Transcript Highlights:

• </c> few other Support few other Support Services<01:04:45.000><c> I</c><01:04:45.079><c> know</c><01
• </c> 20 um or more than one of our support 20 um or more than one of our support staff<01:05:25.240><
• </c><01:07:50.839><c> uh</c> other support uh other support uh positions<01:07:52.680><c> also</c><01
• </c> and a half dollars to add supports and a half dollars to add supports Staffing<01:15:11.040><c>
• </c> untethered funding necessary to support untethered funding necessary to support our<01:21:19.600

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You're waving in support, not wishing to speak. Chad Stevens in support, not wishing to speak.
• Scott McKnight with CCA in support, not wishing to speak. Micah Denisee, CCA in support.
• I appreciate your support.
• I appreciate your support.
• Those paychecks that come in support South Plaquemines. Support the biggest private industry.

Committee: House Natural Resources & Environment

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's funded with general revenue, federal funds, and various program support.
• This supports the options counseling program. Sorry if I'm not close enough.
• It is in the various program support. That's where it's coming in.
• We can support those students and families.
• How are we supporting students with that? Can we do that more efficiently?

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now I stand here today in support of this change.
• I fully support HB 2032. I appreciate being here today. I fully support HB 2032.
• She fully supports HB 233.
• I fully support HB 2032.
• We are in support of Representative Bliss's bill.

Committee: House House Education Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2266, which would change school release-time policy for religious instruction from permissive to mandatory for school districts and charter governing bodies. The sponsor and supporters said the bill protects parental choice, religious liberty, and constitutional release-time programs, while opponents argued it would reduce local control, pull students from instructional time, and expose schools to constitutional and social harms. After public testimony and debate over liability, indoctrination, and academic impact, the committee voted 7-5 to give HB 2266 a due pass recommendation. The committee then took up House Bill 2193, a cleanup measure related to student directory information and parent organizations. The bill would allow parents of enrolled students or representatives of nonprofit organizations supporting a school to receive directory information unless a parent or eligible student opts out. Supporters from PTO/PTA groups said the change is needed so parent organizations can continue communicating with families and building school community, while members raised concerns about whether the language should be narrowed to avoid political or other misuse of student data. The sponsor said he was open to an amendment, and the committee approved HB 2193 on a 10-1 vote, with one member present. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2075, which would require public school districts to submit superintendent and other top administrator contracts or attestations to ADE and create a searchable online database of compensation details, including salary, benefits, and car allowances. The sponsor described it as a transparency measure, and the committee discussed an amendment to add more specific filing deadlines and the online database requirement. Opponents from school administrators and rural districts argued that superintendent salaries are already public, that the bill should also apply to charter and private schools receiving public funds, and that it could add burdens or distort comparisons across different public-sector labor markets. Supporters said the bill would make total compensation easier to access and reduce public records requests. The sponsor closed by saying the bill would centralize compensation information and simplify disclosure for districts.

Transcript Highlights:

• The second prong, as we call it prong two, is support for non-lethals.
• That's why California must support community-wide adoption of proven practices.
• We represent seven million supporters nationwide.
• And yes, I totally support that. Yeah. And I think that it needs to happen much sooner.
• I thank you for your support. Good afternoon, Madam Chair.

