Category: State Government

The summary below was generated by AskAI, an artificial intelligence tool from FastDemocracy, trained on transcripts generated from publicly-available video and audio recordings of official government debate, made using TranscriptAI.

To learn more about AskAI and Transcript AI, or any of FastDemocracy’s other legislative tracking tools, reach out to nicole@fastdemocracy.com or click here.

Here are the most discussed topics in Michigan this week:

• Michigan’s Economic Performance and Workforce Development: During the Appropriations committee hearing on February 18, 2026, discussions focused heavily on Michigan’s economic landscape. It was noted that Michigan remains highly concentrated in the auto industry, though less so than in 2000, and has struggled with diversification into higher-education service sectors like financial activities, information, scientific R&D, and management, lagging behind the U.S. average in both employment and compensation. Michigan ranks 34th among states for the percentage of workers with a bachelor’s degree or higher and has seen a decline in this metric over the last decade. This lack of diversification contributes to Michigan’s GDP growth lagging the rest of the U.S., particularly in the services sector, despite some bright spots in manufacturing such as machinery, computer and electronics, and chemical manufacturing. The impact of auto industry restructuring, including increased productivity and plant relocations, was also discussed as a factor in employment shrinkage. Demographics, including an aging population and tight labor markets, are projected to continue depressing revenue growth and job creation, especially given wage and growth problems in the higher education-based services sector.
• Key Legislation Passed in the Senate: The Senate passed several bills on third reading during its session on February 19, 2026. Senate Bill 590, which amends civil liability laws for emergency care, competitive sports, or mass immunization programs, passed with 34 aye votes and 0 no votes. Senate Bill 591, regulating health clubs with respect to potential medical emergencies, also passed with 34 aye votes and 0 no votes. An amendment proposed by Senator Runstead, seeking to incorporate provisions of Senate Bill 500 to protect law-abiding citizens from civil liability during riots, was not adopted. Additionally, Senate Bill 583, amending the Department of Treasury’s revenue collection duties, passed with 32 aye votes and 2 no votes. Senate Bill 584, amending the Income Tax Act of 1967, passed with 33 aye votes and 1 no vote.
• Introduction of New Legislation and Committee Progress: Several new bills were introduced and referred to committees. Senator Irwin introduced Senate Bill 786, prohibiting the sale or transfer of certain vapor products, and Senate Bill 787 and Senate Bill 788, both amending acts related to marijuana regulation and medical marijuana facilities licensing, respectively, all referred to the Committee on Regulatory Affairs. Senator McCann offered Senate Bill 789, amending the Business Corporation Act, also referred to Regulatory Affairs. The Senate also introduced Senate Bill 791 (Michigan Memorial Highway Act) to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure; Senate Bill 792 (Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act) and Senate Bill 793 (plant rehabilitation districts) to the Committee on Regulatory Affairs; and Senate Bill 794 and Senate Bill 795 (landlord-tenant relationship regulations) to the Committee on Housing and Human Services. In the Senate, House Bill 4077 (public health code) and House Bill 4078 (investigations of causes of death) were reported without amendment and advanced to third reading. The House Committee on Natural Resources and Tourism reported House Bill 5430, sponsored by Representative Smit, regarding temporary residency at campgrounds, with a recommendation. They also adopted an H-1 substitute for House Bill 5210, sponsored by Representative Alexander, changing a permit application fee from $1 to $25, and reported the bill as amended.
• Public Safety Concerns and Special Recognitions: During the Senate Session on February 18, 2026, concerns were raised about a street gang attempting to establish itself in a district, committing homicides, abducting children, and destabilizing communities, with a link to a rising homicide rate in a major American city in 2026. The potential expansion of ICE operations in Romulus was also highlighted as a concern, with a Senator stating that ICE’s actions could bring more violence and instability to communities. In a lighter moment, during the Senate Session on February 19, 2026, Senate Resolution No. 97, sponsored by Senator Huizenga, was adopted, designating February 19, 2026, as Conductive Education Day in Michigan to recognize its impact on individuals with neuromotor disabilities. Senator Victory also shared a light-hearted statement about a curling challenge with another Senator.

