Transcript Highlights:

• The main ones are China and Russia, but China is the primary.

Committee: House Commerce and Human Resources

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of anesthesia care in the Veterans Administration and the United States military, and they're the primary

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:

• I am the primary sponsor and I have filed the proper paperwork to do so. >> Objection. So ordered.

Keywords: Video Starts 00:00 Convene 06:52 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 11:30 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 12:27 Adjournment 23:47, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• responsibility from the Council on Postsecondary Education, in collaboration with EPSB, to EPSB as the primary

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Postsecondary Education Committee met and first considered House Bill 251, a cleanup bill related to the Kentucky numeracy counts law. Rep. Emily Callaway and staff explained that the bill shifts responsibility for evaluating education preparation programs and reporting to LRC from the Council on Postsecondary Education, in collaboration with EPSB, to EPSB as the primary party, aligning it with EPSB’s oversight role. The committee had no questions, adopted the motion, and passed HB 251 with favorable expression to the House floor. The committee then took up House Bill 263, relating to the student teaching stipend program, along with a committee substitute that merged in language from House Bill 181. KHEAA explained that the substitute removes the outdated term “expected family contribution” from state student aid statutes because of federal FAFSA changes. Rep. Banta said HB 263 is a cleanup measure to clarify that student teaching stipends are not financial aid, allowing institutions to distribute the stipends properly and easing administration for KHEAA. Joe Carol Ellis said the program is in its first year, with about 450 student teachers served in the fall and an expected 800 in the spring. The committee adopted the committee substitute by voice vote, then passed HB 263 with favorable expression as amended. Members also approved a title amendment changing the bill title to “An Act relating to teacher scholarships.” Chair Tipton noted the meeting was unusually brief and concluded after asking if there was any further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Investments in clean transportation, in affordable energy, investments in open...
• Choi, would you like to make some opening comments? Thank you.
• to us about. open spaces that you've experienced and talked to us about.
• All of the items that we've discussed today will be left open. That's right.
• They will be left open, not on call because we haven't taken a vote.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Resources, Environmental Protection, and Energy convened for its first hearing and heard an overview from the Legislative Analyst’s Office and the Natural Resources Agency. The LAO emphasized California’s strong current revenues but warned of a structural budget problem, projected out-year deficits, and the need for a high bar on new spending. It generally supported the administration’s Proposition 4 spending plan as reasonable and consistent with bond requirements, while urging legislative oversight and caution about using special funds and adding ongoing commitments. Secretary Wade Crowfoot responded with an overview of climate, wildfire, water, coastal, and conservation challenges and highlighted progress under the Newsom administration, including clean energy growth, wildfire resilience investments, land conservation, tribal co-management, and outdoor access initiatives. He also discussed federal staffing cuts affecting California’s response capacity and said the state has had to fill gaps in flood forecasting, land management, and park access. Members then questioned the secretary about the Delta conveyance tunnel and broader water reliability issues. Crowfoot said the project remains important, is being pursued as a beneficiary-pays project, and is moving through the State Water Resources Control Board’s permitting process, while also stressing that it is only one part of a broader water strategy that includes levee strengthening, subsidence, groundwater storage, recycling, and conservation. Senators also raised concerns about permitting delays, invasive species, and the impact of position cuts on agency capacity; Crowfoot said streamlining is needed but that staffing remains essential. The committee then moved to the Department of Parks and Recreation, where Director Armando Quintero described the state park system, tribal agreements, wildfire and deferred maintenance work, and outdoor access programs such as the State Library Park Pass and Adventure Pass. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposed ongoing $6.75 million General Fund transfer for the library park pass, arguing it did not meet the high bar for new ongoing spending, but several senators strongly supported the program as a low-cost way to expand access. Members also pressed Parks on reservation system problems and campsite no-shows. Department staff said they are updating website guidance, working with the reservation vendor, and implementing new no-show and reservation-modification rules effective July 1, including penalties for repeated no-shows and immediate reopening of vacant sites. The committee then heard a low-cost accommodations proposal, which Parks said would fund planning and construction at several sites using Proposition 68, reimbursements, and donations; the LAO said it had no concerns. Finally, the new director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife, Megan Hurdle, introduced herself and outlined the department’s mission, staffing, service-based budgeting, and Proposition 4 requests, including funding for salmon genetic tagging, hatchery repairs, and public access improvements. She said the department is focused on biodiversity, permitting streamlining, law enforcement, and human-wildlife conflict prevention, and noted that the agency is still updating its service-based budgeting analysis to identify gaps and priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• Investments in clean transportation, in affordable energy, investments in open...
• Choi, would you like to make some opening comments? Thank you.
• We also opened Dos Rios State Park in 2023, and that is the first California State Park to be opened
• And if they say they're not coming, we will open it up immediately for reservation.
• They will be left open, not on call, because we haven't taken a vote.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, it feels like open hunting season on Jewish Americans.
• </c><00:26:08.400><c> on</c><00:26:08.720><c> Jewish</c> like open hunting season on Jewish like open
• Federal agencies are simply not doing enough to open the doors for small businesses to compete.
• </c> investor or family money can still open investor or family money can still open up<04:03:38.840>
• Demographics, which is the primary driver of our debt, is not Democrat or Republican.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Within just a few weeks of receiving counseling services, Sam began to open up about the pressures he
• Within just a few weeks of receiving counseling services, Sam began to open up about the pressures he
• Within just a few weeks of receiving counseling services, Sam began to open up about the pressures he
• Within just a few weeks of receiving counseling services, Sam began to open up about the pressures he
• Within just a few weeks of receiving counseling services, Sam began to open up about the pressures he

