Transcript Highlights:

• I do something called systems mapping, and basically that's where we get a complex problem and we map
• I've done maps—oh God, I've worked here for 19 years—doing systems mapping, and I've done maps on homelessness
• hazard mapping, but does that wildfire hazard mapping fall under partly the community risk reduction
• </c> to gather this data and get this Maps to gather this data and get this Maps out<03:19:00.960><c>
• The draft map shall be released before final publication of the map occurs.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard three House bills related to the Department of Hawaiian Homelands. HB 606 would extend the Act 279 special fund to June 30, 2028, continue deposits and appropriations to help eliminate the DHHL waitlist, and require a strategic plan and annual reporting. DHHL strongly supported the measure, saying most of the initial $600 million had been used and that the need remains large, with more than 29,000 people on the waitlist. Public testimony also supported the bill, emphasizing its importance to Native Hawaiian families and concerns about Hawaiians leaving the islands because of housing costs. A member noted the bill is a priority and that the committee will keep working on how to fund another $600 million. HB 1086 would exempt DHHL homestead lot and housing development from general excise and use taxes. DHHL supported the bill, saying any tax savings would reduce the eventual cost of housing for low-income beneficiaries. The Department of Taxation said it could administer the measure and noted it is already being implemented under the governor’s emergency proclamation, with a proposed effective date of January 1, 2026. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii offered technical comments and urged the committee to weigh existing benefits already received by DHHL beneficiaries. HB 1307 would appropriate funds for DHHL water well development and geothermal exploration on Hawaiian homelands. DHHL said the bill is a follow-up to prior study funding and would support slim-hole drilling, site evaluation, and consultant work to identify viable geothermal resources, especially on Hawaiʻi Island. Several testifiers opposed the bill, arguing there had been inadequate beneficiary consultation, raising environmental, cultural, and safety concerns, and objecting to using $20 million for geothermal rather than housing. In response to committee questions, DHHL staff explained that the goal is to gather information for a future public-private partnership to develop geothermal electricity, and that a Chapter 343 environmental review would be required later in the process. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> using Google Earth uh or Google Maps using Google Earth uh or Google Maps she's<00:03:20.640><c>
• Maps again, we need to define the content and decide do we need to print more maps?
• All the details of the maps is centers? All the details of the maps is on<00:42:35.760><c> us.
• </c><01:20:08.800><c> Um</c> and the demand for the maps. Um and the demand for the maps.
• There's also a map, an interactive map that shows all the stops.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:38:49.360><c> of</c> to planning protecting and mapping of to planning protecting and mapping
• </c><01:43:35.599><c> program</c> aggregate resources mapping program aggregate resources mapping program
• ><c> 23</c><01:43:38.159><c> counties</c> completed mapping for only 23 counties completed mapping for
• </c> offering a uh Bill to fund this mapping offering a uh Bill to fund this mapping the<01:52:26.920
• </c> so as those as the DNR is able to map so as those as the DNR is able to map they<01:58:56.679><c

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> database of maps um mapping in our database of maps um mapping in our schools. schools. schools.
• </c><03:42:10.000><c> We're</c> school getyour yourself map. We're school getyour yourself map.
• Now, what is mapping?
• Now, what is mapping?
• It is really all over the map right now as to the state of mapping.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So getting more specific, they've mapped it in Sabino Canyon.
• On the right is a map... And it just completely takes over.
• On the right is mapped instances of stinknet. And you can see kind of the spread.
• Those red dots, do you have on that map? I saw one near Payson.
• There wasn't any points on the map that go further north than that.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This map shows average teacher salaries in districts as of 2025.
• salary map that's on the screen right now.
• Moving on to the geographic shortage map, the left-hand map shows geographic shortage teacher shortage
• And this is the last state-level map.
• So this map does show cost-adjusted teacher salaries.

