Video & Transcript Research : 'Ed Martin'
Page 104 of 269
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Appropriations - Education and Environment Division Apr 15th, 2025 at 03:30 pm
Appropriations - Education and Environment Division
Transcript Highlights:
- Committee, we're going to take up Senate Bill 2003, the higher-ed budget.
- Senate Bill 2003, the higher-ed budget.
- We have a higher-ed bill before us. What are your wishes? Amendment?
Bills:
SB2003
Keywords:
higher education, student loans, scholarships, capital projects, workforce development, funding, North Dakota university system, 908, all
Summary:
The committee reconvened to act on Senate Bill 2003, the higher education budget. Members first replaced prior intent language related to the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences with new language stating it is the intent of the 69th Legislative Assembly that an Allied Health Facility expansion be completed, and that the 70th Legislative Assembly consider supporting completion of the project. The chair explained the change was meant to avoid binding the next legislature to a specific $50 million commitment while still helping UND with fundraising. The amendment was moved, seconded, and adopted unanimously.
The committee then addressed funding for Minot State University’s “Advancing Students Toward Education and Employment” program. After some discussion about the amount already in the bill and what had been previously agreed to, the committee approved adding $1 million, bringing the total appropriation for that line to $1.5 million. Members referenced prior testimony in support of the program. That amendment also passed unanimously.
After approving the amendments, the committee adopted a do-pass recommendation on Senate Bill 2003 as amended, with Representative Sanford designated as the bill carrier. The chair noted the bill would likely be taken up on the floor later in the week. The committee also said it would return to commerce-related work the next day and then adjourned for the day.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on State Government. (7-8-26)
State Government
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm a professor and chair in the department of horticulture at the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture
- 00:10:27.440>
horiculture <00:10:28.000>at <00:10:28.079>the <00:10:28.160>Martin - department of horiculture at the Martin department of horiculture at the Martin Gaten<00:10:28.800
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Air Mobility & Aviation Economic Development Task Force (9-16-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- places like PSA Airlines, all the maintenance, repair, and overhaul places, particularly Lockheed Martin
- /c> overhaul places uh particularly uh overhaul places uh particularly uh Loheed<00:52:59.760>
Martin - ,<00:53:00.079>
Thoroughbred <00:53:00.640>aviation, Loheed Martin, Thoroughbred aviation - , Loheed Martin, Thoroughbred aviation, smaller<00:53:02.160>
fixed <00:53:02.400>bases
Summary:
The task force meeting began with approval of the July 14 minutes and then heard a presentation from the Kentucky Aviation Association. Association leaders described general aviation airports as important to rural access, commerce, emergency response, tourism, agriculture, and workforce development, and cited statewide economic impacts they said exceed $1.6 billion and support more than 9,400 jobs. They thanked the legislature for prior airport funding and said it had helped airports with basic operations and repairs.
The association asked lawmakers for four things: continued appropriations for general aviation airports; relief or a more workable process for required financial audits, which they said can cost $10,000 to $20,000 or more and sometimes exceed a small airport’s annual budget; a regularized statewide appropriations process for airport infrastructure needs, which they said total about $100 million and are currently addressed unevenly; and funding for the Aerospace Education Reinvestment Opportunity Act to support scholarships and aviation workforce training. Members of the task force asked follow-up questions about the audit burden, the difference between financial and safety audits, and the difficulty of finding audit firms. The presenters said they would bring specific ideas back on audit reform.
Eastern Kentucky University then presented on its aviation program. EKU leaders thanked the committee for prior support, including a $25 million appropriation for a new flight school building at Central Kentucky Regional Airport, and said the project is expected to break ground in 2026. They reported strong enrollment growth, with 502 aviation majors, most of them Kentuckians, and said the program has expanded flight hours and job placement. EKU also outlined plans to add an air traffic control program in response to Senate Bill 87 and the national shortage of controllers, saying it could train students to FAA standards if the university receives the needed investment in simulators, equipment, space, and faculty. They also discussed the need to replace an aging fleet of training aircraft, saying the current planes are decades old and costly to maintain, and that newer aircraft would improve training quality and reduce student costs.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Education (2-27-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- They've still taken Martin Luther King Day off.
