Transcript Highlights:

• Jane Sugimura, Raylene Tan, Johnny May Al Perry, Christina Andres, and Veronica Moore all in support.
• Jane Sugimura, Raylene Tan, Johnny May Al Perry, Christina Andres, and Veronica Moore all in support.
• Jane Sugimura, Raylene Tan, Johnny May Al Perry, Christina Andres, and Veronica Moore all in support.
• Jane Sugimura, Raylene Tan, Johnny May Al Perry, Christina Andres, and Veronica Moore all in support.
• Jane Sugimura, Raylene Tan, Johnny May Al Perry, Christina Andres, and Veronica Moore all in support.

Bills: HB1700

Keywords: housing, expedited permits, disabilities, access, functional needs, local government, affordable housing, reporting requirements, 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees on Housing and Health and Human Services, along with related committees, heard and later took action on three housing bills. HB 1700 HD1, relating to housing and expedited permitting, received support from disability advocates, including the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities and a self-advocate who said faster permitting would help people with disabilities access more independent living options. The chairs said they would add amendments to ensure expedited permitting would not compromise ADA or Fair Housing Act protections and to require reporting on the number, type, and geographic distribution of projects so the program could be evaluated over time. The measure was recommended and adopted with amendments by the participating committees. HB 1777 HD2, which would require tenant protections for residents displaced by HHFDC-supported redevelopment projects, drew support from HHFDC, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Parents and Children Together, and numerous other organizations. Testimony emphasized the need for a right of first offer, replacement housing payments, relocation information, and tracking procedures to reduce displacement harms, especially for Native Hawaiian and public housing residents. In decision-making, the committees amended the bill to incorporate the Senate companion measure, rename the working group as the tenant protection working group, broaden its duties, and include a $75,000 appropriation for working group expenses. The committees also noted concerns about unequal treatment between tenants in publicly supported projects and private redevelopments, and referenced the KPT low-rise redevelopment as an example where required relocation assistance still did not proceed smoothly. The bill was recommended and adopted with amendments. HB 1975 HD1, relating to kupuna housing, would repeal the sunset on the state rent supplement program for kupuna, appropriate funds to HPHA, and add positions to support the program. HPHA, the Executive Office on Aging, OHA, Catholic Charities Hawaii, AARP Hawaii, Aloha Independent Living Hawaii, and others testified in support, with Catholic Charities describing how the subsidy helped a senior remain housed through major medical issues. The committees later recommended passage with amendments, including a technical correction to the number of positions and a date fix, and the recommendation was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Al ... Mr. Al Brittain Mr. Brittain Mr. Allen Mr. Beasley Mr. ... Mr. Beasley Mr. Bell Mr.
• Al Brittain ... Hearing none, so ordered. Mr. Al Brittain. Mr. Williams.
• Al Brittain. Mr. Williams, 32 in favor, 0 against. Senator Figures, the amendments are adopted.
• Al Brittain. Mr. Williams, 29 ayes, 0 nays. Senate Bill 137 passes. Thank you, Senator Waggoner.

Bills: SJR 3, SB 5, SB 21, SB 72, SB 703, SB 764, SB 790, SJR 36, SJR 3, SJR 34, SJR 18, SCR 9, SB 616, SB 565, SB 384, SB 5, SB 21, SB 72, SB 140, SB 262, SB 370, SB 372, SB 495, SB 627, SB 703, SB 764, SB 842, SB 971, SB 790, SB 767, SB 480, SB 1066, SB 929, SB 765, SB 523, SB 62, SB 19, SB 18, SB 666, SB 688, SB 707, SB 888, SB 687, SB 706, SB 847, SB 869, SB 890, SB 992, SB 1145, SB 494, SB 290, SB 766, SB 11, SB 10, SB 13, SB 263, SJR 3, SB 5, SR 172, SR 176, SR 177, SR 190, SR 193, SR 194, SR 202, SR 203, SR 208

Keywords: dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, research funding, state budget, prevention, healthcare, medical research, Dementia Prevention and Research Institute, research institute, funding, grants, state health initiatives, cryptocurrency, bitcoin, investment reserve, economic resilience, financial security, vehicle rental, damage waiver

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Al Britton, here. Senator Carley. Senator Coleman, here. Senator Hatcher.
• Senator Al Britton. Senator Carley, aye. Senator Coleman, aye. Senator Hatcher. Senator Hovi, aye.
• I have a second by Senator Al Britton. Any objections to using the previous roll?
• Senator Al Britt: The only question I have is if we get it out today.
• Senator Al Britton, Senator Carley, Senator Coleman, no. Senator Gger...