Bills: HF984 , HF921 , HF922

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: education funding, nonpublic schools, counseling services, guidance services, transportation for students, HF921, tax increment financing, TIF, excess tax increment, school district aid, levy adjustment, property tax levy, education finance, Minnesota education aid, decertification, local government finance, school funding formula, state aid reduction, referendum equalization aid, debt service equalization

Transcript Highlights:

• We are a loser in open enrollment.
• The open enrollment dilemma, I think, is something that many school districts face.
• We are a loser in open enrollment.
• We are a loser in open enrollment.
• We are a loser in open enrollment.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But one of the primary functions is the allocation of funding that supports interagency projects and
• But one of the primary functions is the allocation of funding that supports interagency projects and
• Let me get this open. biocurity as we're transitioning just biocurity as we're transitioning just for
• </c><00:22:19.240><c> up</c> Agriculture speaks then we will open up Agriculture speaks then we will
• We do want to make sure we let the committees know that we're opening up to all presenters now before

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint House and Senate agriculture committees met on January 17, 2025, for an informational briefing on biosecurity and invasive species; Chair Kahaloa opened by noting there would be no public testimony. Members introduced themselves, and the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council (HISC) program manager Chelsea Arnot outlined the purpose of the briefing and the statewide impacts of invasive species, citing examples such as coconut rhinoceros beetle, little fire ant, coquí frogs, albizia, and mosquito-borne disease. She emphasized that biosecurity requires coordinated action across state departments, counties, federal agencies, universities, and communities, and highlighted HISC’s role in funding interagency projects, island invasive species committees, research, outreach, and early detection efforts. Arnot and HISC representatives described major funding and program needs, including a requested $4.25 million increase to HISC to raise its baseline budget to $10 million, support island committee operations, research, biocontrol, marine biosecurity, surveillance, and staffing. They also requested $500,000 for the Hawaiʻi Ant Lab, saying it is critical to invasive ant research and little fire ant response. The briefing also noted HISC’s leverage of federal dollars, including a $4.6 million REPI award with HISC providing the match, and cited successful collaborative eradications and responses, including veiled chameleons on Maui, axis deer on Hawaiʻi Island, and a 2023 coconut rhinoceros beetle response on Maui that prevented further spread. Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture officials then discussed implementation of updated administrative rules effective January 20, 2025, which permanently restrict movement of coconut rhinoceros beetle host material and give the department stronger authority to stop movement of infested material. They reported 2024 import activity of about 50,000 ship and aircraft arrivals, inspection/clearance of 20 million pieces, and 16,000 interceptions, with additional staffing from Act 231 expected to increase interceptions. They also described Act 231 funding and current spending status: about 65% obligated and 52% encumbered, with some funds tied to contracts for CRB and little fire ant response, plus an $800,000 green-waste hauling RFP that had to be reissued because of a flaw. The department said 580 Oʻahu homes and 290 Hawaiʻi Island homes are slated for little fire ant treatment, while Maui and Kauaʻi will focus on survey and outreach. Members questioned how homes are selected for subsidized treatment, whether HISC and the island invasive species committees received Act 231 support, and whether the state should direct how contracted funds are prioritized. Representative Martin raised concerns that the RFP limited eligibility to private pest control companies and excluded more experienced entities such as the Hawaiʻi Ant Lab. Department officials said they would follow up on prioritization and funding details, and noted that emergency proclamations and procurement flexibility could help with rapid response and hiring during invasive species emergencies.

