Transcript Highlights:

• The council advises on curriculum, instruction, assessment, teacher preparation, and family partnerships
• Assessment, teacher preparation, teacher evaluation, professional development for our leaders, licensure
• And what measures are used to assess success in biliteracy?
• Whomever would like to step up and answer that, it's really important because that's part of the assessment
• We don't necessarily price or assess like a risk per the Craig; we don't do that, but we are maybe higher

Transcript Highlights:

• together perhaps uncharacteristically to create a relationship that I agree with Senator Givens's assessment
• together perhaps uncharacteristically to create a relationship that I agree with Senator Givens's assessment
• together perhaps uncharacteristically to create a relationship that I agree with Senator Givens's assessment
• given's assessment that actually turned given's assessment that actually turned out<00:24:52.480><c>

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:05 HB 545Discussion 00:00:40 HB 545 Vote 00:01:35 HJR 54 Discussion 00:02:25 HJR 54 Vote 00:03:10 HB 694 Discussion 00:03:42 HB 694 Vote 00:28:25, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first took up House Bill 545, a routine claims bill. Representative Tim Truett explained it as a measure to pay debts the Commonwealth owes. The bill received a motion, a second, and a roll call vote, and passed with favorable expression and no nay votes. Members then considered House Joint Resolution 54, which related to the Kentucky State Fair Board’s expansion plan. The chair explained that the resolution simply acknowledged receipt and approval of the plan so previously appropriated funds could be released. The resolution passed by roll call with no nay votes and was reported favorably to the floor. The main discussion centered on House Bill 694, concerning the Kentucky Teachers Retirement System medical insurance fund and the 2010 “shared responsibility” agreement. The bill would redirect employer contributions from local districts from the health side to the pension side once the plan reaches 100% funded. The chair and Senator Givens argued the bill was a continuation of the state’s long-term commitment to TRS and taxpayer responsibility, while Senator Neal raised concerns about fairness, the timing of the change, and whether the original agreement and statutory trigger for TRS board recommendations had been honored. Testimony from KEA President Eddie Campbell and former Jefferson County Teachers Association president Brent McMahan supported the 2010 agreement but urged the committee to pause the bill, saying the parties should return to the table and that the current proposal could conflict with the original understanding, create actuarial and legal issues, and potentially affect school district finances and bond ratings. Despite those concerns, the committee voted 8-1 to pass House Bill 694 with favorable expression, with Senator Neal voting no and explaining his objection as a process and good-faith concern.

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you give us an assessment of where you think these grants are?
• been led to believe that, uh, even though some of these end dates are in 2029, uh, what is your assessment
• Based on the information you have now, um, based upon the information I have now, my assessment is that
• So what, what we require in this project is we have what's called a utility assessment report, which
• There are direct assessments by railroad Commission inspectors and inspections ensuring compliance with

Committee: House Energy Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• and um currently, you know, the the way that the language is is very different from how needs are assessed
• </c><00:03:35.560><c> I</c> assessed and delivered at the moment.
• I assessed and delivered at the moment.
• </c> eligibility based solely on assessed eligibility based solely on assessed need<00:07:59.800><c>
• Sometimes the MnChoices assessment provides a good guidance, and that information is not being shared

Bills: HF4338

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: human services, medical assistance, Medicaid, provider enrollment, provider revalidation, fraud prevention, program integrity, background study, background check, fingerprinting, licensing, license revocation, payment withholding, payment suspension, prepayment review, postpayment review, surety bond, compliance training, case management, targeted case management

Transcript Highlights:

• , there's now a sliding scale in place where they can assess a lower amount.
• You know, we assess them.
• We do have some self-insured in the state that we assess, but they support what we do.
• Nationally, our assessments are kind of right in the middle.
• So when we assess one, they get assessments from every.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 13 January, 2026; 1:45 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a $1 million project, zero residents, so there's no one to assess.
• Um, so that would be a $330,000 assessment per resident. That's why we're here and have the ask.
• It's a $1 million project, zero residents, so there's no one to assess.
• Um, so that would be a $330,000 assessment per resident. That's why we're here and have the ask.
• and just general uh levy assessment and just general uh levy dollars.<01:07:59.839><c> Uh</c><01:08:

Bills: HF1569 , HF460 , HF850 , HF707 , HF798 , HF852 , HF366 , HF365 , HF836 , HF866 , HF885 , HF959 , HF1196 , HF1788 , HF1349 , HF2272 , HF2652 , HF1251 , HF607

