Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:14.560><c> that</c> cohesive evidence-based practices that cohesive evidence-based practices
• </c> probably have heard about the practice probably have heard about the practice assessments.<00:42
• Now you can practice.
• </c> keeping the practice. keeping the practice.
• </c><00:59:53.040><c> chairs,</c> practice is the answer. So, Mr. chairs, practice is the answer.

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call - 00:13 Approval of Minutes - 4:07 Kentucky Academic Standards for Reading and Writing - 5:18 Math Improvement Committee Report - 21:02 ETS Praxis Exam - 41:47 KDE Performance Review Data - 1:15:04 Adjournment - 1:57:54, 958, all

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from KDE on the revised Kentucky academic standards for reading and writing. KDE explained the statutory six-year review process, the public comment periods, and the main revisions, including updates tied to the science of reading, decodable text, encoding/decoding, and an updated vision statement. KDE said 308 responses were received on the initial public comment, most respondents favored keeping standards as-is, and about 12% of standards were revised. The department also said the document was streamlined by removing repeated graphics and reducing its size by about 24%, and that a later comment period drew more than 400 responses. No new standards were flagged for review. Members asked about alignment between standards, curriculum, assessments, and NAEP, and KDE said instructional resources should be aligned to standards, KSA assessments are aligned to the standards, and screeners/diagnostics help identify student needs. Representative Truett raised the idea of a textbook-to-standards crosswalk, and KDE said publishers and a future repository partner should provide such crosswalks for local districts. Representative Bojanowski asked why foundational reading skills are not directly assessed on the third-grade KSA; KDE responded that the assessment is designed to measure end-of-grade expectations, while screening and diagnostics are used earlier to identify decoding needs. Representative Gel asked about early childhood supports, and KDE said it is working with early learning and special education offices and promoting LETRS professional learning for both teachers and preschool educators. The committee then received the mathematics improvement committee report. KDE said the mathematics committee unanimously approved a new strategic plan for improving math achievement from pre-K through grade 20 and adult education. The plan centers on six priorities: student empowerment, effective mathematics teaching and learning, continuous educator development and growth, a continuum of learning, community and family partnerships, and teacher recruitment and retention. KDE said the plan is intended as a living document with goals, recommended actions, and evidence bases, and that it aligns with the Kentucky Numeracy Counts Act by supporting high-quality instructional resources, professional learning, and family resources. In response to Senator Thomas, KDE explained that the professional learning recommendation means districts should tailor teacher training to classroom needs and instructional materials so math teachers are better equipped to implement standards and support students.

Transcript Highlights:

• Consistent with its typical practice for administering competitive grants.
• Through collaboration and effective partnerships, the surge operations have recognized the following
• And we continue to reach out to them to collaborate. and assist both ways with the expertise that they
• So, and my folks understand the importance of working together and that collaboration so that we are
• , we're all about collaboration and opening up to any law enforcement official who wants to come and

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We know that hate crimes are historically underreported and that reporting practices may vary across
• We know that hate crimes are historically underreported and that reporting practices may vary across
• It is a daily practice. The legislation placed ...a tragedy. It is a daily practice.
• Now, we're going to embed it in the very fabric of the policies, of the institutions, of the practices
• That's something you have to practice.

