Transcript Highlights:

• . amendment. amendment.
• . amended. amended.
• amendment? amendment?
• as amended. as amended.
• amendment. >> Is there a debate on the amendment?

Keywords: Public Health and Welfare - Room 216, 3 March, 2026; 3:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 1622, a strike-all amendment to create a pilot program for certain small-community hospitals to receive limited certificate-of-need exemptions. The bill would allow qualifying hospitals to open a geriatric psychiatric unit without a CON, permit each hospital one additional CON exemption for a service otherwise requiring one, cap dialysis-unit exemptions at eight hospitals, continue existing moratoriums with periodic Department of Health review, allow facilities in Issaquena or Humphreys Counties under limited conditions, and add a loser-pays rule for unsuccessful CON court challenges. Technical corrections were made, the strike-all amendment was adopted, and the bill was reported do pass as amended by voice vote. The committee then moved to House Bill 942, where Senator McMahan offered an amendment to allow a Lee County chiropractor to advertise as a neurologic chiropractor and list related credentials. Members questioned whether chiropractic neurology is recognized in Mississippi and raised concerns about the practitioner’s prior discipline by the board, but the chair ruled the amendment germane. The amendment failed on voice vote, and the bill itself then passed and was reported to the floor. The committee next considered House Bill 1034, but no amendment was offered. It then took House Bill 479 off the table. That bill extends the temporary licensing period for psychology and marriage-and-family-therapy boards from 30 to 60 days to allow more time for criminal background checks. Senator Blackwell offered a clarifying amendment to make clear that temporary licenses must be revoked if required background checks or other licensure requirements are insufficient, and that the temporary license does not replace the underlying education, training, and examination requirements. The amendment was adopted and the bill was reported do pass as amended. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1067, the Rural Health Transformation Program. Senator Hickman explained that the bill would require procurement procedures and reporting for the state’s rural health transformation funds, prioritize projects tied to the original application, and direct funds toward rural and underserved areas such as health professional shortage areas, low-income counties, and places without hospitals. Senators questioned whether the added state rules would layer on top of existing federal requirements and whether the bill could slow distribution or invite litigation, but supporters said it was meant to add transparency and guardrails rather than change the federal program. The bill was discussed at length, but the transcript ends before a final vote on HB 1067.

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Education amended federal rules to no longer require institutions of higher education to
• For 605, simply provides that the commissioner may not approve the expansion amendment application of
• For 605, simply provides that the commissioner may not approve the expansion amendment application of
• Yeah, I think that was one of the amendments today on today's bill with Senator West.
• Many states such as Alabama, Colorado, Minnesota, Indiana, Montana, New York, and North Carolina have

Bills: SB530, SB757, SB769, SB1085, SB1241, SB1242, SB1409, SB1878, SB2138, SB2314, SB2231, SB2361, SB2431, SJR59

Keywords: accreditation, postsecondary education, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, baccalaureate degrees, junior colleges, program delivery, faculty recruitment, higher education, performance standards, student loan debt, degree programs, funding, students with disabilities, accessibility, enrollment, report, SB 1085, Sul Ross State University, Rio Grande College, Del Rio

