Transcript Highlights:

• of the 43rd Judicial District in Parker County is automatically designated as the chairman of the juvenile
• outside the central office to serve on release review panels, giving facility staff more say in when juveniles
• The committee substitute removes the language that would have allowed a juvenile corrections officer
• to receive... ...removed the language that would have allowed a juvenile corrections officer to receive
• counsel appointed to provide representation and services to indigent individuals in criminal and juvenile

Bills: HB47 , HB171 , HB285 , HB305 , HB449 , HB908 , HB 1024 , HB 1306 , HB1443 , HB1445 , HB1741 , HB1866 , HB1902 , HB2001 , HB2282 , HB2355 , HB2492 , HB2637 , HB2697 , HB3464 , HB4263 , HB4996 , HB5667 , HB47 , HB171 , HB285 , HB305

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Summary: The Senate Committee on Criminal Justice met with a quorum and heard a long agenda of bills on criminal justice, public safety, mental health, victims’ rights, and related administrative issues. Early bills included HB 47, the omnibus sexual assault survivors bill, which would expand post-assault care, require courts to consider delays for adult survivors, bar sex offenders from rideshare driving, allow lease termination regardless of where an assault occurred, and require more reporting from sexual assault response teams. Testimony was generally supportive, though one witness raised concern that the bill’s reporting requirements could jeopardize county grant funding. HB 171, the Annel Borrego Act, would set a minimum period for court-ordered chemical dependency treatment; NAMI Texas supported it. HB 908 would require missing children reports to be sent to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children within two hours, and HB 1443 would criminalize possession and promotion of childlike sex dolls; both drew supportive testimony and were left pending. HB 567, changing juvenile board chair selection in Parker County, and HB 4263, a TJJD workforce retention bill, were also heard and left pending after brief discussion and adoption of committee substitutes where applicable. The committee also heard several bills focused on jail and prison safety, court process, and victim protection. HB 2282 would raise the arrest warrant fee from $50 to $75; constables supported it as a cost-recovery measure, while the Texas Fair Defense Project opposed it as a regressive fee that burdens low-income defendants. HB 3464 would increase penalties for correctional employees who bring drugs or alcohol into prisons, with support from Harris County jail officials and a formerly incarcerated advocate who described the dangers of contraband and retaliation. HB 285, “Poncho’s Law,” would add criminal negligence to non-livestock animal cruelty offenses; animal welfare advocates said it would close a loophole that lets pet service businesses avoid accountability, and the bill was left pending. HB 2355 would keep certain Crime Victims Compensation records confidential when held by the Attorney General, and HB 2637 would standardize jury exemption ages and clean up jury disqualification reporting; both were left pending after limited testimony. Mental health and competency-related bills received significant attention. HB 305 would require a pretrial hearing within 14 days after a defendant is restored to competency, aimed at reducing repeated decompensation and the forensic waitlist; NAMI Texas supported it. HB 1741 would tighten procedures for not-guilty-by-reason-of-insanity outpatient commitments by requiring a stronger nexus to the receiving county and clearer supervision authority; law enforcement and mental health witnesses said it would improve public safety and treatment success. HB 2492 would make the four-hour family-violence post-bond cooling-off period mandatory rather than discretionary, and HB 1445 would allow a managed assigned counsel director to designate someone to approve certain payments for indigent defense attorneys; both were left pending. HB 1024 would require prompt execution of warrants for parole violators on superintensive supervision, and HB 1306 would extend first-responder-style benefits to death investigation professionals; neither drew opposition in the hearing. The committee also heard a series of public integrity and technology bills. HB 449 would expand the deepfake sexual content statute to include sexually explicit images, with Public Citizen supporting the change as necessary to address a rapidly growing problem. HB 1902 would create a new offense for “jugging,” or following bank or ATM customers to rob them; the Texas Bankers Association supported it. HB 2697 would require sureties to notify prosecutors before surrendering a felony defendant’s bond, and HB 2001 would sharply increase penalties for misuse of public information for financial gain and related coercion, with prosecutors and Texas Rangers describing bid-rigging and public corruption investigations as difficult to prove under current law because of short limitations periods and limited penalties. HB 1866 would grant Texas peace officer authority to National Park Service rangers within Texas park boundaries, and HB 4996 would increase penalties for fraudulent liens filed against public servants. Throughout the hearing, most bills were left pending after testimony, and several committee substitutes were adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• On page 14, Senate Bill 133 by Senator Sessions regarding juvenile court.
• Senator Sessions regarding juvenile court.
• Senate Bill Number 133 by Senator Sessions and others regarding juvenile court. Pending, Mr.
• Senate Bill Number 133 by Senator Sessions and others relating to juvenile courts.
• Under existing law, a juvenile court judge may notify a local...

