Transcript Highlights:

• And they've recently approved a similar bond program as well to support dementia research.
• So they'll be funding... ...a similar bond program as well to support dementia research.
• Most recently, I received an early career training grant from NIDA through the Mosaic program.
• Mosaic was designed to strengthen the biomedical research workforce... ...program.
• There has also been rhetoric suggesting that programs like Mosaic unfairly discriminate against... ..

Summary: The Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee held its final meeting of the 2026 session, opening a public hearing on Senate Bill 6321, which would authorize up to $6 billion in state general obligation bonds over six years and create the Washington Institute for Scientific Advancement within the Department of Commerce. Staff explained that the institute would oversee grants for scientific research and facilities, with the proposal requiring voter approval for the debt and institute creation. Senator Slatter, the prime sponsor, said the bill was intended to stabilize research funding in Washington in response to federal cuts and uncertainty, and noted it was modeled in part on similar efforts in California and Texas. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support. Representatives from Washington State University and the University of Washington described the state’s research enterprise as an economic engine and emphasized the importance of stable funding for jobs, innovation, and competitiveness. University of Washington witnesses said federal funding disruptions had reduced new NIH awards, cut student support, and threatened research programs in medicine, mental health, clean energy, forest resilience, and climate adaptation. Several early-career researchers and union members testified about personal impacts from grant terminations, furloughs, and delayed career transitions, arguing that the bill would help protect scientific work, workforce development, and public health outcomes in Washington. After closing the hearing on SB 6321, the committee moved into executive session. It voted do pass on Substitute House Bill 2525 and sent it to the Rules Committee. The committee also approved a slate of gubernatorial appointments for confirmation recommendation, and then adjourned after thanking staff and members for their work during the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a provider who is a provisional selectee in the program.
• And number two is the way that the BED program is structured.
• And number two is the way that the BED program is structured.
• The District 4 tire removal program.
• The State Insurance Program Oversight Subcommittee met Wednesday, February 18th.

Committee: All ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ALC)

Summary: The meeting opened with prayer, approval of the prior minutes, and a monthly revenue report from the Bureau of Legislative Research. The report showed gross general revenue collections up year to date and net general revenue above forecast, with the increase attributed in part to income tax growth, a fiscal-year shift, and lottery-related collections. Members asked no questions, and no action was required on the revenue report. Several subcommittee reports were then presented and adopted, including executive, administrative rules, game and fish/state police, hospital/Medicaid/developmental disability, occupational licensing, PEER, revenue, state insurance programs, and personnel. The executive report noted a waiver request for Jackson County School District construction services and an audit with no findings. The administrative rules report covered agency directives, rulemaking updates, and a few rules pulled for later consideration. The revenue subcommittee held one District 4 tire removal contract until its next meeting, while the state insurance subcommittee reviewed the EBD contract with Boston Consulting Group and approved pharmacy formulary and drug recommendations. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on the State Insurance Department’s examination of pharmacy benefit managers, especially Navitus Health Solutions. Commissioners and staff explained that Navitus objected to producing certain claims data for self-funded plans, raising an ERISA preemption argument, and that the matter was being set for an administrative hearing, likely in April. Members questioned compliance, due process, and the implications of the objection, while the department said the state initiated the examination and was continuing to seek resolution. The committee also reviewed an Arkansas Teacher Retirement System agreement, with one member noting a potential conflict and abstaining. The meeting ended after members reviewed additional reports with no further action and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• actually targeting and if there is an actual issue with families who are trying to access these programs
• think as we come into this legislative session, there's a lot of conversations about our welfare programs
• And then there were a lot of conversations about just how many Oklahomans are on these programs.
• And it's my understanding that this does not cost the state to run applicants through the SAVE program
• They have an intern program, similar to what doctors do when they do their residency.

Bills: HB2947 , HB2964 , HB3143 , HB3144 , HB3342 , HB3344 , HB3519 , HB3522 , HB3530 , HB3645 , HB3647 , HB3834 , HB4300 , HB4422 , HB4423

Committee: House Health and Human Services Oversight

Keywords: behavioral health, Medicaid expansion, clinical interns, mental health services, licensing requirements, medical records, patient rights, privacy, fees, healthcare access, legal claims, medical marijuana, license transfer, Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, moratorium, business regulation, commercial grower licenses, licensing restrictions, agriculture, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• actually targeting and if there is an actual issue with families who are trying to access these programs
• As we come into this legislative session, there's a lot of conversation about our welfare programs.
• And then there were a lot of conversations about just how many Oklahomans are on these programs.
• And it's my understanding that this does not cost the state to run applicants through the SAVE program
• They have an intern program, similar to what doctors do when they do the residency.

