Transcript Highlights:

• Establishments to at least the same level that we hold the local car guy at the garage down the street
• At just 16 years old, my brother walked into the local convenience store near his high school and bought

Bills: SB2024 , SB227 , SB268 , SB1467 , SB1580 , HB5537 , SB1313 , SB1677 , SB918 , SB331 , SB2207 , SB2721

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: e-cigarettes, marketing prohibition, youth protection, criminal penalties, public health, school funding, education reform, state budget, property taxes, equity in education, health care, licensing, complaint procedure, disciplinary action, law enforcement, death records, vital statistics, healthcare, trauma facility, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• , which would include the county jail or the local mental health authority.
• This is the one that you're talking about if they're in a local facility or the county jail.
• And then, is this covered by the local?
• So HHSC does, and it goes through the local mental health authority.
• I think that they picked five local mental health authorities, and then some of those local mental health

Bills: SB670 , SB1388 , SB627 , SB912 , SB269 , SB528 , HB2711 , HB4819 , HB5248 , HB4175

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: SB 670, investigational sun protection products, sun protection, sunscreen, FDA approval, clinical trial, phase one trial, patient access, informed consent, physician prescription, Texas Health and Safety Code, Texas Medical Board, compassionate use, experimental treatment, medical freedom, patient autonomy, healthcare regulation, dietitian, dietitians, licensed dietitian

Transcript Highlights:

• It has bipartisan support from a broad coalition of local and regional groups, and we appreciate your
• This isn't just a local issue; it's a regional and statewide opportunity, and I urge your support. in
• Texas Central wants to skirt paying local property taxes that are owed but use local property tax dollars
• State funding matched with local...
• Local governments spent another $37 billion in non-user fees to subsidize driving.

Bills: HJR58 , HJR63 , HB263 , HB542 , HB905 , HB 1288 , HB1402 , HB2003 , HB2262 , HB2323 , HB2429 , HB2876 , HB3019 , HB263

Committee: House S/C on Transportation Funding

Keywords: healthcare, insurance, elderly, retirement, benefits, transit-oriented projects, constitutional amendment, state highway fund, funding allocation, voter approval, highway fund, funding, public transportation, transit projects, transportation, local transit, fund allocation, voting rights, election integrity, ballot access

Transcript Highlights:

• He was at a local pawn shop.
• local law enforcement, their capabilities, and their lack of training in this area.
• Obviously, West Texas has a manpower shortage from some of the local agencies.
• We believe that our local law enforcement and our local district attorneys are doing a fantastic job,
• federal law enforcement, including all the local prosecutors.

Bills: HB48 , HB49 , HB 1169 , HB1971 , HB2584 , HB2663 , HB2890 , HB48 , HB49

Committee: House Energy Resources

Keywords: HB 48, oilfield theft, organized theft, petroleum products, oil and gas equipment, DPS, Department of Public Safety, Texas, Railroad Commission, criminal justice, energy resources, theft prevention, organized crime, border region, El Paso, law enforcement task force, asset recovery, pipeline theft, drilling equipment, equipment theft

Transcript Highlights:

• out of hand, but I'm just wondering if there's not something that could have been addressed on the local
• But I am not gonna order that a local department has to do A, B, C, or D. I support the troopers.

Bills: SB210 , SB225 , HB280 , HB287 , HB94 , HB88 , SB157 , HB7 , HB8 , HB42

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: hospital liens, medical billing, government healthcare, insurance claims, patient rights, blood tests, DUI, law enforcement, traffic offenses, chemical analysis, public nuisance, event liability, local government, community health, legal action, transparency, reporting, public safety, regulation, accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• I serve as superintendent for Winfield City schools, and I'd like to share with you what we've seen over
• After speaking with them, we started speaking to our local law enforcement, our School Board attorneys
• Because I think the way it was originally worded was to local law enforcement, and this opened it up
• The original bill had state and local law enforcement as a part of a place in which you could surrender

