Transcript Highlights:

• I am proud of our work to come together to ensure SBA is best positioned to aid disaster Victims nationwide
• deeply disappointed that the committee is breaking the long-standing bipartisan tradition of calling an equal
• Since 2001, save for one Congress, an equal number of witnesses has been afforded to the minority to
• On this committee, because with an equal number of witnesses, it ensures that the committee hearings
• These rules would limit my ability as Ranking Member to call an equal number of private witnesses for

Bills: SB298, SB300, SB371

Keywords: employee relocation, headquarters, Small Business Administration, Washington metropolitan area, telework, cost reduction, rural markets, geographic diversity, disaster loans, accountability, reporting, loan forgiveness, federal funding, SBA reforms, small business, disaster assistance, transparency, report publication, government accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• And then you can see special education aid, formerly catastrophic aid.
• And then you can see special education aid, formerly catastrophic aid.
• And then you can see special education aid, formerly catastrophic aid.
• , which includes our building state aid, which includes our building aid<00:17:30.880> program,
• > aid.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The tax revenues for a tax equals the sum of all liability for tax minus the tax gap—that’s the amount
• the sum of all liability for tax equals the sum of all liability for tax minus<00:09:14.959> the<
• Minnesota conforms to all those, and those apply equally for pass-through and for C corporations.
• Minnesota conforms to all those, and those apply equally for pass-through and for C corporations.
• immunities clause and the equal immunities clause and the equal protection<01:31:30.960> Clause

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Tax Committee met for an organizational and orientation session. Members and staff introduced themselves, with several lawmakers noting their districts, business backgrounds, and interest in tax policy. Chair Greg Davids then opened the committee’s first substantive item: a presentation from House Research and House Fiscal staff on how the committee works and on basic tax concepts. House Research staff Sean Williams and Chris Clayman explained their roles in drafting bills and amendments, writing bill summaries, answering legal and policy questions, and modeling tax proposals. They also described the committee’s key documents, including partisan and nonpartisan bill summaries, revenue estimates, fiscal notes, and supporting materials. Their presentation covered core tax concepts such as tax bases, rates, deductions, exemptions, credits, tax revenues, and tax expenditures, emphasizing that tax expenditures function like spending through the tax code and are reviewed by a legislative commission. The staff then reviewed Minnesota’s major taxes, focusing on the individual income tax and business taxation. They explained that Minnesota’s individual income tax starts with federal adjusted gross income, then applies state additions, deductions, subtractions, and credits, and that the state’s income tax brackets and rates are set separately from federal law. They also outlined the difference between corporate franchise taxes for C corporations and individual income tax treatment for pass-through entities, and discussed how the federal SALT cap led Minnesota and other states to adopt pass-through entity taxes so businesses could preserve federal deductibility of state taxes. Members asked questions about a duplicate “marriage penalty” entry on a slide, the purpose of Minnesota’s marriage penalty credit, comparisons with other states, and the timing and effect of the pass-through entity tax; staff answered that the duplicate was a mistake, the credit offsets bracket-related marriage penalties, and the pass-through entity tax was adopted in response to the federal SALT cap.

Transcript Highlights:

• but also aligned employment for farther-out outcomes, which really means what we can do for home care aid
• if you develop this into a pathway of a course, here's what it looks like to build in the home care aid
• To continue on, there's an update to the high school home care aid, HCA, training guide.
• And superintendents are not all equally well-equipped, even with your guidance, to understand how do
• And superintendents are not all equally well-equipped, even with your guidance, to understand how do

