Transcript Highlights:

• OHA, uh, Lena Al, uh, sense communication and support. I see our dear friend Ernie. Yes. Aloha.
• uh<00:16:11.680> sense<00:16:12.120> communication<00:16:12.800> and Lena Al
• uh sense communication and Lena Al uh sense communication and support<00:16:14.480> um<00:16:
• Senator Al has the same questions that the chair has.
• That first set of roads was a cost of about $10 million or $15 million. million okay Senator Al yeah

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several water, land, and conservation measures. HB 86, which would fund a permanent DLNR Makai Watch coordinator position, drew strong support from DLNR and community advocates. Testifiers said the coordinator is needed to connect community-based nearshore monitoring groups with government, support training and reporting, and provide stable civil-service funding instead of relying on grants and philanthropy. The committee discussed the position’s duties and cost, estimated at about $110,000 with fringe benefits, and noted broad support from organizations including Kuaʻulu, The Nature Conservancy, OHA, and others. HB 36, relating to state water code penalties, was also supported in principle by DLNR, but the agency proposed amendments to create two tiers of violations, distinguish first-time/non-harmful violations from repeat or harmful ones, and give the commission discretion on whether each day counts as a continuing violation. DLNR said the bill is intended to address egregious cases such as Red Hill while avoiding undue impact on small farmers and others without malicious intent. Testifiers from the Board of Water Supply, Lono Initiative, and others supported stronger penalties and transparency, while Earthjustice raised concerns about broader structural issues and the risk of penalties being applied unfairly. The committee then heard HB 316, which appropriates funds to continue the Green Jobs Youth Corps program. DLNR, the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office, Kōkua, The Nature Conservancy, and other groups testified in support, describing the program as a workforce pipeline that places young professionals in communities, builds trust, and helps recruit future state employees. Supporters said the program has expanded capacity in watershed and reef management and has drawn extensive public backing. Finally, HB 506, funding equipment for the Oʻahu branch of DOCARE, received support from DLNR and others. DOCARE said recent recruit classes are moving through training, that the new positions will expand patrol capacity, including nighttime enforcement, and that the Oʻahu-specific funding is tied to priorities such as the Māʻili Bay herbivore rules. The committee also began hearing HB 510 on water shortage and emergency declarations. DLNR proposed limiting shortage declarations to 90 days unless extended, capping groundwater reductions at 20% for lower-priority permits, removing climate-crisis language as a standalone criterion, and moving the process into rulemaking for more public input. The Board of Water Supply supported the bill and the proposed changes, while Earthjustice urged deferral absent broader Water Commission reforms. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided; the chair indicated the committee would be decision-making after the hearing on items on the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are you aware that currently CD 9 is represented by Congressman Al Green? Yes.
• For the record, you have currently the 9th congressional district that is Congressman Al Green.
• They had Congresswoman Sheila... and Lee paired with Congressman Al Green, correct? That's correct.
• Congressman Al Green has been a freedom fighter, speaking truth to power.
• El ejido tiene una responsabilidad al pueblo, no al revés.

Bills: HB4, HB 4

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are the ALS Association. Budget resolution 56 says ALS United is getting $300,000.
• So, okay, so ALS United is the same as ALS Association?
• I do know that ALS went in.
• I do know that ALS went in. I don't remember seeing the Tourette's. Okay. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• So extraordinarily grateful for the three gentlemen sitting beside me, Jerry, Al, and Mike, Mike as the

