Transcript Highlights:

• We know that every third-, fourth-, and fifth-offense DWI, that's a felony grade, started as a misdemeanor
• grade, as a first or second offense.
• And we know that every third, fourth, and fifth offense, DWI, that's a felony grade, started as a misdemeanor
• grade, as a first or second offense.
• That's a felony grade started as a misdemeanor grade as a first or second offense.

Bills: HB146, HB333, HB517, HB828, SB87, SB93, SB98, SB118, SB125, SB199, SB277, SB294, SB306

Keywords: sports wagering, gambling, elections, local control, revenue generation, inmates, housing, corrections, Department of Public Safety, local jurisdiction, criminal justice, juvenile justice, jury trial, felony offenses, crime of violence, sex offenses, correctional facilities, in-custody deaths, medical oversight, independent investigations

Summary: The Criminal Justice Committee met on April 29, 2026, and first voluntarily deferred HB 517. It then took up several Senate bills focused largely on impaired driving, wrongful conviction compensation, child protection, and criminal procedure. SB 118 by Sen. Boudreaux required substance use disorder screening for misdemeanor DUI offenders; supporters, including the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, said early screening could identify underlying addiction and reduce repeat offenses, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 125 increased wrongful conviction compensation from 10 to 15 years and raised the cap to $600,000; supporters emphasized the hardship faced by people who spent decades wrongfully imprisoned, and it was also reported favorably. SB 294 allowed gaming operators to reallocate promotional play across licenses without increasing the total amount, and it was reported favorably despite opposition from the Louisiana Family Forum. The committee also advanced several bills aimed at child sexual exploitation and worship protections. SB 87 clarified the definition of commercial sexual activity in trafficking laws so prosecutors could more easily charge adults who solicit or pay for sexual images of children online; prosecutors said the current language was too narrow, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 93 set minimum bond amounts for certain child sexual abuse material offenses, and an amendment by Chair Villio added broader bail restrictions and revocation provisions for certain violent, sex, and firearm-related offenses; the amended bill was reported favorably. SB 98 expanded the definition of educator to include school resource officers and security guards for purposes of prohibited sexual conduct with students, and it was reported favorably. SB 306 created the crime of obstructing freedom of worship; after an amendment reducing a proposed fine from $10,000 to $2,500, supporters argued it was needed to deter disruptions at churches, while the ACLU raised concerns about overbreadth and redundancy, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. SB 277, allowing certain statewide officials with POST-qualified handguns to carry in the State Capitol, was also reported favorably. SB 199 imposed a mandatory minimum sentence and sex-offender registration for a second offense of purchasing commercial sexual activity; supporters said it would reduce demand, and it was reported favorably as amended. Two House bills drew significant discussion but were not advanced. HB 333 would have required the Department of Public Safety and Corrections to house inmates within 30 miles of their home parish or offense location; the author argued it would preserve family ties and reduce recidivism, but sheriffs, prosecutors, and DOC said the proposal was not practical given bed space, security, and facility-location constraints, and no motion was made, so it remained in committee. HB 828 would have created an independent Louisiana Correctional Medical Review Board to investigate inmate deaths and report to the legislative auditor; the author said it would improve transparency, but prosecutors and corrections officials warned it could interfere with criminal investigations and duplicate existing coroner and law-enforcement processes. The author asked for and received voluntary deferral. HB 146, authorizing a Sabine Parish election on sports wagering, also received opposition and no motion, so it stayed in committee. The meeting ended with adjournment after all listed measures were handled.

Transcript Highlights:

• Reading proficiency in the early grades is foundational to academic success, personal responsibility,
• Reading proficiency in the early grades is foundational to academic success, personal responsibility,
• The next speaker began discussing districtwide reading screening and intervention in the primary grades
• intervention<00:10:10.160> in<00:10:10.399> the<00:10:10.560> primary<00:10:11.040> grades
• intervention in the primary grades. intervention in the primary grades.