Sources:

MI Appropriations 26-02-18 (2026-02-18)(video)

MI Senate Session 26-02-19 (2026-02-19)(video)

MI Senate Session 26-02-18 (2026-02-18)(video)

MI Natural Resources and Tourism (2026-02-18)(video)

The summary below was generated by AskAI, an artificial intelligence tool from FastDemocracy, trained on transcripts generated from publicly-available video and audio recordings of official government debate, made using TranscriptAI.

To learn more about AskAI and Transcript AI, or any of FastDemocracy’s other legislative tracking tools, reach out to nicole@fastdemocracy.com or click here.

Here are the most discussed topics in Iowa this week:

• Water Quality and Public Health Concerns: Discussions highlighted Iowa’s rising cancer rates, identified as the fastest rising in the U.S. and the second highest overall for the third consecutive year. In the Senate, Senator Weiner urged legislative action on prevention, suggesting measures such as radon mitigation and tanning bed regulations. Senator Stade also emphasized the urgent need for clean drinking water, advocating for solutions to improve water quality and noting its connection to rising cancer rates. Several bills were introduced in the House related to agriculture and environmental regulations, including HF 2416 concerning confinement feeding operations, HF 2417 on air and water quality regulations for animal feeding operations, and HF 2460 regarding clean water projects and data publication. Bills addressing healthcare services and reproductive rights were also introduced, such as HF 2434 on insurance coverage for out-of-network providers, HF 2455 concerning abortion after fetal heartbeat detection, and HF 2563 related to informed consent and reporting complications for abortion-inducing drugs.
• Education and Workforce Development Initiatives: Legislators introduced numerous bills focusing on education and workforce improvements. These included HF 2420 to establish an office of the inspector general for school safety, HF 2435 modifying kindergarten enrollment and student discipline, and HF 2440 addressing non-public school transportation claims. Other education-related bills like HF 2441 (Teach Iowa Scholar Program eligibility) and HF 2452 (data secure program within the Department of Education) were also introduced. In workforce development, bills such as HF 2457 for a credential attainment program and HF 2458 establishing a teacher and paraeducator grant program were introduced.
• Economic Inequality and Social Welfare: The issue of the minimum wage was a key concern, with Senator Peterson advocating for raising the pay for Iowa’s lowest-paid workers, noting it has been 19 years since an increase and criticizing past legislation that prevented county-level raises. Affordable housing was also discussed, with Senator Townsend raising concerns about mobile home residents facing significant rent increases due to out-of-state private equity firms and urging a subcommittee meeting. Additionally, Senator Peterson called for increased oversight of the child protective system, citing over 100 cases of confirmed abuse in foster and adoptive systems since 2020, including a human trafficking ring.
• Legislative Activity and Commemorations: Both chambers held moments of silence for victims of a tragic bus accident involving Iowa Lakes Community College students. Representative Jones announced Iowa Motor Truck Day at the Capitol, which included a truck driving simulator contest. Black History Month was recognized with presentations in both the House and Senate, honoring figures like Anne Harris-Carter and President Barack Obama, and acknowledging Iowa’s role in the Underground Railroad and the Republican Party’s historical contributions to civil rights. Various other bills were introduced, covering areas such as government operations (e.g., HF 2463 on state government audits, HF 2567 creating a state archives and records authority), judiciary (e.g., HF 2436 on dissolution of marriage, HF 2565 establishing a human trafficking investigation task force), and veterans’ affairs (e.g., HF 2481 establishing a veterans recovery program).

Sources:

IA Video: IA – 2026-02-12(video)

IA Video: IA – 2026-02-12(video)

IA Video: IA – 2026-02-16(video)

IA Video: IA – 2026-02-17(video)

IA Video: IA – 2026-02-16(video)

IA Video: IA – 2026-02-16(video)

IA Video: IA – 2026-02-17(video)

The summary below was generated by AskAI, an artificial intelligence tool from FastDemocracy, trained on transcripts generated from publicly-available video and audio recordings of official government debate, made using TranscriptAI.

To learn more about AskAI and Transcript AI, or any of FastDemocracy’s other legislative tracking tools, reach out to nicole@fastdemocracy.com or click here.

