Transcript Highlights:

• </c> middle, and um and high school levels. middle, and um and high school levels.
• ,</c> from District 5, Liberty High School, from District 5, Liberty High School, Anika<00:15:16.400>
• Henry Wise Junior High School, Dr. Henry Wise Junior High School, Kadeem<00:15:39.120><c> Brown.
• </c> Damascus High School, Ryan Chickadel. Damascus High School, Ryan Chickadel.
• </c> Walkersville High School, Thomas Kelly. Walkersville High School, Thomas Kelly.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Monday, March 9, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• so a lot of schools instead instead of what we were doing before. on schools so a lot of schools instead
• Those hearing officers do review matters related to denial or discipline of a school, and discipline
• enrolling in a school and not knowing that that school may be in trouble.
• The Bureau—I'm sorry, schools, let me back up. Schools, let me back up.
• Regarding schools, they were very capricious in how they certified schools.

Summary: The joint sunset oversight hearing reviewed five regulatory entities: the Board of Behavioral Sciences, the Board of Psychology, the Physician Assistant Board, the Podiatric Medical Board, and the California Massage Therapy Council. Across the hearing, each entity described recent accomplishments, licensing and enforcement workload, workforce shortages, and efforts to modernize processes. Common themes included streamlining licensure, expanding access to care, addressing telehealth or emerging technology, and balancing consumer protection with workforce needs. For the Board of Behavioral Sciences, members discussed workforce shortages in mental health, supervision barriers, telehealth confidentiality, AI in therapy, interstate compacts, school-based services, and military spouse licensure. The board said it has expanded outreach, improved licensing processes, and created temporary practice authority tracking, while also expressing concern about counseling compacts and emphasizing California-specific law, ethics, and cultural competency. Public commenters supported the board’s work and the possible move to a national MFT exam, while also urging more resources. The Board of Psychology highlighted fee adjustments, streamlined licensure pathways, enforcement process improvements, new CPD requirements, and proposed changes including a psychotherapist-client privilege exception for investigations. Committee members and public witnesses focused heavily on that privilege proposal, with some members opposing it as too broad and privacy-invasive, while the board argued it is needed to obtain records in bias and sexual misconduct cases. The board also discussed workforce shortages, processing improvements, and the use of inactive status for psychological associates. The Physician Assistant Board reported growth in the PA workforce and education programs, SB 697 implementation, and financial pressure from rising enforcement costs. The main policy debate centered on physician-to-PA ratios and practice agreements, with board representatives and many public commenters arguing that current restrictions limit access to care, especially in rural areas, while the California Medical Association defended the need for explicit ratios and agreements. The board also discussed AI, fee increases, and tracking temporary practice authority. The Podiatric Medical Board described licensing and renewal reforms, residency expansion, enforcement support, and budget constraints, while public testimony raised concerns about a proposed fee increase and about reimbursement parity and practice recognition for podiatrists. Finally, the California Massage Therapy Council defended the certification model over licensure, citing lower costs, local government collaboration, anti-trafficking work, and its role in vetting applications and disciplining bad actors; no formal votes or final actions were taken during this portion of the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are in Global Connections from CUNA High School.
• taught at the Coeur d’Alene Tribal School.
• taught at the Coeur d'Alene Tribal School.
• , graduated cum laude, and served as the Law School Convocation Speaker.
• It is in the Boise School District.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and then held a memorial program honoring former Idaho legislators and public servants, including tributes to Frank Brunel, Jeannie Givens, Carl Shirtliff, Wendy Ungrich Kachetti, Ron Vieselmeyer, and Gail Wilde. Speakers highlighted their careers, community service, family lives, and contributions to Idaho, and the chamber observed the memorial with music and remarks about public service and legacy. After the memorial, the House received messages from the Senate and reported several committee actions. Committee reports moved a number of bills and resolutions to calendars or other committees, and the House introduced a large slate of new bills covering state budget/logo restrictions, elections, telecommunications, broadband, water, fish and game, trapping, self-defense and public assemblies on roads, child abuse interview recording, criminal procedure, parental rights, sex offender residency, sheriff reimbursement, masking during crimes, bribery and nepotism, artificial intelligence procurement, airbags, administrative subpoenas, attorney general duties, child protection, election interference, voting rights, divorce and custody attorney fees, unauthorized employment, rental application fees, commercial code changes, professional licensing, land use, building codes, land division, HOA dissolution, programmable money, school start dates, civics education, and health insurance cost-sharing. The House then took up third-reading votes on three bills. House Bill 576, concerning the Idaho Consumer Asset Recovery Fund and limiting coverage to Idaho residents or former Idaho residents at the time of purchase, passed 53-14. House Bill 577, which removes the requirement to replace license plates every 10 years so long as they remain legible and readable, passed 66-1. House Bill 632, expanding whistleblower protections and setting a timeline for legislative information requests, passed 68-0. House Bill 607, dealing with separate restroom, shower, and locker room access in government buildings and public accommodations, generated extended debate over privacy, safety, enforcement, and business costs, but no final vote was reached in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• that it is also not intended to create any extra regulations or barriers surrounding enrollment in schools
• that it is also not intended to create any extra regulations or barriers surrounding enrollment in schools