Transcript Highlights:

• So with that subset of kids, that's the primary issue for those kids, and when you get into those that
• So with that subset of kids, that's the primary issue for those kids, and when you get into those that
• So with that subset of kids, that's the primary issue for those kids, and when you get into those that
• So with that subset of kids, that's the primary issue for those kids, and when you get into those that
• So with that subset of kids, that's the primary issue for those kids, and when you get into those that

Keywords: 00:00:00 Introductions 00:00:22 Roll Call 00:01:56 Discussion on SB 85 00:14:03 Vote on SB 85 00:16:15 Explanation of Agency Amendment 00:19:04 Voice Vote on Amendment 00:19:33 Discussion on Kentucky Foster Children Housing, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 85, sponsored by Senator Meredith, which would move the Office of the Ombudsman from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to the State Auditor’s office and make related cleanup changes. Meredith said the bill grew out of a prior task force and a two-year transition from Senate Bill 48, and he argued the move would create independence, improve access to the ITWIST database, ensure complaints are not lost in the handoff, and add confidentiality protections for whistleblowers. Auditor Allison Ball and her staff said the bill would codify access and procedures after earlier disputes and a court-mediated settlement, and they described the measure as necessary to make the new structure work effectively. Members asked how the Ombudsman would handle complaints and verify services in cases involving waiver recipients and other cabinet services. Ball and her staff said the Ombudsman would investigate complaints, make inquiries, and provide accountability outside the cabinet structure, with timelines and procedures similar to the Auditor’s office. The committee also discussed staffing and whether the office would need more personnel; Ball said the office already had about 100 people but could use more. The bill passed 10-0 with favorable expression. The committee then approved an agency amendment to administrative regulation 922 KAR 1:001490 concerning foster parent background checks. Cabinet staff explained the amendment corrected a drafting error by removing references to civil determinations in a second section of the regulation because the system cannot search those determinations, while still allowing the required checks under state and federal law. Senator Herron asked what a civil determination meant, and staff said it could involve a court finding in a custody or abuse case, though such findings are now typically handled through the child abuse and neglect registry. The amendment was adopted. Afterward, the committee began a discussion on Kentucky foster children housing and related issues. Ball and Ombudsman staff presented a preliminary assessment of children placed in office buildings, saying the review covered 49 children placed over a four-month period and showed a different picture than the public narrative of only older, high-acuity youth. They reported that some children had no documented behavioral or disability issues, many came directly from home, the average age was 13, the average stay was four nights, and placements were spread across several regions rather than centered only in Louisville. Members raised concerns about the lack of formal policies and procedures, staff safety, and how to ensure children are treated appropriately, and Ball said the Ombudsman was continuing a deeper review. No final action was taken on that discussion in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We opened up relations.
• We opened up relations.
• We opened up relations.
• We opened up relations.
• We opened up relations.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• saying, hey, we're really focusing this on the families who need it the most, like you said in your opening
• saying, hey, we're really focusing this on the families who need it the most, like you said in your opening
• Representative Gomez: Opening remarks: no body making a million dollars in income a year or many millions
• So, um, I guess it's sort of, you know, open to interpretation.
• So I'm just going to repeat my closing paragraph that I did on the opening because I think it really

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Any technical question to the non-partisan staff before we open up for public testimony?
• Any technical question to the non-partisan staff before we open up for public testimony?
• Any technical question to the non-partisan staff before we open up for public testimony? All right.
• It's also open to the public, so anyone can attend these meetings to kind of see what's going on.
• It's also open to the public, so anyone can attend these meetings to kind of see what's going on.