Here are the most discussed topics in Indiana this week:

• Public Safety and Legal System Reforms: Several bills addressed law enforcement and legal professional challenges. HB 1303, introduced by Senator Freeman, clarified Amber Alerts for missing persons and abducted children and updated child exploitation statutes, passing unanimously in the Appropriations committee. HB 1056, sponsored by Representative Meltzer, aimed to consolidate penalties for resisting law enforcement, also passing unanimously in Appropriations. A significant discussion in the Appropriations committee revolved around HB 1025, introduced by Senator Freeman and Representative Zimmerman, which removed residency requirements for prosecutors and public defenders to address attorney shortages, passing with an amendment unanimously. Additionally, HB 1343, sponsored by Senator Baldwin, established a military police force within the Indiana National Guard, leading to a debate in Appropriations about the governor’s deployment authority and the need for guardrails around their response in sensitive emergencies, with the bill ultimately passing.
• Fiscal Policy, Taxation, and Economic Regulation: Key legislative efforts focused on utilities, gaming, and a broad tax bill. The Appropriations committee discussed HB 1002, sponsored by Senator Cook and Representative Elena Schonkweiler, which introduced performance-based rate-making for utilities, including multi-year rate plans and performance metrics. Senator Pohl’s amendments to extend payment plans and require rate information in cents on customer reports failed. The Tax and Fiscal Policy committee extensively debated an omnibus DLGF bill, including Amendment 91 by Senator Baldwin, which proposed changes to local income tax, property tax provisions, TIF districts, and food and beverage taxes. The Appropriations committee also tackled HB 1038 concerning the transfer of horse racing satellite licenses to a full gaming license in Northeast Indiana, with discussions highlighting concerns about the exclusion of certain counties, such as Wayne County, and the removal of referendum language. Senator Baldwin also presented HB 1217 in Appropriations, regulating stablecoin transactions and prohibiting interest or yield, which passed after discussions on fiduciary responsibilities.
• Healthcare and Social Services: Initiatives to improve healthcare access and social programs were widely discussed. HB 1114, sponsored by Representative Pryor, prohibiting step therapy for individuals with stage four cancer, passed the Appropriations committee. The Appropriations committee also approved HB 1277, which reforms the Pathways Program for long-term care by adjusting the effective date and implementing a financial cap on home care costs. In the Ways and Means committee, discussions included various amendments related to Medicaid and property tax legislation, with Representative Porter introducing Amendment 16 requesting a report from the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) on Medicaid service implications. Additionally, HB 1177, introduced by Senator Buchanan and Representative Cash, focusing on child care, advanced unanimously from the Tax and Fiscal Policy committee.
• Education and Government Administration: Bills affecting school operations and state agency functions garnered attention. In the Appropriations committee, HB 1423 addressed fiscal issues within Indianapolis Public Schools by creating a new corporation that includes public institutions and charters, with an amendment to send it to a summer study committee failing. HB 1176, with an amendment by Senator Rogers and Representative Teschke, aimed to align language regarding innovation network agreements and school funding formulas, though an amendment to remove the requirement that only failing schools could convert to charter schools failed. The Judiciary committee also saw discussions on HB 1115, sponsored by Representative Olthoff, which amended regulations for Homeowners Associations (HOAs), including capping fines and changing quorum requirements. The Homeland Security and Transportation committee passed HB 1200, introduced by Representative Pressel, which included various updates for NDOT agencies and the BMV, such as allowing 16-year-olds to obtain licenses and requiring CDL tests in English only.

Sources:

IN Appropriations (2026-02-19)(video)

IN Appropriations (2026-02-12)(video)

IN Tax and Fiscal Policy (2026-02-17)(video)

IN Judiciary (2026-02-18)(video)

IN Ways and Means (2026-02-16)(video)

IN Homeland Security and Transportation (2026-02-17)(video)

IN Commerce and Technology (2026-02-12)(video)

The summary below was generated by AskAI, an artificial intelligence tool from FastDemocracy, trained on transcripts generated from publicly-available video and audio recordings of official government debate, made using TranscriptAI.

To learn more about AskAI and Transcript AI, or any of FastDemocracy’s other legislative tracking tools, reach out to nicole@fastdemocracy.com or click here.

This week in Arkansas, legislative discussions primarily revolved around extensive financial audits, state contracts and appropriations, Medicaid program oversight, efforts to combat financial fraud, and law enforcement accountability.

