Transcript Highlights:

• From the Committee on Rules, House Joint Resolution 237 naming the bridge on U.S.
• BN Railroad between Sportslex Road and Belg Grayson Road and Mingo as the Fred Armstead Memorial Bridge
• and Mingo as the Fred<00:22:11.600> Armstead<00:22:12.159> Memorial<00:22:12.640> Bridge
• <00:22:13.440> Receives Fred Armstead Memorial Bridge.
• Receives Fred Armstead Memorial Bridge.

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer and the pledge, confirmed a quorum, excused absent senators, and adopted the previous day’s journal. The chamber then received House messages referring House Bill 614 on supplemental appropriations and House Bill 224 on the distribution and use of tax funds to the Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee. Committee reports followed on several bills, including favorable reports for House Bills 169, 542, 593, and 13, with HB 542 amended in committee. The Senate also referred Senator Orr’s proposed rules change to the Rules Committee. A series of resolutions were taken up and adopted, including Senate Resolution 109 creating the Alabama Boating Safety Task Force, Senate Joint Resolutions 102 and 103, House Joint Resolutions 237, 215, 216, 218, and 235, Senate Joint Resolution 88 supporting the U.S. Department of Energy’s nuclear life cycle innovation effort, Senate Joint Resolution 93 creating a rural EMS and volunteer fire department study commission, Senate Joint Resolution 94 commending Exchange Club of Tuscaloosa Officer of the Year honorees, and Senate Joint Resolution 110 commending William Riley Hawkins Jr. on his retirement from AARP Alabama. The Senate also recognized several guests in the gallery, including local school superintendents and a student visitor. The chamber then moved through local legislation, adopting BRs and passing numerous local bills and constitutional amendments, including measures for Mobile, Prichard, Class 2 municipalities, Mingo County, Talladega County, Perry County, Wilcox County, Clay County, Washington County, and Madison County. Senate Bill 376 on Mobile County and Senate Bill 379 on Madison County were both passed and transmitted. Most local bills passed on unanimous or near-unanimous votes using the previous roll. The Senate also adopted Special Order Calendar Resolution 111, setting a special order calendar for the 27th legislative day that prioritized a long list of appropriations, education, retirement, dam safety, and higher education bills. On that calendar, House Bills 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 565, and Senate Bill 380 were taken up. HB 235’s committee substitute was tabled, a floor substitute was adopted restoring funding to the McQuain Center and removing some arts grants, and the bill passed. HB 236 passed after a language amendment. HB 237 passed as the Education Opportunities Reserve Fund bill. HB 238 passed after a floor substitute that shifted arts grants, added Voices for Alabama’s Children, adjusted RAISE Act weights, and increased funding for poverty, special education, and gifted students, along with a small amendment. HB 239 passed as the public education employee pay raise bill, with a substitute adding a retiree bonus and members discussing that the bonus would also be carried through SB 380. HB 240, HB 241, HB 242, and HB 565 all passed. SB 380 on the teachers retirement system received committee amendments and was being advanced as the vehicle for the retiree bonus, with Senator Orr explaining the bonus would be about $33 million and based on $1 per month of service for eligible retirees with at least 10 years of service.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh that's water under the bridge at this point.
• Uh that's water under the bridge at this point.
• ><00:22:03.039> water<00:22:03.360> under<00:22:03.679> the<00:22:03.840> bridge
• Uh that's water under the bridge at way.
• Uh that's water under the bridge at this<00:22:04.640> point. this point. this point.