Summary: The Health and Human Services Oversight Committee considered a series of bills, beginning with House Bill 4422 and House Bill 4423, which strengthen immigration status verification for public assistance programs, including SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid. Supporters said the measures would improve eligibility checks through the SAVE system, reduce fraud, and help address Oklahoma’s high error rate in benefit programs. Members raised concerns about whether the bills could discourage eligible children or mixed-status families from seeking services, but the author said the bills were intended to target ineligible applicants and would not affect eligible U.S.-citizen children. Both bills were reported out with due pass recommendations by 8-3 votes. The committee also advanced House Bill 3834, which would create a state-backed vehicle to support ibogaine research for conditions such as PTSD, alcoholism, and opioid addiction, with private matching funds and potential state royalties if a product is commercialized. House Bill 2947 would allow Medicaid billing for mental health therapist interns working under supervision, with an estimated fiscal impact discussed in the hundreds of thousands of dollars rather than millions; it passed 11-0. House Bill 2964 would remove the mandatory fee for copies of medical records requested by attorneys, insurers, or subpoenas, while still allowing providers to charge at their discretion; it also passed unanimously. Several marijuana-related bills were heard. House Bill 3143 would extend the current moratorium on new marijuana grow licenses, and House Bill 3144 would cap the number of licenses if the moratorium is later lifted. Supporters argued the limits would help law enforcement and regulators control illegal activity and reduce black-market diversion, while critics questioned whether the issue was really license count or agency resources. Both bills were reported out, 9-2 and 8-2 respectively. House Bill 3519 would replace a failed bond approach for cleaning up abandoned grows with a fee-based revolving fund, and House Bill 3522 would require the ABLE Commission to report disciplinary actions annually; both passed 10-0. House Bill 3530 would give ABLE-regulated businesses 10 days to produce requested records, and House Bill 4300 would align DHS child care worker background-check statutes with federal law; both were reported out unanimously. The committee also laid over several other bills before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• educator is especially meaningful and a powerful reminder of the positive lasting impact of this program
• educator is especially meaningful and a powerful reminder of the positive lasting impact of this program
• educator is especially meaningful and a powerful reminder of the positive lasting impact of this program
• educator is especially meaningful and a powerful reminder of the positive lasting impact of this program
• EDUCATOR IS ESPECIALLY MEANINGFUL AND A POWERFUL REMINDER OF THE POSITIVE LASTING IMPACT OF THIS PROGRAM

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior Journal, and then handled several introductions and resolutions. Senator Bailey introduced Jayson Fefami, described as the Bronx-based creator of the “quarter zip” trend, and the chamber welcomed him with applause. Senator Cooney presented a privileged resolution memorializing Governor Hochul to proclaim July 1, 2026, as Canada Day in New York, emphasizing the state’s economic, cultural, and border ties with Canada; the resolution was adopted. Senator Hinchey also spoke on a previously adopted resolution designating February 21-28, 2026, as National FFA Organization Week, with Senator Helming and visiting FFA students and advisers offering remarks in support of agricultural education and youth leadership. The Senate then took up the calendar and passed a series of bills, including measures related to a fiscal task force, environmental conservation, urban development, education, workers’ compensation, elder law, real property, general business, state finance, insurance, tenant protection, and public health. Several bills passed unanimously, while others drew limited opposition; for example, the Environmental Conservation and Education measures had a handful of negative votes, and the real property bill drew more substantial opposition. Senator Webb explained her vote on a bill addressing college student food insecurity by exempting certain meal-share donations from sales tax, saying students should not have to choose between class and hunger. Senator Palumbo also explained his vote on the kratom labeling bill, supporting the measure while urging future action on the synthetic opioid 7-OH. The chamber also discharged several identical Assembly bills from Rules and substituted Senate versions earlier in the day, and later passed those measures on the floor. At the end of the session, the Senate completed the calendar, reported no further business, and adjourned until Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• It launches the Florida Manufacturing Workforce Development Grant Program to assist small manufacturers
• So our goal really is to have more golf courses involved in the BMP certification program to show that
• We have House Bill 1497, My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program.
• This bill refines the My Safe Florida condo pilot program by limiting eligibility to associations where
• This program is now the third session, actually started in the special session on insurance, so really