Bills: SB36, SB39, SB40, SB12, SB29, SB121, SB131, SB12

Keywords: competitive bidding, procurement, disclosure statements, state contracts, contract protest, board governance, occupational licensing, Sunset Law, public accountability, training requirements, SB40, Houston/Hunter Act, firearm hold agreement, gun storage, temporary firearm storage, firearms dealer, federal firearms licensee, FFL, civil immunity, gun owner

Transcript Highlights:

• On AB 873, Al-Anise, the motion is do pass as amended to the Committee on Appropriations. Berman?
• Al-Hawari, aye. Hadwick, no. Haney, aye. Irwin, aye. Jackson, aye. Crowell, aye. Lowenthal, aye.
• Al-Hawari, aye. Irwin? Irwin, aye. Lowenthal? Lowenthal, aye. Huen? Huen, aye.
• Moving to file item number six, AB 742, Al-Hawari. On AB 742, Al-Hawari: Flora, not voting.
• We're in file item number six, AB 742, Al-Hawari. On AB 742, Al-Hawari, Bains, aye.

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard a long agenda of licensing, health care, and workforce bills. Measures discussed included AB 957, which would prohibit tobacco sales in licensed pharmacies; AB 447, which would allow patients to take home certain unopened medications started in emergency rooms; AB 427, joining the Social Work Licensure Compact; AB 667, allowing interpreters for certain licensing exams; AB 742, prioritizing descendants of slaves in licensing review; AB 873, changing infection-control training timing for dental assistants; AB 360, requiring a report on menopause education for physicians; and AB 1175, modernizing CPA licensure requirements and mobility. Testimony generally emphasized public health, access to care, workforce shortages, language access, and economic opportunity, while opposition or concerns focused on implementation, worker protections, compact authority, and constitutional issues in AB 742. Several bills drew broad support from sponsors, professional associations, and advocacy groups. AB 957 was backed by cancer and pharmacy advocates and pharmacists who said pharmacies should not sell tobacco; AB 447 was supported by emergency medicine and hospital representatives as a way to reduce waste and help patients leave with needed medication; AB 427 drew support from social work and mental health groups but concerns from AFSCME about standards and displacement; AB 667 was supported by immigrant-rights and community groups, with questions about whether translated exams would be preferable to interpreters; AB 360 received extensive support from women’s health advocates and medical groups, and opposition from CMA and ACOG was removed after amendments; and AB 1175 was supported by the Board of Accountancy and CPA groups as a way to expand the pipeline and improve mobility. The committee took votes after quorum was established. AB 360, AB 427, AB 447, AB 667, AB 873, AB 1175, and AB 742 were all approved and sent to their next committees, with AB 742 going to Judiciary and AB 1175 to Appropriations. AB 957 was initially held on call, then later passed after additional votes were recorded. The consent calendar bills AB 375, AB 1107, and AB 1496 were also approved. Most measures passed on largely party-line or near-unanimous votes, with some members not voting on certain items during the roll calls.

Transcript Highlights:

• Order of Business 13 continues with Assembly Bill 304, introduced by Assemblymembers Karras et al. and
• Assembly Bill 442, introduced by Assemblymembers Watts et al. and Senators Wynn et al., revises provisions
• Assembly Bill 404, introduced by Assembly Members Watts, et al., and Senator Wynn, revises provisions
• Assembly Bill 404, introduced by Assembly Members Watts, et al., and Senator Wynn, revises provisions
• Senate Bill 60, introduced by Senator Cannizzaro, et al., revises provisions relating to education.

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chris Conn, representing the ALS Network, in support.
• ALS patient, and I support this bill.
• Lori Bonds, an ALS volunteer, and I support this bill.
• I'm here... ...leadership council for the ALS Association and a former primary care juror of an ALS patient
• Lori Bonds and ALS volunteer and I support this bill.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, Al. Yes, I'd like to get... what's the purpose of this bill?
• But a transcript, as Senator Al Brittain knows, has everything about who said what to whom in great detail
• Al Britton. Hi. Senator Carley. Senator Coleman. No. Senator Gger. Senator Hatcher. Senator Hovi.
• Al Delra. Welcome, Mr. Miller, a proponent of the bill. Mr.
• Senator Al Brittain. Aye. Senator Cornley. Senator Coleman. Aye. Senator Gger. Aye.

