Transcript Highlights:

• So now students... ...enrollment. We add that as a criteria for the three.
• So now a student can have either two or three: the GPA, the ACT, or dual enrollment credits.
• So, yeah, the part-time piece is, you know, a lot of the students that go to the community technical
• So, yeah, the part-time piece is, you know, a lot of the students that go to the community technical
• But that's where a lot of the students take, you know, a little bit longer to take the classes and so

Committee: Senate Finance

Summary: The Finance Committee met on May 27, 2026, with six members present and took up a series of House bills, most of them dealing with education funding, criminal justice staffing, transportation, health care access, and economic development. HB 325 was reported favorably after testimony that it would expand TOPS eligibility by allowing dual-enrollment credits to satisfy eligibility criteria and by making part-time students eligible for TOPS Tech, with supporters saying the program has been underused and the change would help working students. HB 719 was amended and reported favorably to increase assistant district attorney positions in various judicial districts; the Louisiana District Attorneys Association said the changes were based on workload data and local input, and members discussed the need to coordinate any expansion with public defender funding. The committee also reported HB 749 favorably, which would move Louisiana’s 529 savings accounts to a more secure online platform after a cyber incident, and HB 1028 favorably, which concerns transportation reimbursement for providers and was described as already subject to appropriation. Several bills focused on food access and local economic development. HB 1222, the Grocery Initiative Act, was reported favorably to let LED use existing grant resources to map food deserts and develop a program, with members noting it could return for funding later if needed. HB 1194 was amended and reported favorably to define food deserts and direct the LSU AgCenter and the Department of Agriculture and Forestry to identify and map them, with authors emphasizing it was a study and not a government-run grocery program. HB 755, which would create IDIQ contracting for architects and engineers on smaller state projects, was reported favorably with no fiscal impact. HB 823, a local diversion pilot for Orleans Parish, was also reported favorably after the fiscal note was revised to remove state impact and reflect only local costs. The committee spent substantial time on HB 488, a proposal from Plaquemines Parish to use severance-tax revenue to help buy out a private toll concession on the parish’s bridge. The author and local officials described severe toll burdens, economic harm to local businesses, and what they called an unfair contract, but members noted the bill was not funded and ultimately deferred it without a motion. HB 797, the Bayou Gold/Louisiana Sound Money Act, was amended to make implementation subject to appropriation and then reported favorably. The committee also took up HB 198, which would raise Medicaid reimbursement for ambulatory surgery centers for certain outpatient procedures; after extensive discussion about fiscal notes, access to care, and potential long-term savings, the bill was amended to narrow its scope and make implementation subject to appropriation, then reported favorably as amended. The meeting ended with the chair noting it would be the committee’s last meeting and asking members to spread the word.

Transcript Highlights:

• So now students...
• So now a student can have either two or three: either the GPA, the ACT, or dual enrollment credits.
• So, yeah, the part-time piece is, you know, a lot of the students that go to the community technical
• But that's where a lot of the students take, you know, a little bit longer to take the classes and so
• That's most of the students that go to career and technical college are working, too.

Bills: HB198 , HB325 , HB488 , HB719 , HB749 , HB755 , HB797 , HB823 , HB1028 , HB1194 , HB1222

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: Medicaid, reimbursement, ambulatory surgical centers, gastroenterology, ophthalmology, otolaryngology, healthcare funding, Louisiana Department of Health, surgical procedures, TOPS-Tech, scholarship, education, eligibility, college credit, dual enrollment, state funding, HB 488, Belle Chasse Bridge, Belle Chasse Bridge Merit-Based Special Fund, Plaquemines Parish

Transcript Highlights:

• , Black students, and other students of color feel more comfortable and studies show that they learn
• especially in education so<00:15:35.240><c> that</c><00:15:35.959><c> Latino</c><00:15:36.400><c> students
• ,</c><00:15:36.839><c> black</c><00:15:37.120><c> students,</c> so that Latino students, black students
• , so that Latino students, black students, other<00:15:38.320><c> students</c><00:15:38.680><c> of</c
• ><00:15:38.760><c> color</c> other students of color other students of color feel<00:15:40.320><c> more

