Transcript Highlights:

• economy to grow, but will also do this while maintaining the legislature's commitment to fiscal stability
• economy to grow, but will also do this while maintaining the Legislature's commitment to fiscal stability
• As for the details of what is contained in this conference report, starting with education, we continue
• spent and where it will all be going, this budget proposal aims to invest $2.4 billion towards both education
• Some of the highlights from the Fair Share spending include, on the education side, $360 million for

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House met in a floor session that began with routine procedural motions, including quorum checks, roll calls, and brief recesses. Members also welcomed guests and observed a moment of silent tribute for Frederick Pat Waller of Dracut, a 101-year-old World War II veteran and longtime farmer, before taking up the day’s major budget business. The principal item was the FY2026 appropriations legislation. House leaders described the conference report as a roughly $61 billion budget that reduces spending from earlier proposals while increasing Fair Share spending to $2.4 billion. They highlighted funding for education, including Chapter 70 aid, universal school meals, higher education financial aid, MassReconnect, and school clean energy projects; transportation, including MBTA and regional transit authority support; housing and homelessness programs; food assistance; and a new $5 million immigration legal assistance fund. Supporters emphasized fiscal stability, timely passage, and aid to cities and towns, while noting uncertainty from the federal government. The House first passed the supplemental appropriations bill to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 142-0, then later passed it on final enactment by 143-1. The House then accepted the conference report on the main FY2026 budget by a roll call vote of 139-6, adopted the emergency preamble by a recorded vote, and finally enacted the budget by another 139-6 vote. The session ended with adoption of an order to adjourn to the following Thursday at 11 a.m., and the House adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• But there was an initial period of education where we might have heard from the C-suite of one of our
• Period of education where we might have heard from the C-suite of one of our licensees who signed up
• If we've done everything to educate them, I think what we're trying to figure out is why isn't there
• “Well, in regards to education...” “It's definitely not benefiting the survivors.
• “Well, in regards to education...” “Well, in regards to education, I'll answer that.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Education Finance meeting to order.
• and expand access to high-quality, affordable education.
• Demand for an SDSU education has never been higher.
• system, our K-12 education system.
• We should be talking about stability.

Summary: The joint Assembly Higher Education and Budget Subcommittee hearing focused on the future of the California State University system, with opening remarks emphasizing CSU’s major role in California’s economy, workforce, and degree production. Chairs and members said the hearing was intended to inform 2026 budget decisions and to examine three main issues: declining enrollment at some campuses, cost controls and possible consolidation, and oversight of recent state investments at campuses such as Humboldt and Sonoma. The meeting was briefly delayed by microphone and sound problems before reconvening. The first panel featured CSU Academic Senate Chair Dr. Elizabeth Boyd and Cal State Student Association Vice President Katie Karam. Boyd urged the Legislature to protect academic freedom, strengthen faculty governance, provide stable ongoing funding, end unfunded mandates, support student food and housing security, fund flexible course schedules, improve transfer systems such as ASSIST, avoid over-centralizing academic programs, protect immigrant students, and expand intersegmental collaboration. Karam said students are feeling the effects of budget shortfalls through fewer course sections, reduced advising and services, longer time to degree, and tuition pressure, and she called for transparency, meaningful student involvement in budget decisions, and sustained state investment rather than cuts that harm the student experience. The second panel covered enrollment management and included CSU Chancellor’s Office and campus administrators from Chico State, Cal State L.A., and San Diego State. Dr. Delcy Perez said CSU Forward and the new systemwide enrollment plan are aimed at expanding access, aligning programs with workforce needs, and increasing resident enrollment; she reported systemwide enrollment gains and strong application numbers, including a direct-admissions pilot that expanded from Riverside to more campuses. Campus representatives described local recruitment and retention strategies, including early outreach to high school students, community college partnerships, guaranteed admission programs, and expanded advising and student support. San Diego State highlighted record enrollment and high demand, while Cal State L.A. described efforts to recover from impaction and rebuild enrollment. Members pressed CSU officials on the accuracy of enrollment data, the gap between funded targets and actual enrollment, and the system’s reallocation formula. CSU staff explained that campuses below target will see a 5% ongoing reallocation beginning in 2026-27, with one-time reserve funding also being directed to campuses that can grow, and that fiscal health reviews have been completed for 21 of 22 campuses. Legislators also asked about turnaround plans required by the budget act; CSU said those plans are being developed and will be shared in the spring after campus consultation. No formal votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> education piece. education piece.
• And to really uh for an education piece.
• </c> do that through education and training. do that through education and training.
• It had, education, language, and tools.
• </c> also provide education in schools. also provide education in schools.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:14.800><c> who</c><00:02:14.959><c> now</c><00:02:15.120><c> runs</c> Education who now runs Education
• </c> way to support recovery in an education way to support recovery in an education environment<00:08
• ><00:57:59.039><c> about</c><00:57:59.359><c> education</c> I've read extensively about education I've
• Thank you. the educational service providers but the educational service providers but also<00:59:01.119
• </c><01:20:38.880><c> Matt</c> Kentucky Department of Education Matt Kentucky Department of Education