Bills: SB270, SB275, HB264, HB281, SB236, SB247, SB249, SB253, SB259

Keywords: county tax, education funding, capital projects, local government, sales tax, food trucks, mobile vendors, business license, health inspection, statewide regulation, zoning ordinances, vessel registration, boating fees, state funds, regulatory changes, water safety, municipal zoning, zoning board, appeals process, circuit court

Transcript Highlights:

• so many distinguished leaders, members of the congressional delegation, of course, Lizzie and Lloyd, Al
• Next, we'll hear from Congressman Al Green. Thank you very much. Thank you.
• Next, we'll hear from Congressman Al Green. Thank you very much.
• This is Al Green. I'm a liberated Democrat. I challenge you. Thank you.” “I'm a liberated Democrat.
• As Al alluded to, you all know in the last few decades, the overwhelming majority of growth in the state

Keywords: redistricting, gerrymandering, Texas Democrats, voter suppression, Hakeem Jeffries, equitable representation, minority communities, legislative session, political motivations

Summary: Texas Democratic leaders and members of Congress held a press event in Austin with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries to denounce the Republican-led special session and proposed congressional redistricting map. Speakers, including Lizzie Fletcher, Lloyd Doggett, Al Green, Joaquin Castro, Sylvia Garcia, and Greg Casar, argued that the session should instead focus on flood recovery after the Hill Country Independence Day floods, affordability, health care, the energy grid, and other state priorities. They said the new map was a partisan and racially discriminatory gerrymander designed to help Donald Trump and Texas Republicans gain seats, weaken minority voting power, and undermine free and fair elections. Several speakers said the current Texas map is already under legal challenge and claimed the proposed changes would further reduce the ability of Black and Latino communities to elect candidates of choice. They also tied the redistricting fight to broader national issues such as Medicaid, Social Security, tariffs, housing costs, and corruption. Jeffries said Texas Democrats would not “bend the knee” and pledged support for their efforts, while emphasizing that the fight would continue politically, in court, and through public organizing. In the question-and-answer portion, Jeffries said all options should be on the table to protect Texans, but that Texas Democrats would decide their own strategy. Fletcher said the immediate priority was informing the public about the rushed process, noting that many Texans testified before seeing a map and that the hearings were moving quickly. No formal vote or legislative action occurred at the event itself.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Al Britton, Senator Carley, Senator Coleman, Senator Gudger, Senator Hatcher, Senator Hovy, Senator
• Senator Al Britton, Senator Carley, Senator Al Britton, Senator Carley, Senator Coleman, Senator Gudger
• Senator Al Britton, is there a fiscal note on this? I don't see one; is it behind it?
• Senator Al Britton. Senator Britton. Senator Carley. Senator Coleman. Senator Coleman, no.

Bills: HB191, HB35, HB29, HB123, HB35, HB29, HB191, HB123

Keywords: sales tax, use tax, sales and use tax, local tax exemption, county tax, municipal tax, county commission, municipality, Alabama Department of Revenue, tax exemption, ordinance, resolution, fiscal year, September 1 effective date, notice requirement, local government, tax administration, revenue law, state and local taxation, volunteer firefighters

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair calls Al Green. The chair shows you are registered to testify as Al Green.
• I've been well represented by Representative Al Green.
• Greg Abbott et al., defendants.
• The Chair calls Graciela Saenz, Al Castillo, and Ruben Salazar.
• The Chair calls Al Castillo. Is Al Castillo here?

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Like many in his generation, the Al-Qaeda attacks against the United States on September 11, 11th, 2011
• Due to the failed regime change policies in Syria, we now have an Al-Qaeda. around as the representative
• of the Syrian government, that is actually being led by a former member of Al-Qaeda who was hand-selected
• Al-Qaeda. Al-Qaeda is re-emerging as well.
• We've got our work cut out for us right now with imminent threats coming from ISIS, Al-Qaeda, the Iranian

Keywords: national security, intelligence community, Aaron Lucas, Joe Kent, John Eisenberg, China threat, terrorism, collaboration, oversight, intelligence capabilities

