Transcript Highlights:

• For dogs and cats.
• Thank you for that.
• Madam Chair, that's actually what I thought, I know it is very high to take in an equine and care for
• Thank you for that.
• For small communities, we do it for them.

Bills: HM26 , HB243 , HB109

Committee: House House Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources

Keywords: insects, ecosystem, education, public awareness, wildlife conservation, state agency involvement, New Mexico, equine welfare, animal rescue, shelter funding, trust fund, veterinary care, water project fund, water project finance act, New Mexico Finance Authority, water infrastructure, water grants, water loans, regional water planning, water rights adjudication

Transcript Highlights:

• That's what this bill does: it provides hope for patients and families with rare diseases.
• This bill provides hope for patients and families with rare diseases, to safeguard access for these families
• This bill provides<00:39:21.160><c> hope</c><00:39:21.400><c> for</c><00:39:21.560><c> patients</c><00
• :39:22.080><c> and</c><00:39:22.200><c> families</c> provides hope for patients and families provides
• hope for patients and families with<00:39:22.880><c> rare</c><00:39:23.080><c> diseases</c><00:39:24.280

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum, approved the journal, and then proceeded out of order to consider Senate Joint Resolution 20, recognizing April 9, 2026, as Home Education Day in Colorado. Senator Pelton spoke in strong support of home education, describing it as a parent-led choice that benefits students and families. The resolution was adopted on a 30-0 vote, and the current roll was added as co-sponsors. The chamber then took up the consent calendar and passed House Bill 1229, House Bill 1244, and Senate Bill 153. HB 1229, which concerns the human-animal bond as a social determinant of health, drew three no votes from Senators Pelton, Zamora Wilson, and Baeza; the other two measures passed unanimously. The Senate also laid over third reading of bills until Friday, April 10. In Committee of the Whole, senators considered Senate Bill 72, which increases criminal penalties for assaultive conduct involving a motor vehicle and adds causing death with a motor vehicle to criminally negligent homicide. The committee adopted the report and advanced the bill on second reading. Later, the chamber laid over Senate Bill 134 and House Bill 1084 until April 10, and then took up Senate Bill 140, which would exempt certain rare disease and plasma therapies from review by the Prescription Drug Affordability Review Board. Sponsors and supporters argued the bill protects access for patients with rare diseases and prevents harm to treatment development, while opponents said it would weaken the PDAB’s affordability work and was too broad. Senators Weisman and Gonzales spoke against the bill, with Weisman citing concerns about the federal definition used and Gonzales defending the PDAB’s role in lowering drug costs; the debate continued in the transcript without a final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• models, and they would not be available for the state support to pay for that course.
• Fees for all courses not required for graduation shall be at least $100.
• During COVID, for example, our enrollment doubled that year for obvious reasons.
• for fall of '27.
• Perry, for being here.

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 940, which revises Idaho Digital Learning Academy (IDLA) policy and funding. Sponsors Rep. Doug Pickett and Rep. Sonia Galavis walked through the bill’s intent: to preserve IDLA as a gap-filling resource for Idaho students while narrowing access to areas such as credit recovery, dual credit, rural course offerings, graduation-required courses, and overload courses. They also explained provisions limiting K-5/LaunchPad use, excluding private school reimbursement, addressing custom sections, setting course fees, and tying eligibility to students enrolled in schools that are not entirely virtual. The sponsors said the bill’s fiscal note reflects a roughly $13.4 million reduction driven by multiple policy changes, including private school enrollment, driver’s ed, LaunchPad, online-only enrollment, custom sections, and fee offsets. Testimony was split. School administrators and IDLA supporters, including Andy Grover, Craig Woods, Dr. Jeff Simmons, Dr. Jason Moss, Jeff Gee, Catherine Larson, and Quinn Perry, argued that the amendments would sharply reduce access, especially in rural districts, and would make it harder to staff required and elective courses, recover credits, and offer dual credit or other opportunities. They said the custom-section limits and the “not entirely virtual” language would create administrative burdens and restrict flexibility, and several noted that the program is already being cut significantly. Supporters of the bill as written said it is a workable compromise that addresses concerns about custom sections and funding while preserving IDLA’s core mission. Committee members questioned the sponsors and witnesses about the meaning of “not entirely virtual,” the treatment of schools like GEMP Online, how the fee caps work, and how the fiscal note was calculated. After testimony, Senator Cook moved to send House Bill 940 to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation. Senators Carlson and Zito opposed the motion, saying the bill should be amended or that the cuts are too severe, while Senator Ward-Engelking supported the motion despite concerns about the reductions, citing even more problematic intent language in the related appropriation bill. The motion passed, and the bill was sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation; Senators Carlson and Zito were recorded as voting no.

