Transcript Highlights:

• We work with TEEX to collaborate on correct... curriculum that is age appropriate for our students in
• The bill did not change those provisions. The bill added a fifth unique identification number.
• At this point in time, we do not plan to make changes to the policy. Understand. Thank you.
• Policy's probably got to change at some point in time. It's not sustainable. Amen. Thank you.
• When did that change and why?

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Pays the cost for gang resistance education training and curriculum.
• , we are never going to be able to change what's happening here in Minnesota.
• out of order and it doesn't<00:18:09.520> it<00:18:09.919> doesn't<00:18:10.240> change
• that if we doesn't it doesn't change that if we don't<00:18:11.840> have<00:18:12.080> tough
• what's happening here in change what's happening here in Minnesota.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 4027, Charlie Kirk Highway; HB 4028, accessory dwelling unit; HB 4029, income tax changes; HB 4030
• Just some conforming changes need to be made. Perfect. Thank you.
• Just some conforming changes need to be made. Perfect. Thank you, sir.
• This is just making some conforming changes. It's a good amendment.
• I just want to end by saying that I hope that we can make some changes in this chamber to really look

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest introductions, and a proclamation recognizing February 2026 as American Heart Month, with Representative Willoughby emphasizing CPR, AED awareness, and cardiac emergency preparedness. Members also welcomed school visitors and representatives of the Arizona Fairs Association, and the chamber handled routine business including committee assignments, first and second readings, and referral of bills. The main floor action occurred in Committee of the Whole, where the House considered several bills and amendments. HB 2016, HB 2133, HB 2223, HB 2459, HB 2501, and HB 2785 were all advanced with do-pass recommendations, with amendments adopted on HB 2016, HB 2133, HB 2223, and HB 2785. HB 2785 drew extended debate over tax conformity and the governor’s tax forms: supporters said it would codify federal tax conformity, preserve filing certainty, and prevent taxpayers from having to amend returns, while opponents argued it would mainly benefit corporations and wealthy taxpayers and lacked a clear funding plan. HB 2785’s committee amendment was adopted by division vote, 31-22. After the Committee of the Whole report was adopted, the House moved to third reading and passed HB 2029, HB 2120, HB 2126, and HB 2131. HB 2045 failed on third reading, and a later motion to reconsider that failure also failed. The chamber then entered a period of personal privilege remarks about legislative process, representation, and Black History Month, followed by committee announcements and adjournment until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• The only change from that updated language that was posted on June 6th was a change to the allocation
• make sure to protect our greenhouse gas mitigation bill that was passed in 2024, and so there's no change
• And so, oh, and then the EV fees, we also did a change to our EV fees, and this is based off of the vehicle
• Those are the big changes with the education policy bill.
• Cary was trying to make sure that we had research, development, and reviewing curriculum, and a lot of

Transcript Highlights:

• So let's face it, I am deeply concerned about Secretary Hicks' personal personnel policy changes within
• We have changed the process in which we do that. We've outsourced.
• The libraries and going through the curriculum, but I do know that we have the best airmen and a large
• Because as we see in the battlefields across the globe, things are changing faster than our budget cycle
• When something changes, like we're talking about with UAS, counter-UAS, and that technology that is changing

Keywords: NDAA, military recruitment, personnel readiness, testimony, military leaders

Summary: The committee meeting focused on pressing issues related to the U.S. military's recruitment and personnel strategies, especially in light of the upcoming NDAA for fiscal year 2026. Chairperson expressed appreciation for the service of witnesses including senior military leaders from different branches, emphasizing the importance of personnel as the backbone of national defense. Discussions revealed concerns regarding the recent lowering of recruitment standards across military branches, which could potentially affect the quality of service members and long-term military readiness. Witnesses were asked to address the implications of these changes on military health and efficiency.