Bills: SF0014, SF0053

Keywords: literacy, education, reading assessment, intervention program, public school funding, department of education, amateur status, high school athletics, student eligibility, sports regulation, monetary compensation, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Classes serve entry-grade levels, are fully inclusive, and are offered at no cost or on a sliding scale
• She is in the ninth grade.
• She also participates in Model UN, student council, and is a ninth-grade representative.
• She is in the ninth grade.
• She also participates in Model UN, student council, and is a ninth-grade representative.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think, you know, getting, especially every third grader to read at grade level is such a foundational
• resources in the most effective way to help us get to improve literacy And improve math skills by third grade
• Just a quick clarifying question: what grade levels are we doing this screening?
• four-year-olds, and both are universally acceptable and appropriate as, I'll just call it, the first grade
• school sites you have both the preschool and TK, and now you have two different tools just for that grade

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• retrieval program will have the option to receive a school improvement rating instead of a school grade
• I'm a fourth grade teacher. I'm not a politician. I'm not a lobbyist or anything else.
• I'm a fourth grade teacher, but I do represent about 10,000 people throughout the state.
• No, this bill has nothing to do with school grades. It's not in the bill.
• This bill has nothing to do with school grades. It's not in the bill.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education Pre-K through 12 considered a series of education-related bills, many of them after adopting amendments. SB 1122 on Florida Virtual School was amended to remove virtual preschool provisions and then passed favorably, with the sponsor describing it as a clarifying bill about FLVS operations, revenue sources, reporting, and student access. SB 1374, on school district reporting requirements for educator arrests and misconduct, was also approved; it requires faster district action and reporting when instructional personnel are arrested for certain offenses and clarifies that self-reports are not admissions of guilt. SB 1402, on student enrollment and dropout retrieval programs, was amended and passed to broaden eligibility for dropout retrieval services and allow certain virtual providers to receive a school improvement rating instead of a school grade. SB 364, moving the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys from the Department of Education to Florida Memorial University, was amended and reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 772 on diabetes management in schools, which would allow districts to obtain and store glucagon for emergency use by trained school staff or nurses, with liability protections included. SB 1102 on school readiness programs for children with disabilities passed after testimony that it would expand identification of disabilities, require more training for providers, and direct special-needs funding toward better-supported classrooms. SB 1382, also on school readiness, was approved and would change the definition of economically disadvantaged families, adjust priority tiers, and update the waitlist and forecasting process for child care assistance. The most debated measure was SB 140, which was substantially rewritten by delete-all amendment to create “job engine charter schools,” allow municipalities to seek charter schools aimed at attracting industry, authorize parent votes for conversion of existing public schools, and set requirements for district five-year property plans and surplus property use, including affordable housing and charter school purposes. Supporters argued it could aid economic development and repurpose underused property, while opponents raised concerns about privatization, reduced stakeholder input, unclear voting procedures, and loss of district control over property. Despite extensive debate and multiple public speakers against it, the bill passed favorably. The committee also approved SB 430, a merged AED and cardiac emergency response bill requiring public schools to have a cardiac emergency plan, trained staff, and an operational AED in a publicized location, with reimbursement provisions and liability protections; it passed after supporters emphasized life-saving benefits and manageable training costs. The committee adjourned after recording additional members’ votes on selected bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want the to change a grade etc.
• grades would be improving. grades would be improving.
• , and 12th grade.
• , and 12th grade.
• we have to look at it in first grade. we have to look at it in first grade.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the distribution of the still important pink message slips to members, and supervising the eighth-grade
• entryways of the House and Senate to ensure good order during daily sessions, working with the eighth-grade
• daily sessions, working<00:09:58.520> with<00:09:58.640> the<00:09:58.760> eighth-grade
• working with the eighth-grade working with the eighth-grade legislative<00:10:00.040> pages