Summary: The Housing, Agriculture, and Tourism Subcommittee heard five bills and reported all of them favorably. House Bill 827, by Rep. Anderson, would require online real estate listings to disclose estimated ad valorem taxes based on the listing price rather than the seller’s current taxes, to reduce surprise tax increases for homebuyers. The bill drew support from the Property Appraisers Association of Florida, the Florida League of Cities, and the Florida Association of Counties, and passed unanimously after a technical amendment. House Bill 483, by Rep. Cobb, aimed to support Florida’s manufacturing sector by formally recognizing the chief manufacturing officer, creating a workforce development grant program, launching a voluntary promotional campaign for Florida-made products and manufacturing careers, and requiring biennial reporting. The bill received broad support from manufacturing, economic development, and business groups, was amended with technical cleanup language, and passed unanimously. House Bill 675, by Leader Driscoll, sought to expand affordable housing efforts by limiting Live Local Act incentives to affordable housing, extending affordability periods from 30 to 50 years, lowering the income cap for eligible units, and eliminating documentary stamp taxes for certain first-time homebuyers. After two amendments and supportive testimony from United Way Suncoast, the bill passed on a party-line style roll call with all members voting yes or excused. House Bill 495, by Rep. Albert, transferred golf course best management practices certification from the Department of Environmental Protection to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services without changing the underlying BMP requirements. After an amendment clarified that all BMPs remain in place, the Florida Golf Course Superintendents Association testified in support, and the bill passed unanimously. House Bill 1497, by Rep. Hunschofsky, revised the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program by narrowing eligibility to lower-income associations, removing a coastal-only requirement, and tying grants to completion of opening protection for all common elements; two amendments further refined eligibility and grandfathered pending applications. The Community Associations Institute supported the measure, and it also passed unanimously. The committee ended with remarks about the prior night’s softball game and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The staff vacancy rate decreased in every program.
• A fourth finding: vacancy rates improve for day programs, but programs remain constrained.
• We know what the numbers are for day programs, the waiting list.
• So I'd like to see people with disabilities in some of those training programs.
• Programs. But that's we're sort of cross, you know, cross-pollinating here.

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The Workforce Support Subcommittee of the Status of Persons with Disabilities met, approved prior minutes, and heard a presentation from the Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers (ADDP) on its 2025 workforce metrics survey. ADDP described its membership and the survey’s scope, which covers community-based services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism, and brain injuries. The survey had strong participation, with 102 of 132 members responding, and this year included new questions on rising health insurance costs. ADDP reported that workforce conditions have improved for a third consecutive year, with the overall vacancy rate falling from 19% in 2024 to 15% in 2025, and vacancy declines across several program areas. However, vacancies remain high in key roles such as licensed practical nurses and clinicians, nearly 4,000 positions remain unfilled, and about 1,800 people are still waiting for day services. Providers also reported major health insurance premium increases, which they said make it harder to offer competitive wages and benefits and affect recruitment and retention. Committee members discussed the impact of federal immigration policy, workforce shortages, and the need to maintain recent gains in staffing. The subcommittee then elected Rachel Caprillion and Leo Sarkisian as co-chairs by vote. Members discussed possible topics and guests for the next meeting, including training, turnover, waiting lists, direct support professional pipelines, apprenticeships, and possible speakers from state agencies, advocacy organizations, other states, and workforce programs such as JVS. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we decided to close the program through the audit with Ms. Cheek.
• It is a federally funded program.
• yet when they come through this program.
• So what we did is make sure these students, if they reach out to us, we push them to those programs to
• I'm sorry, how many total students are in that program or on that campus?

