Transcript Highlights:

• provide revenues for schools, universities, and buildings on the capital campus and correctional facilities
• I'm Pam Lewison, Ag Research Director for the Washington Policy Center, fourth-generation farmer in Grant

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 5838, which would add a federally recognized tribal representative to the State Board of Natural Resources. The Department of Natural Resources commissioner and tribal leaders said the change would bring Indigenous knowledge and a voting voice to decisions on trust lands, while preserving existing tribal consultation. Some county and economic interests said they were not opposed to tribal participation but stressed the board’s fiduciary duty to trust beneficiaries and asked for more review of the board’s purpose; one witness questioned whether the beneficiaries had been consulted. The prime sponsor, Senator Claudia Kaufman, said the bill is about inclusion and equity and indicated openness to an amendment adding both eastside and westside tribal representation. The hearing closed with 142 written comments reported: 33 pro, 107 con, and 2 other. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5960, which would require Fish and Wildlife to designate at-risk ungulate populations and take predator mitigation actions when populations fall below specified benchmarks. Senator Shelley Short said the bill responds to declining deer and elk numbers and a lack of management, especially in northeast Washington. Supporters argued the bill would codify existing agency plans and restore balance in wildlife management, while opponents—including conservation groups, the Sierra Club, and several scientists and advocates—said the state’s predator-prey study found wolves were not the main driver of ungulate declines, pointing instead to habitat, forage, weather, disease, and vehicle collisions. Ranching and farm groups supported the overall goal but objected to the bill’s in-state wolf translocation provisions. The Department of Fish and Wildlife said it recognized the bill’s intent but opposed it because some directives were impractical, costly, or would require legislative approval. The hearing closed with 1,197 written comments reported: 843 pro, 352 con, and 2 other. The committee then held a work session on Lake Washington salmon predation. Larry Phillips and Muckleshoot Fisheries Director Jason Schaffler described a coalition effort to reduce predation on juvenile salmon in the Lake Washington system, saying invasive and predatory fish such as walleye, rock bass, American shad, northern pike, yellow perch, and smallmouth bass are harming sockeye and Chinook recovery. They said sockeye returns have fallen from hundreds of thousands to about 18,000 in recent years, ending tribal and sport fisheries, and argued that targeted predator removal, supported by prior state and county funding, could help restore runs. Senators asked about the methods and funding, and the presenters said fishing and netting are being used to suppress larger predatory fish and that more sustained investment is needed. Finally, the committee began public hearing on Senate Bill 1697, which would make federally recognized tribes eligible recipients for county conservation futures funds. Testifiers from the Washington Farmland Trust and the Tulalip Tribe said the bill would expand voluntary conservation partnerships, help tribes steward farmland and habitat, and make it easier to leverage county funds with other grants. They described past projects where tribal participation improved conservation outcomes but said tribes could not directly access conservation futures dollars under current law.

Transcript Highlights:

• may use proceeds from the tax on tourism and event marketing and the operation of tourism-related facilities
• An angry person with access to my home address is a terrifying prospect, far more so in the internet age

Bills: HB2176 , HB2244 , HB2120 , HB2333

Committee: House State Government & Tribal Relations

Keywords: drug therapy, public records, confidentiality, healthcare, collaborative practice, transparency, accountability, exemptions, government accountability, audit, legislative review, resource efficiency, committee work, political violence, elected officials, election officials, criminal justice, protection, safety, threats

Transcript Highlights:

• Greg is closest to me in age; we grew up together, and it's very special to have Greg here because he
• Garrett Deetz is a former inmate in our corrections facility. He got out.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of that is tied back to visibility, which can be influenced by an aging population.
• Albuquerque—it's the old armed forces reserve facility that's been repurposed, and the basis of it was

Transcript Highlights:

• It restricts needed expansion to facilities and replacement of old and worn-out equipment.
• that partners with families during a child’s most developmental years of life, which is pregnancy to age