Bills: SJR 18 , SCR 5 , SCR 13 , SCR 25 , SB 3 , SB 6 , SB 10 , SB 11 , SB 12 , SB 13 , SB 15 , SB 17 , SB 18 , SB 35 , SB 388 , SB 412 , SB 441 , SB 495 , SB 666 , SB 687 , SB 706 , SB 740 , SB 815 , SB 842 , SB 917 , SB 925 , SB 995 , SB 1006 , SB 1281 , SB 1300 , SB 1379 , SB 1451 , SB 1902 , SJR 36 , SJR 18 , SJR 12 , SCR 13 , SCR 25 , SCR 5 , SCR 22 , SB 565 , SB 372 , SB 495 , SB 842 , SB 765 , SB 62 , SB 19 , SB 18 , SB 666 , SB 707 , SB 888 , SB 687 , SB 706 , SB 847 , SB 290 , SB 11 , SB 10 , SB 13 , SB 412 , SB 441 , SB 1248 , SB 740 , SB 14 , SB 1006 , SB 504 , SB 917 , SB 925 , SB 388 , SB 1902 , SB 1121 , SB 995 , SB 857 , SB 305 , SB 296 , SB 284 , SB 35 , SB 6 , SB 815 , SB 3 , SB 1281 , SB 1379 , SB 1300 , SB 1497 , SB 1499 , SB 1498 , SB 1451 , SB 1061 , SB 15 , SB 65 , SB 241 , SB 304 , SB 402 , SB 499 , SB 621 , SB 974 , SB 1023 , SB 1024 , SB 1025 , SB 1106 , SB 686 , SB 112 , SB 371 , SB 204 , SB 400 , SB 609 , SB 1447 , SB 670 , SB 502 , SB 427 , SB 850 , SB 854 , SB 413 , SB 1555 , SB 1362 , SB 1346 , SB 1033 , SB 1220 , SB 1073 , SB 810 , SB 987 , SB 1539 , SB 893 , SB 447 , SB 875 , SB 406 , SB 509 , SB 985 , SB 965 , SB 17 , SB 1119 , SB 1505 , SB 12 , SB 24 , SB 57 , SB 1194 , SB 1253 , SB 1215 , SB 1532 , SB 1268 , SCR 12 , SCR 24 , SB 1302 , SB 856 , SB 650 , SB 583 , SB 673 , SB 840 , SJR 18 , SB 11 , SB 441 , SB 10 , SB 18 , SB 412 , SB 495 , SR 238 , SR 264 , SR 266 , SR 267 , SR 268 , SR 270 , SR 271 , SR 272 , SR 278 , SB 1169 , SB 1169

Transcript Highlights:

• I know in my community, we used to have juvenile drug court. We don’t anymore.
• We need to bring juvenile drug courts back.
• For example, expungements, if we have a juvenile 14 years old, gets into a... ...example, expungements
• If we have a juvenile 14 years old, gets into a fight at school, they now have a battery charge.
• If we have a juvenile 14 years old, gets into a fight at school, they now have a battery charge.

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from Jessica Spencer on cannabis, criminal justice, and mental health. She argued that marijuana products have become far more potent over time, that high-potency THC and hemp-derived products are widely available in Florida, and that daily or near-daily use can contribute to addiction, psychosis, and other mental health problems, especially for adolescents. She also said cannabis is linked to violent crime and suicide in some cases, urged more prevention funding in schools, stronger regulation of Delta-8 and similar products, better law enforcement and regulatory oversight, expanded treatment and diversion options, and more expungement opportunities for simple possession. Senators questioned her about potency data, testing methods, and whether she was claiming causation in violent cases; she said she was and noted she had worked on the No on 3 campaign while still favoring decriminalization of simple possession rather than full legalization. The committee then took up several bills. CS/SB 150, “Trooper’s Law,” was amended and reported favorably; it makes extreme animal cruelty during a declared emergency a third-degree felony, inspired by the rescue of a dog during Hurricane Milton. SB 234, the Jason Rayner Act, was reported favorably after debate over its changes to self-defense language and mandatory life imprisonment for manslaughter committed against a law enforcement officer; supporters said it closes a loophole exposed in the Rayner case, while opponents raised concerns about unintended consequences and mandatory sentencing. CS/SB 138, “Trenton’s Law,” also passed after amendment; it increases penalties for repeat DUI/vehicular homicide offenders and adds language on intoxicating substances, with supporters citing the death of Trenton Stewart and opponents warning about cannabis impairment standards and first refusal penalties. SB 130, dealing with compensation for wrongful incarceration, was reported favorably. The bill removes Florida’s “clean hands” bar, extends the filing deadline from 90 days to two years, and allows exonerees with factual innocence findings to pursue compensation and civil remedies. Support came from innocence and civil liberties advocates. The committee also received a law enforcement presentation from Florida Highway Patrol Lieutenant Channing Taylor on impaired driving enforcement, DRE training, and crash data, emphasizing that drug impairment—especially cannabis—plays a major role in fatal crashes and that officers rely on observation and field testing because roadside chemical testing is limited.

