Transcript Highlights:

• And you've Senior Budget Advisor for Education at the Office of Financial Management.
• It eliminates the SNAP Education Program, effective October 1 of this year.
• I'm the Senior Budget Advisor for Education. Thank you, Sherry.
• So before I dive into H.R. 1, which is definitely the star of the education show, I want to note some
• That would cover topics including K-12 basic education, debt service on capital projects, some basic

Summary: The committee held a work session focused first on juvenile rehabilitation system capacity. DCYF officials said the juvenile rehabilitation population is older, includes more adult-sentenced youth, and has longer lengths of stay, especially for “post-25” youth who must remain in secure facilities and cannot go to community beds. They described overcrowding at Green Hill School, placement limits at Echo Glen and Harbor Heights, staffing turnover, mental health acuity, and the need for more medium-security and specialized mental health beds. DCYF said it is pursuing a Parkland facility proposal, a staffing model decision package, and a broader feasibility study and master plan update. No votes were taken; members were asked to follow up with questions later. The committee then heard on behavioral health system capacity from the Behavioral Health Administration and the Health Care Authority. DSHS described growth in forensic and civil bed need, expansion at Olympic Heritage, Maple Lane, and Brockman, and construction of a new 350-bed forensic hospital at Western State expected to open in 2028. HCA reported progress on long-term civil commitment beds, intensive behavioral health treatment facilities, PACT teams, and intensive residential treatment teams, saying the community-based system is being expanded to support step-down care and reduce hospital reliance. Members asked about whether capacity is right-sized, the difference between facility types, and federal match eligibility for services. A federal funding update followed, covering the effects of H.R. 1 and H.R. 5371 on SNAP, Medicaid, marketplace coverage, long-term services and supports, K-12, higher education, and hemp regulation. OFM and agency staff said H.R. 1 adds work requirements, changes non-citizen eligibility, increases state administrative and benefit costs, reduces Medicaid and marketplace subsidies for some groups, tightens redeterminations, and may significantly affect provider payments and state-directed payments. H.R. 5371 extended federal funding through January 30, 2026 and included some agency appropriations and other provisions, including changes affecting hemp producers. Members asked about SNAP error rates and special enrollment periods. Finally, budget coordinator Mary Monroe gave a 2026 supplemental budget preview. She reviewed the state’s near general fund outlook, noting revenue declines since the enacted budget, the effect of reversions, and a preliminary maintenance-level outlook showing a projected increase in NGFO spending over the four-year period. She said the supplemental will reflect updated caseload and cost forecasts and mandatory impacts from H.R. 1, but not policy proposals. No actions or votes were taken during the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• But when you have people with severe disabilities, students with special education needs, and a growing
• Put on top of that what they might do to education and everything else, and that's why I say we could
• Put on top of that what they might do to education and everything else, and that's why I say we could
• The DFL will fight for good-paying jobs, families, and seniors, and for education and health care.
• </c><00:26:33.120><c> legislators</c> on legislation and educated legislators on legislation and educated

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> education and many many other things. education and many many other things.
• What this specializes in education.
• </c><02:49:00.880><c> our</c> educational choices back to our educational choices back to our families
• </c> Bill 123, Education Savings Accounts. Bill 123, Education Savings Accounts.
• Chief Clerk, please call the roll. make an educated decision on this make an educated decision on this

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File Number 5 is a bill for an act relating to education.
• </c> higher education needs. And so, Mr. higher education needs. And so, Mr.
• </c> of the cost for our higher education of the cost for our higher education institutions.<00:56:00.880
• </c> do every year in the higher education do every year in the higher education realm.<00:57:00.319>
• It's a big part of the cost education.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:39:18.560><c> So</c> institutions of higher education. So institutions of higher education.
• This is reaching stronger education.
• educators in the classroom.
• substantive educational content of adequate education. >> Senator Murphy moves that the Senate concur
• </c> education costs to reject this policy. education costs to reject this policy.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:24:44.240><c> among</c> access to a high quality education among access to a high quality education
• </c> outstanding commitment to the education outstanding commitment to the education of<00:25:22.880>
• Walker give their all Educators like Dr.
• ,</c> affecting housing, education, affecting housing, education, employment,<02:59:24.319><c> and</c
• </c> purposes of veterans educational purposes of veterans educational assistance<04:26:09.439><c> and

