Transcript Highlights:

• May have an enrollment drop, they are still getting the same amount of funds, and we need to ask about
• And so even if they lose students, we provide declining enrollment funding and we provide other sources
• Can you tell me, you said that if their enrollment is increasing, then they're getting more money.
• Overall, is the public school enrollment increasing in Arkansas or decreasing?
• Yeah, there was a decrease overall in the public school enrollment this year. Okay. Thank you.

Summary: The Arkansas Legislative Council meeting began with approval of the December 2025 minutes and a presentation from the Bureau of Legislative Research on the December revenue report. Dr. Carlos Silva said gross collections were about $4.02 billion, up slightly from the prior year, and net available for distribution was also above last year but down modestly from the previous month because of higher-than-expected corporate income tax refunds. Members asked about corporate tax trends, tariffs, and inflation, and Silva said it was too early to call the corporate decline a trend and that tariff effects would likely show up mainly in sales tax collections. The council then adopted several subcommittee reports, including the Executive Committee Subcommittee, Administrative Rules, Hospital/Medicaid/Developmental Disabilities, Occupational Licensing Review, PEER, Review, State Insurance Program Oversight, and Personnel. The PEER report drew the most debate because of a Department of Agriculture grant tied to Perry County and Central Arkansas Water; members discussed whether removing the Perry County portion would affect the grant’s competitiveness, and the report was ultimately adopted with the item included. The Review Subcommittee also heard questions about a BDO contract for the rural health transformation program, with DFA explaining that the contractor would manage the program while state agencies would make funding decisions consistent with the state’s application. A major portion of the meeting focused on the Education Freedom Account appropriation tied to LEARNS. Senators and representatives debated whether the program helps families or diverts money from public schools, with supporters arguing it funds students and choice and opponents arguing it is costly, vulnerable to fraud, and harms public school funding. Department of Education officials said roughly 28,000 private school students and 17,500 homeschool students were participating, that EFA students must submit standardized tests annually, and that the requested $32 million was to cover existing participants. After multiple substitute motions and extended debate, the body rejected a motion to strip out the $32 million and then adopted the report and related motions. The meeting ended after routine approvals of additional agency items and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• um and the following day the enrollment um and the following day the enrollment dropped<00:37:31.839
• So the department always has a priority.
• the department always has a priority. the department always has a priority.
• Um, and I think there's no doubt that this is a priority for the department.
• there's no doubt that this is a priority there's no doubt that this is a priority for<02:18:13.679

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 2485, which would require cardiovascular screening for student athletes. The Department of Education and Department of Health said they support the bill’s intent but noted that many screenings are already part of existing school-entry and well-child exams. The Attorney General’s office asked for clarifying language on who performs the screenings, where results go, how “positive findings” are defined, how referrals would work, and whether funding would be appropriated if DOE must hire health professionals. The American Heart Association strongly supported the bill, citing the risk of sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes and arguing that sports physicals are an effective opportunity for early detection. No vote was taken, and the committee moved on after testimony. The committee then heard HB 89, concerning a school psychologist working group and possible licensing or credentialing of school psychologists. The Department of Education and Board of Psychology supported the measure. The Hawaii Psychological Association said it supports licensing school psychologists but asked to be included in the working group, arguing it is an important stakeholder. The Hawaii Association of School Psychologists opposed including HPA, saying the issue is between school psychologists and DCCA and that HPA is not part of their organization. Testimony and discussion focused on the long-running disagreement over whether school psychologists should be regulated under the Board of Psychology or another mechanism, and on title protection and scope of practice. No action was reported during this portion. The committee also took up HB 2445, relating to standardized emergency responses for immigration enforcement at or near schools. The Department of Education said it already issued internal law-enforcement guidance and questioned whether the bill was necessary, while also raising concerns about the bill’s 1,000-foot buffer language and the limits of school authority over activity off campus. The Board of Education echoed those concerns and suggested the bill may need clearer definitions. Supporters, including the White Coalition for Immigrant Rights, the Legal Clinic, and an attorney testifying on Know Your Rights training, argued that recent federal changes have increased ICE activity near schools and that a law is needed to ensure clear, public protocols, staff training, and family protections. A student testifier said the measure was a top priority of the state student council. The transcript ends during testimony, with no vote or final committee action shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we also have a provider enrollment moratorium, a six-month provider enrollment moratorium for those
• > six-month enrollment moratorium, a six-month enrollment moratorium, a six-month provider<00:
• those provider enrollment moratorum for those provider enrollment moratorum for those 14<00:10:45.680
• <00:12:40.880> to community providers are enrolled to community providers are enrolled to
• session, for example, pre-enrollment session, for example, pre-enrollment risk<00:19:34.480>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• They're the priority kind of people.
• And the priority kind of people.
• <00:56:31.440> When ...to elevate a community priority.
• It could stem to, community priorities.
• elevate these these community priorities elevate these these community priorities to<01:10:12.960