Summary: The committee first approved the May 18 meeting minutes and then received a Legislative Audit presentation summarizing Arkansas Department of Education grant distributions for fiscal year 2025. Auditors said the department distributed about $4.6 billion in grants overall, including $3.2 billion from the Public School Fund, $1.1 billion in federal funds, and $268 million from other state and miscellaneous sources, across 56 Public School Fund programs, 14 other state programs, and 29 federal programs. Members asked about specific recipients and programs, including ClassWallet, master principal bonuses, Economics Arkansas, and CDC surveillance funding; audit staff and Department of Education representatives explained that the report was only a distribution summary and not a recipient-level audit. Members also questioned why many districts showed lower funding, and staff said the decline was largely due to reduced federal and one-time COVID-related funds. Senators and representatives also discussed whether some incentive programs, such as master principal and national board bonuses, were tied to student outcomes, and whether Economics Arkansas was the sole entity named in special language for financial literacy funding; department staff said they would follow up on several details. The committee then heard a Bureau of Legislative Research presentation on consumer price index projections from Moody’s Analytics and S&P Global, with discussion of CPI-U and core CPI estimates for future fiscal years. Dr. Carlos Silva explained that the forecasts generally trend toward about 2 percent over time and that recent projections may have understated actual inflation because of recent shocks. Members asked about the accuracy of past projections, and he said he would provide more detail later if needed. The bulk of the meeting focused on the final adequacy report on teacher recruitment, retention, and salaries. BLR staff reported that Arkansas had about 32,800 teachers and 473,000 students in 2025, with a statewide student-to-teacher ratio of about 14 to 1, average teaching experience of 11.9 years, and a slight increase in National Board Certified teachers. The report found that districts with higher poverty and minority concentrations generally had less experienced teachers, and that teacher shortages remained widespread, especially in special education, math, science, and foreign language. Members asked about licensure exceptions, alternative preparation pathways, incentives for ESL and special education endorsements, and the cost and return on investment of traditional versus alternative routes. Staff said some licensure exceptions are being phased out under Act 304 of 2025 and that they would follow up on several requested details. The report also found that teacher retention averaged 87 percent statewide in 2025, with districts retaining teachers at higher rates than charters, and that 30 percent of surveyed teachers were considering leaving the profession. Principals and teachers identified school leadership as the strongest positive factor in recruitment and retention, while workload and salary were the strongest negative factors. On salaries, BLR reported a statewide average teacher salary of $60,254 in 2025, with districts averaging $60,458 and charters $55,724. Arkansas ranked 45th nationally on average teacher salary in 2025, though its cost-adjusted ranking improved to 36th; among SREB states it ranked 12th, and among neighboring states it ranked fourth. Members asked about starting salaries, salary compression, district step increases, and whether the report should be shared more broadly with educators and school leaders. Staff said they would provide follow-up information on several questions, and the committee took no formal action beyond receiving the presentations and asking for additional data.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are mapping fires, and in this case we're mapping floods and looking to do flood assessments.
• They are mapping fires, and in this case we're mapping floods and looking to do flood assessments.
• They are mapping fires, and in this case we're mapping floods and looking to do flood assessments.
• Once the building's there, look at the risk map.
• Once the buildings, they're the hazard map.

Bills: HB2579

Keywords: public media, digital equity, funding, media access, communication technology, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All you have to do is look at a map to understand we are undeveloped for a reason.
• The amendment specifies that the outstanding Florida Springs B-MAP mediation plan...
• So the B-MAP thing.
• It doesn’t necessarily change enforcement of the B-MAPs.
• He added that there is a five-year trigger for the Springs B-MAPs to be reevaluated.