Keywords: 1146, all

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee met on June 28, 2026 and considered a long list of budget and policy bills, reporting many of them out of committee, often with amendments. Early measures included AB 2550 on continued dependent health coverage for certain adults with disabilities, AB 4794 allowing tax data sharing with the New Jersey Innovation Authority and Secure Choice Savings Board, and AB 3381/SB 1493 updating occupational therapy licensure requirements. The committee also advanced AB 4014, creating a social media research center at a public four-year institution, though one member opposed it as unnecessary spending given existing research on social media harms. Another bill, AB 5048/SB 1281, would ban certain apparel and diaper products with intentionally added PFAS; some members opposed it over safety and cost concerns, especially for firefighter gear, but it was reported. The committee also moved AB 383, which promotes volunteerism to help FamilyCare and SNAP recipients meet eligibility requirements, and AB 4357, extending telehealth pay parity, though one member objected to parity between telehealth and in-person care. The committee then took up several energy, environmental, and housing-related bills. AB 5188, the Advanced Grid Technologies Act, was released despite opposition from some members and labor interests. AB 2524 would let dual-use solar projects participate in community solar, and AB 5236 would strengthen pediatric psychiatry and behavioral health services; both were reported. AB 5348, allowing temporary use of open-space and related funds for certain municipalities, drew sharp criticism as a diversion of preservation money to fill budget holes, but passed. AB 5280 returned unexpended county appropriations to Hudson County and authorized supplemental operating aid; it also passed despite objections about prior bidding violations. AB 5347 provided certain motor vehicle-related funding to municipalities and was reported, as was AB 5334/SB 4423, appropriating Green Acres and CBT revenues for local open space and park projects. A major portion of the meeting focused on tax and business-related bills. AB 5329 increased the child tax credit for 2026-2028, with testimony urging that the expansion be made permanent; it was reported. AB 3899, the General Contractor Licensing Act, also passed. AB 5310/SB 4406 clarified sentencing under certain circumstances and was reported. AB 5330, allowing temporary transfers in the pension system, drew testimony from NJEA warning that the State Health Benefits Program was in crisis and asking for a longer repayment period to avoid rate spikes; the bill was still reported. AB 1326 created a higher education governance and funding task force and was amended to add a Talmudic institution or theological seminary representative. Later, AB 5333/SB 4424 appropriated additional Green Acres and CBT funds for recreation and conservation projects and was reported. The committee also advanced several business and alcohol-related measures, including AB 5235 establishing the School-Based Partnership for Access and Resilience for Kids program, AB 5325 reducing business formation fees, AB 4836/SB 2368 on portable solar devices, AB 4881 establishing an advanced nuclear energy procurement program, AB 3974/SB 3183 revising renewable energy incentive and solar interconnection rules, AB 4013 creating a social media research center focused on addictive behavior, AB 5225 making temporary alcohol beverage provisions permanent, and AB 5295 revising alcoholic beverage licensing laws. The most contentious debate came on AB 4085, the Fair Price Protection Act, which would restrict “surveillance pricing” and regulate grocery pricing practices. Consumer advocates supported the bill as a protection against individualized pricing, while retailers and chambers of commerce argued the language was too broad and could undermine loyalty programs, discounts, and electronic shelf labels. Despite those objections, the committee voted to report the bill after amendments. Finally, AB 4530/SB 3739 on EV supply equipment standards was reported, and AB 5322 imposing a temporary cap on net operating loss deductions under the corporate business tax sparked strong opposition from business groups and a policy debate over whether legitimate losses and investment-related deductions should be limited; the bill was still moved out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Record shows we have Al Davis, director of Texas Forest Service. Is that correct?
• Chairman Al Davis, Colonel Marines, retired director of Texas Indian Forest Service.
• Al Davis, agency director, Texas A&M Forest Service.
• Al Davis, uh, agency director, Texas A&M Forest Service.
• Chair, chair is going to recall Al Davis, Westmorehead, and Nim Kidd.

Transcript Highlights:

• Director of Texas Force Service and Al Davis, Director of Texas Force Service. Hmm. All right.
• Record shows we We have Al Davis, director of Texas Forest Service. Is that correct?
• Al Davis, Colonel Marines retired, director Texas Indian Forest Service.
• Al Davis, agency director, Texas. Indian Forest Service.
• All right, just so we're following the rules, we have Al Davis.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 248 by Parker et al., relating to the Trinity River Authority of Texas, to Local Government
• SB 2409 by Blanco et al., relating to the Angelina and Natchez River Authority, to Local Government.
• Senate Bill 2488 by Parker et al., relating to the implementation of a statewide homeless data-sharing
• Senate Bill 2571 by Middleton et al., relating to funding of access losses and operating expenses of
• Senate Bill 2725 by Cook et al., relating to the authority of a municipality to alter speed limits, to

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:

