Transcript Highlights:

• He was an admired educator who had a profound and very positive impact on every single child that he
• HE WAS AN ADMIRED EDUCATOR, WHO HAD A PROFOUND AND VERY POSITIVE IMPACT ON EVERY SINGLE CHILD THAT HE
• BUT ABOVE ALL WE ALWAYS AGREED THAT EDUCATION IS ONE OF THE BEST TOOLS OF PREVENTION.
• Calendar 907, Senate Print 8368, Senator Bianco, an act to amend the Education Law.
• Calendar 925, Senate Print 9223, Senator Liu, an act to amend the Education Law.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the journal, and took up a series of motions to discharge identical Assembly bills to the Third Reading Calendar, along with committee reports and amendments. The chamber also received an introduction from Senator Gonzalez honoring Maria Raine and her advocacy for guardrails on AI chatbots after the death of her son, and later adopted a Rules Committee report sending several General Business Law bills directly to Third Reading. The resolution calendar was adopted with some exceptions, and the Senate recognized several previously adopted resolutions honoring individuals and observances, including Barnabas McHenry, Arthur Jones Jr., Floyd Todd Peterson III, the Lexington School for the Deaf, Tadeusz Kosciuszko, Apraxia Awareness Month, Fibromyalgia Awareness Day, Prevention Week, Physician Anesthesiologists Week, and Golf Day in New York. The Senate then considered and passed numerous bills, many on consumer protection and public policy topics. Measures included bills on General Business Law, Public Health Law, Correction Law, Environmental Conservation Law, Executive Law, Vehicle and Traffic Law, Public Officers Law, Not-for-Profit Corporation Law, Public Housing Law, Education Law, Labor Law, and Public Service Law. Several bills were laid aside, including a Public Health Law bill by Senator Fernandez and a Public Service Law bill by Senator Parker. The chamber also passed a concurrent constitutional resolution by Senator Stec proposing an amendment to Article 14. During floor debate, senators explained votes on several measures. Senator Ramos spoke in support of paid sick leave for domestic workers, describing the bill as a long-overdue labor protection for a workforce historically excluded from such rights. Senator Fernandez described her bill as the Manufacturer Disclosure and Transparency Act, aimed at requiring notice and public disclosure of certain pharmaceutical patent settlement agreements to improve transparency and competition in prescription drug pricing. Senator Ryan and Senator Martins supported a bill restricting hidden algorithmic price manipulation online, and Senator May supported a bill limiting excessive rental car fuel charges as part of a broader consumer protection package. The Senate also passed a memorial highway bill naming a portion of Route 19 in LeRoy for Lieutenant Gary A. Scott, with Senator Borrello explaining the veteran’s service and sacrifice.

Transcript Highlights:

• The modest grant program has laid the groundwork for tribal communities to implement public education
• higher education.
• I think it's a combination of a bit of everything regarding education, awareness...
• That's education. And to talk about it even more and more, that's all part of probation.
• The youth, maybe that's in education or the social service. It is a domino effect.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Access to quality care, economic stability, education, and safe living conditions remain fundamental
• There's lots of things I'm sure that they do with prevention and giving brochures and education, things
• I just don't...” “...by law to do certain types of education and prevention programs, I just don't know
• They may specify specific coverage or specific type of prevention and education work to be done in those
• Elementary and Secondary Education, and to the Supreme Court. So those two cores have been reduced.

Committee: Budget

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They can specialize in public schools, home education, charter schools, and private schools.
• I'm Beth Lewis, a parent educator and director of Save Our Schools Arizona.
• Have you read Article 11 lately about education in Arizona, what’s expected?
• It's dangerous to keep putting more and more funding into unaccountable education programs.
• We should be very concerned and alarmed about what is being taught in these education systems.