Summary: The Select Committee on Hate, Racism, and Xenophobia heard opening remarks framing hate crimes as a growing threat to civil rights and democracy, with particular concern about online radicalization, political scapegoating, and attacks on protected communities. The California Department of Justice presented its 2025 hate crimes report, noting 1,955 reported hate crime events in 2025, a 3.4% decline from 2024 but still historically elevated. DOJ said race and ethnicity remained the largest category, with anti-Black bias the most frequently reported, anti-Hispanic/Latino bias rising sharply, and religion-, gender-, sexual orientation-, and gender identity-based incidents remaining significant. The California Commission on the State of Hate said its research shows hate is broader than official crime data, with millions of Californians experiencing hate incidents and many victims needing mental health, legal, financial, and other services beyond law enforcement. Committee members and witnesses discussed the causes of hate, especially social media radicalization, misinformation, and the role of public rhetoric. Testimony emphasized that online content moderation has weakened, that young men are often heavily radicalized online, and that state policy should focus on education, data collection, law enforcement training, and community-based prevention. The committee also discussed prior and current legislation aimed at hate prevention and training, and witnesses urged stronger data-sharing, permanent research infrastructure, and better support for victims and frontline organizations. A second panel of community organizations described impacts on their communities and asked for targeted policy responses. The NAACP highlighted rising anti-Black hate and the need for sustainable funding and better reporting; LULAC emphasized fear tied to ethnicity and immigration status and called for multilingual outreach and solidarity; Jewish California described rising antisemitism, support for AB 715 and AB 2664, and the need to recognize Jewish ethnicity in state law; CHIRLA urged stronger oversight of immigration enforcement and detention, plus legal services and know-your-rights programs; Asian Americans Advancing Justice focused on language access, historical erasure, safety, and opportunity; CAIR California cited a sharp rise in anti-Muslim hate, the San Diego mosque shooting, and called for fair security funding and stronger civil rights protections; and Equality California described continued attacks on LGBTQ+ people and asked for privacy, health care, and anti-discrimination protections. No formal votes were taken; the hearing concluded with public comment and closing remarks emphasizing solidarity and continued legislative action.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm just very appreciative of that collaboration.
• the last decade. and a half has revolved around disproportionate impact, alternative disciplinary practices
• of times, disruptive behavior, I know this from my teaching experience, can be solved with good practices
• We think it's great to incentivize parents to be a collaborative part of creating discipline agreements
• I'm a person who's spent a lot of time trying to develop a pro bono practice to help young people, but

Bills: HB1022, HB2856, HB3114, HJR5, HB6, HB120, HB210, HB1458, HB1188, HB3126

Keywords: HB 1022, Sul Ross State University, Rio Grande College, Texas State University System, Education Code, higher education, course levels, upper-level college, lower-division courses, community college-style courses, Del Rio, Eagle Pass, Uvalde, Board of Regents, academic programs, university expansion, HB 2856, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, clinical training placements, clinical rotations

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 1417 includes several provisions to improve community supervision practices in North Dakota
• Indigent defense best practices: People have a constitutional right to a public defender when charged
• The North Dakota Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigence supports these two best practices by eliminating
• local community does establish a deflection process, law enforcement and behavioral health must collaborate
• Must collaborate on that process and establish minimum standards for protocols, training, and data collection

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met to review fiscal aspects of House Bills 1417 and 1425, both part of a broader criminal justice reentry package. HB 1417 would eliminate the $35 public defender application fee and end court-ordered reimbursement of indigent defense costs, while also removing the $55 monthly community supervision fee. Testimony from the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents and the Department of Corrections said the bill would replace lost revenue with general fund appropriations of about $310,000 for indigent defense and $1.5 million for supervision fees, and that the fees are rarely collected and can hinder reentry. Representative Clemene said the bill is intended to reduce barriers to successful community reintegration and improve data and supervision practices. HB 1425 would create and fund front-end diversion, deflection, and pretrial services programs. Supporters described it as allowing prosecutors and local jurisdictions to divert appropriate low-level offenders from prosecution, establish deflection programs for people with behavioral health needs, and expand pretrial services. The bill includes a pilot program in three counties, a $1 million appropriation to DOCR for one FTE and contracts with local providers, $750,000 to DHS for treatment services, and $55,000 for a study of pretrial services cost savings. Committee members asked several questions about how the pilot counties would be chosen, how the consultant study would be procured, and what services the DHS funds would cover. The committee also heard House Bill 1603, which would provide a $500,000 matching grant for Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act compliance, with $100,000 available to each of North Dakota’s five tribes if matched. Sponsor testimony said the funds would support a Historical Society NAGPRA compliance committee and help catalog and repatriate human remains and cultural items in coordination with tribes. After questions about the federal mandate and the difficulty of identifying artifacts, the committee voted 4-0 to give HB 1603 a do-pass recommendation, with Senator Meyer assigned to carry it forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• of course, leads the Supreme Court, which continues to have the responsibility for regulating the practice
• of law, including the promulgation of statewide rules of procedure and practice for all courts of the
• of law, including the promulgation of statewide rules of procedure and practice for all courts of the
• The Minnesota Judicial Council created a new mental health justice initiative to foster collaboration
• </c> various markets and areas of practice various markets and areas of practice based<00:20:33.480><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Matt Pielleberg, I'm sorry, Matt Pberg for Holamua Collaborative. We stand in strong support.
• Collaborative. Collaborative.
• We stand in uh strong Collaborative. We stand in uh strong support. support. support.
• We have the Office of Information Practices. Good afternoon, Chair, Vice Chair, committee.
• . practices. practices.