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: transportation, bond issuance, capital investment, infrastructure, road improvements, HF460, Sibley County, Highway 21, County State-Aid Highway, bonding bill, state bonds, bond proceeds fund, transportation grant, infrastructure improvements, sanitary sewer, water main, storm sewer, stormwater, public works, local infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• ...property tax liability for rental property, for low-income rental property, and so it's been assessed
• </c><01:20:38.400><c> um</c> property um and so it's been assessed um property um and so it's been assessed
• c><01:25:49.159><c> are</c><01:25:49.280><c> here</c><01:25:49.400><c> today</c> the henen county assess
• are here today the henen county assess are here today too<01:25:49.960><c> about</c><01:25:50.159><c
• which means taxes are 2025 assessment which means taxes are going<01:29:48.159><c> to</c><01:29:48.239

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• to assess the other Alternatives<01:52:20.719><c> that</c><01:52:20.880><c> they</c><01:52:21.079><c
• I'm assuming it's going to be some kind of special assessment levied over property tax or something,
• I'm assuming it's going to be some kind of special assessment levied over property tax or something,
• I'm assuming it's going to be some kind of special assessment levied over property tax or something,
• I'm assuming it's going to be some kind of special assessment levied over property tax or something,

Committee: House Water & Land

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land met on March 13, 2025, and first announced that SB 1456 would be deferred to the end of the agenda and ultimately worked on later, with the chair indicating the bill would be deferred and revisited in a future measure. The committee then heard SB 841 on marine life conservation districts. DLNR supported the bill, saying it would fund carrying capacity studies to inform rules and policies. Testimony noted a pilot study already underway at the Puka Marine Life Conservation District and another nearing completion at the old Kona Airport MLCD. Members discussed costs, with DLNR estimating about $300,000 per year for one user-experience study, potentially more for ecological analysis, and also discussed possible funding from the Mālama Kai special fund. DLNR said it had no objection to consulting current operators and other users, and explained the program would be a new, ongoing adaptive-management tool. The committee next heard SB 411 on capital improvement projects at small boat harbors. DLNR supported the intent, saying the bill would help expedite use of special funds for CIP work, while the Department of Budget and Finance opposed it, arguing the draft could conflict with constitutional limits on appropriations. Public testimony from an industry representative supported the bill and urged more collaboration with commercial operators, while committee discussion focused on whether DLNR could already use special funds for repairs, how much engineering and bidding work is required before projects go out to bid, and whether the current process creates bottlenecks when bids exceed initial estimates. DLNR said it can do some repairs and maintenance within existing authority and funding ceilings, but that the bill as drafted could be too broad. The committee also heard SB 5 on historic preservation, where DLNR supported the measure and NAOP Hawaii opposed it, saying the bill’s broader definition could expand the scope beyond the stated goal of narrowing reviews and reducing backlog. The committee then took up SB 1462 on the state historic preservation income tax credit. The Department of Taxation said the revenue estimate assumes the cap would be reached each year the credit is available, and DLNR supported the bill. SHPD said the prior credit had sunset, outreach had previously been done in targeted communities such as Chinatown, and owners of eligible historic properties are notified during review. Finally, the committee heard SB 268 on island burial councils. DLNR supported the bill, and OHA strongly supported it, saying the councils have struggled with quorum and expertise and that the measure would restore the original intent of having lineal descendants and cultural practitioners as decision makers, while still allowing landowners and developers to testify and participate. OHA also said it would help provide technical support and urged continued involvement from SHPD and the Attorney General’s office.

Transcript Highlights:

• court can suspend the jail sentence in order to do drug and alcohol programs, other court-ordered assessments
• alcohol programs, other order to do drug alcohol programs, other court-ordered<01:13:23.679><c> assessments
• </c><01:13:24.159><c> Is</c><01:13:24.400><c> that</c><01:13:24.560><c> not</c> court-ordered assessments
• Is that not court-ordered assessments. Is that not correct?
• The department takes no position whether community service should take the place of assessments of fines

Committee: House Human Services & Homelessness

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 281 SD1, which would define and prohibit torture as a Class A felony. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office, HPD investigators, and other supporters said the bill is needed because existing laws do not adequately capture torture, especially cases involving children and vulnerable persons. Several testifiers emphasized that starvation is a common method of torture that often leaves little visible evidence, and they urged the committee to restore the original starvation language removed from the measure. The Office of the Public Defender said it did not oppose the bill’s purpose but raised concerns that the language was too broad and could create trial issues, particularly around minors and vulnerable people, and suggested narrowing amendments. The chair indicated the testimony had made a strong impression and said the committee would try to move the bill forward. The committee then heard SB 292 SD1, relating to sexual exploitation and safe harbor protections for survivors seeking medical or law enforcement help. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office supported the measure, noting that a prior version raised equal protection concerns that were no longer present, and said survivors should be able to seek help without fear of prosecution. Written support was also noted from several advocacy and state groups. Testimony in support focused on retaliation fears, trafficking, and the need for manpower and resources to address exploitation and related crimes. Finally, the committee took up SB 295 SD1, which would increase penalties for violating temporary restraining orders and orders for protection and treat a violation of one as a second offense for the other. The Public Defender’s Office objected to the mandatory jail component, arguing judges should retain discretion and that there was no clear evidence mandatory jail deters violations. The transcript cuts off before any final committee action or vote on SB 295 was recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• An example is that for kindergarten assessment, when our kindergarteners come in, we used to spend 10
• Another implementation is the FastBridge assessment that is supporting the READ Act in literacy.
• Back in the day, we used to run kids through computer labs to complete those assessments.
• Another implementation is the FastBridge assessment that is supporting the READ Act in literacy.
• Back in the day, we used to run kids through computer labs to complete those assessments.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We meet weekly on our strategic priorities, and we're always assessing and looking at the efficiency
• workers and field both assessment workers and field service<00:21:33.720><c> workers.
• As executive member, I'm assessing that.
• </c> priorities and we're always assessing priorities and we're always assessing and<00:23:06.960><c>
• </c> monitoring and assessment of patients. monitoring and assessment of patients.