Transcript Highlights:

• But that really doesn't help for planning for juries four months before an election might be.
• So I stand for questions.
• There's a reason for that.
• Last piece of this: we're hoping and believing that this could be the last year that we're asking for
• All right, thank you for doing that. Do we have any speaker for or against the bill?

Bills: SB1317 , SB1655 , SB1656 , SB1751 , SCR1049

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: reentry programs, criminal justice, funding, grants, recidivism, attorney general, jury duty, election worker, Arizona Revised Statutes, temporary appointment, civic duty, family court, professional personnel, parenting time, legal decision-making, evidentiary hearings, child custody, ethical standards, capital punishment, death penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• two purposes and two hopes, really: one, of spurring new economic recovery for the region and the town
• international the for for Canada we for international the for for Canada we see statewide about 600,000
• And Black History Month, which is typically a high-revenue-driving month for us, we saw a drop of 80%
• Thank you for your patience. Thank you for your patience.
• So I think, you know, I am grateful for all of you for gutting it out for as long as we have, and I’m

Committee: House House Committee on Federal Funding, Policy and Accountability

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused on the impact of recent federal policy and budget actions on Massachusetts libraries, humanities organizations, arts institutions, and tourism. Testimony from library leaders described the loss or jeopardy of Institute of Museum and Library Services funding, including statewide databases, local grants, staff positions, E-rate/hotspot support, and digital equity programs. Witnesses said the cuts have already forced reductions in services, canceled grants and workshops, and in some cases left schools, students, job seekers, and low-income patrons without access to key resources. Members of the committee asked for lists of affected communities and databases, and several witnesses said they would provide additional written detail. Arts and humanities witnesses said federal terminations from the NEA, NEH, and IMLS have hit organizations across the Commonwealth, including Mass Cultural Council, Mass Humanities, Mass MoCA, and local museums and historical societies. They described canceled or rescinded grants, layoffs, reduced programming, and a chilling effect on future applications and on artistic and scholarly work, especially where federal awards had already been matched with local or private funds. Several speakers also raised concerns about executive-branch DEI conditions attached to funding and about book challenges and book banning, saying these trends threaten intellectual freedom and public access to culture and history. Committee members emphasized the economic importance of the sector and the need to publicize the impacts. Tourism officials from Meet Boston and the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism testified that federal cuts and broader geopolitical and tariff issues are hurting international visitation, especially from Canada and Western Europe, and could affect major upcoming events such as the 2026 World Cup and Sail Boston. They said reduced funding for Brand USA and Discover New England will weaken long-term marketing efforts and international partnerships, with downstream effects on hotel tax revenue, jobs, and workforce recruitment. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with members mainly asking questions and requesting follow-up written testimony and data.

Transcript Highlights:

• I graduated back in '85 from Gallup High School. So it's been a challenge for me.
• High school for a year or two, and they're out on the streets because of the abuse that comes from their
• Thank you all for coming; it's really appreciated. And I hope to see you all again next time.
• We have going on for our...
• And then, funding for...

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's your sort of very high fixed cost for one ambulance.
• So that's your sort of very high fixed cost for one ambulance.
• So that's your sort of very high fixed cost for one ambulance.
• </c> I've worked for the state for 14 years. I've worked for the state for 14 years.
• Now, it's for training for our our EMTs.

Bills: HB0004

Committee: House Labor, Health & Social Services

Keywords: medical assistance, birthing centers, healthcare, Medicaid, Wyoming, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Schz, I hope you don't mind if I ask you to just say a tiny bit more for those who are unsophisticated
• </c><00:12:11.760><c> can</c><00:12:11.959><c> talk</c> money for so I'm hoping you can talk money for
• These are high-quality...
• These are high-quality funds, and obviously, if you look at the numbers for fiscal '24 for them, 12.3%
• </c><01:48:22.800><c> for</c> Leonard um can you review again for for Leonard um can you review again

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I've been married to my high school sweetheart for 60 years. The same woman.
• </c><00:17:47.120><c> school</c><00:17:47.320><c> for</c> basketball uh Guy taught high school for basketball
• It's an awesome place, and I hope that you'll come and visit often for your events.
• or</c> we're looking for high school kids or we're looking for high school kids or people<01:17:52.480
• </c><01:39:19.480><c> 11</c> high school and I taught there for 11 high school and I taught there for