Summary: The committee meeting centered around significant discussions regarding national security and intelligence community leadership. Notably, nominees Aaron Lucas for Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence, Joe Kent for Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, and John Eisenberg for Assistant Attorney General for National Security were introduced. Concerns were raised about the current state of U.S. intelligence capabilities, particularly in relation to threats posed by foreign adversaries such as China and ongoing risks from terrorism. The dialogue emphasized the necessity for robust oversight and the importance of collaboration within the intelligence community, as well as with international allies, to ensure effective security measures are in place.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee Substitute for House Bill 527; engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 537, West Virginia ALS
• Committee Substitute for House Bill 527; engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 537, West Virginia ALS
• Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 537, West Virginia ALS Care Services Act.
• Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 537, West Virginia ALS Care Services Act.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate reconvened, returned to the third order of business, and took up House amendments to Senate Bill 155 on adjunct teaching permits. The Senate adopted its amendment, which created an exception so a criminal history check would not be required every year and was described as giving county boards another tool to fill vacancies, especially in shortage areas. The Senate then concurred in the House amendment as amended and passed SB 155 by a vote of 33 yeas, 0 nays, with one member absent and not voting. The chamber then received a series of committee reports advancing House bills on a wide range of topics, including economic development, education, finance, energy, health and human resources, and the judiciary. Measures reported favorably included bills creating Team West Virginia Corporation and the West Virginia Collaboratory, the Foster Youth Post-Secondary Transition Awareness Act, business-ready site programs, volunteer fire company allowances, extending qualified opportunity zones, natural resource police retirement, school transfer eligibility, the West Virginia Load Forecast Accountability Act, oil and gas well plugging requirements, PEIA treatment flexibility, PANS/PANDAS, ALS care services, abuse prevention, the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, peer support services, tax lien sales, the Neighborhood Investment Program, bonds for the West Virginia Science and Culture Center, a comprehensive energy development policy plan, TANF applicant drug screening, and child protection commissioners. Most of these bills were taken up for immediate consideration, read a first time, and advanced. One bill, House Bill 5381 on a comprehensive energy development policy and plan, was also referred to the Committee on Rules. The Senate then moved to adjourn until the next day at 11 a.m., after announcements of upcoming committee meetings, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is my privilege to announce that yesterday, on February 5, 2025, Prince Rahim al-Husseini was designated
• Had honored the life and legacy of his father and predecessor Prince Karim al Husseini Aga Khan IV through
• With the ascension of Prince Rahim al Husseini, Aga Khan 5th assumes the mantle of leadership, continuing
• we'll continue to find a visionary leader, vice mentor, a spiritual father in His Highness Prince Rahim Al

Transcript Highlights:

• But then couple that with the fact that most of the equipment in ALS ambulances wasn't even utilized.
• I would bet it was probably less than 5% of the services in the state at that time were ALS.
• c><00:07:10.080> the<00:07:10.240> equipment<00:07:10.560> in<00:07:10.800> ALS
• fact that most of the equipment in ALS fact that most of the equipment in ALS ambulance<00:07:12.000
• I'll I'll make one quick point that ALS.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services (KBEMS) 00:00:53 Approval of Minutes 00:23:37, 958, all

Summary: The Kentucky Board of EMS presented an additional budget request focused on grant funding for local EMS agencies, not agency operations. Officials said the board has 13 full-time staff after losing employees in the 2022 transition back to state government, and that the request would be a 100% pass-through to providers. They initially described two requests totaling $12.91 million: $10.8 million for the EMS block grant and $2.1 million for workforce education tied to House Bill 484, but later said they would withdraw the $2.1 million request because rural health transformation funding appears likely to cover those education needs. Most of the testimony explained why the EMS block grant should be increased. The board said the grant began in 1980 at about $1.2 million and has remained largely unchanged while EMS costs have risen sharply. They cited higher prices for ambulances, stretchers, and cardiac monitors, along with increased labor and reimbursement pressures. Board members emphasized that modern EMS now provides much more advanced care in the field, especially in rural areas, and argued that equipment such as 12-lead cardiac monitors can significantly improve patient outcomes. They said the current grant provides about $10,000 per county, while the request would raise funding to about $100,000 per county and increase the per-capita amount from roughly 26 cents to $2.60. Members also discussed whether the block grant statute should be reformed to target need more directly. Board officials said they had considered making the grant more competitive, but decided against it for now because many counties rely on the annual funding and shifting money away from some areas would create hardship. In response to questions, they said Kentucky has about 160 class one EMS agencies providing 911 response across 120 counties, and that grant awards in recent years reached 91 counties, then 108, then 110 counties. They also highlighted the cost and safety benefits of power loading systems for stretchers, saying they can reduce back injuries and help retain EMS workers, but are often unaffordable for smaller departments. No votes were taken on the budget request during the hearing. After the testimony and questions, the committee approved the minutes from the prior meeting by motion and second, with no opposition, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the Washington Hospital Association, SNFs take in roughly 40,000 patients a year, and ALs play a
• Finally, both SNFs and ALs across Washington are held to regulatory oversight, which is longstanding
• In SNFs and ALs, a large percentage of our workers, about a quarter of them, are over the age of 55,
• They're an aging workforce caring for approximately 43,000 folks in SNFs and ALs, of whom approximately
• Fourth, we hope that the value SNFs and ALs have in keeping people out of the hospital and providing