• And, ironically enough, at the very same time, another Rice County native, by the name of Al Quie, at
• their courthouse, in a prominent location, and I would urge the members a green vote to, in honor of Al
• And, ironically enough, at the very same time, another Rice County native, by the name of Al Quie, at
• their courthouse, in a prominent location, and I would urge the members a green vote to, in honor of Al

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Al Brittain? Mr. Williams: 30 I's. Senator Coleman-Madison's amendments.
• Al Brittain? Mr. Williams: 30 I's. Senate Bill 165 passes. Mr. Williams: 30 I's, 0 Nays.
• Al Brittain? Mr. Williams: 30 I's, 0 Nays. The BR is adopted. Secretary, call the...
• Al Brittain? Mr. Williams: 31 I's, 0 Nays. Senator Coleman amendments adopted.

Bills: SJR 3, SB 5, SJR 36, SJR 3, SB 616, SB 565, SB 384, SB 5, SB 21, SB 72, SB 140, SB 262, SB 370, SB 372, SB 495, SB 627, SB 703, SB 764, SB 842, SB 971, SB 790, SB 767, SB 480, SB 1066, SR 44, SR 135, SR 171, SR 180, SR 185, SR 187, SR 188, SR 191, SR 197, SR 198, SR 199, SR 200

Keywords: dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, research funding, state budget, prevention, healthcare, medical research, Dementia Prevention and Research Institute, research institute, funding, grants, state health initiatives, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code

Transcript Highlights:

• Bauer-Kahan, Caloza, aye, Koloza, aye, Chen, aye, Ellis, aye, Al-Hawari, Hadwick, Hadwick, aye, Haney
• On SB 351, Cabaldon, Al-A-Nice, aye. Al-Nice, aye. On SB 788, Nilo? Flora.

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard several bills, including SB 788 by Senator Niello, which clarified that CPAs and CPA firms, including employees and out-of-state CPAs authorized to practice in California, are regulated by the California Board of Accountancy rather than subject to Tax Preparation Act registration requirements. Supporters said the bill would reduce duplicative regulation and confusion; there was no opposition, and the bill passed to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 351 by Senator Cabaldon, aimed at strengthening enforcement of California’s corporate practice of medicine rules as they relate to private equity and hedge fund involvement in medical and dental practices. The author and physician supporters argued that private equity can interfere with clinical decisions and patient care, while opposition from the American Investment Council said the bill could sweep in legitimate business practices and requested a narrow amendment. The bill passed to Judiciary. SB 312 by Senator Umberg was heard next and would require health certificates for imported dogs sold in California to be submitted to CDFA and made publicly available, with supporters describing it as a transparency and consumer protection measure to combat puppy mills and misleading online sales. There was no opposition, and the bill passed to Agriculture. The committee also approved a consent calendar containing SB 291, SB 387, SB 517, SB 602, and SB 773, all moving to their respective committees. The meeting ended after additional roll calls and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the United States of America<00:05:34.600> I<00:05:34.759> pledge<00:05:35.039> Al
• the<00:05:36.479> flag<00:05:37.280> of<00:05:37.400> the America I pledge Al
• to the flag of the America I pledge Al to the flag of the United<00:05:38.080> States<00:05:38.400

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Minnesota House convened for the opening of the legislative session, with Secretary of State Steve Simon calling the body to order, welcoming returning and newly elected members, and appointing Representative-elect Peggy Scott as clerk pro tem. Pastor Ben M. of Watermark Church in Stillwater, identified as the son-in-law of Speaker-designate Lisa Demuth, delivered the opening prayer, asking for blessing, unity, wisdom, mercy, and truth for members and their families. The members then recited the Pledge of Allegiance. The clerk pro tem conducted a roll call by district and recorded members present. After noting that 133 certificates of election were on file, Chief Judge Jennifer L. Frisch administered the oath of office to the members-elect, who swore to support the U.S. and Minnesota constitutions and faithfully discharge their duties. The House then congratulated the members. A subsequent quorum check found only 67 members present, which was not enough to meet the constitutional quorum requirement. The Secretary of State ruled that the House could not conduct further business because no quorum was present. After that ruling, a motion was made to appeal the no-quorum determination.