Bills: SB2064, SB2312, SB2811, SB2662, SB2744, SB2809, SB2862, SB2343, SB2336, SB2075, SB2308, SB2601, SB2397, SB2219, SB2849, SB2449, SB2781

Keywords: state architect, construction projects, design approvals, building codes, state agency oversight, government contracts, transparency, record retention, public oversight, Hawaii Revised Statutes, building permits, task force, state-owned lands, construction, regulatory process, government accountability, external consultants, procurement reform, cost efficiency, in-house expertise

Summary: The committee heard several government operations measures, beginning with SB 2064 on state construction projects, which would create an office of the state architect within DAGS to oversee design review and approvals for state construction. DAGS said it stood on its written testimony, DECAB supported the bill, DOT supported it, and HGA opposed it. No audience testimony or member questions were taken, and the chair moved on. The committee then took up SB 2312 on government contracts, which would make records held by private contractors performing government functions subject to UIPA. The State Procurement Office, Attorney General, OIP, ERS, DHS, and HGA offered comments or opposition, while the League of Women Voters, Public First Law Center, All Hawaii News, Grassroots, and several individuals supported the bill. Public First Law Center argued the bill closes a loophole and does not expand or reduce existing exemptions, while OIP and others raised concerns about privacy, confidential information, and the need for clearer procedures. Members discussed possible clarifying amendments, including changing “government function” to “agency,” and the bill was left for further consideration. Other measures discussed included SB 2662 on government accountability, which would require justification and caps for external consultants; ERS and DOT opposed it, while the American Council of Engineering Companies of Hawaii and Airlines Committee of Hawaii argued consultants are often more efficient and necessary for major projects. The committee also heard SB 2744 on due process, for which no testimony was received; SB 2809 on budget-related reports, with comments from B&F and the Tax Foundation; SB 2862 on gubernatorial appointments, opposed by the Governor’s Office and the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission and supported by one individual; a bill on continuous legislative sessions, with comments from B&F, LRB, and Hope for Hawaii; SB 2336 on tree management standards, supported by an individual and the Outdoor Circle; and SB 2075 on public procurement local preferences, which drew broad support with comments from SPO and the Attorney General and discussion of simplifying the preference structure. No votes were taken in the excerpt, and the chair repeatedly moved measures along after testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• And also, is there any collaboration to our our neighbors to the south, Mexico.
• Do you all have any type of... collaboration in terms of research there?
• So this is open to feedback and collaboration.
• We collaborate frequently and we occasionally exchange staff.
• Those are all normal practices.

Bills: HB206, HB 1285, HB1335, HJR107, HB206

Keywords: pipeline, construction, cash bond, county authority, local government, HB 1285, Railroad Commission of Texas, RRC, drones, unmanned aircraft, UAS, drone inspections, oil and gas, pipeline inspection, surface mining, well sites, tank batteries, disposal wells, injection sites, natural resources

Transcript Highlights:

• We had a great collaboration with Craig and his team.
• We had a great collaboration with Craig and his team.
• A great collaboration with Craig and his team.
• collaborating.
• So we're working collaboratively on an RFP process, even though there's no project yet.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But really our best practices is for these complicated projects, providing range is a much better way
• , this phase two of the study. and innovative practices study.
• Project Delivery and Innovative Practices.
• We did a case study on infrastructure collaboration efforts.
• They invited our team back to their house in Sacramento to share our best practices. The L.

