Video & Transcript Research : 'third degree'

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FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • AND AIRMEN TO RECEIVE UP TO 100 PERCENT TUITION FOR TECHNICAL CERTIFICATE, BACHELORS, OR MASTERS DEGREE
  • Wright: SENATE BILL 402 AMMENDS FLORIDA STATUTE 817.312 WHICH PROVIDES AND IS A THIRD-DEGREE FELONY FOR
Keywords: 999, senate, all
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
  • House Bill 2032 was removed from the third consent calendar.
  • House Concurrent Resolution 2003 is on the third-degree consent calendar, and with that, I'm happy to
  • House concurrent resolution 2003 is on the third-degree consent calendar, and with that, I'm happy to
  • Seeing none, I do need to pull that off third read. I do need to pull that off third read.
  • This bill is on the third read consent calendar.
Keywords: 1182, all
Summary: The meeting covered a large number of bills and resolutions across education, federalism, government, health, commerce, and judiciary-related topics. In education, members heard bills on moving the statewide testing window later, allowing paper-based testing in more cases, posting school administrator compensation data, expanding who may receive student directory information, reviewing duplicative ADE reporting requirements, requiring religious excusals, creating a school fitness recognition program, and a proposed ballot measure on sex-designated school sports and private spaces. In federalism, the committee discussed banning foreign nationals from funding ballot-measure committees and a proposal to eliminate voting centers and return to precinct-based voting. Other items included memorials urging the U.S. to withdraw from the United Nations and the IMF, and a government bill penalizing agencies that fail to submit financial reports on time. Health and human services bills focused on lactation care, a state certification program for lactation providers, prohibiting gender transition procedures for minors, requiring chief medical officers at state agencies to hold active licenses, clarifying air ambulance statutes, seeking a SNAP waiver to restrict non-eligible food purchases, and collecting hospital patient immigration-status data for reporting. Sponsors generally framed these as consumer protection, public health, or administrative cleanup measures, while some members raised concerns about cost, privacy, and possible legal conflicts. In commerce, the committee heard bills on digital goods disclosure, protections for child content creators, liability limits for river outfitters, landlord utility billing transparency, appraisal management company definitions, unemployment eligibility verification, and association-based health plans. Several measures were pulled from consent or flagged for amendments. The judiciary portion included bills creating a civil cause of action for violations of anti-DEI laws, expanding hate-crime-style penalties to include political affiliation and expression, adding reporting requirements for name changes by sex offenders, penalizing possession of falsified commercial driver’s licenses by unlawfully present individuals, adding penalties for mailing abortion-inducing drugs, allowing speed-limiting devices as an alternative to license suspension, extending inmate transition services, increasing penalties for sexual extortion involving older teens, requiring legislative approval to close state shooting ranges, and advancing an Article V convention resolution for congressional term limits. Several sponsors emphasized public safety, parental rights, election integrity, or government accountability, while some members raised constitutional or implementation concerns, particularly on liability, voting systems, and the term-limits resolution. Multiple bills were reported as being on consent calendars, with some pulled for amendments or further discussion.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Finance May 7th, 2026

Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • But things started to change in third grade.
  • And now even my third grader is speaking on what college you would like to go to in third grade because
  • She's on her third school at six years old.
  • The first two She's on her third school at six years old.
  • Third, it strengthens our state's economy and resilience.
Keywords: 974, senate, all
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
  • The bill is on the third-read consent calendar. Happy to answer questions.
  • House Bill 2110 was removed from the third-read consent calendar.
  • It's currently on the third read consent calendar. Happy to answer any questions.
  • It is also on the third read consent calendar. Questions for staff?
  • This bill is on the third read consent calendar, and I'm available for questions.
Keywords: 1182, all
Summary: The meeting covered a long list of House bills, mostly on third-read consent calendars, spanning appropriations, elections, education, public safety, water, taxation, and criminal law. Early discussion focused on HB 2148, which would give the legislature authority to appropriate non-custodial federal funds, described by the sponsor as a transparency measure. Other measures discussed included HB 2091 on insurance-related assessment limits, HB 2122 on reciprocity for BTR-related professions, HB 2138 clarifying firefighter workers’ compensation coverage, and HB 2008 barring public school libraries from using public money to pay library professional associations. HB 2110, removed from consent, would allow school governing body members to pray at meetings, with members noting Supreme Court precedent supporting such prayer. Several bills addressed school safety and parental rights. HB 2142 would create a School Safety Center at the Arizona Department of Education and allow up to 10% of school safety program funds for administration, with supporters citing an audit and lack of oversight. HB 2249 would expand the Parents’ Bill of Rights to require notice if a school employee facilitates social transitioning of a minor and to provide broader access to educational records, with penalties discussed for violations. HB 2074 would add mandatory reporting for anyone in a medical facility who knows a partial-birth abortion is occurring, and HB 2144 would allow child support calculations to begin during pregnancy based on a confirmed pregnancy test and related DNA testing provisions. The committee also took up election-related measures. HB 2022 would make permanent changes tied to the federal Electoral Count Act, including moving Arizona’s primary earlier to preserve military and overseas voting access, while keeping petition dates valid and preserving existing deadlines for candidates. HCM 2001 urged federal designation of the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization, and HCM 2002 supported a separate congressional effort involving CARE and related federal review and designation processes; members debated the distinction between direct designation and a request for federal investigation. HCR 2001 proposed a constitutional amendment to limit voting to U.S. citizens, require government ID to register, prohibit foreign contributions, and end early voting by the Friday before an election. Water, land use, and tax bills were also reviewed. Measures included HB 2024 on snowpack augmentation as a water supply development project, HB 2029 and HB 2030 tightening how Water Conservation Grant Fund money is used, HB 2053 appropriating $100,000 for updated stormwater recharge mapping, HB 2096 expanding revolving fund uses to address cesspools, HB 2097 capping groundwater withdrawal in irrigation non-expansion areas, and HB 2116 funding potential Colorado River litigation. On the tax side, HB 2016 would remove late-filing penalties when no tax is due, HB 2104 and HB 2105 would protect agricultural property owners from repeated reclassification and require notice of inspections, and HB 2289 would update truth-in-taxation examples to reflect higher home values. The committee also heard bills on criminal penalties and other matters, including HB 2043 on felony murder involving an unborn child, HB 2045 on discharging a weapon near a vehicle, HB 2131 and HB 2132 on weapons trafficking and fentanyl penalties, and HB 2062 authorizing a Buffalo Soldiers memorial in Wesley Bolin Plaza.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (01/15/2025)

Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • Hampshire um about one-third of our Hampshire um about one-third of our men's<00:41:17.920> population
  • much more likely to go to the third much more likely to go to the third appointment<01:02:18.079
  • Committee in the past i' I'm in my third Committee in the past i' I'm in my third term<01:13:24.120
  • are like third year law students<01:21:57.679> that<01:21:57.800> aren't<01:21:58.480>
  • We have a high degree of mental health issues among our clients.
Keywords: 1189, house, all
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

2026 Legislative Session - Day Sixty Three - Tuesday, May 5th

Missouri House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • So, you know, I know you sped through that to some degree. I know we’re moving fast here.
  • The other is my fourth degree assault bill.
  • The next order of business will be Senate bills for third reading.
  • I move that Senate Bill 1629 be third read and passed.
  • I move that Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 959 be third read and passed.
Keywords: 959, house, all
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs (02/20/2026)