Transcript Highlights:

• support Jordana you're present support Jordana you're present no<00:25:30.880> W<00:25:31.080> Al
• Ali aoro for kamam schools and no W Al Ali aoro for kamam schools and support<00:25:35.080> Jeffrey
• Next, we have Al Johnson of HAAC in support, Cassandra Manaso Moris in support, Austin Saso in support
• next<00:52:25.200> we<00:52:25.480> have<00:52:26.079> um<00:52:26.520> Al
• thank you very much next we have um Al thank you very much next we have um Al Johnson<00:52:27.200

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several health-related bills. HB 72 on pharmacy drew only support, with testimony from the University of Hawaiʻi system, the Board of Pharmacy, pharmacists, and others; no questions were raised. HB 237 on peer support programs also received broad support from the Department of Health, DHS, early learning officials, families, and advocates, with testimony emphasizing the value of peer-to-peer mentoring and support for parents, youth, and people with disabilities; no opposition or questions were noted. HB 250, the prior authorization bill, generated the most discussion. SHPDA supported a revised version focused on reporting prior authorization practices and creating a nonbinding working group to develop automation standards, while PCMA, HMSA, Kaiser Permanente, and others raised concerns about duplicative pharmacy requirements, unintended consequences, and alignment with federal timelines and reporting. Several medical groups and individual patients supported the measure, describing delays and burdens caused by prior authorization. A committee member asked whether the bill’s working group differed from a similar group in Senate Bill 1449, and the witness said it was intended to be the same. HB 303 on health care preceptors was supported by the Department of Health, University of Hawaiʻi, nursing and health care organizations, and the Hawaii Pharmacists Association, which asked that pharmacists’ residency programs be specifically tied to national accreditation standards. HB 341, relating to issuance of SPURS to assist the Hawaii Island Community Health Association, drew support from the health center and related groups. HB 692 on Preschool Open Doors received extensive support from early learning, education, family, labor, and community organizations; testimony stressed the shortage of child care and preschool slots, especially on Kauai, and the need to expand access for families. Committee members asked about adding family child care providers and about licensing/certification barriers, and DHS said the bill was focused on current licensed child care facilities and that certification issues were a separate, broader problem. HB 700 on cognitive assessments also drew strong support, with the Department of Health, the Executive Office on Aging, disability advocates, the Alzheimer’s Association, caregivers, and others urging use of a validated cognitive assessment tool during annual wellness visits and asking that the age 65 threshold be removed; some witnesses supported keeping the data-collection portion as a pilot and emphasized early detection and reporting.

Transcript Highlights:

• These provisions ensure Vermont can fully participate in population-level cancer and ALS research while
• These provisions ensure Vermont can fully participate in population-level cancer and ALS research while
• BSA<01:36:20.080> 175<01:36:21.120> registry Section three amends 18 BSA 175, ALS
• Section 3 amends 18 BSA 175 ALS reporting requirements and requires submission of an annual report on
• <01:36:48.400> reporting amends 18 BSA 175 ALS reporting amends 18 BSA 175 ALS reporting requirements