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House Republicans announced the formation of the Minnesota Latino Caucus as a sub-caucus of the House Republican Caucus. Chair John Koznick said the group is intended to give Latino conservatives a voice, promote “common sense” and right-of-center policies, and reach Latino communities across Minnesota, especially around affordability, lower taxes, less regulation, and government accountability. Representatives Bedell Duran and Erica Schwartz joined Koznick as founding members and described the caucus as a response to the diversity of Latino communities and the need for representation beyond a single political viewpoint. The members emphasized personal backgrounds and constituent outreach. Koznick discussed his adoption from Colombia and his long involvement with Latino advocacy groups, while Duran and Schwartz spoke about their districts, family histories, and experiences that shaped their politics. They said Latino Minnesotans live throughout the state, work in many fields, and should not be viewed as a monolithic voting bloc. They also highlighted issues such as education, postsecondary achievement, entrepreneurship, public safety, and the economic impact of immigrants and Latinos. In response to questions, the lawmakers said the caucus was not created solely because of recent Latino voting patterns, but they acknowledged Republican gains among Latino voters and said they want to continue competing for Latino support. They also said immigration policy should be clearer and more transparent, while supporting secure borders and reform. Koznick said he has bipartisan relationships with Latino legislators and pointed to support for a Hispanic or Latino art museum in St. Paul as an example of possible cross-party cooperation. No formal votes were taken; the event was a caucus launch and press availability, and the members said they would hold a celebratory kickoff later that evening.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill outlines responsibilities while protecting the ability of schools and students to participate
• I want to thank all of our students who participated in speech and debate here in the state of Florida
• about or had framed in such a way that none of the students ever felt safe talking about it.
• It also has a student loan provision within this bill, but I have an amendment.
• This amendment just removes the engineering student loan assistance program from the bill.

Committee: Senate Fiscal Policy

Summary: The Committee on Fiscal Policy considered a long agenda of bills covering education, health, criminal justice, aging services, labor, and commemorative measures. Among the measures reported favorably were CS/SB 1062 creating Florida Speech and Debate Week and the Florida Debate Initiative; CS/SB 196 and CS/SB 864 establishing and protecting a Uterine Fibroid Research Database; CS/SB 432, as amended, adding restrictions on xylazine and nitrous oxide sales; CS/SB 1630 modernizing aging and disability services and guardianship oversight; SB 1112 on labor pool placement fees and registration; CS/SB 524 revising FDLE and medical examiner provisions; CS/SB 530 updating lottery operations; CS/SB 646 narrowing drug paraphernalia testing equipment exemptions to fentanyl, analogs, and xylazine; SB 676 strengthening animal cruelty penalties and the animal abuser database; CS/SB 1180 creating a recall process for community development district board members; CS/SB 800 increasing penalties for unlicensed engineering practice; CS/SB 1404 creating a memory care specialty license for assisted living facilities; SB 1072 creating an anti-Semitism task force; and CS/SB 1684 and CS/SB 1686 establishing and exempting records for a Parkinson’s Disease Registry. The committee also took up several high-profile commemorative bills. CS/SB 194, designating October 14 as Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance, drew extensive public testimony both for and against, with supporters emphasizing civic engagement and free speech and opponents criticizing Kirk’s rhetoric and the appropriateness of a state honor. The bill was reported favorably after a recorded vote. SB 174, designating Charlie Kirk Memorial Avenue in Miami-Dade County, also drew significant opposition testimony on similar grounds and was reported favorably. A late-file amendment to a related remembrance measure was withdrawn after discussion. Other bills, including the speech and debate, fibroid research, aging services, labor pool, animal cruelty, engineering, memory care, anti-Semitism, and Parkinson’s registry measures, were generally supported by agency, advocacy, or stakeholder testimony and advanced without major opposition. Several bills were amended before passage, including substitute or delete-all amendments on SB 432, SB 524, SB 646, SB 676, SB 1180, SB 800, and SB 1404. The committee repeatedly adopted amendments by voice vote and then reported the bills favorably by recorded roll call. The meeting ended with members requesting to be recorded on specific bills, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you are a student who is a Missouri resident, who is, let me correct myself.
• If you are a student who is a Missouri resident who is, let me correct myself, if you are a student who
• I will say OTC served 173 students last year, and I think someone asked about 173 students last year,
• Fast Track students have a 17% more successful course completion rate above other students, and then
• a retention rate of 25% above other sectors of students.