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Primary and Secondary Education Committee met and first considered Senate Concurrent Resolution 43, a proposal tied to the Southern Regional Education Board’s crisis recovery network. Senator West and Dr. Puit explained that, for an additional $10,000 in dues, Kentucky would help create a network of 40 trained counselors in each of the 16 Southern states to provide post-crisis stabilization and psychological first aid after events such as the Marshall County shooting. They emphasized that the effort would be complementary to local and state response, would run through the school district, would not replace therapeutic services, and would allow districts to coordinate parent notifications and other protocols as usual. Members asked about parent involvement and whether pastoral counselors could participate; the presenters said local districts would remain in charge and that pastors could be included if properly credentialed. The committee then voted, and SCR 43 passed with the expression of opinion that it should pass. The committee next took up Senate Bill 207, the School of Innovation Act, with a committee substitute. Senator West described the bill as creating an optional path for districts to contract with an outside education service provider for a three-year school-of-innovation model, aimed at turning around low-performing schools or supporting other schools that want to innovate. He said the model would preserve core district functions such as transportation, facilities, and SEEK funding, while allowing waivers from certain statutes and regulations inside the school building. The committee substitute also added a high-quality instructional materials component, creating a vendor-supported repository of vetted instructional materials that KDE would still control, with testing data used to evaluate whether the materials were improving outcomes. Members questioned how the proposal differed from existing district-of-innovation law and what safeguards would exist for students. Senator West said the bill would repeal the unused district-of-innovation framework and replace it with a clearer process and guardrails, including KDE oversight, attendance rules, and authority to shut down a school arrangement for financial malfeasance. He also said the model could work with local partners, including superintendents’ associations, and could be used by magnet or other schools, not only low-performing ones. The discussion also touched on whether the bill would allow more flexibility in choosing third-party providers and whether it could support longer-term recovery and even philanthropy in schools. The transcript ends during the discussion of SB 207, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uncertainty dramatically impacts the cost to reduce stability drives investment.
• Their fiscal stability depends directly on the economic viability of agriculture.
• Education and economic mobility are inseparable.
• Families who are stretched then need stability and predictability.
• Clear Horizons helps provide that stability.

