Transcript Highlights:

• Any compound, mixture, or preparation approved by the U.S.
• Any compound, mixture, or preparation approved by the U.S.
• So Madam Chair, members, the way this bill is written, it would be for any compound mixture or preparation
• This is coming from a sponsor that did a school bill about duty to report, and teachers are not allowed
• Yeah, and that's what we're trained in every year as a teacher. Okay, thank you.

Summary: The committee heard a long series of Senate bills, mostly on third-read consent, covering education, public safety, health, courts, labor, and water. Several bills were briefly explained and then pulled from consent for further discussion, including measures on public records review standards (SB 1078), sexually explicit materials in schools/libraries (SB 1435 and SB 1567), burial costs in death cases (SB 1135), military flags in HOAs/COAs (SB 1184), court-ordered treatment guardianship (SB 1243), standardized state hiring (SB 1665), released-time religious instruction (SB 1741), firearm safety instruction in schools (SB 1424), student participation in extracurriculars after certain convictions (SB 1475), Celebrate Freedom Week (SB 1572), federal scholarship-granting organizations/vouchers (SB 1142), immigration-related arrest notifications (SB 1055), defamation standards (SB 1099), peace officer certification for military police veterans (SB 1107), mandatory reporting of child abuse/neglect directly to DCS (SB 1127), attorney licensing and discipline issues (SB 1148 and SB 1039), concealed weapons on college campuses (SB 1068), and firearm muffling devices/silencers (SB 1069). Members also raised constitutional, policy, and school-safety concerns on several of these bills, while supporters emphasized alternative pathways for students, veterans, and workers, and tighter reporting or licensing rules. Other bills were described without extended debate, including claims against the state for unpaid contracted services (SB 1097), workers’ compensation death benefits for surviving spouses who remarry (SB 1136), burial expense increases (SB 1135), state agency web pages for internal guidance (SB 1586), court-ordered treatment procedures and service of process in mental health cases (SB 1113), medical examiner authorization (SB 1123), tribal MOUs with DCS (SB 1125), controlled-substance scheduling conformity with federal classifications (SB 1188), EMT personal information protections (SB 1193), mammography notice updates (SB 1318), assisted-living referral disclosures (SB 1477), accommodation school GED instruction for 11th graders and students over 16 (SB 1166), credit enhancement board continuation (SB 1422), school district and charter school obligations related to religious release time (SB 1741), school firearm safety instruction (SB 1424), and school civics/freedom-week instruction (SB 1572). The committee also heard bills on CPA certification pathways (SB 1181), insurance adjuster licensing (SB 1415), county voter-registration rules online (SB 1040), campaign address privacy (SB 1259), federal land acquisition notification (SB 1281), water supply/demand assessments (SB 1202), environmental compatibility for power plants and small modular reactors (SB 1418), and groundwater recovery rules (SB 1785). The meeting ended with announcements and a brief recognition of Rep. Stephanie Hamilton with an “Affordability Award.” No final votes are shown in the transcript excerpt; instead, many bills were either left on consent, pulled for later discussion, or flagged for closed caucus. The chair then asked guests to leave so members could hold a closed caucus.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, 57 years later, we're preparing for our return to the moon.
• </c><01:52:10.719><c> for</c> Now, 57 years later, we're preparing for Now, 57 years later, we're preparing
• /c> language teacher at Chancellor language teacher at Chancellor Elementary<02:22:22.080><c> School<
• ><c> at</c><02:22:32.399><c> Battlefield</c> first grade teacher at Battlefield first grade teacher at
• ><c> your</c><02:39:58.720><c> arguments</c> can start preparing now your arguments can start preparing

Transcript Highlights:

• You've been a teacher, uh, you've been an extension agent, um, for a little time.
• Funny story, my dad was a teacher for 30-some years and a principal there at the end.
• And all of our classroom teachers were able to get new office furniture.
• Those who wish to vote or change their vote, the chair is preparing to close.
• Those wishing to vote or change their vote, the chair is preparing to close.

