Transcript Highlights:

• We have 300 scientists in two National labs and the universities here.
• Thank you for the opportunity to talk about our work in national security.
• In two weeks, we're holding a quantum educators conference.
• It's about how you create this online system in two weeks.
• And you know, we don't see this as zero sum At all at the national labs.

Bills: HB1 , HB1

Committees: Senate Senate Finance , Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: feed bill, legislative appropriations, legislative branch, New Mexico Legislature, general fund, legislative council service, legislative finance committee, legislative education study committee, house chief clerk, senate chief clerk, per diem, mileage, session expenses, interim committees, district staff, capitol complex, capital outlay data system, legislative processing system, redistricting, census redistricting

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of National FFA Week.
• This week marks National FFA Week, and as a product of FFA myself, I know firsthand the values, knowledge
• This week marks National FFA Week, and as a product of FFA myself, I know firsthand the values, knowledge
• Happy National<00:31:29.440><c> FFA</c><00:31:30.000><c> week.
• Madam Speaker, I National FFA week.

Bills: HB4626 , HR1075 , SB2503 , HB6329

Keywords: energy conservation, home appliances, affordability, Secretary of Energy, technological feasibility, consumer protection, economic impact, aviation safety, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast, air traffic management, pilot training, regulatory compliance

Transcript Highlights:

• Peace, understanding, and respect among peoples and nations.
• His proposal and transmitted it to the United Nations.
• This week, reflecting on the prayers of Sister Michelle Gorman on Dr.
• Services Week.
• She also helped develop and pass the National Bilingual Education Act.

Summary: The Senate session opened with a roll call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a long series of floor recognitions and votes. Members spent substantial time honoring the Los Angeles Dodgers, celebrating their back-to-back World Series championship and highlighting the team’s history, community role, and connections to Jackie Robinson, Fernando Valenzuela, Vin Scully, and Jaime Jarrín. Senators also recognized summer interns and welcomed members of Kappa Alpha Psi’s Kappa League and Guide Right program to the floor. The chamber then took up several measures, beginning with AB 182 on ballot order and proposition numbering for the 2026 statewide ballot, which passed 38-8 after debate over whether placing legislatively referred measures first was fair. SR 113, commemorating the International Day of Peace and honoring Dr. Yongshik Cho’s role in proposing it, passed unanimously after supportive remarks about peace, education, and California’s diversity. The Senate also adopted SJR 16 urging Congress to restore commercial driver’s licenses for affected California truck drivers, and SCR 185 designating Probation Services Week. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to budget trailer bills. The Senate concurred in Assembly amendments to AB 112, AB 150, AB 152, AB 181, and AB 179, covering Medi-Cal, child care, human services, education governance, and housing. It also passed or concurred in SB 168, SB 169, SB 170, SB 171, SB 172, SB 174, SB 177, and SB 180, addressing public resources and energy, transportation, executive branch reorganization, labor, state government, courts, Medi-Cal financing, and taxation. Several of these drew opposition centered on energy costs, transparency, business impacts, or the proposed “fair share” approach to Medi-Cal costs for large corporations, but most measures passed on party-line or near-party-line votes. The Senate also confirmed three California Horse Racing Board appointments and ended with adjournment motions, including a request to adjourn in memory of Francis Lydia Limos of American Canyon.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, the 5 contacts a week, every 2 weeks for a f*** Haitian.
• week and not being redundant, overly redundant with it.
• We were national news.
• Our benefits the amount per week is the absolute lowest in the nation. And guess what?
• Also the lowest in the nation. $7 per month per employee. The lowest the nation. And guess what?

Transcript Highlights:

• Controls as a critical tool of national security.
• I appreciated our conversation we had earlier in the week.
• They had three governors in three weeks.
• , also nations that threaten our national security.
• Now at this moment, we're at a pivotal time for our nation.

Committee: Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee

Keywords: legislation, housing affordability, financial regulation, public testimony, accountability, oversight

Summary: The meeting involved significant discussions around key legislative proposals, primarily focusing on various bills such as HB2 and SB5. The committee examined the implications of these bills on issues like housing affordability and financial regulation. Notable members engaged in debates, providing differing perspectives on the potential economic impacts of the proposed bills. The meeting witnessed public testimony, which included a call for accountability in government actions and oversight of current financial policies. Members echoed concerns about following through on commitments to address critical issues affecting everyday Americans.

Transcript Highlights:

• All three of our existing cemeteries, three out of 30 nationally, were recognized by the National Cemetery
• We were talking last week about going to the grocery store.
• And that's $3 million a week that you get.
• We lost as much as you had given us within a week.
• National response to PFAS. Appreciate it, J.D.

