Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 504 is Representative Chairman Bonin's bill about physician non-compete clauses.
• On an indigent person, you can't do a medical social evaluation.
• demonstrate to their colleagues, hospital systems, and most importantly, to their patients that they are competent
• Hospital systems usually require current board certification as an important indicator of clinical competence
• We have something called longitudinal assessment, which means that we are constantly evaluating proficiency

Bills: SB2024, SB227, SB268, SB1467, SB1580, HB5537, SB1313, SB1677, SB918, SB331, SB2207, SB2721

Keywords: e-cigarettes, marketing prohibition, youth protection, criminal penalties, public health, school funding, education reform, state budget, property taxes, equity in education, health care, licensing, complaint procedure, disciplinary action, law enforcement, death records, vital statistics, healthcare, trauma facility, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2019, President Trump signed the Fair Chance Act. to the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, which
• Over 35 states have followed suit with regard to a bill similar to the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs
• effective coordination, more comfortable on-scene decision-making, and increased confidence through competence
• Additionally, the council will publish a biannual report to the legislature that includes evaluations
• To really evaluate. We'll ask him about the pilot. Thanks for your testimony. Thank you.

Bills: HB1951, HB2715, HB3092, HB3237, HB3278, HB3511, HB3592, HB3675, HB3778, HB3782, HB3826, HB3970, HB4016, HB4049, HB4341, HB4344, HB4406, HB4427

Keywords: collective bargaining, public works, government contracts, labor agreements, state funding, removal from office, political subdivisions, local government, judicial proceedings, administrative judicial region, electric transmission, public convenience, landowner consent, utility regulation, energy infrastructure, energy consumption, higher education, governmental entities, sustainability, electricity reduction

Transcript Highlights:

• referrals to mental health services, as well as training on suicide prevention and military cultural competence
• This bill requires the General Land Office and Texas Veterans Commission to create a study evaluating

Bills: HB39, HB114, HB1875, HB1894, HB1965, HB2513, HB39, HB114

Keywords: veterans, mental health, Texas Veterans Commission, peer support, suicide prevention, community mental health, grant program, cemetery, General Land Office, burial plot, remembrance, monthly designation, honoring military, Texas legislation, rural services, paid leave, fire protection personnel, military service, public employees, employment benefits

Transcript Highlights:

• lessons and play an integral part in providing students with the opportunity to belong, connect, and compete
• This bill establishes a work group to evaluate both the required elements and identify opportunities
• Sarah grew up in Ventura County, California, where she attended Oak Park High School before competing
• Thank you. where she attended Oak Park High School before competing in Division I cross-country and track
• bill would also require the IQC to consider including cybersecurity skills in its criteria for evaluating

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• trying to get into law or get into your agenda is that you're trying to make these guys where they're competent
• and they're safe, You're trying to make these guys where they're competent and they're safe when they're
• Police officers have to go through psychological evaluations to be able to go to the academy.
• And if she did not have to go to court on Friday, I would go to the coroner's office and have her evaluated
• But I I would go to the coroner's office and have her evaluated.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, you can go to Grants in Cibola County and look at Mount Taylor, but have you ever competed
• You know, you can go to Grants in Sabola County and look at Mount Taylor, but have you ever competed
• participates in National History Day, a program where students all over the country can showcase and compete
• The Child Advocate Selection Committee convened to review and evaluate applicants for this critical position
• So he'll be explaining how they do that and the role they play when we evaluate criminal legislation.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Basically, I'll go into the S&P forecast, a competing forecast to Moody's.
• They do great work evaluating the impact and efficiency of programs.
• I don't know if any of our evaluations cover that.
• Put together to help us compete a little bit, right?
• And I think that's an offset trying to compete, whereas Texas, and I could be wrong, but maybe you can

Transcript Highlights:

• There are things that come up that sometimes create competing priorities for time, attention, and resources
• We will work with DDS and DOR to evaluate data collection systems to gauge how we measure success and
• The department is evaluating these outcomes ongoing.
• centers and to individuals and families is very important in overcoming fears and hesitations. competency
• Sorry, San Diego State University's Research Foundation InterWorks Institute, to provide program evaluation

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, they can't compete the I mean they Well, they can't compete the I mean they Well, they can't compete
• They have to we need we kind of need to kind of an evaluation kind of need to kind of an evaluation kind
• of need to kind of an evaluation system.