• Extensive Financial Audits and Mismanagement: The Legislative Joint Auditing Committee on February 13, 2026, and the LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING- COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES committee on February 12, 2026, reviewed numerous reports highlighting significant financial irregularities. Issues included unauthorized disbursements from the Claiborne County library, leading to criminal charges, and scholarships awarded to ineligible students at the Charles W. Donaldson Scholars Academy at the University of Arkansas Little Rock. Repeat findings were noted at Northwest Arkansas Community College and West Memphis School District. Within state agencies, the Department of Human Services reported improper benefit payments and unauthorized purchases, while the Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism had issues with lost receipts and change funds, and the Department of Corrections faced unauthorized fuel card purchases. At the local level, municipalities like Gum Springs and Denning were given 60 days to address substantial non-compliance with municipal accounting law, and the city of Elaine had questionable purchases by its fire chief. An investigative report on the Faulkner County Fair Association revealed questionable disbursements totaling $21,741, undocumented cash withdrawals, and inadequately documented cash payments to a carnival vendor. Many of these findings were referred to prosecuting attorneys and the Attorney General.
• State Contracts, Grants, and Appropriations: The ALC – REVIEW committee on February 17, 2026, extensively reviewed contracts and grants across state agencies and educational institutions. Notable items included an $888,000 contract for waste tire management, which was held due to concerns about an unapproved business plan. The committee approved various methods of finance for university renovations (ASU Mid-South, Arkansas Tech) and a new multi-purpose arena at the University of Central Arkansas (estimated at $75.5 million). Several discretionary grants from the Department of Human Services (aging, substance abuse, youth services) and the Department of Health (maternal health, hospital support) were approved. Key contracts included a new $5 million contract for security and privacy assessment services for Medicaid Enterprise module systems, and various agreements for skilled nursing services, environmental services, and waste removal for DHS. A ratification request from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) for Family and Medical Leave Act outsourcing services, involving over $250,000 in payments and outstanding invoices, raised concerns about oversight. The ALC – PEER committee also on February 17, 2026, approved significant appropriation requests, including $280 million for the Department of Transportation for Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act projects and $195 million for the Department of Commerce for Arkansas BEAD broadband infrastructure grants.
• Medicaid Program Oversight and Policy Adjustments: Medicaid was a consistent topic, with the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee’s Medicaid Subcommittee meeting on February 12, 2026, for the first time since 2018, to review the roles of various agencies and receive presentations from the Department of Human Services and the Office of Medicaid Inspector General. Audits revealed improper benefit payments within the Medicaid Program. The ALC – REVIEW committee approved a $5 million contract for security and privacy assessment services for the Medicaid Enterprise module systems. Additionally, the ALC – ADMINISTRATIVE RULES committee on February 19, 2026, approved a Department of Human Services rule amending the Medicaid rehab hospital manual to allow psychiatric units in rehab hospitals and a recovery audit contractor exemption rule. There was also discussion in the ALC – PEER committee on legislative responses to adjust Medicaid rates for labor and delivery services to prevent the loss of delivering units across the state.
• Combating Financial Fraud and Protecting Consumers: The Insurance and Commerce – Joint committee on February 13, 2026, focused on the rising threat of financial fraud, particularly affecting seniors, small businesses, and working families. Lori Trogdon, CEO of the Arkansas Bankers Association, reported 4,238 fraud incidents in Arkansas in 2024, resulting in $51.8 million in losses, with cryptocurrency scams and seniors aged 60 and above being heavily targeted. The committee discussed common tactics like spoofed bank communications and fake job postings, emphasizing the need for education, awareness, and legislative measures to hold telemarketing companies and social media platforms accountable. Shameka Johnson from the Attorney General’s Office shared insights on consumer protection efforts, including the Financial Fraud Task Force, which reported $1.6 million in losses over the past year.
• Law Enforcement Accountability and Public Safety Legislation: The ALC – Game – Fish-State Police committee on February 18, 2026, discussed the impact of recent legislation that elevated fleeing from law enforcement to a Class D felony. Colonel Mike Hager of the Arkansas State Police reported a 29% decrease in pursuits from 2023 to 2025, attributing this to the new law and increased trooper presence. He noted an increase in prosecutions for these offenses. The committee also discussed the decertification process for law enforcement officers, with 90-95% of decertifications related to integrity issues such as lying or failing to disclose information, and an increase in decertification requests due to improved communication and education.

