Transcript Highlights:

• President, I request all the bills on page one. Thank you, Mr. President. Mr.
• President, I request Senate Bill 1262 go over in its order.
• Senator Pittman requested Senate Bill 1262 go over in its order.
• President, I request Senate Bill 1334 and Senate Bill 1368 go over in their order.
• Governor Shapiro has called for legalization in every one of his budget proposals.

Keywords: Scheduler, 972, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, the need is now, and actually that was a request by Senator Mesnard to put that in.
• Seeing none, reminder, we will have a second caucus after floor for the budget bill, so please come back
• Thank you very much. budget bill so please come back for that. Thank you very much.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I rise to read a statement and request that it be put under the journal.
• is my right and obligation to engage the lawmaking process, from bill drafting to protesting the budget
• Where's the fire on this budget and this bill? There's no fire. This doesn't need an emergency.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Unless a senator requests a separate vote on an individual appointee, we will take up one vote on all
• SB 320 removes unnecessary district requirements across assessments, personnel, facilities, and budgeting
• SB 320 removes unnecessary district requirements across assessments, personnel, facilities, and budgeting

Committee: Senate Education Pre-K - 12

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and first took up SB 124, which updates Florida Virtual School statutes to remove outdated language, clarify governance and funding provisions, authorize a direct support organization, streamline reporting, and clarify district responsibilities for student assessments. Senator Berman asked about the removed enrollment prioritization and reporting changes, and the bill sponsor explained that the reporting was largely duplicative of existing audits and other reports. Florida Virtual School’s representative testified in support, saying the school is open to all students statewide with no enrollment caps or waiting lists. SB 124 was reported favorably by a unanimous roll call vote. The committee then considered confirmation appointments in tabs 3 and 4 and recommended confirmation of all appointees on a single favorable vote. After that, the committee heard SB 320 on administrative efficiency in public schools, which would reduce district mandates, expand teacher apprenticeship and multi-year contracts, create a 10-year renewable professional certificate, simplify testing and accountability rules, increase flexibility for district finances and facilities planning, and shift oversight of district-run VPK programs to school districts. Senators Gaetz and Berman questioned the impact on charter school funding, capital dollars, teacher contracts, and how the bill differed from last year’s version. The sponsor said charter schools would retain access to operational funds, the bill does not eliminate annual audits, and the main substantive change from last year was the multi-year teacher contract provision. Several organizations and district representatives waived in support of SB 320, while Florida Citizens Alliance testified in information, praising some testing and licensure changes but suggesting a cap on multi-year contracts and outside auditing safeguards. The sponsor closed by emphasizing that districts would still be subject to annual audits and that the bill is intended to give schools more flexibility and reduce bureaucracy. SB 320 was reported favorably on a roll call vote, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the budget bill for the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee.
• Budget bills have a lot of detail, and so we have to look at them, set them down, look at them again,
• page, you'll see for AURI, an operating adjustment of $282,000, which is identical to the amount requested

Committee: House Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Transcript Highlights:

• I request the committee support the passage of House Bill 1993 and House Bill 2771.
• We do not have the funding in our budget to make this happen.
• I don't have the capacity budget-wise to be able to take care of this.
• decides not to appropriate any funding toward this, what— And then the budget committee decides not
• You know, I mean, we're in a position where we're at the whim of every budget year.

Committee: House Veterans and Armed Forces

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, there is funding in the budget. Thank you. So, Mr.
• Chairman, there is funding in the budget, not the full amount.
• We're still working on that, but we've consistently put money into the budget for early literacy.
• So that is what we're still trying to get into the budget. Mr.
• Chairman, $55 million is in the budget for that.

Bills: SB29 , SB37

Committee: Senate Senate Education

Keywords: SB29, math requirements for teaching license, teacher licensure, teacher endorsement, mathematics methods, elementary education, secondary education, special education, early childhood education, reciprocity, Public Education Department, Mathematics and Science Education Act, mathematics instructional leadership framework, professional learning plan, K-3 screening, mathematics screening assessment, mathematics difficulty, support plan, multilevel support, intervention

Transcript Highlights:

• policy, the information that I'm receiving right now is that we're looking at putting together a budget
• And I should say we found that the reason why it's part of the governor's budget to turn back this is
• Is there a reason, when we have a 6 billion dollar budget deficit that we're facing, that you think we
• So that's what I'm referencing; it's It's not in the budget. It's not in the budget.
• is one of the things as we're looking at putting together a budget.