- they've still take President's Day Off they've still<00:59:51.079>
taken <00:59:51.359>Martin - Luther<00:59:51.880>
King <00:59:52.079>Day <00:59:52.240>off still taken Martin - Luther King Day off still taken Martin Luther King Day off they've<00:59:52.599>
taken <00:59:
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:01:04
Attendance Roll Call: 00:01:12
Senate Bill 3 (Sen. Wise): 00:05:28
Senate Bill 6 (Sen. Givens): 00:32:17
House Bill 241 (Rep. Truett): 00:52:18
Senate Bill 268 (Sen. Reed): 01:11:57
Adjournment: 01:24:48, 958, all
Summary:
The Senate Standing Committee on Education met and first handled introductions of guests and visitors from several school districts and education groups. The committee then took up Senate Bill 3, which relates to student athletes and includes an emergency clause. The bill sponsor and invited witnesses, including athletics directors from the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville, said the measure is intended to update Kentucky’s NIL laws in light of the House v. NCAA settlement and other national changes in college athletics.
Supporters said SB 3 would let Kentucky universities directly compensate student athletes, help them secure third-party NIL deals, require reporting of deals over $600, and create guardrails and fair-market-value review to reduce pay-for-play concerns. They emphasized that the bill is meant to keep Kentucky institutions competitive, align with expected national standards, and prepare for changes expected around July 1, 2025. Witnesses also discussed the need for more uniform rules nationally, the role of the Power Four conferences in developing governance and clearinghouse systems, and the desire to preserve both athlete mobility and continuity in college sports.
Several members raised concerns about the transfer portal, NIL incentives, and the broader effect on college athletics, with one senator saying NIL and the portal have damaged the sport but acknowledging Kentucky must compete. Witnesses responded that tighter portal windows and clearer national rules would help, while still preserving student-athlete transfer rights when needed. After discussion, the committee moved to a vote on SB 3; the roll call was taken, and the bill advanced out of committee, with at least one senator explaining a reluctant yes vote because of competitive pressures on the Commonwealth.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Transportation Finance and Policy Working Group 1/15/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Next Monday is Martin Luther King Day, so we won't be meeting that day.
- will be meeting uh next next<01:10:34.120>
Monday <01:10:34.440>is <01:10:34.600>Martin - Luther<01:10:35.120>
King <01:10:35.360>day <01:10:36.040>um next Monday is Martin - Luther King day um next Monday is Martin Luther King day um so<01:10:36.280>
we <01:10:36.400>
Summary:
The Transportation Working Group met on January 15, 2025, with Chair John Kosnik opening by saying the committee expected to pass a transportation bill this year and emphasizing efficient use of transportation revenues, maintenance of roads and transit, and safety. Members and staff introduced themselves, and several representatives noted their interest in roads, bridges, and regional transportation needs. Kosnik also said he had spoken with Representative Kel about leadership arrangements and stressed that bipartisan support would be needed for a transportation bill.
House Fiscal Staff’s Andrew Lee and House Research’s Matt Burus then gave an overview of transportation finance, focusing mainly on highways and transit. Burus explained Minnesota’s highway funding structure, including the constitutional Highway User Tax Distribution Fund and the related Trunk Highway Fund, County State-Aid Highway Fund, and Municipal State-Aid Street Fund. He reviewed the main revenue sources: the motor fuels tax, motor vehicle registration tax, motor vehicle sales tax, portions of the general sales tax tied to auto parts, vehicle rentals and leases, and the retail delivery fee. He noted several changes from 2023 legislation, including indexing of the gas tax, creation of the Transportation Advancement Account, and the retail delivery fee, which began in July 2024 and therefore would affect fiscal year 2025 rather than the fiscal 2024 data shown.
The presentation also covered how highway dollars flow through constitutional formulas, including the 95/5 split from the Highway User Tax Distribution Fund, with the 5 percent set-aside used for town roads, town bridges, and flexible highway purposes such as turnbacks. Burus distinguished trunk highway bonds from general obligation bonds and explained that both are debt-financing tools for transportation projects, but with different repayment sources and uses. No votes or formal actions were taken at this informational meeting.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Feb 4th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- I normally don't get to talk to you in front of higher ed, but I'm happy to do this on this occasion.
