Transcript Highlights:

• It reduces public costs, both current and future, especially in special education and a wide array of
• in special education and<01:11:39.120> a<01:11:39.320> wide<01:11:39.520> array
• needs in our reduces special education needs in our K12<01:11:48.480> schools<01:11:49.159>
• involve and communicate that is educate involve and communicate that is hard<01:20:41.080> to
• , employment, youth justice, really disrupting the cradle-to-prison pipeline, and community education

Bills: HF2148, HF2693, HF2542, HF1141, HF1770, HF1489, HF1709, HF244, HF1266, HF807, HF2619, HF1340

Keywords: affordable housing, local control, revolving loan fund, community partnerships, Minnesota housing policy, housing, locally controlled housing, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, housing infrastructure bonds, state bonds, bonding bill, supportive housing, permanent supportive housing, homelessness, veterans housing, senior housing, manufactured home parks, community land trust, single-family housing, multifamily housing

Transcript Highlights:

• As well as we move on to the education and government, which was mentioned, we also need educational
• We have our own Santa Ana College educational comprehensive educational plan.
• We have our own San Anna College educational, comprehensive educational plan.
• But educational centers can be career technical education and workforce training centers.
• But educational centers can be career technical education and workforce training center.

Summary: The hearing opened the Select Committee on Effective Postsecondary Career, Technical Education, and Workforce Development Programs at Santa Ana College, with Assemblymember Mike Fong emphasizing the need for affordable, accelerated pathways into high-demand careers and noting his bill AB 1098 creating the California Interagency Education Council. Chancellor Marvin Martinez welcomed the committee and urged changes to AB 927 to remove the “duplication” barrier for community college bachelor’s degrees, arguing that applied baccalaureate programs can lead to high-wage jobs and expand access for low- and middle-income students. The first panel focused on statewide workforce trends and policy. California Community Colleges Vice Chancellor Anthony Cordova highlighted credit for prior learning, Strong Workforce funding, dual enrollment, and apprenticeship growth, asking the Legislature to restore and increase Strong Workforce funding and expand applied baccalaureate degrees. LAEDC’s Josep Bilayo described regional labor market data showing growth in health care, education, construction, bioscience, and clean energy, while stressing the need for employer-led, data-driven programs, wraparound supports, and flexible funding. Andrew Gonzalez of the Building and Construction Trades Council argued that registered apprenticeship must be paid, combine classroom and on-the-job training, and end in a portable credential; he also promoted apprenticeship readiness programs, community workforce agreements, and stronger exposure to trades starting in K-12. Eric Morrison Smith of the Alliance for Boys and Men of Color discussed the California Opportunity Youth Apprenticeship Grant Program and related youth apprenticeship recommendations, including bridge programs, intermediary infrastructure, reduced employer barriers, and better coordination of state funding. A later panel highlighted Santa Ana College’s fire technology and firefighting academy programs. President Annabelle Neri and Vice President Jeffrey Lamb said the college is one of the state’s largest fire training providers, with strong partnerships with local fire agencies, law enforcement, and the U.S. Forest Service, and with high job placement and six-figure starting salaries for some graduates. They also described related certificates, advanced officer training, wellness services, and workforce preparation such as mock interviews and sponsorships. Throughout the hearing, members and panelists repeatedly stressed the importance of aligning education with labor market demand, expanding apprenticeships and work-based learning, and using regional collaboration to connect students to living-wage careers.

Transcript Highlights:

• public education. public education.
• is not equity. is not equity.
• I've met with educators. I've met with educators.
• education to our students. education to our students.
• educating our students? educating our students?

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 7 January, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, heard an invocation from Reverend Chip Stevens of First Baptist Church in Jackson, and recited the pledge of allegiance. The body then dispensed with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and bill titles, and received several guest introductions, including the president of Mississippi University for Women, the physician of the day, and the session’s pages. The main item of business was Senate Bill 2004, the Mississippi PERS Stability Act. Senator Sparks explained that the bill would provide a $500 million infusion to the PERS accumulated employers account on July 1, 2026, followed by $50 million annually for 10 years, with backup funding from unobligated general funds if needed. He said the measure was intended to help address the system’s roughly $26 billion liability and to support both state employees and local government employers, noting that the state had already taken other steps to strengthen PERS. The bill was advanced to engrossed status, read for the third time, and placed on the calendar for final passage. Senator Norwood asked whether the funding would help local governments, and Senator Sparks said it would, because the liability is shared by all employers in the system and affects local balance sheets and bond ratings. Senator Bryan then spoke at length in opposition to the broader direction of retirement policy, criticizing the committee process, the fragmentation of retirement legislation, and what he described as incentives for privatization and unfair treatment of new hires. He said he would still vote for the bill because it sends money into the system, but argued that the state should focus retirement benefits on older retirees and avoid further benefit expansions. Senator Sparks responded that the bill was a necessary cash infusion to honor commitments to employees, stabilize the system, and avoid insolvency, and said more PERS legislation would follow.