Transcript Highlights:

• So anyway, next week, there were a couple of days, and the week after that, there were a couple of days
• , two people from the Cherokee nation, if we have the capacity.
• And then a couple from the Choctaw nation.
• And a couple from the Chickasaw, I mean, from the Creek nation.
• April, that's filing for real election week. Oh man, it's a...

Committee: House Oklahoma Education Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Chang thanked the Chair and introduced the Senate Education Week guests.
• I guess very appropriate for Education Week. Further introductions. Senator Kidani. Thank you, Mr.
• Today marks the second day of our 2026 Senate Education Week program, and I am pleased to welcome the
• </c><00:06:16.320><c> I</c><00:06:16.440><c> am</c> week's Senate Education Week.
• I am week's Senate Education Week.

Bills: HB1166 , HB389 , HB644 , HB1509 , HB1692 , HB1842 , HB1878 , HB1926 , HB1949 , HB2116 , HB2581

Transcript Highlights:

• We participate in something called the National Role of Recruitment Network.
• They have to compete not only on a regional basis but on a national basis.
• They can't provide the salaries on a national basis.
• I mean, schools have shorter hours than 40-hour weeks. Are there any?
• So, we have to compete on a national basis.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we'll hold this bill right now for one week.
• </c><00:55:32.160><c> director</c> for which I serve as a national director for which I serve as a national
• </c> New Hampshire at odds with national New Hampshire at odds with national licensing<01:04:01.799><
• from our our folks in our national from our our folks in our national advocacy<01:07:50.440><c> uh</c
• </c> you want to hold bill for another week you want to hold bill for another week or<01:48:53.880><c

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 5447 did pass both the House and the Senate last week.
• Our next one will be coming up the first week of June.
• Just this week, we are rolling out those options.
• March, and phase two of training is actually happening this week.
• Sometimes this aligns with national-level strategic planning where there's a national strategy that's

Summary: The meeting opened with approval of the April minutes and brief administrative updates, including notice that House Bill 5447 had passed both chambers of the General Assembly. Speakers reflected on the bill’s key provisions, which include eating-disorder working groups, an evidence-based screening requirement for school-based health centers beginning July 1, 2027, and a DSS-led feasibility process to explore an inpatient psychiatric facility for young adults ages 14 to 21. New staff introductions were also made for the Behavioral Health Advocate’s office and the TCB team. A major portion of the meeting focused on marketing and outreach for urgent crisis centers (UCCs) and the broader youth crisis continuum. Daydream Communications presented research showing low public awareness of UCCs but strong interest once families learn about them, with parents wanting specialized, compassionate care, clear expectations, insurance clarity, and bilingual support. United Way described its parallel work on a statewide crisis continuum marketing toolkit, using the SAMHSA framework of “someone to talk to, someone to respond, and somewhere safe to go,” and outlined plans to distribute consistent messaging through websites, social media, flyers, and community venues. Members emphasized coordinating with existing platforms and ensuring the marketing reflects the actual experience at UCC sites. DCF then presented on adolescent substance use services, citing data showing high need and low treatment access among Connecticut youth. The department reviewed its ASAM-based continuum, SBIRT efforts in outpatient psychiatric clinics, medication-assisted treatment access, and statewide services such as MST, MST emerging adults, STRIDE, multidimensional family therapy, youth recovery supports, and the AIM matching tool. A new young people peer support program was highlighted, with referrals accepted from families, hospitals, community providers, DCF, youth diversion, and the judicial branch. Questions addressed parent consent, peer matching, and whether the AIM tool could be linked through 211. The meeting concluded with an update from the Connecticut Suicide Advisory Board and its regional boards and grant-funded initiatives. Presenters reviewed the state suicide prevention plan, regional coalition work, postvention response, lethal means safety efforts, and the 988 capacity improvement grant that supports Connecticut’s centralized 988 contact center at United Way. They also shared youth suicide risk data from the Connecticut Youth Risk Behavior Survey, noting recent declines in reported suicidal ideation and attempts, and provided resources for training and materials. No formal votes were taken beyond the approval of the April minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> You alone are sovereign over the nations You alone are sovereign over the nations and<00:07:40.880
• </c><00:13:51.320><c> Championship</c> Football Playoff National Championship Football Playoff National
• ,</c> essential to the soul of this nation, essential to the soul of this nation, the<00:33:48.080><c
• </c> vote to foreign nationals. I yield back. vote to foreign nationals. I yield back.
• a week before.

Bills: HR22 , HCR14

Keywords: committee appointments, House of Representatives, representation, legislative committees, elections, fiscal policy, budget resolution, deficit reduction, mandatory spending, economic growth, government deregulation, federal revenues, entitlements, congressional authority

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> national standards. national standards.
• </c> national standards. national standards.
• I experienced 6 weeks, 4 weeks, almost 2 months.
• I experienced 6 weeks, 4 weeks, almost 2 months.
• I experienced 6 weeks, 4 weeks, almost 2 months.