Transcript Highlights:

• Authorizing Juvenile Probation Services to initiate enforcement of the Attendance for Success Act for
• certain students who are chronically or excessively absent from school, providing Juvenile Probation
• a delinquent child who has absconded from the supervised release term, renaming and amending the Juvenile
• Community Corrections Act, providing for grants for programs... ...and amending the Juvenile Community
• the age of 26 for a serious youthful offender adjudicated in the children's court and subject to juvenile

Bills: HB95 , HB111 , HJR1 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM3 , HM11 , HM14 , HM15 , HM21 , HM34 , HB2 , HB32 , HB33 , HB61 , HJM2 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26

Summary: The House convened with quorum, offered an invocation and pledges, and then moved through a series of memorials, recognitions, and announcements. House Memorial 49, declaring February 4, 2026 UNM Day, was taken from the Speaker’s table, explained, and debated at length. Members from both parties and several guests praised the University of New Mexico for its role in education, health care, research, public service, and workforce development, with special recognition of President Garnett Stokes, interim provost Barbara Rodriguez, and Health Sciences leaders and students. The memorial highlighted UNM’s enrollment, degrees awarded, scholarship support, patent activity, and the UNM Hospital and Health Sciences Center. It passed 70-0. House Memorial 48, declaring February 4, 2026 Valencia County Day, was also brought forward and passed unanimously. Supporters described Valencia County’s history, culture, economic growth, and traditions, including the annual matanza, Route 66 heritage, and major employers and development projects. Members from the county and local officials were recognized, and the memorial emphasized both historic communities and current business and infrastructure expansion. House Memorial 50, declaring Lincoln County Day, was introduced by title and placed on the Speaker’s table, but not taken up for final passage during this segment. The chamber also recognized the Artesia Bulldogs football team for winning another state championship, Del Norte High School’s class of 1966 on its 60th anniversary, and a number of guests tied to nursing, education, and local community service. Several members used announcements to highlight nurses, school programs, and local events, including a Legislative Sportsman’s Caucus invitation and a reminder that the day was the final day to file bills with the clerk. The session closed with continued announcements and guest introductions, reflecting a day focused heavily on community recognition and celebratory memorials rather than substantive legislation beyond the memorial votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• It should also be communicated to DCF to prevent risk to their juvenile population.
• So for those of you who may not be as familiar as others with us, we are the Commonwealth’s juvenile
• outcomes for young people, building safer communities, and collaborating for an equitable and fair juvenile
• so as to avoid involvement with the Department of Children and Families, or involvement with the juvenile
• This bill came out of a two-year study from the state's Juvenile Justice Policy and Data Board, which

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities

Summary: The hearing was an informational and oversight session of the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities, with chairs and members hearing agency updates from several commissioners. The Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition described its maternal and child health work, including home visiting, early intervention, WIC, newborn hearing screening, and cross-agency efforts on prenatal substance exposure, respite care, children’s vision, and maternal health initiatives. DPH emphasized that federal grant cuts, layoffs, and the loss of data systems such as PRAMS would weaken services and planning, and members asked about Title V funding and the impact of federal uncertainty. The Massachusetts Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing highlighted communication access services, interpreter and CART referrals, emergency after-hours support, family navigation, and independent living services. Commissioners and members discussed the shortage of ASL interpreters and the need to expand training pipelines, including partnerships with colleges and possible ASL programming for younger students. The Department of Developmental Services reported serving nearly 50,000 people and focused on youth and adult services, transition-age supports, autism services, self-direction, respite, and new high-acuity residential models. Members asked about respite availability, self-direction outcomes, and workforce shortages; DDS said it was expanding clinical capacity and provider rates while monitoring possible federal Medicaid, SNAP, and immigration-related impacts. The Commission for the Blind described services for about 28,000 legally blind residents, most of whom are older adults, including social rehabilitation, orientation and mobility training, children’s services, assistive technology, vocational rehabilitation, and Turning 22 supports. The commissioner discussed a UMass-based effort to build the workforce pipeline for blindness services and said the agency was watching federal restructuring but had not yet seen direct cuts. MassAbility’s leadership then warned about major federal changes affecting Social Security disability determinations, including staff restructuring, office closures, and a new overpayment repayment policy, and said the agency was preparing for possible increases in claims and uncertainty around reallotment dollars that help fund services. The Disabled Persons Protection Commission closed the hearing with an update on its abuse investigations and protective services for adults with disabilities. DPPC reported rising hotline calls and investigations, a growing caseload, its sexual assault response team, the abuser registry, and a new interagency protective services integration system funded by ARPA dollars through 2027. The agency also flagged new federal rules that could affect funding eligibility and said it may need statutory changes to comply. Members asked about funding, reporting pathways, and how complaints reach DPPC, and the commissioner said the agency uses both mandated reporting and proactive outreach to identify and respond to abuse.