Committee: House A&B Finance Subcommittee

Summary: The committee heard an interim study on expanding or simplifying sales tax exemptions for Oklahoma nonprofits. Representatives Stark and Schreiber said the issue has been filed repeatedly over several sessions and framed it as a bipartisan effort to keep more charitable dollars in service of communities rather than paying sales tax. Schreiber also suggested broader tax reform or an omnibus approach rather than continuing to add individual exemptions. Marnie Taylor of the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits gave an overview of the sector, describing nonprofits as a major part of the state economy and safety net, and argued that many organizations are highly regulated, under-resourced, and facing declining donations and funding. She said the current patchwork of exemptions is uneven and that a blanket or broader exemption would help organizations serving public needs. Committee members asked for sources behind some of the poverty, education, and health rankings cited in her presentation. Several nonprofit leaders testified about how sales tax affects their operations. RG Foods described the cost of opening neighborhood grocery markets in food deserts and said sales tax on a Tulsa project would divert about $85,000 from programming. Jubilee Partners, Skyline Urban Outreach, the Pencil Box, the Tulsa Police Foundation, Blue Rose Ranch, and Legacy Parenting Center each explained how exemption status or the lack of it affects food assistance, school supplies, public safety equipment, animal rescue, and diapers and family support. Members asked follow-up questions about food desert definitions, budgets, and how much sales tax savings would change operations. No vote was taken in the excerpt, but the study concluded with closing remarks emphasizing that the exemption would keep more money in direct services and support the nonprofit sector statewide.

Transcript Highlights:

• students with special education needs, and a growing number of people in long-term care because of an aging
• It would have a huge impact in our nursing homes and long-term care facilities.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• non-union jobs across industries like agriculture, packing houses, dairy farms, and meat processing facilities
• be labor disabling and as and as said some of these conditions seem to be a product of product of aging

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• grant program, a five-year pilot program that would fund eligible LEAs to connect unaccompanied youth ages
• safety and protect student health in everyday school environments: bathrooms, parking lots, athletic facilities
• When we lost Sarah to suicide in April 2022 at the age of 21, our family was completely shocked.
• Education is not a placing of the hand on the forehead and then suddenly young people at every age are

Summary: The committee heard and acted on several education-related bills, beginning with AB 65 on paid pregnancy leave for public school employees. The bill drew strong support from teachers, school employees, unions, and education groups, who argued it would provide up to 14 weeks of paid leave, reduce financial penalties tied to sick leave use, and help recruit and retain educators. Some witnesses and members raised concerns about funding, district eligibility, and implementation, but the bill was advanced on a do-pass recommendation to the Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee, with one member not voting and the bill placed on call for absent members. Members then heard AB 673 on an unaccompanied youth support grant program for homeless 16- and 17-year-olds, AB 1552 on reporting recommendations to strengthen civic engagement in higher education, AB 1572 on annual CIF review and qualification standards for sports officials, and AB 1586 on opioid overdose response training and naloxone access for school resource officers. AB 673 and AB 1552 received support from education, youth, and advocacy organizations; AB 673 also drew questions about overlap with existing homeless and foster-care-related programs, while supporters said the bill targets a vulnerable subpopulation that is often missed. AB 1552 and AB 1572 were broadly supported and advanced, and AB 1586 was backed by treatment providers, school nurses, and education groups as a practical student-safety measure; all were moved forward with do-pass recommendations and placed on call. The committee also considered AB 1721, which would create a work group to review and streamline school safety plans, and AB 2060, which would establish a mentor teacher grant program and stipend to strengthen the teacher pipeline. Both bills were supported by administrators, educators, and school-related organizations, and both advanced to the Senate Appropriations Committee. AB 2440, aimed at clarifying Proposition 28 arts and music education funding rules and allowing small districts to pool resources, also received broad support and moved to Appropriations. AB 1784, which would extend pregnancy-related protections to undergraduate students and prohibit discrimination based on pregnancy or related conditions, passed to the Senate Judiciary Committee after support from higher education and women’s advocacy groups. Finally, AB 2660, which would codify the CalBridge STEM pathway program and related efforts to diversify the STEM workforce, was supported by higher education and workforce advocates and advanced to Appropriations after questions about the related EnLACE program and its funding sources.