Transcript Highlights:

• New Mexico has performed poorly in many areas of economic development and educational attainment.
• We are especially proud of our educational program, and any family in San Diego Pueblo. look and send
• their children to any school, and the tribe pays for the cost of that education.
• One of the things the tribes did to educate the tribes a little bit more about Indian gaming, because
• They're just here for the history of it to educate our legislators.

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will read: Senate Bill 670 by Senator Cervantes, an act relating to adult education.
• Fund to create new California-based master's degree nurse midwifery education programs.
• master's degree nurse midwifery education programs.
• Senate Bill 373 by Senator Grove and others, an athlete to special education.
• Latinos have lower educational attainment levels than both state and national averages.

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through a long floor file with many Senate bills. Early procedural actions included unanimous-consent motions, a successful roll-call to rescind prior action on SB 351, and a 54-vote suspension of Joint Rule 61(a)(3) to allow floor amendments on SBs 80, 351, and 415. The chamber also made several referrals, moved one item to the inactive file, and welcomed new Assembly Member Natasha Johnson and other guests. The bulk of the meeting consisted of concurrence and third-reading votes on a wide range of measures, many of them passing with little or no opposition. Topics included tribal gaming grants (AB 221), State Bar fee and bar exam changes (SB 253), AI guardrails in community colleges (SB 241), consumer arbitration clauses (SB 82), due process for law enforcement in Racial Justice Act cases (SB 734), dental payment fee disclosures (SB 386), HOA balcony inspection reports (SB 410), farmland protection and EIFD rules (SB 5 and SB 516), emergency shelter zoning (SB 340), HIV confidentiality (SB 504), election signature-cure reforms (SB 3), contractor workers’ compensation compliance (SB 291), fire training funding (SB 345), wage theft enforcement (SB 355 and SB 261), food allergen disclosures (SB 68), ride-share insurance coverage (SB 371), housing and disaster recovery measures (SB 233, SB 625, SB 21), midwifery education (SB 520), mobile home insurance access (SB 525), epinephrine in schools (SB 568), health facility emergency licensing (SB 582), hair relaxer enforcement (SB 236), wastewater surveillance (SB 317), and several tax, transportation, and public health bills. A number of bills drew brief policy debate or opposition. SB 388, creating a California Latino Commission, prompted criticism from some members who argued the money should go directly to community needs rather than a new commission; it still passed. SB 50 on digital safety for victims of abuse, SB 20 on silicosis prevention, SB 306 on prior authorization reform, SB 373 on oversight of out-of-state special education placements, and SB 437 on reparations descendant-status verification were among the more substantive and discussed measures. Most bills passed by wide margins, often unanimously, and several urgency or tax-levy measures required 54 votes and were approved. The session ended with continued passage of remaining file items and multiple items retained or passed temporarily for later action.

Transcript Highlights:

• This amendment right here is providing a step of equity.
• Those that are in it for the outcome of equity.
• What we were able to do for EMS funding is establish ambulance education programs.
• The education provision is really what's important for me.
• So with the education reform, the reconsideration orders. Bipartisan provisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do want to note that CDE does not administer funding intended for post-secondary or higher education
• Across the food system, Track One, the K-12 Procurement and Education Track, funds individual schools
• Track Three is the Farm to Early Care and Education Track, which is basically the same as K-12, but for
• Federal programs that are focused on local foods for schools and hands-on food education have been cut
• Work to see if we can achieve that goal of co-management, like an educational kind of visitor-serving

