Transcript Highlights:

• Fifth and finally, the Professional Educator Standards Board must revise standards for teacher endorsements
• The non-standard hours bonus is through the Working Connections Child Care Program.
• We are interested in some standardization of curriculum.
• On the educator side, the Professional Educator Standards Board adopted endorsement competency standards
• On the educator side, the Professional Educator Standards Board adopted endorsement competency standards

Summary: The committee heard Senate Bill 6192, which would expand structured literacy and numeracy requirements, add a third-grade math intervention process similar to the existing reading “gate,” create annual STAR teacher bonuses for selected math and ELA teachers, and require updated teacher endorsement standards. The sponsor, Sen. Braun, said the bill is meant to refocus districts on core academics and use research-based instruction while still allowing local flexibility, especially in math. OSPI said it supports the bill’s goals but raised concerns about the teacher award structure and access to student-level data. ESD representatives also flagged implementation issues with the award program. Testimony was split: some parents, students, and reading advocates opposed the bill as too prescriptive or too reliant on phonics and standardized testing, while others supported stronger academic intervention and accountability. No vote was taken. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6206, a pilot program to incentivize child care providers to serve children of first responders through grants administered by the Department of Commerce, with local matching funds and a report on recruitment and retention outcomes. Sen. Dhingra said the bill addresses a major barrier for police, firefighters, EMTs, and crisis workers, especially women leaving the field because of child care challenges. Testimony from law enforcement officers, union representatives, and a national law enforcement child care foundation strongly supported the bill, describing unpredictable schedules, last-minute overtime, and the need for nontraditional and sick-child care. Senator Wilson asked about existing non-standard-hours child care bonuses and whether the proposal should instead be housed at DCYF; staff explained the current subsidy program and that this bill would create a separate Commerce pilot. No vote was taken. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 5346 on student mobile device use in public schools. The bill would add mobile devices to digital citizenship instruction, direct OSPI to compile research and best practices, and require reports on school policies limiting phone use during instructional hours, with final recommendations due in 2028. Sen. Leas argued that phones are distracting, harm learning and mental health, and should be restricted in schools while still teaching responsible use. Testimony was largely supportive from students, parents, educators, and researchers who described improved engagement, fewer disruptions, and better school climate under phone restrictions; several urged a stronger bell-to-bell statewide policy. Opponents raised concerns about emergency communication, student safety, and local control. The hearing on the bill was closed without a vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill does not relax any existing standards.
• This bill does not relax any existing standards.
• This bill does not relax any existing standards.
• Standards. Okay.
• high standards.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2021, 2022, the Washoe County School District found that the standardized system under state law right
• NDE said the law does not allow us to waive you from our current standard of assessment.
• And so how do you defend against that argument that if a, right, I mean, if there's a standard in place
• That if a, right, I mean, if there's a standard in place that all the districts may follow, then you
• But the purpose is really for us to set, as an agency, those that are going to meet the same standards

Bills: AB386

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• In the past, before we matched the standard deduction to the federal standard deduction in 2019, I think
• to match the federal standard deduction in 2019.
• In the past, before we match the standard deductions, Yes, in the past before we matched the standard
• to match the federal standard deduction in 2019.
• Had we not made the change, the federal standard deduction and the Arizona standard deduction would not

Bills: SB1042 , SB1043 , SB1044 , SB1135 , SB1136 , SB1142 , SB1180 , SB1221 , SB1252 , SB1254 , SCR1003

Committees: Senate Finance , Senate Senate Finance Committee of Reference

Keywords: public funds, virtual currency, bitcoin, investment, Arizona Strategic Digital Asset Reserve Act, state treasurer, retirement system, state payments, cryptocurrency, Arizona law, payment methods, government transactions, property tax, tax exemption, Arizona Revised Statutes, digital currency, workers' compensation, death benefits, burial costs, spousal compensation

Transcript Highlights:

• We know that strong state labor standards can create and support good union jobs and a pathway to the
• We know that strong state labor standards can create and support good union jobs in a pathway to the
• We have heard arguments about how labor standards and fiduciary duty are somehow mutually exclusive.
• For me, this was a hard one as well, because I absolutely believe in labor standards.
• But as you... ...labor standards, I absolutely believe in skilled and trained.