Transcript Highlights:

• around the Jackson Public Health System to become one of the largest and now world-class health facility
• because they're now going to be living on a fixed income, and they don't want to continue to work at the age
• filed Senate Bill 270, which was to provide a property tax exemption for seniors who are 65 years of age
• Property tax relief can help seniors age in place, help families build generational wealth, and provide

Summary: The Senate took up Committee Substitute for Senate Joint Resolution 2F, a proposed constitutional amendment to expand homestead property tax relief, lower the assessment cap on non-homestead property from 10% to 5%, and limit county and municipal ad valorem tax revenues to specified uses. Senator Avila presented the measure as a major property tax reform intended to provide relief to homeowners and restrain local government spending, while opponents argued it would shift costs to fees, services, and state appropriations and could harm local budgets, public safety, schools, and other services. Several senators also raised concerns about the ballot language and the lack of a completed fiscal analysis. The chamber considered and rejected multiple amendments. Senator Sharif’s income-based “circuit breaker” amendment failed, as did Senator Smith’s sunset clause amendment and Senator Berman’s amendment to rewrite the ballot statement for greater accuracy. During questioning, Avila said the revised language was meant to preserve flexibility for local governments and that future legislatures could set implementing procedures and, if necessary, prohibit certain local expenditures by general law. He also confirmed that the proposal would not affect refinancing or portability, and said the measure would not prevent local governments from continuing to fund many services such as libraries, parks, animal control, code enforcement, mosquito control, public housing, county health departments, and elections. Debate on final passage was extensive. Supporters described the proposal as overdue relief for homeowners and a way to force local governments to prioritize spending, while critics called it a risky tax shift that could reduce local revenue by billions and force cuts or higher fees. Some senators emphasized concerns about public safety funding, mental health and social services, and the accuracy of the ballot summary; others argued the measure would give voters a chance to decide on property tax reform. After debate, the resolution was rolled over for third reading and the Senate continued discussion, but the transcript provided does not include a final vote on the joint resolution.

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, crisis nurseries are required to be licensed as two separate facilities because they provide
• they impact um children they impact um children um<00:07:55.920><c> in</c><00:07:56.120><c> school-age
• </c><00:07:56.600><c> care</c><00:07:56.800><c> programs,</c><00:07:57.360><c> in</c> um in school-age
• care programs, in um in school-age care programs, in foster<00:07:57.920><c> care,</c><00:07:58.520>

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas Kayla Reagan Van Landingham passed away at age 19 on July 22, 2025, in Albuquerque after
• Dorsett Football League, a 1996 nonprofit area-wide youth football program in Gallup for youth from the ages
• The money goes into the animal care and facility fund... ...which is overseen by that board.
• So we've had some bad actors, and I think the AG, Department of Justice, has had lawsuits against...

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum, opened with an invocation, pledges, and a series of announcements recognizing West Side Day, School Board Appreciation Day, Sierra Club Climate Solutions Day, Gallup-McKinley County Day, and New Mexico Athlete Trainer Day. Members also agreed to allow cameras on the floor and a relaxed dress code for guests. Numerous student and community groups were introduced, including West Side Day students, ABC Prep basketball students, Bernalillo High School AP students, MANA del Norte Hermanitas, honorary lieutenant governors, Taos Municipal Schools leaders, Classical Conversations homeschool students, Bloomfield school board members, and others. A major portion of the session was devoted to honoring Bueno Foods with a Senate certificate recognizing February 5, 2026, as Bueno Foods Day in the Senate and celebrating the company’s 75th anniversary. Senators praised the Baca family’s multigenerational business, its role in New Mexico’s chile industry, its jobs and community support, and its national reach. Several members spoke in support, sharing personal stories about Bueno products and the company’s help during COVID and over decades of family and community life. The Senate also adopted a condolence certificate for Kayla Reagan Van Landingham, a 19-year-old bicyclist killed in Albuquerque, with remarks emphasizing her life, advocacy, and the need for stronger pedestrian and bicycle safety. Her mother and family were recognized, and members observed a moment of silence. Senators spoke about the importance of traffic safety reforms and the local ordinance changes already pursued in her memory. On legislation, the chamber received House and governor messages and adopted several committee reports. The main floor debate was on Senate Bill 38, concerning the spay and neuter program funding stream. Senator Block offered a floor substitute to restore a sunset clause for review and transparency; supporters argued the program should be periodically evaluated and that the funding functions like a tax rather than a fee. Opponents argued the program is important and should continue without a sunset. The floor substitute failed by roll call, 15 in favor and 22 against, and the Senate returned to the underlying bill for further debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• What matters is that the population of U.S. citizens of voting age are in compliance with the federal
• Redistricting should never be a tool to divide voters or disenfranchise people based on race, age, income
• Texas students who aren't of voting age also deserve representatives who truly reflect the community.
• about 25% of the adult population, many connected to Fort Bliss, and they're counting on that new VA facility