- I normally don't get to talk to you in front of higher ed, but I'm happy to do this on this occasion.
- I worked very hard with our great president, Ed Meadows, and our Senator Broxson, and you, the legislature
- It's Senator Bradley, and it is a pleasure to have you with us here in the Higher Ed Committee.
- Senator Bradley, and it is a pleasure to have you with us here in the Higher Ed Committee.
Keywords:
tuition, resident status, incarceration, education, equal access, nursing shortage, health care, education funding, workforce development, LINE Fund, monetary contributions, nonmonetary contributions
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to consider one bill, a postponed bill, and a slate of trustee confirmations. The committee first took up CS/SB 1246, which expands the Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) fund to support health science workforce shortages beyond nursing, including allied health programs. The bill also broadens eligible uses of funds, revises matching requirements and grant criteria, and updates reporting requirements. A strike-all amendment was adopted without objection, and the committee then reported the bill favorably after supportive testimony from Florida State College at Jacksonville, the Florida Hospital Association, the College of Central Florida, and the Florida Chamber of Commerce. Senator Davis also noted a favorable vote on the bill for the record.
The committee then temporarily postponed SB 720 at the sponsor’s request. Chair Harrell explained that the bill had been incorporated into a larger committee measure and would likely be heard later in another form. Public witnesses who had come to speak on the bill were not heard because of the postponement.
The remainder of the meeting focused on confirmations for trustees at several state colleges, including Chipola College, Tallahassee State College, Pensacola State College, Palm Beach State College, Pasco-Hernando State College, and St. Petersburg College. The appointees emphasized themes of affordability, workforce training, nursing and allied health success, dual enrollment, community partnerships, and local economic development. After hearing from the appointees, the committee approved a block motion to recommend confirmation of all appointees on tabs 2 through 25. The meeting then adjourned.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Chairman, members of the commission, for the record my name's Ed Sanchez.
- My name is Ed Sanchez.
- Thank you, Ed. Any questions for the department? I have one question. Please.
- Ed: Mr.
- Ed: Mr.
Keywords:
cosmetics, animal testing, prohibition, manufacturers, sales regulation, state preemption, groundwater, water conservation, Arizona water resources, drought management, water quality, solar radiation management, environment, regulation, Arizona Revised Statutes, weather modification, licensing, environmental impact, public safety, cloud seeding
Summary:
The Natural Resources Committee approved the minutes from January 20 and January 27, 2026, then heard several bills related to weather modification, water policy, wildlife, cosmetics, and groundwater management. SB 1278 would ban intentional solar radiation management in Arizona and bar public entities or recipients of public funds from supporting related technology development. Supporters argued it was needed to stop harmful geoengineering, while opponents said it would block research and distract from real pollution problems. The committee voted 5-2 with one not voting to give SB 1278 a do pass recommendation.
The committee then considered SB 1279, which would regulate weather modification licenses, require ADWR and ADEQ review of chemicals, public notice, and public meetings, and—under a proposed strike-everything amendment—shift complaint enforcement to ADWR and require rulemaking. Testimony was largely in support from stakeholders and SRP, while ADEQ was neutral but warned it lacked standards, resources, and expertise to develop the required chemical limits on the bill’s timeline. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill as amended 5-2 with one not voting.