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from WSDOT on balancing uncertainty in capital program estimates and cash flow management. WSDOT explained the differences between design-bid-build and design-build delivery, its tiered risk-assessment process by project size, and how it uses base estimates, inflation, and risk modeling to set budgets. Staff said design-bid-build estimates are generally accurate within about 1% across the program, while design-build projects carry much wider uncertainty and are better communicated as ranges; they cited a P85 budget approach and noted that large, complex projects can be affected by market competition and long procurement timelines. Members asked about the Columbia River Bridge cost growth and about value engineering, and WSDOT said it uses value engineering but has limited scope to cut costs because of project requirements and policy mandates. Troy Swing also discussed cash flow, noting that a few large projects can significantly affect biennial funding needs, and said a risk pool would not reduce overall program risk but could help manage timing if paired with appropriation and cash-flow controls. The committee then received the final presentation in the WSDOT Project Delivery and Innovative Practices study from HKA Global. The consultant said WSDOT’s estimating practices are generally robust and recommended improving transparency by presenting budget authorizations as ranges or estimate classes, better tracking estimate growth over time, and adjusting advertisement timing to avoid competing lettings. The report also discussed surety bonding, suggesting the legislature consider restoring authority for reduced bonding on select large design-build projects or using phased bonding and alternative securities. On indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contracting, the consultant said current job order contract rules are restrictive and recommended legislative changes to make such tools more usable, especially for smaller tasks and to help use unspent funds more flexibly. The committee also heard a follow-up presentation on transit-oriented development policy recommendations tied to HB 1491. The Urban Institute’s Yona Freemark said Washington has been a national leader on TOD but that housing construction, especially in the Puget Sound, has slowed sharply since 2022. He said rising construction costs, high financing costs, and local tax and rent conditions are making many TOD projects infeasible, and recommended that the state fill infrastructure funding gaps around stations, revisit MFTE affordability requirements, consider minimum rather than average density requirements near transit, and create a statewide system to track TOD outcomes such as affordability, gentrification, and transit access. Members questioned the study’s developer interviews, the role of rent control and crime, property tax assumptions, and parking needs; the presenter said the study included five private developers, that rent control was not part of the study scope, and that parking was included in the model assumptions. Finally, the committee began a presentation on regulating emissions from ocean-going vessels at berth. Staff and consultants described California-style at-berth rules, which require shore power or equivalent emissions controls so ships can shut off diesel auxiliary engines while docked. The study is examining vessel traffic, emissions reductions, implementation costs, labor and operational needs, and possible effects on port competitiveness and cargo diversion. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We were also asked to develop statewide standards for best practices.
• That practice needs to stop.
• I'm also an attorney, and I practice here in Austin.
• We work collaboratively, and we also work collaboratively with the FBI.
• We work collaboratively, and we also work collaboratively with the FBI.

Bills: HB47, HB171, HB285, HB305, HB449, HB908, HB 1024, HB 1306, HB1443, HB1445, HB1741, HB1866, HB1902, HB2001, HB2282, HB2355, HB2492, HB2637, HB2697, HB3464, HB4263, HB4996, HB5667

Keywords: sexual assault, victim rights, forensic examination, medical care, trauma-informed care, crime victims compensation, evidence retention, chemical dependency, court-ordered treatment, mental health, health care, treatment facility, juvenile justice, criminal justice reform, animal cruelty, nonlivestock, prosecution, veterinary defense, animal welfare, pretrial hearings