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional performance by the State House singers, then moved to routine chamber business. The Speaker announced that the Committee on Ways and Means had reported favorably on Senate Bill 214, which concerns pre-kindergarten education in geographically isolated school districts and includes an appropriation; it was referred to Appropriations under House Rule 35A. House Resolution 17, affirming that all Vermonters are presumed competent to communicate and must be provided effective communication resources of their choice, was read by title only and placed on the calendar for action on the next legislative day. The chamber also took up two adopted House Concurrent Resolutions honoring long-serving State House staff. HCR 279 honored Head Doorkeeper Michael C. Waite and his wife, Sergeant-at-Arms Administrative Assistant Donna Waite, for their public service, and HCR 282 honored Doorkeeper Dennis Miles for his dedication to the General Assembly and Vermonters. Both resolutions recounted the honorees’ military, law enforcement, educational, and State House service and directed the Secretary of State to send copies to the honorees. Several members then offered remarks recognizing the Waite and Miles families, praising their mentorship, service, and support for the page program and chamber operations. Additional announcements included a diaper and wipes drive in the State House lobby to support Vermont military families through the National Guard Family Readiness Program, a welcome for Vermont nurses participating in a national rally, and recognition of guests from Champlain Community Services. The House then recessed until approximately 2:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sometimes a kid who can’t read on grade level or do math on grade level, they’re not going to want to
• programs, we focus on kind of what I would say three baseline credentials for all kids, no matter what grade
• Have we heard back from where they're matching up grade level-wise, reading or math, when they hopefully
• Have we heard back from where they're matching up grade level-wise, reading or math, when they hopefully

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Eric Hall on the Florida Scholars Academy, a new unified education model for youth in residential commitment programs. He explained that the academy replaced the prior decentralized district-run system with a contracted model through Florida Virtual School, allowing individualized blended learning, real-time progress monitoring, expanded special education services, and a broader course catalog including dual enrollment, CTE, GED testing, and postsecondary pathways through the Florida Youth College partnership with Tallahassee State College. Hall said the department is using data to focus on academic achievement, workforce credentials, and peer-group change as strategies to reduce recidivism, and reported early results including 60 diplomas or GEDs, a 5.5% teacher vacancy rate, and progress-monitoring gains for most students. Hall also reviewed implementation of House Bill 1181 on swift accountability and juvenile justice reforms. He said the law strengthened pre-arrest delinquency citation use, raised the target for eligible citations to 70%, required written justification for releasing youth charged with certain felony firearm offenses, and directed the department to develop a firearm-offending curriculum focused on avoidance and consequences. He described a new statewide graduated sanctions matrix for probation technical violations, intended to provide quicker and more consistent responses without overburdening courts. He said early data showed reductions in weapons/firearm offenses and auto theft, and that the department had conducted circuit-level outreach to law enforcement, courts, and providers to support implementation. Members asked about the number of unauthorized alien children in detention or residential care, teacher vacancies and whether instruction continues when staff are absent, screen-time and supervision concerns with laptops, and whether students are reentering local schools with improved academic performance. Hall said he did not have data on immigration status, that FLVS and classroom staff provide continuity when teachers are absent, that devices are checked in and out and security has been tightened, and that the department is still early in implementation but is hearing positive anecdotal feedback from parents. Vice Chair Smith asked for more detail on the firearm curriculum, and Hall offered to provide it. The committee took no formal votes and adjourned after no public testimony was offered.

Transcript Highlights:

• kelp beds in Island County, removing derelict vessels in San Juan County, and surveying forage fish eggs
• kelp beds in Island County, removing derelict vessels in San Juan County, and surveying forage fish eggs
• kelp beds in Island County, removing derelict vessels in San Juan County, and surveying forage fish eggs

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• major part of my life growing up<01:08:16.719> and<01:08:16.960> the<01:08:17.120> egg
• <01:08:17.359> advisers<01:08:17.920> were<01:08:18.159> always up and the egg
• advisers were always up and the egg advisers were always cruising<01:08:18.960> looking<01:08