Sources:

AR Legislative Joint Auditing (2026-02-13)(video)

AR ALC – REVIEW (2026-02-17)(video)

AR ALC – PEER (2026-02-17)(video)

AR LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING- COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES (2026-02-12)(video)

AR ALC – ADMINISTRATIVE RULES (2026-02-19)(video)

AR ALC – Game – Fish-State Police (2026-02-18)(video)

AR Insurance and Commerce – Joint (2026-02-13)(video)

The summary below was generated by AskAI, an artificial intelligence tool from FastDemocracy, trained on transcripts generated from publicly-available video and audio recordings of official government debate, made using TranscriptAI.

To learn more about AskAI and Transcript AI, or any of FastDemocracy’s other legislative tracking tools, reach out to nicole@fastdemocracy.com or click here.

Here are the most discussed topics in Tennessee this week:

• State Budget and Agency Funding: Multiple committees, particularly the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee, conducted budget hearings for various state agencies and educational institutions. The State Board of Education discussed a budget of $2.9 million for payroll and $569,800 for operations, noting a rise in educator misconduct cases to over 1,000 in 2025 and the need for more resources to manage them. The Tennessee Public Charter School Commission requested funding for new and expanding schools, including the distribution of a $20 million facilities grant. The Department of Tourist Development sought $21 million for marketing and grants, highlighting tourism’s economic impact and the need for welcome center modernization. The District Attorneys’ Conference and Public Defenders’ Office discussed managing 717,800 cases statewide, emphasizing staffing needs and technology integration. The Department of Military requested $80 million for infrastructure and $100 million for disaster recovery. Higher education institutions, including Tennessee State University (TSU), the University of Tennessee (UT), and Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), presented budget needs covering baseline operations, land grant matches, salary increases, campus safety, housing, cybersecurity, and specific initiatives like UT Promise and MTSU’s Quantum Initiative. UT also addressed a $2.14 million shortfall for non-formula units at its Health Science Center. In the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee, it was decided to defer approval of the Sports Wagering Council’s budget for a week to allow for further discussion, with concerns about litigation potentially affecting legalized sports gaming in Tennessee and other states.
• Infrastructure and Energy Management: Significant discussions revolved around the state’s infrastructure and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) operations. The Joint – OTHER committee reviewed the annual report on Tennessee’s public infrastructure needs, which indicated a total estimated cost of $82.7 billion for improvements, a $5 billion increase from the previous year, with transportation needs accounting for $42 billion due to a new bridge condition assessment system. The TVA Payments in Lieu of Taxes Annual Report was presented, estimating an increase in TVA’s total payments to states by $67 million to$667 million for federal fiscal year 2024-25, primarily due to higher base and fuel rates. Payments to Tennessee are estimated to increase by$49 million to $410 million for federal fiscal year 2025-26. The report also highlighted shifts in power property value impacting Tennessee’s share of PILOT payments and noted TVA’s decision to continue operating all four coal plants (Kingston, Cumberland, Gallatin, and Shawnee) beyond their scheduled retirement dates. Discussions included credits received by distributors purchasing power from non-TVA sources and TVA’s strategies for managing energy demand, particularly concerning new data centers.
• Key Legislative and Social Issues: Several bills and reports addressing social and policy matters were debated. The House Floor Session discussed and passed House Bill 47 which allows local schools to display the Ten Commandments among other historical documents. Concerns about implications for other faith traditions and the separation of church and state were raised, while proponents emphasized its permissive nature and local control. The Joint – OTHER committee approved the final report for Public Chapter 418, which allocated over $330 million for new facilities for housing juvenile offenders and recommended increased oversight and funding for a new juvenile detention center in West Tennessee. A final report on the Continuum of Care (CoC) in Tennessee was presented, recommending funding to improve CoCs and establish a state agency council on homelessness, with particular attention to homelessness among children. The Senate passed Senate Bill 1569, sponsored by Senator White, requiring an education assessment for inmates serving felony offenses at intake and annually thereafter, with an amendment clarifying electronic notification of educational opportunities. House Bill 940, substituted for Senate Bill 918, sponsored by Senator Yarbrough, passed, raising the age for operating personal watercraft from 12 to 14 on weekends and holidays for safety reasons, with an amendment changing a date to 2027. Discussions in the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee also touched on affordable housing, including a proposed $30 million revolving loan fund for starter homes.
• Memorials and Commendations: Both chambers recognized individuals and groups for their service and mourned losses. The Senate adopted SJR 664, sponsored by Senator Oliver, recognizing state and local first responders and line workers who responded during winter storm Fern. A similar resolution, HCR 0884, sponsored by Representative Hale, was also recognized, with Chairman Bailey requesting to be added as a Senate co-prime sponsor. Resolutions were passed in memory of TDOT Region 1 Director Dexter Justice (SJR 669, sponsored by Senator Massey, with a moment of silence and memorial by Chairman Yager), Representative Tommy Brown (HJR 845, with Leader Akbari requesting to be added as prime Senate sponsor for HJR 811 and a moment of silent prayer), and Natalie Haslam (SJR 685, with Senator Sutherland requesting Senator Bailey as prime sponsor for SJR 679). The House held a moment of silence for Mayor Mike Magnuson’s wife and honored Epstein victims. Senate Joint Resolution 558, sponsored by Leader Johnson, commended the GAP26 prayer initiative, which originated in Tennessee and encourages prayer for the state and nation from March 1st to 4th.