Summary: The hearing focused on human-wildlife conflict in California, especially predator management involving bears, mountain lions, coyotes, and wolves. The chair and Assemblymember Hadwick framed the issue as a balance between protecting people, livestock, and property while preserving wildlife and biodiversity, citing habitat loss, development, drought, wildfire, and climate change as drivers of conflict. Department of Fish and Wildlife officials described their conflict-response work, including public education, depredation permits, wildlife incident reporting, and coordination with sheriffs, counties, and other agencies. They also noted that wildlife sightings and conflicts are increasingly common in both rural and urban areas, including recent mountain lion activity in San Francisco and ongoing bear conflicts in places like Tahoe and Sierra Madre. CDFW staff outlined the department’s human-wildlife conflict program, including the WEIR reporting system, a public toolkit, limited-term staff, and regional response efforts. They said the program grew out of drought-related incidents and later state funding, but that one-time money has expired, creating service gaps. Officials also discussed specific management approaches such as Tahoe’s trap-tag-haze bear program, DNA-based incident tracking, and the use of nonlethal deterrents before lethal action. For wolves, they explained that the species is protected and managed differently from bears and lions, that there is no general depredation-kill process for wolves, and that the department is working on data-sharing agreements, county liaisons, compensation programs, and improved coordination with ranchers and local law enforcement. Members pressed the department on underreporting, trust in state agencies, the need for sheriffs to participate in investigations, and whether more authority should be given for public-safety removals or hazing. Assemblymember Gonzalez also raised wildlife trafficking and border enforcement issues in Southern California. The panel repeatedly emphasized that more resources, technology, and local partnerships are needed. Officials gave budget context, saying roughly $17 million in one-time funding over several years supported conflict response and wolf compensation efforts, but that staffing and program capacity remain limited. The chair concluded by noting interest in further work on technology, funding, and institutionalizing collaboration, and the hearing then moved to a second panel of university researchers who presented on wolf and mountain lion conflict, habitat planning, trust, and the need for flexible, science-based, locally tailored mitigation strategies.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I'm Jim Donas, the mayor in Nashville, and I'm here in support of Bill 406 and in support of Senator
• Um, I'm Jim Donas, the mayor in Nashville, and I'm here in support of Bill 406 and in support of Senator
• Um, I'm Jim Donas, the mayor in Nashville, and I'm here in support of Bill 406 and in support of Senator
• And were two in support, 14 opposed.
• </c> people uh in support and one opposed. people uh in support and one opposed.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we've tried to, in tandem, bring incredibly bold public school reforms and support, teacher support
• You know, I would be more than happy to support something innovative as this is after we fully support
• I'm here today in support of SB 2.
• We strongly support SB 2.
• That's why we're in support of SB 2.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 convened with a quorum, adopted its committee rules, and heard opening remarks from members introducing staff and outlining priorities for the session. Several senators emphasized support for public education, teacher pay and safety, parental choice, and the combined K-16 jurisdiction of the committee. The chair also reviewed hearing procedures, including public testimony registration and time limits. The main item was Senate Bill 2, the Texas Education Freedom Act, laid out by Chairman Creighton. He described the bill as an education savings account program intended to expand school choice, with a $200 million universal eligibility pool and an additional $800 million targeted to students with disabilities and lower-income families. He said the bill includes anti-fraud safeguards, criminal background checks for vendors, reporting requirements, data protections, and annual testing for participating students, while not imposing STAAR on private schools or homeschoolers. He also said the bill removes a prior hold-harmless provision for public schools and is separate from public school funding and teacher pay legislation. Members questioned the bill’s income threshold, lottery and priority structure, treatment of homeschoolers, microschools, charter schools, religious freedom protections, citizenship/lawful presence language, cybersecurity, open records, and disability-related issues, including whether 504 students and foster children should be included. Creighton said the bill is designed to prioritize former public school students with disabilities or lower incomes, while also allowing universal eligibility within the program’s first funding tier, and that the Comptroller would oversee vendor screening and cybersecurity rules. He said the bill does not direct curriculum or interfere with religious beliefs and that amendments may be offered later on citizenship and other issues. After member questions, the committee began invited testimony, starting with EdChoice representative Robert Inlow, who testified in support of SB 2 and cited national growth in school choice programs and studies he said show positive effects for students and public schools.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those in support will rise. Division 1. Twenty.
• So I urge you to join me once again in standing with our educators and supporting H. 4361. ...supporting
• Madam Speaker, through you to the members, I rise in support of House Bill 4360.
• Members, I rise in support of House Bill 4360.
• And there's so many people to thank because there are so many supporters in this chamber, supporters