Summary: The Senate Committee on Criminal Justice met with a quorum and heard a long agenda of bills on criminal justice, public safety, mental health, victims’ rights, and related administrative issues. Early bills included HB 47, the omnibus sexual assault survivors bill, which would expand post-assault care, require courts to consider delays for adult survivors, bar sex offenders from rideshare driving, allow lease termination regardless of where an assault occurred, and require more reporting from sexual assault response teams. Testimony was generally supportive, though one witness raised concern that the bill’s reporting requirements could jeopardize county grant funding. HB 171, the Annel Borrego Act, would set a minimum period for court-ordered chemical dependency treatment; NAMI Texas supported it. HB 908 would require missing children reports to be sent to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children within two hours, and HB 1443 would criminalize possession and promotion of childlike sex dolls; both drew supportive testimony and were left pending. HB 567, changing juvenile board chair selection in Parker County, and HB 4263, a TJJD workforce retention bill, were also heard and left pending after brief discussion and adoption of committee substitutes where applicable. The committee also heard several bills focused on jail and prison safety, court process, and victim protection. HB 2282 would raise the arrest warrant fee from $50 to $75; constables supported it as a cost-recovery measure, while the Texas Fair Defense Project opposed it as a regressive fee that burdens low-income defendants. HB 3464 would increase penalties for correctional employees who bring drugs or alcohol into prisons, with support from Harris County jail officials and a formerly incarcerated advocate who described the dangers of contraband and retaliation. HB 285, “Poncho’s Law,” would add criminal negligence to non-livestock animal cruelty offenses; animal welfare advocates said it would close a loophole that lets pet service businesses avoid accountability, and the bill was left pending. HB 2355 would keep certain Crime Victims Compensation records confidential when held by the Attorney General, and HB 2637 would standardize jury exemption ages and clean up jury disqualification reporting; both were left pending after limited testimony. Mental health and competency-related bills received significant attention. HB 305 would require a pretrial hearing within 14 days after a defendant is restored to competency, aimed at reducing repeated decompensation and the forensic waitlist; NAMI Texas supported it. HB 1741 would tighten procedures for not-guilty-by-reason-of-insanity outpatient commitments by requiring a stronger nexus to the receiving county and clearer supervision authority; law enforcement and mental health witnesses said it would improve public safety and treatment success. HB 2492 would make the four-hour family-violence post-bond cooling-off period mandatory rather than discretionary, and HB 1445 would allow a managed assigned counsel director to designate someone to approve certain payments for indigent defense attorneys; both were left pending. HB 1024 would require prompt execution of warrants for parole violators on superintensive supervision, and HB 1306 would extend first-responder-style benefits to death investigation professionals; neither drew opposition in the hearing. The committee also heard a series of public integrity and technology bills. HB 449 would expand the deepfake sexual content statute to include sexually explicit images, with Public Citizen supporting the change as necessary to address a rapidly growing problem. HB 1902 would create a new offense for “jugging,” or following bank or ATM customers to rob them; the Texas Bankers Association supported it. HB 2697 would require sureties to notify prosecutors before surrendering a felony defendant’s bond, and HB 2001 would sharply increase penalties for misuse of public information for financial gain and related coercion, with prosecutors and Texas Rangers describing bid-rigging and public corruption investigations as difficult to prove under current law because of short limitations periods and limited penalties. HB 1866 would grant Texas peace officer authority to National Park Service rangers within Texas park boundaries, and HB 4996 would increase penalties for fraudulent liens filed against public servants. Throughout the hearing, most bills were left pending after testimony, and several committee substitutes were adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• As we continue our collaboration, Additional focus on math content and pedagogy.
• It is practical, but is it practical from an applicability standpoint?
• In short, it aligns very nicely with research-based best practices in mathematics. Thank you. Mr.
• It is practical, but is it practical from an applicability standpoint?
• In short, it aligns very nicely with research-based best practices and mathematics, T.

Bills: SB29, SB64

Keywords: SB29, math requirements for teaching license, teacher licensure, teacher endorsement, mathematics methods, elementary education, secondary education, special education, early childhood education, reciprocity, Public Education Department, Mathematics and Science Education Act, mathematics instructional leadership framework, professional learning plan, K-3 screening, mathematics screening assessment, mathematics difficulty, support plan, multilevel support, intervention

Transcript Highlights:

• Chapter 13 is government data practices, and that applies to school districts and charter schools, as
• strategies practices and use of<00:20:49.240><c> resources</c><00:20:50.080><c> and</c><00:20:50.320
• </c> and Compass is the collaborative and Compass is the collaborative Minnesota<00:29:51.000><c> Partnerships
• </c><00:37:11.520><c> that's</c> standards of effective practice that's standards of effective practice
• </c><00:54:22.319><c> um</c> they are subject to data practices um they are subject to data practices

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• They were eight very practical amendments that would improve this bill.
• It removed some of the lists of the covered practices.
• It removed some of the lists of the covered practices.
• And so I appreciate the collaborative work that went along with this bill by both parties.
• And so I appreciate the collaborative work that went along with this bill by both parties.