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Summary: The House and Senate Legislative Audit committee met to approve prior minutes and review four higher education audit reports. Staff first presented the University of Arkansas System report, which included three findings that had been certified and referred to the Governmental Bonding Board, the attorney general, and the appropriate prosecuting attorney: unauthorized purchases at UAPB totaling about $37,000, a fraud scheme involving falsified FAFSA/transcript records at East Arkansas Community College with about $66,000 in losses, and unallowable charges in the Veterans Upward Bound program at UA Fayetteville totaling $8,500, of which $6,700 was recovered. Committee members praised the institutions’ internal audit and management teams for identifying the issues and asked detailed questions about how the fraud was detected, especially the online student identity-theft scheme at EACC and the safeguards now being used to verify student identity and prevent similar cases. EACC officials explained that the fraudulent admissions involved online applicants using falsified transcripts and identity-theft tactics, that 39 suspicious students were identified, and that seven slipped through far enough to receive federal aid, resulting in a $2,500 reimbursement obligation to the university. They said the college now uses a cross-departmental student validity team, extensive red-flag protocols, direct outreach to high schools, ID verification, and other checks, and that the issue has been shared across the UA system and with other campuses. UA Fayetteville also clarified that no veterans were harmed by the Veterans Upward Bound finding; the program was closed and students were redirected to other veteran support programs in the state. The committee then deferred the Northwest Arkansas Community College report. Staff next summarized two additional reports, from Southeast Arkansas College and Southern Arkansas University Tech, which contained only financial statement misstatements corrected during audit fieldwork; SAU Tech also had a finding involving unauthorized withdrawals that the college discovered and recovered. With no further questions, the committee voted without objection to file the reviewed reports and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, the California Birth Defects Monitoring Program has limited resources and is only funded to
• California's birth defects monitoring program is currently limited to 10 counties to monitor.
• The medical board has not offered a program for its licensees for nearly 18 years.
• with the prior diversion program while not changing any of the requirements for physicians referred
• Because they didn't trust that the program would be funded.

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To receive funding from the Rural Sheriff's Office Salary Assistance Grant Program and Rural Prosecutors
• ' Office Salary Assistance Program, or Reassistance Grant Program.
• It's another grant program and I appreciate the opportunity to lay this out early. Mr. Chairman.
• And tell me how this program would interact with the program we approved.
• Yeah, so SB 22 provided a grant program to make sure that deputies were getting paid a minimum salary

Bills: HB467 , HB318 , HB503 , HB198 , HB318 , HB198

Committee: House S/C on County & Regional Government

Keywords: hospital district, Cedar Creek, scholarship, dissolution, county judges, healthcare funding, grant program, rural counties, law enforcement, sheriff's departments, funding, public safety, deputy shortages, sheriff, prosecutor, salary assistance, HB 198, Wade Cannon Act, firefighter cancer screening, occupational cancer screening

Transcript Highlights:

• away back in May, and we appreciate y'all being willing to honor him by changing the name of this program
• When you go to the Fortified program, I want to give you some examples.
• So, they worked with us all the way through and also had some grants, with a grant program where you
• The programs we have in place in coastal Alabama work. We ask that you please do not remove that.
• If I do not recertify under the program, my insurance... All right, any more questions?

Bills: HB324 , HB252 , SB80 , HB241

Committee: House County and Municipal Government

Keywords: sheriffs, term of office, Alabama law, local government, election, residential construction, architectural approval, engineering approval, home building, single family residences, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It supports the maintenance of quality public education initiatives and reinforces programs that will
• President: $10 million in English language learning programs for educational grants to reduce the wait
• President. $10 million in English language learning programs for educational grants to reduce the wait
• Tarr, Supplemental Local District Grant Program.
• This particular program, the amendment that now lies before the Senate, would spend just short of $50

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate took up Senate House No. 4010, a fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill funded largely by surplus Fair Share revenues. The Ways and Means chair described the bill as a $1.28 billion package, with major investments in education and transportation, including special education circuit breaker aid, higher education deferred maintenance, career technical education capital grants, school construction relief, high-dosage tutoring, English language learning grants, MBTA reserve replenishment and safety training, commuter rail maintenance, Chapter 90 local road aid, regional transit authority support, ferry and micro-transit funding, and a small World Cup transportation appropriation. Members from both parties generally praised the bill’s one-time, regionally balanced approach while emphasizing fiscal discipline and the limited, surplus-based funding source. The minority leader and others questioned the fund balances and the use of the education and transportation innovation and capital fund, the Student Opportunity Act trust fund, and the transitional escrow account; the chair said the bill would zero out the innovation and capital fund, leave about $430 million in the SOA trust, and about $200 million in the escrow account. Several members highlighted specific priorities. Senator Cronin and Senator Feeney strongly supported the $100 million career technical education investment, arguing it would expand vocational opportunities in comprehensive high schools and help meet workforce needs. Senator Feeney also emphasized MBTA funding, special education, local road repairs, English language learning tied to workforce needs, and World Cup preparations in Foxborough. Senator Comerford praised the bill’s regional equity, higher education maintenance funding, special education support, and transportation investments, while also noting the need for broader future work on Chapter 70 and school finance. Senator Tarr supported the bill but repeatedly stressed that the spending was a unique one-time opportunity and that the Commonwealth should preserve fiscal reserves and continue to address school funding inequities and MBTA finances more broadly. The chamber then considered numerous amendments. Amendment 1 on tariff pricing transparency was withdrawn after brief remarks, and Amendment 14, proposing a DESE study on educational outcomes for young men and boys, was rejected. Amendment 182, funding Worcester Regional Transit Authority capital expenses, was adopted. Amendment 228, adding $500,000 for Free Period to expand access to menstrual products in schools, was adopted. Amendment 257, funding Springfield Public Schools communication and safety systems, was also adopted. Other amendments, including Tarr amendments on supplemental district aid, MBTA reporting, and the Foundation Budget Review Commission, were rejected. Amendment 308 concerning MBTA Communities and Milton was withdrawn, after which Senator Driscoll began a presentation arguing Milton was being misclassified under the MBTA Communities Act and should be treated fairly under the law.

