Transcript Highlights:

• languages if the polling places provide materials in non-English languages.
• languages if the polling places provide materials in non-English languages.
• languages if the polling places provide materials in non-English languages.
• languages if the polling places provide materials in non-English languages.
• languages if the polling places provide materials in non-English languages.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• English is my second language; English is not my mother's language.
• I understand the needs and issues that limited English proficiency presents, and I hope me being on the
• is my second language Eng English is my second language English<00:21:00.799> is<00:21:00.919
• is not my mother's uh language English is not my mother's uh language she<00:21:03.559> is<00
• limited English proficiency publishing set<00:21:14.080> and<00:21:14.200> I<00:21:14.360

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing began with SB 59 on prescription drugs, which drew extensive testimony from insurers, pharmacies, patient advocates, and health organizations. Supporters argued the bill would address PBM practices such as spread pricing, unclear reimbursement, and patient steering, and would help independent pharmacies and lower patient costs by passing rebates through to consumers. Opponents from health plans and PBM-related groups raised concerns, while Walgreens supported the measure and suggested amendments to establish a reimbursement floor. After questions, the committee accepted the Hawaii Pharmacist Association’s proposed amendments, added technical changes and a defective date of December 31, 2050, and voted to pass SB 59 with amendments. The remainder of the hearing focused on a series of nominations and reappointments to health, aging, disability, mental health, juvenile justice, and advisory boards. Nominees and agency representatives generally described their backgrounds and interest in serving, with support testimony emphasizing experience, continuity, and the value of volunteer service. Several nominees highlighted issues such as mental health access, substance abuse treatment, elder services, language access, disability access, and rehabilitation services. The Department of Health, SHPDA, DHS, and other organizations largely testified in support of the nominees. No votes were taken on the nominations during the transcript excerpt, and the chair repeatedly thanked the nominees for their service and testimony. The hearing also included brief procedural remarks about time limits, Zoom testimony, and a possible reconvening date in case of technical difficulties.

Transcript Highlights:

• The goal of this bill is to improve economic access for Californians with limited English proficiency
• Immigrants whose first language is not English, and their loved ones who translate for them, be it in
• Immigrants whose first language is not English, and their loved ones to translate for them, be it in
• By allowing interpreters to facilitate the transfer of important knowledge from English to their chosen
• For limited English proficiency immigrants, my classmates and I encountered many difficulties with the

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard a long agenda of licensing, health care, and workforce bills. Measures discussed included AB 957, which would prohibit tobacco sales in licensed pharmacies; AB 447, which would allow patients to take home certain unopened medications started in emergency rooms; AB 427, joining the Social Work Licensure Compact; AB 667, allowing interpreters for certain licensing exams; AB 742, prioritizing descendants of slaves in licensing review; AB 873, changing infection-control training timing for dental assistants; AB 360, requiring a report on menopause education for physicians; and AB 1175, modernizing CPA licensure requirements and mobility. Testimony generally emphasized public health, access to care, workforce shortages, language access, and economic opportunity, while opposition or concerns focused on implementation, worker protections, compact authority, and constitutional issues in AB 742. Several bills drew broad support from sponsors, professional associations, and advocacy groups. AB 957 was backed by cancer and pharmacy advocates and pharmacists who said pharmacies should not sell tobacco; AB 447 was supported by emergency medicine and hospital representatives as a way to reduce waste and help patients leave with needed medication; AB 427 drew support from social work and mental health groups but concerns from AFSCME about standards and displacement; AB 667 was supported by immigrant-rights and community groups, with questions about whether translated exams would be preferable to interpreters; AB 360 received extensive support from women’s health advocates and medical groups, and opposition from CMA and ACOG was removed after amendments; and AB 1175 was supported by the Board of Accountancy and CPA groups as a way to expand the pipeline and improve mobility. The committee took votes after quorum was established. AB 360, AB 427, AB 447, AB 667, AB 873, AB 1175, and AB 742 were all approved and sent to their next committees, with AB 742 going to Judiciary and AB 1175 to Appropriations. AB 957 was initially held on call, then later passed after additional votes were recorded. The consent calendar bills AB 375, AB 1107, and AB 1496 were also approved. Most measures passed on largely party-line or near-unanimous votes, with some members not voting on certain items during the roll calls.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's for grades. 3 through 10 English language, arts in grades, 3 through 8 mathematics.
• 20 percentage points from 33% of the beginning of the year, scoring at grade level above 2 53% in English
• I will note progress monitoring started with the redesign of our content standards in English language
• And there's also a lingual English language acquisition assessment for English language learners.
• language learners that enter the program and 12th grade that basically newly arrived English language

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• are understanding of the English are understanding of the English language.<00:05:51.680> If<
• proficiency in English language. proficiency in English language.
• English language.
• to make sure that they do speak English to make sure that they do speak English or<00:09:25.920>
• English language as well. English language as well.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So members Senate Bill 2 does not do enough to support Texas English language learners.
• And one of the three students, one of three students in my district is an English language learner.
• Public schools are legally required to provide bilingual education and English language support.
• So this bill doesn't give those English learners more choices it gives them fewer choices.
• It fails English learners, it drains rural public schools.