Summary: The committee began with an extended work session on the long-term care workforce. DSHS Assistant Secretary B. Rector described the new Home and Community Living Administration and outlined major workforce pressures: Washington had about 126,000 long-term care workers in 2022, with demand expected to outpace supply as the 85-plus population and dementia prevalence rise sharply. She emphasized that direct care workers are largely women, people of color, and immigrants, and that family caregivers are also a major part of the system. She highlighted recruitment and retention efforts funded through federal Money Follows the Person dollars, including high school training partnerships, a retention toolkit, transportation support, caregiver newsletters, tribal workforce navigators, and a remote caregiving pilot. Committee members asked about career pathways, technology use, and turnover drivers; Rector said wages, benefits, unstable hours, and workplace support are key issues and promised follow-up data. Aidan Swain of the Washington Health Care Association said skilled nursing and assisted living facilities face acute RN vacancies, wage pressures, and Medicaid reimbursement that does not cover costs, and urged modernization of training, better reimbursement, and continued support for facility-based care. Maddie Fouch of SEIU 775, representing about 55,000 caregivers, said low wages, weak benefits, lack of voice, and certification delays are driving turnover and shortages, and argued for higher compensation, better worker protections, and more transparent reimbursement. Catherine Smith of Behavioral Health Solutions described growing behavioral health needs in nursing homes, the role of expanded behavioral supports programs, and credentialing delays that slow hiring. No votes were taken; the panel was informational only. The second agenda item was an overview of the palliative care benefit work group report required by 2024 legislation. Nico Jansen of the Office of the Insurance Commissioner explained that the work group, convened with the Health Care Authority, studied a potential palliative care benefit for fully insured commercial plans and also Medicaid, PEBB, and SEBB. He said palliative care is a philosophy of care focused on symptom management, coordination, and support for serious illness, and is distinct from hospice because it can be provided alongside curative treatment. The actuarial analysis concluded that creating a new benefit would likely increase costs, estimating about a 28-cent per member per month increase overall and roughly $2.6 million to $4.5 million in annual state Medicaid costs if implemented in 2027. Jansen said the consultants did not find sufficient evidence to assume savings from avoided hospitalizations or long-term care, though several work group members disagreed and submitted response letters. Senators asked about other states, Medicare, health homes, and whether more research could clarify cost savings; OIC said some states, including Hawaii, are moving ahead with Medicaid palliative care benefits, Medicare covers some related services but not in the same way, and further evidence may emerge over time. OIC did not take a position on whether the Legislature should create the benefit. The final presentation covered health care price transparency tools in Washington and federally. Evan Klein and HCA Chief Data Officer Vishal Chaudry reviewed federal hospital and health plan transparency rules, the state all-payer claims database, prescription drug price transparency, the Health Care Cost Transparency Board, the Prescription Drug Affordability Board, and other reporting systems. They explained that the APCD contains claims from fully insured commercial plans, Medicaid, and public employee programs, but not self-insured employer data except for limited voluntary submissions. They also described how machine-readable files, consumer price tools, and aggregated dashboards are used, and noted that data limitations, delays, and complexity remain significant. Senators asked about voluntary self-insured participation, the role of AI in making data more usable, and whether transparency can really help consumers given access barriers and medical debt. HCA said AI is increasingly used by private entities to mine large transparency datasets, but state agencies still face limits in data access and analytic capacity. The committee did not take action; the session was informational and ended with a discussion of how transparency data might better inform policy and purchasing decisions in the future.