Summary: The committee first took up the proposed 2026 tax package, Senate Bill 151, and adopted a committee substitute after discussion of the package’s funding capacity and included measures. The substitute bundled five bills: a physician tax credit, a quantum facility infrastructure tax credit, a construction materials gross receipts deduction for affordable multifamily housing, a local journalist employment tax credit, and a health equipment gross receipts deduction. Members discussed amendments that raised the physician credit from $4,000 to $10,000, narrowed the housing deduction to project-based certification, and reduced the journalist credit threshold from four stories to three. Concerns were raised about the fiscal impact on municipalities, especially Albuquerque, and about the funding mechanism, but the committee voted 6-4 to give the substitute a do pass recommendation. Senator Sanchez explained his vote, saying he wished more could have been included in the package. The committee then heard Senate Bill 18, the Clear Horizons Act, which would codify statewide greenhouse gas reduction targets and direct the Environment Department and Environmental Improvement Board to develop plans and rules for emissions reductions. The sponsors said the bill builds on the governor’s 2019 executive order, includes a 10,000-metric-ton threshold for covered emitters, allows certified offsets, and is intended to protect public health, reduce climate-related costs, and provide regulatory certainty. Supporters argued the bill would help communities facing wildfire, drought, health harms, and rising insurance and utility costs, and that it would encourage clean-energy investment and long-term economic stability. Opposition testimony came from mining, oil and gas, rural electric cooperatives, construction, agriculture, auto dealers, chambers of commerce, banks, water recycling companies, and realtors. They argued the bill functions like a carbon tax or broad regulatory mandate, would raise energy and compliance costs, could reduce investment and jobs, and would disproportionately affect rural, tribal, agricultural, and low-income communities. Several witnesses warned of higher electricity and fuel bills, revenue losses for local governments, and uncertainty from delegating major policy decisions to rulemaking. Supporters included public health advocates, educators, local officials, clean-energy businesses, tribal and environmental advocates, and residents affected by wildfire and drought, who said the bill is necessary to address climate harms and protect public health and the economy. No final committee vote on SB 18 was reached in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> depth um like the healthcare education depth um like the healthcare education industry<00:31:45.679
• </c> associations, employers, and educators associations, employers, and educators have<00:31:57.279>
• </c><00:41:30.800><c> and</c> all AC all healthc care educators and all AC all healthc care educators
• </c><01:00:29.520><c> disease</c> We educate them on chronic disease We educate them on chronic disease
• </c> providing critical financial stability providing critical financial stability without<01:39:20.320

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um and also vaping prevention education.
• </c><00:32:12.159><c> staff</c> number of early care and education staff number of early care and education
• </c><00:34:54.320><c> They</c> children stabilize and rebuild. They children stabilize and rebuild.
• They seeking recovery and sub stability.
• </c> system for early childhood education system for early childhood education programs.<00:37:38.400

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:09 Approval of Minutes 00:00:48 KOAP Report 00:01:09 Update from CHFS 00:20:27, 958, all

Summary: The meeting opened with a quorum, approval of the September 18, 2025 minutes, and a staff update on recent tobacco settlement-funded agriculture activities. The agriculture side highlighted Commissioner Shell’s outreach, including school visits, farm visits, and speaking engagements in Kentucky and a trip to Tennessee to discuss program models. A representative also described a national conference in Iowa, where Kentucky’s agriculture finance program was praised as a $180 million loan program built with tobacco settlement funds. The board noted September approvals totaling $950,000 for the agriculture development board and $3.3 million for the finance corporation, along with staff activity such as site visits, program closures, and project reports. The board also announced that the KKMP report covering 2015-2022 would be distributed and that the annual report, marking the program’s 25th anniversary, was being prepared. The board then reviewed two featured projects. The Organic Association of Kentucky requested $425,000 for organic producer support, but the board approved only one year of funding at $29,000, with members noting concern about recurring applicants and the need to evaluate long-term funding. The second project, by Joseph Dale Bentley in Lewis County, sought $51,300 to expand a small ruminant facility for goat production and export. Members were particularly interested because the project was already operating and creating market opportunities for Kentucky goat producers; the board approved half the project cost to help expand infrastructure and potentially allow quarantining on site. The cabinet then presented its annual update on tobacco settlement fund use in public health. Julie Brooks, Sarah Johnson, and Andrea Day reported on the HANS home visitation program, tobacco prevention and cessation efforts, lung cancer screening, and early childhood oral health. HANS served more families in FY25, rising from 6,293 to 6,715, and increased services from 139,943 to over 143,000. Tobacco prevention and cessation programs continued to support Quit Now Kentucky and My Life, My Quit, though officials noted federal uncertainty and the loss of federal tobacco control infrastructure. They also reported a slight decline in student outreach and cessation requests, but continued demand from schools and communities for vaping and nicotine prevention support. Lung cancer screening expanded to 55 screens, with Kentucky cited as a model for other states due to improved incidence, survival, and early detection rates. Early oral health efforts continued through local health departments, with more trainings for public health nurses, continued varnish kits, and expanded support for dental graduates and hygiene teams.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> biological sciences College of Education biological sciences College of Education and<00:07:26.759
• </c><00:08:27.360><c> and</c> 67% of our state faculty Educators and 67% of our state faculty Educators
• </c><00:20:43.799><c> of</c> resources and having the stability of resources and having the stability
• Educators Companion Animal owners Educators Companion Animal owners livestock<01:05:08.799><c> and</c
• </c><01:41:21.639><c> and</c> conferences and public education and conferences and public education and