Bills: SB199, HB142, SB86, HB152, HB297, SB1, SB1

Keywords: parental leave, state employees, local education agencies, adoption, work-life balance, family support, portable benefits, portable benefit account, independent contractor, gig worker, 1099 worker, freelancer, app-based worker, rideshare, delivery driver, worker benefits, health insurance, retirement benefits, life insurance, income replacement insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a high-level evaluation, but looking at what we've done in Roswell—we're all over the state—around
• talk to us about their industrial park and wanting to make sure that we get that on the list for evaluation
• It's this information out so they can go compete for once the grant.
• When compared to the semiconductor manufacturing industry, if we want to try to compete with Texas and
• I want to give you just a couple of updates from our last performance evaluation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Consider a manufacturer evaluating where to locate a new facility.
• If California requires a labor peace agreement just to access this exemption and a competing state does
• impossible to meet and that drive away the projects, jobs, and climate benefits that we should be competing
• My name is Maxwell Johnson, and I'm here on behalf of California Competes, Higher Education for a Strong
• My name is Maxwell Johnson, and I'm here on behalf of California Competes, Higher Education for a Strong

Summary: The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee heard several bills focused on labor standards, worker safety, and public transparency. SB 954 by Senator Blakespear would revise last year’s CEQA exemption for advanced manufacturing by adding worker protections such as prevailing wage, a skilled and trained workforce, high-road employment standards, and environmental guardrails. Supporters from labor, environmental justice, and conservation groups said the bill restores promised safeguards after SB 131, while business groups argued the added requirements would undermine the exemption and discourage investment. The committee voted 5-0 to do pass and re-refer SB 954 to Appropriations, leaving the roll open for absent members. The committee then considered SB 966 by Senator Gonzalez, which would codify refinery worker participation and safety protections adopted in 2017 after the 2012 Chevron Richmond fire. Supporters, including United Steelworkers and a former refinery worker, said the bill would preserve workers’ ability to report hazards, select representatives, and stop unsafe work, preventing future disasters. The Western States Petroleum Association opposed the bill, arguing it could be preempted by federal labor law and would add regulatory uncertainty. The committee passed SB 966 3-0 and re-referred it to Appropriations, with the roll left open. Next, SB 1203 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas sought to modernize private security guard training, expand de-escalation instruction, strengthen accountability, and create a clearer professional pathway for the industry. The author and many security workers testified that guards are often first responders in volatile situations and need more practical training and better standards; opponents from industry and business groups warned the bill would raise costs, worsen staffing shortages, and create implementation problems, especially around third-party training and a new wage order. The committee voted 4-1 to do pass and re-refer SB 1203 to Public Safety, with one no vote and the roll left open. The committee also heard SB 1284 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas, a transparency bill requiring DHCS to publish the names of large employers with workers enrolled in Medi-Cal and the estimated taxpayer cost. Supporters said the measure would show how low wages and unaffordable coverage shift health costs to the public, while opponents argued Medi-Cal enrollment depends on many factors and that naming employers would be misleading and amount to public shaming. After discussion, the committee voted 4-2 to do pass and re-refer SB 1284 to Appropriations, leaving the roll open. The transcript then began discussion of SB 1054 by Senator Cabaldon, which would improve workforce data collection and sharing to better evaluate job-training pathways, but the excerpt cuts off before testimony or action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• that every New Mexico student, regardless of background or challenge, can become a proficient and competent
• Then, as part of the funding, an evaluation plan that goes in on the front end.
• What went wrong and how do we evaluate it? So, full support. Thank you. Senator Townsend?
• What happens if they don't submit the evaluation plan?
• Madam Chair and Senator, the evaluation plan, if we're able to pass this legislation, will be a required

Transcript Highlights:

• and coaching to district and charter literacy leads, administrators, teachers, and staff in the evaluation
• teachers, and staff in the evaluation teachers, and staff in the evaluation component,<00:04:08.640
• Teachers are sharing that they feel more competent, have a greater ability to serve their students, and
• Phase 1 is 30,000; Phase 2 is 2,200. they feel more competent greater and they feel more competent greater
• > based<01:26:22.639> and They're focused on competency based and They're focused on competency

