Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, great job. We're going to go to questions.
• And it's not an easy job at all.
• That is the job of the Health Care Authority.
• Great job to our public health working group. Thank you, Madam Vice Chair.
• The job of remediation... ...been litigated. We won the lawsuit.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Herald Leader's done an excellent job. Herald Leader's done an excellent job.
• </c><01:52:59.760><c> of</c> The Courier's done an excellent job of The Courier's done an excellent job
• House Bill 727, an act relating to the Kentucky Educator Placement Service System.
• House Bill 727, an act relating to the Kentucky Educator Placement Service System.
• House Bill 727, an act relating to the Kentucky Educator Placement Service System.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's hard for anybody to get a job.
• Clearly, getting a job and job supports for a person with developmental disabilities is sort of like
• Providers are concerned that they will lose DSPs or that the DSP job will become a second job.
• Were they working a 20-hour-a-week job before?
• Did they stay in the jobs? Did they get a new job? We need to know those answers.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a really phenomenal group at the Free Speech Committee that does a great job on free speech training
• We have been doing a Good job. Our research institutions are phenomenal on the R&D side.
• We are not transitioning that into actual boots on the ground jobs. That's what this goal is.
• them obtain some entry-level college credit if they scored high enough on some of these workforce placement

Bills: SB1477 , SB1480 , SB1593 , SB1633 , SB1670 , SB1725 , SB1726 , SB1735 , SB1632

Committee: House Postsecondary Education

Keywords: education, concurrent enrollment, students, age restrictions, academic access, apprenticeship, career education, youth programs, employment, technology centers, SB1593, OSU Tulsa, Oklahoma State University/Tulsa, Board of Trustees, higher education, university governance, A&M Board, Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges, presidential search, board rules

Transcript Highlights:

• And again, these jobs, as we mentioned, the represented jobs, it includes jobs like mine, like student
• placement, ...employment by providing opportunities and services such as work study, job placement,
• I made it through Georgetown Prep with no worries and ended up having a job.
• And I got two work-study jobs. And those jobs were crucial to me. $36.
• We also know that our universities and colleges have For those jobs.

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our job is impossible. Thirty students in a class, 150 daily.
• My current job is part-time and doesn't fully pay my bills.
• They'll drive away talent, jobs, and opportunity.
• We hope you can maintain that policy because jobs are at stake.
• job makers here in Washington State.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on February 6, 2026, and first voted to suspend the five-day notice rule for all bills on the agenda. Senators Braun and Gildon objected, arguing the bill needed more public review and that the fiscal note had only just been released, but a roll call vote passed 15-9 and the committee proceeded to Senate Bill 6346. Staff briefed SB 6346 as a proposal to create a 9.9% income tax on Washington taxable income above a $1 million per-household standard deduction, with a $50,000 charitable deduction, apportionment rules for nonresidents and certain professions, quarterly estimated payments, and credits for capital gains tax and certain business taxes. Staff said the tax would begin in 2029 and eventually raise about $3.5 billion annually from roughly 30,000 taxpayers. The bill also would expand the Working Families Tax Credit, create a sales tax exemption for grooming and hygiene products, increase the small business B&O tax credit and filing threshold, and end the B&O surcharge on high-grossing businesses one year early. Members questioned the bill’s constitutionality, its exemption from referendum, treatment of student athletes, natural-resource industries, and whether real estate gains would be captured. Public testimony was sharply divided. Supporters, including labor groups, educators, health care advocates, counties, child care workers, and some business owners and high-income individuals, said the bill would make the tax code more progressive and provide stable funding for health care, education, child care, public defense, and other services, while expanding the Working Families Tax Credit. Opponents, including many small business, construction, housing, and taxpayer advocates, argued the measure would function as a tax on pass-through businesses and retained earnings, harm housing production and investment, encourage wealthy residents and businesses to leave the state, and violate the state constitution or the will of voters. No final action on SB 6346 was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, we need high-demand jobs; we need college graduates to fill the jobs.
• For us, yes, self-serving in the short term because we need these folks in the jobs.
• And this group has done just a fantastic job of helping us get there.
• and fill jobs of the future.
• And those matter as they pursue a residency placement.

