Transcript Highlights:

• least three consecutive years and sets the maximum employment term at three years only if the superintendent
• applicability of statute regulating circulators and initiative and referendum measures to include local
• applicability of statute regulating circulators and initiative and referendum measures to include local
• applicability of statute regulating circulators and initiative and referendum measures to include local
• applicability of statute regulating circulators and initiative and referendum measures to include local

Summary: The meeting was a caucus-style run-through of many bills and resolutions across Appropriations, Commerce, Education, Federalism/Military Affairs/Elections, Government, Health and Human Services, Judiciary, ENRU, Public Safety, and Rural Economic Development. Measures discussed included housing and HOA rules, school policy and funding, health care licensing and records timelines, public safety and corrections funding, election and campaign rules, water and environmental policy, and several criminal justice and juvenile justice changes. Many items were described as being on third-read consent or consent calendars, with staff often noting that no questions were raised and no sponsor was present. Several bills drew sponsor explanation or member discussion. In education, members reviewed bills on teacher strikes, school safety, math placement, student outcomes, free school meals, parent permission for clubs, and school bond ballot disclosures. In health, bills covered prior authorization data reporting, nursing board rules and complaint procedures, pharmacist testing/treatment authority, opioid antagonist expiration dates, board continuations, and a constitutional amendment on refusing medical mandates. In government and public safety, members discussed DCS legal representation, inmate medical records, public safety parity funding, sheriff authority, border support funding, and a resolution supporting county sheriffs. In commerce and housing, bills addressed condominium and HOA authority, shade structures, pet restrictions, insurance certificates, apprenticeship definitions, automatic renewal contracts, and a state housing affordability district. There was notable discussion on House Bill 4044, which would create a Public Safety Parity Fund for DPS and DOC salaries using interest from the state rainy day fund and other revenue sources. The sponsor argued it would provide a reliable way to fund public safety pay, while others objected that it would consume interest needed to preserve the fund’s value and that a general fund appropriation would be more appropriate. The bill prompted extended back-and-forth, with some members supporting the concept and others saying it was fiscally irresponsible. Another point of discussion came on House Bill 2775, where staff noted a possible misprint in the bill history, and on House Bill 467, where staff clarified that the inactive voter list changes related to e-poll book status categories. No formal votes were recorded in the transcript, and the meeting appears to have been a review of measures before floor action.

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition, Our area division is working with stakeholders to locally develop assessment items that
• Chair, can you tell me the current turnover rate for superintendents? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• superintendent position is about 18 months.
• Because the only people who can solve these problems are superintendents, principals, and teachers.
• It was an effort to improve school boards at the local level.

Transcript Highlights:

• It mandate weakens our local control.
• Senate Bill 41 restricts a local district's ability to manage these rising costs at the local level.
• Senate Bill 41 restricts a local district's ability to manage these rising costs at the local level.
• 19:53.919><c> taxing</c> is doesn't need it to the local taxing is doesn't need it to the local taxing
• It had<00:25:37.039><c> 11</c><00:25:37.440><c> superintendent</c> had 11 superintendent had 11 superintendent

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 11, a proposal to create a matching-grant program for neighborhood storm shelters in rural Kentucky. Sponsor Steve Meredith and supporters from the Kentucky League of Cities and the City of Morgantown said the idea was to use FEMA-style funding to help residents who live far from community shelters, noting that in some rural counties it can take 30 to 45 minutes to reach a shelter during severe weather. The committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill 11-0, with no nay votes. The committee then considered Senate Bill 41, which would require a ballot referendum whenever a taxing entity raises property taxes more than 4 percent, rather than relying on the current petition process. Sponsor Gary Boswell said the bill would give taxpayers more direct control and argued that local governments should simply avoid raising taxes above the threshold. Superintendents from Rockcastle and Casey counties opposed the bill, saying it would weaken local control, add election costs, delay budgets, and make it harder for school districts to keep up with inflation, insurance, transportation, and construction costs. After debate, the committee passed the bill 7-3 with favorable expression. Next, the committee heard Senate Bill 59, which would add criminal penalties to KRS 65.013, the law barring public funds from being used to advocate for or against ballot questions. Sponsor Steve Rawlings said the measure was prompted by reports of school officials using public resources to oppose a 2024 ballot issue and argued the law needs real enforcement to protect taxpayers and election integrity. Members raised concerns about First Amendment issues and the bill’s gray areas, especially for public employees speaking on their own time; Rawlings said the substitute removed volunteer references, allowed balanced issue debates, and clarified that employees acting on their own time and resources would not be prohibited. The committee passed the bill 8-3 with favorable expression. The committee also began hearing Senate Bill 57, as substituted, from Senator Danny Carroll. The bill would create a nuclear-ready site readiness pilot program under the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority, with up to three projects receiving up to $25 million each to help cover early site permitting and related licensing costs. Carroll, along with witnesses from the UK Center for Applied Energy Research and the Public Service Commission, said the goal is to build a nuclear energy ecosystem in Kentucky, with safeguards including surety bonds, deadlines, and cost-recovery provisions. The discussion was still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also preserves local flexibility.
• Participation by local educational agencies is entirely voluntary, and the bill preserves local flexibility
• There are lots of opportunities with local government offices or other organizations, local water districts
• , or local conservation groups.
• If there aren't any local ones, look online.