Committee: House Public Employment and Retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there stuff or are there protocols or standard operating procedures in place right now so that you
• can measure, number one, ...standard operating procedures in place right now so that you can measure
• The charge of our board is to establish the minimum standards for local detention facilities.
• We've been charged with trying to elevate those standards to... The minimum standards.
• like making sure you can truly assess that they're meeting the standards or improving?

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• When when you look at our best standards and our best standards were developed for Governor DeSantis
• We developed our best standards in both yellow and mathematics.
• other standards as well.
• Those are our students academic standards.
• We look at the requirements of our student academic standards.

Transcript Highlights:

• or maybe unfortunately does not make a grade-level standard.
• As you know, it's part of the standards. And then they were trained to type.
• And as you know, it's part of the standards.
• Cursive writing is in the third to fifth grade Florida standards.
• I do not want to have additional standardized testing associated with...

Committee: House Education & Employment Committee

Summary: The Education and Employment Committee heard and passed HB 921, which adds cursive writing to required instruction for grades 2 through 5 and requires students to demonstrate proficiency by the end of fifth grade. The bill sponsor argued cursive is important for historical literacy, everyday signatures, and possible early identification of learning differences. Opponents and several members supported teaching cursive but objected to the testing/proficiency requirement, saying students and teachers are already overburdened and that reading cursive is not currently part of the standards. Some members also raised concerns about fairness to charter schools and the bill’s application only to public schools. Despite those concerns, the bill passed 21-0 and was reported favorable. The committee then took up PCS for HB 1405, a major rewrite of Florida’s juvenile prevention and truancy statutes in Chapter 984, covering children in need of services/families in need of services. The bill updates definitions and procedures, strengthens truancy intervention, requires earlier and more detailed school reporting, adds parent involvement through child study teams, allows virtual participation, and sets review timelines for shelter placement. Sponsors said the goal is prevention and family support rather than punishment, with court involvement only after school-based intervention. Members asked about school compliance, court capacity, parent accountability, and whether all counties have child study teams; the sponsors said the bill expects CSTs in every school and can escalate cases to court and, if needed, to prosecutors for noncompliant parents. Public testimony on the juvenile justice bill was supportive, including from the Department of Juvenile Justice, youth services groups, and juvenile justice advocates. In debate, members praised the modernization effort and the emphasis on early intervention and family participation, while also noting the bill’s size and suggesting further attention to attendance thresholds. The PCS for HB 1405 was then approved unanimously and reported favorable. The committee adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also changes the standard.
• So it has labor standards and then these environmental requirements.
• So it has labor standards and then these environmental requirements.
• And so I do think the underlying issue is this NOP standard.
• It does concern me that 49 other states have a different standard.

Committee: House Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> to have relatively objective standards. to have relatively objective standards.
• </c><01:13:06.960><c> board</c> enforcement standards board enforcement standards board certification
• </c> enforcement standards board in support. enforcement standards board in support.
• I'll stand on my Standards Board.
• . standards. standards.

Bills: SB2543 , SB2014 , SB2115 , SB3095 , SB3264 , SB2114 , SB2117 , SB2246 , SB2519 , SB3055 , SB3131 , SB3144

Committee: House Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• And until we stabilize this supply, we protect consumers and stop outsourcing our standards overseas.
• plans through a public process to meet those standards.
• through a public process to meet those standards.
• And the state can actually really help with this by putting labor standards, community standards, on
• and environmental standards, as well as protections for our workers.

Committee: Senate Environmental Quality

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, it could be helpful to maybe standardize that a little bit. Thank you.
• Council approval to amend the current 2023-2024 standards-based award language.
• In your books, summary, you see 26 standards based on applications.
• I see 14 of the standards-based projects are in the top 50.
• In light of this, we will make changes so that we can comply with those standards.