Bills: SB1287 , SB1983 , SB1796 , SB1806 , SB1558 , SB2135 , SB483 , SB1198 , SB1265 , SB2154 , SB2139 , SB1552 , SB2118 , SB1775 , SB259 , SB1344 , SB1380 , SB2007 , SB1572 , SB2074 , SB1423 , SB1425 , SB1502 , SB1503 , SB1833 , SB1561 , SB1555 , SB2044 , SB1749 , SB904 , SB1565 , SB1500 , SB667 , SB1484 , SB1562 , SB1644 , HR1045 , SB227 , SB1627 , SB1475 , SB1966 , SB2049 , SB1531 , SB80 , SB1734 , SB1630 , SB1894 , SB1975 , SB1432 , SB1437 , SB1812 , SB346 , SB710 , SB1489 , SB1614 , SB2045 , SB1250 , SB1304 , SB1501 , SB1946 , SB592 , SB65 , SB1257 , SB444 , SB640 , SB2178 , SB1242 , SB1642

Summary: The House convened with a roll call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then heard several introductions and special recognitions, including students and civic groups in the galleries, the Morris Eagles High School Academic Team, Calumet state champion teams, and Cherokee Nation Day at the Capitol. Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. delivered extended remarks focused on tribal investments in public education, health care, housing, child care, rural infrastructure, and workforce development, and he urged lawmakers to preserve Medicaid expansion, saying it has brought major health-system revenue, jobs, and broader economic benefits to Oklahoma. The chamber also recognized the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Abby Woods, and Nurse of the Day, Kara Delapena. Members made personal remarks about the Pauls Valley High School incident and a trooper accident, with prayers offered for those affected. Representative Rowe highlighted the courage of school officials and first responders in Pauls Valley and tied the event to the Legislature’s recurring school safety funding. On legislation, the House adopted House Resolution 1045 designating the second week of April as Lung Cancer Action Week. Senate Bill 227, dealing with gross production tax and ad valorem taxation of oil and gas production equipment and flow lines, drew extensive debate over alleged double taxation and fiscal impacts; it passed 76-14. Senate Bill 1627, a criminal statutes cleanup measure addressing duplicate sections from modernization, passed 89-0 and its emergency clause also passed 89-0. The House also approved motions to request further conference on House Bills 2155 and 2157, and then adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have door badges, so for teachers ...include those in their signatures.
• We also have door badges, so for teachers that want to put up a door badge or a counselor on their door
• So when they showed up the first day, they were really prepared.
• There are teachers in the community. All of these people wanted to step up and help.
• I've spent the last three years preparing for the trustee role, as it was a goal I set for myself in

Summary: The Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee heard two work sessions focused on student access and retention, then held public hearings on gubernatorial appointments before taking executive action. Washington Student Achievement Council staff presented the Washington Completes FAFSA campaign, created by Executive Order 2508, describing its advisory board, outreach strategy, dashboard tracking, and progress toward goals of 46,000 FAFSA/WASFA completions and improved equity in completion rates. They also highlighted broader college access tools such as trainings, printed materials, completion events, Otterbot texting support, and the new “Changing the Narrative” report and College Toolkit, which emphasize multiple postsecondary pathways, relatable messengers, and short video content. The committee then heard from the Council of Presidents and Central Washington University and Evergreen State College on student support services. Presenters discussed retention data, FERPA-related limits on parent communication, and the impact of budget cuts on advising, tutoring, wellness, and other services. Evergreen described the Shelton Promise program, including recruitment, summer bridge, basic-needs supports, peer mentoring, texting outreach, and early retention results showing 52 of 53 students continuing. Central Washington outlined its learner access and support plan, including required advising, University 101, early academic alerts, peer mentoring embedded in coursework, the Students First Center, and a Paying for College Guide, while noting that budget reductions have limited some support offerings. In the public hearing, the committee considered Latasha Wortham’s appointment to the Tacoma Community College Board of Trustees and a panel of student appointees to various boards and councils, including Evergreen, Washington Student Achievement Council, the Workforce Education Investment Accountability and Oversight Board, Washington State University, Eastern Washington University, Edmonds College, and Western Washington University. Testimony emphasized first-generation and immigrant backgrounds, student advocacy, basic needs, and the importance of student voice in governance. In executive session, the committee adopted a substitute and gave Senate Bill 6325 a due pass recommendation to Ways and Means; the bill would shift certain higher education cost increases from tuition to state funds over time and direct a WSIPP study on essential student services. The committee also recommended confirmation for the listed gubernatorial appointments.