Bills: HB1160, HB1289, HB1339, HB1798, HB1002, HB1065, HB1155, HB1916, HB2264, HB1078, HB1687, HB1701, HB1717, HB1795, HB1859, HB2088, HB2091, HB2107, HB2109, HB2110, HB2113, HB2124, HB2125, HB2133, HB2134, HB2140, HB2151, HB2152, HB2155, HB2165, HB2185, HB2191, HB2205, HB2211, HB2219, HB2228, HB2229, HB2230, HB2235, HB2238, HB2242, HB2245, HB2249, HB2253, HB2254, HB2269, HB2272, HB2283, HB2304, HB2317, HB2340, HB2343, HB2385, HB2406, HB2417, HB2426, HB2445, HB2452, HB2472, HB2492, HB2501, HB2531, HB2574, HB2606, HB2664, HB1160, HB1289, HB1339, HB1798, HB1065, HB1717, HB1795, HB1859, HB2107, HB2113, HB2124, HB2125, HB2133, HB2134, HB2140, HB2151, HB2155, HB2165, HB2185, HB2191, HB2205, HB2211, HB2219, HB2242, HB2245, HB2253, HB2283, HB2317, HB2343, HB2385, HB2406, HB2417, HB2426, HB2501, HB2531, HB2574, HB2606, HB1170, HB1544, HB1834, HB2111, HB2156, HB2188, HB2199, HB2206, HB2296, HB2360, HB2436, HB2471, HB2478, HB2510, HB2525, HB2532, HB2543, HB2605, HB2624, HJM4012, HB1759

Keywords: design review, local government, land use, zoning, project permits, housing density, middle housing, affordable housing, parking minimums, single-family zoning, infill development, growth management, comprehensive plan, permit streamlining, objective development regulations, architectural review, administrative review, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, ADU

Transcript Highlights:

• dropped by half since the year 2000, these organizations remain land-rich, often near transit and schools
• When I was an Air Force squadron commander, unit morale and good order and discipline depended upon my
• rather than public school property.
• and being run by the schools.
• and being ran by the schools.

Bills: HB1160, HB1289, HB1339, HB1798, HB1002, HB1065, HB1155, HB1916, HB2264, HB1078, HB1687, HB1701, HB1717, HB1795, HB1859, HB2088, HB2091, HB2107, HB2109, HB2110, HB2113, HB2124, HB2125, HB2133, HB2134, HB2140, HB2151, HB2152, HB2155, HB2165, HB2185, HB2191, HB2205, HB2211, HB2219, HB2228, HB2229, HB2230, HB2235, HB2238, HB2242, HB2245, HB2249, HB2253, HB2254, HB2269, HB2272, HB2283, HB2304, HB2317, HB2340, HB2343, HB2385, HB2406, HB2417, HB2426, HB2445, HB2452, HB2472, HB2492, HB2501, HB2531, HB2574, HB2606, HB2664, HB1160, HB1289, HB1339, HB1798, HB1065, HB1717, HB1795, HB1859, HB2107, HB2113, HB2124, HB2125, HB2133, HB2134, HB2140, HB2151, HB2155, HB2165, HB2185, HB2191, HB2205, HB2211, HB2219, HB2242, HB2245, HB2253, HB2283, HB2317, HB2343, HB2385, HB2406, HB2417, HB2426, HB2501, HB2531, HB2574, HB2606, HB1170, HB1544, HB1834, HB2111, HB2156, HB2188, HB2199, HB2206, HB2296, HB2360, HB2436, HB2471, HB2478, HB2510, HB2525, HB2532, HB2543, HB2605, HB2624, HJM4012, HB1759