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House began with ceremonial and procedural business, including adoption of resolutions recognizing the National Asian Pacific American Caucus and several orders extending reporting deadlines for committees, all of which were adopted by suspension of the rules. The House also concurred with a Senate petition concerning accidental death benefits for the surviving spouse of a former Boston firefighter, referring it to the Committee on Public Service. The chamber then took up several Ways and Means bills and local matters, including human trafficking recognition training for certain hospitality workers, teacher benefits under the Retirement Plus program, and land/easement measures for Westford, Wellesley, and Bourne. Most of these items were advanced to third reading after amendments were adopted. The House also moved through a series of local bills on the calendar, ordering multiple measures to third reading, including bills related to Watertown digital legal notices, Newton alarm divisions, Springfield property tax assessment, Natick’s charter, Beckett conservation commission membership, and Leicester stabilization funds. Later, the House considered and passed two major bills to be engrossed by roll call vote. H. 4361, relative to benefits for teachers, was supported by members who described it as a long-sought fix to Retirement Plus enrollment problems caused by unclear implementation and communication years ago; it passed 158-0. H. 4360, requiring human trafficking recognition training for certain hospitality workers, also drew strong support from members and advocates emphasizing victim identification, hotel and motel staff training, and anti-trafficking enforcement; an amendment updating the training language was adopted, and the bill likewise passed 158-0. The House then recessed until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Green cards are in support.
• I like to see the support here. Before we go there, Mr.
• Here in support, if it can provide some information if needed.
• We have also here in support, provide information if requested.
• Aaron Abert, present in support, not wishing to speak.

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Summary: The committee met on March 31 with a quorum present and heard three bills by Representative Bacala. House Bill 205 sought to increase compensation for election commissioners, with the author and several clerks of court and commissioners testifying that pay had not changed in 19 years despite greater responsibilities, longer hours, and additional training tied to election security and new voting systems. To avoid a state fiscal note, the committee adopted amendment set 2855, which removed the base pay increase and instead allowed parish governing authorities to provide a supplemental payment of up to $100 for commissioners in charge and those who complete instruction. The bill was then reported favorably. House Bill 67 addressed protected information for certain public officials and aligned the rules for clerks of court with those already applied to the Secretary of State’s office. The author described it as a technical correction to prior legislation governing what personal information may be published or removed. Stephen Procopio of PAR raised broader concerns about transparency, possible constitutional issues, and inconsistent treatment of information depending on the source, suggesting the law may need a larger review. The committee did not amend the bill and reported it favorably. House Bill 73 would allow local public bodies to vote by electronic voting machine, so long as the vote is publicly displayed, instead of being limited to voice votes. Bacala said the change was intended to clarify that electronic in-place voting is permissible and does not affect quorum, proxy voting, or remote participation. Representatives asked about whether members and the public must be able to see the vote and whether the bill changed existing procedures; the author said it did not. Support came from local government associations, and the bill was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's my honor to be here to support her today. support her today.
• each other in ways that you need to be supported as a cabinet secretary.
• I love John, a good guy, but I'm very excited to support you on the Senate floor.
• I'm in full support, and I want to thank you both for being here.
• It looks like, Representative, you've had unanimous support in the House.

Committee: Senate Senate Rules

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I very much hope and I ask for your support. Thank you.
• In support, raise your hand. Is there anyone here in opposition? Oh, okay.
• Both organizations support this legislation. This bill addresses our workforce.
• So I support this bill. Thank you. Thank you, Representative.
• funding supports all apprenticeship programs.

