Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Education with them.
• Department of Education, SEEK, uh, SEEK was removed from the base percentage cuts.
• Um, a lot of people ask about transportation through K-12 education.
• </c><00:14:47.279><c> uh</c> from Kentucky Department of Education uh from Kentucky Department of Education
• Post-secondary education, as I've noted before, Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority, KHEAA

Committee: House Appropriations & Revenue

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:40 HB 500 Discussion 00:01:50 HB 500 Vote 00:38:40 HB 504 Discussion 00:41:45 HB 504 Vote 00:47:00, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we're all a little bit more educated now than we were before.
• So our academic education, the Carl Perkins funds go to career and technical education.
• I'm just trying to figure out from an educational standpoint.
• Some programs include adult basic education, technical education, post-secondary academic and career
• education, and the governor recommended a core reduction of $9,876.

Committee: House Budget

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I had a very similar bill to this that was presented last year in the Education Committee.
• If you were educated in its... I understand.
• So I think it's going to take a lot more education.
• It just needs to be some education.
• And so I think education is what we need. And thank you guys for presenting that.

Committee: House Emerging Issues

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They were locked out of home ownership and higher education opportunities, while white families were
• Woodson wrote a book, The Mis-Education of the Negro, and it was one of his obsessions.
• And he said, if you educated... Floor, right.
• And he said, if you educated...
• Their education makes it necessary. And so, this month was really a...

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, received messages and substitutions from the Assembly, and welcomed two new members, Senators Erik Bottcher and Jeremy Zellner. The chamber then adopted the resolution calendar and took up a privileged resolution sponsored by Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins memorializing Governor Hochul to proclaim February 2026 as Black History Month in New York. Senators Bailey, Baskin, Sanders, Scarcella-Spanton, Brisport, Parker, Cleare, Comrie, and others spoke in support, emphasizing Black history as American history, the importance of education and remembrance, and the contributions of Black New Yorkers and historical figures. The resolution was adopted, and the leader opened it for co-sponsorship. The Senate then moved to the bill calendar and passed several measures, including bills on civil procedure, urban development, labor, and public service law. One labor bill was substituted from the Assembly and passed. Several energy and utility-related bills drew debate, with supporters arguing they would improve affordability, utility rate-setting, and consumer protections, while opponents said they would not meaningfully lower costs and instead reflected broader policy choices. Senator Walczyk voted no on one utility bill, and Senators Tedisco and others criticized the package; Senators Mayer and Harckham defended the measures as needed reforms to utility regulation and return-on-equity standards. Most bills were approved by wide margins, including one public service bill that passed 53-9 and another that passed 61-1.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I appreciate your presentation on this because as an educator myself, I thought about the practice
• as</c><00:25:52.640><c> a</c> presentation on this because as a presentation on this because as a educator
• myself, I thought about the educator myself, I thought about the practice.<00:25:56.240><c> You</c><
• But they take continuing education classes, and they're very good about their follow-up education once
• with a professional uh type of educator with a professional uh subject<00:32:24.399><c> matter</c><00

Keywords: Consideration of HB 139 -- 00:03:15 Consideration of HB 356 -- 00:08:48, 958, all

Summary: The committee first adopted a committee substitute for House Bill 139, which would allow a political party to replace a candidate who dies or withdraws after the filing deadline but before ballot certification. Representative Decker explained the substitute as a narrow election-related fix, and the bill was then passed by the committee on an 11-yes, 1-pass vote and sent to the full House. The committee then heard House Bill 356, which would move the Property Valuation Administrator (PVA) qualification test from a once-every-four-years, Frankfort-based format to administration through the Kentucky Community and Technical College System at multiple locations and times. Representative Bridges said the Department of Revenue would still write and control the exam, KCTCS would only administer it, the fiscal note was zero, and the change would improve access and convenience without weakening standards. KCTCS said it was prepared to help if directed. Members generally agreed PVAs should be tested, but some raised concerns about test integrity, whether a broader testing network could create uneven conditions, and whether the change should instead use a smaller number of regional test sites. Others supported the bill as a common-sense way to expand access and avoid forcing candidates to wait years after missing a single test date. The committee also discussed the lack of a study guide for the exam and whether that should be addressed separately. No final vote on House Bill 356 is reflected in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• and increases in fee revenue to replace the use of the Mortgage Regulatory Fund and the Securities Education
• The LFC recommendation recommends backfilling the Mortgage Regulatory Fund and the Securities Education
• The MRF fund, this security education fund, had been depleted.
• Securities Education, they're already bringing in 23 million.
• I do think that our increase in complaints is probably due to education.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to share that this really serves as the basis for NCSL education and advocacy."
• I just talked with my education counterpart.
• New Mexico's largest education funding from federal sources is more in the special education area.
• Tomorrow at 9:45, we are going to be getting an update on federal education.
• Additionally, investing in our staff and their education is crucial.