Keywords: design review, local government, land use, zoning, project permits, housing density, middle housing, affordable housing, parking minimums, single-family zoning, infill development, growth management, comprehensive plan, permit streamlining, objective development regulations, architectural review, administrative review, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, ADU

Transcript Highlights:

• He graduated from the University of Oklahoma School of Community Medicine, Boomer, and completed his
• and distinction to the town of Jones and Oklahoma County by achieving the highest honor in high school
• We have a number of schools represented here with FCCLA programs, but among those...
• Are Adair High School.
• Among those from Adair High School are my granddaughter Riley and her good friend Danielle, who...

Bills: SR29, SB667, SB1466, SB1942, SB1989, SB1670, SB1716, SB1521, SB1273, SB1433, HJR1032, SB1969, SB1953, SB1277, SB1287, SB1061, SB1916, SB1589, SB2178, SB1444, SB1438, SB1501, SB1873, SB1364

Keywords: Black History Month, Black Oklahomans, civil rights, Tulsa Race Massacre, Greenwood, Jim Crow, segregation, all-Black towns, Boley, Langston University, Clara Luper, NAACP Youth Council, Oklahoma Civil Rights Trail, Black history, African American history, racial justice, commemorative resolution, Black excellence, state history, heritage month

Transcript Highlights:

• preparation and the middle school look ahead to the high school course once we know what the high school
• Restorative justice is the framework that shifts school discipline from punitive measures like suspension
• This certification involves specializing in school counseling, school social work, school psychology,
• This certification involves specializing in school counseling, school social work, school psychology,
• And so often school discipline feels like permanent judgment, and sometimes it actually is if it's coincident

Summary: The annual joint Senate and Assembly Education Committee hearing featured student proposals from the California Association of Student Councils and SABLE, with opening remarks from legislators emphasizing student voice and the value of hearing youth ideas. Committee members noted the hearing was being streamed and that they would review the testimony even though some members could not attend because of fog-related travel issues. The first panel proposed an annual civic engagement day for grades 7-12, with flexible school-led activities such as discussions, mock elections, and voter registration-related events. Members generally praised the idea but raised concerns about costs, instructional time tradeoffs, how to evaluate effectiveness, and whether the proposal should better connect to existing civics standards and local curriculum. The second panel proposed amending Education Code Section 35012 to require at least one student board member in every unified and high school district, with added training and the right to make motions. Legislators supported student representation in principle but questioned whether the proposal should require one or two student members to avoid board tie issues, why some districts do not already have student trustees, and how the mandate would be funded if it became a state requirement. They also raised technical concerns about the scope of motioning power and the fiscal impact of converting a voluntary local practice into a statewide mandate. Later panels proposed adding middle school financial literacy instruction, expanding restorative justice practices, and creating more structured mental health education time. On financial literacy, students suggested integrating finance into existing middle school classes and teacher training over time; members worried about curriculum overload and suggested aligning the idea with the already-approved high school finance course. On restorative justice, students proposed a CDE task force and training for PPS-certified staff; legislators discussed prior related bills, confidentiality concerns in discipline hearings, and the likely cost of a state task force. On mental health, students proposed short, twice-semester classroom sessions focused on coping skills and awareness of resources, but members questioned whether such brief lessons could be effective and suggested that wellness centers, student-led awareness, and outside referrals might be more practical. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational and ended with encouragement for students to refine their proposals and follow up with legislators.

