Transcript Highlights:

• The question was then reframed: whether the father's freedom of speech would be relevant here.
• The witness answered yes, saying a host of freedoms covered under the First Amendment to the Federal
• </c> topic okay so you think his uh freedom topic okay so you think his uh freedom of of of speech<01
• </c> I think I think a host of uh freedoms I think I think a host of uh freedoms covered<01:01:51.319
• </c><01:01:57.880><c> of</c><01:01:58.119><c> speech</c><01:01:58.880><c> and</c> including freedoms

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 129, which would redefine “evidence-based” in public education to require objective, science-based evidence for pedagogical methods. The prime sponsor said the bill is a verbatim reintroduction from the prior session and argued that current federal definitions are too vague, allowing subjective surveys and other weak evidence to justify teaching methods. He said the bill is limited to pedagogy, not subject matter, and is intended to improve student outcomes, reduce fad-driven practices, and potentially save money by limiting unnecessary retraining and new materials. Members asked repeatedly about the bill’s scope, including whether it would affect classroom teachers, curriculum content, and existing instructional approaches such as phonics versus whole language or queuing. The sponsor said the bill applies to state and local education bodies and educator training policies, not individual teachers in their classrooms, and that teachers would retain flexibility. He also said standardized testing could be part of a scientific study but is not itself a study, and that textbook providers could be asked to furnish the studies supporting instructional guidance included in their materials. Several members raised concerns about the fiscal note and possible cost shifts to local districts and taxpayers. The sponsor disputed the idea that the bill would necessarily create major new costs or require additional staff, saying any costs would likely be limited and that the department is already applying federal evidence-based rules. He also said if some current methods are not science-based, updating them would be justified even if there were some initial expense. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> commitment to protecting our freedoms commitment to protecting our freedoms remind<00:46:36.800>
• These bills reflect a simple governing philosophy: freedom of choice, fiscal responsibility, regulatory
• and freedom of movement back to the American people.
• I mean, you know, and when they talk about freedom and liberty, they don't talk about showerheads.
• um and liberty, they talk about freedom um and liberty, they<02:42:36.800><c> don't</c><02:42:37.040

Transcript Highlights:

• Another group is the Young Women's Freedom Center, who works with some of my colleagues.
• The Young Women's Freedom Center works with systems-impacted young women and trans youth of all genders
• health care remind us that schools are on the front lines of addressing challenges that go far beyond academics
• advocates and revolutionaries have always been at the forefront of the fight for dignity, equality, and freedom
• student parents will have a multiplier effect, as parental education level has been linked to the academic

Summary: The Assembly met on July 17, 2025, after a quorum call and prayer, then moved through a long ceremonial and floor session. The chamber recognized the 2025 Science and Technology Policy Fellows, the 2024-25 Jesse Marvin Unruh Assembly Fellows, and the 2025 Assembly Fellows, and also heard guest introductions honoring Brad Webb of Legislative Counsel, youth advocates supporting AB 1231, the Live Oak Lady Lions softball team, the new UC President J.B. Milliken, the Rohnert Park 11-and-under Cal Ripken All-Star team, and arts leaders from Auburn. The Assembly also took up several procedural motions, including removing some bills from the consent calendar and noting absences. On the floor, members adopted ACR 12 designating November 1 as Fernando Valenzuela Day, with broad support and 66 co-authors, and later adopted H.R. 56 recognizing August 2025 as Chicano Heritage Month, with 65 co-authors. The Assembly also adopted ACR 101 naming a portion of State Highway Route 46 the James Dean Memorial Highway, and H.R. 50 proclaiming November 25, 2025, as Elimination of Violence Against Women Day, with members emphasizing survivor support and prevention. In each case, authors and supporters highlighted the cultural, historical, or public-safety significance of the measures. The chamber also concurred in Senate amendments on several bills, including AB 359 on the Political Reform Act, AB 594 on student health insurance protections, AB 1085 banning license plate obstruction devices and penalizing sellers, AB 1286 on public employment transparency, and AB 1505, the Agriculture Committee omnibus bill. AJR 14, urging federal attention to the impact of tariffs on California ports, passed 44-1 after debate over trade policy and port jobs. AJR 17, calling for modernization of immigration law and a pathway to lawful status for long-term undocumented residents, passed 47-7 after extensive debate focused on immigrant families, the economy, and federal enforcement actions. The Assembly also adopted the resolutions by voice vote where required and recorded the roll-call results for the joint resolutions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Nothing is more important than freedom.
• Nothing is more important than freedom.
• UC academic health centers are a cornerstone of California's health care safety net.
• UC's academic health centers are the second largest provider of Medi-Cal inpatient services statewide
• UC academic health centers are a cornerstone of California's health care safety net.