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 met with a large agenda and repeatedly recessed for floor activity and other committee conflicts. The committee heard and left pending several higher education bills, including SB 2361 to transfer University of Houston-Victoria from the University of Houston System to the Texas A&M System and rename it Texas A&M University Victoria; testimony from university officials, local leaders, and industry representatives strongly supported the move as a way to better align degree programs with regional workforce needs in engineering, agriculture, and STEM. SB 530, which would align Texas accreditation statutes with federal rules allowing institutions to choose among nationally recognized accreditors, also received supportive testimony and was left pending. SB 1085, allowing Sul Ross satellite campuses to offer lower-division coursework toward bachelor’s degrees, was laid out and left pending as well. The committee also took up a series of education policy bills. SB 1241 would expand the standardized tests Texas public universities may accept for admission beyond the SAT and ACT, with supporters from the Classic Learning Test, homeschool advocates, and student-choice groups arguing it would increase access and competition; it was left pending. SB 769 would require a TEA/Higher Education Coordinating Board report on barriers faced by students with disabilities in higher education, and testimony from The Arc of Texas and others emphasized the need for better data and accessibility; the bill was left pending. SB 2231 would designate the second week of October as Free College Application Week, and SB 1878 would modernize terminology and support workforce-oriented programs at the Josie School; both were laid out and left pending. The committee reported several bills favorably after adopting committee substitutes. SB 605, concerning charter school expansion applications while under conservatorship or a management team, passed on a 9-0 vote. SB 1871, SB 1873, and SB 1874, all related to school discipline and teacher immunity/placement review provisions, were adopted and reported favorably, with members noting the need for further discussion on some language. SB 762, dealing with flag displays in public schools, passed on a 7-1 vote. SB 1962, relating to public school accountability and challenges to school system operations, passed 7-1 after a corrected vote. SB 1750, replacing a $60 million statewide charter facilities cap with an attendance-growth-based allotment, passed 7-1 with one member voting present not voting. SB 2252, supporting kindergarten readiness and early literacy/numeracy, SB 2253, concerning educator preparation and certification, SB 2365, on student use of wireless devices during instructional time, and SB 1924, restoring local peace officer citation authority for school offenses and adding reporting and parent-notification requirements, were also reported favorably. The committee additionally heard SB 37 on higher education governance and compliance oversight, which passed 7-1 after a substitute that refined curriculum review, governing board authority, faculty senate rules, and a new compliance office within the Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I'm amendable to, like, having two co-vice chairs if that's what we want to do.
• I forgot to mention that there is that study that has come out about Alabama.
• So I hear a lot of talk about Alabama. Yep. Our weather and our risks are different.
• like testify about the Alabama like testify about the Alabama experience<01:03:26.400> as
• lot of talk about Alabama. Yep. lot of talk about Alabama. Yep.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• to us on Friday before... ...or amendments to us on Friday before that meeting.
• I believe we have an amendment to this bill as well. Representative Deos... Thank you.
• I have an amendment to the bill.
• The bill is amended. Are there any questions about the amended bill?
• Are there any questions about the amended bill for Representative Hy?

Bills: HB9, HB102, HB9

Keywords: three-cueing system, reading instruction, K-12 education, structured literacy, scientific strategies, dual enrollment, high school, community college, university, educational access, high school credit, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• as amended and on any further amendment as amended and on any further amendment thereto<02:17:29.840
• as amended and on any further amendment as amended and on any further amendment thereto<02:18:25.280
• > United<02:18:50.399> States the Constitution of the United States the Constitution of
• Res. 139, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring a balanced budget
• the rules and pass the bill as amended? the rules and pass the bill as amended?

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Dibble, um, we have the A2 amendment. Senator Mann offers the A2 amendment.
• Madam Chair, in conclusion, the bill as amended strikes a balance to respect the Constitution, the integrity
• strikes a balance to respect as amended strikes a balance to respect the<00:03:34.120> Constitution
• workaround to evade the First Amendment. workaround to evade the First Amendment.
• as amended is laid over. as amended is laid over.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that the Senate passed with an amendment that the Senate passed with an amendment HR1<00:08:06.879
• And if we do, I'll offer an amendment to the rule to consider amendment number 156 offered by Leader
• I offered two amendments at rules.
• Yes on the amendment and yes on the rule. Mr. Speaker, I offer an amendment to the resolution.
• Amendment to House the amendment.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will read the amendment. This is Amendment Number Three. Mr.
• This is Amendment Number Four. Amendment Number Four. Mr.
• This is Amendment Number Eight. Amendment Number Eight, Ms.
• This is Amendment number eight. Amendment number eight, Ms.
• The amendment is not adopted. The amendment is not adopted. Mr.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House began with routine ceremonial business, including the Pledge of Allegiance, adoption of several congratulatory resolutions, and suspension of Joint Rule 12 to send two petitions to committee. It then took up a supplemental fiscal year 2026 appropriations bill (H. 5393 / H. 5493), which Ways and Means reported at about $227.3 million for items including snow and ice costs, no-cost calls, substance use services, homeless programs, and technical changes related to lottery revenue and other outside sections. The bill was advanced through second and third reading and later passed to be engrossed after a roll call vote. The chamber also passed to engrossment a land transfer bill for the Town of Marion (H. 5388) and a Bolton alcohol licensing bill (S. 2628, as amended). The House also enacted two local bills: one further regulating special meetings of the Holyoke City Council and one amending the charter of the town of Reading. A major floor debate centered on S. 2726, an act regarding free expression, which was framed by supporters as a response to book challenges and censorship in public and school libraries. Supporters, including Representatives Garballey and Moran, argued the bill would protect librarians, require reporting of book challenges, preserve age-appropriate access to materials, and keep challenged books on shelves during review; opponents raised concerns about parental rights and local control. Several amendments were offered and rejected, including one that would have removed a criminal-law protection for librarians and educators, and another that would have shifted school review authority more directly to elected school committees. Two amendments were adopted: one clarifying that challenged material is considered in its entirety, and another narrowing who may initiate certain complaints to parents or guardians of a student in the school. The bill ultimately passed to be engrossed by a large roll call vote. The House also debated and passed H. 5491 / S. 1646, implementing recommendations of the Walsh Kennedy Commission on hot work safety after the 2014 Beacon Street fire. Supporters said the bill would require certification for hot work, strengthen penalties for repeated or reckless violations, and improve public notification and enforcement to prevent future tragedies; the bill passed to be engrossed unanimously or near-unanimously after roll call. In addition, the chamber advanced a local land transfer for the Yankee Doodle Bike Path in Billerica and a bill concerning ownership and maintenance of culverts and dams in Town Line Brook and Lindenbrook. The session included several recesses, quorum checks, and recognition of guests, including Danvers High School graduates, a former state representative, and WGBH representatives for Public Media Awareness Day.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's an age-old problem in Alabama. Transportation may be the biggest problem.
• . ...differences across the state of Alabama.
• It would mirror the Alabama Department of Labor's workforce regions, which I think would probably be
• Do we have any kind of state models outside of Alabama? Commissioner, you said we've tried, right?
• It has been mentioned here today that the Alabama 211 system is very good.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Dear Lord, we want to do what we can for the children of Alabama to make sure that education in Alabama
• in this amendment?
• in this amendment?
• All in favor of the amendment say I. >> Any opposed? The amendment is added.
• All in favor of the amendment say I. >> Any opposed? The amendment is added.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Am I to take this to mean that this constitutional amendment, if it passed, would require a school district
• Am I to take this to mean that this constitutional amendment, if it passed, would require a school district
• So why do we need a constitutional amendment if this is already in statute? You recognize.
• The amendment is adopted. We are now back on the bill as amended.
• Are there any questions on the amendment? Any questions on the amendment?