Committee: House State-federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• up in high school, is the expectation that that school district, the receiving district now, for all
• One for...
• <c> 30</c> doing it for charter schools for 30 doing it for charter schools for 30 years years years
• </c> &gt;&gt; So, so just for just for 1 year. &gt;&gt; So, so just for just for 1 year.
• </c> goes with it for reporting. goes with it for reporting.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee of conference on HB 751 reviewed amendment 2026-1904H page by page, focusing on open enrollment rules, capacity definitions, statewide enrollment limits, denial criteria, transportation, and funding. Members discussed clarifying that districts may set capacity at zero if they truly have no room, creating a statewide enrollment cap of 500 that can increase by 25% if it reaches 90% utilization, and exempting seats already used by open enrollment students before October 1, 2026. They also discussed how the Department of Education would allocate seats through rulemaking, while local districts would still set capacity, with grandfathered seats preserved where districts already allow open enrollment. A substantial portion of the meeting centered on when districts may deny open enrollment applications. The amendment would allow denials for reasons such as chronic absenteeism or disciplinary history, while requiring districts to consider whether those issues are tied to disability, McKinney-Vento status, foster care, or bullying. Members emphasized that such factors are to be considered, not used as the sole basis for rejection, and noted that the bill separately prohibits receiving schools from accepting or rejecting applicants based on pupil needs, special education needs, disability, aptitude, or athletic achievement. There was also discussion of whether interdistrict transfers should count toward open enrollment capacity, with a suggestion that a carve-out may be needed. The committee also reviewed provisions on program-specific capacity, continuous enrollment, and transportation. It was explained that capacity can apply to a school, grade, program, or class, including CTE programs, and that students may be denied if a specific program is full or if they do not meet prerequisites. The group clarified that open enrollment pupils would maintain continuous enrollment without reapplying, though there was concern about how that would work if district capacity changes over time. Transportation would generally be the parent’s responsibility unless required by an IEP or 504 plan, though students may use an existing bus route if seats are available and the receiving district allows it. On funding, the committee noted that the amendment changes the earlier HB 751 approach and instead ties open enrollment funding to base adequacy, differentiated aid, and an additional grant modeled on charter school funding, with dates removed at the department’s request. Members also raised concerns about how open enrollment would interact with existing tuition agreements and whether districts could use the new pathway to alter or pressure those arrangements. Department staff said districts would still be required to maintain a school of record and provide an adequate education free of charge outside the open enrollment program, and that if open enrollment enrollment became unusually large relative to district adequacy enrollment, the issue could be brought to the state board. No votes were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is not a win-win for anybody except for the people, many of whom have high incomes, that would
• </c> for the people many of whom have high for the people many of whom have high incomes<03:56:31.840
• And my son was the drummer for the high school band when he was in fifth grade. Thank you, Mr.
• But for places that had very high property taxes, like Newport, which I think all in was playing at the
• But for places that had very high property taxes, like Newport, which I think all in was playing at the

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The executive session focused primarily on HB 563, which revises the school funding formula, especially the adequate education grant amounts for special education students and the treatment of fiscal capacity disparity aid. Representative Ladd moved OTPA on Amendment 06508, explaining that FY 26 would largely hold the current formula steady, while FY 27 would increase several per-pupil amounts, including base cost, free and reduced-price meals, English language learner aid, and special education differentiated aid. He said the special education change was based on estimated case loads across disability categories and that the amendment also reinstates fiscal capacity disparity aid, using a formula intended to better assist property-poor communities. Several members supported the amendment as a step in the right direction, saying it better recognizes special education costs and separates property wealth from low-income student counts. Others raised concerns about the lack of time and the absence of a printed spreadsheet showing how the fiscal capacity disparity aid would affect each town. In response, sponsors said the spreadsheet existed, that the LBA had copies, and that the amendment would help about 40 target towns, while Manchester would be the main community receiving less under the new formula because of prior shifts in the extraordinary needs grant. Discussion also covered the broader impact of the bill, with members noting that about 200 of the state’s 245 cities and towns would see an increase and 45 a decrease under the proposed FY 27 changes. Supporters argued the bill was a compromise given limited revenues and that it should move forward so it can be considered by the full House and then Finance. No final vote on the amendment or bill was taken in the portion provided, and the chair indicated the committee was still deciding whether it had enough information to proceed.

Transcript Highlights:

• But when HDFC makes its first awards, we hope to have a full plan laid out for that as well.
• But when HDFC makes its first awards, we hope to have a full plan laid out for that as well. Great.
• And I really hope the old system of going to one agency, getting funding for your project, and then sitting
• We have also experienced continuing challenges with the methodology used for so-called high-resource
• I have heard a lot of praise for Jonathan today, so we have high hopes, big expectations, and are excited

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Not just for our country, but for Israel and the special relationship between our nations.
• America will be safer for it.
• when they quench any hope of real democracy for their people.
• Thanks to all of you for being here and for your willingness to serve. Mr.
• tomorrow, March 26th. for members to submit questions for the record.