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Superintendent.
• Yeah, go ahead, Superintendent. Mr.
• And go—thank you, Madam Superintendent.
• Okay, thank you, Madam Superintendent.”
• Thank you very much, Superintendent.” “Thank you very much, Superintendent. Thank you all.

Bills: HB1

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: feed bill, legislative appropriations, legislative branch, New Mexico Legislature, general fund, legislative council service, legislative finance committee, legislative education study committee, house chief clerk, senate chief clerk, per diem, mileage, session expenses, interim committees, district staff, capitol complex, capital outlay data system, legislative processing system, redistricting, census redistricting

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, I think it is so important, as those of you know, I speak for local government, that we keep
• these decisions local.
• I will share with you, just as someone who's worked with local government for many years, waiting until
• 1: the deduction of up to $10,000 for new auto loan interest, the increased cap for the state and local
• It reduces the percentage of local government infrastructure costs to be reimbursed from 80% to 75%.

Bills: HB4154 , HB4155 , HB4156 , HB4157 , HB4158 , HB4159 , HB4160 , HB4161 , HB4162 , HB4163 , HB4164 , HB4165 , HB4166 , HB4167 , HB4168 , HB4169 , SB1847 , SB1848 , SB1849 , SB1850 , SB1851 , SB1852 , SB1853 , SB1854 , SB1855 , SB1856 , SB1857 , SB1858 , SB1859 , SB1860 , SB1861 , SB1862

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: HB4155, amusements, amusement industry, entertainment, recreation, state appropriations, biennium, 2026-2027, fees, licensing, regulation, tourism, parks, fairgrounds, carnivals, arcades, HB4156, capital outlay, appropriations, capital projects

Transcript Highlights:

• From local helped make this possible.
• I join our local law enforcement fear.
• </c> needed nutrition, he connected local needed nutrition, he connected local dairy<07:20:43.840><c>
• </c> also a proud member of the UAW Local also a proud member of the UAW Local 974,<07:22:36.638><c>
• <07:32:49.280><c> Halifax</c> Superintendent Cunningham, the Halifax Superintendent Cunningham, the Halifax

Bills: HB8428 , HB8466 , HB5248 , HB6338 , HB7668 , HB8665 , HB7037 , HB6230 , HB6297 , HB1744 , HB3429 , HB2505 , HB6028 , HR428 , HB8107 , HB8340 , HB8467 , HB6916 , HB8463

Keywords: fraud prevention, improper payments, anti-fraud training, government oversight, federal program administration, grants management, internal controls, waste and abuse, Treasury Department, Office of Management and Budget, Office of Personnel Management, GAO fraud framework, OMB Circular A-123, Do Not Pay, data analytics, payment integrity, state and local governments, tribal governments, federal grants, program integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• of going across the board, it's not, there was another issue last week, a conversation about the locals
• And so I encourage all of you to sign it, fill out an application, and submit it to your local clerk
• Charles Parish Schools, and Ashley Tossan, Louisiana Association of School Superintendents and Administration
• wanted to speak, but we also have Ashley Tassan here with the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents

Bills: SB83 , SB135 , SB143 , SB155 , SB157 , SB202 , SB237 , SB261 , SB276 , SB295 , SB450 , SB465 , SB506 , HB1070

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: human trafficking, trafficking prevention, school safety, public schools, elementary and secondary education, charter schools, mandatory reporting, victim identification, victim services, child trafficking, sex trafficking, labor trafficking, commercial sexual activity, DCFS, Department of Children and Family Services, Louisiana State Police, governor's office of human trafficking prevention, counselor training, mental health professional, administrator training

Transcript Highlights:

• >> What are these utilities charged on the local level, and comparative?
• cable specifically pays 5% usually receipts for access. >> What are these utilities charged on the local
• These decisions should be made at the local level by local officials who are accountable to their constituents

Bills: SB222 , HB560 , HB475 , HB484 , HB583 , HB542 , HB566 , SB222 , HB560 , HB475 , HB484 , HB583 , HB542 , HB566

Committee: House Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure

Keywords: medical clinic board, clinic board, hospital bankruptcy, Chapter 11, bankruptcy, debt restructuring, municipal indebtedness, municipal bankruptcy, health care provider, acute care hospital, lease property, board immunity, director liability, civil liability, healthcare finance, insolvency, debt readjustment, federal bankruptcy law, Alabama Code 11-58-5.2, library materials

Transcript Highlights:

• but it is also, it's very, there's a server that it's stored in, and all the information is stored locally
• Like, if Tulsa County did it, it would be stored locally with them. Does that make sense?
• within the Department of Commerce to provide competitive grants in cities and counties who designed local
• It will limit eligibility to rule in midsize areas by restricting local applicants to cities and towns
• political subdivisions develop a long-term plan for the health of their economic industries at the local

Bills: SB1290 , SB1332 , SB1369 , SB1379 , SB1381 , SB1386 , SB1390 , SB1428 , SB1584 , SB1696 , SB175 , SB1778 , SB1794 , SB1806 , SB1836 , SB201

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: 2-1-1 services, revolving fund, Department of Human Services, crisis pregnancy, abortion, legal funding, housing, infrastructure, water projects, Oklahoma Water Resources Board, economic development, zero-interest loans, clawback provision, local contractors, mental health, crisis services, 988 Lifeline, suicide prevention, behavioral health, human trafficking

Transcript Highlights:

• Freedom Act of 2021 by providing increased flexibility to producers in how and where they produce their local
• This bill will allow local food entrepreneurs to expand their businesses in new ways and will provide
• increased options for consumers to purchase healthy, locally produced food in our state.
• some point in time, there was legislation passed allowing for state cost-share money to be used by local
• that highway, is there any provision in this bill that's going to stop me from running down to the local

Bills: HB4338 , HB3977 , HB2100 , HB2975 , HB3056 , HB3406 , HB3720 , HB4316 , HB3405 , HB1907 , HB3142 , HB3173 , HB3270 , HB3728 , HB2440 , HB2596 , HB3466 , HB3469 , HB4338 , HB3977 , HB2100 , HB2975 , HB3056 , HB3406 , HB3720 , HB4316 , HB3405 , HB1907 , HB3142 , HB3173 , HB3270 , HB3728 , HB2440 , HB2596 , HB3466 , HB3469

Committees: House Energy , House Energy and Natural Resources Oversight

Keywords: HB4338, Oklahoma Brine Development Act, brine unitization, produced water, produced water unit, oil and gas wastewater, produced water recycling, reclaimed water, constituent elements, brine rights, solution gas, Corporation Commission, unitization, royalty interests, surface owner, oil and gas produced water, recycling and reuse, wastewater disposal, mineral extraction, lithium extraction

Transcript Highlights:

• I've talked to my local school boards and superintendents.
• States, counties, local school boards are not getting it.
• States, counties,<00:57:13.920><c> local</c><00:57:14.240><c> school</c><00:57:14.480><c> boards</c><
• 00:57:14.799><c> are</c><00:57:14.960><c> not</c> counties, local school boards are not counties, local
• A family gives property to a school, the local school board, for the use of a school, but they have a

Bills: HB348 , HB106 , HB347 , HB54 , SB118 , SB167 , SB195 , HB260 , HB263 , HB328 , HB348 , HB106 , HB347 , HB54 , SB118 , SB167 , SB195 , HB260 , HB263 , HB328

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: bail reform, illegal aliens, violent offenses, pretrial detention, flight risk, court hearings, doxing, personal identifying information, harassment, online safety, law enforcement, public servants, penalties, consumer protection, illicit material, private rights, digital privacy, nonconsensual distribution, incarceration, pregnancy

Transcript Highlights:

• Superintendent Blakey, APS; Daniel Manzano with APS; and the Student Advisory Council led by Mariana
• Actually, our superintendent sitting right there, and I'm glad he heard that. He's a wonderful man.
• And, you know, he's a hands-on superintendent. He's running in a...
• , and local contractors.
• With plans to run for a local sustainable advisory committee, he has been a part of local politics in

