Transcript Highlights:

• Racism or sexism has no place in teaching.
• And while we have the Jail Standards Committee, the Commission on Jail Standards, I would say that the
• I'm here to learn and teach others.
• Put this into a classroom as a teaching tool to teach kids morality, teach kids whatever, teach whatever
• tool to teach kids morality, teach kids whatever, teach whatever, I am the Lord your God, whatever that's

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, heard an invocation and pledges, and approved several routine motions, including excuses for absent members, permission for committees to meet while the House was in session, and postponements of some bills. The chamber also received a Senate message listing measures passed by the Senate and adopted a memorial resolution honoring the 21 victims of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, with remarks entered into the House Journal after a moment of silence. The House then took up a long third-reading calendar and passed a series of Senate bills on topics including criminal justice and corrections sunset provisions (SB 2405, 2406, 2407), election equipment testing (SB 2166), electric grid reliability and attack-preparedness exercises (SB 2148), firefighter collective bargaining (SB 777), DFPS and foster care procedures (SB 1141 and SB 1398), Medicare durable medical equipment billing (SB 1330), property tax administration (SB 1453), probate cleanup and record transfers (SB 1448 and SB 1839), mental health filing procedures (SB 53), school residency for children in safety placements (SB 226), diabetes-related amputation study (SB 1677), rapid DNA analysis (SB 1723), utility rate transparency and capacity cost recovery (SB 1664 and SB 1856), community supervision eligibility (SB 552 postponed), and other measures. Several bills passed with broad support, while others drew notable opposition and narrower margins, including SB 777, SB 2137, SB 2111, SB 1677, SB 1936, SB 1453, and SB 38. Two bills drew especially extensive debate. SB 2148, dealing with electricity supply chain reliability and tabletop exercises for critical facilities, was discussed as a grid-security measure aimed at coordinating utilities, law enforcement, ERCOT, and the PUC in the event of physical attacks; it passed unanimously. SB 1936, changing how LSD is measured for criminal prosecution from dosage-based to weight-based calculations, prompted extended discussion about lab consistency, carrier mediums, and fairness in charging, with supporters saying it would help crime labs and law enforcement and opponents warning it could distort penalties depending on the medium used; it passed 108-26. The House also passed SB 36, creating a Homeland Security Division within DPS, after questions about overlap with TDEM and the cost of adding personnel. Late in the day, the House debated SB 38 on eviction procedures, with supporters saying it targeted squatters and streamlined removal of unauthorized occupants, and opponents arguing it would make evictions too easy and worsen homelessness; it passed 85-44. The chamber also began debate on SB 37, a major higher-education governance bill that would expand governing-board oversight of curriculum, hiring, and faculty senates; members raised concerns about academic freedom, faculty governance, and the impact on humanities programs, and debate was still underway at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• teaching at this higher level. And we teaching at this higher level.
• Perhaps judges might consider the same standard.
• Perhaps judges might consider the same standard.
• Perhaps judges might consider the same standard.
• . standard. standard.

Bills: SB2567, SB2448, SB3046, SB2231, SB2526

Keywords: harassment, restraining order, temporary restraining order, injunction, protective order, public employer, public servant, public employee, government employee, state employee, legislator, judge, judicial branch, executive branch, local government, political subdivision, workplace violence, threats, stalking, employee safety

Transcript Highlights:

• So this subdivision to determine exemption standards, in addition to the standards set by free school
• Yes, and this section does not remove any of the existing standards for local or state standards. existing
• standards for local or state standards.
• Replace the standards.
• As it expands to secondary education, as we look at how we teach disciplinary literacy and how we teach

Transcript Highlights:

• We've retaught teachers how to teach reading over the last three years.
• We've retaught teachers how to teach reading over the last three years.
• This is what we hope to teach and continue to teach to our students today.
• She teaches us the foundational skills we need.
• But under the current Hazelwood standard, But under the current Hazelwood standard, we are teaching them