Members next passed SB 1005, which would prohibit the sale of cosmetics developed with animal testing, with supporters citing cruelty concerns and industry alternatives; the bill received a do pass recommendation 4-2 with two not voting. SB 1202, requiring ADWR to include more detailed data in five-year groundwater supply-and-demand assessments, drew opposition from ADWR over feasibility, cost, and the risk of misleading conclusions, but still received a do pass recommendation 4-2 with two not voting. The committee also passed SB 1280, which would bar Game and Fish from using public funds to transport Mexican gray wolf pups into Arizona; wildlife advocates opposed it as harmful to recovery, while Game and Fish said it would not affect core responsibilities and was neutral. Finally, SB 1287, with a conforming amendment, was approved 5-1 with two not voting to extend certain irrigation grandfathered-right groundwater uses to subsequent active management areas. The committee then adjourned.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- mean, even complaints could be personal identifiable information if you have one student in special ed
- <01:43:54.599>
student <01:43:55.599>in <01:43:55.800>Special <01:43:56.199>Ed - fiscal year and so right now on your fiscal year 2024<01:52:04.159>
special <01:52:04.480>ed - <01:52:04.920>
complaints <01:52:05.920>you <01:52:06.280>are 2024 special ed - um system who need onetoone special ed um system who need onetoone nurses<02:05:59.760>
or <02
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- ever want to take a walking tour of the Comstock neighborhood for a small fee, which goes to community ed
- us the ability to transfer from two accounts, our long-term facility maintenance and our community ed
- us the ability to transfer from two accounts, our long-term facility maintenance and our community ed
- fund that maybe could be used for general ed?
- have extra money in their community ed have extra money in their community ed fund<00:11:11.600>
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- moment of silence for a friend and colleague who we lost last week: the gentleman from Lowell, Senator Ed
- I ask for a moment of silence in memory of the late Senator Ed Kennedy. Senator Ed Kennedy.
Summary:
The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence for former Senator Ed Kennedy. Members then adopted an order to recess the joint session until Thursday, October 9, 2025, and approved a congratulatory resolution for People Incorporated’s new early education center. The chamber also took up two local bills, ordering both to a third reading and then passing them to be engrossed: House 2320, establishing an appointed treasurer-collector in Berkeley, and House 4136, further regulating stabilization funds in Leicester.
The Senate later held an adjournment in memory of Paul Holloway, with remarks honoring his service as a firefighter and educator in Holland and Palmer, followed by a moment of silence. The chamber also considered several matters on final passage, including bills related to the Gloucester Fisheries Commission and an additional liquor license in Maynard, and it advanced a House bill establishing a sick leave bank for Candy J. Pike of the Department of Developmental Services by ordering it to a third reading.
The Senate suspended Joint Rule 12 and referred a House petition to establish a sick leave bank for David A. Russell of the Department of Correction to the Committee on Public Service. Near the close, the Senate recognized National Faith in Blue Week and thanked law enforcement and faith-based communities. Members adopted an order to meet again the following Thursday at 11 a.m., dispense with printing a calendar, and then adjourned in memory of Paul Holloway.
UT
Utah 2025 Regular Session
Education Interim Committee - November 19, 2025
Education Interim Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- There's a lot of different plans that exist in public ed.
- A lot of different plans that exist in public ed.
- This bill was in response to the open-ed audit that was heard this spring by this body.
- They commissioned an audit to be performed by BYU and Internet Safety Labs to investigate our ed tech
- By BYU and Internet Safety Labs to investigate our ed tech application data collection and sharing.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Oklahoma Education Commission Apr 30th, 2026
Oklahoma Education Commission
Transcript Highlights:
- the governor from workforce development, the president pro tem of the Senate with someone from higher ed
- , and the president pro tem with someone with an ed tech background.
- with felonies and make a small pool of employers, some targeted training from Career Tech or higher ed
- with felonies and make a small pot of employers, some targeted training from career tech or higher ed
- , and I love training all of our teachers, who in turn train their students, and integrating AI and ed
Summary:
The commission met with a quorum and introduced Brett Farley, who was discussed as a possible partner to help strengthen the nonprofit side of the commission’s work. Members also welcomed a new participant, Naomi Janes of Owasso Public Schools, who described her role in instructional technology and AI integration. The group spent much of the meeting on planning for the upcoming AI symposium, including venue logistics, room and meal costs, audio-visual expenses, fundraising progress, keynote and vendor participation, and ideas for breakout sessions and after-hours demonstrations. Members discussed keeping attendee contact information private unless permission is obtained, and they also considered future regional meetings and year-round follow-up to sustain momentum beyond the symposium.