Summary: The House Education Committee received status updates on career and technical education (CTE), including OSPI’s work under 2024 legislation on allied health pathways and a statewide CTE task force, an update from Core Plus Maritime, and findings from an Education Northwest longitudinal study of Washington CTE access and outcomes. OSPI described development of allied health guidance such as a home care aide to nursing assistant bridge, model curricula, updated course equivalency frameworks, and coordination with health agencies and employers. It also reviewed Core Plus framework work, task force expansion under later legislation, and the timeline for recommendations due in November 2026. Committee members asked about health profession outreach, equitable access for rural districts, data updates, and employer support for local programs; OSPI said it continues to work with agency and industry partners and that local labor-market alignment varies by region. Core Plus Maritime presenters described expanding maritime career exploration into middle school through low-cost ROV curriculum, student visits to ferries and vessels, Sea Scouts partnerships, and ship-based safety and welding experiences. Industry representatives from the Northwest Marine Trade Association, American Seafoods, and Vigor Marine Group emphasized the maritime sector’s economic importance, aging workforce, and need for hands-on training to build the pipeline for family-wage jobs. A teacher from South Kitsap High School said the program gives students a clear pathway and has helped connect them to careers in shipyards, fishing, and related trades. Vigor also noted support for a student welding competition and equipment donations for a Rainier Beach shop. Dr. Sam Riggs of Education Northwest presented a longitudinal study using state data from 2013-14 through 2023-24. The study found CTE access has been relatively steady statewide, but offerings vary by school size, locale, and income, with rural and lower-income schools generally offering fewer pathways. Participation is high: nearly all students earn at least some CTE credit, and more students are accumulating multiple credits over time, though fewer go deep within a single pathway. Students who earned more CTE credits, especially within pathways such as agriculture, manufacturing, transportation, and construction, were more likely to graduate on time and later had stronger postsecondary certificate attainment and earnings. Riggs recommended addressing local barriers to participation, considering whether the CTE graduation requirement should better encourage depth while preserving flexibility, and aligning offerings more closely with labor-market needs. Committee members asked about COVID-era trends, student motivation, early workforce entry, delivery settings such as skill centers, and how to interpret the comparison groups used in the analysis.

Transcript Highlights:

• I love Texas, I love America, and all men are are created equal regardless of their birthplace.
• Based on the right to equal protection under the United States Constitution, no person should be denied
• By ensuring that there is no legal aid for immigration proceedings, this bill will necessarily prevent
• If a nonprofit through its donations is able to go and raise money by legal aid, they can hire pro bono
• Rather than to give legal aid to persons that may need it. And get them through the system.

Bills: HB 256, HB 1308, HB 1554, HB 1743, HB 2308, HB 2351, HB 2858, HB 3676, HB 3784, HB 4312, HB 4552, HB 4823, HB 4852, HB 5007, HB 5010, HB 5520, HB 5524, HCR 19

Keywords: E-verify, employment verification, illegal employment, state contracts, government entities, license suspension, immigration compliance, state grant funding, E-Verify, compliance, penalties, immigration, government contracts, employee status, state contractors, E-verify program, legally present, employment practices, legal services, public money

Transcript Highlights:

• And all men are created equal. Thank you. is the birthplace. Thank you all very much. Thank you.
• All of us wish to live here because the U.S. and Texas are magical places. land, filled with equality
• Assuring that there is no legal aid for immigration proceedings, this bill will necessarily prevent people
• interfere with federal immigration enforcement; they simply ensure that our neighbors have fair and equal
• Where state, city, and local county taxpayer dollars were used to directly fund the legal aid and defense

Bills: HB256, HCR19, HB256, HB1308, HB1554, HB1743, HB2308, HB2351, HB2858, HB3676, HB3784, HB4312, HB4552, HB4823, HB4852, HB5007, HB5010, HB5520, HB5524, HCR19

Keywords: severe weather, adaptation plan, vulnerability assessment, environmental protection, state agencies, federal agents, transparency, law enforcement, identification, public trust, immigration enforcement, HCR 19, Texas concurrent resolution, federal immigration enforcement, masked agents, facial coverings, visible identification, uniforms, badges, name tags

Transcript Highlights:

• lot, I can't wait to get a grant and aid lot, I can't wait to get a grant and aid package<03:36:
• Uh many clubs and aid into said trails.
• What's left is the grant and aid.
• What's left is the grant and aid.
• It's going to be about equal to what we see.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , lifelong champion of justice, equality, lifelong champion of justice, equality, and<00:15:37.360
• I know that I get to walk and equality.
• I know many aid feels different for us.
• <03:25:53.920> divided debatable for one hour equally divided debatable for one hour equally
• shall be debatable for one hour, equally shall be debatable for one hour, equally divided<04:24:

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But I hired my legislative aide— or yeah, the district legislative aide— out of Tier C because that's
• district legislative aid position.
• legislative aides.
• The new legislator may decide whether to retain the district legislative aide or request a new aide,
• in which case the previous aide may be terminated.