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The House Labor, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee met to hear House Bill 7, sponsored by Representative Garrett and Representative Cates, which would continue and support apprenticeship and workforce training funding. The sponsors and the Department of Workforce Solutions described strong growth in apprenticeship participation, especially in the building trades, and said the fund has helped expand programs while maintaining high retention and employment outcomes. They emphasized that the bill would provide predictable, sustained investment in skilled labor needed for construction, infrastructure, and other growing sectors. Supportive testimony came from contractors, chambers of commerce, trade unions, and a small business owner, all of whom said apprenticeship funding is essential to meeting workforce shortages and keeping workers in New Mexico. Committee members asked about program demographics, geographic distribution, rural participation, reentry and high school dropout data, and how apprenticeships connect to displaced workers from energy and industrial closures. The secretary explained that the department uses Rapid Response and economic transition programs for layoffs and closures, and also surveys current energy workers to gauge retraining interest. Several members praised the bill’s return on investment and retention of workers in the state, while Representative de Rassas suggested adding more public transparency and performance metrics. Representative Ortiz asked about future funding after 2031 and whether the program could scale with more money. After discussion, Representative Hall moved a do pass, Representative de Rassas seconded, and the committee approved House Bill 7 with no opposition. The chair also announced upcoming committee meetings and asked members to consent to sharing contact information for committee purposes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Excluded from participating in these secure family supporting jobs. At the same time.
• Now more than ever, we must celebrate and support the work of unions in supporting workers and bringing
• Speaker I rise in strong support of ACR 28.
• I today, to support, I stand in support of ACR 28.
• I respectfully ask for your aye vote and support of HR 13.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Cobalt says leaves the state every year. decision support tools that help forest decision support tools
• MAFA supports that as well.
• MAFA supports that as well. students. MAFA supports that as well.
• </c> through support of our funding request. through support of our funding request.
• </c> all those technical support. all those technical support.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 20 January, 2026; 2:30 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of It's an honor for me to be here today with all
• That promise becomes a sacred duty, one that extends beyond the initial outpouring of support.
• So I ask from my really heart that you support both bills. Thank you. Thank you, Representative.
• I just want to express my full support for that bill.
• I just want to express my full support for that bill.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Transportation

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held a hybrid hearing on 31 bills covering driver privacy and data, distinctive license plates, public awareness signage, railroad safety, superload permitting, TNC/delivery data reporting, and MBTA safety measures. Chairs Jim Arciero and Brendan Crighton outlined the hearing process, and the committee heard testimony from state officials, advocates, family members of fallen officers and firefighters, transportation industry representatives, civil liberties groups, and others. No votes were taken during the hearing itself, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn. Several speakers supported bills creating a Blue Star Family license plate to honor families of fallen law enforcement officers, and a separate motorcycle plate for fallen firefighters. Colonel Jeffrey Noble and others from the Healey-Driscoll Administration and law enforcement groups said the plates would complement existing memorial practices and provide a lasting public tribute. Family members of officers killed in the line of duty gave emotional testimony in support, and Representative Steve Ultrino and Paul Jakes backed the firefighter memorial motorcycle plate as revenue-neutral, with proceeds supporting the fallen firefighter memorial. The committee also heard testimony on transportation policy and safety bills. Industry witnesses urged modernization of Massachusetts superload permitting rules, saying current requirements are slower and more expensive than neighboring states and delay public projects. Advocates supported a human trafficking awareness bill requiring hotline signage in transit facilities, a driver privacy bill limiting automatic license plate reader data retention and sharing, and a bill requiring two-person crews on freight trains and other railroad safety measures such as hotbox detectors and transportation for railroad employees. Senator John Keenan also testified for expanded naloxone availability in MBTA stations and said the MBTA had not fully complied with prior legislative directives.

Transcript Highlights:

• They both amend existing grants, one for federal and one for state funding, and these are in support
• Justin Vint, Deputy Director, Communications and Support. Thank you for being here.
• This is for in-home services and transitional support for young adults.
• This is for the independent assessment and support program.
• Contracts 68 and 69 are both with DFA Child Support Enforcement.