Transcript Highlights:

• THIS BILL MAKES MULTIPLE CHANGES TO ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN AN EFFORT
• Truenow: SENATE BILL 472 INJURIES INMATES WHO TAKE CLASSES AND MAKE THE NECESSARY CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS
• THE MAJOR CHANGE IS RATHER THAN LIST EACH INDIVIDUAL BRANCH OF THE STATUTE NOW WILL REFER TO ARMED FORCES
• TO SUMMARIZE THE KEY CHANGES ONE PERSON OFFICERS ARE ADDING PROBATIONS OFFICERS CAN CARRY CONCEALED WHILE
• I AM NOT A BIG FAN OF INCREMENTAL CHANGE.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• sorry, a search warrant — or having to rely on an administrator or through a chief judge should be changed
• And of course, our mission has changed from— result of some great laws that the legislature has passed
• And of course, our mission has changed from The Highway Patrol has used troopers in the sky.
• In today's trooper world, I think about my 35-year career in law enforcement and how things have changed
• Technology has changed. We talk about drones, aircraft assets, as Director Turner mentioned.

Summary: The committee heard a series of domestic security and law enforcement presentations from the Florida Sheriffs Association, Florida Police Chiefs Association, Florida Highway Patrol, and FDLE. Sheriff Rob Hardwick outlined the sheriffs’ legislative priorities, focusing on adding xylazine to Florida’s trafficking statute and increasing penalties for luring or enticing a child under 12 from a misdemeanor to a felony. He also discussed domestic security coordination, fusion center intelligence sharing, and jail-based reentry efforts. Members asked about xylazine prevalence in Broward County and whether canine units can detect it; Hardwick said he would follow up with data and noted that dogs are not specifically trained for xylazine, though fentanyl-certified dogs may alert on mixtures. Chief Charlie Vasquez of the Florida Police Chiefs Association presented three priorities: stronger protections for law enforcement, judges, prosecutors, public defenders, and their families when threatened because of their jobs; faster and more consistent access to blood-borne pathogen testing results after exposure incidents; and mandatory life without release for anyone convicted of murdering a police or correctional officer, reviving a version of the Jason Raynor Act. Senators asked about delays in blood testing after exposure, and Vasquez said officers can be forced to take prophylactic medication while waiting for results and that the process should be streamlined. Florida Highway Patrol Director Dave Kerner described FHP’s domestic security role, including criminal interdiction, canine units, traffic homicide investigations, aviation, drones, border operations, and responses to threats such as human smuggling and the October 7-related security posture at synagogues and campuses. He said staffing remains constrained by vacancies and pay disparities, so he was not seeking more authorized troopers at this time. FDLE Deputy Commissioner David Binder then reviewed the state’s domestic security structure, fusion centers, critical infrastructure assessments, and grant funding, warning that federal homeland security dollars have declined sharply while threats remain high. He highlighted work on drone mitigation, radiological detection, vehicle barriers, and school security assessments, and emphasized the need for continued interagency coordination. The committee took no formal votes and adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's changing, and so many companies are learning that Texas is where they belong.
• Patients are learning about their own life-changing diagnosis, literally through their phones.
• And so, you know, that's the reason for having this jurisdiction change.
• Why can't SpaceX discuss this with their four... ...this jurisdiction change.
• Members, a short bill today for a change.”

Bills: SJR12, SCR39, SB27, SB29, SB241, SB406, SB414, SB464, SB568, SB578, SB609, SB660, SB689, SB693, SB785, SB857, SB879, SB921, SB922, SB955, SB985, SB993, SB996, SB1008, SB1035, SB1036, SB1059, SB1098, SB1120, SB1122, SB1147, SB1188, SB1197, SB1209, SB1227, SB1245, SB1267, SB1307, SB1321, SB1332, SB1386, SB1396, SB1453, SB1484, SB1494, SB1536, SB1537, SB1596, SB1610, SB1664, SB1741, SB1814, SB1822, SB1841, SB1948, SB2065, SB2155, SB2188, SB2230, SB2406, SB2407

Keywords: parental rights, education, constitutional amendment, school choice, child education, border security, southern border, federal immigration policy, illegal immigration, cartels, transnational cartels, fentanyl, drug trafficking, human trafficking, Operation Lone Star, Texas border, National Guard, state guard, border wall, border barriers