Transcript Highlights:

• achieve self-determination, and their willingness to sacrifice even life itself in the pursuit of freedom
• It reflects a shared struggle, a shared resistance, and a shared commitment to freedom.
• Let it guide us today as we continue the battle for our rights and our freedoms.
• next generation of activists in the labor movement, in the workers' rights movement, in the Black freedom
• That is justice and freedom and dignity for all.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then spent much of the session on floor recognitions. Members welcomed the Far West Region of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and honored its leadership and civic service, including wildfire recovery work and local chapter anniversaries. The body also recognized the 2026 Latino Spirit Award honorees, with remarks tied to Cinco de Mayo and Latino resilience, followed by a series of resolutions and guest introductions. Several resolutions were adopted, including SR 86 on Cinco de Mayo Week, SCR 146 declaring May Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month, SCR 154 establishing Green Star Veterans and Families Day, SCR 123 recognizing California Peace Officers Memorial Day, SCR 164 designating Black Health Equity Advocacy Week, and SCR 103 on Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week. Testimony and remarks emphasized cultural heritage, shared struggles for justice, veterans’ mental health and suicide prevention, law enforcement sacrifice, and persistent racial health disparities. Most resolutions passed by unanimous roll call votes. The Senate also confirmed multiple Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation appointments, including Kathleen Ratliff and Joseph Tuggle, Jason Johnson, Madeline McLean, Brian Bishop, and Sarah Larson. Senators Grove and others voiced protest over CDCR appointments, arguing for consideration of Frank Silva, but the confirmations still passed overwhelmingly or unanimously. The chamber then approved several bills, including SB 1159 on artificial intelligence and public meetings, SB 1416 shortening refund timelines for duplicate medical/dental payments, SB 1273 expanding tied-house advertising rules for winery instructional events, SB 941 limiting commissary markups in private detention facilities, SB 1099 clarifying local authority to provide public benefits, SB 1195 expanding tied-house exemptions for certain venues, and SB 990 allowing a highway information sign near Ridgecrest. The session concluded with adjournment memories for labor leader and UCLA Labor Center director Kent Wong and recognition of his family and colleagues.

Transcript Highlights:

• So our academic education, the Carl Perkins funds go to career and technical education.
• Some programs include adult basic education, technical education, post-secondary academic and career
• This is a core for academic and career and technical education.
• This core provides quality educators to conduct assessments and academic vocational learning opportunities
• And Freedom on the Inside for $150,000. That takes us to page 339.

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• They support academic planning, building social skills, and help students prepare for the post-secondary
• They support academic planning, building social skills, and help students prepare for the post-secondary
• They support academic planning, building social skills, and help students prepare for the post-secondary
• They support academic planning, building social skills, and help students prepare for the post-secondary
• During the time, she reminded the crowd that she had found freedom abroad, but that her heart remained

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for February 3 by roll call vote, 131-1. Members spent much of the morning introducing special guests, including Missouri State University Citizen Scholars, Jobs for America’s Graduates participants, school counselors observing National School Counselor Week, Gainesville Elementary students joining online, interns and student shadows, and a tribute to Josephine Baker highlighting her St. Louis roots, artistic career, wartime service, and civil rights legacy. The chamber then took up first reading of several measures, including a firearms-related joint resolution, a bill on flags at cemeteries, and a bill on ownership of single-family residential property. The main floor action centered on House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2273, a large anti-trafficking package combining provisions on child sexual abuse material terminology, trafficking, grooming, sextortion, training requirements for professionals, a statewide council in the Attorney General’s office, longer civil statutes of limitation, and tougher penalties. Supporters cited survivor testimony, the need for training and enforcement, and the bill’s role in helping victims; the House adopted the committee substitute and ordered it perfected and printed. Members also advanced House Committee Substitute for House Bills 1694, 1674, 1780, 2056, 2312, and 1755, a bill string aimed at curbing abusive website accessibility lawsuits against Missouri businesses while preserving ADA rights. Sponsors and supporters said the measure would protect small businesses from sue-and-settle tactics and give businesses notice and time to fix problems; the House adopted the substitute and ordered it perfected and printed. Finally, the House considered House Bill 2375 on workers’ compensation, which would clarify the prevailing-factor standard, adjust treatment of pre-existing conditions, change how certain benefits are treated, and add an early dismissal mechanism and temporary appeal process. Supporters called it a fairness and clarification measure for employers and insurers, while opponents argued it could raise barriers for injured workers; the House nevertheless adopted the substitute and ordered it perfected and printed. The session ended with announcements, including committee meetings, a Black History program, a reminder for American Heart Month, concern for the city of Cameron after a fire, and a moment of reflection for the House doorkeeper Charlie, followed by a recess until 2 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the student government. 132 doing a great job with student government and quote, rocking it academically
• , which I believe is a great academic school.
• partners very 137 138 expanded its campus facilities and programs including new state-of-the-art academic
• district serves as a model for public education in Texas, demonstrating how to blend challenging academics
• Freedom of choice. Choice is a big word. There you go. Go ahead, Senator. questions? I will.