Bills: SB210 , SB225 , HB280 , HB287 , HB94 , HB88 , SB157 , HB7 , HB8 , HB42

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: hospital liens, medical billing, government healthcare, insurance claims, patient rights, blood tests, DUI, law enforcement, traffic offenses, chemical analysis, public nuisance, event liability, local government, community health, legal action, transparency, reporting, public safety, regulation, accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• We look for the work that they've done at the local level.
• </c><00:40:58.359><c> level</c> don't do uh anything at the local level don't do uh anything at the local
• </c><00:46:06.680><c> projects</c> for over 120 projects uh local projects for over 120 projects uh local
• </c><00:46:37.079><c> level</c> gathering signatures at the local level gathering signatures at the local
• </c> if a project could work through a local if a project could work through a local government<01:12

Bills: HF201 , HF217 , HF314 , HF315 , HF406 , HF408 , HF425 , HF426 , HF730 , HF731 , HF652 , HF761 , HF1079 , HF928 , HF1017 , HF1056 , HF1081

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Keywords: HF201, Minnesota income tax, tax subtraction, tax deduction, volunteer firefighter, volunteer fire and rescue, emergency responder, ambulance service personnel, EMR, EMS, search and rescue, canine search and rescue, underwater search and rescue, paid-on-call, part-time volunteer, tax relief, state tax law, section 290.0132, drivers license, identification card

Transcript Highlights:

• :01.199><c> that</c> truly benefits from this not only that truly benefits from this not only that local
• 00:05:03.800><c> so</c><00:05:03.960><c> I</c><00:05:04.039><c> wanted</c><00:05:04.199><c> to</c> local
• region of of duth so I wanted to local region of of duth so I wanted to hit<00:05:04.479><c> on</c><
• um as long are materials that are local um as long as<01:09:53.920><c> they</c><01:09:54.080><c> go<
• There's also kind of a cap that MnDOT has for contributing, and then if a local government wants to do

Bills: HF198 , HF269 , HF185 , HF303 , HF305 , HF189

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: HF198, shared time pupils, shared-time enrollment, nonpublic school, private school, public school, career and technical education, CTE, secondary credit, school funding, state aid, education finance, Minnesota Statutes 126C.01, compulsory attendance, school district, education policy, HF269, Spicer, Minnesota bonding bill, capital investment

Transcript Highlights:

• And the superintendent there, Mr. Marlett? Yes, Superintendent Marlett, are you there?
• </c> um and uh we have um uh superintendent um and uh we have um uh superintendent Frank<00:42:42.079
• Thank you, superintendent.
• Thank you, Superintendent.
• Superintendent, are there questions or comments for the superintendent or for Senator Weber?

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• And all funding sources includes all state, local, and federal funds.
• But the superintendents didn't even mention that.
• And then some results from our superintendent survey...
• And then some results from our superintendent survey.
• Seventy-one percent of superintendents reported that they did.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have Superintendent Chambers and Superintendent Hughes to hear about their practices related
• I'm sorry, Superintendent Chambers and superintendents...
• Thank you, Superintendent Chambers, Superintendent Hughes. I appreciate the input. Any questions?
• But it’s the local governments being able to...”
• One of the superintendents—I can’t remember, I thought it was Superintendent Hughes—had a very interesting