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• They are provided an incentive or bonus if they stay on budget.
• This reflects that the stay on budget.
• The department, as you know, has got lots of fiscal note requests right now.
• For the most part, the housing budget is between 15 and $50 million a biennium.
• For the most part, the housing budget is between 15 and $50 million a biennium.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So our testimony we would have to<00:37:45.680><c> we</c><00:37:45.920><c> request</c> to we request
• because the state is supplementing the marketing budget.
• </c><01:00:21.760><c> because</c> have cut their marketing budgets because have cut their marketing budgets
• Um but what I hear is that budget.
• So, the legislation anticipates that the funding will request that DLNR and DOE work together to get

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 2693 relating to capital improvement projects for aerospace infrastructure. Members had no questions, and the recommendation to pass the bill with a defective date of July 1, 2050 was adopted unanimously. The committee then deferred decision making on Senate Bill 26980 relating to transportation and Senate Bill 2374 relating to the blue economy until Thursday, February 19, 2026, in Room 229, pending additional information. In the joint hearing on Senate Bill 2816 relating to state enterprise zones, agencies and organizations including DBEDT, HTDC, Taxation, the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Oceanit, the Hawaii Medical Association, and the Queen’s Health System testified in support or submitted written comments. One public testifier urged expanding enterprise zones around the Kakaako/Cancer Center area and combining them with the foreign trade zone to reduce taxes and attract business. A senator questioned whether the enterprise zone program had ever been comprehensively evaluated, noting DBEDT said it had not done a full study in recent years and cited annual report figures including about $221 million in company revenues and $460,000 in foregone state revenue in 2022. The discussion focused on whether the bill would subsidize existing activity or support new economic development, and on the broader policy question of whether enterprise zones should be used to revitalize depressed areas or to target strategic sectors like health care technology. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2900 relating to sports officials. The Department of Education supported the measure, saying the Attorney General is best positioned to represent employees in temporary restraining order matters and that elevating intentional bodily injury of a sports official to a class B felony would improve safety. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing it would escalate conduct already covered by existing assault statutes and go beyond other protected classes. The Department of the Attorney General recommended narrowing the bill by inserting “substantial” before bodily injury in the criminal section and deleting a section that would make the AG’s office act like plaintiff’s counsel in civil matters, suggesting instead that departments adopt policies to help employees obtain TROs without creating an open-ended civil representation role. Several sports and school-related organizations testified in support, and members discussed whether the bill should be narrowed or coordinated with other measures before further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it would be our intent to, I believe, the chair of the Legacy Committee has requested that it go
• just quickly note at the outset that the proposed legislation funding is not within the governor's budget
• Chair, just so what is the base budget for the program is what I was really asking.
• Chair, just so what is the base budget for the program is what I was really asking.
• It's pretty expensive given the budget that we're looking at.

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think that's an important part of it, that it's thankfully not all coming out of our budget, but
• Currently, county agencies may request to delay finalizing permanency; they wait until a child turns
• to delay financing finalizing request to delay financing finalizing permanency<00:54:07.200><c> they
• Overall, in this area of the budget there is about $9.5 million a year in federal money out of, as I
• How long has a fiscal note been requested on this bill? Okay, uh... Representative, you mind?

Bills: HF1346 , HF1169 , HF1276

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: mandatory reporting, training requirements, child maltreatment, abuse detection, local welfare agency, child protection, child welfare, paperwork reduction, social services information system, SSIS, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, foster care, children in placement, county social services, Tribal governments, private child placing agencies, case management, administrative burden, information technology, human services

Transcript Highlights:

• requires certain cities and counties to develop policies to implement the density bonus if it receives a request
• A fiscal note was not requested, and there are no amendments for this bill.
• A fiscal note was not requested, and there are no amendments. Thank you.
• A fiscal note was not requested, and there are no amendments. All right, any questions for staff?
• A fiscal note was not requested, and there are no amendments. All right, any questions for staff?