Bills: SJR18 , SCR9 , SCR13 , SB10 , SB11 , SB19 , SB20 , SB25 , SB62 , SB260 , SB263 , SB293 , SB314 , SB384 , SB412 , SB441 , SB442 , SB494 , SB523 , SB569 , SB616 , SB688 , SB707 , SB766 , SB842 , SB869 , SB890 , SB914 , SB929 , SB971 , SB992 , SB1066 , SB1145 , SB1621 , SJR36 , SJR18 , SCR9 , SCR13 , SB616 , SB565 , SB384 , SB372 , SB495 , SB842 , SB971 , SB1066 , SB929 , SB765 , SB523 , SB62 , SB19 , SB18 , SB666 , SB688 , SB707 , SB888 , SB687 , SB706 , SB847 , SB869 , SB890 , SB992 , SB1145 , SB494 , SB290 , SB766 , SB11 , SB10 , SB13 , SB263 , SB412 , SB20 , SB441 , SB442 , SB1621 , SB569 , SB314 , SB25 , SB293 , SB914 , SB260 , SB1248 , SB740 , SB14 , SB1006 , SB20 , SB25 , SB260 , SB293 , SB314 , SB384 , SB442 , SB494 , SB616 , SB869 , SB890 , SB929 , SB992 , SB1145 , SB1621 , SR232 , SR237 , SR242 , SB16 , SB22

Transcript Highlights:

• I know I think in New Hampshire the education freedom savings accounts are at about 350% of free and
• In some states, actually, there are provisions where parents actually have to report academic progress
• </c><01:03:21.799><c> physical</c> consider the students academic physical consider the students academic
• </c><01:23:54.600><c> behavioral</c> sizes all the academic behavioral sizes all the academic behavioral
• First of all, let's assume academics is the core reason and not sports.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• That's their decision, but we want them to know if they have the freedom to vote that they have that
• freedom to vote, whether it's old, new, or otherwise.
• </c><00:15:55.360><c> freedom</c><00:15:55.639><c> to</c><00:15:55.800><c> vote</c><00:15:56.079><c>
• whether</c> they have that freedom to vote whether they have that freedom to vote whether it's<00:15:
• to vote, they would, upon release, have that freedom to vote back.

Committee: Senate Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• promise, a promise that here in Missouri, we are empowering more families than ever before with the freedom
• The 2026-27 academic year is shaping up to be even more remarkable.
• My bill only deals with ideological and political freedoms for children K through 12 because religious
• freedom is already in state statute and has been for some time.
• The demand for the upcoming academic year is already...

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• to determine appropriate levels of instruction on fetal and prenatal development and adopts the academic
• standards in the age-appropriate academic standards in the area of science that require prescribed instruction
• This is a freedom of choice matter. ...and he wasn't received his back pay until recently.
• This is a freedom of choice matter. And as Americans, we can choose to get a vaccine if we want.