A major portion of the meeting focused on legislation and grant strategy. Michael provided an update on House Bill 1782, saying floor amendments had been filed and that the bill now includes authority for agencies to pursue gifts and donations, an expanded advisory council, broader research purposes, and a fund structure that can support multi-year projects without fiscal-year pressure. He also reviewed Senate Bill 1734, which would require parental disclosure, allow opt-outs, and require reporting on data minimization and privacy compliance for AI tools used in schools. Members discussed how the commission could help schools, families, and the public understand AI policy and how the new law might shape future recommendations.
The group also reviewed several grant efforts. Anna reported on the NSF TechABLE/AI HubZone proposal, a three-year, $1 million-per-year opportunity with a June 15 letter-of-intent deadline and July 15 full proposal deadline, and noted plans to include staff positions to support the project. She also updated the group on a rural health care transformation proposal of roughly $700,000 and asked for follow-up on its status. In addition, Anna outlined a broader K-20 pipeline concept centered on a shared learner record and microcredential system that would connect K-12, CareerTech, higher education, libraries, and workforce systems, with tools such as Career Coach and Skill of Eye to link credentials to jobs. Members generally supported the idea, noting benefits for transcript portability, special populations, teacher certification, and workforce alignment. The commission agreed to meet again on June 14 at 1:00 p.m., and the meeting adjourned after a brief announcement of an informal AI book club for the summer.
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
EDUCATION COMMITTEE - SENATE AND HOUSE Mar 9th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We spend a lot of money on adult ed. I think it's like $20 million a year.
- bit more about this field is that, you know, we invest as a state, we spend a lot of money on adult ed
- We spend a lot of money on adult ed. I think it's like $20 million a year. of money on adult ed.
- We also have an update from the Department of Ed on the agenda and adequacy study over you.
- A follow-up is, I know that we have students who are in special ed, they're English learners, and they're
Summary:
The House and Senate Education Committee first approved minutes from February 2 and 3, then took up an interim study proposal on adult education and the Excel Center model. Representatives from Goodwill Industries of Arkansas, the Excel Center network, and the University of Notre Dame’s Lab for Economic Opportunities testified that roughly 300,000 Arkansans over age 19 lack a high school diploma or GED, and argued that the Excel Center provides a supported diploma pathway for adults who struggle with GED testing. Witnesses highlighted wraparound services such as free child care, transportation assistance, tutoring, life coaching, and career services, and cited outcomes including high retention, growing enrollment, and research showing higher employment and earnings and lower criminal justice involvement for graduates. Committee members raised questions about the state’s role, existing adult education programs, and how the study would be structured; the motion to adopt the ISP passed, though there was some procedural disagreement about when questions should have been taken.
The committee then heard a detailed adequacy funding overview from BLR staff Katie Walden and Adrian Beck on Arkansas K-12 education finance. They reviewed national funding principles and explained Arkansas’s system, including state and local revenue sources, the Public School Fund, the Educational Excellence Trust Fund, the Educational Adequacy Fund, and the Facilities Partnership Program. Staff said K-12 state and local revenues totaled $6.6 billion in 2025, with foundation funding making up the largest share of district and charter funding, followed by additional, categorical, and supplemental funds. They also explained the matrix-based foundation formula, the role of the uniform rate of tax, and how categorical and supplemental funds support areas such as alternative learning, English learners, special education high-cost cases, teacher salary equalization, declining enrollment, and student growth.
Members asked several follow-up questions about how specific funding categories are defined and used, including student support staff, instructional aides, special education high-cost occurrences, ALE funding, teacher salary equalization, and the inclusion of Excel Center amounts in state-local funding totals. Staff said some of those details would be addressed in a later presentation and offered to provide additional records, including district lists and historical information. The meeting ended after the funding overview, with no additional votes or actions beyond the ISP adoption and adjournment.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I actually was going to just say I'm going to ditto what Ed Johnson says.
- He hasn't said it yet, so I'm going to save you some time and let Ed talk on my behalf. Thank you.
- Ed brought up, nobody's changing what the existing law is.
- Good morning, Ed.