Bills: SB2, SJR36, SB2, SB2, SR29, SB2

Keywords: Maverick County, recognition, economic development, Texas Senate, community celebration, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Dismang, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer
• Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Dismang, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore
• Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Dismang, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore
• , Dees, Dismang, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake
• Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Dismang, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The Arkansas Senate convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge, and moved through announcements including Work Zone Worker Highway Awareness Week. The chamber also received committee reports on several Joint Budget bills and Senate resolutions, including recognitions for Coach Van Compton and the Parkview Arts and Sciences Magnet High School boys basketball team. A special guest, Victoria Ferguson Banks of the Searcy County Quilt Guild, displayed an Arkansas-themed quilt that will be hung in the hallway during session. The Senate adopted Senate Resolution 17 honoring the Barton High School Bears boys basketball team as Class 2A state champions, Senate Resolution 29 recognizing Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts students for science fair accomplishments and designating ASMSA Day at the Capitol, and Senate Resolution 30 honoring Loy Bailey upon his retirement after 48 years with the Arkansas Department of Health. Mr. Bailey briefly addressed the chamber and thanked legislators for their support of public health and employee pay improvements. On the budget calendar, the Senate passed Senate Bill 1, the Senate appropriation for fiscal year 2026-27, by a 34-0 vote with its emergency clause. The chamber also adopted amendments to Senate Bills 3 and 10, passed House Bill 1060 for the Arkansas State Library appropriation, and approved in batches a series of appropriation and reappropriation bills, including Senate Bills 2, 14, 19, 22, 26, 32, 42, 52, 53, 60, 61, 62, 64, 65, 66, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, and 74, all by 34-0 votes with emergency clauses adopted. The Senate then recessed briefly, later returned, and adjourned subject to clearing the desk, with plans to meet again the next day and to hold a special language committee meeting after adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now I can say my English is not really good, but I know that I can defend my son.
• language learners. ...and programs for Californians who are English-language learners.
• Approximately 200 languages, including English, are spoken in our state. Isn't that phenomenal?
• People with limited English proficiency had not received meaningful language access to up-to-date COVID
• I myself grew up speaking Vietnamese as my primary language and then having to learn English in school

Summary: The committee heard a series of child care, social services, immigrant support, disability services, and language access bills, with many measures drawing strong support and no opposition. Early in the hearing, AB 450 proposed a Department of Aging task force to study and recommend policies for undocumented adults age 55 and older; AB 593 would let CDSS identify data-sharing opportunities to improve CalFresh administration and participation; and AB 904 would clarify child care subsidy eligibility so families do not lose care during pregnancy leave, family leave, caregiving, or job search periods. All three were presented as ways to reduce barriers and improve access to essential services, and AB 904 was moved out on a 1-0 call after support testimony from child care advocates and a member of the public. AB 617, which would expand and standardize respite care access for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities by requiring licensing and registry participation, drew both support and significant opposition from respite providers and disability service organizations concerned about added regulation, cost, and possible delays; the author said she would continue working with opponents, and the bill was moved out on a 2-0 call. The committee also heard AB 1220, which would require regional centers to document denials, notices of action, and appeals in individual program plans and include that data in annual reports to improve transparency and equity in developmental services. The bill drew extensive public support from parents, advocates, and disability organizations, with no opposition, and passed 5-0. AB 752 would make child care centers by right in certain residential zones when co-located with multifamily housing or institutional uses, and supporters argued it would reduce zoning barriers and help expand child care capacity; it also passed 5-0. AB 1242 would create a CalHHS language access director, require human review of machine translation, and improve language coverage determinations for state and local agencies; supporters emphasized health equity and the need for better access for limited-English communities, and the bill was moved out on a 4-0 call. Later, AB 548 would continue and expand the Asylee and Vulnerable Non-Citizen Program, which provides case management and integration services for asylees and certain visa holders; supporters said the program had been effective but had run out of funding, and the bill passed 4-0. AB 495, the Family Preparedness Plan Act, would strengthen family safety planning for immigrant families, standardize acceptance of caregiver authorization affidavits, and create a joint guardianship process for temporary separations; testimony focused on fear of family separation and the need for clear school and medical procedures, and the bill passed 4-0. AB 1357 would exclude guaranteed income payments from being counted as income for state public assistance eligibility, with supporters arguing it would prevent recipients from falling off the “benefits cliff”; it passed 4-1. Finally, AB 1201, the Reunity Act, was introduced to require individualized court assessments before denying reunification services to parents with certain violent felony convictions after a five-year period, with the author and a witness describing the bill as a trauma-informed approach to family reunification.