Bills: HF4207 , HF4338

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: housing aid, local housing trust, funding projects, income provisions, technical changes, 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

Transcript Highlights:

• It will open in April, and we'll have both a multifamily consolidated RFP as well as a single-family
• It will open in April, and we'll have both a multifamily consolidated RFP as well as a single-family
• He said he would yield the rest of his time to his testifiers and be open for questions later.
• He said he would yield the rest of his time to his testifiers and be open for questions later.
• He said he would yield the rest of his time to his testifiers and be open for questions later.

Bills: HF2148 , HF2693 , HF2542 , HF1141 , HF1770 , HF1489 , HF1709 , HF244 , HF1266 , HF807 , HF2619 , HF1340

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: affordable housing, local control, revolving loan fund, community partnerships, Minnesota housing policy, housing, locally controlled housing, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, housing infrastructure bonds, state bonds, bonding bill, supportive housing, permanent supportive housing, homelessness, veterans housing, senior housing, manufactured home parks, community land trust, single-family housing, multifamily housing

Transcript Highlights:

• Clerk, will you open the roll?
• A clerk will open the roll.
• Clerk, will you open the roll?
• Clerk, will open the roll.
• Clerk, please open the roll.

Bills: SJR47 , SB1491 , SB1579 , SB1806 , SB1552 , SB483 , SB63 , SB137 , SB346 , SB514 , SB1344 , SB1360 , SB1380 , SB1437 , SB1189 , SB1217 , SB1221 , SB1262 , SB1272 , SB1325 , SB1339 , SB201

Keywords: voter ID, elections, constitutional amendment, Oklahoma, proof of identity, presidential electors, vacancies, oath of office, political party, property tax, valuation increase, taxpayer rights, homestead, protest process, foster care, adoption assistance, transitioning youth, Department of Human Services, voluntary services, county home rule charter

Transcript Highlights:

• Voting stations are open for 30 button. Voting stations are open for 30 seconds.
• Voting stations are open for 30 button. Voting stations are open for 30 seconds.
• Voting stations are open for 30 seconds. Voting stations are open for 30 seconds.
• Voting stations are open for 30 button. Voting stations are open for 30 seconds.
• </c> reading open to further amendment. reading open to further amendment.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But we also do have openings... It's how it was before.
• We have really some openings throughout the department.
• So with that, I'll open it up to questions. Okay.
• And so you can't do it in open waters.
• I said, in my opening, we're working with C&E.