Transcript Highlights:

• For our housekeeping items, I would like to note that the Speaker has appointed Assembly Member Al-Hawari
• Heather Dawson on behalf of the ALS Association in full support.
• Blair, excuse me, Blair Barton on behalf of the ALS Association in full support. Thank you.
• Blair Barton on behalf of the ALS Association in full support.
• Nancy Wakefield, ALS Association, in support. Thank you.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard several bills on June 9. SB 1023 by Senator Laird would require insurers that cover injectable HIV PrEP under the medical benefit to also cover it through the pharmacy benefit, with supporters saying the change would reduce reimbursement delays and expand access, while health plans opposed it as an unnecessary mandate that interferes with benefit design. SB 964 by Senator Smallwood-Quivas would limit prior authorization for certain dose or frequency adjustments to covered medications, especially for chronic complex conditions; medical supporters said it would prevent harmful delays in care, while insurers argued it weakens safety and utilization controls. SB 1323 by Senator Rubio, as amended, would strengthen protections for people in immigration custody receiving medical care by requiring hospitals and facilities to inform staff how to respond to requests and allowing patients to notify family members of their location; it passed with one no vote. SB 1099 by Senator Reyes would clarify local governments’ authority to provide state and local public benefits to all residents under federal PRWORA rules, with supporters saying it would reduce legal uncertainty for safety-net services; it passed, though one member later changed a vote to no on the add-on roll call. The committee also took up SB 895 by Senator Wiener, a proposed $12 billion science research bond for the November ballot that would create a California scientific research funding institute. Supporters from UC, UAW, hospitals, and advocacy groups said the measure would help offset federal cuts, protect research jobs, and sustain California’s leadership in biomedical and other research; there was no opposition, and the bill passed on a party-line style vote with two no votes. SB 944, also by Senator Wiener, would stabilize Medi-Cal coverage for acupuncture, which supporters described as a cost-effective, non-pharmacological treatment for pain and other conditions that has repeatedly been threatened in the budget process; it passed unanimously. The committee also approved consent items SB 918 and SB 1202, and later cleared the remaining measures on call after roll votes and add-on votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• So for ALE, the Alternative Learning Environment Fund, these students generate $5,086 per student, coming
• Okay, and then in the categorical, I know that you have the ALE, alternative learning environment, and
• know that we have students who are in special ed, they're English learners, and they're also in the ALE
• With the ALE population, is it $5,086 per student on top of the foundation? That's correct.
• And how many of these ALEs are in the state of Arkansas?

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The House and Senate Education Committee first approved minutes from February 2 and 3, then heard an interim study proposal on Arkansas adult education, presented by Goodwill Industries of Arkansas and the Excel Center network. Witnesses described the state’s adult diploma gap, arguing that roughly 300,000 Arkansans over age 19 lack a high school diploma or GED and that the Excel Center provides a supported, diploma-based alternative with child care, transportation help, tutoring, and career services. Goodwill officials said the Arkansas campuses are the state’s only public adult charter high schools, are not state-funded, and have produced strong enrollment growth and graduation outcomes. A University of Notre Dame researcher testified that a study of Excel Center graduates found higher employment and earnings, more credential and college-credit attainment, and lower criminal justice involvement, with a high estimated return on public investment. Some members questioned the framing of Arkansas’s adult education challenges and whether the state was being portrayed too negatively, while others asked about wraparound services and the role of nonprofit providers. The committee ultimately adopted the interim study proposal, though there was some procedural confusion and debate about whether questions should have come before the vote. The committee then received a detailed Bureau of Legislative Research presentation on Arkansas K-12 education funding as part of the adequacy study. Staff reviewed national funding principles and Arkansas’s funding structure, including state, local, and other revenues; the Public School Fund; Department of Education operations; and the Facilities Partnership Program. They explained that 2025 K-12 state and local revenues totaled about $6.6 billion, with foundation funding, categorical funding, supplemental funding, and additional funding distributed to districts and charters. The presentation covered the matrix used to calculate foundation funding, the role of the uniform rate of tax, the Educational Excellence Trust Fund, the Educational Adequacy Fund, and how charter schools are funded differently from traditional districts. Staff also discussed categorical programs such as alternative learning environments, English learner funding, enhanced student achievement, and professional development, as well as supplemental categories including transportation, special education high-cost occurrences, teacher salary equalization, declining enrollment, and student growth. Members asked numerous questions about the funding formulas, the meaning of specific staffing categories, how categorical funds are used, and the number of districts receiving teacher salary equalization or ALE funding. One member noted that the Excel Center’s funding appeared in the broader state-local totals and asked for clarification. Staff said some of the more detailed spending questions would be addressed in the next day’s presentation and offered to provide follow-up information, including district lists and historical changes. The meeting ended after the chair noted that the department was present mainly to answer questions, not to deliver a separate update, and no further business was taken up before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Bill 388, introduced by Assembly Members La Rue Hatch, et al., and Senator Flores, revises provisions
• Assembly Bill 404, introduced by Assembly Member Watts, et al., and Senator Wynn, revises provisions
• Assembly Bill 414, introduced by Assembly Members Moore, et al., and Senators Flores, et al., revises
• Assembly Bill 428, introduced by Assembly Members Flanagan, et al., requires certain health plans to
• Assembly Bill 304, introduced by Assembly Members Spearman, et al., and Senators Hansen and Pazina, establishes