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I never had a chance to go after Bin Laden or anybody responsible with al-Qaeda in Afghanistan.
• in in Afghanistan uh those the al-Qaeda in in Afghanistan uh those experiences<00:25:16.399> have
• <01:18:37.040> always<01:18:37.360> the have wreaths for bosin is Al always the have
• wreaths for bosin is Al always the first<01:18:38.280> Saturday<01:18:38.800> of<01:18
• We had a guy some of you may remember named Al Balero that worked this problem very hard.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Al-A-Lanis, not voting. Chen? Arambula? Aye. Al-A-Lanis, not voting. Alanis, not voting. Chen?
• Al-A, Al-A, Aalenez, aye. Chen. Arambula, aye. Arambula, aye. Kalra? Lee? Lee, aye. Ward, aye.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee heard several bills focused on worker protections, enforcement, and technology in the workplace. SB 909 would strengthen enforcement of public works prevailing wage laws by raising contractor registration fees and penalties and directing part of penalty revenue back to enforcement; labor groups supported it as a way to deter wage theft, while contractor groups opposed the fee and penalty increases as burdensome and potentially costly for public projects. The committee members generally expressed support for stronger enforcement but also concern about the state’s backlog and capacity to enforce the law. SB 909 passed on a due pass vote and was re-referred to Appropriations. The committee also considered multiple bills addressing AI and workplace rights. SB 951 would require 60-day notice when technology displaces 25 or more workers and would require reporting on AI-related job impacts; labor and education groups supported it, while business, public sector, and industry groups argued it was premature and overbroad. SB 947 would require human review of automated discipline, termination, or deactivation decisions and prohibit predictive behavior analysis; supporters said it would prevent algorithmic abuse, while opponents raised concerns about independent contractors, private rights of action, and forum shopping. Both bills advanced on party-line style votes to the Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection. The committee also approved SB 1149, which would expand bereavement leave to cover a “designated person” equivalent to family, with emotional testimony from a witness describing the loss of a long-term partner. Supporters said the bill reflects modern family structures, especially for LGBTQ and older Californians; there was no opposition. SB 1185, applying skilled-and-trained workforce standards to pharmaceutical facility construction, also passed despite opposition from contractors and business groups who said there was no demonstrated safety problem and warned of higher costs and fewer bidders. In addition, the committee approved consent-calendar bills SB 1316, SB 1046, and SB 1059, and left rolls open for absent members before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• 49.320> Hawaii<00:14:49.680> chapter<00:14:50.040> in opposition<00:14:55.000> Al
• chair again um you know we opposition Al chair again um you know we just<00:14:57.120> wanted
• oppose this bill be it fast um we feel oppose this bill be it fast um we feel that<00:16:07.600> Al
• 08.880> very<00:16:09.079> much<00:16:09.319> so<00:16:09.639> State that Al
• we support very much so State that Al we support very much so State and<00:16:09.959> County<

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a series of housing measures focused on streamlining approvals, reshaping financing programs, and expanding affordability requirements. SB 27 would exempt state-financed housing developments from County Council approval; SB 38 would bar county legislative bodies from changing housing proposals in ways that increase project costs; SB 25 would let counties reduce housing capacity in one area only if they offset it elsewhere with no net loss; and SB 379 would require perpetual affordability covenants for HHFDC projects and prohibit affordable housing in special flood hazard areas. SB 378 would create an HHFDC working group to identify mixed-use Maui properties for possible acquisition, SB 414 would authorize condemnation proceedings for a new Lānaʻi access road tied to disaster recovery, and SB 13 would eliminate the state income tax mortgage interest deduction for second homes. Testimony was mixed across the bills, with state agencies and housing advocates generally supporting faster permitting and more production, while county planners, NAIOP, Catholic Charities, and others raised concerns about local control, marketability, financing feasibility, and long-term affordability enforcement. A major portion of the hearing centered on the rental housing revolving fund. SB 70 would limit eligible applicants to government agencies or organizations that reinvest all surplus into additional housing; HHFDC said most developers would not object in principle but questioned how the surplus requirement would be enforced, while NAIOP and Catholic Charities opposed it as too restrictive and difficult to monitor. SB 71 would amend the fund’s preference criteria and eligibility rules, and SB 163 would require HHFDC to prioritize projects with the shortest repayment terms and highest unit production per dollar per year. HHFDC and some advocates supported the goal of faster recycling of funds, but NAIOP and Catholic Charities warned that shorter loan terms and narrowed preferences could burden developers and disincentivize projects, especially for lower-income tenants. The chair indicated SB 163 would be deferred and its concerns folded into amendments to SB 71. In decision-making, the committee voted to pass SB 27, SB 38, SB 70, and SB 71 with amendments, and SB 25 unamended. The chair said SB 27 would be amended to include projects with a state financing commitment and a report note that such projects still undergo 21-38 review; SB 38 would receive technical changes and language preventing county bodies from imposing cost-increasing conditions; SB 70 would add language addressing enforcement of the surplus requirement and a preamble citing the need to recycle taxpayer-financed housing value; and SB 71 would be amended to incorporate concerns raised in SB 163, including a broader preamble and revised priority criteria. SB 163 was deferred, while the other measures on the agenda were heard but no final action was described in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 2 by Creighton et al., relating to the establishment of an education savings account program
• Senate Bill 2 by Creighton et al., relating to the establishment of an education savings account program