Summary: The committee began with a work session on the Workforce Education Investment Act (WEA) Oversight Board, hearing from board co-chair Jane Broome and Joel Anderson of WASAC. They described the account’s origins as a public-private partnership intended to supplement, not replace, existing higher education funding, and emphasized the board’s role in oversight and outcomes. Members discussed the need for better data, especially outcome-based data, and concerns that recent budget actions have used WEA funds to supplant general fund support for higher education, particularly at the University of Washington. The presenters said WASAC staffing has improved transparency, but they urged the committee to preserve the original “do not supplant” intent and to keep WEA focused on high-demand programs, financial aid, and student success. The committee then held public hearings on three bills. SB 6251 would require public medical schools to use letter grades or a tiered grading system; the sponsor said the bill was meant to standardize grading, while both Washington State University and UW Medicine testified in opposition, arguing that pass-fail and competency-based systems better support collaboration, student mental health, and residency competitiveness. SB 6259 would make students ineligible for state aid and require repayment of aid if they are found by a court to have caused major damage to a public institution; the sponsor framed it as accountability for serious vandalism, while the lone testifier from WSU student government supported free speech but opposed the bill’s penalties as inequitable for lower-income students. SB 6235 would address the higher education “fund split” by requiring state funding of compensation and central services to return to 2023-25 levels over time and directing a study on essential student services; nearly all testimony from university, faculty, and community college leaders supported the bill, saying the current approach shifts costs to tuition, creates instability, and forces cuts to classes, staffing, and student services. In executive session, the committee advanced several bills. It adopted proposed substitutes and gave do-pass recommendations to SB 5978, SB 6209, SB 6217, and SB 6227, sending them to the Ways and Means Committee. The committee did not take action on SB 6235 in executive session. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, some find another job that they think could be better.
• You guys are doing a great job.
• We have an issue with the people that actually want to do the job.
• But they wouldn't have a BS area or on-the-job training. On the job, yes. Training.
• I think that's. or on the job training. On the job, training. Other questions?

Committee: House Elementary and Secondary Education

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The consistent funding will help law enforcement do the right job. Thank you. Thank you, sir.
• to proceedings under chapter 984, not only children in need of services, are eligible for shelter placement

Transcript Highlights:

• Staff did a good job explaining it.
• She will pull the remaining teeth out of this job. Go ahead.
• The board exposes board members and staff to personal legal risk for doing their jobs in good faith,
• Senator Shope did a great job in sponsoring this.
• It's our job as a government to facilitate that, but not to over-regulate.

Bills: HB2072 , HB2251 , HB2279 , HB2308 , HB2323 , HB2342 , HB2400 , HB2408 , HB2456 , HB2660 , HB2697 , HB2868 , HB2873 , HB2877 , HB2910 , HB2946 , HB2955 , HB2991 , HB4001 , HB4010

Committee: Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency

Keywords: Cesar Chavez, public holiday, state law, holiday repeal, Arizona Revised Statutes, midwifery, medication administration, healthcare, patient safety, advisory committee, licensed midwives, river trips, liability, outfitter, Grand Canyon, negligence, risk management, contractual waiver, dental practice, business registration

Transcript Highlights:

• The only reason the DOT is there is listed is because of the placement as it relates to the roads. always
• </c><00:42:29.760><c> um</c> listed is because of um the placement um listed is because of um the placement
• does um read, if you can read nine would be good. >> Just clarify. >> To be responsible for the placement
• </c><00:52:10.319><c> of</c> &gt;&gt; to be responsible for the placement of &gt;&gt; to be responsible
• for the placement of portraits,<00:52:11.359><c> flags,</c><00:52:12.000><c> bust,</c> portraits, flags

Committee: House Legislative Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They were terrified of losing their jobs.
• The judge granted a stay, and we saved 20 jobs.
• I was vetted by Manhattan placement agencies.
• We’re doing a very good job of that.
• Please tell Taylor I'm not looking for his job, okay?