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• get<00:10:55.279> started<00:10:55.639> also<00:10:56.040> I'd<00:10:56.240> ALS
• <00:10:56.720> Al<00:10:57.000> also<00:10:57.279> like<00:10:57.440> to<
• /c> get started also I'd ALS Al also like to get started also I'd ALS Al also like to thank<00:10:57.920

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:25 Attendance Roll Call: 00:31 HJR 15 (Rep. Baker): 01:15 HB 462 (Sen. Nemes for Rep. Dietz): 09:01 HB 6 (Rep. Williams): 10:18 HB 73 (Rep. Johnson): 15:21 Adjournment: 18:48, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on State and Local Government first considered HJR 15, a resolution to return a Ten Commandments monument to the new state Capitol grounds. Representative Shane Baker described the monument’s history, its removal to storage in the 1980s, and a prior 2000 effort that was blocked by the courts. He argued recent Supreme Court decisions, including Van Orden and Kennedy, support a history-and-tradition approach and said the resolution would direct the Historic Properties Advisory Commission to retrieve and reinstall the monument in Monument Park. Senator Herron raised concerns about religious neutrality and whether other faiths would also be represented at the Capitol. Baker and Chair Petrie responded that the resolution was limited to restoring a specific historical monument and did not bar future proposals for other displays. Senator Armstrong voted no, saying the legal landscape remained uncertain and the state could face costly litigation. The committee approved HJR 15 on an 8-1 vote. The committee then took up House Bill 6, which would limit administrative agencies from issuing regulations with an economic impact of more than $500,000 over two years, with exceptions for imminent public health or safety threats, protection of federal or state funds, and compliance with certain court orders. Representative Wade Williams said the bill would rein in costly agency rulemaking and cited LRC data showing only about a dozen regulations in 2024 would have met the threshold, with roughly six after closer review. Senator Chambers Armstrong expressed concern that the bill could tie the government’s hands in emergencies, but the bill passed 8-1. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 73, which had a committee substitute. Representatives Johnson and Tipton explained that one part would add We Lead CS to the list of educational service providers allowed to administer their own retirement program participation, and the other would require the Teachers’ Retirement System actuary to provide additional information on each employer’s share of unfunded liability. The committee approved HB 73 unanimously, 10-0, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Secretary will read the resolution. 51 87 by Creighton et al. recognizing March 4th 2025 as Montgomery
• The Secretary will read the resolution. 234 200 by Miles et al, recognizing March 4th, 2025 as Tech Texas
• Thank you. by Myles et al, recognizing March 4th, 2025 as Alpha Fraternity. today at the state capitol
• Senate Resolution 180 by Cook et al. recognizing March 4th, 2025 as Nurse Day at the State Capitol.
• SR196 by Johnson and West, SR201 by Miles et al. SR 204 by Johnson et al, SR 205 by.

Bills: SJR3, SB5, SJR36, SJR3, SB616, SB565, SB384, SB5, SB21, SB72, SB140, SB262, SB370, SB372, SB495, SB627, SB703, SB764, SB842, SB971, SB790, SB767, SB480, SB1066

Keywords: dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, research funding, state budget, prevention, healthcare, medical research, Dementia Prevention and Research Institute, research institute, funding, grants, state health initiatives, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code