Committee: House Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> standards standards for the the standards standards for the the curriculum<00:20:12.080><c> that
• </c><00:20:31.760><c> of</c><00:20:31.840><c> of</c> standards and meet the standards of of standards
• Standards Board. Um, thank you chair and Standards Board.
• you three example standards.
• meets a standard meets a standard meets a standard &gt;&gt; um<02:13:56.800><c> for</c><02:13:56.960

Committee: House Education

Summary: The joint Education and Higher Education committees met on February 10, 2026, first hearing HB 1676, which would create an AI and education task force, require documentation from AI vendors before procurement or use, and appropriate funds. The Department of Education, Public Charter School Commission, and University of Hawaii all supported the bill’s intent and described existing AI literacy efforts, teacher training, guidance for students and staff, and privacy/monitoring safeguards. DOE said it had already convened an AI task force, produced a report, trained over 10,000 educators, and embedded AI into computer science and broader curricular guidance. Members questioned DOE about student privacy, harmful content monitoring, personal devices, cell phone policy, teacher training, and whether AI literacy should extend beyond computer science into all subjects and across rural schools. After discussion, the chair announced HB 1676 would be deferred to Friday, February 13, and that a HD1 draft would be prepared. The chair said the committee would revisit the task force composition and procurement standards, with possible elimination of the procurement section, and circulate the revised draft before the next hearing. The committee then recessed and later reconvened for HB 1811, a student loan repayment program for educators. Testimony from the Department of Education, Public Charter School Commission, University of Hawaii, Hawaii Teacher Standards Board, HSTA, and the Democratic Party of Hawaii Education Caucus was generally supportive, with HSTA and the Teacher Standards Board emphasizing teacher recruitment and retention, student loan burden, and the need to address the teacher shortage. In decision-making on HB 1811, the committees adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass the bill with amendments. The main amendment collapsed the repayment structure into a single disbursement of up to $25,000 after five years of service, with technical/non-substantive changes and a corrected effective date. Both the Education and Higher Education committees voted unanimously in favor. Later in the meeting, the Education Committee began hearing HB 1561 on student meals, which drew broad support from the Public Charter School Commission, Department of Health, HSTA, Hawaii Appleseed, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and many individuals. Appleseed requested amendments to ensure charter schools are treated the same as other public schools if eligibility expands and to address reimbursement issues for schools already participating in the federal Community Eligibility Provision; members discussed those concerns but no action was taken in the portion of the transcript provided. The committee then moved on to HB 779, on expanding student meal coverage, where DOE supported the intent but said it could not support the bill in its current form because of fiscal constraints.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're in a modern age, so electronic record-keeping is pretty standard now.
• So electronic record-keeping is pretty standard now. But since 1982, everything was written.
• Standards of today. Today. Training administration standards, standards of today.
• By standardizing electronic record- Participating in the ETP program by standardizing electronic record-keeping
• Division of Apprenticeship Standards explains.

Committee: Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement

Summary: The committee heard several labor and workforce bills. SB 1059 would modernize the Employment Training Panel by allowing electronic record-keeping, digital attendance documentation, and updated training terminology; supporters said it would reduce paperwork and better match current training systems, while no opposition appeared. SB 966 would codify refinery process safety protections adopted in 2017 after the 2012 Chevron Richmond fire, including worker participation in safety proceedings, anonymous hazard reporting, access to safety information, and stop-work authority; labor supported it, while the Western States Petroleum Association opposed it as conflicting with a 2024 settlement and potentially preempted by federal labor law. SB 1024 would provide 26 weeks of paid postpartum and recovery leave for firefighters who give birth, with job restoration and no requirement to use sick or vacation time first; firefighters and labor groups strongly supported it, and the committee discussed staffing and operational coverage concerns, but no opposition testified. The committee also heard SB 1316, which would strengthen wage theft enforcement by allowing Labor Commissioner liens to be renewed, limiting employers’ late use of records, and requiring Cal/OSHA to report complaints and citations data annually. Supporters said the bill would help workers actually collect wages after long delays and prevent employers from hiding records; it passed the committee on a 5-0 vote. SB 1185 would apply skilled and trained workforce requirements to pharmaceutical facility construction and maintenance, with supporters arguing these facilities require high precision to protect public health and supply chains; construction industry opponents said the bill was an unnecessary expansion of state mandates into private projects. SB 1227 would create apprenticeship pathways into DIR enforcement jobs, including Cal/OSHA and Labor Commissioner roles, to address staffing shortages and improve labor law enforcement; supporters emphasized vacancies and backlogs, and the bill was framed as a way to build a merit-based pipeline into state service. After hearing testimony, the committee took final votes on all six bills once the full membership returned. SB 966, SB 1024, SB 1059, SB 1185, and SB 1227 were all reported out of committee, and SB 1316 was also passed and sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee. The recorded final votes were unanimous or near-unanimous in favor, with the bills advancing on 4-1 or 5-0 votes depending on the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're in a modern age, so electronic record-keeping is pretty standard now.
• So electronic record-keeping is pretty standard now. But since 1982, everything was written.
• Standards of today. Today. Training administration standards, standards of today.
• By standardizing electronic record...
• Division of Apprenticeship Standards explains.