Transcript Highlights:

• whether it be deep... ...is tie together all of the silos that are out there, whether it be DPS, juvenile
• somebody from the prosecutor's office, somebody—or a prosecutor with that experience—somebody from juvenile
• So that's paramedics and EMTs, law enforcement, juvenile officers, social workers, and prosecutors.
• Law enforcement, foster care systems, juvenile justice, judges, police officers, ER, fire departments
• , in and out, in and out. the juvenile justice system, in and out of the foster care system, in and out

Committee: House Children and Families

Transcript Highlights:

• reason that we should operate in silos and have, you know, behavioral health doing one thing and juvenile
• we're continuing to ensure that we have better training to provide to our staff whether those in juvenile
• justice, so we amended to include juvenile justice, which is part of the increase because they are part
• just wanted to say, congratulations on an 81% graduation rate for your youngsters who are in the juvenile
• I had a whole presentation on juvenile justice, but in light of time, I didn't want to do that, but thanks

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1157, Archuleta, juveniles, holding committee.
• SB 1009, Becker, juvenile detention, due pass as amended to revert the standard for juvenile detention

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee held its August 13, 2026 suspense-file hearing on Senate bills, with the chair opening by thanking staff and recognizing consultant Jennifer Swenson’s retirement after 30 years in the Legislature. The committee explained that it was weighing the fiscal impact of 293 bills and that some would move forward while others would be held because of cost, duplication, or competing budget priorities. The committee then took up the suspense file in alphabetical order and acted on a large number of measures, sending many to the Assembly floor as due pass or due pass with amendments. Examples included bills on battery recycling, wildfire resilience loans, mobile home park disaster assistance, price gouging, veterans’ property tax exemptions, housing and insurance issues, energy and utility regulation, election procedures, criminal justice, health care, education, housing, environmental protection, and artificial intelligence. Many bills were amended to narrow scope, delay implementation, add reporting requirements, clarify definitions, or reduce costs; others were held in committee. Among the notable actions, several bills were advanced on roll calls while others were held, including measures related to water quality, utility rate information, juvenile detention, CARE Court, and various housing and energy proposals. The committee also moved a number of sunset and technical cleanup bills, and several members requested to be added as principal or joint authors on amended measures. At the end of the hearing, the chair noted that the committee had moved a large number of bills to the Assembly floor, usually with amended language, and that the amended versions would be posted online. The hearing then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a legal fellow at Citizens for Juvenile Justice, whose mission is ensuring that every young person
• But in August 2022, Citizens for Juvenile Justice published an analysis which found that the 18- to 21
• detail addressed in our written testimony and others from members of the coalition, Citizens for Juvenile

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security heard testimony on several bills affecting correctional facilities, disability access, public health, youth education, parole, and vehicle noise. Early testimony focused on H. 2736/S. 1762, “Matt’s Law,” which would permanently ban free weights in medium- and maximum-security correctional facilities and require exercise equipment to be secured. The bill was supported by the Tidman family, Rep. Wells, and the Massachusetts Correction Officers Federated Union, who described the assault on Corrections Officer Matthew Tidman and argued the measure would prevent similar attacks. Committee members expressed sympathy and asked whether the Department of Correction could make the change administratively; witnesses said free weights had already been removed but that codifying the policy in law was needed. The committee also heard S. 1753 on synthetic drugs in correctional facilities, which would make possession, distribution, and use of Class C synthetic substances in prisons and jails a felony with a mandatory minimum sentence. Senator O’Connor and MCOFU said synthetic drugs like K2 are being smuggled in through mail and are causing violence and medical emergencies among inmates and staff. H. 4123, filed by Rep. Donahue and Chair Vargas, would require correctional facilities to offer two doses of naloxone to people upon direct release; Donahue cited overdose risk after incarceration and her personal loss of a son to overdose. Sheriff Donna Buckley also testified in support of a commission to study sentencing jurisdiction and whether more people should be sentenced to county houses of correction rather than DOC facilities. A large portion of the hearing was devoted to S. 1733, “An Act Building a More Accessible Massachusetts,” which would expand the Architectural Access Board’s authority over older buildings, workplace areas, and adaptable housing units. Chris Ho, disability advocates, and people with disabilities testified that the bill would help close gaps in accessibility for employment and housing, reduce long waits for accessible units, and support aging in place and independent living. The committee also heard S. 1721 on educational rights for incarcerated youth, with Avery Farmer arguing that 18- to 21-year-olds in DOC and houses of correction should receive the same educational services and disability supports as youth in DYS custody. Additional testimony supported S. 1716 regulating illegal exhaust systems, with one witness citing public health harms from vehicle noise and another opposing the bill as overbroad and harmful to classic car owners. Finally, Claire Massington testified for H. 2694 on equitable access to parole, calling for a more transparent, best-practices-based parole system with a revised board composition and a presumption of parole unless the board shows otherwise. The hearing ended with the chair adjourning the meeting due to a roll call in the House and Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• real focus of our work has to be on making sure that whether it's the child welfare system or the juvenile
• And I will say that a young person in the juvenile rehabilitation system today is much safer than a young
• person in the juvenile rehabilitation system in the 60s or 70s, when most of these claims arose, and