Committee: House Joint Committee on Rural Economic Development

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and voted several bills do pass. House Bill 2409 was approved 14-0, House Bill 2654 was approved 15-0, and House Bill 2747 was approved after adoption of a House committee amendment and substitute, also by a 14-0 vote. The committee then moved into public hearing on House Bill 1915, which would regulate payment practices in private construction contracts. Representative David Castile, the sponsor, said the bill was intended to ensure timely payment to contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers, limit abusive contract clauses, and require written notice before withholding payment. He emphasized that it was aimed at larger private projects and not owner-occupied residential work. Testimony on HB 1915 was mixed. Supporters, including electrical, mechanical, and subcontractor associations, said delayed payment is common, especially for smaller firms, and argued the bill would improve cash flow and reduce the need for liens. Opponents, including general contractors and home builders, said the bill as filed was too restrictive, especially the seven-day downstream payment deadline and the limits on withholding and termination rights, and warned it could increase costs and burden small builders. Several witnesses said they were working with the sponsor on a committee substitute to more closely mirror Missouri’s public prompt pay law and to clarify the residential exemption. The committee then heard House Bill 2151, which would raise income eligibility limits for the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant from $40,000 to $50,000 for single filers and from $80,000 to $100,000 for joint filers. Representative Travis Wilson said the change was meant to reflect inflation and expand access for adults changing careers, apprentices, and other eligible students. Supporters from community colleges, chambers of commerce, and workforce groups said the program is working well, is budgeted, and helps fill workforce needs; one witness cited strong completion and retention rates among recipients. No opposition was presented, and the hearing concluded with adjournment of the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• So her original idea was to establish a Students and Survivor Grant program for students in school to
• And so her bill, or her idea, won the contest because she wanted to raise awareness so that students
• Representative Robinson: To the sponsor of this amendment saying that this came from students, I think
• out of respect for the students, that should have been filed as its own bill, could have not just here
• So how does it make sense that all of a sudden we're talking so much about free speech of students and

Transcript Highlights:

• She is a student council leader. Uh she was elected student council president last year.
• Uh she She is a student council leader.
• 25:46.400><c> president</c> was elected student council president was elected student council president
• He's a student at Lla High School. So this is my baby. >> I love him.
• He's a student at Lla years old, 61. He's a student at Lla High<00:27:12.799><c> School.

Keywords: House streaming session for Monday, January 19, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These were scholarships that students either decided not to use or maybe they decided to go out of state
• Currently, the state reimburses every IDLA enrollment for public students, private students, and homeschool
• students, $445 per course.
• It would also allow students to use their advanced opportunity funding for elective courses or courses
• There's also situations where we have schools that get their full ADA, so we pay for all of the students