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• workforce, we have to make educated workforce, we have to make higher<00:45:31.760> education
• per worker skills arising from education per worker skills arising from education and<01:06:43.039
• . by skills arising from education or by skills arising from education or experience.<01:12:53.920>
• state because of educational state because of educational opportunities.<01:29:20.800> Maybe<
• without them and their private equity. without them and their private equity.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We also include a $150,000 increase to our state's homeowner education program, HEATCA, and a $150,000
• We also include a $150,000 increase to our state's homeowner education program, HEATCA, and a $150,000
• I think that's a really critical tool, especially when we see a lot of these private equity companies
• <00:12:12.720> companies lot of these private equity companies lot of these private equity
• strengthen the equity in those in<00:12:27.840> those<00:12:28.520> manufactured<00:12

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• APC, Physician assistants, also known as advanced practice clinicians or APCs, receive extensive education
• Madam Chair, members of the committee, my name is Jim Wetworth, Clinical Education Manager for Patterson
• I'm Jim Wetworth, clinical education manager for Patterson District Ambulance and Del Puerto Health Care
• a discriminatory system where some conditions and services are favored over others, raising real equity
• It aligns with California's values, our leadership in health care equity, and our growing commitment

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Physician assistants, also known as advanced practice clinicians, or APCs, receive extensive education
• Madam Chair, members of the committee, my name is Jim Wetworth, Clinical Education Manager for Patterson
• With your support and aye vote on this bill, we can align with evidence-based care, ensure health equity
• a discriminatory system where some conditions and services are favored over others, raising real equity
• It aligns with California's values, our leadership in health care equity, and our growing commitment

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a long agenda of health-related bills, with most items presented for later vote once quorum was reached. Early in the hearing, the committee adopted a consent calendar of multiple bills with motions for due pass to Appropriations, and it noted that AB 2029 had been pulled from the agenda. The committee also took up AB 1973, a bill by Aguiar-Curry to expand who may provide procedural abortion care. Supporters, including physicians and certified nurse midwives, argued the bill would align law with current training and improve access, while opponents said later-term abortion procedures require physician-level surgical training and raised safety concerns. The author emphasized hands-on training, consultation, and transfer protocols, and the bill was held pending quorum with a motion and second recorded. The committee then heard AB 1558 by Arambula, which would adopt the Uniform Emergency Volunteer Health Practitioners Act to speed the use of out-of-state licensed volunteers during declared disasters. Supporters from the Uniform Law Commission and the Red Cross said the bill would reduce delays and clarify legal authority for volunteer health workers; there was no opposition testimony. AB 2282 by Alanis, a temporary rural emergency stabilization center for Patterson while a permanent hospital is built, drew support from local emergency responders and a late opposition from the California chapter of ACEP. The chair praised the bill as a creative local solution and agreed to coauthor it; a motion and second were recorded, with the vote to occur later. Several public health access bills followed. AB 1843 by El-Hawari would limit prior authorization and align hepatitis C treatment coverage with medical guidelines; supporters said it would remove barriers to a curable disease, while health plans opposed it as a mandate, citing premium impacts and the recent SB 306 prior-authorization process. AB 2247 by El-Hawari would create the THRIVE program for mental health services for youth affected by gun violence; Youth Alive and other supporters described trauma-informed, community-based care, and the chair and another member asked to be added as coauthors. AB 2138 by Krell would expand access to certified peer support specialists in enhanced care management and remove automatic disqualifications based solely on criminal history; supporters said peers are essential to engagement and recovery, and the bill was held with a motion and second. Later, AB 1682 by Hart would require coverage of scalp cooling for chemotherapy patients, with emotional testimony from cancer survivors and clinicians; insurers opposed it as another mandate, but the author stressed the modest per-member cost and the bill was moved with a motion and second. AB 1879 by Dixon would standardize data reporting for alcohol and drug treatment facilities, including private providers, to improve statewide information on outcomes and access; the bill drew broad support from recovery organizations and the prior opposition was withdrawn after amendments. AB 1906 by Aguiar-Curry would require coverage of at-home cervical cancer screening kits without cost sharing; supporters cited improved access for rural and working Californians, insurers opposed it on affordability grounds, and the bill passed on a recorded roll call after quorum was established. Finally, AB 1556 by Haney would clarify and support drug-free recovery housing and return-to-use policies; supporters said it would expand sober housing options, while opponents warned it could allow evictions after relapse and conflict with Housing First principles. The hearing ended with the bill still under discussion and opposition-unless-amended concerns noted.