Transcript Highlights:

• preparation and the middle school look-ahead to the high school course once we know what the high school
• preparation and the middle school look ahead to the high school course once we know what the high school
• Restorative justice is the framework that shifts school discipline from punitive measures like suspension
• This certification involves specializing in school counseling, school social work, school psychology,
• And so often school discipline feels like permanent judgment, and sometimes it actually is if it's coincident

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so with me today, with your permission, and... ...across various disciplines.
• They have graduated from high school with... ...in college.
• But that's not where you go to your discipline-specific association annual conference necessarily for
• How do we avoid duplication, replication, and more chaos at the school level?
• I absolutely believe that we need anti-Semitism protections in our schools.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Press Association, the Police Jury Association, the Louisiana Municipal Association, as well as the School
• Representative Billings: So did you have any local government, school boards, or publishers included
• boards: a 15% to 20% reduction. ...in the school boards, of a 15% to 20% reduction, yeah, cut in what
• Will say that, prior to taking any action to discipline or dismiss police personnel, the chief of police
• Okay, Senator Ventrella. ...to hire and fire and discipline his own employees.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The committee met at 5:13 p.m. on April 15 with 14 members present and took up several local and municipal bills. HB 87, which would increase the per diem for the Livingston Parish Gas Utility District No. 1 board, was presented as a local bill with no opposition and was reported favorably without objection. HB 162, authorizing the Jefferson Place/Bocage Crime Prevention and Improvement District to levy a fee after a local vote, was also moved favorably without objection. A lengthy discussion centered on HB 481, which would change the rate for publishing official proceedings and public notices. Supporters from the Louisiana Press Association said a prior agreement intended a 15% to 20% reduction in newspaper revenue, but a calculation error meant the current law would instead cut revenues by about 40% to 50% when it takes effect in 2027. Representatives from police juries and other local-government groups argued the bill should be corrected to restore the intended compromise, while some members questioned whether the change would break a prior deal and whether small or single-newspaper parishes would be harmed. The committee ultimately reported HB 481 favorably by a 10-5 vote, with members urging further negotiation and possible floor amendments. HB 573, as amended, would restructure oversight of the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board by giving the New Orleans City Council and mayor more authority over operations, contracts, and accountability measures. Representative Hilferty and Mayor Helena Moreno argued the current structure diffuses responsibility and has failed residents, while one witness from the Louisiana Justice Institute warned the bill could shift control without fixing infrastructure problems and could raise equity and financial concerns. Despite that opposition, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also advanced HB 368, increasing fines for unauthorized demolition of historic properties in New Orleans; HB 441, clarifying that Sewerage and Water Board employees remain in city civil service; and HB 257, which would give the elected police chief of Central authority to hire, fire, and discipline police personnel, subject to consultation with the city attorney and a delayed effective date. All of those bills were reported favorably after discussion and, where needed, adoption of amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Commission still handles the licensing, the ethics, and the discipline, but law enforcement will
• Students are protected without delay, and administrative discipline can continue separately.
• It just draws a line between professional discipline and criminal enforcement.
• I just think it's important to close this gap, and I think it will protect students, educators, school

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 635, which Representative Heather Scott described as a narrow clarification to existing law governing the Professional Standards Commission. The bill would require the Commission to report any complaint or investigation involving suspected criminal behavior to the appropriate law enforcement authorities, while leaving the Commission’s existing role in licensing, ethics, and discipline unchanged. Scott said the measure would separate administrative discipline from criminal enforcement, protect students, and close a gap in current statute. There was no public testimony, no opposition, and the committee voted unanimously to send HB 635 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then considered RS 3363, presented by Vice Chair Handy, which would make permanent pending and temporary rules from the Department of Education, the State Board of Education, and CTE education. Handy said the resolution was procedural, had no fiscal impact, and simply codified rules already previously reviewed. A motion was made to send the resolution to the floor for second reading with a due pass recommendation, and the committee approved it without objection. Before adjourning, the chair offered a brief procedural reminder that once recognized, members do not need to ask permission to make motions or ask questions. Representative Hostetler then moved to adjourn, and the committee agreed, ending the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, if an investigation results in no discipline, it cannot be included in the officer's personnel
• This officer had several previous discipline issues, and that complaint in and of itself would not have
• And that's the thing about law enforcement and discipline: what constitutes discipline at each agency
• If you passed this bill, the not sustained documentation of items not considered discipline, the letter
• The situation, the first person I go see where I work is a school police officer.