Summary: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee opened its session with roll call, confirmed a quorum, and introduced new co-chairs, members, pages, and legislative staff. Committee leaders emphasized the heavy workload ahead, the role of JFAC as the legislature’s budget-writing committee, and the importance of using LSO staff, impact team analysts, and other resources. Staff then reviewed the committee’s website tools, budget publications, session record, budget highlights, and the 10-week hearing schedule, including upcoming presentations on the governor’s budget, LSO analysis, health insurance costs, the economic outlook, and the first budget hearings. Administrator Lori Wolf of the Division of Financial Management presented Governor Little’s FY 2026 and FY 2027 budget recommendations, describing them as balanced and built around “enduring Idaho values.” She said the budget responds to slower revenue growth and economic uncertainty with early action, including a 3% holdback, vacancy reductions, and one-time transfers of unused balances and interest earnings to the general fund. Major proposed reductions included ongoing cuts across state agencies, no change in employee compensation, higher employee health insurance costs, reductions to Medicaid, changes to virtual school and Idaho Digital Learning Academy funding, and no transfer from the budget stabilization fund. She also outlined support for rural health grants, graduate medical education, and implementation of Medicaid reforms and federal tax conformity beginning January 1, 2026. Committee members questioned the assumptions behind the revenue forecast, the use of one-time funds, the impact of higher health insurance costs on employees, the size and timing of tax conformity, and the proposed cuts to online education and IDLA. Several members raised concerns that the budget relied too heavily on projected revenue and policy changes, while Wolf and co-chair Groh said the budget was intentionally conservative, preserved reserves, and avoided using stabilization funds. No votes were taken during the meeting; the committee concluded after the budget presentation and questions, with plans to continue hearings the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, it was based on the number of students that they had at the time, so it was exceeding what the
• We had students or parents retaining their students from BIE schools to get to district schools.
• Also, what Gallup did They enrolled some virtual students and set up a virtual academy.
• These are all just students in the area.
• The key points are the increase in gross square footage for an enrollment of 824 students.

Committee: House Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force

Transcript Highlights:

• Are the students actually riding the bus?
• Um, are based off of student locations.
• </c> the students actually riding the bus? the students actually riding the bus?
• </c><00:02:26.160><c> Um,</c> these students and where they are.
• Um, these students and where they are.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Education committees heard STR 1117 and SR 98, which urge the Department of Education, Department of Transportation, and Hawaii County to inventory bus stops used by children on Hawaii Island and develop safety improvements. DOE testified that routes are based on student locations, families must register riders, and access is complicated by county roads and privately owned or HOA-managed roads; members noted the need to focus on the most affected areas and on safety rather than just counting stops. The committees recommended both resolutions be passed with amendments, including adding the Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee and technical changes, and both measures were adopted by vote. The Transportation and Culture and the Arts committee then heard several resolutions on international relationships and transportation safety. STR 196/SR 76 supporting broader ties with Norway, STR 197/SR 77 supporting broader ties with Sweden, and STR 195/SR 175 supporting broader ties with Sweden all moved forward; testimony generally favored learning from those countries, and the committee adopted amendments to add collaboration language and, in the Norway measure, a reference to prisons and criminal justice. The committee also heard STR 181/SR 51 on lowering the blood alcohol limit from 0.08 to 0.05; the Hawaii Alcohol Policy Alliance supported the measure and suggested adding flexibility for the DOT director to appoint additional working group members. The committee amended the resolution to broaden the working group and direct it to examine data, impacts, and implementation issues, then adopted it. On later agendas, the committee approved CR 12/SR 8 recognizing International Dark Sky Week with amendments to create a task force on light pollution and dark skies. It also passed CR 180/SR 150, which would have DOT report on commercial tour operator safety and performance, after amending it to clarify the purpose, require online public information, involve the NTSB, and create a transparency/scoring framework. STR 150 on subsidizing waterborne cargo transport was also passed with technical amendments. Finally, STR 222/SR 197 on towing companies having on-site ATMs was amended into a task force proposal led by the Office of Consumer Protection, and the committee adopted that recommendation. In each case, the chair’s recommendation was to pass with amendments or, for one Sweden measure, pass unamended, and the votes were unanimous with no recorded opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• And in addition to that, when they talk to these students, or when they, sorry, when they talk to the
• This leaves students unprotected and exposes the school districts to potential lawsuits.
• Those programs carry with them pretty strict adult-to-student ratio requirements.
• And it's all for the purpose of keeping students safe.
• And so really it's to keep everything on parity and make sure to keep our students safe.