Committee: Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Keywords: Israel, Hamas, Panama Canal, U.S. foreign policy, terrorism, diplomacy, Chinese influence

Summary: The committee meeting was focused on various key issues, including the implications of recent violence in the Middle East and U.S. foreign policy in relation to Israel and Panama. Members discussed the need for diplomatic efforts between the U.S. and Israeli officials following the recent attack by Hamas. Governor Huckabee emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong U.S.-Israel relationship and reiterated the need for accountability for terrorist organizations involved in violent acts against civilians. Senators shared their concerns regarding the ramifications of U.S. actions in Panama and the presence of Chinese influence, highlighting the significance of the Panama Canal in terms of trade and security.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your love, thank you for your care for us, thank you for allowing us to be here. to approach
• Merritt, thank you for your invocation this morning and for for the outstanding service that you and
• So, for all the nurses... Thank you for what you do. It's not easy.
• I have a real appreciation for what you do, for my experience, and for what I know she went through.
• for a. market that will actually pay for the cost of producing it.

Bills: SJR3 , SB5 , SJR36 , SJR3 , SB616 , SB565 , SB384 , SB5 , SB21 , SB72 , SB140 , SB262 , SB370 , SB372 , SB495 , SB627 , SB703 , SB764 , SB842 , SB971 , SB790 , SB767 , SB480 , SB1066

Keywords: dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, research funding, state budget, prevention, healthcare, medical research, Dementia Prevention and Research Institute, research institute, funding, grants, state health initiatives, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code

Transcript Highlights:

• We know this is great for kids, great for families, and great for taxpayers at the end of the day, when
• For the record, my name is Will Tronson, staff for this committee.
• Just a quick clarification: is this for a hearing for them or is this for executive session?
• This is for a hearing.
• recovery for them.

Bills: SB6062

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: juvenile justice, criminal offense, minors, rehabilitation, legal provisions, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Can I please have a motion for that? Thank you, Senator Laird, for that motion.
• While I know that you cannot comment on how you voted in some recent high-profile cases, we hope that
• voted for them, for him to be released or not.
• Thank you for that.
• Thank you for that.

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a little bit. for more than a year now.
• And it's a really great way for us to connect each maintenance activity that we're working on for what
• So in those areas where if there are high walking populations, they are most at risk for pedestrian crashes
• For example, when I was at the...
• We are convening for the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, on the website, in San Diego, you will see a very high-level aggregation of numbers that
• Thank you all for being here today, and Chair, for hosting the conversation.
• Thank you for the question.
• Thank you for the question. The next person on the list is, Thank you for the question.
• Thank you for providing your insight and for your city.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight held a hearing on California’s homelessness funding, focusing on the Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention (HAP) Grant and the Encampment Resolution Grant Program. HCD described new accountability requirements, including regional action plans, stronger reporting and expenditure conditions, housing-element compliance, encampment response plans, and public dashboards that track fiscal spending, service outcomes, and encampment resolution status. Officials said the goal is to use the data to identify underperforming grantees, provide technical assistance, and, if needed, withhold or reallocate funds. Local officials from San Diego, Fresno, and Santa Cruz said the programs have helped expand shelter, outreach, and permanent housing, and that state dollars have leveraged local and federal resources. Mayor Todd Gloria said San Diego has used HAP to expand shelter and safe sleeping options, reduce downtown encampments, and increase housing production, but argued the state’s new accountability website is too high-level and does not fully reflect countywide conditions, behavioral health outcomes, or the role of continuum-of-care partners. Fresno officials said HAP and other state funds helped the city add shelter beds and reduce homelessness, while Santa Cruz emphasized that state funding helped build local coordination and draw in federal vouchers. Members pressed the panel on whether HAP is actually reducing homelessness, what the best success metrics should be, and whether the state is getting full, usable data from grantees and subcontractors. Several members asked for more granular jurisdiction-level reporting, better tracking of nonprofit spending, and clearer measures beyond point-in-time counts and “people served.” HCD said it is still improving HMIS participation and data quality, but can already show outcomes such as exits to permanent housing and returns to homelessness. The hearing ended with broad agreement that transparency is important, but disagreement remained over the best measures of success and how much emphasis should be placed on housing, prevention, shelter, and treatment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for who you are and what you've done for us.
• Thank you for your son, ultimately for that sacrifice.
• Yes, I'd like to ask leave for Clarksville Junior High student, Liam Hamlet, who's shadowing me today
• And so I really do commend y'all for the work that y'all do for this state and for also having me here
• I'd like to ask for leave for members of IBLA. Thank you.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and members, for the record, my name is Kendall Mullins, and I am the Senate Research Intern for
• For whom? For Mr. Schramm? No one.
• For the protection of our citizens, for the protection of everyone involved.
• It may not even be that high.
• It may not even be that high.

Bills: SB1055 , SB1065

Committee: Senate Military Affairs and Border Security

Keywords: immigration enforcement, law enforcement, illegal aliens, state legislation, civil penalties, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, veterans, military health, mental health treatment, funding allocation, 1182, all