State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • HR 37 we will do third; that is uh has to do with United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights
  • HR 37 we [clears throat] will do third; that is uh has to do with United Nations Universal Declaration
  • So, uh, more background: went to the Air Force Academy, got a degree in astronautical engineering, and
  • <00:06:33.039> a went to the Air Force Academy, got a went to the Air Force Academy, got a degree
  • in astronautical engineering and degree in astronautical engineering and flew<00:06:36.240> in
Keywords: 1189, house, all
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • I would say maybe a third have met the 30-year deadline as of today, and then the rest are along the
  • requires a social worker with a degree. requires a social worker with a degree.
  • It'll be the third year I've filed it.
  • And then the third most common is the insurance premium tax.
  • :43.119> the<01:05:43.359> insurance third most common is the insurance third most common
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The committee first heard an update from representatives of the Kentucky County Clerk’s Association on the transition to electronic recording and land records modernization. They reviewed the 2021 task force work, the legislation and budget funding that followed, and the requirements for county clerks to provide online search portals and complete 30-year property record searches, with a 60-year standard expected next summer. Speakers said most counties are still working through scanning and verification, with only a small number fully complete, and emphasized that verification of records is the main bottleneck because it requires staff time and careful matching of indexes to deeds. They also noted limited vendor availability, differences among counties in what records are already digitized, and that the association and land title attorneys are now working more closely on future “continuous improvement” legislation. The clerks also raised related issues, including concerns about deed fraud as more records become searchable online. They said some counties already offer notification services that alert property owners when a document is recorded, which can help owners respond quickly to suspicious filings. They also discussed the filing document storage fee and KDLA digitization grants, saying the funding structure has generally worked but that two grant cycles have been missed. Another topic was whether, once records are fully digitized and searchable, some permanent records should remain publicly accessible or be moved to a safer archive. In response to committee questions, the witnesses said the remaining delays are less about money than staffing shortages and the need for more manpower to complete verification, and they said they would follow up on the balance in the KDLA fund and other details. The committee then received a presentation from an Area Development District representative, who described the districts as regional, nonpartisan service organizations that help cities and counties pool resources, provide technical assistance, and leverage public and private partnerships. He highlighted examples of regional cooperation, including veterans-directed care and other shared programs, and argued that the districts create efficiencies and economies of scale for local governments and the state. No votes or formal actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.
NJ

New Jersey 2026-2027 Regular Session

Assembly Session Jun 11th, 2026

New Jersey House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • On third reading, final passage, Senate Joint Resolution 137.
  • Well, third and final... We are now on non-consent. I'm sorry.
  • On third reading and final passage, Assembly Bill 4542, ...
  • On third, written, final passes, the assembly bill 4050, sponsored by Sparman and Peterson.
  • On third reading final passes, Assembly Bill 4106, sponsored by Sleman-Friam.
Keywords: 1146, all
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

Joint Judiciary Committee, May 13, 2026 - AM

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • that fits within that class or degree. that fits within that class or degree.
  • Utah, they classify felonies by degree Utah, they classify felonies by degree rather<00:21:53.520
  • And then North Dakota and each degree.
  • <01:15:29.520> murder murder and first-degree murder murder and first-degree murder obviously
  • Yet you're making this third-degree low-level offense register four times a year for life.
Keywords: 916, all
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies Jun 21st, 2026 at 12:30 pm

Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies

Transcript Highlights:
  • We lost 1,800 jobs, and that was the third quarter in a row this year, so you're looking at six to eight
  • We lost 1,800 jobs, and that was the third quarter in a row this year, so you're looking at six to eight
  • Thank you very much. award more than 75% of the bachelor's and STEM degrees in Massachusetts.
  • We were dependent on that federal funding to complete our degree and publish our research, which would
  • I'm the representative from the Third Hampshire District, which includes Amherst and Granby and three
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The committee on Economic Development held a hearing on the DRIVE Act, a proposal to invest $400 million in Massachusetts research and innovation without new taxes. Governor Healey and administration officials said the bill would direct $200 million to public higher education research and regional partnerships and $200 million to a research funding pool for hospitals, universities, and other institutions, with the goal of retaining talent, leveraging private and philanthropic dollars, and offsetting major federal R&D cuts. They argued that research is a core economic engine for the state, supporting jobs across labs, construction, services, and surrounding businesses, and said the bill would help protect the Commonwealth’s tax base and competitiveness during a period of federal uncertainty and cuts to SNAP, Medicaid, and other programs. Committee members raised concerns about whether Fair Share surtax dollars should instead be used for K-12 and other community needs, whether the proposal is enough given the scale of lost federal grants, and how the money would be allocated. The governor responded that the funds are one-time surplus dollars, that most surtax revenue already supports education, and that the bill is meant as a bridge to stabilize public higher education and research. She also said the legislation includes a review board and could support a revolving or matched-fund approach in some cases. Several members pressed for more detail on selection criteria, future funding, and whether private companies and large endowments should contribute more. University of Massachusetts leaders and researchers testified that federal grant cancellations and delays are already causing layoffs, furloughs, rescinded admissions, and lost research capacity. UMass officials said the bill would help preserve faculty, postdocs, graduate students, and research programs in medicine, climate science, marine science, Braille instruction, and AI decision-making. They emphasized that the funding should be merit-based and that the state needs to act quickly to prevent talent from leaving Massachusetts. Business, labor, and industry groups, including MassBio, the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, AIM, the AFL-CIO, and Building Trades, supported the bill, saying it would protect jobs, sustain the innovation ecosystem, and reinforce Massachusetts’ national leadership in research and life sciences. No vote was taken in the hearing.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/04/2026 - Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency

Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:
  • If you're the lucky recipient, you can come up next and take that third slot.
  • I think that everybody should be on it to a degree.
  • of work experience, or a master's degree with one year's work experience.
  • of work experience, or a master's degree with one year's work experience.
  • This is the third year that we have run this legislation and the second year after the audit.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 4/3/25 - Part 2

Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, and that currently is something that they are to some degree obstructed from doing by virtue of our
  • Um, and that currently is something that they are to some degree obstructed from doing by virtue of our
  • Um, and that currently is something that they are to some degree obstructed from doing by virtue of our
  • <00:25:35.440> of with by someone who has a high degree of with by someone who has a high
  • And then the third assigned to cases.
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

Appropriations Feb 24th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • malicious damage to an autonomous vehicle where the damage is greater than $200 is a felony of the third
  • degree.
  • After her third round of vaccines, Lily began vomiting and had a fever.
  • After her third round of vaccines, Lily began vomiting and had a fever.
  • After her third round of vaccines, Lily began vomiting and had a fever. She stopped in her tracks.
Summary: The committee first took up CS for SB 896 on school safety, which would expand the Guardian program to public postsecondary institutions, require active assailant response plans and threat management protocols, improve reporting and information sharing, and make it a felony to discharge a weapon within 1,000 feet of a campus. A late-file amendment by Senator Polsky was adopted to clarify that students who are also employees or faculty at a public postsecondary institution are not eligible for the Guardian program. The bill drew strong opposition from faculty, students, and gun-safety advocates who argued that more guns on campus would create confusion, weaken safety, and undermine campus police; supporters said trained guardians would improve deterrence and protection. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably by a roll call vote. The committee then considered SB 1690 on child care and early learning services, which updates child care laws, reduces some regulatory burdens, and expands the Florida Education Foundation’s authority to fundraise for early learning from birth through VPK. Members discussed oversight of the related direct-support organization and the removal of certain notice requirements, while supporters from Moms Rising and other advocates said the bill would help families access affordable, high-quality child care and support home-based providers. One opponent argued the bill added more government regulation, but the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. Next, the committee passed CS for SB 118, a narrow bill on non-ad valorem special assessments for recreational vehicle parks, clarifying how assessments are calculated for RV spaces and campsites. The bill received supportive comments from RV advocates and was reported favorably without controversy. The committee then took up CS for SB 1220, the Department of Transportation package, which included provisions on seaports and airports, personal delivery devices, autonomous vehicles, broadband and utility permitting, and advanced air mobility. Amendments were adopted that revised research institute membership, limited some delivery-device provisions, and clarified cruiser light rules for law enforcement; after questions about utility preemption and PDD safety, the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1756 on medical freedom, which would require new vaccine educational materials, expand school-entry exemptions to include conscience-based objections, limit the Surgeon General’s emergency vaccination authority, and allow behind-the-counter ivermectin for adults with written information and liability protections. The bill drew extensive testimony from both supporters and opponents, with supporters emphasizing parental rights, informed consent, and vaccine injury concerns, and opponents warning about reduced immunization rates, public health risks, and the appropriateness of ivermectin provisions. The transcript ends during public testimony and debate on SB 1756, before final action on that bill is shown.
MS