Committee: All ALC-REVIEW

Summary: The committee met to review a supplemental agenda, procurement rule revisions, methods of finance, discretionary grants, contracts, and a member disclosure. The Office of State Procurement presented rule changes tied to 2025 legislative changes, including Act 782, with updates to sole-source definitions, unrealistic bids, protest requirements, debarment procedures, and recodification references; the committee voted to accept the supplemental agenda and approve the rules. Members also approved eight methods of finance covering university repairs, equipment replacement, property purchase, and capital projects, along with a large slate of discretionary grants for courts, health, DHS, historic preservation, and tobacco prevention programs. The committee then reviewed RFQs and six ratifications. The ratifications included a Workforce Connections payment to ACT WorkKeys, Department of Health costs from an ice-storm-related water leak, a large Department of Public Safety ratification for Motorola’s Arkansas Wireless Information Network upgrade, Veterans Affairs HVAC and medical-service payments, and a UA Little Rock painting contract. The Department of Public Safety ratification drew extended questioning about why the expired Motorola contract had not been renewed sooner and why the issue took months to reach the committee; agency officials said the project was bond-funded, had not been tracked in ASIS, and involved ongoing negotiations and system updates. Despite concerns, the committee approved the ratifications. Members also reviewed a long list of construction, intergovernmental, out-of-state, and in-state contracts, including numerous university, DHS, health, corrections, and state agency agreements. Several contracts were discussed in more detail, including an SAU custodial contract question about sales tax and transparency reporting, and Department of Corrections aerial application contracts for Tucker and Cummins farms, which officials said served separate facilities in different parts of the state. The committee approved the contract lists, reviewed reports, and accepted a disclosure from Representative Andrew Collins regarding his investment interest in a company leasing property to Arkansas Rehabilitation Services before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• That has just so that they could get supports, support with parenting if they were young parents.
• We support reunification when it's safe, We support reunification when it's safe, but there must be a
• And I am speaking in support of. years, a police officer 417, and I am speaking in support of Bill 776
• I will be supporting the motion.
• I will be supporting the motion.

Summary: The House Health and Welfare Committee approved the minutes from March 4, 6, and 11, 2026, and then heard Senate Bill 1256, a DOGE Task Force code cleanup measure requested by the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired to remove outdated statutory language about a 1990 report. The committee advanced SB 1256 to the floor with a due pass recommendation without opposition. The committee then took up House Bill 776, which would require the Department of Health and Welfare to rapidly verify and prioritize reports involving newborns and infants under one year old when there is a documented high-risk history, such as prior child abuse convictions, prior termination of parental rights, or prenatal substance exposure. Representative Tanner and multiple supporters framed the bill as a response to the death of “Baby Benji,” arguing it would not automatically remove children but would ensure quicker safety checks and better coordination with CPS, hospitals, and law enforcement. Several witnesses, including a hospital social worker, foster and adoptive parents, a psychologist, a police officer, and the child’s adoptive sibling’s mother, described delayed responses and said the bill could prevent future deaths. Opponents, including several committee members during debate, raised constitutional and due process concerns, arguing the bill could expand government authority, rely on prior history in a way they viewed as problematic, or amount to a reaction to a single tragic case. Supporters responded that the bill only speeds up existing child welfare procedures and does not authorize forced entry or automatic removal. After discussion, the committee adopted the motion to send HB 776 to the floor with a do pass recommendation by roll call vote of 12-4-4.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those in support, if you are on Zoom in support and would like to speak, raise your hand in the room.
• I'm here in support of HB 278.
• I hope you all vote in support of this bill and continue to support the behavioral health reform efforts
• We stand in strong support of House Bill 287.
• Clearly I'm super supportive of this.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• supportive of the priorities of our laboratory, and that showed up in a lot of very positive ways.
• We are directly supporting that through funding from the U.S. Army.
• They selected five companies, and we're working with those five companies as well to support And they
• So our site now Like that—important functions that support these tests.
• “And is there available workforce to support that?