Summary: The committee first heard SJR 1104, a proposed constitutional amendment on voluntary religious expression in public schools. Senator Massullo said the measure would protect students and school personnel from discrimination for lawful religious expression, while not requiring prayer or religious activity. Questions focused on whether the proposal would change existing law, whether it could be used to protect coercive conduct by school officials, and whether the staff summary accurately reflected the bill. Public testimony included support from religious-freedom advocates and opposition from American Atheists and some senators who said the measure could make minority-faith students uncomfortable. The committee voted to report SJR 1104 favorably. The committee then took up SB 1738 on educational facilities, which directs state education offices to review facility requirements and recommend design and construction practices to improve safety and accountability. Senator Yarborough offered and the committee adopted an amendment removing crime-prevention-through-environmental-design language and adjusting the bill to preserve safe spaces during emergencies. The bill was reported favorably after brief discussion about balancing transparency, access control, and emergency safety. The committee also adopted a delete-all amendment to SB 824 on charter schools, replacing it with a transparency measure requiring districts to submit annual reports on unimproved land holdings to the Department of Education, which would publish a statewide report; the amended bill was then reported favorably. The committee next approved confirmation recommendations for appointees on tabs 7 and 8, then took up SPB 7036, a committee bill sponsored by Chair Simon. The package included school turnaround and early literacy changes, updates to school safety and health policies, early learning revisions, instructional changes, and educator pipeline provisions. The most contentious part was a proposal to let the state develop instructional materials; several senators questioned costs, guardrails, and whether the state should enter the textbook business. Simon said that portion was still being considered and that the bill would need safeguards if it moved forward. The committee adopted a motion to submit the bill as a committee bill and reported it favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 1620 on public education, described by Senator Leak as a “school board members’ bill of rights.” The bill would give individual board members direct access to district documents and staff, limit district attorneys’ ability to represent both the board and administration, strengthen nepotism rules, and prohibit nondisclosure agreements for employees. Testimony from Volusia County board members, educators, and advocates was sharply divided: supporters argued the bill would improve transparency and protect minority board members, while opponents warned it could undermine superintendent authority, expose confidential student or personnel information, and create confusion in district operations. After debate, the committee voted to report SB 1620 favorably. The committee then heard SB 1170 on cameras in self-contained special education classrooms, with an amendment changing the proposal from a statewide mandate to a district policy allowing parents of students with disabilities to request cameras. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, centered on protecting non-speaking and vulnerable students and documenting abuse; one witness opposed the bill as an unfunded mandate. The committee was still in debate on the bill when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to attach the amendment, please, sir. Okay. They're printing an amendment. Oh, okay.
• Okay, let me offer up these amendments, 3713. Curry, could you tell us what this amendment does?
• Could you tell us what this amendment does?
• Amendment number 3713, the first two amendments are technical.
• As amended. As amended. Appropriate time. Okay. As amended. As amended. Okay.