Mississippi 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations - Room 210; 29 January, 2026: 8:00 AM

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, so that's about a third that are still receiving some type of service.
  • Um so that's<00:04:36.240> about<00:04:36.400> a<00:04:36.639> third<00:04:36.960
  • > that<00:04:37.280> are<00:04:37.520> still that's about a third that are still
  • that's about a third that are still receiving<00:04:38.639> some<00:04:38.880> type<00
  • Um so that's just a um to some degree.
Summary: The Department of Mental Health presented its FY27 budget request and described its statewide responsibilities, including more than 600 grants totaling about $140 million, 11 community mental health centers, and state-operated programs for mental health, substance use, and intellectual/developmental disabilities. The request included $291.2 million in general funds, about $33.4 million above the current year, plus spending authority tied to ID regional programs and the IDD waiver. Major components included funding to enroll 250 additional people in the IDD home- and community-based waiver, a projected waiver rate increase, and added support for state-operated 24/7 programs facing staffing and operational shortfalls. The agency also asked to continue selected ARPA-funded services before those dollars expire, including 988 call center support, peer respite sites, court liaison positions, intensive community services for children and youth, and adolescent offender programs. Other requests covered salary adjustments and longevity increases for hard-to-fill positions, electronic health record support, IT security upgrades, a Jackson County crisis stabilization unit expansion from 8 to 16 beds, capital needs such as generator and boiler/chiller replacements, inflation-related increases for community mental health center grants, and restoration of general funds under a Joint Legislative Budget Committee recommendation. Officials emphasized that community-based care now accounts for 58% of funding and that the goal is to keep people out of institutions unless they need the highest level of care. Committee members asked about ARPA balances, forensic referrals, Jackson County’s request, and county support for community mental health centers. The department said about $25 million in ARPA funds remained and should be spent by September 30, with some delays due to reimbursement revisions. On forensic services, officials reported the new 81-bed maximum-security unit at State Hospital has cut the wait list roughly in half, but admission orders are up 51%, and some referrals may be unnecessary or used to delay proceedings. Members also discussed county contributions to community mental health centers, which the department said total about $9–10 million statewide, with most counties now meeting their obligations and only a few using small in-kind contributions.
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary (1-29-26)

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • Welcome, everyone, to the third meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
  • you know, I guess it's probably really more of a symptom of just the overall decline and, to some degree
  • overall decline and and to some degree overall decline and and to some degree the<00:07:31.840><
  • They're offered by third-party persons, and they're expensive.
  • person to get really benefiting a third person to get a<00:35:33.440> bunch<00:35:33.520>
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee heard Senate Bill 122, which would allow certain defendants who are caretakers of dependent children to ask a sentencing court to consider parenting classes and family counseling as part of an alternative sentence, alongside existing options like probation and treatment programs. Representative Nick Wilson, the House sponsor, said the bill was aimed at helping families affected by the opioid crisis, especially in Appalachia, and described it as a way to support parents who want to get clean and rebuild family stability. He emphasized that the bill would apply only on a defendant’s motion, would not be automatic, and would exclude violent offenders, domestic violence-related cases, child-victim cases, and cases where probation or similar relief is otherwise prohibited. Committee members raised concerns that the bill could create a two-tiered system of justice or add unnecessary procedure because judges already consider family circumstances through presentence investigations and sentencing discretion. One senator said he would support the bill but worried it privileged defendants with children over those without. Another member argued the bill was unnecessary because judges and prosecutors already have these options available and because it could add another hearing to an already overloaded court system. Supporters responded that the family unit should be given greater weight and that the bill would simply make that consideration more explicit. Judge Julie Ward, joined by Judge Jeremy Maddox, testified against the bill as written. She said judges already receive presentence reports, hear offender statements, and consider caregiving responsibilities, and that family court already addresses children’s needs when custody issues arise. Her main objections were that parenting services are not available in all communities, may cost money, and that the bill would require evidentiary hearings and potentially create equal protection problems by giving preferential treatment to caretakers. She urged the sponsors to work on revised language instead of passing the bill in its current form. Senator Wheeler said he would vote for the bill and noted that a floor amendment would be offered to address access to confidential juvenile “J cases” in presentence reports, since probation and parole do not have that access. He said the amendment was intended to make sure sentencing judges have the information they need. The discussion ended without a final committee vote in the transcript, but the bill remained under consideration with possible amendment and further revision.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