Summary: House and Senate Democratic leaders held a media availability focused on the session’s fast-moving cutoff period, the supplemental budget, and several major bills moving through committee. They said they had advanced a number of Senate bills, including the face mask bill, a bill on access to abortion medication, a bill on mobile devices in schools, and upcoming measures on driver privacy and IRS tax issues. They also said the House Finance Committee had held a hearing on the proposed millionaire’s tax, and that the budget would continue to emphasize food, shelter, health care, and continuity of government services. A major topic was allegations of fraudulent or bot-driven remote sign-ins and testimony on the millionaire’s tax hearings. Leaders said remote participation has broadened public access and they do not want to shut it down, but they acknowledged the system may need interim tweaks to improve accuracy. They said the issue appears unprecedented, that they learned of it through a complaint to the House chief clerk, and that legislative tech staff and Senate operations leaders would review possible changes after session. They also stressed that sign-in counts should be treated cautiously and are not the same as votes. The lawmakers also discussed the proposed income tax on high earners, defending it as constitutional and necessary to fund state priorities. They argued that state spending growth reflects inflation, population growth, McCleary-related school funding changes, and major investments in child care, higher education, Medicaid dental care, IT systems, and special education. In response to questions about tort claims against the state, they said Senator Dhingra’s arbitration bill is unlikely to move further this session, though the issue will continue to be worked on over the interim. They said the state needs to reduce liability through prevention and alternative dispute processes rather than through unconstitutional damage caps. On the millionaire’s tax process, leaders said the House Finance Committee is expected to add more tax reductions than the version heard that morning, with a goal of reaching roughly 25 to 40 percent in reductions and likely avoiding a conference committee if the House and Senate can concur. They said the bill may still include a sales-tax-on-services change, but that the final package is still being negotiated. They also said they do not support extending the tax to incomes below $1 million, and that no decision had been made on a possible governor-backed sales tax holiday.

Transcript Highlights:

• real focus of our work has to be on making sure that whether it's the child welfare system or the juvenile
• And I will say that a young person in the juvenile rehabilitation system today is much safer than a young
• person in the juvenile rehabilitation system in the 60s or 70s, when most of these claims arose.

Summary: House and Senate Democratic leaders held a media availability focused on the late-session agenda, including the House policy cutoff, a supplemental budget, and the House Finance Committee hearing on the proposed “millionaire’s tax”/income tax measure. They said several Senate bills had moved or were moving quickly, including a face mask bill, an abortion medication access bill, a mobile devices in schools bill, a driver privacy/personal safety data protections bill, and a West Coast Health Collaborative bill. They also said the supplemental budget would emphasize food, shelter, health care, continuity of government, and other core services. A major topic was allegations of fraudulent or bot-generated remote sign-ins on the millionaire’s tax hearings. Leaders said remote testimony and sign-ins have broadened public participation, but misuse of the system is a problem that will be reviewed over the interim. They said the goal is to preserve easy public access while improving accuracy, and that the sign-in numbers should be treated cautiously because the system is informational rather than equivalent to voting. They also said there had been no direct contact with state Supreme Court justices about the tax bill. The leaders defended the need for the income tax proposal by arguing that state spending growth reflects inflation, population growth, the McCleary school-funding changes, and major investments in child care, higher education, Medicaid dental care, IT systems, and special education. They said the Legislature is trying to balance the tax code and that they do not support taxing incomes below $1 million, though they would not rule out future legislative changes decades from now. On tort claims against the state, they said Senator Dhingra’s arbitration bill has advanced the discussion but is unlikely to move further this session, and that broader liability reductions may require constitutional changes or prevention-focused investments. They also discussed long-term care workforce pressures, saying Washington is better positioned than many states but still faces an aging-population challenge. On the millionaire’s tax process, they said the House Finance Committee is expected to increase tax reductions in the bill, with leaders aiming to resolve differences with the Senate without going to conference if possible.