Summary: The committee heard and later voted on six labor-related bills. SB 1059 would modernize the Employment Training Panel by allowing electronic record-keeping, digital attendance documentation, and updated training terminology; supporters said it would reduce paperwork and better match current workforce training practices, while no opposition appeared. SB 966 would make permanent 2017 refinery process safety protections, including worker participation in safety reviews and stop-work authority; refinery workers and unions supported it as a safeguard against rollback, while the Western States Petroleum Association opposed it, arguing it conflicted with a settlement and could be preempted by federal labor law. SB 1024 would provide 26 weeks of paid postpartum and recovery leave for firefighters who give birth and require return to the prior position; supporters said it would improve retention and equity in a male-dominated profession, and there was no opposition. The committee also heard SB 1316, which would strengthen wage theft and workplace safety enforcement by allowing renewal of labor commissioner liens, limiting employers’ late use of records, and requiring Cal/OSHA to report complaints and citations data annually. Supporters said the bill would help workers collect judgments and address long backlogs; there was no opposition, and the bill passed 4-0 on call before the full committee vote. SB 1185 would apply skilled-and-trained workforce requirements to pharmaceutical facility construction and maintenance; supporters from the building trades said these projects require specialized precision to protect public health and supply chains, while contractors opposed the bill as an unnecessary expansion of public-work-style mandates into private projects. Finally, SB 1227 would create apprenticeship pathways into Department of Industrial Relations enforcement jobs, including Cal/OSHA and the Labor Commissioner’s office, to address staffing shortages and backlogs. The author and supporters said apprenticeships could help fill vacancies while preserving the civil service merit principle and creating opportunities for displaced workers; there was no opposition. After discussion and roll calls, the committee reported all six bills out of committee, with SB 966, SB 1024, SB 1059, SB 1185, and SB 1227 sent to Appropriations, and SB 1316 sent to Judiciary.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're in a modern age, so electronic record-keeping is pretty standard now.
• So electronic record-keeping is pretty standard now. But since 1982, everything was written.
• Standards of today. Today. Training administration standards, standards of today.
• By standardizing electronic record Participating in the ETP program by standardizing electronic record-keeping
• Division of Apprenticeship Standards explains.

Committee: Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> note uniform standards and procedures. note uniform standards and procedures.
• </c> So the first change is to the standard So the first change is to the standard for<00:03:06.080><
• </c> standard for assumptions and estimates. standard for assumptions and estimates.
• </c><00:09:33.519><c> believes</c><00:09:34.080><c> that</c> standards that this body believes that standards
• It states standard on that page 48.

Transcript Highlights:

• set of standards that we need to follow.
• set of standards that we need to follow.
• </c><00:40:11.280><c> and</c> we have building codes and standards and we have building codes and standards
• > so</c> trying to create minimum standards so trying to create minimum standards so just<00:40:46.119
• </c><00:41:00.280><c> of</c> if we follow the minimum standards of if we follow the minimum standards