Summary: The committee first approved the October 23 meeting minutes and then heard testimony on a planned 2026 bill to modernize Kentucky’s audiology practice act. Witnesses from the Academy of Doctors of Audiology and a Kentucky audiologist said the proposal would largely codify existing authority and add new powers to order certain imaging and lab tests related to auditory and vestibular conditions, as well as prescribe topical ear medications. They argued the changes would reduce delays, especially in rural areas, improve access to hearing and balance care, and help address provider shortages. Committee members asked about evidence for the expansion, responsibility for reviewing imaging results and incidental findings, and whether the changes might affect referrals or scope of practice. The witnesses said they could provide evidence, that the audiologist would be responsible for obtaining and reviewing radiology reports and following up with patients and primary care providers, and that the goal was to speed treatment and streamline referrals when needed. The committee then heard a separate proposal to update the Kentucky Board of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy statutes by licensing MRI technologists and diagnostic medical sonographers, who are not currently required to be licensed in Kentucky. The bill would create a transition period through January 1, 2028 for current practitioners, require national credentialing for new applicants after that date, expand the board from 9 to 11 members, and clarify scope and enforcement provisions. Supporters said the measure would improve patient safety, align Kentucky with most other states, and recognize national credentials. Members questioned how many workers would be affected, whether the state currently meets national standards, the cost of licensure, and whether the bill could worsen staffing shortages, especially in rural areas. The witnesses said about 800 MRI technologists and 1,600 sonographers in Kentucky are currently certified, initial licensure would cost $100, and existing licensees would not pay an additional fee. They also said the board viewed the change as a safety measure and noted increasing portability of MRI services across state lines. Finally, the committee began hearing a respiratory care interstate compact proposal. The sponsor and respiratory care representatives described the compact as a way to allow licensed respiratory therapists from member states to practice across state lines. They outlined the profession’s role in hospitals, emergency departments, home care, pulmonary labs, long-term care, and telehealth, and said the compact would help with workforce flexibility and access to care. The transcript cuts off before the discussion concluded or any action was taken on that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• Most CDL programs are going to be around four weeks.
• It's not going to hit that eight-week threshold.
• It's not going to hit that eight-week threshold.
• We're obviously going to leverage some of our national associations, National Association of State Workforce
• Agencies, National Governors Association, U.S.

Summary: The committee first approved the November 3 minutes, then received an extensive update from Arkansas Division of Higher Education and Division of Career and Technical Education officials on LEARNS and ACCESS implementation. Witnesses said the state’s goal is for students to graduate employed, enrolled, or enlisted, and described expanded career pathways, student success plans, merit and distinction diplomas, and school accountability measures tied to pathway completion and tangible credentials. They reported increases in K-12 CTE enrollment and concurrent enrollment, and explained that some secondary career center programs were reduced or eliminated because they no longer aligned with state workforce demand. Members asked detailed questions about how merit/distinction affects school letter grades, how AP, concurrent credit, CTE completers, apprenticeships, and work-based learning fit into the system, and whether homeschool and private school students can access the same opportunities. Officials said multiple pathways can satisfy the requirements, including AP Scholar, concurrent credit, technical certificates, and apprenticeships, and that counselors are being trained to advise students. They also discussed scholarship changes: ACCESS broadened eligibility for the Arkansas Academic Challenge and Governor’s Scholar awards, with diploma of merit or distinction now qualifying students for additional aid, while the Governor’s Distinguished Scholarship itself remained unchanged. Questions were raised about whether homeschool and private school students can meet the new diploma-of-distinction criteria; officials said the intent is to make them eligible if they meet the same standards, and that guidance is being finalized. The discussion also covered workforce scholarships and grants. Officials said the Workforce Challenge was expanded to include vocational-technical schools and increased funding, and that the Division is reworking policy around “professional skills training” to support shorter-term, stackable programs. They reviewed the new federal Workforce Pell Grant, noting its narrow hour and duration limits and the need for programs to meet completion, placement, and earnings thresholds. Members also asked about the state lottery scholarship fund balance and whether more aid should be directed to students; officials said the fund remains healthy and that ACCESS has already increased awards and expanded eligibility, with more implementation data still to come. The final presentation came from the Director of Workforce Connections on a $35.8 million U.S. Department of Labor cooperative agreement for the American Manufacturing Apprenticeship Incentive Fund. Arkansas will administer the national fund, which is aimed at expanding advanced manufacturing registered apprenticeships across the country through a pay-for-performance model. Officials said the program will support occupations in aerospace, automotive, biotech, maritime, nuclear, semiconductors, supply chain, and automation, and that applications will open soon. Members asked who can apply and how the money will be distributed; the answer was that registered apprenticeship sponsors—sometimes companies, sometimes colleges, sometimes intermediaries—will apply, with Arkansas setting eligibility criteria, vendor requirements, and outreach efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> republic for which it stands, one nation republic for which it stands, one nation under<00:02:56.640
• The rationale is that current national CASA organization is the national CASA GAL association for children
• </c> to monitor for compliance with national to monitor for compliance with national standards.<00:11
• 00:11:16.959><c> for</c> national CASA GAL association for national CASA GAL association for children
• National CASA changed their children.