Sources:

TN Joint – OTHER (2026-02-13)(video)

TN House Floor Session (2026-02-12)(video)

TN Senate Floor Session (2026-02-12)(video)

TN Finance, Ways, and Means Committee (2026-02-12)(video)

TN Education Committee (2026-02-18)(video)

TN Finance, Ways and Means Committee (2026-02-17)(video)

The summary below was generated by AskAI, an artificial intelligence tool from FastDemocracy, trained on transcripts generated from publicly-available video and audio recordings of official government debate, made using TranscriptAI.

To learn more about AskAI and Transcript AI, or any of FastDemocracy’s other legislative tracking tools, reach out to nicole@fastdemocracy.com or click here.

This week in Maine, legislative bodies focused on several key issues, including judicial system reforms, housing and land use policies, state fiscal matters, and various community initiatives.

• Judicial System Improvements and Challenges: Chief Justice Valerie Stanfield addressed a joint convention of the House and Senate, emphasizing the judiciary’s role as a co-equal branch and the need for adequate resources. She discussed staffing issues, noting a study indicating a need for 54 additional court clerk positions. The judicial branch is adopting new technology, including e-filing systems for all case types in various courts (e.g., Androscoggin Superior and Lewiston District Courts in June for criminal/juvenile cases and Region 4 courts (Augusta, Waterville, Skowhegan) last week), and updating courtroom recording technology. Progress has been made in reducing the backlog of cases without appointed counsel, decreasing from 1,150 to approximately 225 criminal, 30 child protective, and 30 appeal cases, though it remains “unacceptably high.” A program was implemented to deliver hearing reminders via text message to criminal defendants. The District Court Courthouse in Madawaska was closed with local bar support, and Chief Justice Stanfield also mentioned ongoing school outreach efforts, including oral arguments at high schools. Concerns were raised about declining public trust in the justice system and threats to judicial independence.
• Housing, Land Use, and Local Control: The Senate discussed housing legislation, with concerns raised about representation on the Housing and Economic Development Committee. Senators expressed the need for local control over zoning and land use decisions, particularly regarding new laws on water frontage and land use planning. A resolve was considered to direct the Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry to convene a stakeholder group for a comprehensive overhaul and modernization of state subdivision laws, which Senator Stewart of Aroostook tabled on February 10th, 2026. Separately, a bill to exclude agricultural leases from the definition of subdivision under planning and land use regulation laws was also discussed, tabled by Senator Stewart of Aroostook on February 3rd, 2026, with Senator Curry of Waldau moving to accept the majority ought to pass as amended report. The Senate also considered a bill requiring the Maine Office of Community Affairs to establish a technical assistance materials hub related to housing, tabled by Senator Stewart of Aroostook on February 10th, 2026.
• State Fiscal Matters, Worker Pensions, and Environmental Policy: In the Senate, a bill addressing pension cuts for teachers and state workers was passed, with Senator Tipping moving its passage to rectify financial hardships, while Senator Stewart defended the 2011 reforms as necessary for sustainability. In the House, House Bill 1491 and House Bill 1492 were introduced, both pertaining to supplemental appropriations for state government operations for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2026, and June 30, 2027. (Note: Context insufficient to provide source URLs for HB 1491 and HB 1492). Environmental initiatives were also a focus, with the Senate discussing the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Senator Tepler of Sagadahoc advocated for renewing Maine’s commitment to RGGI, while Senator Martin of Oxford expressed concerns about potential increases in electricity costs. A vote on the majority report regarding RGGI passed. Other discussions included small modular nuclear reactors and equity in the state’s net energy billing program.
• Civic Discourse and Community Initiatives: The House addressed the issue of political violence through a resolution honoring Charles “Charlie” Kirk, who was killed in an act of political violence. The resolution condemned such violence and called for respectful debate. Both the Senate and House recognized February as Black History Month, with Senator Talbot Ross of Cumberland highlighting Dr. Carter G. Woodson’s role and Senator Doosan sharing stories of notable Black figures. Senator Stewart of Aroostook drew attention to the statewide 211 resource, noting it fielded 62,000 calls, texts, and emails in the past year for constituent services. Announcements included a Lunch and Learn session on guaranteed basic income in Maine, announced by Senator Moore of Washington, and an event by the American Massage Therapy Association, announced by Senator Grohoski of Hancock. The Environmental Priorities Coalition also announced a Lunch and Learn event on land conservation.