Committee: Senate Education Pre-K - 12

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from Florida High School Athletic Association Executive Director Craig Damon, joined by student athletes Sydney Daniel and Taylor White, on current issues in high school sports. Damon said the association received more than 309 allegations this year, including 113 recruiting complaints, but only two coaches were suspended for recruiting violations, and those were self-reported. He focused on rising sportsmanship problems, violent incidents, and ejections, saying the association is working with coaches and athletic administrators on prevention and positive-behavior campaigns. He also discussed mental health pressures on student athletes, the effects of frequent transfers and school choice on team stability and community pride, and the need for more qualified coaches on campus who understand interscholastic rules and student support responsibilities. Senators asked about the transfer system, violent conduct, and whether the association would propose changes; Damon said he would support guardrails that protect school choice while limiting midseason athletic transfers. The committee then took up a panel on high school coaches’ compensation led by Florida Coaches Coalition Executive Director Dr. Andrew Ramgett, with Coach Mike Hickman, Coach Charlie Ward, and superintendents from Okaloosa and Walton counties. Ramgett argued that coaching supplements are outdated, often amounting to very low hourly pay despite year-round duties, and said Florida’s system has not kept pace with increased responsibilities, inflation, or neighboring states. He also criticized restrictions on booster-club support, minimal coaching certification requirements, and turnover among coaches, and urged changes that would allow coaches to negotiate fairer compensation and receive external funding. Hickman and Ward emphasized the long hours, family strain, and mentoring role of coaches, while the superintendents said districts face finite budgets and must balance coach pay against teacher, bus driver, and other staffing needs; they also warned that booster-funded pay could create inequities between wealthy and less affluent communities. Senators discussed whether booster-club funding should be allowed, whether compensation should vary by performance, and whether any new funding should be categorical. Public comment followed from Florida Athletic Coaches Association Executive Director Shelton Cruz and former coach Tyrone McGriff, both of whom stressed the broader educational and safety impact of coaches and asked lawmakers to support the next generation of coaches. After the presentations, the committee took up confirmation hearings for appointments on tabs 3 through 6 and, by a single roll-call vote, recommended all appointees favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have Superintendent Chambers and Superintendent Hughes to hear about their practices related
• —I'm sorry—Superintendent Chambers and Superintendent Hughes from Okaloosa and Walton counties, respectively
• Thank you, Superintendent Chambers, Superintendent Hughes. I appreciate the input. Any questions?
• Thank you, Superintendent Chambers, Superintendent Hughes. I appreciate the input. Any questions?
• One of the superintendents, I can't remember, I thought it was Superintendent Hughes, a very interesting

Summary: The Education Pre-K through 12 Committee heard a presentation from Florida High School Athletic Association Executive Director Craig Damon, joined by student athletes Sydney Daniel and Taylor White. The students spoke about the value of education-based athletics, leadership, and the need for safe, equitable opportunities. Damon then discussed FHSAA issues including rising sportsmanship problems, ejections, violent incidents, recruiting allegations, transfers, mental health pressures on student athletes, and the need for qualified coaches. He said the association tries to be proactive, work with schools on discipline, and emphasize that school changes should be for academic reasons rather than athletics. Senators asked about mental health, transfer rules, and a recent Jacksonville incident; Damon explained the current transfer exceptions and said the association lacked authority over the Jacksonville football game because the schools were not in FHSAA football. The committee then heard a panel on high school coaches’ compensation led by Florida Coaches Coalition Executive Director Dr. Andrew Ramgett, with Coach Mike Hickman, Coach Charlie Ward, and superintendents from Okaloosa and Walton counties. Ramgett argued that coaching supplements are outdated, have not kept pace with the expanding year-round demands of coaching, and amount to very low hourly pay in many sports. He also said Florida’s restrictions on booster club funding and minimal certification requirements contribute to turnover and difficulty retaining qualified coaches. Hickman and Ward described coaching as a demanding, year-round profession that affects students beyond athletics, including academics and mental health. The superintendents said they value coaches but must balance compensation against limited district funds and other staffing needs; one noted Walton County uses a dedicated administrative lane for football coaching and athletic administration. Senators discussed whether booster club funding should be allowed, whether compensation should be tied to performance, and whether any increase in base student allocation would actually reach coaches. Public commenters, including Florida Athletic Coaches Association Executive Director Shelton Cruz and former coach Tyrone McGriff, urged support for coaches and emphasized their broader impact on students’ lives and school safety. At the end of the meeting, the committee took up confirmation hearings for appointments on tabs 3 through 6 and, with no appearance forms filed, voted unanimously to recommend confirmation. Senator Burgess then moved to adjourn, and the committee concluded the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• , this interferes with the local control.
• With the local control, well, the state steps in when locals don't do something.
• Does every school have to count the superintendent?
• I'm a little confused about the superintendent.
• superintendent?