Transcript Highlights:

• have Title III A, and this has a preliminary FY26 award of $4.7 million to support proficiency in English
• , essentially for English learners. through professional development, family engagement, and instructional
• could generally say is the most at risk in a potential revision of funding because the Office of English
• generally say that I feel somewhat comfortable with where we are as a state when it comes to how we fund English
• in our state's history, we will have a separate factor in the SEG that generates units for current English

Transcript Highlights:

• That includes students with disabilities, English learners, multilingual students.
• EPPs are also intentional in their approach to English learners and multilingual students.
• learners to pedagogical courses that develop instructional practices for teachers to support English
• I'm also licensed to teach English language arts or social.
• And that's because I did 24 credit hours in English Language Arts and 24 credit hours in Social Studies

Transcript Highlights:

• Another teacher excels at teaching English literature; they can teach English literature.
• There’s a modest increase for English learners at eight points, but they remain well below the state
• But despite these gains, these achievement gaps persist, especially for English learners and students
• Because one thing that turns off test takers, especially in English language arts, is write a paragraph
• Learning gaps for low-income students, English learners, Native students, and students with disabilities

Transcript Highlights:

• no or very have no English. 51% have no or very poor<04:07:46.000> English.
• <04:07:49.199> Of poor English. 25% are unemployed. Of poor English. 25% are unemployed.
• forced to handle over 2,000 English forced to handle over 2,000 English learners.<04:10:15.600><
• school enrollment, offer English school enrollment, offer English conversation,<05:00:21.280>
• They've got more English skills. We have English programs we teach.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Health, Human Services, and Elderly Affairs heard HB 1790-FN, which would address involuntary admissions for certain individuals with a substance use disorder. Representative Lucy Weber introduced the bill for Representative Long, and the committee heard extensive testimony both in support of and in opposition to the proposal. Opponents, including John Burns of SOS Recovery and Jake Barry of New Futures, argued that involuntary commitment is not well supported by research, can retraumatize people, may increase overdose risk after release, and could undermine New Hampshire’s existing recovery and harm-reduction efforts. They emphasized that treatment should be voluntary, trauma-informed, and paired with housing, recovery supports, and other community-based services. Representative Long said he was willing to accept DHHS’s request to amend the bill into a study commission, though he expressed concern that a prior state study had not led to action. He said the commission should focus on implementation details, including where people would be placed, staffing, withdrawal management, elopement prevention, length of commitment, and aftercare. He described involuntary commitment as one tool for people with severe dangerous addictions, distinct from drug court, and said it could help avoid criminal records. Committee members asked about capacity at New Hampshire Hospital and how the proposal would work in practice. DHHS officials Katya Fox and Cynthia Pabonis testified that the bill raises major policy and fiscal concerns. They said New Hampshire’s current system has benefited from investments in naloxone, medication-assisted treatment, recovery centers, and community-based services, and that those investments have helped reduce overdose deaths. They estimated the bill would require a new 70-bed facility costing about $40 million to build and about $33.3 million annually to operate, with only a small portion offset by insurance, plus more than $600,000 in annual legal costs and additional staffing and system changes. They also said New Hampshire Hospital has 185 beds, with about 100 patients typically ready for less restrictive settings, and that housing shortages are a major bottleneck. NAMI New Hampshire also testified in opposition, saying families often want any possible treatment for loved ones but still opposed the bill. No vote or final action was taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now that the Pandora's box has opened and allowable for what we call an English-to-English proficiency
• exam to test for competency and proficiency in another language, all in English, which sounds a little
• Because once you're able to learn English, the next step would really be that you want to take on a job
• thought of, but that they reach out to several community centers and places where people are learning English
• Because once you're able to learn English, the next step would really be you want to take on a job.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Workforce Support Subcommittee met to discuss using registered apprenticeships to help address workforce shortages in disability services, human services, and other high-need fields. Co-chairs and staff introduced the session as a follow-up to earlier discussions with state labor officials and representatives from developmental disability and behavioral health provider associations. The panel focused on how apprenticeships can create paid, structured pathways into jobs while also supporting credentialing and retention. Amara Ramon of the Division of Apprenticeship Standards explained how Massachusetts apprenticeship programs are registered and supported, including the roles of apprenticeship liaison staff, operations, quality assurance, and grant support. She described the core features of apprenticeships—paid on-the-job training, related technical instruction, wage progression, and industry credentials—and contrasted them with internships or co-ops. Melissa Chabelli of the MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board described the intermediary role her board plays in designing programs, registering apprentices, coordinating employers, and handling compliance. She emphasized flexibility, employer investment, tax credits, retention benefits, and the importance of mentors and local workforce partnerships. Lisa Morris of UMass Chan/For Health Consulting described a developing apprenticeship for medical interpreters, built from an existing training foundation and designed to address the gap between classroom preparation and work experience. She said the model would combine pre-apprenticeship training, employer interviews, 2,000 hours of apprenticeship, and related technical instruction tied to national certification. Speakers also discussed examples for nursing, early childhood education, CNC machining, and programs serving neurodivergent learners, including Bridgewater State’s Excel program. In response to audience questions, panelists said state agencies can serve as intermediaries, recruitment can come through career centers, youth programs, community colleges, ESL centers, and incumbent workers, and accommodations or modified curricula can support apprentices with disabilities. No votes were taken; the session ended with encouragement for attendees to contact the presenters and Division of Apprenticeship Standards for help developing programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• English learner students generate $366 per student, or $16 million in 2025.
• learner, that's slide 43, English learner students.
• , and that would be English learner.
• That it is spelled out in the categorical funds for English learner under categorical, and that would
• be English learner.

