• Although we do have education facilities here, but...
• So, I guess you could say it does educate; our kids want to go to school.
• Bill Soles, thank you for all you do for education.
• So thank you so much for all you do for public education.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've talked about a 3% and 3% increase for education.
• We got a version from the House, from the Senate Education Policy Committee.
• And basically what it says on page 2, lines 29, is that a student is not enrolled in public education
• In most cases, it's the Department of Education that does. I mean, a division of DPI.
• In most cases, it's the Department of Education that does do that.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 1012, the Department of Health and Human Services budget. Senator Dever walked through the amended budget, highlighting a roughly $5.85 billion all-funds total, major one-time items for IT, child care, housing, behavioral health, juvenile justice, rural EMS, and supportive housing, along with funding for Medicaid expansion, CCBHCs, opioid settlement uses, and several studies and reporting requirements. Members discussed the provider inflation increase, with Senator Mathern urging a 2%/2% rate instead of 2%/1.5%, but the committee adopted the subcommittee amendment and then passed the amended bill 15-0 with a do-pass recommendation. Senator Dever was named as carrier. The committee then considered House Bill 1540, a school choice/education savings account-style bill. Senator Shibley explained the subcommittee amendments, including clarifying the Bank of North Dakota as administrator, adding a means test at 400% of the federal poverty guideline, and adjusting the fiscal note to about $21.7 million for the second year. In debate, members raised concerns about the bank being assigned duties outside its normal role, the lack of DPI involvement, and whether the means test should be tiered rather than a hard cutoff. The committee rejected a do-not-pass motion 5-10-1, then approved a do-pass motion on the amended bill 9-6-1, with Senator Wobama noted as the likely carrier. The meeting ended with the chair announcing the committee would adjourn and reconvene the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• When it comes to the budget though, we're talking four years out as opposed to a two-year, but education
• It is why we've put more than five billion of new dollars into public education in just the last number
• seems like the big difference education seems like the big difference in<00:02:51.920><c> the</c><00
• u between our commitment to education u between our caucuses<00:03:36.480><c> has</c><00:03:36.799><
• So, I think you'll see Senate DFL and House DFL committed to strong funding for public education.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The professional license can open doors for people to gain more employment, education. and professional
• AB 360 addresses the need for a comprehensive review of physicians and surgeons. education and training
• The report will also recommend state policies to enhance education and training for health care providers
• I work with the menopause education center and I strongly support a Thanks. Thank you.
• The extra year of education beyond the bachelor's degree adds costs and delays licensure and earnings

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The witness said that they do have adult education programs within their prisons, but that adult education
• The witness clarified that they have a whole education division that oversees adult education programs
• The witness said that they do have adult education programs within their prisons, but that adult education
• The witness clarified that they have a whole education division that oversees adult education programs
• </c><00:16:12.319><c> uh</c> in security programming education uh in security programming education uh

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice, Public Safety, and Judiciary heard an update from the Department of Corrections on Kentucky Correctional Industries (KCI), sentence-credit payments for program completion, and the expansion of the Little Sandy Correctional Complex. Department officials said KCI, the department’s long-running re-entry program, operates 15 industries in 11 institutions, employs more than 400 inmates and 37 staff, and had $5.8 million in expenditures against $6.8 million in revenues through January 31. Members asked about inmate pay, the role of the Prison Industries Enhancement Certification (PIE) program, and whether KCI generates profit; the department said it aims to break even while supporting state government, with PIE participants earning prevailing wages and some programs offering certificates tied to post-release employment opportunities. The subcommittee also reviewed the budget-authorized sentence-credit program for county jails. Officials reported 37,300 program completions in fiscal year 2024 and, through January, $6.128 million paid for 90-day sentence credits and $1.6548 million for 60-day credits, with total county jail expenditures of $8.1 million and 67 jails participating. They said additional participation would require more funding and that they do not expect many more jails to join, though attendance and population levels can affect costs. Members asked how jails opt in, whether there are added costs, how inmate earnings are handled, and whether deductions are made for child support or victim compensation; the department said jails apply through an approved program matrix, inmate earnings are tracked in individual accounts, and required deductions are made when ordered. Questions from members focused on re-entry outcomes and program structure. Officials said evidence-based programming and employment opportunities are major contributors to lowering recidivism, and they cited a recent recidivism rate of 30.8 percent, down about 1 percentage point, while noting they would provide additional trend and savings data later. The department also clarified that adult education and GED programming are separate from KCI and are handled by a different education division. For the Little Sandy expansion, officials said the project remains on schedule for completion on June 25, 2025, with inmate transfers expected to begin at about 50 per week and roughly 200 additional staff eventually needed; they said hiring is being phased in as inmate population increases. The committee asked for the total construction cost of the expansion, which the witnesses said they did not have at the meeting and would report back. The meeting adjourned with the next meeting set for February 18.