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• lot of<00:24:28.880> times<00:24:29.039> in<00:24:29.279> the<00:24:29.440> egg
• c><00:24:29.679> community<00:24:30.000> they<00:24:30.400> do of times in the egg
• community they do of times in the egg community they do things<00:24:31.279> by<00:24:31.679>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:34:40.200> like<00:34:40.440> Department<00:34:40.839> of<00:34:41.000> egg
• <00:34:41.760> um other agencies like Department of egg um other agencies like Department
• of egg um the<00:34:42.320> corrections<00:34:43.320> I<00:34:43.440> think<00:34

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Government Operations committees received a biennium budget preview from Keith Regan, Comptroller and Director of the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS), who introduced department leadership and described DAGS’ broad responsibilities across accounting, public works, procurement, elections, archives, risk management, and other attached agencies. He emphasized that DAGS supports nearly every state department and cited ongoing workforce challenges, while noting progress in reducing the department-wide vacancy rate from 21% in 2023 to 17.7% in 2024. He also highlighted recruitment efforts, including new salary schedules for engineers and architects, job fairs, internships, and outreach to retiring federal employees. A major focus was modernization of the state’s aging financial systems, especially the 55-year-old FAMIS platform and the Enterprise Financial System (EFS) project. DAGS said it expects to release the RFP for the FAMIS replacement by the end of January and is seeking a second tranche of CIP funding, including $35 million, plus position augmentation and creation of a Business Transformation Office to manage EFS and future modernization work. The department also described major capital projects such as the Aloha Stadium Entertainment District, Wahiawā Civic Center, Kauaʻi Civic Center, and Ahuimanu Community Correctional Center, and reported that Public Works is managing 455 projects statewide valued at more than $2.5 billion. Other budget requests discussed included funding for cemetery operations, with DAGS asking for two positions and $1 million in operating funds to support maintenance of eight cemeteries; a $200 million ceiling increase tied to anticipated insurance proceeds for West Maui fire-related recovery and rebuilding; and several staffing and operating items for district offices and facilities. These included full-year funding for positions in West Hawaiʻi and East Hawaiʻi, support for a small business coordinator at the State Procurement Office, funding for cloud hosting and PeopleSoft licensing, six positions and staff augmentation for the EFS project, electricity costs, and security-related funding. DAGS also noted that two requested reductions totaled $7.9 million, including transferring the security contract to the Department of Law Enforcement and reducing nonrecurring expenses; members discussed whether some security funding should remain with or be moved to DLE, and DAGS said it would not object to that transfer. No votes were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We can tell, here’s the teachers’ view of that, as a former third grade teacher.
• As someone who has not taught lower than third grade, I could not be a pre-K teacher.
• We can tell, here’s the teachers’ view of that, as a former third grade teacher.
• As someone who has not taught lower than third grade, I could not be a pre-K teacher.
• someone who not taught lower<00:12:09.440> than<00:12:09.560> third<00:12:09.839> grade

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Pony are the co-founders of Hawaiian Vinegar and Spice Company, a vinegar brewery that transforms off-grade
• 00:04:43.919> transforms vinegar brewery that transforms vinegar brewery that transforms off-grade
• produce<00:04:45.360> into<00:04:45.600> premium<00:04:46.000> vinegars off-grade
• produce into premium vinegars off-grade produce into premium vinegars and<00:04:46.720> seasonings

Bills: HB9, SB2069, SB2342, SB2861, SB3123, SB2623, SB585, SB2211, SB2446, SB2919, SB2125, SB2116, SB2999, SB2656, SB2001, SB3169

Keywords: HB9, Hawaii Purple Heart state, Purple Heart, Purple Heart recipients, veterans, military, armed forces, service members, combat wounded, war veterans, military honors, state designation, symbolic legislation, honorary designation, Chapter 5 HRS, Hawaii Revised Statutes, military appreciation, veteran recognition, SB2069, Hawaii housing

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a close to 58,000 square foot facility serving grades 9 through 12. The enrollment is 300.
• we're excited to see that happening on their 23,000 square foot new facility serving pre-K through 6th grade
• There are 87,000 square foot facilities serving pre-K through 5th grade.
• um special ed, uh, and it really looked at those spaces to see what the needs were for each of the grade