Bills: HB0108, HB0039, HB0091, HB0070

Keywords: audit, transparency, government reporting, accountability, public access, firearm rights, restoration of rights, criminal justice, felony convictions, Wyoming law, artificial intelligence, social scoring, biometric data, privacy rights, government regulation, foreign censorship, digital innovation, constitutional rights, Wyoming GRANITE Act, extraterritorial laws

Transcript Highlights:

• He has consistently demonstrated the ability to bridge divides, elevate thought, thoughtful debate, and
• demonstrated<00:09:28.399> the<00:09:28.720> ability<00:09:29.839> to<00:09:30.240> bridge
• demonstrated the ability to bridge demonstrated the ability to bridge divides, divides, divides,
• and transformationally otherwise, this term we have navigated the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, January 14, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Maryland Senate convened for the opening day of the 449th legislative session, with an invocation delivered by Reverend Amen Flowers and the prayer journalized without objection. The clerk then called the roll, establishing a quorum with 46 senators present and the Senate ready to conduct business. The first order of business was the election of a temporary presiding officer, followed by the election of the permanent presiding officer. Senator Ben Brooks nominated Senator Malcolm Augustine to serve as President Pro Tem, and Senator Karen Lewis Young seconded the nomination, both praising his policy knowledge, collaborative style, and ability to work across differences. The Senate then voted and elected Augustine as President Pro Tem, after which he was escorted to the rostrum and sworn in. Augustine thanked colleagues, his family, and the chamber, and said he looked forward to working through a challenging session together on behalf of Marylanders. The Senate next nominated and elected Senator William C. Ferguson IV as President of the Senate. Senator Charles Sydnor nominated him, and Senator Cory McCray seconded, describing Ferguson as an honest broker, steady leader, and compassionate presiding officer. Ferguson was elected with 46 affirmative votes, took the oath of office, and delivered extended remarks about the importance of federalism, the role of states in filling gaps left by the federal government, and the need for Maryland to lead through state-level action during a difficult political climate. He also thanked colleagues, staff, and his family, and emphasized that the session would require collaboration and focus on Marylanders' needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• That might be a way to bridge that gap and find a little bit of a compromise.
• That might be a way to bridge that gap and find a little bit of a compromise.
• That might be a way to bridge that gap and find a little bit of a compromise.
• That might be a way to bridge that gap and find a little bit of a compromise.
• That might be a way to bridge that gap and find a little bit of a compromise.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And do you see RC playing a role in helping to bridge perhaps broader partnerships within the community
• And do you see RC playing a role in helping to bridge perhaps broader partnerships within the community
• And do you see RC playing a role in helping to bridge perhaps broader partnerships within the community
• And do you see RC playing a role in helping to bridge perhaps broader partnerships within the community
• And do you see RC playing a role in helping to bridge perhaps broader partnerships within the community

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard HCR 96, which encourages the University of Hawaiʻi to evaluate and expand student mental health services. University of Hawaiʻi Associate Vice President Farah Marie Gomes testified in support and noted the system’s mental health and basic-needs efforts across all 10 campuses. Members discussed staffing and funding constraints, including that the system had 27 adult mental health positions, 21 filled and six vacant, with one vacancy open for about four years. The resolution was adopted unanimously, unamended. The committee then took up several gubernatorial appointments. GM 785 nominated Wendo Hensel to the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), and GM 784 nominated Terry George to the same body. Both nominees testified about the value of Hawaiʻi’s participation in WICHE; Hensel emphasized the importance of sharing policy ideas and best practices, while George highlighted Hawaiʻi’s unique higher education needs and the benefits of learning from other western states. Both nominations were supported and moved forward. The committee also considered multiple appointments to the Hawaiʻi Commission for National and Community Service. Kylie Alakard described wanting to serve as a youth voice and role model, and Ray Galas spoke about his prior volunteer board experience and desire to help people connect through service. Sandra Larson said volunteerism and community service were important to her and that she wanted to give back. The committee then heard GM 771 and GM 772 for Ken Kawahara to the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaiʻi; Kawahara said he would bring business and government experience to help with internal operations, education, and strategic goals, though he acknowledged he was still learning the organization’s details. Members also began hearing GM 624 for Joshua Famuina to the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents, with student caucus testimony in strong support emphasizing his attendance, communication, and engagement with students.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so this bill will help bridge the gap between the time when you start your project and by the time
• We currently get water out of Lake Bridges.
• And I guess so I guess was it a lake runaway or lake bridge port like bridge west side yes sir we're
• The west part of our district, you get around bridge...