Transcript Highlights:

• Don't walk past good programs that are in there to get to new programs, right?
• Don't walk past good programs that are in there to get to new programs, right?
• . ...relating to Clean Air Act Title IV operating permit program.
• How often do we increase the fees on this program?
• They're really siloed to this program. Yes, they are.

Summary: The Senate reconvened, read committee reports, and assigned House Bill 89 with House Amendment 1 and House Bill 393 with House Amendment 1 to the Senate Finance Committee. It then adopted Consent Calendar 64, which included resolutions recognizing Take Our Children to Work Day, Juneteenth, National Farmers Day, Invisible Disabilities Week, Stonewall Uprising Remembrance Day, National Nonprofit Day, and two property-assessment working group resolutions. The calendar passed by a unanimous roll call, and the chamber heard remarks supporting Juneteenth, Delaware agriculture, invisible disabilities awareness, and the nonprofit sector. The Senate passed the fiscal year 2026 and 2027 revenue estimates in Senate Joint Resolution 16 and Senate Joint Resolution 17, and approved the fiscal year 2027 operating budget in Senate Bill 335 after extended debate on budget growth, recurring costs, health care, education, public safety, retiree obligations, and fiscal restraint. It also passed Senate Bill 336, the one-time supplemental appropriation bill, which includes one-time investments such as a $100 million transition toward a weighted education funding formula, election support, early childhood education, classroom projects, lead remediation, and campaign finance modernization. Several members praised the budget process and staff, while others cautioned against future spending growth. Among policy bills, the Senate passed House Bill 369 to codify the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety, House Bill 268 to increase penalties for assaulting postal workers, House Bill 374 to require workforce reporting on large public works projects, Senate Bill 253 with House Amendment 1 to standardize school bullying parental-notification procedures, Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 342 to modernize the Delaware Motion Picture and Television Development Commission, House Bill 402 to extend Clean Air Act Title V permit fees, and Senate Bill 346 with Senate Amendment 1 to streamline Environmental Appeals Board timelines. The Senate also began consideration of House Bill 293, which would add hate crimes to the Victims’ Compensation Assistance Program, but the transcript cuts off before its vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 2440, prisoners transition program. Judiciary and elections.
• HB 2667, home buyer assistance program requirements. Regulatory affairs and government efficiency.
• HB 2806, lawful presence public programs revocation. Military affairs and security.
• HB 2055, brackish groundwater recovery program. Natural resources.
• It remains under strict court oversight related to its past experience with the 287(g) program.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and a series of personal privilege introductions recognizing guests including the Doctor of the Day, realtors visiting for Realtor Day, and the family of former Senator Barbara Leff. The chamber also adopted House Concurrent Resolution 264 honoring Barbara Leff, followed by a moment of silence in her memory. The Senate then moved through a large number of bill introductions and first readings, as well as Committee of the Whole consideration of several measures. In Committee of the Whole, senators considered and advanced multiple bills, often with technical or negotiated floor amendments. Among those reported out as do pass or do pass as amended were SB 1494, SB 1497, SB 1503, SB 1535, SB 1544, SB 1580, SB 1582, SB 1584, SB 1585, SB 1602, SB 1632, SB 1723, and SB 1798. The amendments addressed topics such as technical corrections to mining and pension language, classical learning tests, sex trafficking record sealing, probation reporting, school safety funding, kinship foster care stipends, DES credentialing, domestic violence release conditions, and a school safety/threat identification pilot program that was revised into a FAFSA awareness recognition program. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted. The Senate then took up third-reading votes on several bills. HB 4115, SB 1012, SB 1213, SB 1416, SB 1474, SB 1511, SB 1549, SB 1573, SB 1634, SB 1647, SB 1649, SB 1664, and SB 1725 were considered, with most passing on party-line or near-party-line votes; SB 1416 and SB 1664 passed unanimously, while SB 1549 passed with broader support. Several members explained votes on immigration enforcement, concealed carry in establishments serving alcohol, commercial driver licensing, campaign finance, and a digital asset reserve fund. HB 2993, dealing with DPS legal representation funding, passed 16-13 after debate over constitutional concerns, funding sources, and the use of the Attorney General’s consumer fraud fund. The session ended with the Senate adopting the Committee of the Whole report and transmitting the passed bills to the House.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 14, literacy position for K through 3 reading program.
• </c> through three reading program. through three reading program.
• and language and literacy programs.
• and language and intervention program and language and literacy<01:14:51.600><c> programs.
• And the meat of the literacy programs.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We went through an overview of the grants programs and what the eligibility is.
• Director Rochite, this program has become more popular.
• And we stay responsive to that through this grant program, right?
• We've had 1,100 kids go through this Quail Kids program.
• We've had 1,100 kids go through this Quail Kids program.