Committee: Senate Finance Committee of Reference

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard a series of bills, many dealing with cryptocurrency and tax administration. SB 1042 would allow certain state retirement and treasury funds to invest up to 10% in virtual currency; SB 1043 would let state agencies accept cryptocurrency payments; SB 1044 and SCR 1003 would exempt virtual currency from property tax, with SB 1044 contingent on voter approval of the referral. All four measures advanced on 4-3 votes, with Democratic members largely opposing them as risky, speculative, and favoring wealthy crypto interests. The committee also considered SB 1221, which would require the Department of Revenue to notify legislative tax chairs before adopting a new tax interpretation or application that would adversely affect taxpayers and to testify if a hearing is held. Supporters framed it as transparency and good governance, while opponents worried about added red tape and administrative burden. The bill passed 4-3. Another major item, SB 1142, would opt Arizona into a new federal scholarship tax credit program administered through certified scholarship-granting organizations; supporters said it would expand scholarship opportunities for public, charter, private, and homeschool students, while opponents argued it would deepen inequities, lack accountability, and divert resources from public schools. That bill also passed 4-3. A lengthy discussion followed on the Department of Revenue’s press release about tax conformity and the governor’s executive order. DOR explained that the forms were issued assuming conformity with federal changes, including the standard deduction and certain below-the-line adjustments, and said taxpayers generally should file on time but may need amended returns if the Legislature later changes the law. Members pressed DOR on the cost and clarity of the guidance, with estimates that widespread amendments could cost the department about $20 million. Finally, the committee heard SB 1254, which would require both grantor and grantee signatures on real property conveyances before recording; county assessors said it would reduce deed-fraud risk and fix recording gaps. County officials from Maricopa and Mohave supported the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think this goes back to parental education.
• And it's all about parent education, not fear. Take the fear out of it.
• You should educate. That's the biggest thing is education. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Rep. Lopez.
• You should educate. That's the biggest thing is education. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Rep. Lopez.
• They’re not going to get their funding for their education.

Summary: The committee first heard HB 133, which would lower the minimum age to purchase a long gun from 21 to 18. The sponsor said the bill restores the rights of law-abiding 18-year-olds. Public testimony was sharply divided, with supporters from Gun Owners of America and Florida Carry arguing that adults 18 and older should have equal Second Amendment rights and that current law is inconsistent with other adult responsibilities, while opponents, including gun violence prevention advocates, students, parents, and Parkland-related speakers, said the bill would reverse a post-Parkland safety measure and increase risks of suicide, accidental shootings, and school violence. Several members debated the bill, with opponents emphasizing Parkland, the Florida State shooting, and public polling showing broad opposition; supporters stressed parental responsibility, mental health, and constitutional rights. HB 133 was then reported favorably on a roll call vote of 13 yeas, with several members voting no. The committee then took up CS/HB 289, which would revise Florida’s wrongful death law to allow parents to recover damages for the death of an unborn child. The sponsor said the bill is intended to let grieving parents seek civil remedies, and members questioned how it would apply in situations involving surrogacy, rape, ectopic pregnancy, medical care, and damages calculations. The sponsor said the bill would not allow suits against the mother, would not apply to lawful non-negligent medical care, and would be handled through ordinary wrongful death damage proof before a jury. Public testimony was again split: supporters from pro-life and faith groups said the bill recognizes unborn children and aligns Florida with many other states, while opponents from civil liberties, reproductive rights, and advocacy groups warned it could be used to target abortion providers, helpers, and even families or businesses in miscarriage-related cases, and could be weaponized by abusive partners. The transcript ends during testimony on HB 289, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• That we know affects their future education and employment successes.
• State education agencies, in this case, PED, distribute funds to districts, schools, and charters.
• I'm Greg Frostad, Assistant Secretary of Education.
• The key recommendations all are for the Public Education Department in both places.
• Education back then, when the money was reverted.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we have the best higher education system in the world, right?
• And we have the best higher education system in the world, right?
• So, you know, and again, we have the best higher education system.
• CalSTRS is the largest educator-only pension fund in the world.
• We have to be able to not only educate the public, whether it's emergencies or educational issues.

Summary: The hearing focused on the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (Go-Biz) and several related budget proposals. Director D.D. Myers described the California Jobs First economic blueprint, regional planning efforts across 13 regions, and the state’s strategy to target sectors such as ag tech, space, life sciences, semiconductors, and emerging technologies. She also discussed the California brand campaign, export promotion, film tax credits, and the California Civic Media Fund, emphasizing job creation, regional equity, and business attraction/retention. Members raised questions about support for journalism, arts and creative industries, AI’s impact on jobs, foreign direct investment, manufacturing, tariffs, and how the Jobs First framework is being implemented across regions. Go-Biz then presented trailer bill language to extend the encumbrance deadline for remaining Jobs First administrative funds and to codify the Office of Regional Economic Development Initiatives. The department said $95 million of the $100 million Jobs First appropriation had already been deployed to grants for counties and tribes, and members asked for more information on regional outcomes, including Orange County and the North State. Public comment supported Jobs First and the Small Business Development Centers’ role in helping businesses access capital and create jobs. The committee also heard a request for ongoing CalExport funding to replace uncertain federal STEP support; the LAO noted the Legislature may want to weigh whether to backfill federal reductions, while Go-Biz argued the state program is needed because federal support appears unlikely to continue and demand exceeds available funding. The committee next heard the film and television tax credit staffing request. Go-Biz asked for funding for three permanent positions to manage the expanded program, and the LAO recommended approval given the increased workload. The Film Commission reported a sharp rise in applications after AB 1138 and the program expansion, with productions taking place both inside and outside the Los Angeles 30-mile zone and activity spread across the state. Finally, Go-Biz presented a request for one permanent position and one graduate student assistant to support innovation and emerging technologies, including quantum and fusion. Members asked about the use of the state’s quantum funding, and staff explained it would support microgrants, state capacity-building, and workforce education. No formal votes were taken in the portions provided, and the chair indicated some items would be moved and heard later in the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we have the best higher education system in the world, right?
• And we have the best higher education system in the world, right?
• So, you know, and again, we have the best higher education system.
• CalSTRS is the largest educator-only pension fund in the world.
• We have to be able to not only educate the public, whether it's emergencies or educational issues.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That includes 76 or 77 agencies, boards and commissions, 19 some higher educational institutions, 180
• institutions. the cybersecurity posture of higher educational institutions.
• When I say higher educational institutions, I mean all the higher educational institutions in the state
• I didn't know about all the resources at the higher education institutions.
• K-12 and higher educational institutions and all public bodies.