Bills: HB2664

Committee: Senate Housing

Keywords: HB 2664, unlawful detainer, eviction notice, landlord-tenant, tenant rights, service of process, certified mail, notice by mail, notice posting, possession action, vacate notice, Washington RCW 59.12, housing law, rental housing, forcible entry and detainer, proof of service, property possession, occupants, lodging house, hotel guest

Transcript Highlights:

• may be, you know, at the state level, down to the district level and so forth, that's where this request
• You know, as it was shared in testimony, all this information that's being requested can be requested
• , or if you have to request additional information.
• steps and the phases and the costs, you know, one of the reasons I think Representative O'Brien is requesting
• You know, one of the reasons I think Representative O'Brien is requesting that $350,000 be increased

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met with a quorum and first took up House Bill 1540, an education savings account bill. Senator Wobbema presented Amendment 040-003, describing mostly clarifying and reorganizing changes, including eligibility language, administrator duties, school participation standards, assessment provisions, and a correction removing a requirement that the department pay for state assessment materials if a parent selected that option. The committee adopted the amendment 4-2, then advanced HB 1540 as amended on a 4-2 vote and sent it to Appropriations, with Senator Wobbema designated as carrier. One senator opposed the bill, arguing it would divert resources from public schools and conflict with the state’s obligation to provide a free appropriate education while districts still face funding needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the submission of a of a revised budget the submission of a of a revised budget to<00:25:47.120>
• :35:32.800><c> programs,</c><00:35:33.200><c> there</c> budget for um residency programs, there budget
• </c><00:43:40.480><c> for</c> prices to reflect the request for prices to reflect the request for testimony
• Every budget is a moral document.
• While the federal budget entire state.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Select Subcommittee first took up adoption of three previously prepared nonpartisan committee summary reports dated October 15, November 13, and November 21. Senator Rasmusson objected to the lack of advance notice about the day’s testifiers and criticized the practice of having nonpartisan staff summarize what he described as a partisan agenda. The chair responded that the committee’s purpose is to gather information, not hear bills, and that the summaries were intended as neutral resources for the Senate. Senator Coopek moved adoption, the motion was opposed by Rasmusson and another member, and the motion passed. The committee then turned to the day’s hearing on federal impacts on Minnesota, with the chair focusing on federal funding threats and the effect of congressional budget actions on health care, especially in greater Minnesota. The first presentation came from the Minnesota Department of Health on the state’s rural health transformation work. Assistant Commissioner Carol Broom introduced the team and described the rural hospital transformation program as a major opportunity to invest in rural health, while acknowledging longstanding challenges such as demographics, transportation barriers, and the financing of care. Nitha Moibi outlined the state’s rural health chart book and data showing an aging population, workforce shortages, and many health professional shortage areas, and described proposed strategies including workforce pipelines, bridge payments for low-volume birth hospitals, telehealth access points, mental health urgent care, and chronic disease prevention. Acting Assistant Commissioner Anna Ashby of the Minnesota Management and Budget office explained the state’s application to CMS for the Rural Health Transformation Program, which was created in federal law and awarded Minnesota just over $193 million for federal fiscal year 2026. She said the application was shaped by public comments, stakeholder meetings, and legislative outreach, and included initiatives on preventive care, workforce, care access, behavioral health, and provider financial stability. She also reviewed implementation constraints, including a January 30 revised budget deadline, limits on administrative spending, restrictions on using funds to offset Medicaid losses, and the need to show measurable progress to remain eligible for future funding. The presentation noted that most year-one funding would go to rural hospitals, with additional support for federally qualified health centers, community mental health centers, tribal partners, and technical assistance.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> will</c> The Legislative Budget Office will The Legislative Budget Office will compile<00:09:02.720
• School Budgets become more predictable.
• has</c><00:40:11.520><c> to</c><00:40:11.720><c> adjust</c> Our budget per month has to adjust Our budget
• </c> budget, wages or health care." budget, wages or health care."
• , in this past budget, in the supplemental budget.