Transcript Highlights:

• The 19th instance of amendment is about the legacy debt aid program.
• And even in the future, if they don't want state aid, they can do They don't want state aid, they can
• do it without state aid.
• It's only if they want state aid and want to apply for state aid that they need to first notify the secretary
• Food banks got a direct aid. We negotiated down 145 from that.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Erika's contributions to her community are equally impressive. She's so...
• Equaling 250 million per year of biennium, I move adoption.
• So, I agree, insurance doesn't equal coverage, I mean, it doesn't equal coverage. equal wellness checks
• There are 2 million of those uninsured that qualify for aid.
• Will the general aide yield for questions? Does the general aide yield for questions?

Bills: SB1, HB500, SB1, HB1400, HB 1094, HB365, HB 1109, HB647, HB500

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, state budget, mental health funding, education funding, infrastructure improvements, public safety, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, after subtracting state aid for the district, For school districts.
• We need to value everybody equally.
• role as an educational aide to a certified teacher in 10 years.
• The community get dismantled by a state band-aid.
• All TEKS are not tested equally or tested at all.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The alleged emergency is simply an attempt to band-aid over the issues created by the issuance of improper
• The alleged emergency is simply an attempt to band-aid over the issues created by the issuance of improper
• <00:36:52.280> they<00:36:52.480> they<00:36:52.680> weren't<00:36:52.960> equal
• /c><00:36:53.200> So<00:36:53.280> it<00:36:53.360> was and they they weren't equal
• So it was and they they weren't equal.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee considered an emergency regulation from the Kentucky Board of Optometric Examiners, 201 KAR 5021E, along with a staff amendment to conform the text to KRS Chapter 13A. The regulation was described as implementing an Attorney General opinion and a review of optometrists licensed during the 2020–2023 period when alternative testing and waivers were used during the COVID-19 era. The board explained that the rule requires affected licensees to complete specified examinations or an alternative certification before renewing in 2027, and that it now removes the OEBC Canadian exam as a future pathway while preserving recognition of OEBC results submitted during the period when that option was in effect. The staff amendment was approved without objection. Testimony was sharply divided. Board representatives and the Attorney General’s office said the regulation is needed to protect public health and to bring the licensure review into the formal administrative process. They said the NBEO Part 3 exam is the nationally recognized hands-on clinical licensure test, while the American Board of Optometry certification is a post-licensure credential for already licensed practitioners and is not a substitute for initial licensure testing. They also said no other state uses the ABOC certification for licensure, and that the board’s approach balances fairness, due process, and public protection. Opponents argued the regulation would allow individuals who were improperly licensed to continue practicing without meeting the same standards as other Kentucky optometrists. A representative from the Kentucky School for the Blind Charitable Foundation described cases of alleged inadequate care and urged the committee to require full national board passage before independent practice. Representatives from ARBO and NBEO said the emergency regulation is not justified as an emergency, does not adequately address public safety or fiscal impacts, and exceeds the board’s authority by creating a renewal path for licensees whose initial licensure was challenged. They emphasized that NBEO Part 3 is a practical, hands-on exam and that the ABOC certification is not designed or validated for initial licensure. The committee asked several questions about the differences between the exams, and no final vote on the regulation itself was described in the transcript beyond approval of the staff amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is 262, CLOSA, and that is out on a B roll call with the AB 591 CLOSA Public Works Mutual Aid Holding
• AB 617, McKenna, home care aid registry, hold in committee.
• Due passes amended to make increases in financial aid award amounts subject to an appropriation.
• AB 1495, Valencia Home Health Aids Training, do pass out on an A roll call. 6 Wallace, older adults meal
• AB 1138 Zubur, film tax credit due passes amended to equalize the independent film uplift for wages paid

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• bill to provide additional funding for counties using certain state tax revenues and to create the equal
• It puts us on equal footing with every state out there. Arkansas has two senators.
• You look at the rural water systems that we're sitting there and do a band-aid sometimes on grants and
• You know, our founding fathers set up a great system in our country that allowed us to be on an equal
• I do not want to make homeschool or private school, public school, testing equal.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Outside at the hearing room, we also have legislative aides Stephen Merrick and Grace Tierney, who can
• This legislation promotes fairness and equal opportunity in education.
• This legislation promotes fairness and equal opportunity in education.
• Taxpayers invest heavily in student preparation and financial aid that follow students into both public
• Taxpayers invest heavily in student preparation and financial aid that follow students into both public