- , Jason Isaac, Cassau, Kia, Ken King, Kempel, Lazzano, Otto, Price, Schubert, Sheffield, Stevenson, Ed
Keywords:
voter registration, electronic, Texas election law, Signature verification, DPS, internet application, Texas Election Code, signature verification, online application, data security, electronic application, Department of Public Safety, information security, electronic voter registration, voting technology, voter access, state election laws, digital signature, election irregularities, audit
Summary:
The House Committee on Elections met with a quorum present and heard several election-related bills, with public testimony limited to two minutes per witness. The first measure, SB 447, would allow the City of Mission to move its municipal elections from May to November on a one-time, permanent basis. Supporters, including Mission’s mayor, said voters had already approved the change by a wide margin and argued it would improve turnout and reduce costs. The bill was left pending after no objection.
The committee then heard SB 2217, which was described as a transparency measure to standardize election data reporting and reconciliation across counties. Testimony focused on a technical issue involving discrepancy thresholds for electronic voting system reconciliation, with one witness urging the bill be aligned with existing law’s “more than 3” standard rather than a 1% threshold, and another suggesting a definition fix. The bill was left pending.
Members also heard SB 2753, a major proposal to create a continuous in-person voting period by combining early voting and election day into one uninterrupted period, with a committee substitute making it a pilot and permissive. Supporters said it could simplify administration and improve security, while opponents warned it would increase costs, require more staffing and equipment, delay results, and create logistical problems for counties. The committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill was left pending. Finally, SB 505 would let certain election stakeholders request explanations of irregularities from election officials and, if unresolved, escalate the matter to the Secretary of State for audit or possible conservatorship. Supporters framed it as a tool for accountability and transparency, while opponents called it overly broad and vulnerable to abuse. The bill was left pending.
The committee also took up HB 311, which would expand online voter registration to first-time registrants and direct state agencies to develop a pathway for Texans without a driver’s license to register online. Supporters argued it would modernize the process, reduce errors, and save money, while opponents said first-time applicants still need a wet signature and raised concerns about signature verification and implementation. Due to the late hour and floor deadline, testimony was cut off, the names of remaining witnesses were read into the record, and the bill was left pending before the committee adjourned.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- matched the amount of new money that the House allocated, providing significant funding for special ed
- district budgets, this shows the legislature's commitment to securing a strong future for Texas public ed
- matched the amount of new money that the House allocated providing significant funding for special ed
- current technical ed and early learning yet the small increase in the basic allotment will provide only
- realize there are only so many public dollars to go around and that HP2 funds very important public ed
Bills:
HB2
Keywords:
disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace, medical examiner, county judge, sheriff, mayor, emergency coordinator, emergency manager license, volunteer management system, volunteer registration, criminal history check, background check, Texas Division of Emergency Management
Summary:
The Senate Education K-16 Committee met to consider HB 2, the major school finance bill, with the chair explaining that the committee substitute would provide about $8 billion in new public education funding. The bill was described as including permanent teacher compensation increases, expanded teacher incentive allotment funding, support for early literacy and numeracy, teacher certification and residency pathways, special education funding, career and technical education, school safety dollars, and facilities support for charter schools. The committee adopted the committee substitute without objection after roll was called and a quorum was present.
Members questioned the bill’s structure, especially the balance between across-the-board teacher pay and the teacher incentive allotment, the treatment of uncertified teachers, and differences in requirements between traditional public schools and charter schools. Senator Menendez and Senator West raised concerns about equity, charter-school parity, facilities funding, inflation, and whether the bill should include more support for fine arts and extracurricular programs. The chair responded that the bill was designed to direct most new money to traditional public schools while also preserving flexibility and that charter-school and public-school alignment would need further work.
Invited witnesses Dr. Imelda De La Rosa and Val Acri testified in support of the bill, emphasizing that the Teacher Incentive Allotment helps recruit and retain teachers in rural districts and supports mentorship and certification pathways. Public witnesses also supported the bill but urged more funding for fine arts, local flexibility, and full restoration of House-proposed funding levels. Dr. Josh Jones supported year-long teacher residencies, Dr. Philip Morgan asked for more local control and restoration of fine arts funding, Rich Saina supported the bill but warned about hold-harmless reductions, and Dr. Greg Poole supported the bill while asking for flexibility for high-performing districts that already pay high salaries. After the invited testimony and some public testimony, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair so members could attend the Senate floor.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I actually was going to just say I'm going to ditto what Ed Johnson says.