Bills: HB1520, HB1525, HB1530, HB1535, HB2068, HB2091, HB2347, HB2372, HB2805, HB2815, HB2867, HB3154, HB3482, HB3483, HB3663, HB3781, HB3901, HB3915, HB4135, HB4153, HB4158, HB4329, HB4331

Keywords: Angelina and Neches River Authority, river authority, Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Sunset Act, Special District Local Laws Code, local government, natural resources, board of directors, director training, board governance, public testimony, open meetings, public information, conflict of interest, ethics, complaint system, general manager, board president, staggered terms, removal of director

Transcript Highlights:

• This grant program is more than just an investment in education; it's a promise to our children, a bridge
• To bridge this gap in health care access, AB 677 amends the Education Code to allow homeless students
• In Castro Valley, we are trying to add continuity by deploying a bridging strategy in special ed settings
• But we need help to respond. by deploying a bridging strategy in special ed settings where we allow the
• We are continuing to build bridges between our number one trading partner, Mexico, enriching our curriculum

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard several education bills, with AB 887 by Assemblymember Berman proposing that every school district and charter school adopt a plan so all high schools offer at least one computer science course by 2029-30. Supporters, including a teacher and student, argued California is falling behind other states and that computer science is essential for student opportunity and workforce readiness. ACSA opposed the bill, citing the shortage of qualified computer science teachers and administrative burden. The bill passed the committee on a 6-0 vote and was sent to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 1390 by Assemblymember Solache, which would allow local and county school boards to raise trustee compensation above long-standing statutory minimums that have not changed in decades. Supporters said the current stipends are too low to make board service accessible to working families and younger community members. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill passed with five votes, with the roll left open for additional members. AB 865 by Assemblymember Gonzalez would create a $5 million, three-year grant program for dual-language immersion instructional materials, split between high-demand languages and other languages. Supporters said districts often lack standards-aligned materials in languages beyond Spanish, forcing teachers to create their own. The bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations. AB 857 by Assemblymember Gibson, requiring annual cultural competency training for K-12 staff, also passed 5-1 after supporters linked it to the state reparations task force report and argued it would improve trust and student outcomes. The committee additionally approved AB 677 by Assemblymember Bryan, which would make it easier for unhoused students to access school-based vision and dental screenings by allowing directory information to be used for that purpose with an opt-out process; it passed 8-0. AB 903 by Assemblymember Avila Farias, directing the Department of Education to develop best practices on education technology and digital equity, passed after amendments and with some opponents indicating they would remove opposition once the amendments were in print. Finally, AB 917 by Assemblymember Avila Farias, extending permanent-status protections to certain educators in small districts and county programs, drew significant opposition from small districts and regional occupational programs over flexibility and funding concerns; the bill still passed 5-2 with the roll held open for additional votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• To the east, we have the Lafayette Bridge, which goes over the Mississippi River; that's not going anywhere
• To the east, we have the Lafayette Bridge, which goes over the Mississippi River; that's not going anywhere
• We're talking about bridges.
• I announced a bridge, a viaduct, that we celebrated with Grant and with Betty, our Congresswoman of CD4
• that advocacy of Representative Hansen has drawn to the concern of crumbling Wabasha caves, to these bridges

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• She was kidnapped, tied up, assaulted for two hours under a bridge, and horrifically murdered.
• American marvels like the Empire State Building, the mighty Hoover Dam, and the towering Golden Gate Bridge
• 24:54.000> Towering<02:24:54.600> Golden<02:24:55.200> Gate<02:24:55.960> Bridge
• <02:24:56.960> they and the Towering Golden Gate Bridge they and the Towering Golden Gate
• Bridge they lit<02:24:57.439> the<02:24:57.600> world<02:24:58.000> with<02:24:58.720

Keywords: Presidential address to the Joint Session of the United States Congress on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bridges we have over... nearly 60,000 bridges in the state of Texas.
• That is about double the second. the state with the second most bridges and also very pleased to report
• that the bridge condition score for those bridges in Texas are at the top or near the top based on the