Bills: HB2035 , HB2086 , HB2434 , HB2611 , HB2732 , HB2733 , HB2830 , HB2923 , HB2932 , HB4004

Committees: Senate Health and Human Services , Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Keywords: kinship care, child welfare, foster care, relative placement, child protection, vaccination mandates, mask requirements, public health, government entities, COVID-19, controlled substances, prescription monitoring, opioid crisis, healthcare regulations, patient safety, group homes, children's rights, safety protocols, employee training, mental health

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of these people are leaving school for non-academic reasons. 80% leave for non-academic reasons
• So if you have to make a minor adjustment that takes less than 10 days, you have the freedom to do that
• So if you have to make a minor adjustment that takes less than 10 days, you have the freedom to do that

Committee: House Elementary and Secondary Education

Transcript Highlights:

• cover the total expected need of eligible students for the 2025-26 school year in the Educational Freedom
• This is for the educational freedom account program. The next item is D2.
• family of how that money's being spent and why that money's not being spent necessarily on core academics
• family of how that money's being spent and why that money's not being spent necessarily on core academics

Committee: All ALC-PEER

Transcript Highlights:

• But students do not have that freedom.
• They want to improve the academics. They want to move that institution forward.
• four-year comprehensives for funding of athletic fields and other things, or is that limited strictly to academic
• Fields and other things, or is that limited strictly to academic programs?

Bills: HB30 , HB120 , HJR1 , SB210 , SB306

Committee: Senate House Education

Summary: The Senate Education Committee began with announcements about likely upcoming meetings and a reminder that public testimony could be limited if bills drew large crowds. Members also introduced student shadows and briefly recognized them. The committee then took up House Bill 30, which would revise the Teacher Residency Act to strengthen teacher recruitment and retention by tying resident stipends more closely to minimum level-one teacher salaries, increasing support for residents who already hold bachelor’s degrees, and giving residents more flexibility to complete their service in any public school rather than only the sponsoring district. The sponsor and supporters from educator preparation programs, unions, and advocacy groups said the bill would make residency programs more sustainable, help rural districts, and improve teacher preparation. The bill received support from the Public Education Department and several education organizations, and the committee voted due pass. The committee next heard House Bill 120, as amended, which would clarify and limit the use of restraint and seclusion in schools. The sponsor explained that the bill came from a task force and is intended to clarify existing law rather than create a new mandate, with clearer definitions, stronger documentation, family notification, and limits on dangerous practices such as prone, mechanical, or chemical restraint. Supporters included PED, the special education ombuds office, disability rights advocates, teachers’ unions, parents, and civil rights groups, who emphasized student safety, trauma prevention, and better training for staff. One opposition witness from the school superintendents’ association argued the bill could add burdens and that more time was needed to implement current law. Committee members raised concerns about protecting teachers and aides during violent incidents; sponsors responded that the bill is meant to give staff clearer guidance and emergency-response tools, not replace disciplinary procedures. The committee voted due pass. House Joint Resolution 1, a constitutional amendment to create nominating commissions for university regents, was then presented. The sponsor said the goal is to reduce purely political appointments by having nonpartisan commissions recommend regent candidates, while also changing how student regents are selected so students have a direct voice rather than the university president choosing the student regent. AFT New Mexico supported the measure, citing concerns about donor or insider appointments and backing student representation. Committee members questioned how many commissions would be created, who would appoint their members, and how many names would be sent to the governor; the sponsor said those details would be set later in enabling legislation. The committee approved the resolution on a due pass vote, sending it onward in the process. The committee also quickly passed Senate Bill 306, which would align state higher education accreditation language with federal terminology by removing the distinction between regionally and non-regionally accredited institutions and changing reporting and fee requirements for smaller private institutions. Finally, Senate Bill 210, an appropriation for athletic and related facilities at New Mexico Highlands University, drew the most debate. Supporters said the university’s athletic facilities are outdated and inadequate, especially for women’s soccer and track, and that the project would help student-athletes and Title IX compliance. Committee members questioned the $80 million request, noting that only $3 million was currently in the budget for the three Division II schools and expressing concern about priorities amid other education funding needs. The sponsor and university president said the project could be phased and that private fundraising is also being pursued. Despite reservations and some no votes, the committee ultimately voted due pass. The chair closed by reminding members to plan on meeting Monday at 9 a.m. and said the committee was adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:16:23.440><c> skills</c> about basic academic skills about basic academic skills testing<00:16
• The academic prerequisites for getting into the class.
• </c><01:48:31.199><c> requirement</c> needs and meet the academic requirement needs and meet the academic
• </c><04:15:49.640><c> achievement</c> allocated time an academic achievement allocated time an academic
• The intent of this is to improve academic performance.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 362, which would give the Department of Education rulemaking authority over educator licensing and testing requirements, including professional education assessments. Representative Ladd argued the bill is meant to preserve New Hampshire’s higher standards for teacher preparation and to avoid lowering requirements for licensed educators, while also allowing flexibility for career and technical education (CTE) instructors who may have strong industry experience but not traditional classroom credentials. Members discussed whether the bill should preserve industry-recognized credentials and basic academic skills testing while exempting CTE teachers from content exams; DOE Director Steven Appy said an amendment would clarify that the bill applies to initial licenses, exempt CTE teachers from the content-testing requirement, and keep current administrative practice on basic skills and industry credentials in statute. The committee also noted that an executive session would be scheduled later, likely the following week, to act on the bills and amendment. The committee then took up House Bill 90, dealing with the definition of part-time teachers. Representative Ladd explained that the bill is intended to let university and community college faculty teach limited hours in high school concurrent enrollment settings, especially in subjects like math and STEM where some schools cannot find locally certified teachers with a master’s degree. He said the measure is designed to expand student access to college-level courses, not to replace fully certified teachers or reduce standards, and emphasized that the bill is limited to faculty employed or contracted by the University System of New Hampshire or the Community College System of New Hampshire, with criminal background checks and ethics/conduct rules still applying. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the discussion ended with the understanding that further action would come in executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I was more of an academic.
• </c><00:14:06.800><c> So</c> is set but I was more of an academic.
• So is set but I was more of an academic.
• But then, as the progression went on, we had Desert Storm and then Iraqi Freedom.
• Um they both the other thing is freedom.