Summary: The committee heard several labor and employment measures. AB 465 would require local public employers, at a union’s request, to negotiate minimum disciplinary and grievance procedures in MOUs, including progressive discipline, just-cause protections, grievance appeal rights, and paid release time for representatives. Supporters, including AFSCME and SEIU, said it would create fairer and more consistent due process protections for local government workers; opponents from county and city groups argued it would impose binding arbitration and rigid discipline rules that could undermine local flexibility and accountability. The bill passed on a 5-0 vote and was re-referred to Appropriations. AB 792 would allow court interpreter bargaining to be consolidated when multiple regions are negotiating at the same time. The author and the California Federation of Interpreters said the change would reduce repeated bargaining, improve efficiency, and help address interpreter recruitment and retention. There was no opposition, but some members questioned whether the proposal would really solve wage and staffing problems; the bill passed 5-0 and was placed on hold. AB 1309, which would improve Cal Fire firefighter compensation by tying salaries more closely to comparable local fire departments, drew strong support from firefighters and no opposition. Members praised Cal Fire’s work and the bill passed 7-0 and was held for add-ons. The committee also approved AJR 8, a resolution urging protection of Social Security and opposing federal cuts or office closures. Supporters said Social Security is essential to seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, and children, and warned that reductions would increase poverty and homelessness. One member objected to naming political figures in the resolution, but the measure still passed 7-0 and was held. AB 1247, which would require contracted-out school classified workers to meet the same training and qualification standards as direct hires and address related retirement contributions, passed 5-2 despite opposition from county superintendents and school administrators who said it would add costs and limit contracting flexibility. Finally, AB 288, which would authorize PERB to act when the NLRB fails to remedy labor claims by a deadline, passed 6-0 with strong union support and no opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have students, and actually I have a son that attends the University of Minnesota Carlson School,
• and a recent attempted carjacking happened with a student, not my son, but a different student, where
• um and actually I have a um a students um and actually I have a um a son<00:07:23.879><c> that</c><00
• not my son but a a with a student not my son but a a different<00:07:37.599><c> student</c><00:07:38.360
• where a bullet went different student where a bullet went through<00:07:39.160><c> his</c><00:07:39.319

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• These students represented Nogales and Southern Arizona with excellence, discipline, and heart.
• These students represented Nogales and Southern Arizona with excellence, discipline, and heart.
• students represented Dogales and students represented Dogales and Southern<00:17:55.039><c> Arizona<
• <01:43:18.320><c> passion</c><01:43:18.639><c> for</c> her students and her passion for her students
• </c><01:52:39.760><c> in</c> century ago to educate young students in century ago to educate young students

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, May 15, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this provision originally passed in 2023 and only allowed students to use the student list in conjunction
• with their student ID.
• </c> only allowed students to use the student only allowed students to use the student list<00:07:47.599
• </c> list in conjunction with their student list in conjunction with their student ID<00:07:49.879><c
• </c> um what has been the draw for students um what has been the draw for students in<01:29:00.199><c

Committee: Senate Elections

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've made college free for students with family income under $80,000.
• hungry in where no student goes hungry in Minnesota.<00:12:18.000><c> We</c><00:12:18.200><c> feed</
• We've delivered rebate checks up to $1,300, putting more money directly into the pockets of students,
• ,</c><00:14:12.400><c> seniors,</c><00:14:12.920><c> and</c> pockets of students, seniors, and pockets
• of students, seniors, and working-class<00:14:13.800><c> families.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, this amendment requires that vocational education and agriculture programs be offered to all students
• This amendment requires that vocational education and agriculture programs be offered to all students
• yearly to ensure students are aware of the benefits of agricultural programs and to gauge student interest
• , inclusive of public charter school students.
• count as 1.2 students and level three special education students.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to 500 or fewer students.
• I actually have to know what I'm assigning my students sometimes, whereas before I used to have them
• I actually have to know what I'm assigning my students. lot harder.
• I actually have to know what I'm assigning my students sometimes.
• I represent the students of Western Washington University, testifying pro on Senate Bill 6171.