Committee: Joint Arizona Off-Highway Vehicle Study Committee

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Rachel Baker, Forest Program Director at Washington Conservation Action.
• Again, a reminder how important the DNR timber sale program is to the industry.
• I serve as the program manager for the Water Resources Program within the Department of Ecology.
• I serve as the program manager for the Water Resources Program within the Department of Ecology.
• I serve as the program manager for the Water Resources Program within the Department of Ecology.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on House Bill 2170, which would authorize DNR to enter ecosystem service and carbon contracts on state trust lands, and House Bill 2578, which would add tribal members and alternates to the Fish and Wildlife Commission. For HB 2170, the Department of Natural Resources and supporters said the bill would diversify revenue, help meet climate goals, and allow DNR to participate in emerging carbon and ecosystem markets without necessarily eliminating timber harvest. Opponents, including counties, school districts, timber companies, loggers, and forest industry groups, argued the bill could reduce harvest levels, harm rural jobs and mill supply, and lower revenues for schools and other trust beneficiaries; several said any new authority should be limited to additive projects with stronger safeguards. Supporters included environmental groups and some local officials who said the bill would provide a more stable revenue stream and better align land management with climate and watershed benefits. The chair noted there are two related vehicles in committee, HB 1508 as the negotiated version and HB 2170 as the department version, and the public hearing on HB 2170 was closed after extensive testimony. For HB 2578, staff explained that the bill would add four tribal commissioner positions and four alternates to the Fish and Wildlife Commission, with representation from federally recognized tribes on both sides of the Cascades and staggered terms. Prime sponsor Rep. Deborah Lekanoff said the measure would strengthen co-management and the state’s government-to-government relationship with tribes, while acknowledging there are other related bills and ongoing legal issues involving WDFW. The chair asked whether the bill would affect existing tribal consultation obligations, and Lekanoff said it would not replace government-to-government consultation; she also said she would follow up on how the governor would make appointments. The hearing on HB 2578 was then suspended so the committee could return to HB 2170 testimony. The committee also heard staff briefing and sponsor testimony on House Bill 2544, which would create a pilot process for the Upper Columbia River water rights adjudication. Staff said the bill would require Ecology to run the adjudication in two phases, starting with tribal and federal claimants and allowing time for settlement before bringing in other claims, with a report due by June 2035. Rep. Larry Springer said the bill is intended to establish a baseline of water use more efficiently in a process that can otherwise take decades. After the briefing and sponsor remarks, the committee began public testimony on the bill, with tribal representatives and other stakeholders queued to testify.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a young legislators or young senators program in my district, and one of the things that they
• I have a young legislators or young senators program in my district, and one of the things that they
• Ten years will allow ample time for development, teacher preparation, and program adjustments.
• And we're also interested in looking into having a pilot program or something. ...your time frame.
• have seen data gaps filled and programs to help students just like my sister.