Bills: HF3421

Keywords: early literacy, reading instruction, teacher preparation, teacher candidates, teacher licensure, educator licensing, Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, PELSB, field experience, supervised practicum, evidence-based reading, science of reading, literacy methods, teacher training, preservice teachers, school-based experience, reading intervention, Minnesota education policy, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• They will evaluate federal conversion simply to preserve parity in card operations, vendor contracting
• MasterCard competes with Visa, Visa competes with MasterCard.
• They both compete with Discover, American Express, there's alternate networks, and there's other fintechs
• But small businesses, they cannot compete when it comes down to, I've got to take credit cards.
• I really can't go after... ...compete when it comes down to, I've got to take credit cards.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on the future of payments and sales transactions by credit card heard extensive testimony from credit union, banking, retail, restaurant, and payments-industry representatives about proposals to limit interchange fees, especially on the tax and tip portions of transactions. Several witnesses opposed state-level restrictions, arguing they would create a patchwork of rules, burden state-chartered institutions, raise compliance complexity, and ultimately reduce resources for fraud prevention, cybersecurity, rewards, and access to credit. Others, including retail and merchant advocates, said swipe fees are a significant and growing cost for small businesses and that states should consider reforms such as limiting fees on taxes and tips, allowing surcharging, improving transparency in merchant contracts, and studying collection costs more closely. Witnesses also discussed recent legal and regulatory developments, including Illinois’s interchange-fee law, OCC and NCUA interim rules, and the ongoing Visa/Mastercard antitrust settlement. Industry representatives said the Illinois law has been delayed and is likely preempted for most transactions, while merchant advocates argued the state efforts and court rulings show that networks and banks do not set fees competitively. The proposed antitrust settlement was described by some as a meaningful but limited merchant victory, with temporary fee reductions and expanded surcharge/steering rights, while others said it still falls short of structural reform. The commission members pressed witnesses on the practical effects of fees, the cost of cash, whether merchants can pass costs through, and whether small businesses are actually seeing benefits from the current system. Members repeatedly emphasized the need for a fair middle ground that protects both small businesses and the payment system. No substantive votes or policy actions were taken beyond accepting testimony, and the meeting ended with adjournment after all scheduled witnesses had spoken.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm all for making sure that we have a workable workforce that is competing in the private sector
• And I was, like you, Senator, I was unaware that there were other, I don't want to say competing bills
• and each one that can do that task would still be issued sort of a bid package where they would be competing
• and each one that can do that task would still be issued sort of a bid package where they would be competing
• and each one that can do that task would still be issued sort of a bid package where they would be competing

Bills: HB12, HB145, HB222, HB291, HB430, HB821, HB874, HB909, HB951, HB979, HB1193

Keywords: survivor benefits, law enforcement, reserve officer, auxiliary officer, public safety, firefighters, medical expenses, dental expenses, disability benefits, Medicaid, dental coverage, healthcare access, medical necessity, Louisiana Department of Health, health insurance, provider agreements, contracting actions, participating facilities, network status, survivors benefits

Transcript Highlights:

• There were competing standards.
• There are levels of quality and competence. Of prosecutors.
• There are levels of quality and competency and ability.
• is watching today, so if you want to pick a camera and wave, I know your well-wishes and staff competence
• is watching today, so if you want to pick a camera and wave, I know your well-wishes and staff competence

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions recognizing guests and visiting groups, including the Challenger Learning Center, the Florida Dental Hygienists Association, school students, and other local officials and organizations. Members also offered remarks about President Allbritton’s recovery and upcoming events, including State of Black Florida Week and a future executive appointments calendar. The main floor debate centered on Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 156, which revises criminal penalties involving law enforcement officers. The bill clarifies that resistance to an officer with violence is not justified when the officer is performing official duties, removes language stating an officer is not justified in using force if the arrest or duty is unlawful and known to be unlawful, and adds mandatory life imprisonment for manslaughter of a law enforcement officer. Senators offered competing views: supporters said the bill corrects a verdict-form and charging problem exposed in the Officer Jason Rainer case and honors his family, while opponents argued it removes civilian protections, expands police authority, and imposes disproportionate mandatory sentencing. Two amendments were offered and withdrawn, and the bill passed 31-4. The Senate then passed a series of bills, mostly on public records and regulatory topics. SB 168 expanded public nuisance law to include gambling establishments and increased penalties; SB 288 narrowed statutory ambiguity affecting rural electric cooperatives; SB 292 and SB 298 created or extended public-records protections for appellate court clerks and victims of dating violence in the Address Confidentiality Program; SB 296 created the HAVEN initiative to study a secure alert system for domestic violence victims and expanded confidentiality protections; SB 364 modernized CPA licensure pathways; SB 386 created protections for farm equipment purchasers; and several Open Government Sunset Review bills preserved exemptions for emergency shelter information, Department of Military Affairs records, conviction integrity unit records, Public Service Commission and Gaming Commission proceedings, Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles investigatory records, social media platform investigations, and certain economic development loan-program financial records. Most of these bills passed with little or no opposition, and the Senate waived rules so all bills passed that day could be immediately certified to the House.