Keywords: infrastructure, water supply, flood mitigation, Texas Water Fund, community projects, funding allocations

Summary: During this committee meeting, the focus was on discussing critical infrastructure funding, especially related to water supply and flood mitigation projects. Chairwoman Stepney and the Water Development Board presented extensive details regarding the Texas Water Fund, which included $1 billion appropriated to assist various financial programs and tackle pressing water and wastewater issues. Additionally, funding allocations aimed at compromising the state's flood risk and improving water conservation were hotly debated, emphasizing collaboration among committee members and the necessity of addressing community needs in such projects.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and we would like to work on that and try to improve that and bridge that gap.
• When I attend that and bridge that gap.
• So maybe that's a bridge to start building places. And just one other comment, Mr. Chairman.
• So maybe that's a bridge to start building places. And just one other comment, Mr. Chairman.
• So maybe that's a bridge to start building places. And just one other comment, Mr. Chairman.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The rotation is special because it bridges these two worlds.
• The rotation is special because it bridges these two worlds.
• The rotation is special because it bridges these two worlds.
• So, that includes the 35W bridge collapse.
• It includes the 35W bridge collapse.

Bills: HF4841, HF4234, HF3697

Keywords: Hennepin County, sales tax, health care facilities, ballpark improvements, tax revenue, HF4234, Minnesota private activity bonds, tax-exempt bonds, bond cap, aggregate bond limitation, residential rental projects, multifamily housing, affordable housing finance, housing bonds, public finance, bond allocation, private activity bond cap, Minnesota Statutes 474A.02, tax committee, tax refund

Transcript Highlights:

• My mom always said, "Well, if everybody was jumping off a bridge, would you?"
• But, in this case, yeah, I would jump off the bridge. Questions from the committee?
• /c><01:23:55.360> jumping<01:23:55.600> off<01:23:55.720> a<01:23:55.800> bridge
• , if everybody was jumping off a bridge, if everybody was jumping off a bridge, would<01:23:56.200
• would jump off the bridge. would jump off the bridge.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and Medicaid Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services<00:46:36.360> to<00:46:36.480> bridge
• <00:46:36.840> the<00:46:37.000> gap<00:46:37.280> between Services to bridge
• the gap between Services to bridge the gap between medical<00:46:38.080> care<00:46:38.400>
• ><00:46:41.760> what<00:46:41.880> are<00:46:41.960> called<00:46:42.320> bridge
• AHCs use what are called bridge AHCs use what are called bridge organizations,<00:46:44.000>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board met on September 24, 2025, approved the minutes from the September 9 meeting, and then continued its discussion of Medicaid waivers with Leslie Hoffman and Carmen Hancock from the Department for Medicaid Services. Members asked for updates on the 2024 waiver waitlist management assessment recommendations, including aligning waiver policies, standardizing applications and waitlist placement, and modernizing data systems. DMS said that work is being done jointly with Aging and Independent Living and Behavioral Health/Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities through task forces, that ARPA spending delayed action, and that implementation timelines extend through March 2027. The board also reviewed per-member waiver cost averages for fiscal years 2023 through 2025 for ABI, ABI long-term care, HCBS, Model II, Michelle P, and SCL. DMS emphasized these figures were benefit-only averages based on paid claims, not full waiver costs, and explained that true budget neutrality is calculated on an aggregate basis against institutional care comparisons approved by CMS. DMS said all six waivers remain in compliance with budget neutrality and that the most recent 18-month lag review for FY 2022 and FY 2023 found costs at or below institutional care. Members also asked about unused waiver slots; DMS said slots generally cannot be reallocated mid-year if they have been used, except in cases such as death or reserved capacity, because CMS treats participants as unduplicated for the waiver year. A major portion of the meeting focused on the new child waiver created under House Bill 6. Legislators questioned whether the waiver’s design, including the exclusion of participant-directed services and the emphasis on high-acuity children with behavioral health, DCBS, or juvenile justice involvement, matched the bill’s intent to keep children at home. DMS said it used the $14.7 million appropriated for FY 2026 to develop the program, that there is no priority list, and that the waiver is intended to serve the highest-acuity children while also addressing residential needs for those sleeping in offices or placed out of state. Members also raised concerns about the rapid growth of the HCBS waiting list and asked for more detail on age and timing patterns, which DMS said it would provide later. Finally, DMS gave average processing times from application to eligibility determination and from approval to service start, and said the overall average from application to services beginning was about 80 days, while members requested follow-up information on the Carewise assessment contract and related costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• What we are finding though is that communities often need bridge loans to be able to take advantage of
• A lot of communities need some bridge loans to help make that happen.
• often need bridge loans to be<01:27:25.360> able<01:27:25.520> to<01:27:25.760> take
• A lot of communities<01:27:37.199> need<01:27:37.440> some<01:27:37.679> bridge<
• 01:27:38.000> loans<01:27:38.320> to communities need some bridge loans to communities