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• I do see that we have Superintendent Reichdahl with us.
• It's come from the superintendent. Okay.
• It's come from the superintendent. Okay.
• Yes, Superintendent Wright-Dall.
• Mandy Rain, Rain, Superintendent of Valley. Dr.

Summary: The committee began by waiving the five-day notice rule for Senate Bill 6320, then heard Senate Bill 6222, which would let school districts and educational service districts sell or grant surplus technology hardware such as laptops and tablets to public school students and recent graduates, with priority for low-income students. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would help students keep access to devices they need for homework, college, and work, while preserving existing surplus procedures. Testimony was generally supportive, including from district technology staff and students, though one question raised whether tribal compact schools would be included. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6263, which raises school district public bid thresholds to reflect inflation and reduce procurement costs. The sponsor said the limits had not been updated in about 20 years and should be aligned with other local governments. Supporters from school employees, finance officers, and school coalitions said the change would save time and money and reduce delays in maintenance and purchasing. Testimony on Senate Bill 6261, which would require parents of six- and seven-year-olds not enrolled in school to file annual declarations of intent about their child’s education, was overwhelmingly opposed by homeschool families and advocates. Opponents argued it would add bureaucracy, create privacy concerns, and burden families, while the superintendent of public instruction supported the bill as a way to improve enrollment data and planning. The sponsor said it was about knowing where children are and right-sizing school systems. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6118, requiring cardiac emergency response plans in schools and athletic facilities. The sponsor, who spoke about losing her brother to heart failure, said schools need faster, better-prepared responses to cardiac emergencies. Supporters, including parents, students, and community advocates, described personal experiences with sudden cardiac events and said the bill could save lives by ensuring AEDs, CPR training, and practiced response plans. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 6320 on alternative learning experiences. The bill would restrict online and remote ALE providers to public or nonprofit entities and reduce levy equalization funding for remote/online ALE, with limited exceptions for medically fragile or severely bullied students. Supporters argued it would keep public education public and encourage in-person learning, while opponents—including superintendents, online program operators, students, and homeschool advocates—warned it would displace thousands of students, harm successful programs, and reduce family choice. No final votes were taken on the bills in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Used during that year, and that report then needs to be posted on the local website, the local school
• , the superintendent of the Butte County...
• County Superintendents.
• , and the district's first female superintendent.
• So she is our first woman Fresno Unified School District superintendent, and first Mung superintendent

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism and the Assembly Education Committee held a joint informational hearing on implementation of Proposition 28, the 2022 voter-approved arts education funding measure. Chairs emphasized the goal of understanding how the roughly $900 million to nearly $1.1 billion annual funding stream is being used, whether it is supplementing rather than supplanting existing arts programs, and what reporting or guidance improvements may be needed. The Legislative Analyst’s Office reviewed the basic structure of Prop 28: funds are distributed 70% by enrollment and 30% by low-income student counts, 80% must generally be spent on staffing, districts may use up to 1% for administration, and annual local reports and audits are required. Members pressed the LAO on waivers, spending timelines, and whether smaller or rural districts face different challenges; the LAO said some waivers have been issued and that districts have three years to spend each allocation, but statewide data remain limited. WestEd, Create California, and the California County Superintendents described early implementation findings and concerns. Their testimony said schools are using funds for arts materials, staffing, expanded instruction, and field trips, and that many respondents saw positive effects on student access and engagement. At the same time, they reported confusion about allowable uses, supplement-versus-supplant rules, and the 80/20 staffing requirement, along with shortages of credentialed arts teachers and uneven access across districts. Create California argued that Prop 28 has generated optimism but also uncertainty, especially for community arts organizations that have seen reduced contracts as districts bring services in-house. County superintendents and researchers called for clearer statutory guidance, stronger technical assistance, better statewide data, and more support for teacher credentialing pathways. District and county officials then described local implementation. Long Beach Unified said it moved quickly to full implementation, using Prop 28 to expand elementary and secondary arts offerings, hire 56 certificated staff and more than 120 classified coaches, and develop a five-year arts strategic plan tied to equity goals. Butte County and other rural representatives said Prop 28 has enabled restored or expanded programs, including arts teachers, theater, and music offerings, but rural districts still struggle to recruit credentialed staff and to make small allocations workable across large distances. The California Music Educators Association echoed those themes, saying members report both new positions and supplies as well as confusion, fear of audit findings, and inconsistent district guidance. Committee members asked about arts definitions, credentialing, rural pooling of funds, and out-of-state teacher credentials; witnesses said media arts are included, multiple credential pathways exist, and recent legislation has eased some out-of-state credential barriers. The hearing ended with public comment beginning after the panel discussions.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so our approach here is that it's an options-based approach where that local control, that local
• decision-making is critical so that there is investment from your local That local decision-making is
• Gallagher, is the lack of local control, and this is for... ...the lack of local control, and this is
• And the beauty of the local control school funding formula is we let the local school boards and the.
• .. ...local superintendents determine, do they want to spend their money on teachers, or do they want