Bills: S0912, S1196, S1422, S1510, S7034

Keywords: battery collection, battery stewardship, environment, recycling, hazardous waste, waste management, regulation, environmental protection, facilities, hazardous materials, coral reefs, natural resource, climate change, coastal flooding, solar facilities, wastewater treatment, nutrient reduction, land conservation, water conservation, Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Summary: The Environment and Natural Resources Committee met with a quorum and took up several environmental bills and one appointment. SB 1422, as amended by a strike-all focused on coral reef protection and designating coral reefs as critical natural infrastructure, was reported favorably after support from Audubon Florida was noted. The committee then considered SPB 7034, a DEP rule ratification related to minimum flows and levels for the Lower Santa Fe and Ichetucknee Rivers and associated recovery strategy; witnesses from the Florida Springs Council and local river advocates criticized the plan as too delayed and too dependent on a single future water project, while committee members raised questions about funding and utility responsibility. Despite concerns, the committee approved the bill as a committee bill, with Senator Smith voting no. The committee next heard SB 1510, as amended, which made technical changes to DEP-related provisions including B-MAP notice and timing, septic system requirements in Florida Springs areas, biosolids, fees, land acquisition, and rulemaking procedures. The main public testimony came from the Florida Springs Council, which opposed the 60-day delay for B-MAP effectiveness as harmful to spring restoration, while DEP and others supported the measure. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also considered SB 1196, a targeted siting bill restricting new ash-producing incinerators or waste-to-energy facilities within two miles of large federally authorized water impoundment areas, with an amendment narrowing the practical effect to Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Supporters, including the City of Miramar, argued it would protect water resources and communities; opponents from the Florida Waste-to-Energy Coalition argued it would limit local waste-disposal options and could force more landfilling. The bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 912, the Safe Battery Collection and Recovery Act, which would require battery stewardship organizations and related recycling plans to keep batteries out of the waste stream. Industry and recycling representatives supported the bill, citing growing battery volumes and fire risks at recycling facilities. The committee also recommended confirmation of Gary Jennings to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. All measures were approved favorably except that Senator Smith voted against SPB 7034; the meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Why do we need a MAP registry? First, it's a requirement of direct care jobs.
• I'm... ...to the MAP requirement and that would be included in this registry.
• As a certified MAP instructor with Delta Projects, I know how stressful it can be to pass the MAP exam
• For me, prior to me passing MAP, I took it like almost two times. That's bad.
• For me, prior to me passing map, I took it like almost two times.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee hearing covered a wide range of child welfare, family support, and human services bills. Testimony strongly supported a guaranteed cash stipend for young adults aging out of foster care (S.161), with the Attorney General’s Office, youth advocates, and foster care providers describing high rates of homelessness and poverty after exit from care. Providers also urged action on a resolve to study the foster care liability insurance crisis (H.197/S.1280), saying premiums and coverage losses are forcing program cutbacks and could reduce foster care capacity statewide. Another major topic was a direct care worker medication administration program registry (H.237/S.162), which supporters said would help recruit and train workers, especially bilingual staff, to address workforce shortages in human services. Several bills focused on child protection and child welfare system practices. Supporters of H.267/S.145 called for advance notice to children’s attorneys when placements or other major events change, arguing that timely communication is essential to prevent unnecessary disruption and improve advocacy. Testimony also backed legislation to formally recognize and strengthen children’s advocacy centers and the Massachusetts Children’s Alliance (H.233/S.112), with prosecutors and CAC leaders describing the trauma-informed model as a longstanding, effective response to child abuse and trafficking. A bill to establish a Massachusetts children’s cabinet (S.115) drew support from advocates who said cross-agency coordination is needed to align policy and funding for children’s well-being. The committee also heard testimony on bills addressing safety, equity, and family support. Senator Lovely and survivors supported S.152, which would create a civil cause of action for sexual abuse by adults in positions of authority or trust, with witnesses describing grooming and power imbalances in schools and youth-serving settings. H.274, a bill of rights for people experiencing homelessness, was supported by advocates who said it would add anti-discrimination protections and voting and privacy rights amid rising criminalization of homelessness. H.272/S.171 to protect maternal health received support from Rep. Montaño, MLRI, and a physician, who said the bills would make cash assistance available earlier in pregnancy and remove the medical-verification barrier. H.4216 on equitable hair care for children in state custody was supported by social workers and advocates who said hair care is tied to identity, dignity, and mental health. H.255 on empowering early educators drew testimony about barriers faced by renters and condo owners trying to open home-based child care programs. H.217, concerning resources and support for pregnant and parenting families, drew testimony from anti-abortion pregnancy resource center advocates. No votes were taken during the hearing, and several bills had no one signed up to testify or were deferred when witnesses were unavailable.