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2710, a school accountability/report card bill. The sponsor walked through a committee substitute that clarified the purpose of the report card, added an appeal process, changed the timing for appeals, set the top decile as the highest rating, removed the 95% testing participation penalty, shifted performance funding toward growth, added agricultural industry outcomes, and deleted an anonymous survey section and a provision members had objected to. Members discussed how letter-grade cutoffs would be set, whether the bill should include more detailed program information, and whether the new grade-level growth language was ready given funding and implementation concerns. The committee adopted an amendment, rolled it into a substitute, and then voted the House Committee Substitute for HB 2710 do pass by a roll call of 16 ayes and 6 noes. The committee then considered House Bill 2872, a literacy bill. The sponsor explained that the substitute kept the four approved screeners, retained the literacy commission, and softened the treatment of three-cueing by allowing it for comprehension but not for decoding. Members discussed retention provisions, possible parental consent language, additional exceptions for special circumstances, and whether the bill’s fiscal impact and implementation timing had been fully worked out. The substitute was adopted, and the House Committee Substitute for HB 2872 was voted do pass by a roll call of 20 ayes and no nays, with two present. Next, the committee heard a combined substitute for House Bills 2120 and 1698, a bullying/reporting measure. The sponsor said the substitute merged the bills, removed a second-degree harassment element, added a title reference to Sawyer’s Law, and changed reporting language from immediate notice to notice by the end of the school day or next school day if the incident occurred on a weekend. The bill handler said the goal was a version everyone could support and that it would require a legitimate investigation, reporting to the school board, and liability protection for teachers who follow policy. The substitute was adopted, and the combined House Committee Substitute for HB 2120 and HB 1698 passed unanimously, 9-0. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2335, which would give school districts more flexibility over recurring teacher trainings. The sponsor said the bill would not eliminate required trainings, but would let districts rotate them after a teacher has completed them for three consecutive years, while still allowing administrators to require specific training when needed. Testimony from school administrators and teacher groups strongly supported the bill as a way to reduce repetitive compliance tasks and give teachers more time for planning and instruction, while one student witness raised concerns about ensuring staff still receive emergency and mental health training. The hearing then moved to House Bill 2918, the Cronkite New Voices Act, which would protect student journalists’ speech rights at public schools and colleges. The sponsor, student journalists, a journalism advisor, legal experts, and advocacy groups testified in favor, arguing that the bill would restore student press freedom while preserving limits for libel, obscenity, privacy, and disruption. Witnesses also discussed advisor protections, the role of student media in accountability, and whether the bill should apply to private schools. No vote was taken on HB 2335 or HB 2918 in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, this is really a new way of teaching algebra.
• So, this is really a new way of teaching algebra.
• So, this is really a new way of teaching algebra.
• This is really a new way of teaching algebra.
• It had state standard, a national goal.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On the piece of should the standard apply for teach-out, I actually think it should apply to publics
• The Northwest Commission sets forth a number of requirements for teach-out that this bill has standards
• So if we were to define discontinue, it has a per standard... a set of standards that our peer institutions
• So if we were to define discontinue, it has a per standard.
• The student needs to have a quality teach-out option.

Bills: HB2427, HB2458, HB2474, HB2540, HB2589

Keywords: ink of hope act, mental health, substance use, rehabilitation, community support, Washington college grant, postsecondary education, nondegree programs, student access, financial aid, consumer protections, school closures, educational programs, student rights, emergency medical services, EMT recertification, healthcare, first responders, public health, encampments

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> standards standards for the the standards standards for the the curriculum<00:20:12.080><c> that
• </c><00:20:31.760><c> of</c><00:20:31.840><c> of</c> standards and meet the standards of of standards
• Standards Board. Um, thank you chair and Standards Board.
• you three example standards.
• meets a standard meets a standard meets a standard &gt;&gt; um<02:13:56.800><c> for</c><02:13:56.960