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . educations. educations.
• </c> the system was supposed to stabilize the system was supposed to stabilize itself<02:04:50.560><c
• The problem is that it hasn't stabilized to the point where it needed to stabilize, and subsidies are
• If it did stabilize the premiums.
• </c> this was an effort to stabilize this was an effort to stabilize their<02:43:46.840><c> premium,<

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Today's hearing will consider proposals to change the Budget Stabilization Act account, also known as
• First panel, we'll hear from the LAO about how the current budget stabilization account works.
• And it substantially changed the rules regarding the budget stabilization account, which is the state's
• Up and down the state around good fiscal policy, economic policy, housing and education policy.
• So, our first point is that improving the budget stabilization.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to say that many are highly educated and bring value to this state. I will. Thank you.
• I just want to say that many are highly educated and bring value to this state.
• I'm from California's Central Valley, where higher education is often a path to opportunity, but student
• I'm from California's Central Valley, where higher education is often a path to opportunity, but student
• The bill generates General Fund and education revenue losses, which the California Tax Reform Association

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation held its second regular hearing of the 2025-26 session and announced that, under reinstated suspense-file rules, every bill on the agenda would be referred to suspense rather than voted on immediately. The committee first heard AB 53, which would create a state income tax exemption of up to $20,000 for military retirees and certain survivor benefits. Supporters, including veterans’ groups, military retirees, and local officials, argued California is the only state taxing military retirement pay in full and that the exemption would help retain veterans and their families. Committee members voiced strong support, but the bill was sent to suspense. The committee then heard several wildfire-related tax relief bills. AB 429 would exempt certain wildfire settlement payments from gross income for victims of fires from 2020 through 2026; the author and a Greenville fire victim described the burden of taxing settlement funds, and rural county and forestry groups supported the measure. AB 97 proposed similar relief for Bobcat Fire settlement payments, and AB 389 would create a personal income tax credit for home-hardening expenses in high fire-risk areas, with Cal Fire and realtor representatives supporting the bill as a way to reduce future losses. Each of these measures drew no formal opposition in the hearing and was referred to suspense. AB 386 would create a tax credit for employers that help full-time employees repay student loans, up to $3,000 per employee per year. Supporters said it would help recruit and retain workers and reduce student debt burdens, while the California Tax Reform Association opposed the bill because it lacked allocation criteria and would reduce General Fund and education revenues. Committee members expressed interest but asked for clearer eligibility standards, and the bill was sent to suspense. AB 490 would allow a deduction for interest paid on qualified personal vehicle loans; the author framed it as relief for families dependent on cars, but opposition again came from the tax reform group, which argued the deduction would mainly benefit higher-income taxpayers. The bill also went to suspense. The committee also heard AB 547, which would create a tax credit of up to $5,000 for IVF and other fertility-treatment expenses. The author and a witness who described a long and costly IVF journey said the credit would help families afford treatment and support parenthood; members responded sympathetically and asked why the proposal was structured as a tax credit rather than a health coverage mandate. Finally, AB 330 would extend the prepaid mobile telephony services collection act through 2031, preserving an 80-cent surcharge that supports 911 and local government revenues; local government representatives and cities supported the extension, and it too was referred to suspense. The hearing ended with the committee adjourning after all measures were held for suspense-file consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just a couple quick questions: what is the balance in stabilization?
• So, in our general stabilization plus our free cash account, our general stabilization account in Watertown
• Free cash that we have had beyond that, we put into the high school stabilization fund to reduce the
• And we do annually use about $2 million in stabilization to balance the budget, and then if anything
• So we have to educate you with that. Is this...