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Summary: The committee first heard opening remarks from LDH Secretary Bruce Greenstein and CMS Medicaid Director Dan Brillman, who discussed ongoing federal-state collaboration and praised Louisiana’s work on Medicaid and health system reforms. The committee then took up House Bill 1214 by Chairman Miller, which would create an Office of State Healthcare Facilities within LDH to centralize oversight of five state-operated inpatient facilities. LDH said the bill would streamline administration, combine shared services, add no new FTEs, and improve care and outcomes for vulnerable residents. Members asked about capacity and waiting lists at the facilities, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee next considered House Bill 1041 by Representative Ghali, a medical-freedom bill aimed at prohibiting denial of access or discrimination based on “medical intervention status.” After amendments were adopted, the bill was narrowed to exclude K-12 schools, colleges, hospitals, health care facilities, and tuberculosis-related actions, while keeping existing school outbreak exclusion law in place. Supporters, including patients, nurses, physicians, and advocacy groups, testified that mandates during COVID caused coercion, job loss, and harm, and argued for bodily autonomy and informed consent. Opponents, including the Louisiana Hospital Association, American Lung Association, and Louisiana Families for Vaccines, said the amendments addressed some concerns but warned the bill could weaken outbreak protections for children; after debate, the committee reported the bill favorably with amendments. The committee then heard House Bill 414 by Representative Chenevere, which closes a loophole in background-check law by barring hiring of certain direct-care workers with substantially similar out-of-state convictions that would disqualify them in Louisiana. Amendments clarified the definition of covered workers, removed licensed ambulance personnel, and addressed documentation and third-party screening. The Attorney General’s office said the bill is intended to protect vulnerable Medicaid beneficiaries from people with serious criminal histories, and supporters from disability and EMS communities backed the measure. The bill was reported favorably with amendments. Finally, the committee began House Bill 786 by Representative Egan, which would prohibit managed care organizations from using extrapolation to determine provider audit overpayments or recoupments, requiring decisions to be based on actual claims. Members discussed a proposed amendment preserving the Department of Health and Department of Justice’s ability to use extrapolation in fraud investigations under existing law, but the transcript cuts off before final action on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• for such staff. salaries and benefits reflecting a decreased average placement for such staff on the
• Schools will continue to receive funding based on the actual placement of their specific staff.
• You know, sometimes when I get discouraged here, I think, man, it'd be nice just to show up on the job
• and ask for a job because I really am invested in that kind of work.
• Sorry, I'm sleeping on the job. Mr. President, is Senate Bill 1408 in this order of business?

Summary: The Senate convened with 31 members present, approved the March 31 journal, and moved through committee reports, gubernatorial messages, and House messages before taking up several bills on final reading. Among the measures considered were House Bill 930 on campaign finance, House Bill 949 on consolidating the STEM Action Center with the Workforce Development Council, House Bill 950 providing a one-time appropriation for a consultant to support Medicaid review work, House Bill 952 revising the Secretary of State’s budget, Senate Bill 1444 for public school support, House Bill 940 revising Idaho Digital Learning Academy policy, Senate Bill 1438 funding the IDLA budget, House Bill 516 on parental rights and education, and House Bill 897 on the Idaho information technology equipment sales tax exemption. The chamber also received and referred additional bills, including House Bill 968 and several appropriations and committee reports. House Bill 930 passed after debate centered on campaign finance transparency, separate campaign accounts, limits on investments, and requiring self-loans over $1,000 to be deposited into campaign accounts. Supporters said it would improve accountability; opponents questioned enforcement and warned against weaponizing campaign reporting. House Bill 949 passed with discussion of consolidating STEM and workforce functions, shifting funds and staff, and reducing administrative costs. House Bill 950 passed as a one-time $200,000 appropriation for a consultant to assist the legislature’s Medicaid review panel. House Bill 952 passed with a small reduction to the Secretary of State’s ongoing general fund budget. Senate Bill 1444 passed despite objections that the school budget underfunds district health insurance and shifts costs to local districts; supporters emphasized federal fund authority and other budget adjustments. House Bill 940 passed after extensive debate on narrowing IDLA’s mission, ending state support for certain uses, limiting elementary and online participation, and reducing enrollments and costs. Senate Bill 1438, the companion IDLA appropriation bill, also passed after debate over the size of the cut, the use of the Public Education Stabilization Fund, and whether the budget should include a cap on enrollments; supporters said it matched the policy changes in House Bill 940, while opponents argued it was too restrictive and could harm students’ access to courses. House Bill 516, dealing with parental rights and education and teacher-union-related payroll and activity restrictions, passed after a lengthy and sharply divided debate over whether it protected taxpayer dollars or unfairly targeted educators and unions. House Bill 897, as amended, was then taken up for final consideration on the Idaho information technology equipment sales tax exemption, with the sponsor explaining that the bill narrows the exemption to internal server equipment and limits it to 20 years in response to changing data-center trends and water-use concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• A good job. Okay, all in favor about to pass? Any opposing? Seeing none, consent.
• person knows that he or she has no legal right nor any reasonable basis, just removes the awkward placement
• 39:07.599><c> removes</c><00:39:08.200><c> the</c><00:39:08.520><c> awkward</c><00:39:09.119><c> placement
• </c> basis just removes the awkward placement basis just removes the awkward placement of<00:39:10.079
• Look at that, Max, you're doing a great job. Thank you. All right, and so we have a minute, right?