Transcript Highlights:

• This week, Dan will compete in the Milano-Cortina Winter Games representing our nation on the world stage
• A graduate of Richland High School in Penn State, Dan will compete in the skeleton competition, which
• They showed us what it means to compete with character.
• Second, it failed to evaluate whether designation would actually mitigate risks or weigh the costs and
• chemotherapy standards are evaluated. chemotherapy standards are evaluated. certification<07:16:

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, February 9, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• actuarial evaluation actuarial evaluation um<04:27:43.920> of<04:27:44.159> the<04
• This is stated in the minutes to compete for market share.
• This Senate bill achieves that. recommended to to compete for market recommended to to compete for market
• <04:38:15.600> for contributions in order to compete for contributions in order to compete
• standards are needed to evaluate standards are needed to evaluate contingency<05:41:22.958> reserves

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 47, sponsored by Senator Regina Birdsell at the request of the Insurance Department. The bill would clarify that a birth mother’s health insurance is the primary policy for a newborn’s care unless the mother has no coverage or no employer-sponsored coverage. Birdsell and Insurance Commissioner DJ Benton Court said the measure simply codifies the department’s long-standing interpretation of existing law. Representative Miles asked whether the coverage would extend to a grandchild if a young woman on her parents’ plan had a baby, and Birdsell said it would. The hearing on SB 47 was then closed. The committee next heard Senate Bill 121, introduced by Grant Bosi for Senator Kevin Avard. The bill requires insurers to notify the Insurance Department when they stop writing an entire line of business or, in some cases, when they change Medicare Advantage offerings. Benton Court said the bill was prompted by disruption in the Medicare Advantage market, where consumers and the department were confused by carriers exiting, changing plans, or narrowing offerings. He said the department does not regulate Medicare Advantage itself, but does license the carriers, and the notice requirement would help the department advise consumers; he also said noncompliance could affect a carrier’s license and could lead to fines. Members discussed the notice period, and the department and AHIP indicated support for changing it from 120 days to 90 days to align with federal timing. The hearing was closed with plans to work on an amendment in subcommittee. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 247, introduced by Representative Brian Cole, which would prohibit network exclusion for pharmacies that refuse to dispense prescriptions when PBM reimbursement is below acquisition cost. Cole said the bill is meant to stop pharmacies from being forced to sell at a loss. Members questioned whether pharmacies voluntarily enter PBM contracts, whether the bill would raise consumer prices, and whether it would mainly affect independent pharmacies. Cole and others said the issue has changed over time because PBMs now control a much larger share of the market, and that the bill would let pharmacies refuse loss-making fills and direct patients to mail order instead. The discussion also noted that the bill excludes Medicare and Medicaid and that the current proposal does not create a middle-ground option for patients to pay a premium at the counter.

Transcript Highlights:

• Will this program actually evaluate vendors for the local governments as well, or just more or less put
• Will this program actually evaluate vendors for the local governments as well, or just more or less put
• It requires insurance carriers, traditional insurance carriers, now to also compete with private carriers

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government heard and reported favorably several bills. CS/SB 800 would increase penalties for repeated unlicensed engineering practice and create an engineering student loan assistance program funded by licensure fees and fines; Senator Sharif asked about restitution for victims, and the sponsor said the bill does not create a reimbursement mechanism. CS/SB 576 would create a local government cybersecurity protection program administered by Florida Digital Service, with state purchasing support, grant access, and data-sharing requirements; local government and cybersecurity groups waived in support. CS/SB 1078 would establish transition procedures between gubernatorial administrations, including liaisons, briefing books, office space, IT access, and access to agency records under a signed confidentiality agreement. The committee also reported favorably CS/SB 314 on payment stablecoin issuers, CS/SB 530 updating lottery operations and security rules, CS/SB 1614 giving JAC/LAC-related audit findings more enforcement effect for local governments seeking state funds, SB 990 authorizing protective cell captive insurance companies, SB 1588 beginning implementation of the prior gold-and-silver legal tender law, CS/SB 1440 adding cybersecurity-related exemptions and reporting provisions for financial institutions, and CS/SB 1568 creating a stablecoin pilot program for DFS fee payments. Several bills had support testimony from state agencies and industry groups, and some included technical or guardrail amendments that were adopted without objection. The committee also received a budget overview highlighting major funding items, including more than $350 million for Florida Forever, $738 million for Everglades restoration, more than $500 million for water quality projects outside the Everglades, $60 million for Farmers Feeding Florida, and more than $250 million for citrus recovery. Members asked questions about school lunch funding, state park improvements, land acquisition, water quality funding, gaming enforcement offices, and staffing for PERC. After the bills and budget discussion, members recorded a few affirmative votes on selected tabs, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, using that analytical lens, I'm going to talk about how we would evaluate current policy, essentially
• So, kind of stepping back, we wanted to start here with how we think about the evaluation of reserve
• and the LAO's proposal the 30 50 and 65 percent that's where this conversation about balance and competing

Keywords: 988, house, all