Transcript Highlights:

• as well as special education.
• Education, Health and Human Services, and all other.
• Now let me turn to changes in the education forecast.
• </c><00:28:55.440><c> it</c> stream within general education it stream within general education it provides
• You've got the forecast showing even more growth of HHS and education, special education.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, Boill, briefly answered your second part of your question about the education.
• The bill gives the Secretary of State ample opportunity to educate the public, and some funding, to educate
• So does the step correlate to work experience and education? Yes, absolutely. Okay.
• So does the step correlate to work experience and education? Yes, absolutely.
• Denise is in education. All right, we'll sit.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 319, which would tighten and standardize voter identification rules at polling places. Senator Presley and Secretary of State Nancy Landry said the bill replaces the current “generally recognized” photo ID standard with a specific list of acceptable IDs, removes the affidavit-only option, and allows voters without a photo ID to cast a conditional paper ballot at the registrar of voters office or during early voting if they later provide approved documentation within two days after the election. Supporters argued the bill improves consistency, election integrity, and poll-worker guidance while still preserving access through alternative documents and free state IDs; opponents warned it could create confusion and burden seniors, students, homeless voters, and others without easy access to the required documents. After debate, the committee reported SB 319 favorably by a 7-2 vote. The committee then approved Senate Bill 202, which adds one day of compensated meeting time for parish boards of election supervisors in certain elections, and Senate Bill 25, which revises the compensation schedule for registrars of voters and related staff. SB 25 was amended to remove outdated step references and make conforming technical changes, and supporters said the pay structure has not been updated since 2007 despite increased duties and workload. The committee also adopted and reported favorably Senate Concurrent Resolution 29, creating a legislative study committee on water quality in the Chafalalaya Basin, and House Concurrent Resolution 85, creating a task force on illegal dumping, both with technical amendments. In addition, the committee advanced Senate Concurrent Resolution 63, which asks the legislative auditor to review how fiscal notes are prepared during session, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 33, which creates a work-based learning coordination task force to improve alignment among education, workforce, and employer partners. SCR 33 was amended to change the appointing authority for two members. The committee also approved Senate Concurrent Resolution 5, establishing the Louisiana-Ireland Trade Commission, and House Resolution 196, which creates a study committee on the impact of fallen trees on residential property and insurance issues. Several of these measures were supported by agency representatives or outside groups, and the committee adopted technical amendments where needed before reporting the bills and resolutions favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:19:14.720><c> to</c> educators to provide civic education, to educators to provide civic education
• </c> for just like sort of civic education for just like sort of civic education and<00:19:24.160><c>
• I think that it has an unquestionable chilling effect on their ability to educate our young people.
• </c><00:23:32.960><c> I</c> ability to educate our young people.
• I ability to educate our young people.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In 1999, when I first began taking college classes, Windham oversaw higher education in prison.
• Every student and every classroom in the education building was utilized.
• Education was under the broader umbrella of chaplaincy, recreation, and volunteer services.
• But for today's testimony, I'd like to focus on post-secondary education.
• But to close, higher education and data collection can improve outcomes in our justice system.

Bills: SB552, SB1099, SB1124, SB1208, SB1372, SB1506, SB1667, SB1804, SB1806, SB1870, SB1936, SB1937, SB2180, SB2405, SB2569, SB2570, SB1646

Keywords: community supervision, criminal justice, illegal alien, deferred adjudication, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, SB 1099, undocumented immigrant, unauthorized immigrant, immigration status, felony sentencing enhancement, criminal penalty increase, Texas Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, affirmative finding, judgment finding, deportation, public safety, immigration enforcement, sentencing reform, felony offense

Transcript Highlights:

• And then our statewide universities on higher education.
• HB 1021 also included provisions for mandatory education for condo association board members ensuring
• We have also worked hard to implement the new board member education required under 1021.
• We have also worked hard to implement the new board member education required under 1021.
• , we developed and launched our own free four-hour education.