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint Education and Higher Education committees met on February 10, 2026, first hearing HB 1676, which would create an AI and education task force, require documentation from AI vendors before procurement or use, and appropriate funds. The Department of Education, Public Charter School Commission, and University of Hawaii all supported the bill’s intent and described existing AI literacy efforts, teacher training, guidance for students and staff, and privacy/monitoring safeguards. DOE said it had already convened an AI task force, produced a report, trained over 10,000 educators, and embedded AI into computer science and broader curricular guidance. Members questioned DOE about student privacy, harmful content monitoring, personal devices, cell phone policy, teacher training, and whether AI literacy should extend beyond computer science into all subjects and across rural schools. After discussion, the chair announced HB 1676 would be deferred to Friday, February 13, and that a HD1 draft would be prepared. The chair said the committee would revisit the task force composition and procurement standards, with possible elimination of the procurement section, and circulate the revised draft before the next hearing. The committee then recessed and later reconvened for HB 1811, a student loan repayment program for educators. Testimony from the Department of Education, Public Charter School Commission, University of Hawaii, Hawaii Teacher Standards Board, HSTA, and the Democratic Party of Hawaii Education Caucus was generally supportive, with HSTA and the Teacher Standards Board emphasizing teacher recruitment and retention, student loan burden, and the need to address the teacher shortage. In decision-making on HB 1811, the committees adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass the bill with amendments. The main amendment collapsed the repayment structure into a single disbursement of up to $25,000 after five years of service, with technical/non-substantive changes and a corrected effective date. Both the Education and Higher Education committees voted unanimously in favor. Later in the meeting, the Education Committee began hearing HB 1561 on student meals, which drew broad support from the Public Charter School Commission, Department of Health, HSTA, Hawaii Appleseed, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and many individuals. Appleseed requested amendments to ensure charter schools are treated the same as other public schools if eligibility expands and to address reimbursement issues for schools already participating in the federal Community Eligibility Provision; members discussed those concerns but no action was taken in the portion of the transcript provided. The committee then moved on to HB 779, on expanding student meal coverage, where DOE supported the intent but said it could not support the bill in its current form because of fiscal constraints.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know sometimes when I go, it's different when I was teaching When I first started teaching, we had,
• And what is the standard best?
• And you taught, you teach calculus?
• standards. years and high impact in the classroom.
• What subject matter do you teach?

Bills: HB2, HB2

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace

Transcript Highlights:

• It also requires the state to develop the training standards, standardized training for election staff
• I will teach them this on my own.
• I will teach them this on my own.
• . ...for five years, 10 years, 15 years down the line for how we teach and develop our teaching with
• And I just think it's very important that we let the people who are teaching teach, let them fully focus

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum call, and several recognitions, including tributes to former members and law enforcement. The chamber then adopted the special order report and moved to the day’s special-order calendar. Early bills passed unanimously, including CS/HB 401 on FDLE security details for major party nominees for governor and lieutenant governor, CS/HB 1063 on gubernatorial transition procedures, HB 593 on governmental agencies and personnel, CS/CS/HB 655 on confidential attorney-client meetings for local governments in pending litigation, and HB 6011 on ethics gift/honoraria reporting procedures. Each of these measures was explained by sponsors as transparency, security, or administrative process legislation, and each passed 115-116 to 0. The chamber then took up CS/HB 125, designating October 14 as Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance. The bill drew extensive and sharply divided debate over whether a state remembrance was appropriate for Kirk, with opponents arguing he was a polarizing political figure and that the House should focus on affordability and other constituent concerns, while supporters framed the bill as a defense of free speech and opposition to political violence. A proposed amendment to replace the designation with a George Floyd remembrance was ruled not germane. After structured debate, the bill passed 82-31. Members also considered transportation designation measures. SB 628, substituted for CS/HB 885, included multiple road and bridge namings and an amendment designating a 124-mile stretch of State Road 80 as the President Donald J. Trump Highway; the amendment and bill passed 82-26. CS/HB 33 similarly designated portions of roads as Charlie Kirk Memorial Avenue and President Donald J. Trump Boulevard, prompting another lengthy debate over the appropriateness of honoring political figures and the use of public roadways for such designations; it passed 82-30. The House then began debate on CS/HB 35, “Isaiah’s law,” which would add driving without a valid license to the habitual traffic offender list after repeated offenses, with sponsors citing a fatal hit-and-run and opponents questioning prosecutorial discretion and the bill’s practical effects.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:07:42.639><c> curriculum,</c> beyond the standard curriculum, beyond the standard curriculum,
• And some for the grade 8 standards.
• </c> able to have the opportunity to teach able to have the opportunity to teach algebra<00:34:20.879
• Is there enough in the system now<00:35:19.280><c> to</c><00:35:19.599><c> teach?</c> now to teach?
• now to teach?