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held a public hearing on a large slate of bills, with much of the testimony focused on school discipline and student equity. Bills discussed included measures to address inequities in suspension and expulsion, clarify school exclusion rules, reduce discipline for dress and grooming violations, and expand protections related to fair educational practices. Committee members repeatedly reminded witnesses of the two-minute limit and asked for written testimony to supplement oral remarks. A substantial portion of the hearing centered on the RAISE Act and related school discipline bills, including H. 730/S. 376 and H. 731/S. 380. Testifiers from advocacy groups, legal services, and the legislature argued that exclusionary discipline disproportionately affects Black and Latino students, students with disabilities, low-income students, and DCF-involved youth. They said current law is overly broad or unclear in areas such as “assault on educational staff,” indefinite suspensions tied to felony complaints, and definitions of weapons, leading to unnecessary removals from school. Supporters said the bills would add due process, clearer definitions, and better accountability, while one legislator testified in support of the discipline reforms and opposed several other bills on the agenda. The committee also heard testimony on H. 576/S. 368, which would prohibit suspensions and expulsions for dress and grooming violations and require clearer, non-discriminatory dress code policies. Witnesses cited research and personal stories about disproportionate enforcement against Black girls, girls of color, non-binary students, and students wearing religious attire, and said the bill would prevent physical contact used to enforce dress codes. Another major topic was H. 641/S. 349, which would add “special medical status” protections in education; supporters said it would prevent exclusion based on medical decisions or conditions, though members questioned how it would interact with existing disability law and vaccination-related school requirements. The committee also heard testimony on H. 625, which would extend the ban on corporal punishment from public to private schools, with witnesses citing research on harm and disproportionate impact. Additional testimony covered bills on accelerated learning and gifted education, with parents, educators, and advocates saying Massachusetts under-identifies advanced learners and lacks adequate acceleration pathways. A senator also testified for S. 406 on recovery high schools, saying the funding formula should be updated to better support students in recovery. No votes were taken during the hearing; the chair closed testimony on several bill groups and noted that written testimony would remain open for a week.

Transcript Highlights:

• San Mateo County does not have enough non-basic-aid schools from which property tax can be shifted to
• They will never have 100% basic aid. It's just mathematically impossible for that to be the case.
• So the chances of a single county having an entirely basic-aid district is not trivial.
• and one non-basic-aid district, which would then automatically, without any action by the department
• of a single county having an entirely basic aid is not trivial.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard a budget item on vehicle license fee backfill funding, where the Department of Finance said the administration was not proposing the requested $119 million for San Mateo County, Alpine, and Mono, arguing the payment is discretionary and that existing excess ERAF formulas should remain unchanged. Senator Becker and former Senator Jackie Speier testified that the money is owed under the VLF swap arrangement and that San Mateo County faces major service cuts without the backfill; Senator Cabaldon raised broader policy questions about county boundaries and the structure of the formula. The chair held the item open after public comment. The committee then reviewed Secretary of State budget proposals. The department requested funding for SB 851 implementation, including additional duties related to election litigation notice, voting system standards, and vendor reporting, with $1.1 million General Fund in 2026-27 and $807,000 ongoing for four positions and software. Members asked about election security, federal HAVA funding, staffing, and implementation timing; the department said current federal funds are expected to run out in 2027-28 and that it hopes to hire quickly once funded. The item was held open. The Secretary of State also presented the Cal Access Replacement System (CARS), seeking $11.8 million General Fund to finish the project and begin operations, and the notary automation replacement project, seeking $9.795 million in Business Fees Fund for continued development of the outdated notary system. Members focused on project delays, stakeholder input, and whether the funding requests matched prior plans; the department said both projects were still on their original funding tracks but had shifted timelines due to planning needs and election-related workload. Both items were held open. CalVet presented its department overview and then discussed the new 240-bed skilled nursing facility at Yountville, which is nearing completion and will replace the aging Holderman Hospital building. Members asked about the future of Holderman, other campus capital projects, and a payroll/fringe-benefit issue affecting some employees; CalVet said Holderman will continue to house some functions, the roofing and steam projects remain in progress, and the tax issue has been addressed with new procedures and repayment arrangements. The committee also discussed eliminating vacant positions under Control Section 4.12, with CalVet saying the positions were long-vacant CNA and related jobs and the LAO noting the Legislature had not concurred; Senator Cabaldon said he had no objection, and the item was held open. Finally, the California Arts Council gave an overview of its work and its cultural districts program, describing grants and technical assistance in all 58 counties and citing examples of local impact. Senator Smallwood-Cuevas strongly supported additional funding, including a proposed $50 million General Fund investment and a $10 million carve-out for cultural districts, arguing the program supports economic development, preservation, and community identity; council staff said the program is currently unfunded and has only been able to designate a fraction of applicants. Senator Cabaldon noted that many parts of the state still lack cultural districts and urged broader geographic representation. The item was informational and no vote was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• format, the state can improve efficiency, enhance public trust, and ensure that all taxpayers have equal
• Though modest in number, this inclusion symbolizes our equal recognition of Gold Star families and provides
• We feel that they should get the equal benefit and consideration as those that are disabled.
• We support this bill as it would potentially increase the aid provided to the county and to other affected
• Tax exemption will be equal to the lesser of $3000 or one half of the tax burden of the property.