Committee: House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• 29:09.919><c> the</c> of Boulder, Colorado to represent the of Boulder, Colorado to represent the academic
• </c><00:29:11.480><c> Aaron</c> academic community, appointed. Aaron academic community, appointed.
• Support the further strengthening of trade relations and academic exchanges between Colorado and Taiwan
• of trade the further strengthening of trade relations<00:33:37.360><c> and</c><00:33:37.480><c> academic
• relations and academic exchanges between Colorado<00:33:39.640><c> and</c><00:33:39.800><c> Taiwan.

Transcript Highlights:

• been removed from our shelves that may have content that some people don't like, but overall have academic
• Tallahassee State College serves more than 17,000 students annually through over 100 academic, workforce
• And again, it's so important for us to not lose sight not only of the First Amendment, the freedom of
• expression, but then the freedom to learn and read of every Floridian.
• But again, that academic artistic value.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, moments of silence for former member Terry Fields and the Parkland victims, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of guests and visitors. The chamber then adopted the Rules and Ethics Committee’s special order report setting the day’s calendar and debate times. The main measure taken up was HB 1119, relating to materials harmful to minors in public schools and charter schools, which the sponsor described as a clarification of existing law to keep pornographic or sexually explicit material away from minors and to give districts clearer standards for review and objection processes. The bill drew extensive debate over constitutional concerns, local control, litigation risk, and the scope of the definition of “harmful to minors.” Members supporting the bill argued it was needed to close loopholes and protect children, while opponents warned it could lead to overbroad book removals, conflict with federal court rulings, and costly lawsuits. A series of amendments sought to narrow or redirect the bill: proposals by Gant, Aristide, Bartleman, Eskamani, Nixon, Rainer, Woodson, and Harris would have preserved literary value review, protected educational and abuse-prevention materials, exempted LGBTQ-inclusive books, limited objections, preserved funding for districts, or delayed enforcement during ongoing litigation. Supporters of the amendments framed them as protecting parental choice, academic value, student safety, and district finances; opponents said they would weaken the bill’s child-protection purpose. All of the amendments failed. After the amendment process, the House waived rules, read HB 1119 a third time by title, and entered structured debate on final passage. Debate continued along the same lines, with opponents emphasizing book removals, First Amendment concerns, and the impact on students and schools, and supporters reiterating that the bill was intended to prevent minors from accessing obscene material. The transcript provided ends during structured debate and does not include the final vote on HB 1119.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know this last academic year we had 13 residents placed in Fort Worth ISD and all 13 of them signed
• I totally you agree with the academic accountability system.
• And it just wasn't about academics, it was about experiences.
• The bill helps ensure that only grade-level, academically sound materials are used in classrooms.
• Students are now thriving academically and socially.

Bills: SB451 , SB762 , SB1490 , SB1262 , SB1459 , SB1750 , SB1962 , SB2252 , SB2253 , SB2365

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16