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The House and Senate Education Committee first approved minutes from February 2 and 3, then heard an interim study proposal on Arkansas adult education, presented by Goodwill Industries of Arkansas and the Excel Center network. Witnesses described the state’s adult diploma gap, arguing that roughly 300,000 Arkansans over age 19 lack a high school diploma or GED and that the Excel Center provides a supported, diploma-based alternative with child care, transportation help, tutoring, and career services. Goodwill officials said the Arkansas campuses are the state’s only public adult charter high schools, are not state-funded, and have produced strong enrollment growth and graduation outcomes. A University of Notre Dame researcher testified that a study of Excel Center graduates found higher employment and earnings, more credential and college-credit attainment, and lower criminal justice involvement, with a high estimated return on public investment. Some members questioned the framing of Arkansas’s adult education challenges and whether the state was being portrayed too negatively, while others asked about wraparound services and the role of nonprofit providers. The committee ultimately adopted the interim study proposal, though there was some procedural confusion and debate about whether questions should have come before the vote. The committee then received a detailed Bureau of Legislative Research presentation on Arkansas K-12 education funding as part of the adequacy study. Staff reviewed national funding principles and Arkansas’s funding structure, including state, local, and other revenues; the Public School Fund; Department of Education operations; and the Facilities Partnership Program. They explained that 2025 K-12 state and local revenues totaled about $6.6 billion, with foundation funding, categorical funding, supplemental funding, and additional funding distributed to districts and charters. The presentation covered the matrix used to calculate foundation funding, the role of the uniform rate of tax, the Educational Excellence Trust Fund, the Educational Adequacy Fund, and how charter schools are funded differently from traditional districts. Staff also discussed categorical programs such as alternative learning environments, English learner funding, enhanced student achievement, and professional development, as well as supplemental categories including transportation, special education high-cost occurrences, teacher salary equalization, declining enrollment, and student growth. Members asked numerous questions about the funding formulas, the meaning of specific staffing categories, how categorical funds are used, and the number of districts receiving teacher salary equalization or ALE funding. One member noted that the Excel Center’s funding appeared in the broader state-local totals and asked for clarification. Staff said some of the more detailed spending questions would be addressed in the next day’s presentation and offered to provide follow-up information, including district lists and historical changes. The meeting ended after the chair noted that the department was present mainly to answer questions, not to deliver a separate update, and no further business was taken up before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then we have English learner, or EL, funds, and these are used to overcome language barriers that impede
• English learner students generate $366 per student, or $16 million in 25.
• learner, that's slide 43, English learner students.
• And then I know that it is spelled out in the categorical funds for English learner, under categorical
• , and that would be English learner.