Transcript Highlights:

• They can stay in freshwater for a certain amount of time growing to, say, a juvenile.
• And so when you get a flood in a leveed system like that, those reds, those nests, and those juveniles
• waters of the state without those waters being properly screened to prevent the entrainment of those juvenile

Summary: The Capital Budget Committee held a work session on fish passage and barrier prioritization. Tom Jameson of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife briefed members on the state salmon recovery framework, the types and prevalence of fish passage barriers, and the many existing barrier-removal programs. He explained that culverts are the most common barrier, but levees, tidegates, dams, and other structures also affect salmon and steelhead. He also described the state’s fish passage database, the assessment criteria used to determine whether a structure is a barrier, and the Brian Abbott Fish Barrier Removal Board’s role in funding projects. Jameson reviewed the history of the board and its grant pathways, noting that the Legislature has funded 199 projects totaling nearly $225 million over five biennia, including significant federal support in the last biennium. He then focused on the new statewide prioritization strategy directed by the Legislature in 2020. A science panel recommended using an optimization model and then scoring and ranking barriers, but Jameson said the model depends on better stream mapping and ongoing “snapping” of stream layers to known barrier locations. He said the strategy is intended to produce watershed-based priority lists rather than a single statewide ranking. Members asked about how barriers are assessed during fish migration periods, how private land access affects inventory work, how local governments can report completed corrections, and how the prioritization criteria weight Chinook salmon and southern resident orca recovery. Jameson said urban areas with downstream barriers or heavily altered streams may be less recoverable, while rural watersheds may offer greater benefit. He also explained the federal culvert injunction, including ongoing obligations for state agencies and DOT’s 2030 target, and said the injunction never fully ends because new barriers are continually discovered and must be addressed over time. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is Amendment 10 to an existing contract for juvenile justice, community-based reentry, and vocational
• This is Amendment 8 to increase funding for residential group homes for male juveniles in DYS custody
• This is Amendment 8 to increase funding for residential group homes for male juveniles in DYS custody

Committee: All ALC-REVIEW

Summary: The subcommittee first considered a used tire program contract for Arkansas District 4, an $88,000 one-year contract with LTR Intermediate Holdings. Senators raised concerns that the tire district’s revised business plan had not yet been approved and that the contract could leave the district unable to pay. Questions also focused on solicitation language that excluded bidders under corrective action plans. On motion, the committee held the contract until next month and encouraged the tire board to appear. Members then reviewed and, without objection, moved forward a series of methods of finance, alternative delivery projects, and discretionary grants. These included multiple university and college projects such as renovations, roof replacements, a new UCA multipurpose arena, and a revised financing package for UA Fayetteville’s Maple Hill residence hall. The committee also reviewed DHS and Department of Health grants for aging services, substance abuse prevention, mental health, nutrition outreach, hearing-loss follow-up, HIV services, maternal health, and rural hospital quality improvement. The committee next handled contract items, including a UAMS ratification for FMLA Source after an amendment was not submitted for review and payments continued past expiration; UAMS said it had retrained staff and would review for other missed contracts. Members also reviewed numerous construction, intergovernmental, out-of-state, and in-state contracts across state agencies and universities. Questions were raised about an out-of-state aeronautics study, a U of A Fayetteville parking guidance system, and a Veterans Affairs nursing contract. Most items were reviewed without objection, and the meeting adjourned after informational reports on contract amendments and minor contracts.

Transcript Highlights:

• I will say that in previous years, when I first got in the legislature, we passed that juvenile law,
• He was a juvenile when he was convicted at the age of 16, and he was sentenced to 241 years in prison
• Even though he's on probation and he got out by the juvenile law, he is still currently not able to vote