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It also requires the state to develop the training standards, standardized training for election staff
• I will teach them this on my own.
• For five years, 10 years, 15 years down the line for how we teach and develop our teaching with technology
• My concern is that we have standard SC.912.L, point L, point 16, points 13... ...is that we have standard
• teach, let them fully focus on teaching, not get distracted from that.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a charter school and it teaches children K through 12.
• What do you teach, or what did you teach? Oh, yes, I'm sorry.
• What do you teach? I teach AP Statistics, I-B-Math, and ACE Thinking Skills.
• Okay, so I have a passion for teaching, as you know.
• I teach American government, and I am really passionate about teaching about patriotism.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to teach some classes themselves.
• I propose to the state board that they open the teaching standards to eliminate DEI requirements that
• are currently in the teaching standards.
• We, you know, none of us are in the classroom teaching. They're in the classroom teaching.
• Teachers should be teaching bell to bell.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Firefighting foam was known standards.
• </c> said yes because I'll say yes to teach said yes because I'll say yes to teach any any any course
• until she couldn't she wanted to teach until she couldn't teach<00:42:24.240><c> anymore</c><00:42:24.640
• </c><00:42:39.440><c> an</c> months or weeks of my life teaching an months or weeks of my life teaching
• </c> that a lot of the folks who are teaching that a lot of the folks who are teaching these<00:53:33.359

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> it would encourage teachers to teach it would encourage teachers to teach kids<00:32:44.720><c>
• </c> the same standard. Let's find a way. the same standard. Let's find a way.
• , and increase their confidence in teaching STEM.
• The state confidence in teaching STEM.
• Senator Rarick. will disrupt teaching and learning will disrupt teaching and learning particularly<01

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So simplifying that process so we can meet both standards in terms of our system and the fire standards
• So simplifying that process so we can meet both standards in terms of our system and the fire standards
• It has to be somebody that's qualified to teach.
• You just don't go and teach an incarcerated youth or incarcerated adult.
• And I have In training and teaching these individuals.