Bills: SB2

Summary: The Senate received a message from the Governor submitting appointments for advice, consent, and confirmation, including nominees to the Texas State Board of Accountancy and the Texas State Board of Acupuncture Examiners. The chamber also read Senate Bill 2 by Creighton and others, which would establish an education savings account program for K-16 education, and referred it to committee. A motion by Senator Zaffirini was adopted without objection to have all remarks made for the election of the President pro tempore reduced to writing and entered in the journal. The Senate then considered and adopted a motion to adjourn. No votes were recorded on the appointments or the bill in this transcript. The Senate adjourned until 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 28.

Transcript Highlights:

• Al Nardo, House of Delegates. Thank you. Clerk G.
• Al Nardo, House of Delegates: May we please bow our heads.

Keywords: April 23, 2026 - Reconvened Session, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 2 by Creighton et al.
• Senate Bill 2 by Creighton et al. relating to the establishment of an education savings account program

Bills: SB2, SB2

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Al Austin on behalf of AFSCME California and AFSCME Council 57, in strong support. Good morning.
• Al Austin, on behalf of AFSCME California and AFSCME Council 57, in strong support.
• aye, Ayrins, aye, Alynese, Baines, Barakhan, Kaloza, Chen, Baines, Barakhan, Kaloza, Chen, Chen, aye, Al-Hawari
• Good morning, Al Austin, on behalf of AFSCME California and AFSCME Council 57, in strong support.
• Al-Hawari? Aye. Hadwick? Aye. Aye. Hayney? Hart? Aye. Aye. Irwin? Thank you, thank you, Mr.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• An ALE is an alternative learning environment, and that's what's going to be connected to special needs
• I had some questions about ALE. I forgot to ask them yesterday.
• Yeah, so ALE is actually more comprehensively addressed in the next presentation.
• So my recommendation—do you have another question besides ALE? Okay. So my recommendation...
• It's looking at ALE. It's looking at ESA funds, all of the other things. It's very, very detailed.

Summary: The joint education committee continued its adequacy study with a detailed Bureau of Legislative Research presentation on resource allocation, covering how Arkansas school districts and charters spend foundation and other funds on matrix and non-matrix items. Staff explained the methodology for mapping expenditures, the district and school categories used in the analysis, and key findings showing that districts spend more per student from all fund sources than the foundation amount alone. The presentation highlighted that classroom teachers account for the largest share of matrix spending, while operations and maintenance, student support staff, nurses, and other lines also drew significant attention. Members asked for additional breakdowns by district type, size, rural/urban status, and trend data, and several questions focused on how waivers affect funding and spending, especially for library media specialists and other positions. The committee then discussed non-matrix spending, including instructional aids, non-technology-related facilities, school safety, mental health services, dyslexia support, food service, gifted and talented, career and technical education, and other items not explicitly defined in the matrix. Staff reported that non-matrix spending exceeded $2 billion in 2025, with most of it coming from other fund sources, and that the top superintendent-identified unmet needs over recent surveys were mental health services, school safety, and dyslexia support. Members raised concerns about dyslexia identification and funding, possible over-identification, and whether some support costs are being coded in ways that obscure the true spending picture. There was also discussion of facilities funding, the building fund, and the Department of Education’s partnership program for school construction and maintenance, with staff agreeing to provide more information and potentially bring department officials back for a future meeting. Throughout the meeting, members repeatedly requested more granular data and clarifications, including waiver counts and funding impacts, trend lines for superintendent-reported needs, district-by-district spending spreadsheets, and definitions for certain matrix and accounting terms such as salary enhancement, LEA indebtedness, and other employee health insurance. The chair noted that the committee would continue the adequacy process over the coming months and use the worksheet in the binder to develop recommendations for the next biennium. No votes were taken during this portion of the meeting; instead, the committee received the report, asked for follow-up data, and agreed to continue the discussion at future meetings.