Bills: HM3 , HM11 , HM14 , HM15 , HM18 , HM21 , HB10 , HB11 , HB12 , HB13 , HB14 , HB31 , HB50

Keywords: nurses, health care workers, healthcare workers, frontline workers, hospital staff, clinicians, allied health professionals, support staff, public health, workforce shortage, nursing shortage, safe staffing, patient safety, rural health care, frontier communities, behavioral health, mental health, substance use disorder, substance abuse, health care memorial

Transcript Highlights:

• Yet in practice, some local governments have imposed unauthorized criteria that. distort the law's intent
• The City of Galveston is responsible for Local HOT and all of our other programs.
• Our primary concern is that this bill eliminates the local elected governing body's oversight role for
• Licensed by the FCC, the same rule applies to free over-the-air local FCC licensed radio broadcasters
• Our operations in Waco will create skilled jobs and bolster the local economy, reinforcing our position

Bills: SB263 , SB467 , SB850 , SB1030 , SB1352 , SB1453 , SB2064 , SB2206 , SB2779 , SJR84

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: SB 263, Texas franchise tax, cost of goods sold, COGS, broadcasters, television broadcasting, radio broadcasting, media tax, broadcast license, FCC, 47 C.F.R. Part 73, 47 C.F.R. Part 74, film production, television production, tax deduction, margin tax, Texas Tax Code, depreciation, amortization, broadcast rights

Transcript Highlights:

• I also am opposed on local control grounds.
• These are rules that parents who really care about these issues should get involved in their local communities
• University of Texas at Austin, and I have worked directly with elementary and middle school students with local
• And combine that with the fact that the ones enforcing this punishment wouldn't who volunteer at a local

Bills: HB1325 , HB1655 , HB3312 , HB5526 , SB13 , SB57 , SB207 , HB441 , HB591 , HB5019 , SB27 , SB843 , SB 13 , SB 27 , SB 57

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: student transfer, public servants, education code, peace officer, servicemember, judicial officer, school security, volunteer program, retired law enforcement, veterans, public safety, school safety, criminal background check, school libraries, library advisory councils, parental rights, library materials, educational content, challenging materials, emergency operations plan

Transcript Highlights:

• We also value our local banks, and we do utilize a local depository for our funds as well because I think
• So local is always better on things like that.
• Also, when you can buy it locally, that's a big deal.
• I think that's a win-win for state and localities.
• We appreciate the superintendent and the other superintendents who came here, who obviously serve on

Bills: SB 13 , SB 27 , SB 57 , HB1325 , HB1655 , HB3312 , HB5526 , SB13 , SB57 , SB207 , HB441 , HB591 , HB5019 , SB27 , SB843

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: lobbying, public funds, political subdivision, local government, county association, municipal lobbying, registered lobbyist, Texas Legislature, taxpayer lawsuit, injunctive relief, attorney's fees, government finance, county dues, state association of counties, sheriffs association, law enforcement officers, legislative advocacy, bill tracking, legislative alerts, Government Code Chapter 556

Transcript Highlights:

• Michael Miller with the Alabama School Superintendents.
• We have superintendents from the Wiregrass here. So, if they would stand and welcome. Thank you.
• And I think we have a lot of superintendents in town the next couple of days.
• looking... ...some requests to verify, but I believe this is state only, but it's an opt-in for the local
• So, local can opt in, but it applies to state and... ...opt in, but it applies to state and...

Bills: HB226 , HB24 , HB309 , HB315 , HB272 , HB24 , HB226 , HB309 , HB315 , HB272

Committee: House Ways and Means Education

Keywords: HB226, homestead exemption, ad valorem tax, property tax, property tax relief, widow, widower, unremarried spouse, surviving spouse, senior exemption, elderly, disabled, permanently and totally disabled, blind taxpayer, deed ownership, principal residence, school tax, county tax, municipal tax, Alabama Department of Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• Holbert, Interim Superintendent Fremont Holbert, Interim Superintendent Fremont 38.
• </c> Well, thank you, Superintendent Smith. Well, thank you, Superintendent Smith.
• Like I talked to a superintendent superintendent superintendent um,<01:56:07.000><c> saying,</c><01:56
• </c> &gt;&gt; Permission Superintendent Smith. &gt;&gt; Permission Superintendent Smith.
• </c> locally now. locally now.

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Tribal Relations

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> critical industries and local critical industries and local communities.<00:07:51.759><c> And</c
• which are qualified to handle the duties and responsibilities of being a superintendent.
• </c> of being a superintendent. of being a superintendent.
• must have under which superintendents must have under their<01:10:51.040><c> belt.
• </c> job of the superintendent. job of the superintendent.