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I pray that our priorities in work and life comport with your written priorities.
• I'm dedicated to ensuring that your priorities and perspectives are front and center in our discussions
• For too many Texans, poor grades in their previous academic records have been a barrier to re-enrolling
• Since 2021, the number of Texans over the age of 25 enrolled in undergraduate education has actually
• This will equate to about 40 additional high school students enrolled in the FAST program.

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation, received a House message that H.B. 422 had passed the House, and heard gubernatorial nominations for the Council on Sex Offender Treatment. The chamber also recognized the Doctor of the Day and several visiting groups and adopted a resolution designating June 20, 2025, as Texas Nuclear Legislative Day. Members then considered and passed several bills and resolutions, often by suspending the regular order and the constitutional three-day rule. SB 311 passed to final passage on the Texas Supreme Court’s writ power. SB 883, on off-label prescription access for COVID-19 treatment, passed to engrossment. SB 1706, creating an Open Meetings Act exception for certain defense, military, and aerospace deliberations, passed despite concerns from Sen. Eckhardt that the bill’s use of “deliberate” could weaken open-government protections. CS SB 1677, directing a study on diabetes-related amputations, passed with support from Sen. Menendez. SB 1967 expanded flood infrastructure fund eligibility to certain multipurpose projects, and SB 1255, a cleanup bill on mold assessor and remediator regulation, passed unanimously. The Senate also approved CS SJR 40 and CS SB 871, which would change emergency and disaster law to require legislative involvement after prolonged or widespread emergencies and to limit gubernatorial suspension powers, with Sen. Eckhardt questioning whether the bill could slow urgent business closures during a disaster. Additional measures passed included SB 1426 transferring management of the First Capital State Historic Site to the Texas Historical Commission, SB 249 requiring TxDOT to fund memorial markers for fallen peace officers, SB 1592 centralizing collection of hotel occupancy taxes from accommodation intermediaries, SB 1271 allowing concurrent jurisdiction on military installations for certain juvenile matters, SB 745 creating a higher penalty for intoxication manslaughter involving multiple deaths, SB 365 shortening the academic fresh start waiting period at public colleges, and SB 1171 adjusting compensation and standards for certain Texas Juvenile Justice Department inspector general employees. CS SB 36, creating a Homeland Security Division within DPS, passed after questions about its relationship to federal homeland security and its focus on border security and critical infrastructure. The latter part of the session focused heavily on CS SB 38, a major eviction and squatter-related bill. Sen. Bettencourt described widespread squatter cases and argued the bill, with a Moody amendment, would clarify notice and eviction procedures while balancing property-owner and tenant rights. Sen. West said he supported addressing squatters but worried the broader eviction changes could harm vulnerable renters, especially single mothers, and said he would vote present not voting. The discussion continued with additional testimony from Sen. Kolkhorst about the need for a balanced eviction process.

Transcript Highlights:

• in concurrent enrollment.
• The same student because we are also paying when those students enroll in a concurrent enrollment, we
• I have spoken with some teachers who teach concurrent enrollment.
• So student A applies for concurrent enrollment, goes into concurrent enrollment, drops out.
• Do you know if that may be the case with some of the concurrent enrollment?

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:35.920> in MLDD newborn screening a priority in MLDD newborn screening a priority in
• It would help us to draw out what are our priority opportunities and priority needs in the state
• <00:37:09.040> established based on actual priorities established based on actual priorities
• someone, you know, with the priorities someone, you know, with the priorities of<00:38:28.160>
• Again, about 85% of our enroles. Again, about 85% of our enroles.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• H.C.R. number 171 by King, instructing the enrolling clerk of the House to make corrections to H.B. number
• lays out the following provisional resolution; the clerk will read the resolution instructing the enrolling
• Oliver enrolled at Texas Southern University where... where he became a student of the artist Dr.
• In a place that can be daunting to try to get our legislative priorities passed, he is very...
• Instructing the Enrolling Clerk of the Senate to make corrections in SB 441.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Compare him to your enrollment rose right now. Are these students sitting in a public school?
• So sometimes the school, the student cannot enroll. For example, you were involvement is required.
• Apply, enroll funds, spend and pay. We look at that end to end process daily.
• They enroll in a public school.
• And one of those 4 is the workload and enrollment of the fefp.