Committee: House Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:16:37.760><c> them,</c> responsibility for educating them, responsibility for educating them,
• It would come out of the Education Finance jurisdiction budget. Any other questions?
• </c> pass, and be referred to the education pass, and be referred to the education finance<01:47:41.840
• </c> education finance. education finance. &gt;&gt; Thank<01:48:01.440><c> you.
• </c> dental programs, education programs. dental programs, education programs.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Educate your constituents on the pluses and the minuses of this proposal.
• So promise me you will educate your constituents.
• He's not with us right now for the amendment on education. He's not with us right now.
• For the amendment on education, I've been very involved in education policy for many, many years.
• One of them concerned education, protecting our schools, because if we can't afford to educate our children

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:

• We currently do not have all of the code enforcement support and technology education and navigation
• Um, and so I see the need for this education and navigation of new technology is out there.
• um and and navigation of new education um and and navigation of new technology<00:37:22.160><c> is</
• </c><00:45:45.160><c> In</c> with support, education, training.
• In with support, education, training.

Committee: Senate Labor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and they're managed through education and they're managed through education and<01:05:52.400><c>
• I respectfully ask the committee to reconsider this bill and pursue a more effective, educative, and
• I respectfully ask the committee to reconsider this bill and pursue a more effective, educative, and
• I respectfully ask the committee to reconsider this bill and pursue a more effective, educative, and
• Effective, educative, and uh culturally aware solution.

Bills: HB1621 , HB1880 , HB1831

Committee: House Agriculture & Food Systems

Keywords: pesticides, environmental impact, agriculture, 1,3-dichloropropene, chlorpyrifos, land management, wastewater compliance, state funding, survey issues, 910, house, all

Summary: The joint committees on Agriculture and Food Systems and Energy and Environmental Protection heard three bills. HB 1621 would create a conservation, agriculture, and soil health incentive program under the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, with annual reporting and funding. Testimony was broadly supportive from the Climate Commission, University of Hawaiʻi, Hawaii Farmers Union, White Alliance for Progressive Action, and the Farm Bureau, and the bill was described as a way to advance soil health and support producers. HB 1880 would prohibit, beginning in 2027, the use of pesticides containing 1,3-dichloropropene (such as Telone). The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity offered written comments, Hawaii Farmers Union supported the ban citing drift and health concerns, and the Farm Bureau opposed it, arguing growers need such tools; the bill also drew discussion about crop rotation and other pest-management practices. HB 1831 would authorize funding to address survey deficiencies and wastewater compliance issues on certain non-agricultural parklands; the Attorney General’s Office warned the bill as written may violate the U.S. Constitution’s contract clause and suggested revisions, while the department and Farm Bureau supported the measure’s intent. The committees later took up decision-making and voted to pass all three measures with amendments, with the effective dates changed to July 1, 3000 and HB 1831 amended to reflect the Attorney General’s suggested changes. The Agriculture and Food Systems committee then heard HB 1572, which would establish a four-year restorative aquaculture development program to streamline permitting, expand infrastructure and workforce capacity, create pilot sites, and convene an advisory council. The Attorney General noted a technical issue about whether council members would be compensated, and the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Farmers Union all expressed support for streamlining aquaculture and promoting restorative aquaculture. Members asked about the bill’s focus on restorative aquaculture, and the department said the program would give the area dedicated resources and a framework. The committee also heard HB 219, which would temporarily reestablish the coffee berry borer pesticide subsidy program and manager position; the department, Waimea Coffee Association, Farm Bureau, and Farmers Union supported it. HB 2139 would fund University of Hawaiʻi research on treatment methods for the Queensland longhorn beetle. Testimony from DLNR, the invasive species council, university researchers, farmers, and the Farm Bureau emphasized the beetle’s spread and damage to trees and crops, and described nematode biocontrol as promising but labor-intensive and in need of more research and scaling. Members asked whether the funding was for research rather than a position, whether the current nematode approach is sufficient for large orchards, and whether other controls are being explored; the response was that the bill funds testing and that more work is needed, including local production of nematodes if the method proves effective.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are the education leaders in your communities and in our state.
• The education leaders in your communities and in our state.
• Senate Bill 23, germane, thence referred to the Education Committee.
• Senate Bill 241, germane, thence referred to the Education Committee.
• Senate Education meets tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock.

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:

• Uh, some that work in education in various areas.
• Uh, some that work in education in various areas.
• </c> uh and these educational programs? uh and these educational programs?
• Fair to say, or enrolled in education, right? >> Enrolled in education.
• </c> &gt;&gt; or enrolled in education, right? &gt;&gt; or enrolled in education, right?