Summary: The House and Senate Education Committee first approved minutes from February 2 and 3, then heard an interim study proposal on Arkansas adult education and the Excel Center model, presented by Goodwill Industries of Arkansas and the University of Notre Dame’s Lab for Economic Opportunities. Witnesses argued that about 300,000 Arkansas adults lack a high school diploma or GED and described the Excel Center as a diploma-granting public charter option for adults 19 and older, with wraparound supports such as child care, transportation, tutoring, life coaching, and career services. They said the Arkansas campuses are not state-funded, highlighted growth in enrollment and graduation outcomes, and cited research showing improved employment, earnings, and reduced criminal justice involvement for graduates. Committee members discussed the role of Goodwill’s nonprofit mission, the need for multiple adult education pathways, and the relationship between adult education challenges and broader state efforts such as LEARNS and ACCESS. The committee then debated the interim study proposal procedure, including whether questions should have been taken before the vote. The motion to adopt the ISP passed, and members noted that the study would broadly examine adult education, GED testing, high school diplomas, charter schools, in-person adult education, and funding allocation. Several members asked for follow-up information on current adult education funding, the availability of Excel Centers, and the criminal justice study results. After that, staff from the Bureau of Legislative Research gave a detailed adequacy funding overview for Arkansas K-12 education. They reviewed national funding principles and then explained Arkansas’s revenue streams and distribution system, including general revenue, the Educational Excellence Trust Fund, the Educational Adequacy Fund, local property-tax revenues, and facilities partnership funding. They also walked through the state’s foundation formula, categorical aid, supplemental aid, and additional funding, including the per-student matrix amount of $7,771 for 2025 and how funds are allocated to districts and charters. Members asked about student support staff, special education high-cost occurrences, ALE funding, teacher salary equalization, and the Excel Center’s treatment in funding totals; staff said some of those questions would be addressed in a later spending presentation. The meeting ended after the committee was told the department was present mainly to answer questions and no further business remained.

Transcript Highlights:

• The English rule was what was used in England back in the day before the United States.
• By contrast, the English rule has one of the benefits behind it: it prevents expensive and frivolous
• American and English rules around the world.
• So in New Mexico, is it American or English?
• Hunt, do you want to add anything to the idea of the American versus English rule? Sure.

Transcript Highlights:

• English. English.
• Representative<00:19:52.640> English, Representative English, Representative English, >>
• Thank you >> representative<01:40:29.440> English. >> representative English.
• >> representative English.
• Representative English.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, approved the corrected journal, and made several announcements, including recognition of Liberty Common High School seniors and Canyon Creek Elementary students visiting the Capitol. Committee meeting notices were also given for Judiciary and Transportation, Housing, and Local Government. The chamber then took up House Joint Resolution 1027, a Holocaust remembrance resolution sponsored by Representatives Weinberg and Woodrow and Senators Weissman and Ball. The resolution emphasized the history of the Holocaust, the rise in anti-Semitic incidents in Colorado and nationally, the importance of Holocaust and genocide education, and the need to combat bias and hate. Several members spoke in support, including personal reflections from Representatives Woodrow, Weinberg, Goldstein, and others about family history, survivor testimony, and the importance of remembrance and prevention. The House adopted HJR 1027 by vote, and Representatives Rutnell and Lindsay were added as co-sponsors. The chamber then set a slate of bills as special orders for April 14, 2026. In committee-of-the-whole action, House Bill 1288 on jury selection was amended and passed; the amended bill creates a jury selection working group to study voir dire, juror questionnaires, and related issues, with a public report and Supreme Court review of any proposed rule changes. House Bill 1224 on financial protections for mobile home park residents was also taken up, with committee reports adopted and discussion focused on transparency in park sales, resident purchase opportunities, disclosures, and due diligence protections. Representative Richardson offered amendment L006 to adjust how a state registration fee is allocated, describing it as a flexibility and transparency measure, while the sponsor responded that the bill was keeping the fee structure stable and that the existing split had been negotiated with stakeholders.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so you could have one child or 10 children, composite rating, more, you know... ...children.
• Composite rating, more, you know, and now that changed, right?
• So you can have composite rating, but it takes the average of the group in and of itself, of that pool

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Dismang, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore
• Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Dismang, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore
• Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Dismang, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore
• Watson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson
• Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Dismang, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The intention here is for the printed guide to be sent in English and for there to be an English supplement
• The intention here is for the printed guide to be sent in English and for there to be an English supplement
• English and the three most commonly spoken non-English languages as determined by the state demographer
• The intention here is for the printed guide to be sent in English and for there to be an English supplement
• We um the intention here is for the printed guide to be sent in English and for there to be an English

Keywords: 1187, senate, all