Summary: The subcommittee heard presentations from the Department of Financial Services and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, then returned to its ongoing budget workshop with the Department of Management Services. DFS’s Division of Risk Management described its role as the state self-insurance fund, covering about 200,000 employees and 27,000 vehicles, paying roughly $150 million in claims last year, and managing a pilot ETS treatment program for veterans and first responders that had 49 patients and 804 treatments as of the latest report. The Division of State Fire Marshal outlined its fire prevention, training, emergency response, and grant programs, including hurricane deployments, the Florida State Fire College, and several capital and grant requests for roof, courtyard, memorial, and equipment needs. The Division of Rehabilitation and Liquidation explained how it handles insolvent insurers under Chapter 631, currently administering 14 estates with $1.2 billion in assets and $3.7 billion in liabilities, and said no new receiverships had been opened since February 2023. Members asked about grant backlogs, fire truck procurement delays, memorial repairs, and whether affiliate transfers were occurring in insurer liquidations. Secretary Griffin then updated the committee on DBPR’s implementation of House Bill 1021 on community associations. He said the department had used the new authority to expand education, complaint handling, and ombudsman services, including 10 free standardized courses, a new condo website, and a four-hour board certification course that had already drawn more than 12,000 attendees. He reported that outreach to condominium communities had increased by more than 60%, that complaint filings were up 39% while jurisdictional dismissals dropped to 11%, and that about 81% to 82% of the 65 new positions had been filled. Members pressed him on whether the department had enough authority and funding, how condominium counts are determined, how self-reported structural integrity reserve study data is verified, and whether more public-facing complaint tracking and better reporting from local governments or developers would improve the system. The committee then resumed questioning Secretary Allende of DMS about outstanding budget and operations issues. Members focused on the delayed People First contract extension required by statute, with the secretary saying the delay involved technical and contractual complexity in moving a legacy hard-coded system to the cloud. They also revisited the state data team and data catalog project, asking why a statutory 2022 deadline had not been met, how the four-person team and broader data staff were organized, how many applicants were considered for key positions, and what each role was doing. The secretary said the catalog work was being simplified into six metadata fields and supported by a broader community of practice, but no firm completion date was given during the exchange.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we're trying to phase in and get them educated and in compliance before any other action is done.
• I'm with the Department of Early Childhood Education. We have two contracts for you today.
• Good afternoon, Tina Hammonds for the State Department of Education.
• The next contracts are going to be with our special education group, and the next five are all the same
• It helps to provide compensatory education for students... ...for students who have the needs of being

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Concurrent Resolution 128 by Senator Perez, relative to High School Voter Education Weeks.
• Senate Concurrent Resolution 128 by Senator Perez, relative to High School Voter Education Weeks.
• Moreover, this resolution encourages local education agencies to include, among the information provided
• Local education agencies are encouraged to include, among the information provided to students during
• Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Education will meet in Room 2100, five minutes after session.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through a series of gubernatorial appointments and floor items. The chamber confirmed Dina Eltawasi as Director of Caltrans, Allison Salt Install to the Court Reporters Board, and Olivia May Assumption to the California Commission on Disability Access, and later confirmed William Adams to the California Exposition and State Fair Board. Each appointment was presented by Senator Grove and approved on roll call, with final confirmation votes recorded after calls were lifted. Several measures were taken up on third reading. SCR 143, by Senator Umberg, honored Hmong and Laotian special guerrilla unit veterans who served with U.S. forces during the secret war in Laos; Senator Archuleta also spoke in support, and the resolution passed unanimously. SR 96, by Senator Cortese, proclaimed April as National County Government Month and highlighted the role of counties and CSAC; it also passed unanimously. SB 1347 clarified that stock albuterol authorization applies to all public schools, including preschools; SB 977 required chain restaurants offering children’s meals to provide at least one healthier option meeting nutrition standards; SB 1234 required fentanyl testing when juvenile dependency drug testing is already ordered; SCR 161 designated May 2026 as Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month; SR 101 updated the Senate Rules Committee membership by replacing Senator Jones with Senator Ochoa Bogh; and SB 1111 addressed liability for unauthorized AI-generated digital replicas. All of these measures were approved, most by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The Senate also adopted SCR 128, by Senator Perez, declaring April 13–24, 2026, as High School Voter Education Weeks to encourage civic education and youth participation in elections. The consent calendar was then approved after Senator Cervantes removed SB 1381; the remaining consent items passed 35-0. Throughout the session, members introduced visiting groups, including Hmong and Laotian veterans, CSAC representatives, and students in the gallery. The day concluded with Senator Wiener’s adjournment in memory of disability rights activist Alice Wong, after which the Senate announced its next floor session and recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Concurrent Resolution 128 by Senator Perez, relative to high school voter education weeks.
• Senate Concurrent Resolution 128 by Senator Perez, relative to high school voter education weeks.
• Moreover, this resolution encourages local education agencies to include, among the information provided
• Moreover, this resolution encourages local education agencies to include, among the information provided
• Budget Sub-1 on education will meet in Room 2100, five minutes after session. Thank you.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to welcome the Arizona Education Association. I see some of you, so please stand up.
• Senate Bill 1131 is withdrawn from the Committee on Education. Reports of Standing Committees.
• Senate Bill 1131 is withdrawn from the Committee on Education. Reports of Standing Committees.
• Education. SB 1274 Special Play Police Foundation. Transportation Infrastructure.
• Education and Appropriations. Place on file. Second reading of bills.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, as outlined in the legislation, this will be referred to the State Department of Education.
• So that would give people, our education department, and Representative Raymond time to talk with us
• CTE have I asked these questions, but I do know that the line from people I've talked to since, in education
• is that these subjects, these two subjects we're dealing with right here, are not the business of educators
• Chairman Hawkins, for a question, I keep digging in on our career technical education courses, and I