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it's a great opportunity, and there's a lot of jobs out there.
• One question: do Job Corps connect with you all?
• Job Corps is—I think we've had a couple of youth we've placed in Job Corps, but not routinely.
• Do Job Corps connect with you all?
• Job Corps is, I think we've had a couple of youth we've placed in Job Corps, but not routinely.

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The committee first approved the December 10 minutes and then approved Representative Bentley’s appointment to the Child Maltreatment Oversight Committee. Members then received the Arkansas Infant and Child Death Review annual report, which covered unexpected child deaths in 2023. Reviewers said 170 non-natural deaths were identified, but 22 could not be reviewed because of criminal investigations, prosecutions, or missing records. Of the 148 reviewed deaths, 69 were accidents, 14 suicides, 18 homicides, and 47 were undetermined causes, including sudden unexpected infant death. Members asked how the report’s recommendations could be used, and presenters said the report is intended as a prevention tool for agencies, nonprofits, and others; they also noted that child abuse prevention grant applications are being shaped by the report’s recommendations and offered to share the RFP with the committee. A question about suicide and homicide data by age was answered by pointing members to the age breakdown in the report, with most of those deaths concentrated among 15- to 17-year-olds. The committee then took up HCR 1010 and a broader discussion of juvenile justice reform. Representative Shepard said the resolution was meant to confront data on juvenile incarceration and the cost of the system, while Senator Irvin, Judge Troy Braswell, Judge Kathy Hess, and AOC Juvenile Division Director Burke Steen described years of reform efforts built around validated risk assessments, diversion, and community-based services. They said Arkansas adopted tools such as SAVRY, the MAYSI, and substance-abuse screening to individualize juvenile court responses, and they emphasized that the goal is to keep children at home and in their communities when safe to do so. Members discussed the need for more mental health and substance-abuse services, better school collaboration, and the role of school safety dashboards and FINS/truancy cases in identifying problems earlier. Judges and staff said the reforms have reduced delinquency filings, DYS commitments, and revocations, while increasing diversions, though they noted data gaps in some counties and the need for better reporting. They also stressed that some serious offenses still require detention or commitment, and that judges must balance public safety with rehabilitation. Representative Barnes and others asked whether the numbers might be worse without judicial discretion and community programs, and the presenters agreed that individualized decision-making and graduated sanctions matter. Representative Inatt asked about tracking youth with disabilities, and the presenters said that specific diagnoses are not currently tracked but that national court data efforts may soon add behavioral-health data points. The committee then heard from DYS Director Michael Crump, who provided detailed data on DYS commitments, secure and community-based placements, detention-center use, demographics, offense levels, average length of stay, education outcomes, recidivism, dual DCFS/DYS custody, costs, and interagency coordination. He said commitments fell sharply during COVID, have since risen and then begun to decline, and that the system is working to reduce detention use, improve education and treatment, and expand community-based providers statewide.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we suffer jobs and other things as a result of that.
• That's hundreds of jobs. That's a lot of economic activity.
• And we suffer jobs and other things. the rich get to play.
• And we suffer jobs and other things as a result of that.
• That's hundreds of jobs. That's a lot of economic activity.