Transcript Highlights:

• CONTROL REQUIREMENTS ALSO IN THAT LEGISLATION ALONG WITH NEW STAFF TRAINING REQUIREMENTS SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS
• WERE KIND OF AND SOME OF THE PREVIOUS LEGISLATION IN THE 2025 IT WAS ADDRESSED AND ALL SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS
• THINGS LIKE THAT GET BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF TEACHERS. AND THE TEACHERS REPORT THEM.
• FSU DID A TREMENDOUS JOB AND SOMETHING LEARNED ABOUT THIS IS IT'S BEST TO BE PREPARED AND TO KNOW WHAT
• HAVE NOT PREPARED AND THEY DID NOT HAVE A COMMUNICATION PLAN OR NO INFORMATION TO GATHER AND SOMETIMES

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> FMT FMD teacher 20 years ago. FMT FMD teacher 20 years ago.
• </c> seeks to produce a well-prepared seeks to produce a well-prepared graduate<00:33:23.200><c> ready
• information that can drive teachers information that can drive instruction.<00:34:44.720><c> So</c><
• I've got prepared remarks dealing with the life and times of Reverend Jesse Lewis Jackson, and they're
• :45:18.319><c> with</c><00:45:18.720><c> uh</c><00:45:18.880><c> the</c> prepared remarks uh dealing

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:07:31.079><c> for</c> punishing doctors and teachers for punishing doctors and teachers for calling
• </c><01:08:03.680><c> and</c> today we are putting our teachers and today we are putting our teachers
• </c> military spouses they are not prepared military spouses they are not prepared to<01:30:10.000><c
• </c><02:00:39.719><c> and</c> school boards Educators teachers and school boards Educators teachers and
• Education is students, teachers, and parents.

Transcript Highlights:

• It just makes you that much more prepared when you're actually in the workforce.
• Your, you know, English teacher that you would usually have your senior year is going to be teaching
• Our teacher was also able to teach at dual credit.
• I had teachers that cared. We were close-knit.
• The students can be no less prepared, so that's a bit of assurance.

Summary: The committee met at Dakota College at Bottineau, approved the January 15, 2026 minutes, and heard an extensive campus update from Dean Corey Gorder and other DCB leaders. Gorder described the college’s affiliation with Minot State and its growing use of shared services, including business office functions, HR, institutional research, Title IX, printing, financial aid support through UND, and payroll support through NDSU. He said the arrangement lets DCB focus on its core mission while relying on system partners for specialized administrative work, and noted that accreditation concerns were not believed to limit those shared-service arrangements. He also highlighted DCB’s mission, enrollment growth, dual-credit reach across rural schools, and the college’s emphasis on nursing, dental, paramedic, farm management, and other workforce-oriented programs. Committee members asked detailed questions about dual credit, program delivery, and whether DCB’s partnerships were exclusive. Gorder said the relationships are generally collaborative rather than exclusive, that schools can choose other providers, and that many partnerships began through personal outreach and ongoing relationships with rural schools. Lisa Johnson of the university system added that transfer complaints are rare and that dual credit generally transfers well within North Dakota, though highly selective out-of-state institutions may treat credits differently. Members also asked about stipends for high school instructors, the share of K-12 versus DCB instructors, and the capacity limits in dental hygiene and other programs. Gorder said dental hygiene is capped by space and staffing, that there were more applicants than seats, and that expansion is being considered; he also said he would provide follow-up information on the paramedic program and instructor breakdowns. Gorder closed by identifying long-term challenges, including aging residence halls, recruiting faculty and staff, and the need to review low-enrollment programs. He said DCB should consider expanding into more high-demand trades such as welding, HVAC, and electrical work, and should streamline dual credit and strengthen its Minot programming. The committee then heard from the North Dakota Student Association, whose leaders outlined student priorities from the last session and the interim. Their main concerns included campus housing quality and affordability, food insecurity and food pantries, mental and physical health resources, student-led research funding, academic and career readiness, internships, and campus collaboration. They also discussed dual credit, saying it is valuable but uneven across the state, and raised questions about how to better retain students in North Dakota through the system. Members asked follow-up questions about housing, transferability of dual credit, and whether incentives could be used to encourage students to stay in-state for higher education.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chris is the Deputy LBA responsible for revenues and capital budget, the preparation of the capital budget
• We're going to have to prepare upon introduction or at least review them and prepare either an under-
• We're going to have to prepare upon introduction or at least review them and prepare either an under-
• We're going to have to prepare upon introduction or at least review them and prepare either an under-
• first the governor officers preparing first the governor will<00:16:43.240><c> prepare</c><00:16:43.480