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Parents know their children best and they deserve as many educational options as possible.
• We'll continue to ensure that our kids have the resources they need for quality education.
• Over the last 14 years, the Arizona Legislature has doubled K-12 education.
• Lela has dedicated decades of her life to building a better state through investing in public education
• system we need for the future through every stage of education.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The transcript is the opening joint session of the Arizona Legislature’s 57th Second Regular Session, featuring remarks from House and Senate leaders and Governor Katie Hobbs. House and Senate leaders emphasized a conservative governing agenda focused on affordability, public safety, parental rights, accountability, school choice, election integrity, and water policy, while also highlighting plans for tax cuts and cooperation across chambers. Governor Hobbs centered her address on the “Arizona promise,” stressing affordability, security, and freedom. She highlighted prior actions on job growth, medical debt relief, housing, public safety, border security, water management, and economic development, and announced new proposals including a middle-class tax cut package, a capacity and efficiency initiative to save state funds, a new active management area for La Paz County, a Colorado River Protection Fund, elimination of the data center tax exemption, a housing acceleration fund, and an Arizona Affordability Fund funded in part by a short-term rental fee. She also called for more accountability in the ESA program and for renewing Prop. 123 to support public schools. The governor and legislative leaders also addressed political violence, honoring retiring Senator Lela Alston and recognizing public safety and firefighting personnel. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken in the session; it concluded with the joint session being dissolved after the governor’s remarks.

Transcript Highlights:

• Parents know their children best and they deserve as many educational options as possible.
• We'll continue to ensure that our kids have the resources they need for quality education.
• Over the last 14 years, the Arizona Legislature has doubled K-12 education.
• Lila has dedicated decades of her life to building a better state through investing in public education
• system we need for the future through every stage of education.

Summary: The transcript is the opening joint session of the Arizona Legislature’s 57th Second Regular Session, featuring remarks from House and Senate leaders and Governor Katie Hobbs. House and Senate leaders emphasized a Republican governing agenda focused on affordability, public safety, parental rights, tax cuts, election integrity, school choice, and holding government accountable, while also highlighting cooperation on water policy and border security reimbursement. Senate President Warren Petersen said the legislature would pursue a major tax cut, send an election integrity measure to voters, defend women’s sports and school choice, and continue negotiations on Colorado River guidelines. Governor Hobbs framed her agenda around the “Arizona Promise,” stressing affordability, public safety, water security, housing, and economic opportunity. She highlighted prior-year accomplishments including job growth, medical debt relief, lower costs for child care and housing, public safety investments, and major business recruitment. She called for an immediate middle-class tax cut, more efficient government spending, and new initiatives including a Colorado River Protection Fund, elimination of the data center tax exemption, a housing acceleration fund, and an Arizona Affordability Fund financed in part by a nightly fee on short-term rentals. Hobbs also announced a new active management area for La Paz County to address groundwater depletion, defended her administration’s water and housing policies, and urged renewed funding for public schools while criticizing the ESA program for lack of accountability. She called for bipartisan action on disaster relief after floods in Globe and Miami, and condemned political violence. No legislative votes were taken; the joint session concluded with the governor’s address and the session was dissolved.