Transcript Highlights:

• budget. ...and the fix to solve that problem with the education budget.
• And that's not how we're going to get out of where we're at in education today.
• initiatives and promoting lifelong learning among leading women educators.
• initiatives, promoting lifelong learning among leading women educators.
• President, as a former educator, it's my honor to recognize some of the very best educators in our state

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of people on this committee are not on education policy or education funding or, you know, and
• A lot of people on this committee are not on education policy or education funding or, you know, and
• It's looking at outcomes of higher education.
• It's looking at outcomes of higher education.
• How much of that is the responsibility of higher education?

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• exemption from the local T education exemption from the local T education tax<01:03:16.520> but
• forward for well-educated forward for well-educated children<01:07:27.559> but<01:07:27.760
• <01:36:39.800> Arts libraries promotion of Education Arts libraries promotion of Education
• <02:02:30.440> and relevant to religious educational and relevant to religious educational
• of the churches and the educational of the churches and the educational institutions<02:25:16.920

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But how in the world do you do that in higher education?
• A lot of people on this committee are not on education policy or education funding or, you know, and
• A lot of people on this committee are not on education policy or education funding or, you know, and
• It's looking at outcomes of higher education.
• It's looking at outcomes of higher education.

Summary: The committee was called to order, the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer were offered, and the minutes from the previous meeting were approved. Members then received a memo summarizing major audit items and began hearing audit presentations from the State Auditor’s Office and private auditors on a range of state agencies and organizations. Several audits were reported as clean, including the Bank of North Dakota, the North Dakota Guaranteed Student Loan Program, the Office of the Governor, the Office of the State Treasurer, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Transportation’s flexible transportation fund, Lake Region State College, and the Department of Environmental Quality. The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association also received an unmodified opinion, though repeat findings were noted for limited segregation of duties and financial statement preparation due to its small staff. The Council on the Arts audit found two findings: payroll charged to federal awards without adequate timekeeping records, and unallowable expenditures from a restricted cultural endowment fund. The Department of Public Instruction audit identified unsupported scholarship applications in the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, though additional testing showed the funds were used for their intended purpose. The most extensive discussion centered on the North Dakota Racing Commission audit, which identified four findings: overspending the promotion fund’s 25% operating limit, grant conditions not being met, improper Breeders Fund awards, and improper procurement for advertising services. Racing Commission director Bruce Johnson acknowledged complacency and weak controls, said the agency would tighten procedures, and explained that the commission had since worked with procurement and would follow the rules more closely. Auditors also explained that the commission would now be audited every two years because of the findings. Another major discussion involved the University of North Dakota School of Law, where auditors found a lack of documentation supporting admissions decisions for post-baccalaureate programs. UND officials said they remain in good standing with the American Bar Association but agreed better documentation and tools are needed; the committee pressed for more transparency and follow-up on admissions criteria. The committee also received an update on Dakota College at Bottineau, where Minot State University reported that bank reconciliations had been brought current after a significant backlog and would now be maintained through shared services. Members requested a written follow-up report on the issues and corrective actions. Finally, the North Dakota Fair Association explained that its foundation has been dissolved and remaining funds were transferred to another nonprofit for continued support of the state fair, and the Department of Public Instruction provided an update on school meal debt, saying the reported amount was about $1.1 million from a partial district survey and that debt remains a local issue, though it could be revisited if school meal funding changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• How do they fit with education in the area? We need to be more strategic with our funding.
• House Bill 4046 directs funding from multiple sources to the Military Readiness Innovation Education
• You've seen us address education back home.
• Those are individuals that are employees of the State Department of Education.
• I am a product of higher education.

Bills: HB3257, HB3176, HB3544, HB3619, HB3546, HB1782, HB2293, HB4358, HB3081, HB3983, HB3790, HJR1023, HB4139, HB3297, HB3041, HB3673, HB4105, HB3338, HB3048, SR33, SCR21, SCR20, HB4030, HB4031, HB4032, HB4034, HB4036, HB4037, HB4038, HB4040, HB4041, HB4042, HB4043, HB4045, HB4046, HB4047, HB4048, HB4044, HB4050, HB4051, HB4052, HB4053, HB4054, HB4056, HB4057, HB4071, HB4065, HB4067, HB4072, HB2992, HB4338, HB4170