Summary: The Government Operations Subcommittee heard three bills. HB 1479, by Rep. Baker, created a public records exemption for lethality assessment forms and the victims’ answers under the domestic violence lethality assessment law. The sponsor said the goal was to protect victims and keep the form consistent statewide; a question was raised about whether other agencies such as DCF could access the information. The only public testimony was in support, and the bill passed 17-0 and was reported favorably. The committee then took up HB 317, by Rep. Fabricio, which would require complaints against law enforcement and correctional officers to be written and sworn, require officers to receive the complaint and supporting evidence before interrogation or discipline, and keep unfounded investigations out of personnel files and from being used for promotions or commendations. Supporters, including the Fraternal Order of Police and a state corrections PBA representative, argued the bill would protect officers from frivolous or retaliatory complaints. Opponents, including the Florida Police Chiefs Association and the Florida Sheriffs Association, warned it would undermine transparency, early warning systems, accreditation, and accountability, and could discourage legitimate anonymous complaints. Several members debated the balance between officer due process and victim protection; the bill passed 11-6 and was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard HB 961, a Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles measure presented by Judge Maney. A strike-all amendment replaced the original language with a package aimed at improving customer service and efficiency in driver and vehicle services, including online title and registration requests, longer renewal periods for certain permanently handicapped persons, and a new misdemeanor offense for selling DHSMV appointment slots. The amendment and the bill as amended were supported by Florida tax collectors, adopted, and the committee passed HB 961 unanimously, 17-0, with a favorable report.

Transcript Highlights:

• And there are Supreme Court cases that cover judicial discipline.
• And there are Supreme Court cases that cover judicial discipline.
• These coalitions bring together schools, law enforcement, health care providers, and community leaders
• These coalitions bring together schools, law enforcement, health care providers, and community leaders
• One of the most telling is a survey administered to middle and high school students, asking them about

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's going to make sure that all of our seniors in high school are aware of the Washington Opportunity
• Senate Bill 5956 is an act relating to artificial intelligence, school discipline, student discipline
• , and surveillance in public schools.
• The bill prohibits certain decisions and actions related to student discipline and school safety based
• as procedures that schools may adopt or adapt to implement the requirements.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And this conflict between schools and entities may prevent schools using their own brands as needed if
• districts, schools, and colleges.
• Access to dual-credit courses requires a foundation of high school coursework across many disciplines
• School districts are strapped.
• This is how school size, school urbanicity, and staff size relate to whether or not a school offers dual