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on House Bill 2073, which would require nonprofit health carriers with surplus above 600% of risk-based capital to pay 3% of the excess to support the Cascade Care Savings premium assistance program. Committee staff said the bill could generate about $80 million in FY 2027 based on 2024 surplus data, while carriers and business groups argued their reserves are needed to pay claims, manage risk, and avoid premium increases. Supporters said the bill would redirect consumer-funded surplus to help Washingtonians afford coverage, especially as federal subsidies expire. No action was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee then heard House Bill 2132, which limits disclosure and retention of personally identifying and financial information in WASFA applications. Staff explained the bill would exempt WASFA records from public disclosure, restrict sharing to narrow purposes, and shorten retention periods, with significant fiscal impacts tied to purging records and updating data-sharing practices. Student and advocacy testimony strongly supported the bill as a privacy and safety measure for immigrant and mixed-status students. The committee also heard House Bill 2403, which lowers the penalty for failure to register as a sex offender and adds community custody and DOC supervision; public defense supported it as a cost-saving, consensus reform, and staff projected DOC savings. House Bill 2587 was also heard, creating a Commerce pilot to provide limited advance grant funding to eligible nonprofits; supporters said it would help smaller nonprofits manage reimbursement-based contracts, while staff estimated indeterminate but potentially significant administrative costs. The committee heard House Bill 2607, which would require DCYF to periodically rebase child care subsidy rate regions to better reflect local cost differences. Supporters from Benton and Franklin counties said current regional rates are outdated and unfairly low in fast-growing areas; staff said the fiscal impact was indeterminate. The committee then moved into possible executive session on several bills. Second Substitute House Bill 1170, dealing with generative AI disclosures and provenance tools, was amended and ultimately passed out of committee on an 18-9 vote after all proposed amendments were rejected. Substitute House Bill 1570 was amended to narrow its scope to Western Washington University and then passed out of committee on a 17-9 vote. The committee also began action on proposed Third Substitute House Bill 1710, which would create a state pre-clearance requirement under the Washington Voting Rights Act, but the transcript cuts off during consideration of amendments to that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• We saw ourselves in collaboration.
• I'm sorry, what are you referring to as a member of the collaborative?
• that are a member of the collaborative.
• I am not a member of the collaborative. Even though you're listed.
• We were actually working with their best practices and engaging with them and collaborating with them

Summary: The committee held a follow-up informational hearing on the State Library’s oversight of the statewide Imagination Library program, focusing on how state funds were used by the Strong Reader Partnership (SRP) and whether the program complied with statutory requirements. Chair and Senator Grove repeatedly questioned State Librarian Greg Lucas about delayed document production, the State Library’s decision to allow SRP to continue spending $4.8 million after the 2024 budget changes, and the lack of clear accounting for how many books were actually delivered to children. Lucas said the State Library had sent one demand letter, relied on counsel’s advice, and ultimately received bank statements, invoices, and narrative reports that he said were satisfactory, though he acknowledged the committee should have been given the documents sooner. A major issue was whether SRP and its vendors used state funds for lobbying or influence efforts related to AB 157/SB 157, despite contract language prohibiting lobbying. The committee highlighted invoices and emails involving ChangeCraft and SAGE Strategies that appeared to coincide with legislative activity, while SRP representatives said their work was communications, stakeholder outreach, and board-directed advocacy, not lobbying. Members of SRP also defended their vendor selections and invoicing practices, explaining that the organization was in startup and transition mode, had multiple financial vendors for checks and balances, and was working to build infrastructure, local partnerships, and multilingual outreach capacity rather than directly buying books. The hearing also scrutinized specific expenditures, including roughly $581,000 to Shipyard for marketing and web/digital work, $110,000 to Lotus Financial Solutions, and a $5,000 grant to United Way of the California Capital Region. Senators argued the invoices were vague and the deliverables were not evident, pointing to a simple website, limited social media presence, and no clear evidence that some advertised campaigns ever went live. SRP witnesses said the work was part of a phased plan to establish a statewide foundation and that some assets and documentation had not yet been provided to the committee. No votes were taken, and the hearing ended with the chair emphasizing the need for tighter oversight, clearer documentation, and better accountability for taxpayer funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• And typically if you don't have a place to practice or a stage, you have to kind of go easy on your music
• just completed the rest of our development, which is K-12, which includes a music stage in a music practice
• Any collaboration ever with BYU? Just curious. Yes, they're actually— they have a member of, Mr.
• So it's been a very collaborative endeavor with our I-HELP group. Follow-up? Thank you, Mr.
• So I would imagine that the collaboration would be incredibly helpful for all. Maybe I'm wrong.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House Education Committee heard two informational presentations. First, Dr. Ed Cates of Kootenai Classical Academy described the Hillsdale College classical charter school model, emphasizing virtue-based education, Socratic instruction, no-screen/no-phone policies, phonics and literacy, constitutional and founding-era studies, sports, and the school’s early academic and extracurricular successes, including a strong spelling bee showing and test scores he said were above average. Committee members asked about expanding the model, whether public districts had adopted Hillsdale materials, the role of music, dual enrollment and workforce training, school costs, and the purpose of education; Cates said the curriculum is free, expansion depends on parent-led founding efforts and school board approval, music is being added as facilities allow, and education should focus on forming well-ordered, virtuous human beings rather than job training alone. Members generally praised the school and the classical approach, with several saying it should be more widely available. One member noted the curriculum is not actually free because of donations, and others discussed the importance of character development and the need to preserve the final years of high school for deeper learning. The committee then heard from Dr. Sally Brown of the Idaho Higher Education Literacy Partnership (I-HELP), who outlined collaboration among Idaho higher education institutions to align teacher preparation with the science of reading, revise literacy standards and assessments, and support literacy initiatives such as the Literacy Learning Lab and leadership summits. She said the group is helping pre-service teachers and in-service educators improve reading instruction, and committee members asked about collaboration with BYU-Idaho, whether teacher preparation is now better aligned with evidence-based reading instruction, and how the state’s K-3 reading efforts are going. Brown said the partnership is collaborative, the work is improving preparation and mentoring, and Idaho is moving in the right direction while still needing strong support for new teachers and instructional coaches.