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee met at the start of the 2026 session and heard four bills. AB 673 (Jackson) would create a five-year Unaccompanied Youth Support Grant Program for 16- and 17-year-old homeless students who are not in a parent or guardian’s custody, with grants to local education agencies for housing referrals, basic needs, tutoring, employment readiness, and related services. Support came from the Department of Education and an Alameda County Office of Education representative. Members raised questions about funding, reporting burdens on small districts, and coordination with county and nonprofit services, but the bill was approved 6-0 and sent to Human Services as amended. AB 1493 (Avila Farías) would have required school board special elections to be consolidated with the next primary or general election. The author argued this would reduce costs and increase turnout, while opponents including CFT and the California School Boards Association said it would reduce local accountability and preserve too much time for appointed members without voter input. Committee members debated turnout, democracy, costs, and whether the bill should instead address signature thresholds; the author said she was open to further work, but the measure failed on a 2-2 vote and did not advance. AB 68 (Gallagher) would require rural school districts, as defined in the bill, to have at least one school resource officer on campus, with a good-cause exception and a compliance plan if a district cannot meet the requirement. The author and a Glenn County superintendent said rural schools face long response times and need more protection, while CSBA, the Small School Districts Association, and several advocacy groups opposed the mandate, citing local control, costs, and evidence that SROs can increase anxiety and disciplinary actions without improving safety. After a lengthy debate over safety, local control, and funding, the bill passed 5-2 and was sent to Public Safety. AB 296 (Davies), which would create a standalone website for schools to buy and sell used career technical education equipment, drew support from construction industry groups and passed unanimously 8-0 to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• SCHOOL BOARDS ARE ELECTED AND WHO EVER YOU ELECT FIX YOUR SUPERINTENDENT.
• I AM DEEPLY OPPOSED TO THE IDEA WE WOULD ELECT OUR SUPERINTENDENT.
• HARRIS IS A GOOD SUPERINTENDENT, HE WILL WIN THAT RACE.
• WE EMPLOY AT THIS POINT IN TIME, WE APPOINT A SUPERINTENDENT.
• THAT SUPERINTENDENT CARRIES THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS. SUPERINTENDENT CREATES A COMMITTEE.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we need to preserve local control on choice of curriculum.
• Currently, as a superintendent, you have to have an ed specialist.
• I also spoke with the superintendent in the Shelley School District.
• We understand the need for some localized flexibility when it comes to hiring your superintendents.
• This is per approval of the superintendent of public instruction.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• There's no fiscal impact to the general fund or local schools.
• It might be for the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
• Senator Carlson, I will turn it over to the Superintendent.
• I'm Jan Baer, Superintendent for Boundary County School District.
• Okay, we have one other superintendent.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• To appoint the state superintendent of public instruction as the superintendent of the Utah Schools for
• , the superintendent...
• I cannot agree with having the superintendent be the superintendent for the state school for the deaf
• And I cannot support this bill by taking the state superintendent and making them the superintendent
• And right now, the superintendent has been appointed as the interim superintendent for the schools of

Committee: Joint Education Interim Committee