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The public hearing was on an SP 15 replace-all, non-germane amendment to Senate Bill 15, a proposal to require hard labor for certain serious offenses in the New Hampshire prison system. Representative Jennifer Rhodess, the co-sponsor, said the bill is intended to make incarcerated people productive, help reduce costs, and serve as a deterrent; she also noted a two-year effective date for implementation and said anyone who refuses hard labor would receive a 50% sentence increase. She framed the work as ordinary labor already done by many people in the state and said the committee would later hear related testimony and possible amendments. Committee members questioned how the proposal would work in practice, especially for people already incarcerated, the difference between current prison work and the bill’s “hard labor,” and the impact on prison security and staffing. Rhodess said the bill only applies going forward, not retroactively, and that the Department of Corrections could better address operational details. Members also discussed the terminology, noting that “capital murder” is not a current New Hampshire charge and that the relevant offense is first-degree murder with mandatory life without parole. Department of Corrections officials Jane Graham and Nicholas Duffy testified in a neutral position but raised significant implementation concerns. They said the department would need more resources, vehicles, security equipment, and possibly armed supervision for higher-risk crews, and noted a 47% corrections officer vacancy rate. Duffy described current work programs inside prisons and in the community, including correctional industries, kitchen and education jobs, transitional work crews, and community service projects such as road work and landscaping. He explained that current community crews are limited by custody level, court approval, staffing, and safety, and said C1 and C2 inmates are already in transitional or work-release settings, while C3 and higher inmates would pose greater risks if taken outside the walls. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the tape, Dennis Olsson serves as the commissioner of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.
• Um, Chair Fate, to your Education.
• Bruce, welcome to the Higher Education Conference Committee.
• Bruce, welcome to the Higher Education Conference Committee. Thank you, Mr. Bruce. Any questions?
• Higher Education Conference Committee.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• the General Business Law and the Civil Practice Law and Rules in relation to protecting private education
• become a more urgent problem now that the federal government has been moving on the cold posts on education
• Education loans. Do you have a motion? Move it. All right.
• And that. education loans. Do you have a motion? Move it. All right.

Committee: Senate Consumer Protection

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Consumer Protection met for its third meeting of the 2026 session and considered seven bills. The agenda focused on consumer fraud and disclosure issues, including bicycle serial numbers to deter theft, 45-day notice before credit card account closures, prohibiting hospitals and health care providers from storing credit card information without consent, gas station assistance for disabled motorists, deletion of financial information after cancellation of automatic renewals or continuous services, protections for private education loan borrowers and co-signers, and notice of the right to place a security freeze when a consumer credit report is accessed. Several sponsors and members described the bills as responses to constituent complaints or practical consumer-protection concerns. Senator Myrie noted support for the credit card notice bill but raised concerns about fraud-related account shutdowns and possible amendments; one member said she would vote no on that bill but was open to further discussion. Other bills drew little or no debate, with members generally describing them as common-sense protections or overdue disclosures. The private education loan bill was described as increasingly urgent due to federal changes affecting student loans. The committee voted to advance all seven bills. Some were reported to the calendar, while others were reported to first reading or to another committee, depending on the bill. The meeting concluded after the final vote, with the chair noting that vote sheets were available for absent members.

Transcript Highlights:

• We can't afford to accept poor educational outcomes for our students.
• We can't afford to accept poor educational outcomes for our students while near the top of the nation
• school children qualifying for free or reduced lunch, while we have consistent declines in student educational
• Food, fuel, housing, education, public safety failures—it's all unaffordable.

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: This transcript is a Republican response to the Governor’s State of the State address, delivered by Sen. Keith Wagoner. The speaker argues that Washington is facing an affordability crisis driven by state policy, citing high costs for housing, fuel, food, and living expenses, along with concerns about outmigration, crime, homelessness, drug overdoses, and declining student outcomes. He also criticizes recent budget decisions, saying the 2025 budget cut Medicaid funding for seniors and people with disabilities while raising taxes to record levels. A major theme is opposition to new taxes. The speaker says Democrats are proposing regressive taxes on items like cell phones, storage units, fuel, and employers, and warns these measures could lead to a state income tax, which he says voters have rejected 11 times. He contrasts this with Republican proposals for property tax relief and a sustainable spending limit, which he says were rejected by Democrats. He also criticizes Governor Ferguson for signing a budget with tax increases after previously promising not to do so. No formal votes or committee actions are described. The speaker instead urges the public to participate in the legislative process by testifying, emailing lawmakers, and pressing the governor to pursue more fiscally conservative policies. The closing message is a call for Republicans and citizens to work together to oppose new taxes and make Washington more affordable.