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met to adopt the minutes of the second meeting by voice vote, then heard an update focused on disaster preparedness, resiliency, response, and coordination among state agencies and partners. The chair emphasized avoiding duplication of resources and highlighted the importance of agriculture-related response issues, including animal evacuation, feed distribution, and the role of extension services during disasters. The Department for Public Health was invited to explain its role in emergency planning and response. Public Health described its Emergency Preparedness and Response Branch as the lead coordinating agency for Emergency Support Function 8, covering health and medical services under Kentucky’s emergency operations framework. Testimony outlined its broad responsibilities, including support for hospitals, morgues, local health departments, behavioral health, crisis counseling, suspicious package testing, disease outbreaks, and coordination with emergency management, EMS, transportation, and nonprofit and private partners. Officials also described the agency’s risk-assessment process, training and exercise programs, and deployed assets such as PPE caches, deployable communications, a federal medical station, a mobile treatment center, and alternate care support used in events like the eastern Kentucky floods and COVID-19. The agency also discussed funding through federal cooperative agreements for public health emergency preparedness and hospital preparedness, noting that these programs have evolved since 9/11 and have been shaped by major disasters and emerging threats. Officials said Kentucky’s funding has declined over time and that current awards are partially funded for the first time in the program’s history. They expressed support for efficiency if federal programs are consolidated, but cautioned that combining programs could risk further funding losses.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, as Erica mentioned, with the I-65 bridges contract, that project will continue beyond two years
• and<00:57:01.040> it's<00:57:01.280> got<00:57:01.520> 18<00:57:01.920> bridges
• <00:57:02.319> that corridors, and it's got 18 bridges that corridors, and it's got 18 bridges
• ><00:58:42.400> contract,<00:58:43.440> that<00:58:43.680> that with the I65 bridges
• contract, that that with the I65 bridges contract, that that project<00:58:44.640> will<00:58

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Government Contracts Committee met with a quorum and approved the July 8 minutes. It then deferred several items from the July agenda, including a Kentucky Education Television contract because the vendor was not yet registered with the Secretary of State, and a University of Louisville contract at the university’s request. The committee also deferred a behavioral health memorandum of agreement and later a Department of Community Based Services contract after questions were raised about the scope of services and the need for additional information. The most extensive discussion involved the Seven Counties Services contract with the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental, and Intellectual Disabilities. Committee members questioned why the state continues to contract with Seven Counties despite its bankruptcy and pension-related liabilities, how the funding split was determined, whether the services are statutorily required, and whether the state or another provider could deliver the services more efficiently. Agency representatives said Seven Counties is the sole provider of core community mental health services in its region, serves about 24,500 people, and that service needs and acuity remain high even as the number served has declined. A cabinet attorney said the bankruptcy dispute is ongoing and involves roughly $20 million in contested retirement contributions, though members suggested the amount may be higher. Members also raised broader concerns about whether local governments, especially Metro Louisville, should contribute more toward services tied to social determinants of health, and whether the contract includes services beyond what statute requires. The committee requested additional information on the contract scope and possible offsets or recovery of unfunded liabilities, and then voted to defer the Seven Counties contract to the next meeting. The committee also heard a separate DCBS presentation on the Youth Villages Intercept program, where staff explained it was selected because it is an approved evidence-based Family First prevention service, provides intensive in-home and foster care stabilization services, and is headquartered in Tennessee but operates across Kentucky; members asked for clarification on Medicaid billing and additional funding needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• But in DEES they issue, I think they said, 700 types of permits involving property—various wetland, bridge
• 58.480> wetland various wetland various wetland [Music] [Music] [Music] uh<00:04:02.400> bridge
• crossing<00:04:03.360> alteration<00:04:03.920> of<00:04:04.159> terrain uh bridge
• crossing alteration of terrain uh bridge crossing alteration of terrain um<00:04:07.360> wetlands
• that's being built is being bridge that's being built is being specifically<01:16:23.360> designed