Transcript Highlights:

• OUR CENTERS AND INSTITUTES PROVIDE CRITICAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR STUDENTS ENROLLED IN OUR STATE UNIVERSITY
• THAT AND THAT IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, SOME OF OUR MRI WORK SO THAT IS A PRIORITY
• SEE BUT WE'VE ALSO SEEN THEIR IMPROVEMENTS IN THEIR FAST SCORES SO WHEN WE LOOK AT THE SCORES OF ENROLLED
• CHILDREN AGAINST OTHER ENROLLED CHILDREN WE SEE THAT THE GAPS ARE CLOSING OVER THE COURSE OF TIME AND
• DELIVER NEW WORLD CUSTOM DEVELOPED HIGHLIGHTS MAGAZINES NEW WORLD ENROLLEES TO TELL FOLKS TO GET ENROLLED

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ' priorities?
• You want us to adjust these priorities to meet the needs of the community that's relevant for now.
• We would then discuss, here's your priorities.
• What is on your priority list?
• As well as, we have over 144 cities that are enrolled in the Florida Retirement System.

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs convened with a quorum and took up SB 308, a bill related to the Florida Museum of Black History. The bill would establish a Florida Museum of Black History Board of Directors and direct it to work with a supporting nonprofit foundation, while also requiring the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners to provide administrative assistance and staffing until planning, design, and engineering are complete. With no appearance forms or debate, the committee voted the bill favorably. The remainder of the meeting was an informational briefing from the Florida Association of Counties and the Florida League of Cities on local government budgeting practices. Presenters explained how counties and cities develop budgets, the legal framework governing property taxes and other revenues, the distinction between restricted and unrestricted funds, and the role of constitutional officers, public safety, debt, pensions, and capital planning. They emphasized that most local revenues are restricted by law, that general funds are the main discretionary source, and that local governments must balance annual budgets while meeting mandated service levels. The presenters also discussed how property taxes, fees, local option taxes, and state-shared revenues support local services, and they highlighted the fiscal pressures created by public safety, emergency management, infrastructure, and retirement costs. Members asked questions about the share of local revenue that is unrestricted and the implications for any proposal to eliminate property taxes. The presenters responded that only a portion of county and municipal revenue is flexible, with much of it dedicated to specific purposes by law.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the grants program, the research priorities are defined by the consortium board, and they are informed
• So these are the research priorities.
• So we looked actually at the trends in enrollment.
• You saw that overall enrollment is still increasing in the state across all age groups.
• That overall enrollment is still increasing in the state across all age groups.

Summary: The Health Professions and Program Subcommittee met to receive oversight briefings on Florida’s medical marijuana program from the Department of Health’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU) and from the University of Florida’s Consortium for Medical Marijuana Clinical Outcomes Research. OMMU Director Christopher Kimball outlined the program’s structure, including more than 900,000 active patients, nearly 7,000 caregivers, 27 MMTC licensees, 706 dispensing locations, and nine certified testing labs. He described the state’s pre-approval process for products and advertising, plain packaging requirements, seed-to-sale tracking, registry operations, and compliance efforts such as background checks, inspections, complaint investigations, and lab desk audits. He also said the Bureau of Public Health Laboratories in Jacksonville had been accredited to begin supporting testing. Members asked about telehealth, patient growth, product safety, advertising to children, inspections, and the status of MMTC licensure; Kimball said recertifications by telehealth now make up more than half of recertifications, that patient growth has slowed, and that ongoing litigation is delaying issuance of 22 new MMTC licenses. Kimball also discussed implementation of recent legislation and licensure changes, including licenses issued under HB 387 and SB 1582 to applicants from the original Pigford-related pool, with additional cure opportunities still ongoing. He said the department is monitoring diversion, inversion, and unapproved products, and that it coordinates with law enforcement when needed but does not itself have sworn authority. In response to questions, he said the department does not regulate physicians directly, but may refer concerns to the Division of Medical Quality Assurance, and that caregiver and physician participation requirements are set by statute. Members raised concerns about edibles, child access, and continued use of child-attractive branding; Kimball said the department tries to catch issues through pre-approval and enforcement, and that complaints involving children are treated as serious and investigated using available records and camera footage. Dr. Almond Winterstein then presented the consortium’s research overview. He explained that the consortium was created by statute in 2019, includes 10 universities, and is funded by annual state appropriations. He said its work includes grants, a research repository, a clinical core, outreach, and evidence synthesis, including a recent FDA-supported review of cannabis evidence. He emphasized that the current evidence base is limited and often low quality, with the strongest signals for symptom relief in PTSD-related symptoms, nausea, and some pain outcomes, but with many studies inconclusive or mixed. He also described the consortium’s use of registry data linked to Medicaid, Medicare, death, fetal death, and birth records to study safety and outcomes, including children, pregnancy, driving safety, opioid-sparing effects, and adverse events. Winterstein said adverse event reporting is sparse and likely underreported, with most reports mild but some serious events noted, and he expressed concern about use among young adults because of uncertain benefit-risk and possible effects on the developing brain. The committee discussed the need for better surveillance, more robust adverse event reporting, and the possibility of using linked data to identify harms more quickly. At the end of the meeting, the committee rose without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so that's where we place that as a priority for the revenue from this money.
• And so that's where we place that as a priority for the revenue from this money.
• and but it there's other priorities and but it still<00:56:15.119> exists.
• They don't have to enroll in that lottery.
• They don't have to enroll in that deer.