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the mother of two school-age daughters, which gives me a deep personal understanding of the challenges
• an inability to read or understand what's going on in class, and that happens at a very, very young age
• Age 22, finished college. I'm a fluent Spanish speaker.
• destroyed much of the community, as you know, and significantly impacted student enrollment, school facilities

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard several education bills, with AB 887 by Assemblymember Berman proposing that every school district and charter school adopt a plan so all high schools offer at least one computer science course by 2029-30. Supporters, including a teacher and student, argued California is falling behind other states and that computer science is essential for student opportunity and workforce readiness. ACSA opposed the bill, citing the shortage of qualified computer science teachers and administrative burden. The bill passed the committee on a 6-0 vote and was sent to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 1390 by Assemblymember Solache, which would allow local and county school boards to raise trustee compensation above long-standing statutory minimums that have not changed in decades. Supporters said the current stipends are too low to make board service accessible to working families and younger community members. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill passed with five votes, with the roll left open for additional members. AB 865 by Assemblymember Gonzalez would create a $5 million, three-year grant program for dual-language immersion instructional materials, split between high-demand languages and other languages. Supporters said districts often lack standards-aligned materials in languages beyond Spanish, forcing teachers to create their own. The bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations. AB 857 by Assemblymember Gibson, requiring annual cultural competency training for K-12 staff, also passed 5-1 after supporters linked it to the state reparations task force report and argued it would improve trust and student outcomes. The committee additionally approved AB 677 by Assemblymember Bryan, which would make it easier for unhoused students to access school-based vision and dental screenings by allowing directory information to be used for that purpose with an opt-out process; it passed 8-0. AB 903 by Assemblymember Avila Farias, directing the Department of Education to develop best practices on education technology and digital equity, passed after amendments and with some opponents indicating they would remove opposition once the amendments were in print. Finally, AB 917 by Assemblymember Avila Farias, extending permanent-status protections to certain educators in small districts and county programs, drew significant opposition from small districts and regional occupational programs over flexibility and funding concerns; the bill still passed 5-2 with the roll held open for additional votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, you know, it was a KDE audit, which sometimes wrapped up some facilities issues, and we did have
• a finding on the formula that’s used for paying for the facilities.
• </c> sometimes wrapped up some facilities sometimes wrapped up some facilities issues<01:53:38.000><c
• So we had a for the facilities.
• <01:54:00.560><c> formula</c> facilities formula facilities formula &gt;&gt; and<01:54:01.840><c> uh<

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call - 00:13 Approval of Minutes - 4:07 Kentucky Academic Standards for Reading and Writing - 5:18 Math Improvement Committee Report - 21:02 ETS Praxis Exam - 41:47 KDE Performance Review Data - 1:15:04 Adjournment - 1:57:54, 958, all

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from KDE on the revised Kentucky academic standards for reading and writing. KDE explained the statutory six-year review process, the public comment periods, and the main revisions, including updates tied to the science of reading, decodable text, encoding/decoding, and an updated vision statement. KDE said 308 responses were received on the initial public comment, most respondents favored keeping standards as-is, and about 12% of standards were revised. The department also said the document was streamlined by removing repeated graphics and reducing its size by about 24%, and that a later comment period drew more than 400 responses. No new standards were flagged for review. Members asked about alignment between standards, curriculum, assessments, and NAEP, and KDE said instructional resources should be aligned to standards, KSA assessments are aligned to the standards, and screeners/diagnostics help identify student needs. Representative Truett raised the idea of a textbook-to-standards crosswalk, and KDE said publishers and a future repository partner should provide such crosswalks for local districts. Representative Bojanowski asked why foundational reading skills are not directly assessed on the third-grade KSA; KDE responded that the assessment is designed to measure end-of-grade expectations, while screening and diagnostics are used earlier to identify decoding needs. Representative Gel asked about early childhood supports, and KDE said it is working with early learning and special education offices and promoting LETRS professional learning for both teachers and preschool educators. The committee then received the mathematics improvement committee report. KDE said the mathematics committee unanimously approved a new strategic plan for improving math achievement from pre-K through grade 20 and adult education. The plan centers on six priorities: student empowerment, effective mathematics teaching and learning, continuous educator development and growth, a continuum of learning, community and family partnerships, and teacher recruitment and retention. KDE said the plan is intended as a living document with goals, recommended actions, and evidence bases, and that it aligns with the Kentucky Numeracy Counts Act by supporting high-quality instructional resources, professional learning, and family resources. In response to Senator Thomas, KDE explained that the professional learning recommendation means districts should tailor teacher training to classroom needs and instructional materials so math teachers are better equipped to implement standards and support students.