Committee: House Corrections and Public Institutions

Summary: The House Corrections and Public Institutions Committee held a public hearing on House Bills 2592, 2787, and 2834, which were described as having nearly identical language. The bills would restore voting rights for people with felony convictions who are no longer incarcerated and, in the versions discussed, remove language requiring completion of probation or parole before registering to vote. Sponsors and supporters said the measures would align Missouri with other states, promote civic engagement, and help reduce recidivism. Several members also noted that people on supervision often work, pay taxes, and remain active in their communities, yet cannot vote under current law. Committee members asked about practical implementation, especially how voting would work for people who are incarcerated or serving misdemeanor sentences, and whether absentee voting mechanisms would be needed. Witnesses and sponsors said current law already allows some absentee voting for pretrial detainees and suggested the issue could be addressed through further amendment or discussion. Members also raised questions about exclusions for certain offenses, such as election-related felonies, and about whether people on life supervision would be covered. Sponsors explained that the bills would not restore voting rights to people currently incarcerated, but would restore them upon release or while on probation/parole, depending on the bill language. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support. Bill sponsors Representatives Stennett, Collins, and Anderson testified in favor, along with advocates from Empower Missouri, the Center for Responsive Government Action, the League of Women Voters of Missouri, ACLU of Missouri, Missouri Appleseed, Justice for All, the Missouri State Conference of the NAACP, Americans for Prosperity, and the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition. Supporters emphasized rehabilitation, community belonging, and public safety, citing studies and personal experiences showing that voting rights restoration can reduce recidivism and encourage reintegration. No opposition testimony was presented. The committee took no final action and adjourned after the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• originally established in 1994 to support the placement of school resource officers, or SROs, and juvenile
• heard in the presentation, the fund supported two positions: SRO, school resource officer, and JPO, juvenile
• Johnson, who is uniquely situated to provide this training, was a 26-year JPO here in Maricopa County, juvenile

Committee: Senate Senate Education Committee of Reference

Summary: The Senate Education Committee of Reference first heard a sunset review of the Credit Enhancement Eligibility Board. Governor’s Office staff explained that the board was created in 2016 to lower borrowing costs for qualifying schools by providing a state guarantee that improves credit ratings, but the board has no dedicated staff or budget and is now largely in a monitoring role because it has reached its statutory leverage cap. Members discussed the long maturities of the approved financings, whether rural districts might benefit from additional capacity, and why a 10-year continuation was being requested. The committee voted to recommend continuing the board for 10 years until July 1, 2036. The committee then heard a sunset review of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). WICHE’s president described the interstate compact, its regional student access programs—WUE, WRGP, and PSEP—along with behavioral health fidelity reviews and cooperative purchasing savings. Testimony emphasized tuition savings for Arizona students, the return of health care graduates to Arizona, and the value of regional collaboration. The committee voted to recommend continuing WICHE for 10 years until July 1, 2036. Finally, the committee reviewed the Arizona Department of Education School Safety Program performance audit. The Auditor General reported that the program has grown substantially, but many sampled schools were not fully complying with requirements such as operational plans, safety teams, training, activity logs, and reimbursement documentation. The department agreed with the finding and said it would implement the recommendations. The school safety director responded that the department has already begun tightening monitoring, training, and documentation procedures, and he answered questions about emergency plans and campus safety. No further action was taken on the audit, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• These young people are already being held accountable through the Juvenile Justice System, which has
• And to the juvenile justice system. Thank you for your time. Thank you very much. Go ahead.
• and their families in a variety of discipline proceedings. ...whether it's school-based or in the juvenile

Bills: HB 1022 , HB2856 , HB3114 , HJR5 , HB6 , HB 120 , HB210 , HB1458 , HB 1188 , HB3126 , HB6 , HB120 , HB210

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, Trey of the House and Hall of the Senate, an act relating to the Office of Juvenile Affairs.
• Bill 1131 by Caldwell, Trey of the House and Hall of the Senate, an act relating to the Office of Juvenile

Bills: HCR1026 , SB1130 , SB1134 , SB1131 , SB1132 , SB1133 , SB1142 , HR1049

Summary: The House reconvened after a quorum call and took up several Senate bills with joint committee reports, mostly involving health and human services funding. SB 1130, relating to University Hospitals authority, passed 74-12 and its emergency clause also passed. SB 1134, funding the Oklahoma State University Medical Authority, passed 75-14 with the emergency clause approved. SB 1131, appropriating ARP interest funds to address a Rogers County gap for the Office of Juvenile Affairs, passed 81-10 and the emergency clause passed. SB 1132, reappropriating ARPA funds for rural hospital rebuild programs under the State Department of Health to avoid federal clawback, passed 82-10 with emergency approval. SB 1133, involving the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and repurposing interest funds for a Norman building project, passed 68-24 and its emergency clause also passed. SB 1142, appropriating ARPA funds to the Department of Human Services consistent with pandemic relief recommendations, passed 68-21 and the emergency clause was adopted. The House also considered H.R. 1049, a resolution designating May as Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. Representative Newton summarized asthma’s impact in Oklahoma and nationally, including child health effects and recent deaths in the state, and moved adoption by unanimous consent. The transcript ends with announcements and adjournment until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And they also put a lot of time into their juvenile programs.
• happens, the state of Colorado and the state of Kansas, for whatever reason, are also really good at juvenile
• And then the other thing that we love is also they want to do some juvenile housing and mental health
• for juveniles because that really is a nationwide program.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a 16-year-old girl who was referred to juvenile court for a marijuana possession charge.
• In Twin Falls, a young person came in while on juvenile diversion, and after being expelled from school
• Some would be in juvenile court.
• Following the 2026 session, the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections, Division of Financial Management