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Education, police, everybody's taking a hit, but this continues to grow.
• Education would not have alleviated the opioid crisis.
• A merit-based approach to education and health care benefits all Idahoans.
• In the House of Representatives, House Bill 883, by the Education Committee, an act relating to education
• an act relating to education, to revise provisions.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, approved the journal, and moved through routine orders before taking up committee reports, gubernatorial messages, House messages, and first and second reading calendars. Several bills were advanced, including appropriations measures and enrolled bills transmitted to the House, Governor, or Secretary of State. The chamber then proceeded to third reading and final action on a series of bills, with debate focused largely on budget priorities, Medicaid, firearms preemption, medical education funding, rural health, and kratom regulation. The Senate passed Senate Bill 1420, creating a dedicated funding source for medical education beginning in 2028; Senate Bill 1430, strengthening state firearms preemption enforcement and authorizing penalties and injunctions against local violations; Senate Bill 1432, an appropriation for Health and Welfare indirect support and related modernization items; Senate Bill 1433, a large Medicaid enhancement budget with discussion of MMIS procurement, estate recovery, program integrity, hospital assessment fund alignment, and population/cost growth; Senate Bill 1434, the Division of Welfare budget reflecting SNAP administrative cost changes and Medicaid eligibility system updates; Senate Bill 1437, an appropriation for Idaho State Police tied to DNA collection for sexual battery and domestic violence offenses; Senate Bill 1439, delaying a school facilities model report deadline to 2027; and Senate Bill 1264 as amended, creating a rural health transformation account and legislative oversight committee for federal rural health funds. Most of these measures passed on party-line or split votes, while SB 1437 and SB 1439 passed unanimously. The most extended debate centered on Senate Bill 1264, where supporters said the bill would give the Legislature oversight over already-awarded federal rural health money and help ensure sustainable uses, while opponents argued it would deepen federal debt and create a process that could still leave control with the executive branch. Another major debate was on Senate Bill 1418, the kratom consumer protection bill, which would restrict sales to adults 21 and older, set product limits and labeling standards, and allow inspections and enforcement against synthetic or adulterated products. Supporters framed it as a consumer protection and harm-reduction measure; opponents raised concerns about warrantless inspections, lack of pharmacy board support, and whether the bill would effectively normalize kratom. The transcript ends during continued debate on SB 1418, before a final vote is taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Education, police—everybody's taking a hit.
• Education would not have alleviated the opioid crisis.
• Education would not have alleviated the opioid crisis.
• In the House of Representatives, House Bill 883, by the Education Committee, an act relating to education
• an act relating to education, to revise provisions.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If what you're suggesting, you're assessing a graph for county taxes, local education, state education
• ,</c><00:27:48.400><c> state</c><00:27:48.720><c> education,</c> taxes, local education, state education
• , taxes, local education, state education, town<00:27:49.760><c> taxes,</c><00:27:50.159><c> and</c><
• You know, for your local education, how much do you have to raise for local education taxes?
• </c> this for my own town to help educate this for my own town to help educate voters<00:40:14.320><c

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> but I added in Minnesota's education but I added in Minnesota's education piece<01:34:41.600><c>
• I think education for car drivers.
• </c> because I know it's a big education because I know it's a big education component<01:50:40.560><
• </c> already illegal so we need to educate already illegal so we need to educate those<02:06:12.679><
• </c> however the motorcycle rider education however the motorcycle rider education program<02:10:41.079

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 119-FN, which would allow rental companies registering a rental fleet to choose New Hampshire as their base jurisdiction under the International Registration Plan. The DMV witness said the state already has this capability under the IRP and did not support the bill, adding that no additional staffing should be needed. Committee questions focused on whether the bill would change where registrations are done, what implementation would require, mileage tracking, decals, and inspection requirements. A representative of the Motor Transport Association also said the bill was unnecessary because the option already exists, while noting some related truck-registration and property-tax issues. The chair then closed the public hearing on HB 119-FN with no further speakers. The committee next heard House Bill 612, which would let youth operators renew up to 30 days before turning 21 and receive a temporary license so they can transition to a standard horizontal license without an extra DMV trip. The sponsor and DMV director strongly supported the bill, describing a long-standing problem where early online renewals can trigger another vertical youth license, forcing a duplicate transaction and fee after the birthday. The DMV said the change would reduce confusion and workload, and estimated a one-time system update cost of $48,000. Members asked about whether the proposal was effectively a 30-day extension, how law enforcement would view the temporary status, and whether the system could handle printing and mailing the new horizontal license; the director said the DMV could manage it and that the bill was the best approach. The chair closed the hearing after no one else testified. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 209, which would exempt new vehicles from inspection in the second year after purchase, effectively allowing two years before the next inspection. The sponsor argued the bill would save taxpayers money and reduce unnecessary trips for owners of new vehicles. Supporters said newer vehicles are already maintained through warranties and routine service. Opponents, including the New Hampshire Auto Dealers Association and a service manager from a dealership, argued the bill was not limited to truly new cars, would weaken safety by delaying inspections on vehicles that can still develop tire, brake, and other defects, and could raise costs for everyone else if inspection volume drops. The Motor Transport Association clarified that commercial motor vehicles remain subject to annual federal inspection requirements. No vote was taken in the transcript, and the hearing remained open with testimony continuing.