Summary: The hearing opened the Select Committee on Effective Postsecondary Career, Technical Education, and Workforce Development Programs at Santa Ana College, with Assemblymember Mike Fong emphasizing the need for affordable, accelerated pathways into high-demand careers and noting his bill AB 1098 creating the California Interagency Education Council. Chancellor Marvin Martinez welcomed the committee and urged changes to AB 927 to remove the “duplication” barrier for community college bachelor’s degrees, arguing that applied baccalaureate programs can lead to high-wage jobs and expand access for low- and middle-income students. The first panel focused on statewide workforce trends and policy. California Community Colleges Vice Chancellor Anthony Cordova highlighted credit for prior learning, Strong Workforce funding, dual enrollment, and apprenticeship growth, asking the Legislature to restore and increase Strong Workforce funding and expand applied baccalaureate degrees. LAEDC’s Josep Bilayo described regional labor market data showing growth in health care, education, construction, bioscience, and clean energy, while stressing the need for employer-led, data-driven programs, wraparound supports, and flexible funding. Andrew Gonzalez of the Building and Construction Trades Council argued that registered apprenticeship must be paid, combine classroom and on-the-job training, and end in a portable credential; he also promoted apprenticeship readiness programs, community workforce agreements, and stronger exposure to trades starting in K-12. Eric Morrison Smith of the Alliance for Boys and Men of Color discussed the California Opportunity Youth Apprenticeship Grant Program and related youth apprenticeship recommendations, including bridge programs, intermediary infrastructure, reduced employer barriers, and better coordination of state funding. A later panel highlighted Santa Ana College’s fire technology and firefighting academy programs. President Annabelle Neri and Vice President Jeffrey Lamb said the college is one of the state’s largest fire training providers, with strong partnerships with local fire agencies, law enforcement, and the U.S. Forest Service, and with high job placement and six-figure starting salaries for some graduates. They also described related certificates, advanced officer training, wellness services, and workforce preparation such as mock interviews and sponsorships. Throughout the hearing, members and panelists repeatedly stressed the importance of aligning education with labor market demand, expanding apprenticeships and work-based learning, and using regional collaboration to connect students to living-wage careers.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:34:22.720><c> are</c> step in and make sure the standards are step in and make sure the standards
• </c> teach certain specific types of classes. teach certain specific types of classes.
• </c><01:05:06.000><c> in</c> university system faculty to teach in university system faculty to teach
• . teachings. teachings.
• </c> they teach students. It is a practice. they teach students. It is a practice.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those accreditors, where our standards are about a quarter inch thick, have standards more like 3 to
• First Teach Forward OK is a major priority.
• First Teach Forward OK enters a critical phase.
• Of those additional standards, have we? Which of them are we still doing?
• they're teaching.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> section five uh relates to standards section five uh relates to standards development<00:16:22.880
• </c> either an expedited or uh standard either an expedited or uh standard rulemaking<00:59:38.920><c
• </c><01:27:14.239><c> doesn't</c> good that teacher is at teaching doesn't good that teacher is at teaching
• All of the recent core standards revisions have shifted an understanding of how we look at standards
• </c><01:43:35.960><c> Elementary</c> classroom teachers teaching Elementary classroom teachers teaching

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I had to have a license here in the state of Texas to teach.
• They've adopted their own standards.
• The ones that have adopted standards, you're asking for a report, correct? So, no.
• And what about those that have adopted no standards?
• By the same standards for spot inspections and for very serious criminal penalties.

Bills: SB1406, SB1681, SB2480, SB2721

Keywords: body donation, medical science, forensic science, willed body program, informed consent, boarding home, boarding home facility, adult care home, group home, assisted living, county reporting, municipal reporting, annual report, reasonable accommodation, fair housing, disability accommodation, local ordinance, permit requirement, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 2480, which would clarify that the Texas Medical Board may collect license renewal surcharge fees from all licensees to fund the Texas Physician Health Program and related administrative costs. The bill author explained the funding fix was needed after prior language was found to allow surcharges only for physicians and physician assistants. Witnesses from the Texas Physician Health Program supported the measure and described the program’s confidential monitoring and treatment services; members asked about the fee amount, which was described as capped at $15 per two-year registration cycle. The bill was left pending. The committee then took up Senate Bills 1406 and 2721, both authored by Senator Parker, addressing the handling of human remains by non-transplant anatomical donation organizations, willed body programs, and related facilities. Senator Parker and several witnesses described alleged abuses involving unclaimed bodies, consent problems, body leasing, hotel-based dissections, and mishandling of cremains, and argued for strict licensing, inspections, transparency, and criminal penalties. Supporters included families of deceased veterans and other relatives, a biomedical ethicist, the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops, and some public safety and hotel industry representatives who said legitimate training should continue but bad actors should be shut down. Opponents or cautious witnesses from accredited donation organizations and bioskills labs said they support stronger oversight but warned the bills could unintentionally disrupt legitimate medical education and urged clearer language and implementation of existing law. Both bills were left pending. Senate Bill 1681, by Senator Menendez, would require counties and municipalities that regulate boarding homes to report facility standards and related information to the Health and Human Services Commission. The author said the bill is intended to improve state oversight of boarding homes that serve elderly and disabled residents and to address abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The bill was left pending after brief discussion. After the testimony portion, the committee returned to voting on pending business and unanimously reported Senate Bills 527, 912, 1580, 1952, and 2032 to the Senate with recommendations that they do pass and be printed, and each was also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also adopted a committee substitute for Senate Bill 407 and reported the substitute favorably, with six ayes and three nays. The committee then moved on to Senate Bill 500 as pending business.