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• require, beginning with the 2026-27 school year and each year thereafter, for schools to perform assessments
• require, beginning with the 2026-27 school year and each year thereafter, for schools to perform assessments

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several education-related bills. HB 4359 would require statewide assessments to be administered between May 1 and the end of May starting in the 2026-27 school year; members discussed whether schools that end earlier might need flexibility, and the bill passed 11-9. HB 4115 would raise the allowable professional development cap for educators from 150 to 200 hours over five years without mandating additional training; the sponsor said it would give local districts more discretion, and it passed 10-0. HB 3467 would amend maternity leave for school teachers to include adoption of newborn children under four years old, and it passed 10-0. The committee also considered HB 2978, with a proposed committee substitute, dealing with school library materials and community standards. The sponsor said the bill was aimed at removing obscene material from school libraries, not at banning books generally, and members questioned how it would affect librarians, AP coursework, and whether it could sweep in works with literary or educational value. The sponsor said the bill would not affect bookstores or online retailers, only access through taxpayer-funded school libraries, and the bill passed 10-0. Later, the committee heard HB 3026, which would require districts to adopt a kindergarten starting-age policy with an exception for certain military families returning from overseas so children are not held back unnecessarily; it passed 10-0. HB 32, also with a committee substitute, would require families to complete or opt out of a child nutrition program form annually as part of enrollment to improve data collection and funding, while exempting schools already covered by federal CEP rules; the sponsor said the measure could help recover lost funding, and it passed 8-2. The chair also noted HB 4277 would be laid over, and the meeting ended with a short presentation to follow.

Transcript Highlights:

• Youth, and Families provide in its annual report capacity information based on the capacity needs assessment
• Capacity information based on the capacity needs assessment model.

Summary: The committee met in executive session on four bills. HB 2230, which limits DHS to one annual routine review of community residential service business providers and requires better coordination and record-sharing, was amended with Harrow 796 to clarify that Adult Protective Services investigations are not limited by the bill. The amendment and the substitute bill were both adopted and HB 2230 was reported out with a due pass recommendation by an 11-0 vote. HB 2364, which renames and revises the Legislative Executive Workforce Poverty Reduction Oversight Task Force, had no amendments. Members discussed the long new title and expanded membership and duties; the bill was reported out with a due pass recommendation on an 8-3 vote. HB 2389, dealing with juvenile offender sentencing and juvenile rehabilitation capacity procedures, was considered with a proposed substitute that made multiple changes, including midpoint review rights, programming participation, capacity reporting, and transfer/release rules; the substitute removed an emergency clause and was reported out with a due pass recommendation on a 7-4 vote. HB 2429, implementing the Washington Thriving Strategic Plan for Children and Youth Behavioral Health, was amended with Wickham 846 to adjust leadership council and work group membership and add two tribal representatives nominated through the Governor’s Indian Health Advisory Council, while preserving tribal consultation requirements. The amendment and substitute were adopted, and the bill was reported out with a due pass recommendation by an 11-0 vote. The committee then noted upcoming executive session deadlines, with amendment requests due Monday at 10 a.m. and released by 4 p.m., and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 320 removes unnecessary district requirements across assessments, personnel, facilities,
• It improves assessments and accountability processes by simplifying local testing calendars, specifying

Summary: The Senate opened with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and introductions recognizing the YMCA’s 175th anniversary, Youth and Government participants, and Dr. Thomas Clem as Doctor of the Day. Senators also noted the presence of guests from the YMCA and Lakeland Regional, and the chamber received a birthday acknowledgment for President Gates. The chamber then took up several bills on the special order calendar. Senate Bill 100 adopted the 2026 Florida Statutes and the 2025 session’s enacted statute materials; Senate Bill 102 removed statutory provisions that had already been repealed or expired; and Senate Bill 104, the general reviser’s bill, deleted obsolete language and corrected cross-references and errors. Each of these bills passed 36-0. Senate Bill 320, relating to administrative efficiency in public schools, was explained as reducing district-level requirements, expanding teacher apprenticeship and certification flexibility, adjusting assessment and budgeting rules, and increasing district flexibility in VPK and facility planning; it also passed 36-0. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 7010, which authorizes Roth post-tax contributions in state and local deferred compensation plans, by a 36-0 vote. Senate Bill 1720 on public school personnel compensation was withdrawn from further consideration. At the end of the session, the Senate waived rules to immediately certify the passed bills to the House and then adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1202, supply demand assessment groundwater. SB 1202, supply demand assessment groundwater.