Committee: House Housing

Summary: The House Committee on Housing held a public hearing on a wide range of housing-related bills. HB 295 on Hawaiian homelands drew support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and individual testifiers who described long waits for DHHL housing, while the Department of Hawaiian Homelands offered comments noting that lowering the Native Hawaiian blood quantum from 50% to 25% would require multiple legal and federal review steps. The committee also heard testimony on several Hawaii Public Housing Authority measures, including HB 99, HB 1096, HB 1097, HB 1095, HB 1093, and HB 1094, which generally received agency support and little or no public opposition during the hearing. HB 1094 prompted questions about the handling and sale or donation of seized property, and the agency said it lacked capacity to manage that work directly and would need to consult the Attorney General on liability concerns. The committee then heard HB 1056 and HB 1467, both related to a proposed Hawaii Homes or housing resiliency program. DCCA, the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, the Climate Advisory Team, and Hawaii Realtors supported HB 1056, while the Attorney General requested clarification on fund language. The Insurance Commissioner said DCCA was willing to run the program and that strengthening homes would help keep insurance available in Hawaii. For HB 1467, the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority and Climate Advisory Team also supported the measure, with the Attorney General raising concerns about delegation, the special fund, and extension authority. Testimony on both bills emphasized hurricane retrofits, with some witnesses urging harmonization of the two similar proposals and one witness warning that the bills could conflict with efforts to reduce building-code minimum standards. Other measures included HB 1013 on important agricultural lands, which received support from HHFDC, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, DBEDT, the Agri-Business Development Corporation, and Purple Maiʻa Foundation, with some agencies offering comments. HB 1294 on agricultural workforce housing drew comments from the Attorney General, who said commissions may be established by law rather than by the department itself, along with support from OHA, a council member, and the Democratic Party of Hawaii Education Caucus. HB 89 on teacher housing received support from OHA and education groups, while the Attorney General said the bill may have constitutional issues and suggested amendments to set standards for voucher applications. HB 276 on condominiums and HB 528 on residential leases also drew support, with no testimony in opposition. HB 415 on public safety and fire sprinklers generated the most clear split in testimony: the State Fire Council, a fire department representative, and an individual supported the bill, arguing sprinklers improve safety and can prevent major losses, while BIA Hawaii, Pacific Home and Appliance Distribution, NAAP Hawaii, Gentry Holmes, and DR Horton Hawaii opposed it, saying the added cost would worsen housing affordability and that existing codes already address safety. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing; the chair repeatedly closed each bill after testimony and questions, and the hearing moved through the agenda without recorded committee votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• of probable cause, which is even lower... ...than the standard we use currently.
• Clear and convincing is yet another higher standard. So if we're held to that standard,...
• Clear and convincing is yet another higher standard.
• Why are we held to a different standard, a higher standard?
• Even though I have redeemed myself by the board's very own standards. Take your time.

Bills: HB2408 , HB2434 , HB2725 , HB2728 , HB2729 , HB2730 , HB2731 , HB2732 , HB2733

Committees: House Health & Human Services , House House Health & Human Services Committee of Reference

Keywords: controlled substances, prescription monitoring, opioid crisis, healthcare regulations, patient safety, prescription drugs, opioids, healthcare, pain management, utilization controls, AHCCCS, Department of Economic Security, social services, welfare programs, vocational rehabilitation, employment services, developmental disabilities, Arizona Revised Statutes, occupational therapy, board regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• The standards are part of it.
• The standards are part of it.
• , but we have no standards.
• , but we have no standards.
• , rise to our best standards?

Summary: The Committee on Education Pre-K through 12 held a panel discussion on artificial intelligence in K-12 education. Dr. Maya Israel of the University of Florida gave an overview of AI literacy, emphasizing that AI can support personalized learning, school operations, and teacher efficiency, but also raises concerns about data privacy, overreliance, mental health, and the need for human oversight. She described the Florida K-12 AI Task Force, which has produced guidance on policy, ethics, privacy, cybersecurity, classroom integration, and professional development, and is now working on district surveys, webinars, case studies, and teacher/family resources. Superintendents Van Ayers of Hillsborough County and Kevin Hendrick of Pinellas County described district-level implementation. Hillsborough outlined a governance council, a district AI policy, and an implementation guide; it prohibits generative AI for students below eighth grade, allows limited use for older students with teacher permission and district-vetted tools, and uses models for classroom AI expectations. The district also reported growing student enrollment in AI courses, teacher training through summer academies and quick learns, and pilots with tools such as Magic School and Microsoft Copilot. Pinellas emphasized academic integrity, student data privacy, digital responsibility, and the importance of human interaction in learning; it said state assessments already limit technology use and that districts need clear governance and parent transparency. Committee members asked about whether AI improves academic performance, the risk of student dependence, the possibility of returning to more paper-based testing, and who should set guardrails. Witnesses said reliable achievement data is still limited because the technology is new, though districts reported anecdotal gains in tutoring and early literacy. They also said there is no established statewide baseline for teacher AI training yet, so districts are using professional development, stipends, and partnerships with universities to build capacity. The committee also heard from Drew Andrew of FSU’s Inspire program, who argued that industry is moving faster than schools and that education should focus on teaching how AI works, building teacher confidence, and aligning training with workforce needs. No bills were considered and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which was adopted.