Committee: Science, Technology & Telecommunications Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you have a way for us to educate our people to be able to work with you?
• We also do overnight repo, education and technology notes, and general obligations.
• New Mexico is ranked 50th in education and 44th in health.
• Those leaving tend to be younger, better educated, and have higher income.
• Business mortgage, or first down payment on a house, or an educational aspect.

Committee: Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:42.039><c> the</c><00:04:42.199><c> public</c> been to study and educate the public been to
• </c> Traditions developing educational Traditions developing educational materials<00:09:21.399><c> on
• He then introduced himself as Tim Clemens, an independent foraging educator, and said he established
• I am an independent foraging educator.
• </c> aesthetic cultural and educational aesthetic cultural and educational purposes purposes purposes

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• because that was specifically need more outreach programs, do we need more education because that was
• County and City would reduce liabilities by $900 million, and public education by $600 million.
• These assessments are educated guesses. They're the best the administration can do.
• We provide direct know-your-rights education to all workers and the owners at multiple locations.
• So you helping to keep the funding going is helping us to do our job in educating the community.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a federal grant to provide students access to a full range of high-quality education programs
• Not to be a killjoy, but stuff coming down from the feds that deal with education.
• , special education program supervision, and some other targeted special education services.
• So on page 31 is the early childhood special education. This is a $35 million increase.
• This is now the Department of Higher Education. This is emergency dislocated worker money.

Committee: Commerce

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have lower economic possibilities, we have worse educational outcomes, we have worse health outcomes
• outcomes we have have worse educational outcomes we have worse<00:15:23.839><c> Health</c><00:15:24.680
• The education policy committee also heard a bill from DFL Senator Erin Maye Quade.
• policy committee also heard a education policy committee also heard a bill<00:27:48.559><c> from</c>
• </c> additional $31 million to pay Educators additional $31 million to pay Educators for<00:28:17.640

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As public servants, we must bring that spirit and focus to our education system.
• We are in the top 10 in total education funding per pupil in the country.
• that to be in the education setting that allows<01:10:15.679><c> them</c><01:10:16.000><c> to</c><01
• </c><01:11:02.040><c> Freedom</c> families through education Freedom families through education Freedom
• We also need to expand in our state Career Technical education. This is so critical.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This program is administered by the Department of Education.
• All right, I believe the last item to be discussed is from education.
• So we have representatives from the Department of Education here that can answer questions.
• To be discussed is from education.
• Greg Rogers, Department of Education.

Committee: LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Efforts like fetal development education help people see the reality of life...
• This is a group committed to educating and equipping citizens to engage in public life with clarity,
• Celebrating over 30 years of excellence in education.
• Because she knew—my mom only had a sixth-grade education—but she knew. You...
• Only had a sixth-grade education, but she knew that education was going to be our freedom, that it was

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In research and education as a way of fueling this industry and helping it move forward.
• Through a group of new people every year, we need to continue to educate them.
• Our organization has supported farm workers through education.
• One, there needs to be some upskilling and training and education.
• One, there needs to be some upskilling and training and education.