Transcript Highlights:

• The reason for the Senate's offer is that on any given day of the week, the Department of Education cannot
• offer reflects feedback that we've received from parents, private schools, school districts, home education
• Secondly, that the Education Stabilization Fund is expanded to minimize disruptions for school districts
• It requires the Department of Education to cross-check scholarship applicants against the latest enrollment

Summary: The conference committee met to discuss the Senate’s second budget offer and its first offer on SB 7030. The chair said the budget proviso and back-of-bill offers were continuing to close out remaining issues, and explained the Senate’s approach to the new academic accelerated option supplement in the FEFP as restoring about 80% of prior weighted FTE funding for acceleration options other than dual enrollment, citing existing statutory requirements and the different cost structure of dual enrollment. Senator Gates then presented the Senate’s modified SB 7030 offer, saying the bill was intended to address problems tracking roughly 23,000 students moving among public schools, private schools, and homeschooling, and to better ensure funding follows students correctly. He said the offer would preserve key parts of SB 7030 while making changes such as extending the fall application window, delaying some spring-term documentation, modifying background screening requirements, and allowing the commissioner to extend deadlines in extenuating circumstances. The offer also kept the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program as a separate FEFP categorical, expanded the Education Stabilization Fund, created fall and spring application windows, required enrollment cross-checks and student IDs, changed scholarship payments to monthly with front-loaded options, and required scholarship funding organizations to return funds tied to Auditor General FTE audit findings. A public commenter, a longtime teacher from Daytona Beach, urged that the financial literacy course be taught at a later grade level, such as 11th or 12th grade, and suggested a system of diverse guest speakers in classrooms to encourage more students from underrepresented groups to consider business ownership. No questions were raised from the committee after the Senate offer, and no vote was taken. The vice chair said the House would take the offer back for review, and the chair announced there would likely be one more meeting with a one-hour notice before the meeting adjourned by motion without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• And um this is an educate our students.
• </c> education in our public libraries. education in our public libraries.
• >> I think this is set to go back to Education Finance. Education Finance.
• </c> of PELSB, the Professional Educator of PELSB, the Professional Educator Licensing<00:58:31.000><
• Public Educational Radio Stations, to Public Educational Radio Stations, to help<01:48:36.880><c> consolidate

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> members to pursue an educational members to pursue an educational opportunity<01:09:19.679><c> in
• Like, this is okay and this isn't. for your testimony and educating us a for your testimony and educating
• Um my question is educate us further.
• </c><05:49:42.320><c> and</c> through rigorous education and through rigorous education and assessment
• </c><05:49:46.638><c> Accredited</c> Chiropractic Education Accredited Chiropractic Education Accredited

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then he talked a little bit more about the education piece. >> Okay.
• Quinagi mentioned it already, but it's looking at, uh, we, you know, we realize education is key to educate
• </c> providing education. And so he uh Dr. providing education. And so he uh Dr.
• </c><01:18:25.120><c> um</c> realize education is key to educate um realize education is key to educate
• </c> except for maybe the providing education except for maybe the providing education and<01:21:03.679

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The briefing focused on the Hawaii State Hospital’s overcrowding, construction defects in the new addition, and how Act 26 and related court-ordered processes are affecting admissions and discharges. The chair said the hospital has become increasingly forensic-focused, has lost beds after the closure of Kahimohala, and may face further costs and possible litigation over the defective addition. Hospital and Department of Health officials said they are working with the attorney general and contractors on repairs, and that the hospital is currently using all 292 licensed beds, including 13 waiver beds, while average daily census last fiscal year was 376. Officials explained that the high census is driven by both increased admissions and discharge barriers. They said the loss of Kahimohala returned patients to the state hospital, and that Act 26-related petty misdemeanor cases are contributing to admissions. They also said limited lower-level placement options delay discharges. Hospital staff reported that many patients are repeat admissions, about 22% were unhoused before admission, and a significant share are in categories such as fitness-to-proceed evaluations and conditional-release violations. They said these groups could potentially be reduced if evaluations were done elsewhere and if more community or supportive housing were available. The chair and senators questioned whether some fitness-to-proceed detainees need to be held at the state hospital at all, and whether the Clark consent order requires transfer to the hospital. The attorney general’s office said the Clark injunction does not govern unfitness-to-proceed cases; instead, the requirement comes from state statute, and the statute could be changed. Director Johnson said DCR cannot keep such detainees because the court orders them into the custody of the Department of Health, and the department cannot provide the needed therapeutic level of care in a correctional setting. The discussion also emphasized co-occurring substance use and mental illness, especially among petty misdemeanor defendants, and the need for supportive housing and a decompression plan to reduce readmissions and free beds for civil commitments.