Bills: HF3119

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: teacher compensation, educational staff, unlicensed staff, minimum wage, inflation adjustment, education finance, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll provide information if requested by Zach.
• I'm requesting that you allow the Department of Children and Family Services and others to study the
• I'm requesting that you allow the Department of Children and Family Services and others to study the
• Transparency leads to better governance, smarter budgeting, and more informed public engagement.
• We'll provide information if requested from William Graham.

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of criminal justice measures, with several bills and resolutions reported favorably and others rejected or deferred. Representative Baham’s HB 255, as substituted, would enhance penalties for certain felony or rioting offenses committed while wearing a mask to evade identification, with exceptions for religious, motorcycle, and medical coverings; it was reported favorably after opposition from the ACLU and support from law enforcement groups. His HB 378, as amended, narrowed a vehicle-obstruction offense to first responders and was also reported favorably. HB 1090, increasing penalties for arson of a religious building, was reported favorably with support from the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops. HR 272, requesting a study of parental discipline, abuse allegations, and juvenile delinquency, was reported favorably after sponsor testimony about confusion over current law. HB 479, the “Fiscal Truth and Sentencing Act,” sought quarterly reporting on incarceration costs and sentencing impacts; despite support from the ACLU and opposition from clerks of court over an unfunded mandate, it failed on a 4-7 roll call. HR 278, asking the Attorney General to review electronic monitoring laws and make recommendations, was reported favorably after testimony from advocates and supporters of tighter oversight. HR 273, creating a task force to study work-release programs, was also reported favorably, while SB 278 was voluntarily deferred. The committee also considered several high-profile social policy measures. HB 261, by Representative Boyd, would create an exception to abortion restrictions for rape and certain sex offenses; the hearing featured extensive emotional testimony from survivors, clergy, and legislators on both sides, but the bill was rejected on a 2-10 vote. HCR 100, as amended, urged the Gaming Control Board to ensure due diligence in proposed casino acquisitions with attention to economic development, job creation, and community benefit; the amendment resolved industry concerns and the resolution was reported favorably. SB 448, concerning the Office of the State Public Defender, was amended to add procedures for expert-witness funding disputes, sealed contradictory hearings, and interlocutory review, then reported favorably. SB 135, which would redirect sports wagering revenue away from a capped sports fund and toward early childhood seats, drew opposition from university-related interests but no motion was made. Finally, HB 778 on kratom was presented as a narrower approach that would ban synthetic and semi-synthetic kratom while allowing regulated natural products; testimony included concerns about harm, business impacts, and claimed benefits for pain management and PTSD, and the discussion was still underway at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was a standard request for the amount owed, plus costs and attorney fees.
• Simpson requested was denied. The case was affirmed. Okay.
• “At your request?” “No, I requested that the attorney remain.” “Okay. Do you still have a lawyer?”
• to be relieved, or you requested.
• Unless that lawyer requested to be relieved or you requested that the lawyer withdraw from your case.