Transcript Highlights:

• She's a retiree from the Department of Education.
• She's a retiree from the Department of Education.
• </c> lot of tools that actually have educated lot of tools that actually have educated them<00:28:52.720
• </c><00:29:07.840><c> is</c><00:29:08.159><c> going</c> I I do believe that education is going I I do
• believe that education is going to<00:29:08.399><c> have</c><00:29:08.559><c> to</c><00:29:08.720><c

Committee: Senate Labor and Technology

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Labor and Technology met on March 6, 2026, and considered four gubernatorial nominations. For GM 690, Jesse Kola Dean was nominated for reappointment to the Hawaii Retirement Savings Board. Testimony from the Retirement Savings Board and the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations strongly supported Dean, citing his original membership on the board and his role in advancing implementation of the retirement savings program. Dean described his background and said the program was moving into implementation after the board approved the Connecticut consortium model; in response to questions, he said the main challenges had been finding an executive director and adapting the program from an original opt-in structure to the opt-out consortium model. The committee voted to recommend advise and consent. For GM 634, Darlene Blakey was nominated to the board of trustees of the Employees' Retirement System. ERS and several individuals submitted support. Blakey, an executive vice president and chief lending officer at First Hawaiian Bank, said her banking and finance background and personal experience with her mother’s retirement benefits motivated her service. She told senators she had attended ERS meetings and was focused on improving retirees’ access to information, education, and retirement planning, and said she would recuse herself from matters involving First Hawaiian Bank because of a potential conflict of interest. The committee again voted to advise and consent. The committee then considered GM 627 and GM 726, both nominations of Gina Anu Novo to the Hawaii Workforce Development Council for different terms. Written testimony from numerous supporters was read into the record. Novo, a longtime First Hawaiian Bank executive and current vice chair, described her experience building audit, compliance, human resources, and technology functions, and said she wanted to help strengthen workforce pathways, career development, retention, and outreach to youth and workers who do not pursue college. Senators asked about her plans to connect workforce development with education and financial literacy; she emphasized career pathing, training, and adapting to changing skills needs, including the role of technology and AI. The committee voted to recommend advise and consent on both nominations, and the meeting adjourned after all four nominations were approved by the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was educated at the University of Florida, and I earned a Ph.D. from Michigan State University.
• Cultural and educational institution in our state.
• It will be an educational catalyst, inspiring students, scholars, and visitors from across our state
• I am the executive director of Equal Ground Education and Action Fund.
• If done right, the Florida Black History Museum can be a powerful educational institution that honors

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Closing the QSBS exemption ...early learning, child care, and quality public education.
• It has all the ingredients: strong educational institutions, a diverse talent pool, robust institutions
• It has all the ingredients, strong educational institutions, diverse talent, pool, robust institutions
• Clifford Traceman continued: “We have a $500,000 hit on one single special education staffing contract
• Exempting all education from live presentations would be the most desirable solution.

Bills: HB2175 , HB2227 , HB2528 , HB2292 , HB2257 , HB2608

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: durable medical equipment, sales tax exemption, healthcare accessibility, cost reduction, nonprofit providers, affordable housing, real estate tax, exemption, housing policy, tax incentives, real estate excise tax, REET, growth management act, GMA, local government finance, capital facilities plan, comprehensive plan, county tax, city tax, voter approval

Transcript Highlights:

• ,... ...ensure representation across gender, age, areas of the state, education, race, and income.
• You talked about deterrence, but also education.
• Most of the cost there is for education and for the changing of training and forms.
• It's educating people.
• Maybe there's some driver education.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held a work session on impaired driving, beginning with data from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission and a discussion of a proposed reduction in the legal per se blood alcohol concentration limit from 0.08 to 0.05. Mark McKekney presented crash and fatality data showing that about half of traffic fatalities involve an impaired driver, that alcohol remains the most common substance involved, and that impairment is strongly associated with speeding and higher crash risk. He also summarized a Washington/AAA survey finding support for lowering the limit rose from 54% to 71% after respondents received information about safety impacts, and he said the most persuasive arguments were that the change would save lives and reduce impaired driving. Committee members asked about how much alcohol can produce a 0.05 BAC, enforcement practices, blood testing in fatal crashes, and whether other states or countries use lower limits. The committee then heard emotional testimony from Joshua Jackman, who described severe injuries and long-term consequences from being struck by a drunk driver in 2007, and said the proposed law could help prevent similar tragedies by encouraging people to plan ahead. A panel followed with testimony from AAA Washington, the Washington State Patrol, and the Department of Transportation. AAA supported a 0.05 standard and cited research and international experience showing fewer fatalities and serious injuries without major effects on arrests or the hospitality industry. The State Patrol said the bill is intended to prevent crashes rather than increase arrests and would not change stop standards or DUI investigative practices. WSDOT described the safety, work-zone, congestion, equipment-damage, and liability costs caused by impaired driving, including recent crashes involving snowplows and road crews. No vote was taken on the impaired-driving discussion. The committee then held a public hearing on Senate Bill 5234, which would raise snowmobile registration fees from $50 to $75 and vintage snowmobile fees from $12 to $18, with additional revenue going to the snowmobile account for grooming, plowing, sanitation, and other State Parks snowmobile programs. State Parks said the program has seen declining registrations and reduced services, while supporters from the snowmobile community said the increase is needed to stabilize the program and keep trails open. Some testimony supported the need for more revenue but opposed the fee increase as the wrong solution, arguing the program needs broader reform and that many snowmobiles remain unregistered. The hearing record noted 3 people signed in pro and 105 con. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 6110, which would clarify the definition of e-bikes, exclude vehicles capable of exceeding 20 mph solely on motor power or easily modified to do so, and direct the Department of Licensing to convene a work group to develop recommendations for regulating electric motorcycles. Committee discussion focused on the distinction between legal e-bikes and faster e-motos, with questions about wattage, speed, youth use, and whether the bill should define e-motorcycles more directly. Students, local officials, city representatives, trail advocates, and bicycle groups testified in support, describing safety concerns, injuries, and confusion in enforcement, while also emphasizing that true e-bikes improve mobility and access. Several local government and advocacy witnesses asked for a clearer statutory definition of e-motorcycles and a civil enforcement path for juveniles. No final action was taken on the bills during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our boys' education and social interactions during COVID.
• I used to be an educator.
• I think language that could put at risk sexual education materials.
• So that was my sex education. And what I saw was abusive and violent.
• This is not appropriate sex education material for any child or youth.

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2112, which would require commercial entities, including some social media companies, to use age verification before allowing access to websites where more than one-third of the material is sexual content harmful to minors. Staff explained that the bill would require reasonable age verification methods, prohibit retention of identifying information, exempt bona fide news and public-interest sites, and authorize the Attorney General to enforce the law through civil penalties. The bill would also require warning notices on landing pages and advertisements, with content to be developed by the Department of Health. Prime sponsor Representative Mari Leavitt said the bill is intended to protect children from harmful online sexual content and argued that parental controls are not sufficient. She cited pediatric and public-health concerns, said the bill is modeled on laws upheld elsewhere, and emphasized that the measure is aimed at commercial entities rather than school-based sharing or general adult access. Supportive testimony from parents, clinicians, and advocates described early exposure to pornography, mental health harms, and the need to place responsibility on platforms rather than families alone. Opposition testimony focused on privacy, free speech, enforcement, and scope. Several witnesses argued that age verification systems create data-security risks even if data is not retained, that the bill’s definitions and one-third threshold are vague and could sweep in LGBTQ, health, educational, or artistic content, and that enforcement would be difficult against out-of-state websites. Some opponents said the law would push users to less-compliant sites and would not effectively protect children. A technology industry witness said the bill is narrow and comparable to carding for alcohol or tobacco, while a Free Speech Coalition representative said the law is ineffective in practice and offered to discuss amendments. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we are now convening the House Committee on Higher Education. Today is Wednesday, March 12th.
• </c> establish a permanent educational establish a permanent educational support<00:19:32.799><c> associate
• I'd like to call to order the joint House Committees on Housing and Higher Education.
• Miyake, and our Higher Education Chair, Garrett, and his Vice Chair, Representative Amato.
• Higher Education, same recommendation as well. All right, bill is deferred.