Summary: The committee began with a work session on dual credit, hearing first from the Council of Presidents and the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, then from the Education Research and Data Center. The dual credit overview described Washington’s six dual credit programs, high participation rates, transferability, and recent efforts to improve transparency, pathways, and equity. Testimony emphasized both benefits and challenges, including access, funding, advising, and the need for clearer statewide coordination. ERDC outlined its annual report, dashboard, research briefs, and future work on school-level factors and possible causal effects of dual credit participation. No votes were taken during the work session. The committee then held public hearings on several bills. SB 6227 would direct WSAC to work with public higher education institutions to create formal data collection protocols for parenting students and convene a work group to recommend how to identify and support them. Senator Wilson and multiple student and advocacy witnesses supported the bill, citing the lack of consistent statewide data and the barriers parenting students face; WSAC testified that its research found significant food, housing, and child care insecurity among these students. SB 6235 would prohibit public colleges with athletics programs from entering certain private equity or sovereign wealth fund agreements involving athletics revenues or control. Senator Holy said the bill was intended to prevent loss of institutional control, while UW and WSU testified in opposition, warning it could limit flexibility and create competitive disadvantages. The committee also heard SB 6217, which would expand Washington College Grant eligibility to students in eligible non-degree credential programs beginning in 2027-28. Supporters from the community and technical college system, a community college president, and workforce representatives said the bill would help students access short-term training for family-wage jobs and address workforce shortages, especially in construction trades. Finally, SB 6209 would restore Washington College Grant and College Bound Scholarship eligibility for certain private four-year and career/vocational schools if they meet a gainful-employment standard. DigiPen, Evergreen Beauty College, Seattle Film Institute, and related students and administrators testified in support, arguing the bill would preserve access for low-income and nontraditional students in career-focused programs; some witnesses on the bill’s earlier panel also urged that certificate and two-year programs be included. The hearings were managed with shortened testimony times because of the large number of sign-ins, and no final committee action or votes were recorded in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• construction relief to support cities, towns, and school districts experiencing extraordinary school
• President, to local school districts.
• Today, boys are less prepared to start school and, at nearly every point in their K-12 school career,
• And she did this because she believed that no public school child should have to miss school or go to
• Without access to these products, students miss school. They miss after-school activities.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate took up Senate House No. 4010, a fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill funded largely by surplus Fair Share revenues. The Ways and Means chair described the bill as a $1.28 billion package, with major investments in education and transportation, including special education circuit breaker aid, higher education deferred maintenance, career technical education capital grants, school construction relief, high-dosage tutoring, English language learning grants, MBTA reserve replenishment and safety training, commuter rail maintenance, Chapter 90 local road aid, regional transit authority support, ferry and micro-transit funding, and a small World Cup transportation appropriation. Members from both parties generally praised the bill’s one-time, regionally balanced approach while emphasizing fiscal discipline and the limited, surplus-based funding source. The minority leader and others questioned the fund balances and the use of the education and transportation innovation and capital fund, the Student Opportunity Act trust fund, and the transitional escrow account; the chair said the bill would zero out the innovation and capital fund, leave about $430 million in the SOA trust, and about $200 million in the escrow account. Several members highlighted specific priorities. Senator Cronin and Senator Feeney strongly supported the $100 million career technical education investment, arguing it would expand vocational opportunities in comprehensive high schools and help meet workforce needs. Senator Feeney also emphasized MBTA funding, special education, local road repairs, English language learning tied to workforce needs, and World Cup preparations in Foxborough. Senator Comerford praised the bill’s regional equity, higher education maintenance funding, special education support, and transportation investments, while also noting the need for broader future work on Chapter 70 and school finance. Senator Tarr supported the bill but repeatedly stressed that the spending was a unique one-time opportunity and that the Commonwealth should preserve fiscal reserves and continue to address school funding inequities and MBTA finances more broadly. The chamber then considered numerous amendments. Amendment 1 on tariff pricing transparency was withdrawn after brief remarks, and Amendment 14, proposing a DESE study on educational outcomes for young men and boys, was rejected. Amendment 182, funding Worcester Regional Transit Authority capital expenses, was adopted. Amendment 228, adding $500,000 for Free Period to expand access to menstrual products in schools, was adopted. Amendment 257, funding Springfield Public Schools communication and safety systems, was also adopted. Other amendments, including Tarr amendments on supplemental district aid, MBTA reporting, and the Foundation Budget Review Commission, were rejected. Amendment 308 concerning MBTA Communities and Milton was withdrawn, after which Senator Driscoll began a presentation arguing Milton was being misclassified under the MBTA Communities Act and should be treated fairly under the law.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> schools. Is that correct? schools. Is that correct?
• We don't have that discipline. funded. We don't have that discipline.
• </c> all of our schools. We have that list. all of our schools. We have that list.
• </c> identified by schools. identified by schools.
• Thank you. school advisory committee. Um, I I'm school advisory committee.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1783, which would expand public-private partnership options for charter school facilities. The Department of Education offered comments, the Charter School Commission and SFA supported the bill, and Hawaii Technology Academy, Hawaii Kids, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, HGA, Aloha Project, and several individuals testified in support, while UPW opposed it. Supporters said charter schools need faster and more flexible ways to address severe facility shortages and high costs, and SFA described the bill as a pilot model that could leverage developer partnerships and state contributions, citing Maryland as an example. Members asked whether the bill was limited to charter schools; DOE said the language could be read to include other public school facilities, but if focused only on charter schools, DOE was less concerned. The Charter School Commission also described an existing public-private preschool model through Parkway Village Preschool and PACTED. The committee then took up HB 1778, which would establish a CIP database for school facilities. SFA supported the bill, saying it would create a more disciplined, transparent basis for funding decisions by documenting facility condition, needed repairs, classification, and timing. DOE initially said it rested on its comments, then responded to questions by saying it already maintains deferred maintenance lists, uses systems such as Maximo, CPT, GIS, and finance software, and sends legislators project-status letters twice a year. DOE said it is working on improving its outward-facing dashboard and integrating its systems, but questioned whether the bill would add value beyond existing tools. Members emphasized the need for a publicly accessible, real-time transparency tool, while DOE said it was still evaluating its current systems and was not yet seeking funding for a new IT program. For HB 2344, creating an Independent Public School Realignment and Closure Commission, DOE said it wants to remain part of any consolidation process to keep students and education central, while SFA said the bill is timely and framed it as a restructuring response to changing conditions and possible federal funding cuts. SFA compared the proposal to the federal BRAC process for military base closures and said Hawaii has the same enrollment as in 1961 but many more schools, arguing that the state needs a more deliberate approach to school closures and land reuse. The Attorney General’s office raised technical concerns about several sections, including unclear references to administrative support, a governor-approval sequence, a possible conflict with existing statutes governing closed-school disposition, and a missing section number. Testimony on HB 2345, which would establish a geographic CIP district, began with DOE in opposition; DOE said the bill would duplicate existing work, add confusion by creating two agencies doing the same thing, and spend money inefficiently because district project coordinators and project lists already exist.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and tribal schools.
• </c> component to school safety. component to school safety.
• </c> students in our schools. students in our schools.
• </c><00:05:09.080><c> across</c> school safety plan that schools across school safety plan that schools
• and tribal schools, non-public schools and tribal schools, programs<00:10:03.360><c> that</c><00:10:

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House Education Finance and Policy leaders discussed House File 3493, a school safety package presented as a bipartisan, common-sense effort to protect students in public, non-public, tribal, and charter schools. Rep. Brian Lawrence said the bill would provide more school safety funding, more student mental health support, local anonymous threat reporting options, safe school plans, and student discipline reforms. Chair Peggy Bennett and Rep. Ben Bakeberg emphasized that the proposal was intended to be flexible, practical, and responsive to local needs rather than a one-size-fits-all mandate. Several questions focused on whether the package would include gun restrictions, but the authors said the committee was focused on education-related tools it could control and on areas of agreement. They repeatedly said they were not willing to advance a package that left any students out, including those in non-public or tribal schools. Bennett said schools should be able to opt into anonymous threat reporting systems rather than being mandated, arguing schools are already overmandated and that good ideas will be adopted voluntarily. Members also discussed funding, including a proposed $50 million shift from Northern Lights money and the overall size of the appropriation, which was described as still unsettled but roughly $52 million a year in the latest figures. The speakers said the package was being moved during committee deadlines and that they wanted to act quickly on the areas where there was agreement. They expressed frustration that no Democratic counterproposal had been brought forward and said they hoped to pass a school safety package that could keep all kids safe.

Transcript Highlights:

• NAPNi Puri, on behalf of the California School Employees Association, in support.
• ADS systems can set weekly schedules and even track, discipline, or fire employees, a practice recently
• Workers cannot realistically be expected to know how to operate within the workplace and disciplined.
• Why they were disciplined, why they're losing their shift, et cetera.
• Nephny Pereer on behalf of the California School Employees Association, also in support.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you guys work with public schools, private schools, in charter schools?
• We work with currently publicly... ...private schools, in charter schools?
• They sat down with the school administrator, the school... ...one afternoon, two hours.
• In different schools that looks different. Some schools have a lot of requirements...
• How often might you visit a school? How often might you visit a school?

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The meeting began with a student performance from Horizon Middle School Show Choir, including songs from an eighth grade concert and the show choir piece “The Body Electric.” After the performance, Deputy Superintendent Donna Fishbeck spoke on behalf of State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler in support of music education, emphasizing its benefits for creativity, collaboration, school climate, and student development, and noting the department’s support for music grants and professional development. She also highlighted the North Dakota Music Educators Association’s role in expanding access and quality in music education. The committee then heard a presentation from Vital Network, introduced as a DPI-funded effort focused on teacher retention. Nate Eklund and Dr. Aaron Rob described the organization’s work with schools and districts to reduce educator burnout by improving workplace conditions, especially around time management, voice in decision-making, and care/support. They said the program uses surveys, dashboards, advisory support, and facilitated school and district processes to identify local friction points and help educators and leaders solve them, with examples ranging from simplifying material requests to improving PLC time and communication. They stressed that retention is driven more by workplace conditions than pay alone, and that solutions must be local rather than one-size-fits-all. Members asked about rural teacher overload, sustainability after grant funding ends, and whether the model could inform broader policy or continuing education reforms. Vital representatives said the work is designed to be embedded in district systems and strategic plans so it can continue beyond their direct involvement, and that the approach aligns with the state’s teacher retention and recruitment task force recommendations. They reported serving about half of North Dakota educators across roughly 50 districts, with partnerships through regional education associations to reach rural areas. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the discussion.