Sources:

ME Senate in Session (2026-02-12)(video)

ME House in Session (2026-02-12)(video)

ME State and Local Government (2026-02-18)(video)

The summary below was generated by AskAI, an artificial intelligence tool from FastDemocracy, trained on transcripts generated from publicly-available video and audio recordings of official government debate, made using TranscriptAI.

To learn more about AskAI and Transcript AI, or any of FastDemocracy’s other legislative tracking tools, reach out to nicole@fastdemocracy.com or click here.

Here are the most discussed topics in Idaho this week:

• Elections and Governmental Oversight: Several legislative actions focused on strengthening election processes and state authority. This included resolutions to strengthen voter affidavit requirements by adding identification verification steps (RS 33386) by Senator Brian Lenny, amending ballot rotation requirements for political entities with over 25,000 voters (RS33375) by Representative Annie Haas, and requiring signature gatherers and canvassers to be qualified electors and wear name tags indicating if they are paid (RS33231) by Representative Monica Church. The House State Affairs Committee also recommended passing HB 613 by Representative Britt Raybould, which addresses liability concerns for private facilities used as polling locations, and HB 539 by Representative Jeff Ehlers, aimed at enhancing legislative oversight of temporary rules. Furthermore, HB 498 by Representative Bruce Skog, authorizing the legislature to hire private counsel for actions against the federal government, was recommended for passage and later transmitted to the Senate.
• Child Protection, Education, and Parental Rights: Significant discussions revolved around legislation impacting minors and educational institutions. A key resolution introduced by Representative Bruce Skag (RS33449) addressed the social transitioning of minors without parental knowledge, allowing for private lawsuits and Attorney General intervention with a civil cause of action set at $100,000. This sparked debate on broad definitions and potential liabilities for schools. Other related bills included HB 515 by the Education Committee, which passed the Senate unanimously and removes an unused state reporting requirement for bullying incidents, strengthening direct communication with parents. Additionally, HB 691 related to child protection definitions, and HB 680 mandating audio or videotaping of interviews with alleged child abuse victims, were introduced in the House Chambers.
• Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Water Management: Environmental and agricultural issues garnered considerable attention. The Senate Resources & Environment Committee discussed the gubernatorial reappointment of Dave Bobbitt to the Idaho Fish and Game Commission, focusing on wolf and grizzly bear population management and advocating for their delisting. HJM 9 by Senator Harris, encouraging Congress to reaffirm the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), was adopted by the Senate. Dr. Kendra Kaiser from the Idaho Water Resources Research Institute provided updates on water-related research, funding distribution, and identified state research priorities, particularly concerning water scarcity, technology, and quality, during both the Senate Resources & Environment and House Agricultural Affairs committees. The House Agricultural Affairs Committee also highlighted the significant impact of misinformation on farmer mental health, noting high suicide rates among Idaho farmers.
• Code Modernization and Economic/Public Safety Regulations: A large volume of legislation focused on cleaning up existing Idaho Code and introducing new regulations for various sectors. Numerous “cleanup bills” and resolutions were introduced or discussed to remove obsolete provisions and make technical corrections, such as RS 32911 by Senator Camille Blaylock, and extensive code repeals and amendments mentioned in House Chambers. New economic regulations included HB 704 and HB 700 by the Business Committee relating to the unlawful employment of unauthorized workers, HB 709 by the Business Committee to limit the use of programmable money, and RS 33420 by Senator Berndt regulating billing and reimbursement practices for out-of-network freestanding emergency rooms. Public safety measures included HB 685 prohibiting the use of masks or disguises during criminal offenses, and HB 679 regarding defense of self or others in motor vehicles and public assemblies on roads, both introduced in the House Chambers.