Summary: The Senate convened with a prayer by Rabbi Mendel Soup of Lake Havasu and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Senator Carroll, then completed an electronic roll call and approved the journal for January 20, 2026. The chamber recognized several guest groups and visitors, including CRNA Capital Day participants, rural electric cooperative representatives, AEA Retired members, March of Dimes advocates, students and school officials, and other invited guests. Senators used points of personal privilege to highlight the work of these groups and to introduce visitors in the gallery. The body then read a long list of bills on second reading, covering a wide range of topics including child welfare, public school safety, health insurance, water policy, taxation, housing, elections, public safety, transportation, and abortion-related measures. The Senate also received first-reading introductions and committee referrals for additional bills on subjects such as motor vehicle booting fees, traumatic event counseling, election procedures, assisted living, short-term rentals, and various appropriations and policy changes. No substantive debate or votes on the bills were recorded in the transcript. After committee reports were noted and the Senate briefly recessed for bill assignments, the chamber returned to order and continued with first reading and reference of more bills and resolutions. At the end of the session, the Majority Whip moved to adjourn, and the Senate adjourned until Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1202, supply demand assessment groundwater. SB 1202, supply demand assessment groundwater.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so really what this would be pulling is language from the statute that enforces us to assess that
• “This language from the statute that enforces us to assess that $5 fee, but every business process that

Summary: The Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2248, described by the prime sponsor and Secretary of State staff as a technical cleanup and clarification measure affecting several Secretary of State programs. The bill would redirect portions of annual business filing fees over $50 into the Secretary of State’s revolving fund, require initial reports from nonprofit corporations and limited liability partnerships, clarify that employing a remote worker in Washington does not by itself constitute doing business in the state, remove a requirement to issue a new trademark certificate to an assignee, create reinstatement procedures for terminated international student exchange placement organizations, and limit certain notarization authentication practices. The sponsor and agency witness said the bill does not change policy or raise fees, but improves clarity and aligns statute with current practice. A committee member asked about trademark transfers, and staff said the bill would not affect public tracking of ownership changes. No vote was taken on HB 2248 during the hearing. The committee then moved into executive session on House Bill 2178 and House Bill 2158. For HB 2178, staff said the proposed substitute would remove a two-year extension for courts of limited jurisdiction to implement electronic submission of protection order petitions and would place into statute the treasurer’s authority to distribute appropriated local fiscal officer collection grant funds to county clerks, while repealing AOC’s role in administering those grants. Members generally supported the substitute, though one member voted no without recommendation, citing concern about how the Administrative Office of the Courts would comply with earlier legislation after removal of a section from the original draft. The committee approved the substitute and reported HB 2178 out with a due pass recommendation by a vote of 10 ayes, 2 nays, and 1 excused. For HB 2158, staff explained that the bill updates the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts to address remote notarization of tangible records, with proposed substitute H-2937.1 narrowing the procedure to one acceptable method for confirming the record and adding the word “tangible” for clarity. Supporters said the substitute incorporated helpful technical changes from the Court Reporters Association and added a two-year delay to allow the Department of Licensing time for rulemaking. The committee approved the substitute unanimously and reported HB 2158 out with a due pass recommendation by a vote of 12 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• provisions relating to cottage food operations, farm-to-fork events, and requires NDA to review assessments
• the appropriate mix of revenue sources, such as reviewing current fees, state budgets, and county assessments

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, delays and demolition following fires or natural disasters are prolonged due to mold assessment
• Employees to perform mold assessments and remediation activities under the supervision of a license holder

Committee: House Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, delays in demolition following fires or natural disasters are prolonged due to mold assessment
• unnecessarily requires mobile protocols that delay. and rebuilding efforts. employees to perform mold assessments

Bills: HB2450 , SB378 , SB764 , SB917 , SB1254 , SB1255

Committee: House Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Keywords: elevator inspection, building safety, construction standards, health and safety code, regulatory requirements, SB 378, Texas Occupations Code, barbering, cosmetology, barber, cosmetologist, licensing, professional licensing, unauthorized practice, medical procedures, skin incision, dermis, injections, devices, consumer safety