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, heard an invocation, and approved the previous day’s journal. The chamber then adopted Senate Resolution 358 honoring the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on its 10th anniversary, with senators highlighting the university’s growth, medical school, research expansion, and role in serving South Texas. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 368 honoring outgoing Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp, with numerous senators praising his long public career, leadership in higher education, and statewide impact. Senate Resolution 361 recognizing Texas HBCU Day and Senate Resolution 362 recognizing Denton County Days at the Capitol were also adopted, along with other routine recognitions and gubernatorial appointments being read into the record. The Senate then took up several bills. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 27, relating to rights and support for public school educators, was debated and amended to shorten vacancy posting requirements, allow bilingual certification candidates to retake only failed test sections, give teachers more flexibility with paid leave, clarify classroom removal procedures, and ensure parents are informed of appeal rights. The bill passed to engrossment, the three-day rule was suspended, and it was finally passed unanimously. Senate Joint Resolution 12, proposing a constitutional amendment to establish a parent’s right to direct a child’s education, was also brought up and passed to engrossment after a contested suspension vote. The Senate next passed Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1741, which would require reporting of foreign funding at public universities, bar gifts from adversarial governments, and require training and reporting systems to prevent foreign influence and intellectual property theft in higher education. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 29, the so-called “Dexit” bill, was debated at length for its corporate governance changes, including codifying the business judgment rule and altering internal corporate litigation and records rules; it passed to engrossment, the three-day rule was suspended, and it was finally passed by a 30-1 vote. Senate Bill 857, allowing law enforcement discretion to tow vehicles driven by unlicensed or uninsured drivers, passed after discussion of towing abuses during flooding and disaster conditions. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1536, requiring dementia and Alzheimer’s training for certain guardians, passed with broad support, and Senate Bill 922, addressing delayed electronic disclosure of sensitive medical test results so physicians can discuss them first, was taken up and passed to engrossment as the chamber continued through its calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those projections can change.
• by the percent change entirely outpaced by the percent change in<00:40:51.040> students<00:40
• families for whatever reason changed families for whatever reason changed their<01:02:21.599>
• :01.760> all change would greatly impact all change would greatly impact all University<01:10:
• part of the agency language changing part of the agency language changing Minnesota<01:41:11.679

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:10.239> to make it clear to you that any changes to make it clear to you that any changes
• The free and reduced lunch line again—does any of this change according to the criteria changes that
• /c><00:37:42.400> there<00:37:43.240> the change the two big changes there the change the
• <00:42:01.000> the to compensatory revenue and Chang the to compensatory revenue and Chang
• know if we start uh changing know if we start uh changing classifications<00:46:19.119> of

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee first approved the January 21st minutes by voice vote. Members then resumed a school finance overview focused on how Minnesota’s “base” budgeting system works and how future committee targets are set above or below that base by the Ways and Means chair, in consultation with fiscal staff. Staff emphasized that school funding decisions are tied to the state budget base and that changes made by the tax committee can affect school levies and school finance more broadly. The presentation then turned to property tax fundamentals. Staff explained that roughly 65% of school district revenue comes from state aid and about 20% from property taxes, with property tax revenue applying to school districts rather than charter schools. They reviewed the two main school tax bases—referendum market value and adjusted net tax capacity—along with class rates, sales ratios, and equalization. They also described tax credits, especially the school building bond agricultural credit, which helps reduce the property tax burden on agricultural land in Greater Minnesota. Members discussed student choice programs and how funding follows students. In response to questions from Representative Quam, staff explained postsecondary enrollment options (including direct enrollment and College in the Schools) and online learning, noting that funding generally follows the student to the serving institution or district. Staff also reviewed Minnesota’s pupil-counting system, including average daily membership and pupil weighting, and explained that students attending charter schools, other districts through open enrollment, or online programs are counted where they are served. The presentation concluded with broader school finance context: funding sources, equity and adequacy goals, constitutional and statutory authority, and the state’s school data systems (EUP/FARS, MARS, and STARS). Staff also began reviewing long-term enrollment trends, noting the impact of the baby boom, later growth from the mid-1980s through about 2000, and projected modest declines in public school enrollment through 2029.

Transcript Highlights:

• the change.
• change. Is that a fair statement? change. Is that a fair statement? >> Correct.
• a tremendous job in changing the system. a tremendous job in changing the system.
• And you know that when you change the trajectory of one student, you change their family, you change
• <00:49:21.119> so changed their lives, they changed so changed their lives, they changed so

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• requirement does not apply to curriculum requirement does not apply to curriculum nor<00:42:33.559
• <03:10:01.319> rather solution the amendment changes rather solution the amendment changes
• the evidence points to these changes the evidence points to these changes which<03:25:58.199>
• <03:26:24.199> will these changes will these changes will have<03:26:26.080> for<03
• several are looking at climate change several are looking at climate change and<03:27:05.000>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We changed the do some modifications.
• So I wondered if you could change.
• <00:19:52.160> that bill as it was with those changes that bill as it was with those changes
• This also does not change that clear.
• be clear, this amendment doesn't change be clear, this amendment doesn't change the<01:07:12.319