Sources:

ID State Affairs (2026-02-18)(video)

ID Agricultural Affairs (2026-02-16)(video)

ID House Chambers (2026-02-16)(video)

ID State Affairs (2026-02-12)(video)

ID Senate Chambers (2026-02-18)(video)

ID Resources & Environment (2026-02-16)(video)

ID Senate Chambers (2026-02-17)(video)

ID House Chambers (2026-02-17)(video)

ID Agricultural Affairs (2026-02-18)(video)

ID Senate Chambers (2026-02-13)(video)

ID State Affairs (2026-02-19)(video)

The summary below was generated by AskAI, an artificial intelligence tool from FastDemocracy, trained on transcripts generated from publicly-available video and audio recordings of official government debate, made using TranscriptAI.

To learn more about AskAI and Transcript AI, or any of FastDemocracy’s other legislative tracking tools, reach out to nicole@fastdemocracy.com or click here.

Here are the most discussed topics in Arizona this week:

• Water Resources Management: The House extensively discussed legislation concerning Arizona’s water resources. Bills addressed expanding the factors the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) must consider for water depth and unreplenished groundwater volume (e.g., HB 2095, HB 2101), authorizing ADWR to consider only proposed water supply sources regardless of commingling (HB 2026), prohibiting ADWR from applying Pinal AMA statutes to certain Phoenix AMA cities (HB 2027), and requiring ADWR to review applications for assured water supply certificates (HB 2094). Other bills focused on groundwater transportation fees (HB 2932, HB 2933, HB 2934) and a stakeholder process for allocating Central Arizona Project water (HB 2985). The House also supported the Colorado River seven-state agreement through HCR 2038.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) Regulation and Education: Several bills in the House focused on AI. HB 2311 establishes regulations for conversational AI services, HB 2371 permits AI-assisted arbitration in divorce proceedings, HB 2409 creates an Arizona Artificial Intelligence Program within the Department of Education, and HB 2410 considers communications with AI as privileged. Additionally, HB 4005 requires public schools to teach ethical uses of AI.
• Public Safety and Social Issues: Discussions included HB 2665, which expands manslaughter to include a person 18 or older who provides advice or encouragement that a minor uses to die by suicide. HB 2904 declares fentanyl trafficking across the Arizona-Mexico border a public health crisis. HB 2917 directs the Department of Health Services to establish a firefighter cancer registry. The Senate also recognized the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Initiative and held a moment of silence for Emily Pike from the San Carlos Apache Reservation.
• Education Funding and Policy: The House discussed appropriations for the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program, with HB 2499 appropriating $2.6 million for fiscal year 2027 and HB 2500 proposing a supplemental appropriation of $1 million for fiscal year 2026, with concerns raised about a reported 20% fraud rate in the program. The House also passed HCR 2003 after discussion about its implications for transgender athletes and protecting women’s sports.
• Highway Naming Controversy: In the Senate Floor Session on February 18, 2026, Senate Bill 1010 sparked significant debate regarding the renaming of a segment of Loop 202. Opposition was voiced due to the proposed namesake’s perceived divisive history, concerns about historical recognition (specifically regarding the Congressman Ed Pastor Freeway), and insufficient deliberation. An amendment to name it the “Freedom of Speech Highway” was rejected.

Sources:

AZ Senate Floor Session (2026-02-12)(video)

AZ House Republican Caucus Calendar #6 (2026-02-17)(video)

AZ Senate Floor Session (2026-02-16)(video)

AZ House Floor Session (2026-02-12)(video)

AZ House Democratic Caucus Calendar #6 (2026-02-17)(video)

AZ House Floor Session (2026-02-17)(video)

AZ House Floor Session (2026-02-18)(video)

AZ Senate Floor Session (2026-02-18)(video)