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education heard five bills and later took up one joint Housing/Higher Education measure. On SB 1146 SD1, relating to the Alaw Canal, testimony from DLNR and UH was in support of funding an action plan and pre-engineering concept plan to address debris management and water quality in the watershed; members discussed the cost burden on DLNR and the possibility of identifying upstream sources of debris. On SB 1232 SD2, relating to wastewater systems, the Department of Health, DHHL, and several advocacy groups supported a three-year pilot program at UH’s Water Resources Research Center to test new wastewater technologies, with witnesses saying it could help certify cheaper alternatives and reduce cesspool upgrade costs. On SB 119 SD1, relating to nursing, witnesses supported funding a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Maui College. On SB 865 SD1, relating to agriculture, UH CTAHR, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and many island agricultural groups supported funding for a Kona Cooperative Extension position, with testimony and committee discussion favoring an extension agent over an administrative support role. On SB 1487 SD1, relating to UH revenue bonds, UH supported authorizing revenue bonds for priority capital projects, and members asked for clarification that the measure was a preliminary authorization rather than a specific spending plan. In decision-making, the committee recommended passing SB 1146 SD1, SB 1232 SD2, SB 119 SD1, SB 865 SD1, and SB 1487 SD1 with House Draft 1 amendments, mainly to change defective dates to 7/1/3000 and, for SB 865, to upgrade the position to an extension agent. Votes were unanimous in favor on the measures, with one recusal noted on SB 865 and some members excused on other votes. The committee then recessed and later reconvened for a joint House Housing/Higher Education hearing on SB 1553 SD2, relating to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. DHHL asked that the bill be deferred because due diligence was incomplete and more discussion was needed with UH and other stakeholders; UH said it was coordinating access to the property and described its current and future use. Both committees agreed to defer the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• transparency at the Met Council, workforce incentives, and internal controls at the Department of Education
• :57.399><c> of</c> internal controls at the Department of internal controls at the Department of Education
• to name a few uh we should Education to name a few uh we should begin<00:02:01.000><c> our</c><00:02
• They're internal to the Inspector General, so we have education, HHS, Department of Corrections.
• section do make a lot of sense in education.

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Was there any discussion about allowing educational opportunities to meet work requirements?
• create new computer science educator certificates for grades K through 5 and grades 6 through 12.
• Please don't educate your caucus on how this works. We'll be in trouble.
• And Reagan Miller, who's the guru on education. She'd give Tim Elwell a run for his money.
• competence like a traditional educator certification would require.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And now we have a similar situation occurring with our system of early education and care, where we have
• And now we have a similar situation occurring with our system of early education and care, where we have
• I do hope that members join me in passing this so that our early education and care child care providers
• Notably, Fair Share has to be used for public education and transportation, and excess capital gains
• Notably, fair share has to be used for public education and transportation.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate began with the Pledge of Allegiance and then adopted a motion to adjourn in memory of Lenz Arthur Joseph, a five-year-old Hyde Park child whose death was described as a tragic loss to his family, school, and community. Senators offered condolences and a moment of silence was observed. The chamber also recognized several guests, including students and scholarship recipients from the Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship Program and visitors from River Valley Charter School and Fall River’s Green School. The main legislative business was Senate 2521, a fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill providing about $189 million for early education and care providers so they could receive June child care financial assistance payments. The minority leader questioned why the deficiency had arisen so late in the fiscal year and asked about preventing similar shortfalls. The Ways and Means chair responded that the bill was time-sensitive, that such supplemental appropriations are common for caseload-driven accounts, and that the House had already passed the measure. He also reported that FY25 revenues were about $1.1 billion above benchmark, though most of that was restricted Fair Share revenue or excess capital gains. The Senate took a roll-call vote on engrossment, and the bill passed to be engrossed by a vote of 39-0. The Senate then agreed to a conference committee on the FY26 budget bill, House 4001, after insisting on its amendment. It also adopted resolutions recognizing the Massachusetts-Hokkaido sister-state relationship and the Concord-Nani sister-city anniversary. The chamber suspended rules to advance a petition to ban DEHP in IV bags and tubing, and it agreed to a House referral change for Senate 2522, a health care petitions bill, sending it to the Judiciary Committee. Finally, the Senate adopted the emergency preamble and passed Senate 2521 to be enacted before adjourning to meet again the following Monday in memory of Lenz Arthur Joseph.

Transcript Highlights:

• We now have H. 955, an act relating to the next steps in transforming Vermont’s education system.
• An act relating to the next steps in transforming<00:10:15.480><c> Vermont's</c><00:10:15.880><c> education
• </c> transforming Vermont's education system. transforming Vermont's education system.
• c> steps</c><00:10:30.400><c> in</c> An act relating to the next steps in transforming Vermont’s education
• I'm wondering what educational measures are being undertaken to inform landowners of these changes.

Keywords: 927, senate, all