SPEED Task Force (STF) - Mon Dec 15, 2025 @ 9:30 AM HST

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The format was a webinar. testimony on the third item on the testimony on the third item on the agenda
  • He is currently pursuing a degree in information systems at Kapiʻolani Community College.
  • :48.559> in currently pursuing a degree in currently pursuing a degree in information<00:20:49.600
  • Uh,<01:02:31.200> third, Uh, third, Uh, third, once<01:02:32.960> a<01:02:33.200> complete
  • 06.800> adoption<01:21:07.120> of Third recommendation is an adoption of Third recommendation
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The Speed Task Force met on December 15, 2025, with members participating in person and via Zoom. After roll call and introductions, the chair filed the previous meeting minutes without objection. The chair then gave a report on outreach presentations statewide about the task force’s permitting-simplification work, noting appearances before groups such as the Chinese Chamber, Small Business Regulatory Review Board, General Contractors Association of Hawaii, Hawaii Chamber, and the Land Use Commission. He also introduced the new task force coordinator, Reginald K. T. King, and outlined a January 6, 2026 process for member-submitted recommendations, including first-come consideration and structured debate. No public testimony or member questions were offered on these items. The task force heard a presentation from the Building Permit PIG. The presenter said the group reviewed 79 SWAT recommendation forms over seven meetings, with participation from 15 disciplines and about 270 hours of work. The group’s findings emphasized workforce shortages, inconsistent plan quality, limited departmental resources, and a lack of centralized tools for applicants to self-resolve issues. Recommendations focused on building a workforce pipeline, expanding training on codes and technology, and developing a universal platform, including AI-assisted review tools. The presenter also raised offsite construction, including factory-built, modular, tiny homes, and ADUs, as an area needing clearer state and county alignment to speed permit review and support housing needs. No public testimony or Q&A followed, and discussion and voting were deferred to the January 6, 2026 meeting. The task force then began the Chapter 6E Historic Preservation PIG presentation. The chair described historic preservation as a broad process covering research, protection, restoration, rehabilitation, and interpretation of significant properties, including burial sites and iwi kūpuna, and said Chapter 6E is intended to guide responsible development rather than stop it. The presentation explained SHPD’s role and the complexity of 6E review, including archaeological surveys, monitoring, and preservation plans. Early findings highlighted uncertainty in sensitivity determinations for iwi kūpuna and subsurface resources, repeated review of the same projects, and staffing and technical capacity shortages among SHPD and consultants. Public testimony was closed and no immediate Q&A was allowed; further discussion and voting on recommendations were scheduled for January 6, 2026.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Stephen is a former educator from North Texas who holds a master's degree in public policy from U.T.
  • I do agree to the degree that it can.
  • In the third grade, we pulled him out of public school and began homeschooling him.
  • But he's forgetting a third building block of success coming from a family that has wealth.
  • My mother is a teacher and received her degree in education.
Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 convened with a quorum, adopted its committee rules, and heard opening remarks from members introducing staff and outlining priorities for the session. Several senators emphasized support for public education, teacher pay and safety, parental choice, and the combined K-16 jurisdiction of the committee. The chair also reviewed hearing procedures, including public testimony registration and time limits. The main item was Senate Bill 2, the Texas Education Freedom Act, laid out by Chairman Creighton. He described the bill as an education savings account program intended to expand school choice, with a $200 million universal eligibility pool and an additional $800 million targeted to students with disabilities and lower-income families. He said the bill includes anti-fraud safeguards, criminal background checks for vendors, reporting requirements, data protections, and annual testing for participating students, while not imposing STAAR on private schools or homeschoolers. He also said the bill removes a prior hold-harmless provision for public schools and is separate from public school funding and teacher pay legislation. Members questioned the bill’s income threshold, lottery and priority structure, treatment of homeschoolers, microschools, charter schools, religious freedom protections, citizenship/lawful presence language, cybersecurity, open records, and disability-related issues, including whether 504 students and foster children should be included. Creighton said the bill is designed to prioritize former public school students with disabilities or lower incomes, while also allowing universal eligibility within the program’s first funding tier, and that the Comptroller would oversee vendor screening and cybersecurity rules. He said the bill does not direct curriculum or interfere with religious beliefs and that amendments may be offered later on citizenship and other issues. After member questions, the committee began invited testimony, starting with EdChoice representative Robert Inlow, who testified in support of SB 2 and cited national growth in school choice programs and studies he said show positive effects for students and public schools.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