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hybrid hearing on 17 late-file and miscellaneous bills, with testimony focused on several local tax and fee proposals. The first major item was H. 4687 for Watertown, which would permanently continue a special property tax classification allowing the city to maintain a 50% residential minimum factor and a 175% commercial shift. Watertown officials and local legislators said the measure is needed to prevent an estimated 18% residential tax increase when the current temporary authority expires, arguing that the city’s commercial growth and 1988 tax rules have created an unintended burden on homeowners, especially seniors. Committee members asked about the regional business impact, whether major taxpayers might leave, and why a permanent change was sought instead of another short extension; Watertown officials said the policy had not deterred commercial growth and that the city’s fiscal planning and stabilization funds were being used for schools, infrastructure, and bond rating support. The committee also heard H. 4435 from Charlemont, which would authorize a local tax on commercial recreation services. Town officials described Charlemont as a small rural community with a large visitor burden from skiing, rafting, and other recreation, saying police, fire, and EMS costs rise sharply during peak seasons and that the tax would help shift some of those costs to visitors rather than local residents. A committee member questioned the legal structure of taxing recreation services versus goods, but the town said the proposal was modeled on the meals and rooms tax and had local business support. Finally, testimony was taken on H. 4722, promoting fair tax treatment for zero-emission vehicles, especially electric school buses and Class 3-8 trucks. Supporters, including EV advocates, a school transportation company, and Rep. Gentile, said the bill would cap sales and excise taxes on EV vehicles at the level of comparable diesel vehicles to remove an unintended tax penalty, keep revenue neutral, and support the state’s climate goals while helping school districts and private bus operators manage higher upfront costs. Rep. Gentile also spoke in support of H. 4755, which would amend Sudbury’s means-tested senior property tax exemption so the town would not need new special legislation if the program is renewed again in the future. No votes were taken, and the hearing concluded after public testimony and committee questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• That sends a terrible message about California's regulatory stability.
• that excel in educating and serving Latino students.
• that excel in educating and serving Latino students.
• Comment was made about improving education opportunity for all students.
• Their institution of higher education had been designated as an HSI.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the Iron Worker Stabilization Fund. the Iron Worker Stabilization Fund.
• I'm with the Iron Workers Union Stabilization Fund.
• </c> the Iron Workers Union Stabilization the Iron Workers Union Stabilization Fund.<00:31:12.080><c>
• </c><00:39:35.920><c> Well,</c> we'll give it to education." Well, we'll give it to education."
• ,</c> administration, preventative education, administration, preventative education, gambling,<00:49