Bills: HF624

Keywords: HF624, Minnesota fishing law, game and fish, walleye stamp, walleye stamp validation, angling, angler, fishing lines, two lines, four lines, open water fishing, ice fishing, Department of Natural Resources, DNR, fishing regulations, fish harvest, conservation, Minnesota Statutes 97C.315, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• They're enrolled in both states.
• We have 4.3 million Texans enrolled in Medicaid.
• enrollment.
• enrollment.
• So if they're enrolled in Medicaid and they'd be enrolled in managed care, they would have, may have

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Article 2 budget before us funds many of the House's core projects. priorities while maintaining
• The committee substitute for Senate Bill 1 reflects our highest priorities as session.
• There are services out there to help identify the dual enrollment issue.
• Medicaid managed care organization that is receiving three enrollment fees for the same person.
• Certainly House Bill 500 also makes several one-time investments to support our priorities including

Bills: SB1, HB500, SB1, HB1400, HB 1094, HB365, HB 1109, HB647, HB500

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, state budget, mental health funding, education funding, infrastructure improvements, public safety, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• Three, enrollment, once again, is not great.
• can do to support rural providers, but all providers across the state, is something that's a top priority
• Protecting our children who are in these settings is always the highest priority.
• , the highest priority of our organization.
• It increases priority access for child care for relative kin children.

Bills: HF1367, HF2732, HF1897, HF1424, HF1383, HF2728, HF2863, HF1685, HF2929

Keywords: child maltreatment, child abuse, neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, labor trafficking, human trafficking, child protection, local welfare agency, county social services, Minnesota Department of Human Services, judicial review, district court appeal, venue, out-of-state abuse, cross-border investigation, Minnesota child welfare, family assessment, maltreatment determination

Transcript Highlights:

• Staffing at research centers like the PWRC evolves to meet federal program priorities.
• Federal priorities.
• The impact on the institutions is that reduced research can lead to lower enrollment.
• Recent research has been very amply funded with priority changes across all sizes.
• So there could be an impact on enrollment. Being spent, about 50 million dollars.

Transcript Highlights:

• It speaks to the high priority that this committee places on biomedical research.
• Only if it becomes a priority. Only if it becomes a priority.
• I'm confident that it can if they make it a priority.
• This is not really a high priority, for example, for industry and pharma.
• But what it really means for patients is that we can't drive the priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• enroles by the end of this year. enroles by the end of this year.
• <02:19:10.559> in would not change how they enroll in would not change how they enroll in
• same person is enrolled in or are dead. same person is enrolled in or are dead.
• <02:41:26.319> in defrauding the system by enrolling in defrauding the system by enrolling
• <02:42:03.680> who document, it says when an enrolle who document, it says when an enrolle

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As mentioned, safety is our top priority when considering our transportation system.
• They know exactly where the priorities are in their district.
• So it's imperative that the districts do identify their priorities.
• That was a high priority for you.
• So when we look at priority projects, I'm glad to hear that you're doing a study.