Summary: The Senate and Assembly Education Committees held their annual joint hearing with the California Association of Student Councils and SABLE, where student delegates presented policy ideas developed over two days. Committee members repeatedly praised student voice and noted that several past student proposals had become law. The hearing began with opening remarks from legislators and student organizers, who emphasized the importance of civic participation and the value of hearing directly from students. The chair also reviewed hearing rules and explained that the panels would be treated as peers in a formal policy discussion. The first panel proposed an annual civic engagement day for grades 7-12, with flexible activities such as mock elections, civic fairs, Socratic seminars, and public comment practice. Members asked about costs, grade-level flexibility, voter registration, and how the proposal would fit within existing curriculum time. The second panel proposed amending Education Code Section 35012 to require at least one student board member in every unified and high school district, with expanded training and motion rights. Legislators supported the concept but raised technical concerns about fiscal impact, the need for odd-numbered boards, the scope of motioning authority, and whether districts would need reimbursement if the mandate became statewide. A third panel proposed adding middle school financial literacy instruction by embedding it into existing classes, with curriculum and teacher training developed over time by state agencies. Members questioned how it would fit into adopted materials and whether the state should wait until the new high school financial literacy course is fully implemented before designing middle school instruction. The fourth panel proposed expanding restorative justice by creating a CDE task force and authorizing PPS-certified staff to use restorative justice training materials in discipline processes. Senators discussed prior legislation, confidentiality concerns in closed-session hearings, and the fiscal cost of a state task force, while expressing support for stronger restorative practices. The final panel proposed more active mental health education through short, twice-semester classroom sessions for grades 7-12 focused on coping skills, time management, and awareness of resources. Assemblymember Castillo and Senator Cortese questioned whether teachers and counselors could effectively deliver the program, whether it would duplicate or overburden existing efforts, and whether wellness centers or student-led awareness efforts might be more effective. Committee members generally agreed the topic was important but were skeptical that another curriculum mandate was the best solution, and no votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a young legislators or young senators program in my district, and one of the things that they
• Ten years will allow ample time for development, teacher preparation, and program adjustments.
• And we're also interested in looking into having a pilot program or something.
• I would have seen the school understand and implement programs that supported these students.
• And I would have seen data gaps filled and seen the programs to help students just like my sister.

Summary: The annual joint Senate and Assembly Education Committee hearing featured student proposals from the California Association of Student Councils and SABLE, with opening remarks from legislators emphasizing student voice and the value of hearing youth ideas. Committee members noted the hearing was being streamed and that they would review the testimony even though some members could not attend because of fog-related travel issues. The first panel proposed an annual civic engagement day for grades 7-12, with flexible school-led activities such as discussions, mock elections, and voter registration-related events. Members generally praised the idea but raised concerns about costs, instructional time tradeoffs, how to evaluate effectiveness, and whether the proposal should better connect to existing civics standards and local curriculum. The second panel proposed amending Education Code Section 35012 to require at least one student board member in every unified and high school district, with added training and the right to make motions. Legislators supported student representation in principle but questioned whether the proposal should require one or two student members to avoid board tie issues, why some districts do not already have student trustees, and how the mandate would be funded if it became a state requirement. They also raised technical concerns about the scope of motioning power and the fiscal impact of converting a voluntary local practice into a statewide mandate. Later panels proposed adding middle school financial literacy instruction, expanding restorative justice practices, and creating more structured mental health education time. On financial literacy, students suggested integrating finance into existing middle school classes and teacher training over time; members worried about curriculum overload and suggested aligning the idea with the already-approved high school finance course. On restorative justice, students proposed a CDE task force and training for PPS-certified staff; legislators discussed prior related bills, confidentiality concerns in discipline hearings, and the likely cost of a state task force. On mental health, students proposed short, twice-semester classroom sessions focused on coping skills and awareness of resources, but members questioned whether such brief lessons could be effective and suggested that wellness centers, student-led awareness, and outside referrals might be more practical. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational and ended with encouragement for students to refine their proposals and follow up with legislators.

Transcript Highlights:

• But PNM will be entering the program that I work under, the state cleanup program, and in that program
• when they realize that the claims are indeed high enough that they need to continue the program.
• Downwinders are having to create an all-new program for those people who are affected.
• So, this program has the potential for bringing much-needed resources back to people who have not had
• , which is also under NMED in the groundwater program.

Committee: House Radioactive & Hazardous Materials Committee