Summary: The Senate Select Committee on California’s wine industry held its first meeting at Napa Valley College, with opening remarks from Chair Senator Christopher Cabaldon and Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry emphasizing the wine industry’s importance to California’s economy, communities, and tourism. The chair said the hearing was intended to gather information and ideas, not to take legislative action that day, and to prepare for future work on legislation, budget, and oversight. The first panel focused on research and trends, with experts from Sonoma State, UC Davis, and Terrain describing a major structural downturn: falling wine production and sales, rising costs, labor shortages, housing pressures, changing consumer habits, tariffs, and the loss of younger consumers. They argued the industry needs to shift toward new-customer acquisition, more accessible products and messaging, evidence-based business decisions, and greater investment in research, education, and innovation, including work on disease, climate stress, and health-related consumer questions. Committee members pressed the panel on whether the industry’s future depends on adaptation by existing producers or market-driven consolidation, and on how California can reduce regulatory burdens while maintaining standards. Witnesses said the state’s universities are a “superpower” but are underfunded for wine research, especially on the business and regulatory side, and they urged review of outdated rules, better data collection, and more efficient compliance systems. They also discussed trade competitiveness, especially with imports and the collapse of exports to Canada after tariffs, and raised the need for transitional support for vineyard removals and replanting. The chair and majority leader emphasized that regulations should be evaluated for effectiveness and that California should use its research capacity to improve both industry practices and regulatory implementation. A second panel included representatives from growers, the Wine Institute, and family winemakers. Michael Miller of the California Association of Wine Grape Growers described a severe grower crisis: grapes left unpicked, vineyards abandoned or removed, falling vineyard values, and a need for relief on regulatory costs, trade barriers, water policy, and vineyard removal expenses. Honor Comfort of the Wine Institute focused on consumer outreach, especially younger drinkers, and described the Share Wine Co-Lab, an open-access marketing platform with research, webinars, case studies, and office hours to help wineries better reach Gen Z and millennials. Jane Lisa Tamayo of Family Winemakers of California was present but her remarks were largely garbled in the transcript. Committee members again stressed the need for education, better messaging, and caution about simplistic policy fixes, while also noting the importance of Canada as an export market and the risks of tariffs. The final panel addressed tourism, farmworker impacts, and water regulation. Visit Napa Valley CEO Lindsay Gallagher said Napa’s tourism economy remains relatively strong but is feeling the same international headwinds as the wine sector, including reduced Canadian visitation; she said Napa is broadening its message beyond wine to cuisine, wellness, and outdoor experiences. Sonia DeLuca of the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation said declining sales and rising costs are reducing hours, wages, and training opportunities for farmworkers, and urged targeted relief, removal of barriers to sales, wage-loss support, and continued bilingual workforce training. She also said Napa’s workforce-development model is ready to support technology adoption if legal changes allow more automation. Finally, State Water Board official Annalisa Kihar gave an update on the Winery General Order, explaining that it was created in 2021 to streamline and standardize wastewater permitting, with tiered requirements and exemptions for very small wineries; she said 56 wineries have enrolled and 122 are under review, and that the board is working with industry and regional agencies to improve compliance support and flexibility.

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't discourage the education part of it.
• They are involved in continuing training, insurance, regulatory compliance, and continuing education
• Now, the City of Boise, we could do a lot as far as education.
• We are doing education right now.
• So we're already trying to do that education from our end.

Committee: Agricultural Affairs

Summary: The committee first approved the March 2, 2026 minutes without opposition. It then took up House Bill 771, and at the sponsor’s request moved to hold the bill indefinitely in committee. Representative Schurz said he would return with a replacement version that narrows the bill’s focus on THC products sold through a loophole. The main item was Senate Bill 1271, as amended, which would declare Norway and roof rats a public nuisance and invasive pest, direct the Department of Agriculture to coordinate a statewide response with counties, public health districts, and the private sector, require a public abatement plan and reporting, and make state and local participation voluntary rather than mandating spending. Supporters, including the sponsor, Ada County, and Boise officials, argued the rats are spreading quickly, can cause major property, agricultural, and public health damage, and require coordinated action before the problem grows. Opponents from the pest management industry said rat control is already handled by licensed private professionals, warned the bill could create confusion with other abatement proposals, raise taxpayer liability and future costs, and compete with private businesses. Public testimony on SB 1271 was split between those favoring a coordinated government-private response and those urging the issue be left to private industry and local control. After debate, a substitute motion to hold the bill in committee failed 9-6. The committee then voted 9-6 to send SB 1271, as amended, to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. Afterward, the Department of Agriculture gave an extensive presentation on invasive species, focusing on quagga mussel detection and treatment in the Snake River. The director said Idaho’s treatment effort has reduced the impacted area and remains aimed at eradication, with monitoring, watercraft inspection stations, law enforcement partnerships, and a public-private treatment contract all part of the response. Committee members asked about fish mortality, environmental effects, enforcement of boat inspection rules, and the role of private contractors in the treatment program.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:01.760><c> Uh,</c><00:14:02.000><c> let's</c> >> Senate Bill 56, Chair, Education, Energy
• Senator Kagan, Open Meetings Act, county board of education enhanced requirements.
• </c> meetings act, county board of education meetings act, county board of education enhanced<00:15:13.680
• </c> meetings act, county board of education meetings act, county board of education enhance<00:31:44.240
• Uh, Chair of Education, Energy, and the Environment. >> Uh, thank you, Mr. President.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Thursday, February 19, 2026, 960, senate, all