Bills: HB27, HB143, HB205, HB308, HB311, HB417, HB430, HB562, HB812, HB1129

Keywords: inmates, department of public safety, per diem, local correctional facilities, jail funding, insurance premiums, Municipal Fire and Police, dedicated fund, assessments, Louisiana legislation, hazardous waste, cleanup fund, environmental protection, state treasury, Consumer Price Index, law enforcement, firefighters, health insurance, survivors benefits, Lafayette

Transcript Highlights:

• Constitutional amendment to a vote of the people for their approval or rejection.
• So this amendment creates a constitutional mandate. But it leaves the operational rules undefined.
• Voters are being asked to amend the constitution without knowing what documentation may Ultimately be
• When we amend the constitution, we should do so with precision, clarity, and demonstrated Necessity.
• So, this amendment creates a constitutional mandate, but it leaves the operational rules undefined.

Bills: SB65, SB248, SB330, SB378, SB844, SB1330, SB1410, SB1475, SB1476, SB1565, SB1618, SB1623, SJR39, SJR47, SB2084, SB1655, SB1679, SB2174, SB1775, SB1873, SB1204, SB1884, SB1916, SB1937, SB1447, SB1500, SB2007, SB2074, SB1944, SB2018, SB1984, SB2026, SB2045, SB2049, SB2062, SB2112, SB2118, SB2127, SB2134, SB2135, SB2139, SB2154, SB1195

Keywords: SB65, naloxone, Narcan, opioid overdose, overdose reversal, opioid antagonist, emergency opioid antagonist, substance abuse services, harm reduction, public health, overdose prevention, good samaritan, civil immunity, criminal immunity, controlled substances, addiction treatment, fentanyl, opioid crisis, school overdose response, first aid

Transcript Highlights:

• No further questions on the amendment. Seeing none, debate on the amendment.
• Amendment is adopted. Members, Senate Bill 844 is before you as amended.
• Will there be questions on the amendment? Debate on the amendment.
• Clerk will read Amendment One. I move to amend.
• Any questions on the amendment? Debate on the amendment.

Bills: SB65, SB248, SB330, SB378, SB844, SB1330, SB1410, SB1475, SB1476, SB1565, SB1618, SB1623, SJR39, SJR47, SB2084, SB1655, SB1679, SB2174, SB1775, SB1873, SB1204, SB1884, SB1916, SB1937, SB1447, SB1500, SB2007, SB2074, SB1944, SB2018, SB1984, SB2026, SB2045, SB2049, SB2062, SB2112, SB2118, SB2127, SB2134, SB2135, SB2139, SB2154, SB1195

Keywords: SB65, naloxone, Narcan, opioid overdose, overdose reversal, opioid antagonist, emergency opioid antagonist, substance abuse services, harm reduction, public health, overdose prevention, good samaritan, civil immunity, criminal immunity, controlled substances, addiction treatment, fentanyl, opioid crisis, school overdose response, first aid

Transcript Highlights:

• , even or our matchless constitution, even or our matchless constitution, believe<00:07:14.639>
• Crow South in Madison County, Alabama. Crow South in Madison County, Alabama.
• And I hope my text of this amendment.
• House the bill HR 3426 entitled to amend House the bill HR 3426 entitled to amend title<01:58:13.119
• that exists in our state's constitution. that exists in our state's constitution.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, September 19, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bard, would you tell us about the amendment? amendment? amendment?
• . amendment. amendment.
• House Bill 47 amends how the Alabama Board of Pardons and Parole will make a decision about granting,
• > of<00:22:32.960> Pardons amends how the Alabama Board of Pardons amends how the Alabama
• HB 505 will amend Sections 15-16-43, 15-16-61, and 15-16-70 of the Code of Alabama to allow for an appeal

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And again, quote, "a blatant disregard for our 4th Amendment constitutional rights."
• And God-given freedoms enshrined in the Constitution.
• My commitment remains to uphold the Constitution and Americans' Fourth Amendment rights.
• I take very seriously upholding our Constitution and have sworn an oath to support and defend that Constitution
• to support and defend Americans' Fourth Amendment constitutional rights.