Keywords: veterans, disability benefits, federal law, Oklahoma Statutes, military service, Oklahoma, Gas Hub, artificial intelligence, national laboratory, public-private partnerships, aerospace, high-performance computing, economic development, social AI companions, minors, emotional attachment, safety protocols, civil penalties, parental controls, geographic information

Transcript Highlights:

• educational educational uh<00:21:01.840> level,<00:21:02.960> regardless<00:21:03.919>
• determine the quality of their education determine the quality of their education or<00:45:23.280
• <00:45:27.760> opened tell you as someone who education opened tell you as someone who education
• But it was only because of opportunities, because I got an education.
• But can we all agree that<01:08:47.279> education that education that education is<01:08:49.279

Keywords: House streaming session for Wednesday, January 14, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened for the first day of session and first elected Delegate Luke Clippinger as Speaker Pro Tem. Members nominated and seconded him with remarks praising his leadership, work on Judiciary Committee issues, and ability to mentor colleagues. Nominations were then closed, the House voted by voice, and Clippinger was sworn in. The chamber then opened nominations for Speaker of the House. Multiple members spoke in support of Delegate Joseline Peña-Melnyk, highlighting her personal story, legal background, public service, and committee leadership. Speakers emphasized her work on major policy areas including education, police reform, racial and economic justice, reproductive freedom, and support for historically Black colleges and universities. One member from the minority party also seconded the nomination, saying she had been inclusive and respectful in committee work and legislative process. After nominations were closed, the House voted by voice and elected Peña-Melnyk Speaker of the House of Delegates. She was sworn in and thanked members for their support, reflecting on the diversity in the chamber and the significance of the moment. In her remarks, she also praised outgoing Speaker Adrienne Jones and recognized family members, dignitaries, and colleagues in attendance.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it can be it can be a complicated process, policyholder, protection and education.
• I think there is a bit of a lack of education and that's not a Florida problem.
• other speaker said today, you know, we've had 2 very good years in the reinsurance worker return on equity
• know, with that, obviously, the the combined ratio is a big part of of of creating that return on equity
• industry and 144 billion, you know, with that said, the reinsurers still did make a solid return on equity

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to encourage members of the Communications and Conveyance Committee who are not voting in education
• So all of these are the foundation of our commitment to digital equity and inclusion as the foundation
• for regional prosperity and equity.
• Here we have many, many students who are locked out of digital access and equity.
• We'll leave the roll open for five minutes for our friends in education to run back over here.

Summary: The Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee heard three bills. SB 371 by Senator Cabaldon would reduce uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage requirements for transportation network companies from $1 million to $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident, with committee amendments adding findings and declarations, higher limits than originally proposed, and a joint study on UM/UIM impacts. Supporters, including Uber, Lyft, business groups, and some consumer advocates, argued the bill would lower fares and increase driver earnings by reducing insurance costs. Opponents, including consumer attorneys, labor groups, and consumer watchdog organizations, warned it would cut protections for riders and drivers and might not guarantee savings would be passed through. The committee approved SB 371 on a due-pass basis and re-referred it to Appropriations by a 9-0 vote. The committee then heard SB 716 by Senator Durazo, which would create a Home Internet Lifeline Program to let eligible low-income households apply Lifeline subsidies to home broadband service. Proponents said the bill addresses broadband affordability after the federal Affordable Connectivity Program expired, and that it would help students, workers, and families access reliable internet. Opponents from the wireless industry objected to the funding mechanism, arguing the surcharge would fall unfairly on wireless consumers, while one broadband group moved to neutral after amendments. The bill was approved on a due-pass basis and sent to Appropriations, but the roll was held open and later completed with the bill passing 7-1. The committee also took up SB 480 by Senator Archuleta relating to autonomous vehicles as a consent item, with no presentation or debate. It was approved on a due-pass basis and re-referred to Appropriations by a 9-0 vote. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly focused on affordability, consumer protection, and whether savings from the bills would actually reach riders, drivers, or households.

Transcript Highlights:

• But people's overall energy cost hopefully will be dropping, but we need to make sure we're educating
• So you buy down that amount plus you get the cumulative benefits of no return on equity for those dollars
• In order to be able to participate in today's economy, healthcare, and education, without it, you cannot
• the anti-DEI rhetoric and policies from the federal government, what does that mean for our digital equity
• Digital equity. Thank you. That's going to be in my hearing today.

Keywords: 988, house, all