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from January 14 and January 28. It then considered RS 3-2904, a bill from the DOGE Committee to remove 19 obsolete code sections, including provisions related to hazardous waste facility siting and the Big Payette Lake Water Quality Act. The sponsor urged the committee to print the bill so members could review possible unintended consequences, including whether the changes would shift responsibilities or reduce public testimony. After a question about Department of Environmental Quality involvement, the committee voted to introduce RS 3-2904. The remainder of the meeting was a presentation by Dr. John Wagner, director of Idaho National Laboratory, on energy dominance and security through research, development, and demonstration. He described INL’s role in nuclear energy, critical infrastructure security, and critical minerals, and said the current federal administration has accelerated nuclear policy through executive orders aimed at expanding reactor deployment, reforming NRC processes, and supporting advanced reactor testing. He highlighted INL’s work with private companies on small modular reactors, microreactors, fuel fabrication, and used nuclear fuel research, including projects tied to AI/data center power demand and Department of War applications. Members asked about used fuel storage, Idaho’s potential role in nuclear recycling and reactor development, transmission and water constraints, public acceptance, and the timeline for deployment. Wagner said Idaho’s advantage lies in its expertise, existing infrastructure, and a regulatory environment that provides certainty, while noting that transmission, water use, and workforce remain key issues. He also said the legislature can help by signaling receptiveness, clarifying policy, and supporting infrastructure and workforce development. The committee took no further action after the presentation and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• supportive of the priorities of our laboratory, and that showed up in a lot of very positive ways.
• We are directly supporting that through funding from the U.S. Army.
• They selected five companies, and we're working with those five companies as well to support And they
• As I said, we've had strong support in the past, but still, for various reasons, the schedules would
• And is there available workforce to support that?

Committee: House Environment, Energy and Technology

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Water First project, which we do support. We support the project. We need this project.
• Alex is waving in support.
• So I ask you for favorable support.
• Campbell, the second, waiving in support. Thank you so much for being here today.
• Christian Camera, waving in support from the Consumer Technology Association.

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources met with a quorum present and took up several environmental bills and one confirmation. First, the committee considered SB 1422 on surface waters, which was amended with a strike-all focused on coral reef protection and designation of coral reefs as critical natural infrastructure. Senator Garcia described the amendment as a way to support restoration, disaster resilience, and access to federal funding; Audubon Florida waived in support. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported CS for SB 1422 favorably. The committee next considered SPB 7034, a DEP rule ratification concerning the Lower Santa Fe and Ichetucknee River minimum flows and levels and recovery strategy. Senator Rodriguez explained the rule would replace prior MFLs and allow longer permits, while opponents from the Florida Springs Council and local river advocates argued the plan relies too heavily on one future wastewater reuse project, delays restoration, and lacks a clear funding source. DEP and JEA waived in support. After debate, the committee approved the motion to submit the proposal as a committee bill; the measure was favorably reported, with Senator Smith voting no. The committee then heard SB 1510 on DEP-related matters, as amended. The strike-all addressed Outstanding Florida Springs B-MAP mediation plans, septic system upgrades where sewer is unavailable, rural cost-share eligibility, notice to property owners, rulemaking procedures, and land acquisition governance, while removing biosolids and fee provisions. Florida Springs Council opposed the 60-day delay for B-MAP effectiveness, saying it could slow restoration and allow more conventional septic systems to be installed before stricter requirements take effect. DEP and others supported the bill. The committee reported CS for SB 1510 favorably. It also heard SB 1196 on waste facilities, which would prohibit new ash-producing incinerators and waste-to-energy facilities within two miles of certain federally authorized water impoundment areas, with an amendment narrowing the bill to Miami-Dade and Broward County. Supporters, including the City of Miramar, said it would protect water resources and Everglades restoration; opponents from the Florida Waste-to-Energy Coalition warned it would limit local solid waste options and could force more landfilling. The committee adopted the amendment and reported CS for SB 1196 favorably. Finally, the committee considered SB 912 on battery collection and recovery, establishing a battery stewardship program and requiring producers and retailers to join a stewardship organization by 2028. Supporters from the battery industry and recycling sector said the bill would reduce fires and keep batteries out of the waste stream. The committee adopted the amendment and reported CS for SB 912 favorably. The committee also recommended confirmation of Gary Jennings to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, and then adjourned.