Summary: The committee first met in executive session on Senate Bill 5941, which would exempt certain school districts from a Washington State Energy Code requirement for onsite renewable energy systems on large new commercial buildings or additions. The committee adopted Senator Short’s amendment narrowing the eligible school district definition from 1,000 or fewer students to 500 or fewer students, then approved the bill as amended and sent it to the Rules Committee with a do pass recommendation. The committee then held a public hearing on Senate Bill 6171, a proposed substitute addressing emerging large energy use facilities, primarily data centers. Staff explained that the bill would require utilities serving such facilities to adopt tariffs or policies to protect other ratepayers, require long-term contracts and full cost recovery, allow curtailment during emergencies, add reporting and sustainability requirements, create a fee to fund energy assistance, weatherization, and higher education programs, and impose new clean energy and labor-related requirements. The prime sponsor said the bill is intended to protect affordability, reliability, transparency, and the public interest as data center demand grows. Testimony was mixed. Supporters, including community action groups, environmental organizations, some utilities, Ecology, and student representatives, argued the bill would prevent cost shifting, improve transparency, support low-income energy assistance, and help manage grid and climate impacts. Opponents, including data center representatives, public utility district and business groups, and some local government and port officials, said the bill was too prescriptive, could raise costs, threaten competitiveness, duplicate existing utility practices, and interfere with existing CCA/CETA provisions and local flexibility. No vote was taken on SB 6171 during the hearing, and the meeting adjourned after public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• is totally fantastic on this Friday to see you standing here in a tie that I donned as a graduate student
• Winning the NCAA championship, as we heard, 19 students from within this state going on the road, entering
• It is totally fantastic on this Friday of you standing here in a tie that I dawned as a graduate student
• Winning the NCAA championship, as we heard 19 students from within this state, going on the road, entering
• completely agreeing with the remarks we've heard and celebrate a national championship of college students

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the Robert Rives Gymnasium, in honor of Robert Rives' numerous contributions to the school and the student
• know as Gallaudet University in Washington DC, the premier institution for deaf and hard of hearing students
• Rivas believed the sports had a vital role to play in students' growth and confidence.
• And I'm proud to be here today to fulfill his this desire of the administration, faculty, students, and
• My father's sister was a student at TSD, and they met there and married and lived in Laredo and were

Bills: SB 1036 , SB 1566 , SB 1664 , SB 2268 , SCR 5 , SCR 8 , SCR 9 , SCR 32 , SCR 46

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: residential solar, solar retailer, solar salesperson, solar panel sales, solar lease, solar installation, renewable energy, clean energy, consumer protection, deceptive sales, door-to-door solicitation, occupational registration, TDLR, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation, Public Utility Commission, electrical contractor, interconnection, net metering, Truth in Lending Act

Transcript Highlights:

• the Robert Rivas Gymnasium in honor of Robert Rivas' numerous contributions to the school. and the student
• as Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., the premier institution for deaf and hard of hearing students
• Rivas believed that sports had a value... a role to play in students' growth and confidence.
• I'm proud to be here today to fulfill the desire of the administration. administration, faculty, students
• Just as a special note, my uncle and aunt, my father's sister, were students at TSD.

Bills: SB1036 , SB1566 , SB1664 , SB2268 , SCR5 , SCR8 , SCR9 , SCR32 , SCR46

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: residential solar, solar retailer, solar salesperson, solar panel sales, solar lease, solar installation, renewable energy, clean energy, consumer protection, deceptive sales, door-to-door solicitation, occupational registration, TDLR, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation, Public Utility Commission, electrical contractor, interconnection, net metering, Truth in Lending Act