Transcript Highlights:

• And typically if you don't have a place to practice or a stage, you have to kind of go easy on your music
• building principals and district leaders more on the science of reading and what evidence-based practice
• Any collaboration ever with BYU? Just curious.
• So it's been a very collaborative endeavor with our I-HELP group. Follow-up? Thank you. Mr.
• And so I would imagine that the collaboration would be, I don't know, incredibly helpful for all.

Summary: The House Education Committee heard a presentation from Dr. Ed Kates, headmaster of Kootenai Classical Academy, describing the Hillsdale College charter school model and its emphasis on classical education, virtue development, Socratic discussion, phonics, limited technology use, constitutional history, and sports. He highlighted the school’s rapid growth, strong waitlists, spelling bee success, and student achievement, and answered questions about how new schools are founded, why some districts have declined the curriculum, the role of music, the purpose of education, and the school’s per-student cost. Committee members generally praised the school’s approach and discussed broader concerns about education focused too narrowly on jobs or testing. The committee then heard from Dr. Sally Brown of the Idaho Higher Education Literacy Partnership (I-HELP), joined by colleagues from NNU and Boise State. She explained that I-HELP works across Idaho’s higher education institutions to strengthen teacher preparation in the science of reading, revise literacy standards and assessments, and support literacy initiatives statewide. She described the partnership’s concept and competency guides, reliability and validity work on assessments, and a literacy learning lab at the College of Idaho that trains pre-service tutors and supports first-grade reading intervention. Members asked about collaboration with BYU-Idaho, whether the effort is improving teacher readiness, and how the state’s K-3 reading investments are working; Brown said the state is moving in the right direction but emphasized the need for continued teacher preparation, mentoring, and instructional coaching. No formal votes or committee actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• In both theory and practice, RCV eliminates barriers women face in plurality or winner-take-all elections
• During this panel, we advocated that in both theory and practice... ...and recently signed by Mayor Wu
• During this panel, we advocated that in both theory and practice, RCV eliminates barriers for women.
• Ranked-choice voting promotes inclusion and rewards collaboration, ensuring elected leadership builds
• , promotes inclusion and rewards collaboration insurers elected leadership builds broad support across