- He has said it yet, so I'm gonna save you some time and let Ed talk on my behalf. Thank you.
- The chair calls Ed Johnson.
- With the previous comment that Ed brought up, nobody's changing what the existing law is.
- Good morning, Ed.
Keywords:
voter registration, electronic, Texas election law, Signature verification, DPS, internet application, Texas Election Code, signature verification, online application, data security, electronic application, Department of Public Safety, information security, electronic voter registration, voting technology, voter access, state election laws, digital signature, election irregularities, audit
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you. of the graduates organization, Black Books, Sex Ed, where I serve as the executive director
- Through my work with Black Books, Sex Ed, volunteering for abortion hotlines, and connecting folks to
- Natalia Porras, we show you registered on behalf of Black Books, Sex Ed, and SELF against the bill, is
- name is Natalia Porras and I'm here today on behalf of the grassroots organization Black Books, Sex Ed
- Black Books, Sex Ed was founded as a result of observed inequities within our community.
Keywords:
electric power, interconnection, utilities, ERCOT, large load customers, water supply, sewer service, demand management, school prayer, Bible reading, religious text, public schools, Texas Education Code, student prayer, silent prayer, meditation, religious liberty, First Amendment, Establishment Clause, church and state
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- huge undertaking, but could the commission come back and recommend that Texas create its own special ed
- Not OK, um, and then as far as the opt-in and the opt-out on sex ed, is that in the committee substitute
- OK, my question though is on the actual sex ed being an opt-in or an opt-out. Is that addressed?
- Uh, what I will say is that, yeah, we have to opt in our kids for sex ed.
- Like we, we told, we said sign up my son for all the sex ed stuff he can get please, um, because who
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- This is a per-pupil funding stream that districts will receive that is as flexible as general ed funds
- As a special ed para, I’ve worked more frequently in our elementary schools.
- After one o’clock, after I had done my custodial duties, I was a special ed para for the rest of the
- I would have conversations with members who were part of the union for special ed and they would say,
Bills:
HF1049
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Appropriations Apr 16th, 2025 at 08:30 am
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- Higher ed will be ready tomorrow morning as well. Yep.
- So higher ed and 2029 and possibly then 2002 to just amend.
- Higher ed will be ready tomorrow morning as well. Yep.
- So higher ed and 2029 and possibly then 2002 to just amend.
Summary:
The committee met to work on three remaining policy bills. On HB 2225, members discussed an amendment reducing the Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund housing grant program from $50 million to $30 million, lowering the maximum grant amount, and clarifying that existing lots can qualify after a certificate of occupancy is issued so the program can help communities like Watford City and Williston use prepared lots. Members also discussed the matching requirements, tribal eligibility, and how Commerce would score applications to ensure the money lowers lot costs rather than being absorbed by political subdivisions. The amendment and the bill as amended both passed 22-0, and Representative Murphy was assigned to carry the bill.
The committee then took up SB 2200, which funds the 988 crisis hotline. After discussion, members agreed to strip out the proposed phone-line charge approach and instead provide a $500,000 appropriation from the Community Health Care Trust Fund, consistent with the Senate version, to supplement existing funding for increased staffing and texting-related demand. The amendment and the bill as amended both passed 22-0, and Representative Nelson will carry the bill.
Finally, the committee considered SB 2342, which creates a value-added milk processing facility incentive program. The amendment reduced the proposed line of credit from $10 million to $5 million, with the program intended to support dairy-related processing infrastructure such as utilities, roads, water, wastewater, and rail access. Members noted the program would be administered through the Agriculture Diversification and Development Committee, could potentially support one or multiple facilities, and sunsets June 30, 2027. The amendment and the bill as amended both passed 22-0, and Representative Brandenburg will carry the bill. The committee then adjourned, planning to reconvene the next morning to take up additional bills and budget adjustments.