Transcript Highlights:

• In your handout, there's a map of the transfer that was authorized in 2024.
• If you look at that map, the parcel that's labeled MNHS 2 13.32 acres, we thought that entire parcel
• Uh if you look at<00:09:35.200><c> that</c><00:09:35.440><c> map,</c><00:09:36.240><c> the</c><00:09:
• It is shown on that map again.
• </c><00:11:47.600><c> I</c> it is is shown on that map again. I it is is shown on that map again.

Bills: HF3643, HF3426, HF4222, HF4224

Keywords: Melissa Hortman, Mark Hortman, memorial park, state park, working group, Minnesota Historical Society, Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, Saint Paul, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Administration, Legislative Coordinating Commission, general fund appropriation, park planning, interpretive services, public engagement, state memorial, land use, natural resources, commemorative legislation, environment

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Baker: I think it's a great idea, and when you mentioned maybe getting a look at the state map,
• I'd like to see what that map looks like.
• I look forward to seeing the map.
• and understand where those see that map and understand where those are<00:18:22.039><c> at</c><00:18
• </c> further but let's take a look at the map further but let's take a look at the map and<00:19:43.320

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It says, could the agency access school maps and/or buildings?
• They have a panic button; they're all set up, they've been mapped, they've been virtually mapped.
• You can click around on a map to geofence it.
• We still do not have site maps for all the schools.
• Are all the floor plans, the site maps, uploaded to the system?

Summary: The committee began with opening remarks about moving to a monthly, two-hour schedule for more timely and focused oversight of Auditor General findings. Members also recognized Melanie Chesney for 32 years of service to the Office of the Auditor General, with several speakers praising her work and her role in strengthening the relationship between the Auditor General’s office and J-LAC. The main agenda item was the Auditor General’s December 2025 special audit on the school safety interoperability fund and interoperable communication systems. Staff reported that about $26 million had been allocated to 14 law enforcement agencies for systems intended to improve real-time communication between schools and first responders. The audit found that all 14 agencies used the money for interoperable systems, but four agencies allowed private or tribal schools to participate contrary to statute, and several agencies failed to submit required annual expenditure reports. It also found that none of the three systems reviewed met every statutory requirement as written, in part because some requirements were vague or interpreted differently by vendors and agencies. The audit recommended that agencies recover and report any improper benefit to non-public schools, avoid using fund money for ongoing costs tied to non-public school participation, submit missing reports, and improve cost planning and contract monitoring; it also recommended that the legislature clarify eligibility for private and tribal schools and revisit unclear system requirements. The audit further found procurement and contracting problems at nine of 14 agencies, including weak or missing sole-source justifications, contracts that lacked accountability and termination provisions, and poor documentation of pricing and deliverables. Several agencies had not planned for ongoing annual costs, which the audit estimated could range from about $16,000 to $382,000 per rural county depending on the system. In the discussion, members expressed frustration with sole-source contracting and lack of documentation, and some said they would oppose future vendor bills without competitive bidding and stronger payment controls. The auditor also described mixed system performance: some agencies reported useful features such as panic alerts, camera access, and map sharing, but other systems were not fully functional or had never been implemented. The committee then heard from the Arizona Sheriffs’ Association, whose president said sheriffs support the goal of improving school safety, described county implementation challenges, and defended the use of local staff to manage the projects, while acknowledging that smaller counties face staffing and connectivity limits.