Bills: HF3432, HF3411

Keywords: resident tuition, employment, higher education, Minnesota, tuition rates, state universities, immigration status, immigration, postsecondary education, privacy, data access, federal officers, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:45:29.440> refugee changes in policies to refugee changes in policies to refugee admissions
• amendment um which uh I know um changes amendment um which uh I know um changes the<01:13:25.440
• c><01:19:02.000> completely been changed irrefutably and completely been changed irrefutably and
• nonprofit catalyst for systems change. nonprofit catalyst for systems change.
• And I am now class curriculum.

Bills: HF3004, HF3663

Keywords: workforce development, youth employment, internships, mentoring, job opportunities, digital platform, online portal, career pathways, youth workforce, employment and economic development, DEED, general fund appropriation, nonprofit grant, social media outreach, digital outreach, workforce opportunities, teen jobs, young adults, career exploration, Minnesota youth

Transcript Highlights:

• region for the committee on state affairs, HB 614 by Bucy relating to the procedures for voting after changing
• HB 659 by Gervin Hawkins relating to requiring cultural inclusion as a part of Social Studies curriculum
• fire marshal and certain other county peace officers to issue citations for certain violations, changing

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• needs of the state of Florida as we've grown up and the dangers that are present in our society of change
• And of course, our mission has changed from traffic enforcement primarily now to a pursuit intervention
• We require to analysts to have given it to you as a module and you make that part of their curriculum
• today, today's trooper, you know, I think about my 35 year career in law enforcement, helpings of change
• Hill technology has changed.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• last year and a half with about a dozen community colleges around the state to create a common curriculum

Bills: HB1654, HB1691, HB2545, HB2652, HB3799, HB4144, HB5008

Keywords: peace officers, firefighters, employment protection, worker's compensation, job security, maximum medical improvement, government employment, firefighter cancer benefits, emergency medical technicians, compensation claims, cancer exposures, firefighting hazards, workforce training, rural development, grant program, job-specific training, Texas Workforce Commission, child care, single-parent, subsidized

Transcript Highlights:

• make those that scrier's error changed make those that scrier's error changed >> the<00:10
• >> amended changes >> amended changes >> those<00:14:06.639> amendments
• >> those amendments or changes which have >> those amendments or changes which have
• watched the change in the schools. watched the change in the schools.
• dramatic change. dramatic change.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The commission met to review and amend the minutes from its previous meeting, correcting the date, several spelling and wording errors, and clarifying references to a scholarship fund and a member’s title. The minutes were then approved as amended, with some members abstaining because they were not present at the prior meeting. The chair then turned to the commission’s work plan under SB 57, emphasizing the need to prioritize the statutory topics and identify which issues require additional research, documentation, and possible spreadsheets. Members discussed a broad range of special education cost drivers and policy questions, including student referral rates, why students are classified as other health impaired, whether referrals increased after COVID school closures, intervention processes before referral, the cost of services required under IEPs and 504 plans, differences between federal law, state law, and DOE rules, reporting of special education costs, out-of-district and residential placements, district sharing of resources, dispute resolution, graduation rates, and adult learning outcomes. Several members raised concerns that school environments, mental health, bullying, and possible overidentification may be contributing to rising special education numbers and costs, while others cautioned that some reported district percentages may be inflated or unclear because of how the data are counted. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 742, which would eliminate prorated special education aid when state appropriations are insufficient and require the governor to draw a warrant to cover shortfalls. Representative Ames explained that the bill had been recommended for interim study because the commission is already examining special education costing, and he highlighted the gap between FY24 special education costs of about $977.1 million and state aid of $33.9 million for catastrophic aid, $67.4 million for differentiated aid, and $50.8 million in federal IDEA funds, leaving local districts to cover about $825.1 million. He argued the commission should ultimately make clear that both the federal government and the state should contribute more. The Department of Education, through Melissa White, answered questions about data and oversight. She said special education counts come from IEPs entered into the state system using SASIDs, that DOE monitors districts through both desk audits and on-site visits, and that billing is checked against the services listed in each student’s IEP. She also said DOE’s special education work is largely federally funded, with roughly $56.7 million received through IDEA this year and about $49.1 million flowing through to LEAs, while the department retains a small amount for administration and statewide support activities. Members also discussed how adequacy calculations use special education counts from the state system and how those figures are reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• There was a change in auditors.
• So it’s changing, but it’s not changing fast enough for me.
• > not<01:34:08.080> changing<01:34:08.400> fast it's changing but it's not changing
• fast it's changing but it's not changing fast enough<01:34:09.040> for<01:34:09.440> for
• So 3 has 14 days to change her mind.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a full quorum and approved the prior minutes. Members offered introductions of guests and family members, then heard a presentation from University of Louisville President Thomas Jared Bradley, who was sworn in before testifying. He described his background and outlined U of L’s strategic priorities: student success, access and affordability, workforce development, community engagement, and research. Bradley highlighted enrollment growth, increases in first-generation and Pell-eligible students, strong transfer pathways with KCTCS, and support programs such as the Cardinal Commitment Grant, 15-to-Finish, Comeback Cards, tutoring, mentoring, and mental health services. Bradley also emphasized U of L’s statewide and regional impact through UofL Health, rural outreach, the Bullitt County rural cancer education and research center, nursing expansion, and the Kentucky Manufacturing Extension Partnership program. He noted major institutional distinctions, including R1 status, a new Carnegie Opportunity College and University designation, and community-engaged classification. He said the university is one of only 10 public universities nationwide with all three designations and reported record enrollment, improved retention, and strong research expenditures. He also thanked lawmakers for significant capital and operating support, including funding for the simulation center, health science center, asset preservation, and the MEP program. During questions, members praised the university’s public service role and asked about first-generation enrollment, retention, graduation rates, and post-graduation outcomes. Bradley said the university is working to improve completion by expanding academic support, early alerts, incentives for tutoring, and faculty/advisor mentoring, especially for first-generation and high-need students. He acknowledged that post-graduation employment data is difficult to collect but said the new Carnegie classification reflects positive outcomes. No votes were taken beyond approving the minutes, and no formal actions were taken on legislation in this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• make those that scrier's error changed make those that scrier's error changed >> the<00:10
• >> Okay, let's go ahead with the amended changes, those amendments or changes which have been mentioned
• >> amended changes >> amended changes >> those<00:14:06.639> amendments
• >> those amendments or changes which have >> those amendments or changes which have
• dramatic change. dramatic change.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The commission met to approve the November 21, 2025 minutes, making several clerical corrections before adopting them as amended. The edits included adding the date, correcting a misspelled name, clarifying references to a scholarship fund representative’s title, removing an incorrect “DOE” reference, and fixing a few wording errors. The minutes were approved with one abstention from members who were absent. The bulk of the meeting focused on organizing the commission’s work under SB 57 and identifying which special education cost issues should be prioritized for research and reporting. Members discussed a long list of topics, including student referral rates, why students are classified as other health impaired, increases in referrals since school closures, interventions before referral, costs of non-medically necessary services in IEPs and 504 plans, differences between federal and state requirements, reporting of special education costs, out-of-district and residential placements, dispute resolution, Medicaid and insurance use, graduation rates, and adult learning participation. Several members emphasized the need to combine or narrow topics and to gather better data before the report due July 1, 2026. Representative Ames highlighted HB 742, which would eliminate prorated special education aid payments when state appropriations fall short, and explained that the Education Funding Committee recommended interim study. He argued that local districts are bearing too much of the cost and that the state and federal governments should provide more support. Other members raised concerns about rising special education identification rates, possible overidentification, school climate and mental health factors, bullying, staffing, speech therapy access, and residential placements. One member cautioned that DOE website numbers may be inflated or at least difficult to interpret because of how students are counted. Department of Education staff then explained how special education data and costs are monitored. They said student counts are tied to IEPs and SASIDs in the state system, districts are checked through both desk audits and on-site monitoring, and billed services are compared against IEP requirements. They also described IDEA funding, noting that most DOE special education staffing is federally funded, with a large share of federal money flowing through to local education agencies and the remainder supporting administration, monitoring, and training initiatives. Members discussed whether more staff and more robust oversight would improve accuracy and accountability.