Summary: The committee met to review the annual report on collaboration between the University System of New Hampshire and the Community College System of New Hampshire, and the meeting began with approval of the prior minutes and a gubernatorial proclamation recognizing the community college system’s 80th anniversary. Both chancellors praised the proclamation and described the report as a statutory follow-up to the public higher education task force. They said the two systems have built a close working relationship and that the collaboration is intended to continue, though progress may be limited by resources and staffing changes. Much of the discussion focused on transfer pathways and new academic models. The chancellors said House Bill 1530 helped drive the creation of more than 100, and possibly about 130, “universal pathways” between the systems, with a reported 30% increase in community college associate-degree graduates transferring to the university system in the last academic year. They also discussed direct-admit outreach for community college graduates, early college and CTE-to-workforce pathways, and the development of three-year bachelor’s programs at Plymouth State and in some health-care fields. Members asked about nursing, allied dental health, and radiologic technology, and the chancellors said they are exploring whether some programs can be streamlined, while noting that nursing’s requirements may limit how short a pathway can be. Members also raised concerns about whether transfer pathways could affect university enrollment, but the university chancellor said declining enrollment is more likely due to a smaller pool of college-age students and broader competition, not the transfer programs. Another topic was the ERP/technology platform recommendation from the task force: the university system is moving to Workday, while the community college system is working to align business practices and move from an on-premises system to a cloud-based solution. Officials said a shared enterprise system could create efficiencies in the future, but it is not expected in the short term; student-facing tools like Canvas are already shared. The committee also discussed House Bill 112, which would require passing a civics test for graduation, and the chancellors said they support civic education but see implementation challenges. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving the report.

Transcript Highlights:

• It has to be cited to a location in order to know what the local sales tax rate is and also so that local
• sales tax can be distributed back to the local jurisdiction.
• So just kind of wanted to highlight that for those smaller local businesses.
• And why don't we hear from Superintendent Banner first?
• So I guess my question to you, Superintendent, is this.

Committee: House Finance

Summary: The House Finance Committee held a work session that began with welcoming new member Rep. Janice Zahn, who introduced herself as representing the 41st Legislative District. The committee then received a Department of Revenue update on the Antio-related legislation. DOR explained the Washington Supreme Court’s Antio decision on the B&O deduction for investment income, the department’s post-decision guidance, and the 2025 legislative changes in HB 2081 and SB 5167, including an expanded voluntary disclosure agreement for entities with unreported investment income. DOR said the expanded program offers broader penalty and interest relief and applies to both registered and unregistered businesses, but participation has been minimal so far because additional implementation questions remain unresolved. The committee next heard the annual update on the Working Families Tax Credit. DOR reported record participation in 2025, with about $205 million refunded through the first 10 months and a major increase in applications after TurboTax integrated the credit. Officials said the program reached more than 409,000 children this year, but demographic response rates fell because TurboTax did not present optional demographic questions. DOR also discussed outreach efforts, the end of funding for community outreach partners after 2025, and challenges including fraud involving third-party preparers, turnover in eligible households, immigration-related reluctance among ITIN holders, data-sharing barriers, and difficulty verifying self-employment income. Members asked about fraud remedies, and DOR said it can pursue recipients for fraudulent refunds and may work with law enforcement, but the statute does not provide direct penalties against preparers. The final DOR presentation covered implementation of Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5814, which expanded retail sales tax to certain services effective October 1. DOR described its outreach and guidance process, including 16 listening sessions, an online survey, a centralized guidance page, special notices, and about 95,000 direct taxpayer contacts. Officials said ruling requests surged sharply around the effective date, especially for live presentations, advertising, and software/IT services, and formal rulemaking is expected after the 2026 session. Committee members questioned whether the fiscal note anticipated impacts on schools and nonprofits and whether the department’s estimates should be revisited. The committee then heard stakeholder testimony from Expedia, T-Mobile, and the Construction Industry Training Council, followed by Clover Park School District and Seattle Theatre Group/Inspire Washington. Witnesses argued that SB 5814 creates complexity, uncertainty, and competitive disadvantages for Washington businesses and nonprofits, especially for digital advertising, IT, training, and live presentation services. School and nonprofit representatives said the tax raises costs for education, apprenticeship, arts, and cultural programming, with Clover Park warning of a roughly $1.2 million annual hit to special education-related contracted services. No votes were taken; the meeting ended with the chair saying the committee would continue working on SB 5814 issues in the next legislative session.