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee first heard the FY27 executive budget review for Louisiana Economic Development (LED). House Fiscal outlined a $59.4 million LED budget, with major funding from state general fund, self-generated revenue, federal funds, and a marketing dedication, and explained reductions tied largely to the removal of one-time funding and carryforwards. The Secretary highlighted recent economic development results, including major capital investment announcements, job creation, the high-impact jobs program, Louisiana Fast Sites, and efforts to support existing businesses and small business growth. Members repeatedly asked for clearer public-facing materials on the tax and economic benefits of incentives, the use of the entertainment development fund, the structure of the high-impact jobs and Fast Sites programs, and how LED competes with other states. LED also discussed its Storyteller Initiative, regional project distribution, and the role of major events and film-related incentives. The committee then reviewed Louisiana Works’ FY27 budget of $352.7 million. Staff explained that the budget is driven mainly by federal funds and statutory dedications, with changes largely attributable to the One Door to Work Act and the transfer of workforce functions and positions into the department. The Secretary noted a planned $5 million move for the Louisiana STEM Council and a small request for elevator repairs, and members discussed the unemployment insurance trust fund’s improved balance, which lowered employer tax rates and increased benefits. Questions focused on workforce shortages, coordination with LCTCS and other training partners, the new Louisiana Talent Accelerator and workforce modernization efforts, the need for marketing to attract workers back to Louisiana, and remaining gaps in funding for rehabilitation services and disability employment programs. Finally, the committee took up the Department of Conservation and Energy’s FY27 budget of $201.3 million. Staff described decreases tied to the end of the Solar for All grant, lower orphan well spending as prior balances were drawn down, and reductions in some one-time funding and interagency transfers. The Secretary said the department’s reorganization is now largely complete and emphasized a focus on eliminating duplicative functions, strengthening enforcement and permitting, and using available funds more efficiently. Members questioned the reduction in orphan well funding, the impact of the Solar for All repeal, the use of settlement dollars, and the department’s plans for AI-assisted permitting and modernization of the Sunrise database. They also discussed ongoing work on seismic activity in Red River Parish, commercial fishermen’s claims for gear damaged by energy infrastructure, and efforts to improve financial security requirements for operators so future orphan well liabilities are better covered.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, open the meeting with of uh Finance Division 2 and welcome the folks from UN Division 2 and please
• maybe in the fall will also be opening maybe in the fall it's<00:29:40.360><c> the</c><00:29:40.519>
• Keene State has, through some federal support, just opened a Diamond Turning Optics manufacturing lab
• </c> some federal support has um just opened some federal support has um just opened a<00:37:48.720><
• We have vacancies that are open right now. We're filling one of them.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from the University System of New Hampshire chancellor on the system’s budget, enrollment, finances, workforce role, and response to federal policy changes. The chancellor said the governor’s recommended budget would reduce university system funding by about $16.5 million over the biennium, or roughly 8.3%, and asked that state funding be held at the governor’s level. She described planned cost reductions already underway, including lower headcount, reduced benefits and retirement contributions, property sales, and lease reductions, and said the system expects to remove about $20 million from its cost structure in fiscal year 2026. A large portion of the discussion focused on enrollment and finances. The chancellor said fall 2024 enrollment was about 23,000, with New Hampshire enrollment increasing for the first time since 2013, and noted that the system remains a major workforce pipeline, with about 3,000 graduates entering the state workforce each year. She explained that net tuition has fallen over time because of declining enrollment and increased financial aid, while research grants and contracts have grown significantly. She also walked through endowment funding, explaining that payouts are based on a 12-quarter rolling average and are intentionally smoothed to reduce volatility; members asked for follow-up information on payout comparisons, administrative salaries, headcounts, and compensation per student. Members questioned the university about the relationship between state support, tuition, endowments, and research spending. The chancellor said the system has used state capital support to leverage major investments, including the UNH Life Sciences building, Plymouth’s Hyde Hall, and the Olson Advanced Manufacturing Center, and described partnerships with businesses such as Lonza and regional manufacturers. She also explained a long-running New Hampshire 529-related revenue stream that has built endowment support for scholarships, and said the system’s endowment now totals about $988 million. In response to questions about possible cuts, she said the system is considering academic program sharing, consolidation of specialties, online delivery, AI-assisted administrative efficiencies, and footprint reductions, but declined to name specific programs. The committee also discussed DEI-related issues and federal grants. The chancellor said the system is reviewing executive orders and a U.S. Department of Education Dear Colleague letter, and that general counsel is working through websites, programs, and more than 1,200 federal grants to ensure compliance. She said the system spends about $3 million on what it calls DEI-related offices and services, but emphasized that these services include disability support, veteran support, Title IX, ADA, and employment-law compliance, and that the system does not have race-based programs, separate housing, or separate graduation ceremonies. She reported that the system had received stop-work orders on four federal grants totaling about $700,000 and warned that reductions in federal direct or indirect costs could affect research, jobs, and innovation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, many parties are aware of the proposal and most seem to be neutral or open to the adjustment.
• </c> or open to the adjustment. or open to the adjustment.
• Allowing heavier trucks changes the economics of freight movement, advantaging our primary competitor
• Allowing heavier trucks changes the economics of freight movement, advantaging our primary competitor
• Allowing heavier trucks changes the economics of freight movement, advantaging our primary competitor

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house