Transcript Highlights:

• thank you for the opportunity to provide an overview of the funding formula as a result of the amendments
• So, in Alabama, what they saw is sort of if you build it, they will come.
• So, in Alabama, what they saw is sort of if you build it, they will come.
• So, in Alabama, what they saw is sort of if you build it, they will come.
• Amended. >> Great. Amended. Thank you very much. We will communicate our next meeting.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee met without a quorum and first heard from Kentucky Department of Education officials on career and technical education funding. KDE explained that House Bill 499 created a CTE funding formula using 60% weighted full-time equivalent enrollment and 40% incentives, but House Bill 6’s budget language excluded area technology centers (ATCs) from that supplemental funding. KDE requested approval of an additional budget request of $14,789,352 in each fiscal year 2027 and 2028 to include ATCs in the formula and hold local districts harmless. Officials said ATCs serve students from 117 of Kentucky’s 171 districts and argued the change would reduce funding disparities and better reflect the return on investment from CTE programs, citing growth in dual credit and work-based learning participation. Members asked whether the issue would need to be revisited each budget cycle. KDE responded that the problem could be fixed by removing the notwithstanding language from the budget bill, which they said would allow ATCs to be included under the existing statute. Representative Klein supported the request, saying the current clause could lead to stagnation and that the committee should help the program continue to grow. No vote was taken on the CTE item during the portion of the meeting provided. The committee then heard a presentation from PreK for All on expanding preschool access in Kentucky. Advocates said the state’s preschool program has been funded since 1990 and currently serves about 14,200 children at roughly $84 million per year, but that many working families still fall into a coverage gap. They proposed expanding eligibility to 250% of the federal poverty line, which they said would add about 9,600 children at a cost of $40 million in year two, after a planning year. The proposal also included regulatory flexibility for classrooms and partnerships with private child care providers and nonprofits, with speakers emphasizing child care deserts in some counties and citing research that early learning improves kindergarten readiness and later outcomes. No action or vote was taken on the preschool proposal in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Over the years, we have... ...in Alabama.
• Yeah, we've already passed, but we do have an amendment. Passed, but we do have an amendment.
• Well, we got to do the amendment first. Well, I move to put the amendment...
• I move to put the amendment on. Okay.
• The amendment passes.

Bills: HB384, SB181, HB391

Keywords: food enrichment, corn masa, health regulations, nutritional standards, folic acid, respiratory therapy, interstate compact, public health, licensure, workforce mobility, military families, adverse actions, streamlined practice, traffic offenses, blood testing, law enforcement, chemical analysis, DUI, 1136, house

Transcript Highlights:

• There was some time teaching and being a counselor in Alabama, and then when we moved to Florida when
• There was some time teaching and being a counselor in Alabama.
• And then you have, of course, your state-funded constitutional four-year-old program, Voluntary Pre-K
• And then you have, of course, your state-funded constitutional four-year-old program, Voluntary Pre-K
• And then you have, of course, your state-funded constitutional four-year-old program, Voluntary Pre-K

Summary: The committee held its first meeting and received an overview of the Pre-K-12 education appropriations jurisdiction and base budget. Staff explained that education funding is driven largely by enrollment and per-student formulas, with most money coming from state and local sources. The presentation highlighted the major budget areas: early learning, the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP), non-FEFP K-12 programs, federal programs, and the State Board of Education. Members asked about instructional materials funding and how scholarship students who return to public schools are counted and funded; staff explained that instructional materials remain in the base and that funding depends on survey timing, with districts ultimately funded through the enrollment count process. The committee then reviewed federal IDEA funding for students with disabilities. Department of Education officials explained how IDEA Part B funds are split between state set-asides and local educational agencies, and noted that Florida ranked fourth nationally in total IDEA Part B funding and received a 95% state determination for meeting IDEA requirements. They also described the bureau’s responsibilities, including monitoring, dispute resolution, instructional support, and the Hope Florida unit for ages 3 to 5. Members asked for more information on student performance outcomes and how the state measures success beyond compliance, and the department agreed to provide follow-up data. The final major topic was the Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS), including associate centers, multidisciplinary centers, and specialized centers for deaf/hard of hearing and visually impaired students. Presenters described services such as child find, family support, assessments, professional learning, accessible instructional materials, and technical assistance. Committee members focused on whether families and schools have equal access to services across the state, how IEP disputes and reevaluations are handled, and whether more support is needed for parents, teachers, and rural districts. FDLRS representatives said they do not write IEPs but help connect families to districts, provide training and assessments, and support compliance and data collection; they also emphasized staffing and resource needs, especially for low-incidence disabilities and multilingual family outreach.