Transcript Highlights:

• concerning that there is no opportunity to cure an alleged violation built into this bill before the AG
• Enforcement in this case is by the AG only; a private right of action is specifically excluded.
• case</c><02:44:59.520><c> is</c><02:44:59.720><c> by</c><02:44:59.880><c> the</c><02:45:00.000><c> AG
• ><02:45:00.560><c> only</c><02:45:01.560><c> a</c><02:45:01.760><c> private</c> this case is by the AG
• only a private this case is by the AG only a private right<02:45:02.279><c> of</c><02:45:02.479><c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met to hear House Bill 520, which would authorize the Department of Education to issue subpoenas in investigations and hearings involving the code of conduct for New Hampshire educators. Representative Lynn, the bill sponsor, said the measure was intended to give the department standard subpoena power during investigations and in later adjudicatory proceedings, with a process for challenging overbroad subpoenas. He argued that agencies with investigative and hearing authority should also have the power to compel witnesses and documents, and said the bill was narrowed from an earlier broader draft to focus on teacher credentialing and address concerns about scope. Members raised several concerns about whether the department already has enough authority, whether the Attorney General could handle subpoenas instead, and whether the bill creates an imbalance by giving subpoena power mainly to the investigating side. Representative Burroughs said she did not feel she had enough information and was uncomfortable with the bill, especially regarding who bears subpoena costs. Representative Biron questioned the trial analogy and whether both sides truly have equal subpoena rights. Lynn responded that the investigative stage is like a grand jury process, where only the investigating body subpoenas witnesses, while the adjudicatory stage allows both sides to seek subpoenas through the hearing officer. Other questions focused on the bill’s scope. Representative Andreos asked what investigative authority the Department of Education already has, and Representative Organ questioned why the bill is limited to educators rather than also covering vendors, charter school boards, or the EFA scholarship organization. Lynn said the limitation to educators was deliberate, because earlier broader versions drew objections for being too expansive. Representative Tur asked whether the Attorney General could already handle such matters, and Lynn said that while the AG might be able to pursue some investigations or court subpoenas, agencies should be able to conduct their own internal investigations. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• individual who has lived with type 1 diabetes for the last 17 years of my life, diagnosed at just the age
• guess a couple of months ago now, and there were quite a few companies that had different storage facilities
• . companies that had companies that had different<01:14:19.360><c> storage</c><01:14:20.159><c> facilities
• </c><01:14:20.800><c> for</c><01:14:21.040><c> cell</c> different storage facilities for cell different
• storage facilities for cell phones<01:14:21.639><c> in</c><01:14:21.880><c> classrooms</c><01:14:22.480

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not available to our elementary-age students at this point anymore, but it's only used in a situation
• It's not available to our elementary-age students at this point anymore, but it's only used in a situation
• It's not available to our elementary-age students at this point anymore, but it's only used in a situation
• They're in two different facilities at schools in the area, and they get the leftover rooms that aren't
• </c><01:07:31.559><c> at</c> they're in two different facilities at they're in two different facilities

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:06:28.599><c> that</c> shared space pool other facilities that shared space pool other facilities
• It’s an age 55 and older community association, and we’re subject to the elderly housing provisions of
• </c><00:12:37.800><c> was</c> balls all those types of facilities was balls all those types of facilities
• </c> 362 uh or the OWN owner of a facility 362 uh or the OWN owner of a facility described<04:09:45.319
• </c><04:40:24.240><c> specific</c> host because that's uh facility specific host because that's uh facility

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of at the breakfast and lunch at the age of at the age<00:17:48.080><c> of</c><00:17:48.320><c> 21.
• The system does not support age of 21.
• It is if you were the age of 20 to 22.
• And I did eligible at the age of 20.
• It was a big difference between my age.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:20:36.400><c> coaches</c> for instructional facilities coaches for instructional facilities coaches
• I have two kids, both elementary age, and I see the moving parts that they are able to do in that block
• I have two kids,<01:25:40.880><c> both</c><01:25:41.199><c> elementary</c><01:25:41.679><c> age,</c><
• Um, but like I said, through the block grant, we’ve been able to use... an aging population.
• I live in a an aging population.

Committee: Joint Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration

Keywords: 916, all