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Election Laws held a hearing on ranked choice voting, focusing primarily on Boston’s home rule petition (H. 4262) and Bedford’s petition (H. 4916). Committee chairs Dan Hunt and Senator Keenan opened the hearing, explained the three-minute testimony limit, and noted that written testimony would also be accepted. The hearing featured testimony from a wide range of supporters, including advocacy organizations, community leaders, Boston City Council members, and Bedford residents. Witnesses generally argued that ranked choice voting would produce majority-supported winners, reduce vote-splitting and negative campaigning, encourage coalition-building, and give voters more freedom to rank candidates without fear of wasting their vote. Several speakers emphasized local control and said Boston and Bedford should be allowed to decide for themselves whether to adopt the system. Others highlighted potential benefits for women, historically marginalized communities, and voter participation more broadly. Boston councilors and supporters also described the city’s local approval process and said the proposal would still require voter ratification if enacted by the legislature. No opposition testimony was presented in the excerpt. The committee took no substantive vote on the bills during the hearing; after testimony concluded, the chairs thanked participants and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a bill that is a small, practical policy change that improves access to medically necessary care
• Nurse midwives are highly trained, advanced practice clinicians who provide comprehensive perinatal and
• Many practice in hospitals as part of a collaborative care team.
• Their scope of practice is already clearly defined in law, and this wouldn't impact that.
• Their scope of practices already clearly defined in law, and this wouldn't impact that.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee heard a regular order agenda with 101 bills and first took up AB 2215, which would extend the time for the Department of Water Resources to fully develop its State Water Project water rights. The author and supporters argued it would improve water reliability and affordability for millions of Californians and could save ratepayers money, while opponents said it would bypass the Water Board’s administrative process, set a precedent for other water rights holders, and potentially facilitate costly projects like the Delta Conveyance Project. The bill was moved on a do pass vote, with Mr. Hoover voting no and Ms. Krell not voting. The committee then approved two consent calendars and heard several bills with little or no opposition. These included AB 2038 on extending insurance nonrenewal/cancellation protections for wildfire victims; AB 2322 on clarifying which commercial, industrial, or institutional sites are subject to municipal stormwater permits; AB 1794 on direct home shipment of enteral nutrition; AB 1696 on clarifying that nurse midwives do not need physician supervision within their scope of practice; AB 1860 on allowing county offices of education to use design-build methods; AB 1876 on codifying nondiscrimination protections in health care; AB 2281 on election cybersecurity resources; AB 2448 on protecting sensitive medical records and reproductive health data; AB 1994 on providing victims with information about federal immigration relief options; and AB 1829 on expanding how CalWORKs community college funds may be used to support student parents. Most were supported by sponsoring organizations and related stakeholders, with limited opposition noted on AB 1696 and AB 2281. The committee also placed a large suspense calendar on approval, listing dozens of additional bills, and then opened public comment on bills not heard that day. No members of the public came forward, and the hearing was adjourned. Several bills were reported out on roll call votes, with some members not voting or voting no on particular measures, but the transcript does not provide full vote tallies for each bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the proverbial squatter bill, which has had a lot of updates, changes, and collaborative measures
• enforcement here directly from those in the field and work together to craft a more balanced and practical
• that effort. ...directly from those in the field and work together to craft a more balanced and practical
• First. ...collaborate and improve this legislation.
• But, you know, we've been to the Department of Corrections since I've been practicing law in this state

Summary: The Judiciary and Elections Committee met with a hard stop at 4:30 p.m. and approved the February 4, 2026 minutes. Members announced several bills would be held for a later supplemental meeting, then took up SB 1426, the “squatter” bill, which would expand forcible detainer law to cover certain unauthorized occupants who refuse to leave after a reasonable request and require immediate writs of restitution after judgment. Law enforcement and county representatives testified in support, and the committee voted 7-0 to give SB 1426 a do-pass recommendation. The committee next considered SB 1687, a strike-everything amendment moving Arizona’s primary election date from late July to the Tuesday before Memorial Day beginning in 2027. The sponsor said the goal was to create more time between the primary and general elections and align Arizona more closely with other states. County election officials were neutral but raised implementation concerns, including filing deadlines, redistricting timelines, polling place availability, and interactions with presidential preference and local elections. The committee adopted the amendment and gave the bill a 4-3 do-pass recommendation, with some members voting no over concerns about clean elections timing and local control. Members then heard SB 1110, creating a home confinement program for certain nonviolent inmates with GPS monitoring, work requirements, and DOC rulemaking, while excluding serious and violent offenses. Supporters said it would reduce recidivism, save money, and help families; an opponent questioned the fiscal impact and monitoring costs. The bill received a 5-1 do-pass recommendation. The committee also heard SB 1275, which would allow judges limited discretion to depart from mandatory minimum sentences for qualifying veterans and first responders with diagnosed service-related PTSD or similar conditions; supporters framed it as a narrow safety valve, while opponents warned it could undermine mandatory sentencing and victims’ rights. SB 1275 passed 7-0. Finally, the committee considered SB 1140, a misdemeanor expungement bill. The amendment adopted by the committee extended the waiting period for expungement of convictions to five years for all eligible misdemeanor convictions, while keeping a three-year period for eligible matters that did not result in conviction. Supporters said the bill would remove barriers to employment and housing and help survivors and people who have turned their lives around; the committee adopted the amendment and then passed SB 1140 as amended 7-0. The meeting then adjourned.