Bills: SB 4, SB 23, SJR 2

Keywords: redistricting, election, Texas legislature, district composition, political representation, congressional redistricting, Texas House of Representatives, U.S. House, Congressional districts, district map, district boundaries, gerrymandering, voting rights, election law, apportionment, representation, special committee, PLANC2308, redistricting plan, elections

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:37:23.040> that be a very small um training aid that be a very small um training aid that
• It's the right... but unfortunately there's nobody at the Rite Aid.
• So it's kind of nobody at the right aid.
• They found them unconstitutional on equal protection grounds, on Part I, Article 12.
• <02:02:07.280> protection issue with a potential equal protection issue with a potential equal

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I know it on the average of what I bring home in appropriations to aid and assist the 20 cities and the
• I know it on the average of what I bring home in appropriations to aid and assist the 20 cities and the
• Orange, but a supplemental revenue source that they can use to try to keep things together as a Band-Aid
• Some of us hitch a ride with an aide in a rent-a-car, a compact.
• And at some point, I mean, we need to rip the Band-Aid off to a certain extent and let them make some

Summary: The Committee on Appropriations took up SJR 2-F, a proposed constitutional amendment to reduce property taxes by lowering assessment caps on non-homestead property, expanding homestead exemptions over time, and allowing local governments to increase exemptions further. The sponsor argued the measure would provide broad property tax relief while requiring revenues to be directed to core services such as public safety, education, infrastructure, and natural resource projects, with a trust fund intended to help local governments transition. Senators raised concerns about the lack of a fiscal score, the effect on counties, cities, school districts, and special districts, and whether the proposal would shift costs to fees or other taxes. Several amendments were debated. Senator Polsky’s amendment to explicitly authorize user fees and non-ad valorem assessments to offset lost property tax revenue failed. Senator Avila’s amendment broadening permissible uses of ad valorem revenue to include county constitutional officers and other expenditures approved by local governing bodies was adopted after debate over whether the bill would otherwise underfund essential functions. Senator Smith’s sunset amendment, which would have made the constitutional changes expire after five years, failed. Senator Smith’s amendment to allow tourism development tax revenue to support public safety and education also failed. Senator Graal’s amendment removing the constitutional trust fund language was adopted, with supporters arguing the Constitution should not promise an unfunded account. Additional late-file amendments were considered. Senator Berman’s proposal to change the ballot title to more neutrally describe the measure as affecting property taxes and local community service reductions failed. Senator Trumbull’s amendment removing school board ad valorem taxes from the proposal was adopted, preserving school taxes. Senator Smith’s amendment narrowing the non-homestead assessment cap reduction to small businesses only failed. The committee then returned to the bill as amended and continued questioning the sponsor about eligibility, fiscal impacts, and whether the proposal could lead to local governments offsetting lost revenue through special assessments or other charges.