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Economic Development Technology Committee met on April 17, 2025, to hear STR 121, a resolution to form a working group to explore legalized gaming in Hawaii. Supporters, including DBED, labor representatives, and some industry interests, argued the measure would allow the state to gather more information, consider economic growth, job creation, investment, and tax revenue, and include a range of viewpoints before any final policy decision. Several supporters emphasized that a working group would help ensure informed decision-making and community input. Opponents argued that legalized gambling would disproportionately harm low-income residents and Native Hawaiians, increase addiction and related social harms, and bring crime, corruption, and human trafficking. Some cited examples from other states, illegal game rooms in Hawaii, and concerns that gambling revenue would be limited while social costs would be high. Others said the conversation should be led by local communities rather than industry stakeholders, and one testifier requested community representation on any working group for a potential stadium-area project. The committee also heard from witnesses who framed the measure as a way to address money leaving the state and to create a regulated alternative to illegal gambling. No vote or final action on STR 121 was taken during the hearing, and the chair noted the committee would need to adjourn in time for floor session if the hearing ran long.

Transcript Highlights:

• Literally no education on a disabled child with a feeding pump.
• That makes a lot of sense to me as an educator because once they're in school, we have a lot of eyes
• It's not an education pandemic. It's a community, social-wide pandemic.
• We cannot expect families to achieve stability without the resources needed to support them.
• When systems become more complex, children can wait longer for stability, permanency, and real safety

Bills: HB2511, HB2660

Keywords: child welfare, dependency, imminent physical harm, child abuse, neglect, foster care, extended foster care, shelter care, out-of-home placement, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, DCYF, family law, juvenile court, child protection, unsafe home, substance use, caregiver impairment, relative placement, guardianship, adoption

Transcript Highlights:

• Whereas Habitat for Humanity is a global movement bringing people together to build strength, stability
• home repairs, serving more than 2,700 individuals and families, including essential workers like educators
• home repairs serving more than 2,700 individuals and families, including essential workers like educators
• and building self-confidence. ...is a lifeline for working families who have been priced out of stability
• . ...focused on public service, particularly in higher education, and I couldn't more strongly support

Bills: SB6061, SB6234, SB6176, SB6335, SB6047, HB2235, HB2340, HB2464, HB2619, HB1376, HB1796, HB2091, HB2249, HB2254, HB2353, HB2431, HB2441, SB5808, SB5949, HB2124, HB1069, HB2104, HB2624, SB6061, SB6234, SB6176, SB6335, SB6047, HB2235, HB2464, HB2619, HB1376, HB1796, HB2091, HB2249, HB2353, HB2431, SB5808, SB5949, HB2124, HB2104, HB2624, HB2510, HB1347, HB1759, HB1983, HB2120, HB2264, HB2338, HB2385, HB2436, HB2495, HB2521, HB2604, HB2610, HB2675

Keywords: tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law, state commission, infrastructure, traffic safety, responsibilities, state capital projects

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> departments regarding education departments regarding education measures.<00:08:55.040><c> I</c>
• </c> about this information or the education about this information or the education piece.<00:10:46.000
• The result is stability, dignity, and a true sense of home.
• It's trust, it's stability, it's community. Our residents deserve better.
• </c> stability, it's community. stability, it's community.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:24:18.840><c> on</c> must include thorough education on must include thorough education on billing
• . stability. stability.
• </c> stabilization services. stabilization services.
• Department of Education, we didn't receive full funding.
• ,</c> the US Department of Education, the US Department of Education, we<01:19:47.680><c> um</c> we um

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in the market and lower more stability in the market and lower rate<00:10:51.279><c> increases.
• </c> self-education that some of us can do. self-education that some of us can do.
• </c><00:34:39.440><c> very</c> Many people are becoming educated very Many people are becoming educated
• </c><00:43:34.079><c> There's</c><00:43:34.319><c> no</c> stability of the plan.
• There's no stability of the plan.

Bills: HF1546, HF2403, HF2389, HF2398

Keywords: fire safety, public safety, statewide fire code, code cleanup, repeal, obsolete statutes, matches, strike-anywhere matches, safety matches, match packaging, match storage, tent safety, flame resistant tents, public assembly tents, flammable materials, fire code modernization, Minnesota Statutes chapter 325F, commerce policy, financial institutions, insurance regulation