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 74, which would require agencies issuing certain real-property-related permits to track and report how many permits they issue and how long the process takes. Representative Carol McGuire introduced the bill and said the goal is to gather data on permit timing and fees, especially for DES and DOT permits involving wetlands, alteration of terrain, driveway permits, and similar approvals. Supporters argued the state needs better visibility into permitting delays and whether statutory deadlines are realistic; they also noted the bill had passed the House on a voice vote with no debate. Adam Crapo of the Department of Environmental Services said DES is generally supportive of the reporting concept but warned that the agency’s data are spread across many separate, partly manual databases. He said DES can already do this for some land resources permits through its new system, but not across all of its more than 90 permit types without additional help. DES estimated it would need two part-time positions to compile the reports, especially for waste management and water programs, and said otherwise existing permitting staff would have to do the work, potentially slowing permit processing. He also said the agency is already working to simplify rules and move more permits onto a new online platform, but could not meet the bill’s 2026 reporting deadline with current staffing and systems. Committee members questioned whether delays are often caused by incomplete applications rather than agency inaction, and Crapo said that is frequently the case. He said DES already tracks timelines to some extent for management and statutory compliance, but not at the individual-permit detail the bill would require. He also said some letters and records are captured in One Stop, but not all are. Members expressed support for the bill’s transparency goals while also worrying about added workload and possible slowdowns. The discussion then moved to DOT, where Susan Clawson said DOT is neutral on the bill because it recently implemented Salesforce and now has good data for reporting; DOT’s fiscal note reflects software-related costs, but the agency can already track the required information in its system.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh it's 20% more traffic since the river crossing bridge and actually almost 20% more since the growth
• They've uh redone the bridge Highway 36.
• They've uh redone the bridge over<01:29:24.639> in<01:29:24.880> Still<01:29:25.120>
• Uh it's 20% more traffic since the river<01:31:25.920> crossing<01:31:26.400> bridge<01
• bridge and actually almost<01:31:27.920> 20%<01:31:28.480> more<01:31:28.800> since

Bills: HF2178, HF942, HF2470, HF1043, HF1287, HF1229, HF1230, HF424, HF571, HF404, HF910, HF1055, HF318, HF319, HF401, HF609, HF306, HF1599, HF1881

Keywords: HF2178, Cohasset, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, public infrastructure, water tower, water infrastructure, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, street reconstruction, municipal infrastructure, Public Facilities Authority, bond proceeds fund, Minnesota bonding, local government aid, utility infrastructure, public works, infrastructure, stormwater

Transcript Highlights:

• Those approvals that I’m looking at are a short-term bridge solution, so that this is the request before
• <00:43:55.599> so within statutes and rules as a bridge so within statutes and rules as a
• bridge so some<00:43:55.960> schools<00:43:56.280> are<00:43:56.440> pursuing<00
• c><00:44:17.599> as<00:44:17.760> a<00:44:17.839> shorttime<00:44:18.280> bridge
• I'm looking at a as a shorttime bridge I'm looking at a as a shorttime bridge solution<00:44:19.680

Keywords: 1191, senate, all