Bills: HB2289

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: appropriations, budget, fiscal matters, state spending, general fund, supplemental budget, biennial budget, substitute bill, public defense, civil legal aid, courts, judicial branch, homelessness, supportive housing, affordable housing, behavioral health, juvenile rehabilitation, youth services, child welfare, foster care

Transcript Highlights:

• Isashi is a job training specialist. Put Occupational Safety and Health Division.
• Isashi is a job training specialist. Put Occupational Safety and Health Division.
• </c> positions uh while having 128 job positions uh while having 128 job separations<00:14:19.199><c>
• </c><00:17:34.480><c> in</c> work themselves out of a job in work themselves out of a job in 2027<00:
• </c><05:13:24.280><c> because</c> need to take a part-time job because need to take a part-time job because

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Finance held an informational briefing with the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations on its budget, staffing, and operations. The director reviewed department leadership and reported on recruitment and retention efforts, including a 14% vacancy rate, a 10.5% workforce increase from filling 189 positions, and the Hela Imua internship program, which has placed 516 interns since inception and led to 62 permanent hires. The department also described modernization efforts, including the UI Huakai project and the Disability Compensation Division’s electronic case management system, and said the unemployment compensation trust fund exceeded $71.5 million, triggering Schedule C for calendar year 2025. The department’s main budget requests included $2.9 million for fiscal year 2026 to support maintenance and operations of the electronic case management system, plus restoration of two enforcement specialist positions. Officials said those positions are needed to address a decline in investigators from 11 to six since 2009, improve compliance, and handle Hawaii Compliance Express certificate work. Additional requests included two human resources specialists to address recruitment backlogs, two labor enforcement specialists to reduce a backlog of Chapter 104 prevailing wage and wage cases, and two positions for the Office of Community Services to expand immigrant services and access centers. The department also discussed federal funding for unemployment insurance and workforce programs, including National Dislocated Worker Grants and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funds, and said some funding is received in increments and may require extensions. Members asked about Kauai inspection coverage, federal funding uncertainty, the size of the special unemployment insurance fund, and whether the department could ramp up staffing during a future crisis. Officials said Kauai is currently served by inspectors from Honolulu and there are no plans to open a permanent island position because of staffing constraints. They said the department is meeting federal guidelines and is not in jeopardy, and that the special unemployment insurance fund has about $10 million, with current UI operations funded at a little over $15 million, meaning the fund may need to cover roughly $5 million if federal support declines. The director said the department would use the special fund to supplement shortfalls, but noted that federal funding cuts and the loss of ARPA support have already affected operations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Board on the feasibility of implementing a statewide system for coordinating clinical training placements
• Senate Bill 1923 by West relating to the modification of court order based on a parental child safety placement
• factors the Department of Family and Protective Services must consider when selecting a foster care placement

Transcript Highlights:

• Substitute now removes the mandatory placement on the delinquency list and instead allows TABC to take
• It's stupendous and I love seeing those jobs as well.
• You know, you'd have over a thousand jobs that would be at risk in this very specific situation.
• But it was, you know, on the 1,000 jobs, it sort of begs the question, right?
• It begs the question, how many other jobs are we missing? out on, right?

Bills: SB8 , SB650 , SB667 , SB779 , SB1349 , SB1355 , SB1378 , SB1585 , SB1721 , SB2312 , SB 8

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: immigration enforcement, ICE agreements, sheriff grants, law enforcement, county jail, federal immigration law, China, Chinese-affiliated entities, Chinese military companies, People's Republic of China, Chinese Communist Party, divestment, state pension funds, public retirement systems, Teacher Retirement System, Employees Retirement System, Permanent School Fund, Texas Comptroller, foreign investment, national security

Transcript Highlights:

• She was working three jobs and she no longer could do it. it.
• Or let them shut it down immediately if they're not doing their jobs.
• My dad took a second job to put me in private school.
• Good job Private School. Now you're asking for another taxpayer fund.
• second job and 89% of teachers work their second job during the school year.

Bills: HB3 , HB3

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: education savings account, educational expenses, certified educational assistance organization, school choice, funding, special education, tuition reimbursement, emergency communication, public safety, interoperability, Texas Interoperability Council, grant program, emergency communications, public safety radio, first responders, radio system, dispatch, 911, emergency management, Texas Division of Emergency Management