Transcript Highlights:

• And of that 219 counties have oil and gas production, and I forgot the map, but we're bringing it here
• In a minute you'll see it if we've gone to get the map. That's my fault. I'm sorry for that.
• This is the map and everywhere there's red is oil and gas production.
• map.
• Uh, I passed out some maps to you so you'd have a little better up close map.

Bills: HB188, HB 265, HJR35

Keywords: emergency preparedness, flood-prone communities, Texas Rural Emergency Preparedness Fund, disaster relief, funding, youth camp, safety regulations, advisory committee, child welfare, health standards, summer camp, camp safety, child abuse reporting, child neglect, mandatory reporting, background check, criminal history check, sex offender registry, CPR training, first aid

Transcript Highlights:

• So getting more specific, they've mapped it in Sabino Canyon.
• On the right is a map. And it just completely takes over.
• On the right is mapped instances of stinknet. And you can see kind of the spread.
• Those red dots, do you have on that map? I saw one near Payson.
• There wasn't any point on the map that go further north than that.

Summary: The Committee on Rural Economic Development met to hear two presentations. Rep. Volk gave a lighthearted but substantive overview of invasive plant species in southern Arizona, focusing on buffalo grass and stinknet, their role in increasing wildfire risk, harming native habitat, and contributing to respiratory irritation. He described current removal efforts such as hand-pulling and volunteer work, and discussed emerging technology including drone-based mapping and targeted herbicide application. Members asked about grazing use, treatment costs, and whether the mapping covered areas farther north; Volk said the red dots represented identified but untreated stinknet locations and noted ongoing coordination with county, museum, and fire-management partners. The committee then heard from Dr. Vishnu Reddy of the University of Arizona on space defense as an economic enabler for Districts 7 and 17, with discussion of Biosphere 2, water research, food innovation, and the university’s space situational awareness work. He explained asteroid and planetary defense, including how near-Earth objects are tracked, why early detection matters, and how objects can be nudged off course with kinetic impact methods like NASA’s DART mission. He also described the Chelyabinsk meteor event, the far side of the Moon, and the value of university, small-business, and student partnerships in this research ecosystem. Reddy highlighted Biosphere 2’s visitor revenue, philanthropic support, and federal/state funding tied to these programs, and emphasized workforce development and small-business contracting. The presentation concluded with members handling meteorite, Moon, and Mars samples. No formal bills were considered and no votes were taken; the meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• They can't even agree on an excuse for redrawing the maps.
• That said, our 2022 maps are too race-conscious under oath in federal court.
• Texas GOP legislators repeatedly insisted that those same maps were totally race-blind.
• Texans deserve fair maps. Texans deserve representatives who represent them.
• Texans deserve fair maps and a transparent process for drawing them.

Transcript Highlights:

• Where does that mapping money go? It goes to the DNR for mapping, for mapping. Mr.
• ><c> for</c> it goes to the DNR for mapping for it goes to the DNR for mapping for mapping<01:11:00.679
• it's for mapping of for mapping<01:11:07.600><c> of</c><01:11:07.760><c> aggregate</c> mapping of aggregate
• I oversee the mapping program and the aggregate mapping program.
• I oversee the mapping program and the aggregate mapping program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to demand that Greg Abbott and Texas Republicans bend the knee and give him total control over the maps
• What Trump is trying to do here with our already illegally and extremely racially gerrymandered maps
• They can't even agree on an excuse for redrawing the maps. Abbott cited a letter from Chat GPT.
• Texans deserve fair maps. Texans deserve representatives who represent them.
• Texans deserve fair maps and a transparent process for drawing them.

Transcript Highlights:

• resource scoring maps.
• I mean, who knew that we had solar land score maps anyway?
• maps anyway?
• but requiring the use of mineral and housing maps.
• House Bill 2975 then requires mapping for mining and housing.