Senate - Rules Feb 3rd, 2025

Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:
  • Pius, a graduate and an MSU graduate with a bachelor's degree. There's a lot to say.
  • The Board of Finance works with two degrees of separation from the Board of Regents.
  • Kathy holds a bachelor's degree in journalism and political science from...
  • What we argue is that it's the third sector, and it's the non-profit sector.
  • And they're graduating with an engineering degree. It's been a real pleasure.
PA

Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Session (Jun 30 2026)

Pennsylvania House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Further evaluation revealed that she had a 50-degree curve in her spine, and it kept getting worse.
  • I am pleased to share that the procedure was a success, reducing her curve from nearly 60 degrees to
  • Madam Speaker, today I'm pleased to present House Resolution 554, designating the third week of August
  • nephews and a few children and laid out a new playground, or a new ball field, a diamond about two-thirds
  • confidential information and is legally obligated to protect confidential information in the same or greater degree
Summary: The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized several guests, including a student advocate and family members connected to a resolution on scoliosis awareness. The chamber first took up committee reports from Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness, Tourism and Recreation and Economic Development, and later Appropriations, Rules, Commerce, and Environmental and Natural Resource Protection, agreeing to the reported bills and resolutions. House Resolution 531, designating June 2026 as Scoliosis Awareness Month, was adopted 201-1 after remarks describing the condition and the advocacy of a young constituent. The House also adopted resolutions designating Diaper Need Awareness Week, directing a study on PANS/PANDAS, recognizing 717 Day, Little League World Series Week, and commemorating America 250 in Pennsylvania, with broad bipartisan support. The House then considered several bills on final passage. House Bill 2146, updating the Sunshine Act’s 24-hour agenda notice rule after a court ruling, and Senate Bills 130, 511, 971, 972, 1181, and 1235 were agreed to. House Bill 1239, limiting HOA restrictions on rooftop solar, drew multiple amendments; some were withdrawn, and others failed on tied votes, after debate over HOA governance, native plants, and net metering. House Bill 2219, on license plates and transportation provisions, had an amendment agreed to removing indemnification language for elected officials at special events, and then passed as amended. House Bill 2558, banning non-compete agreements for broadcast workers, saw an amendment to preserve limited non-competes fail, and the bill passed. House Bill 2359, prohibiting government NDAs related to data centers, passed 171-31 after extensive debate over transparency and local control. The chamber also passed House Bill 2455, granting Pittsburgh school administrators collective bargaining rights, despite objections that existing appeal protections already exist; it passed 106-96. House Bill 2460, creating hunting and trapping education provisions, passed 180-22 after debate over whether it duplicated existing law and imposed a mandate. House Bill 2499, expanding the State Workers’ Insurance Fund’s equity investment authority, passed 173-29. House Bill 2529, scheduling metatomidine as a Schedule III controlled substance, passed 198-4 amid testimony about overdose risks and concerns about criminalization. Senate Bill 604, joining the Counseling Compact, passed 188-14, and Senate Bill 1259, clarifying parole record privilege and expanding notice to denied parole applicants, passed unanimously 202-0. The House then made referrals and committee assignments, signed the two Senate bills for presentation to the Governor, and adjourned until July 1, 2026.