Committee: All ALC-CLAIMS REVIEW/LITIGATION REPORTS OVERSIGHT

Summary: The committee first reviewed several wage-claim and labor-related litigation reports from the Department of Labor and Licensing. Members questioned the department’s authority and jurisdiction, whether it was acting like a court, and why it sought attorney’s fees and costs. Department staff explained that the claims arose under the Arkansas Minimum Wage Act and related labor statutes, that the department investigates small wage claims and can file suit when informal resolution fails, and that filing fees are waived by statute though service costs may be incurred. The committee reviewed individual cases, including one where the employer had not proven cash payments, another that had already been paid and dismissed, and a third where service could not yet be completed. The committee then voted to review or batch-file the labor items. The University of Arkansas System then reported on three pending lawsuits under the litigation-notification statute. One case involving a tenured professor alleging age and race discrimination had already been resolved and dismissed after the university re-engaged in discussions about a position. A second case involving a former employee alleging ADA and FMLA retaliation was moving forward after partial dismissal and an answer denying liability. A third case involved a former vendor employee alleging retaliation tied to a parking ticket; members asked about individual-capacity exposure for a university police sergeant, and counsel explained that punitive damages could potentially create personal exposure. The committee reviewed each report. The Department of Finance and Administration presented a proposed tax settlement reducing a sales-and-use tax assessment from about $48,000 to $20,000, with interest and penalties waived, and the committee approved it. The Claims Commission then presented several claims and settlements, including an unpaid salary differential for the Department of Health, reissued warrants, unpaid bills for DHS, and multiple negotiated settlements involving UAMS, Arkansas State Police, and ARDOT; these were generally approved or batched for approval. The most extensive discussion involved a settlement between the Teacher Retirement System and Tetronics International Limited in liquidation, arising from losses tied to the failed Blue Oak project; members questioned the company’s liquidation status, the prior investment loss, and why the matter was settling for $65,000, and the committee ultimately affirmed the settlement. The committee also heard a disputed tax-sale claim involving the Commissioner of State Lands, where a claimant argued that excess proceeds from a 2009 tax sale should have gone to her family rather than escheating to the county. After testimony from the claimant and counsel, members debated sovereign immunity, heirship, and whether the committee could or should award the $4,200 overage. The motion was amended and then replaced with a motion to hold the matter over for further review in a future joint session, which passed. Finally, the committee considered an appeal by Andrew Simpson challenging dismissal of his claim against the Arkansas Court of Appeals; after Simpson and court staff explained the underlying dispute, the committee reviewed the dismissal and the matter was held over for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're also supporting the tax credit in the governor's budget proposal, and we're supporting this bill
• I love my state and I love my industry, and if this bill passes at the full funding amount requested,
• And I would like to request the use of a prop, if possible. Absolutely. Thank you.
• vote, and then we'll head to budget for those who need to.
• vote, and then we'll head to budget for those who need to.

Summary: The committee heard AB 839, which would allow up to three sustainable aviation fuel projects to qualify for expedited CEQA judicial review. The author and airline and airport supporters argued SAF is a key emissions-reduction strategy for aviation and that California needs to signal investment certainty after prior project litigation. Environmental Justice and Earthjustice opposed, saying the bill weakens the public’s ability to challenge polluting projects and that SAF facilities can harm already overburdened communities. The committee later took a roll call on the bill and it was held on call after a 3-0 vote, with the motion being due pass to Judiciary. Members then took up AB 762, which would ban the sale of disposable nicotine vapes in California. The author and a broad coalition of waste, public health, local government, and environmental groups said the devices create fire hazards, add lithium batteries to the waste stream, and burden local recycling and hazardous waste systems. Opponents, including retailers and business groups, argued the bill would mainly affect a small legal market while the illicit market would continue to supply most disposable vapes, and warned of unintended consequences. After discussion about illicit sales, EPR ideas, and reuse alternatives, the committee voted 2-2 on the motion to pass as amended to Revenue and Taxation, so the bill was kept on call. The committee also heard AB 907, which would compensate the six local air district representatives who serve on the California Air Resources Board the same as other board members. The author and supporters said the change would improve equity and help ensure local representation on CARB, and no opposition was presented. The chair expressed support, noting similar legislation had passed the committee previously, and the bill was held for a later vote once quorum issues were resolved.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, I also would like to request unanimous consent to strike the title at this time.
• Members, you've heard the unanimous consent request to strike the title without objection.
• a lot of attorneys on this language, but there is still an existing concern, and so the chairman requested
• And truly, this has been the number one constituent request bill that I am running this year to address
• I would be happy to discuss with the miss some of the municipalities who requested this bill last year

Bills: SB2106 , SB1471 , SB2139 , SB2154 , SB1619

Committee: Senate Local and County Government

Keywords: zoning, municipal compensation, property rights, financial impact, reversion ordinance, solid waste management, municipal authority, regulatory fees, waste reduction, environmental impact, restrictive covenants, discriminatory covenants, racially restrictive covenants, housing discrimination, Fair Housing Act, plats, subdivision plats, residential additions, county clerk, municipal ordinance