Bills: HB2014, HB2055, HB2145, HB2150, HB2696, HB2755, HB2763, HB2781, HB2782, HB2787, HB2795, HB2889, HB2975, HB2985, HB2986, HCM2009, HCR2020, HCR2038

Keywords: air emissions, fuel blends, environmental quality, feasibility study, Arizona Department of Agriculture, brackish groundwater, water supply development, desalination, Arizona Revised Statutes, water infrastructure, financial assistance, environmental reviews, fuel reformulation, gasoline standards, environmental regulations, ethanol supply, Air Quality, state land department, mineral lease, renewals

Transcript Highlights:

• All you have to do is look at a map to understand we are undeveloped for a reason.
• The amendment specifies that the outstanding Florida Springs B-MAP mediation plan...
• So the B-MAP thing.
• It doesn't necessarily change enforcement of the B-maps.
• When the Outstanding Florida Springs B-MAPs were adopted in 2018, we had 24 of 30 Outstanding Florida

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources met with a quorum present and took up several environmental bills and one confirmation. First, the committee considered SB 1422 on surface waters, which was amended with a strike-all focused on coral reef protection and designation of coral reefs as critical natural infrastructure. Senator Garcia described the amendment as a way to support restoration, disaster resilience, and access to federal funding; Audubon Florida waived in support. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported CS for SB 1422 favorably. The committee next considered SPB 7034, a DEP rule ratification concerning the Lower Santa Fe and Ichetucknee River minimum flows and levels and recovery strategy. Senator Rodriguez explained the rule would replace prior MFLs and allow longer permits, while opponents from the Florida Springs Council and local river advocates argued the plan relies too heavily on one future wastewater reuse project, delays restoration, and lacks a clear funding source. DEP and JEA waived in support. After debate, the committee approved the motion to submit the proposal as a committee bill; the measure was favorably reported, with Senator Smith voting no. The committee then heard SB 1510 on DEP-related matters, as amended. The strike-all addressed Outstanding Florida Springs B-MAP mediation plans, septic system upgrades where sewer is unavailable, rural cost-share eligibility, notice to property owners, rulemaking procedures, and land acquisition governance, while removing biosolids and fee provisions. Florida Springs Council opposed the 60-day delay for B-MAP effectiveness, saying it could slow restoration and allow more conventional septic systems to be installed before stricter requirements take effect. DEP and others supported the bill. The committee reported CS for SB 1510 favorably. It also heard SB 1196 on waste facilities, which would prohibit new ash-producing incinerators and waste-to-energy facilities within two miles of certain federally authorized water impoundment areas, with an amendment narrowing the bill to Miami-Dade and Broward County. Supporters, including the City of Miramar, said it would protect water resources and Everglades restoration; opponents from the Florida Waste-to-Energy Coalition warned it would limit local solid waste options and could force more landfilling. The committee adopted the amendment and reported CS for SB 1196 favorably. Finally, the committee considered SB 912 on battery collection and recovery, establishing a battery stewardship program and requiring producers and retailers to join a stewardship organization by 2028. Supporters from the battery industry and recycling sector said the bill would reduce fires and keep batteries out of the waste stream. The committee adopted the amendment and reported CS for SB 912 favorably. The committee also recommended confirmation of Gary Jennings to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mayor the map. >> Um, no. This is the same thing. >> It's fine. I'm fine with it.
• Chairman, this I pass around an annexation map to everyone.
• The question, the parcel in question is the orange parcel to the northwest of the map.
• This is the map that gave me And I did bring it up in my town hall, and people knew about it.
• So didn't bring a map, but nothing has changed.

Bills: HB82, HB109, HB202, HB211, HB82, HB109, HB202, HB211

Keywords: registrars, election, qualifications, salary, state employees, diversity, podiatry, state board, healthcare regulation, Alabama regulations, political appointment, law enforcement, immunity, civil liability, use of force, recruitment, Calhoun County, local act, halfway house, sober living