Transcript Highlights:

• corporation established in law under the chairmanship of the adjutant general and at least two field-grade
• c><00:05:04.759> least<00:05:04.919> two<00:05:05.080> field<00:05:05.360> grade
• general and at least two field grade general and at least two field grade officers<00:05:05.880>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• WAY FOR DECADES AS A LEADER IN EARLY THE READING INSTRUCTION THAT RESULTS IN A PASSING RATE AT THIRD GRADE
• DESIGNER AND IMPLEMENTER AT A MULTITIER SYSTEM WITH FRAMEWORK THAT IMPROVED STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AT GRADE
• REALLY THINK ABOUT THE SCIENCE EXPERIENCES THAT WE ARE PROVIDING FOR OUR STUDENTS KINDERGARTEN – 12TH GRADE
• UNDERWAY THAT IS FUNDED BY A VERY GENEROUS DONOR FOR ACADEMIC FOR FAMILIES WITH KINDERGARTEN – 4TH GRADE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving to average daily attendance, due primarily to enrollment decreases across most grade spans, we
• My son is in the sixth grade and is moving over to seventh grade.
• That's why we support this budget ask of $4.5 million for legal services at the K-12 grades, because
• Secondary community schools, which are defined as schools serving grade six or higher, so typically a
• There simply isn't a strong evidence base to support delaying screening in the early grades.

Summary: The committee heard an overview of the May Revision’s Proposition 98 changes for K-12 and community colleges. The Department of Finance said the minimum guarantee rises by $6.4 billion over the Governor’s Budget across the three-year window, with higher guarantees in each year, full payment of the prior settle-up, and larger deposits into the school rainy-day fund. The LAO said the revenue and LCFF updates were reasonable, but urged caution about the settle-up approach and recommended using more of the available funding to protect ongoing programs and build budget resilience. Members focused heavily on the size of the proposed $3.9 billion settle-up, the $10.3 billion reserve deposit, declining K-12 enrollment, and how much of the new funding should be ongoing versus one-time. The committee then reviewed the community colleges portion of the budget. Finance described the May Revision’s higher SCFF COLA, additional funding for enrollment growth, a student support block grant, apprenticeship adjustments, and continued funding for deferred maintenance, Calbright, Common Cloud, and credit for prior learning. The Chancellor’s Office supported the core investments but asked for more funding for enrollment growth, changes to the growth formula, and a COLA for Student Equity and Achievement. The LAO recommended prioritizing the statutory COLA increase, noted that more than half of districts are already above current-year growth targets, and said the new adult learner demonstration project should be rejected because districts already have tools to support similar services. Members also discussed a $52 million current-year apportionment shortfall, which Finance said was discovered too late for the May Revision and would need to be addressed later. Finally, the committee took up the proposed implementation of the federal Workforce Pell program. Finance proposed one-time funding for the California Student Aid Commission and Cradle to Career to build eligibility and data systems, along with trailer bill changes to set up state approval processes. CSAC said the program is promising but highly complex, that California lacks the needed infrastructure, and that the state will need emergency regulations, data linkages, and ongoing funding beyond the one-time proposal. The LAO agreed that some initial funding is needed but warned that the amounts and ongoing costs remain uncertain and that the Legislature should carefully draft the trailer bill language. Members asked about timing, other states’ actions, and how the state would ensure the program is ready for students and institutions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, I live in Montevideo, Minnesota, and I teach sixth grade math.
• Minnesota and I teach sixth grade math. Minnesota and I teach sixth grade math.
• Sixth grade was new to me five years ago, and I came into the sixth grade classroom right after COVID
• <01:19:44.920> as experience and with the older grades as experience and with the older grades
• <01:20:55.600> level, third grade level, third grade level, you<01:20:57.120> can't

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is we the students here are in grades two through five.
• And the students here are in grades two through five.
• So, here are in grades two through five.
• welcoming welcoming the fourth grade welcoming welcoming the fourth grade from<01:12:19.400>
• He rides the bus to school every grade.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all