Summary: The committee met to hear presentations on possible uses of temporary Millennium Fund dollars for youth- and family-focused prevention programs. Members first approved the prior meeting minutes, then heard from the Idaho Children’s Trust Fund, which requested $682,000 for mid-sized grants to community organizations for child abuse prevention, parenting support, family resource centers, and school-based programs. The presenter emphasized the link between adverse childhood experiences and later substance use, and described the fund’s statewide grant-making process and current projects. Committee members asked about grant selection, funding sources, and how families are identified for services. The committee also heard from Children’s Bridge, which requested $3.5 million over four years to build a shared-services infrastructure for child care providers. The proposal focused on helping providers stabilize their businesses through software, coaching, shared purchasing, bookkeeping, and access to benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans. The presenter argued that child care is part of Idaho’s prevention infrastructure and said the model would transition toward earned income and employer support over time. Members asked about similar programs, infrastructure, and how the model would be sustained after 2029. Idaho Safety Assessment Centers requested $1 million to support 12 youth assessment centers that divert youth from court, ERs, and school discipline into screening, counseling, and family support. The presenter cited individual success stories and said the centers served more than 12,000 youth in a year, with an estimated return of more than $3 in benefits for every dollar invested. The committee also heard from the Idaho Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers, which requested $3 million in one-time bridge funding for 10 centers that conduct forensic interviews and coordinate child abuse investigations; members asked about coordination with state agencies and sustainability. Ross Edmunds of the Department of Health and Welfare requested $150,000 for a 10th recovery community center in Kamiah, explaining that the department already oversees nine centers through quarterly payments and reporting requirements. Finally, Representative Jordan Redman proposed a $5 million statewide drug-use awareness campaign using research, surveys, and targeted media buys; he said the campaign would be evaluated through impressions, reach, and frequency. No decisions were made, and the chair said the committee would return later to continue reviewing the requests, noting the fund is one-time money and that the governor’s recommendations and a $25 million request reduce the amount available.

Transcript Highlights:

• Subject to appropriation, H-Sync programs work with the juvenile court system to identify youth homelessness
• board the power to provide suggestions to the governor’s office and DCYF on improving outcomes for juveniles
• conversations around both what was happening in DCYF and child welfare and what was happening in our juvenile
• So with that, all those... ...welfare and what was happening in our juvenile justice systems.

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee heard public testimony on Senate Bill 5977, which would require DCYF to publish child near-fatality review reports within 180 days and post them publicly, with confidential information redacted as allowed by law. Senator Nikki Torres said the bill is intended to improve transparency, accountability, and child protection. There was no public testimony on the bill, and the hearing was closed. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6184, an Office of Homeless Youth request bill sponsored by the chair. The bill makes technical and policy updates to OHY programs, including replacing the term “street youth” with “unaccompanied homeless youth,” allowing certain flexible funds to go directly to youth or vendors, renaming and making permanent the H-Sync program, expanding eligibility and housing options in the Independent Youth Housing Program, and clarifying shelter and reporting provisions. Testifiers from Commerce, advocates, school support organizations, and a youth advocate all supported the bill, emphasizing that the changes would improve access, consistency, and housing stability for unhoused youth. The hearing was then closed. The committee moved into executive session on seven bills. SB 5681, concerning intellectual and developmental disability services at age 20, had Amendment A1 fail and the proposed substitute was adopted and sent to Ways and Means. SB 5917, regarding abortion medication in DOC, saw one amendment adopted and multiple Christian amendments rejected before the bill was sent to Rules. SB 5942, renaming the DCYF Oversight Board as the DCYF Accountability Board and revising its duties, had only Amendment C16 adopted; the amended bill passed to Rules. SB 6024, on duplicative audits for community residential providers, passed without amendment. SB 6036, concerning adult family homes and foster care licensees, had Amendment D1 adopted and the bill passed to Rules. SB 6085, on the DOC institutional welfare account, had Amendment E1 adopted and the bill was sent to Ways and Means after several other amendments failed. In each case, the committee voted to advance the bill after considering amendments, with most of the proposed changes from Senator Christian failing except where noted.