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Are we hiring any book companies or anyone to prepare materials?
• Chairman, Senate Bill 1074 prepares Florida for a world without pennies.
• I had never seen this bill until I got started preparing today.
• I had never seen this bill until I got started preparing regulated industries.
• I had never seen this bill until I got started preparing today.

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, what the teachers are college.
• <c> or</c><01:26:32.360><c> paps</c> educator preparation pathways or paps educator preparation pathways
• So, currently teachers around reading.
• House Bill 1836. teachers, uh in addition to um reading teachers, uh in addition to um reading specialists
• </c> substitute teacher. substitute teacher.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• strategies, so that we can see the impact of teacher efficacy.
• Teachers are in year two of their letters training.
• Which would also allow teachers to help monitor students.
• So the kids aren't really prepared.
• Whether it's teacher retention, the teacher pipeline, those are just real challenges that we can point

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> teachers and our students and parents. teachers and our students and parents.
• </c> staff, not just our certified teachers. staff, not just our certified teachers.
• So what I envision is, you know, we already have ELA teachers, math teachers, and science teachers that
• , with that education teacher, with the culinary arts teacher.
• , math teachers and have ELA teachers, math teachers and science<04:04:09.680><c> teachers</c><04:04:

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Tribal Relations

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 2051, access to lactation care; breastfeeding preparation.
• The First Amendment does not allow the government to threaten teachers and librarians with prison.
• We need to think about our libraries and our teachers, That disconnect. I really urge a no vote.
• It does not criminalize teachers.
• It does not criminalize teachers.

Transcript Highlights:

• and teacher aides.
• We also have four exhibits that have been prepared for council review.
• How would this request for the school construction impact the award for the teacher housing?
• The Teacher Housing Pilot Program is moving forward.
• We have a few applications in for teacher housing currently.

Committee: House Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires public elementary schools rather than the State Board of Education to prepare an academic
• whether someone should continue in a role, but to ensure they are supported along the way and prepared
• and pre-kindergarten, literacy programs, the science of reading, and professional development for teachers
• She said early literacy and early childhood education are the best investment for kids and help prepare
• She continued that the bill provides parameters for evaluating teachers, which is important because teachers

Transcript Highlights:

• It ensures law enforcement are prepared for the wide variety of situations they encounter, including
• It ensures law enforcement are prepared for the wide variety of situations they encounter, including
• Law enforcement are prepared for the wide variety of situations they encounter, including use of force
• </c><00:09:02.120><c> students</c><00:09:02.760><c> parents</c><00:09:03.240><c> and</c> which teachers
• students parents and which teachers students parents and entire<00:09:04.120><c> communities</c><00:

Transcript Highlights:

• Our school staff, teachers, principals, superintendents, and importantly students have been engaging
• Another candidate, a math teacher in South Albany, would be bringing nearly 19 years of experience in
• Quoting from the report, we would have research and preparation that conducts...
• Quoting from the report, we would have research and preparation that conduct surveys, have listening
• Oregon's colleges and universities and being placed into remedial coursework because they're not prepared