Transcript Highlights:

• at the end of the day because he's working 110 hours a week.
• It is the national premier rocket propulsion net facility.
• Manufacturing is critical for Illinois and for the nation as a whole as part of that national strength
• our national security.
• Let's get new people producing National security.

Committee: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• So Ansel was born at 32 weeks without the bottoms of his legs below the knee. We don't know why.
• The Paralympic Games start next week. I don't know how many of you guys watch the Olympics. Yeah?
• Many of you got to meet her here about two weeks ago.
• In 2024, Florida's passage rate was 84.9% with a national average of 91.2%.
• It stood at 80% with a national average of 88%. And this year, we fell down to 78%.

Bills: S0162 , S0254 , S0688 , S0794 , S1110 , S1574

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services met with a quorum present and took up several health-related bills. CS/SB 1110 on Medicaid and insurance coverage for orthotics and prosthetics was heard first. The bill would require coverage for medically necessary orthotics and prosthetics without lifetime or continuous-use caps, direct AHCA to seek federal approval and update contracts, and require annual reporting. Testimony from a child using prosthetic “gymnastics blades,” his mother, and another young person with a prosthetic leg emphasized the high cost of activity-specific devices and the impact on children’s mobility, sports participation, and quality of life. Senators voiced strong support, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then approved SB 1574, “Maddie’s Law,” which adds newborn screening for biliary atresia using the existing blood specimen collected at birth. The sponsor and the child’s father described the condition as time-sensitive and potentially fatal without early detection, and argued the screening could prevent transplants and save money. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also considered CS/SB 794 on background screening for employees of residential facilities and day training programs for people with developmental disabilities, plus a review of waiver support coordination quality, training, and access issues. Parents and a support coordinator testified that strong support coordination is essential for families and that the bill would help standardize expectations and improve services. An amendment aligning the bill with the House companion was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. Members next heard SB 162, which requires hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies using smoke evacuation systems during procedures that generate surgical smoke. Supporters, including nurses and the Florida Nurses Association, described surgical smoke as a workplace hazard with toxic chemicals and potential cancer risks; hospital representatives said they support the intent but argued existing federal and state standards already regulate the issue and the bill is too prescriptive. A late-filed amendment clarifying the smoke must be “effectively captured and filtered” was adopted, and the bill passed favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 254, a major nursing education bill that tightens oversight of low-performing nursing programs, creates a temporary provisional license and preceptorship pathway for graduates awaiting NCLEX results, requires remediation for delayed testing, and increases transparency by posting passage rates. Nursing groups supported stronger standards, while private nursing schools warned the bill could reduce capacity and discourage program directors; the amended bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 688, which would reestablish licensure and regulation of naturopathic doctors in Florida, create a board of naturopathic medicine, set licensure and renewal requirements, and define the scope of practice while excluding most prescription authority. Supporters said it would expand health care choices and allow naturopathic doctors to practice openly, while opponents from the medical community warned the bill could authorize diagnosis and treatment without sufficient training and rely on unproven therapies. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned after members thanked staff for their work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Celebrations taking over place over the next few weeks.
• And they're doing a great job serving our nation.
• A few short weeks ago all of us stood on this floor.
• And that is what immigrants are to this nation.
• We are a diverse, rich, culture, a nation. nation, just like my ravoso woven with silk and wool and full

Transcript Highlights:

• TURNS OUT DOCTOR RUDMAN IS THE ONE WHO HAS NOT BEEN REVEALED AND DECIDED THAT TOWARD THE END OF THE WEEK
• OKAY WE MOVE THEM NATION IS CONFIRMED. IS THERE A SECOND. SECOND BY SENATOR COLLINS.
• LAST WEEK.
• I HAVE ACCESS TO A NATIONAL NETWORK OF DONORS THAT THE BOARD MAY NOT HAVE.
• IT HAPPENED LAST WEEK.

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, I testified at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, just this last week.
• United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, just this last week.
• However, at 17 weeks, she miscarried. However, at 17 weeks, she miscarried.
• My personal favorite week.
• Of that week—so strawberries, oranges, sometimes desserts, my personal favorite weeks.

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services