Summary: The Senate convened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation by Senator Starr, followed by several courtesies recognizing Pride Month, a staff birthday, and later a retirement and a community celebration. Senator Robinson then used remonstrances to warn against expanding surveillance through school bus camera systems, arguing that leaked plans from a vendor could create commercial databases of drivers’ movements and erode privacy. The main business was confirmation of numerous gubernatorial appointments and reappointments to boards and commissions. Senators debated the process at length, with several minority members objecting that the volume of nominees, limited hearing time, and lack of transparency made meaningful advice-and-consent review difficult. Supporters responded that the nominees were qualified public servants and that the Senate should work with the Governor’s office on reforms. The Senate first confirmed a large block of appointments, then confirmed two Sustainability Board appointees, and later confirmed three Quality Education Commission appointees after extended debate. The Quality Education Commission nominations drew the most substantive policy discussion. Opponents argued the commission needs more technical research expertise and broader representation, while supporters emphasized the nominees’ education experience and direct knowledge of Oregon schools. Several senators described Oregon’s education system as in crisis, citing low reading and math proficiency, chronic absenteeism, and the need for urgent reform of the Quality Education Model and school funding. The Senate also received a proposed rule amendment creating an official Senate seal, which was distributed and held on the table, and the chamber adjourned without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• a pro tem with the experience and the empathy to be there to help the people of the Golden State prepare
• The first is preparation.
• She's prepared. She knows the pros and cons and she won't be fooled by the rope-a-dope. Senator...
• I attended a state preschool program and was blessed to have teachers who invested in my own personal
• Teachers like Mrs. Dolphonso, who took In my own personal success. Teachers like Mrs.

Summary: The Senate held a special ceremonial session to swear in Monique Limón as the 50th President Pro Tempore of the California State Senate and the first Latina to hold the position. The proceedings included a roll call establishing quorum, a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a land acknowledgement, musical performances, and remarks from numerous senators and invited leaders. Speakers repeatedly highlighted the historic nature of the moment, Limón’s background as the daughter of immigrants and a former school board member and higher-education advocate, and her leadership on issues such as education, child care, labor, wildfire response, environmental protection, and immigrant rights. Several senators, including Mike McGuire, Caroline Menjivar, Sasha Renée Pérez, Steve Cabaldon, Catherine Blakespear, and Scott Wiener, praised Limón as a unifier, coalition-builder, and effective legislator. They emphasized her preparation, calm demeanor, and ability to work across differences, while also noting the broader significance of women’s leadership and gender parity in the Senate. Some remarks referenced current political and fiscal challenges facing California, including attacks on immigrants, reproductive freedom, health care, and the state budget. Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero administered the oath of office, after which Limón was formally introduced as the new pro tem. In her acceptance remarks, Limón thanked her predecessor, Governor Newsom, legislative leaders, her family, and the many guests in attendance. She spoke about her immigrant family, her Central Coast district, her work in education and higher education, and her commitment to protecting Californians, especially immigrants, children, working families, and communities facing economic and environmental hardship. The session concluded with an announcement that the Senate would recess and reconvene on January 8, 2026, after a reception in the Capitol Rotunda.

Transcript Highlights:

• a pro tem with the experience and the empathy to be there to help the people of the Golden State prepare
• The first is preparation.
• She's prepared. She knows the pros and cons and she won't be fooled by the rope-a-dope.
• I attended a state preschool program and was blessed to have teachers who invested in my own personal
• Teachers like Mrs. Dolphonso, who took In my own personal success. Teachers like Mrs.

Summary: The California State Senate held a special ceremonial session to swear in Monique Limón as the 50th President Pro Tempore, described throughout the event as the first Latina to hold the post and only the second woman to lead the chamber. The session opened with acknowledgments of statewide officials, tribal leaders, members of Congress, former legislative leaders, and other guests, followed by a quorum call, suspension of Senate Rule 55 to allow guests and media on the floor, a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a land acknowledgement honoring the Miwok, Nisenan, Patwin, and Southern Maidu peoples. The ceremony included musical performances by Mariachi Bonitas and the Sacramento Women’s Choir/Genesis Church, after which several senators delivered remarks praising Limón’s leadership, coalition-building, work on education, labor, child care, wildfire response, and her role as a trailblazer for women and Latinas in California politics. Speakers also referenced the state’s fiscal challenges, federal policy concerns, and the importance of inclusive leadership. Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero administered the oath of office, and Limón was formally introduced as President Pro Tempore. In her acceptance remarks, Limón thanked her predecessor Mike McGuire, Governor Gavin Newsom, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, and her colleagues, family, and supporters. She emphasized her immigrant family background, the importance of education, child care, consumer protection, labor rights, and support for working families, and said California must continue to protect immigrants and expand opportunity. The Senate then announced a reception in the Capitol Rotunda and adjourned/recessed until January 8, 2026 at 9 a.m.