Transcript Highlights:

• Iowa requires a counselor for every 350 students, and North Dakota requires a counselor for every 250
• Iowa requires a counselor for every 350 students, and North Dakota requires a counselor for every 250
• And while change is require change.
• top</c><01:34:25.080><c> of</c><01:34:25.160><c> hold</c> enrollment factors on top of hold enrollment
• ><c> persistence</c><01:36:06.640><c> in</c> college enrollment and persistence in college enrollment

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> continue to put in uh what is required continue to put in uh what is required to<00:32:02.840><c
• </c> 2024 um to increase the enrollment 2024 um to increase the enrollment across<00:43:37.240><c> the
• </c><00:51:09.079><c> where</c> continue to grow that enrollment where continue to grow that enrollment
• </c> this projected Trends and enrollment this projected Trends and enrollment University<00:53:01.680
• </c> and that can get exp but it requires and that can get exp but it requires that<02:13:03.199><c>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:11:24.760><c> is</c> enrollment is enrollment is declining<00:11:26.600><c> on</c><00:11:26.760><
• :39.440><c> Hampshire</c><00:25:39.880><c> enrollment</c> actually our New Hampshire enrollment actually
• </c> so our budgets our board um requires so our budgets our board um requires through<00:34:52.639><
• </c> entities receiving it were only required entities receiving it were only required to<01:22:01.280
• </c> Dual and concurrent enrollment Dual and concurrent enrollment program<01:34:22.800><c> um</c><01

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from the University System of New Hampshire chancellor on the system’s budget, enrollment, finances, workforce role, and response to federal policy changes. The chancellor said the governor’s recommended budget would reduce university system funding by about $16.5 million over the biennium, or roughly 8.3%, and asked that state funding be held at the governor’s level. She described planned cost reductions already underway, including lower headcount, reduced benefits and retirement contributions, property sales, and lease reductions, and said the system expects to remove about $20 million from its cost structure in fiscal year 2026. A large portion of the discussion focused on enrollment and finances. The chancellor said fall 2024 enrollment was about 23,000, with New Hampshire enrollment increasing for the first time since 2013, and noted that the system remains a major workforce pipeline, with about 3,000 graduates entering the state workforce each year. She explained that net tuition has fallen over time because of declining enrollment and increased financial aid, while research grants and contracts have grown significantly. She also walked through endowment funding, explaining that payouts are based on a 12-quarter rolling average and are intentionally smoothed to reduce volatility; members asked for follow-up information on payout comparisons, administrative salaries, headcounts, and compensation per student. Members questioned the university about the relationship between state support, tuition, endowments, and research spending. The chancellor said the system has used state capital support to leverage major investments, including the UNH Life Sciences building, Plymouth’s Hyde Hall, and the Olson Advanced Manufacturing Center, and described partnerships with businesses such as Lonza and regional manufacturers. She also explained a long-running New Hampshire 529-related revenue stream that has built endowment support for scholarships, and said the system’s endowment now totals about $988 million. In response to questions about possible cuts, she said the system is considering academic program sharing, consolidation of specialties, online delivery, AI-assisted administrative efficiencies, and footprint reductions, but declined to name specific programs. The committee also discussed DEI-related issues and federal grants. The chancellor said the system is reviewing executive orders and a U.S. Department of Education Dear Colleague letter, and that general counsel is working through websites, programs, and more than 1,200 federal grants to ensure compliance. She said the system spends about $3 million on what it calls DEI-related offices and services, but emphasized that these services include disability support, veteran support, Title IX, ADA, and employment-law compliance, and that the system does not have race-based programs, separate housing, or separate graduation ceremonies. She reported that the system had received stop-work orders on four federal grants totaling about $700,000 and warned that reductions in federal direct or indirect costs could affect research, jobs, and innovation.

Transcript Highlights:

• and access records accordingly in support of that enrollment.
• This is something that's going to require attention. It's not going to go away.
• Tarr, probation certification prior to acceptance of a child requiring assistance petition.
• accepting a child requiring assistance petition that all other options have been exhausted.
• Tarr, required DESE to develop statewide truancy and engagement standards. Senator Tarr. Mr.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The measure would be required to be liberally construed.
• So it's not a requirement that has to be fixed. May I continue?
• So there are some requirements, whether or not this could be added to those requirements.
• Right now, it's not a requirement.
• That they require a meal, but not both?

Summary: The Legislative Management Committee met to address the fiscal impact of Initiated Constitutional Measure No. 3, which would require public schools, public school districts, and public charter schools to provide breakfast and lunch at no cost to students and allow reimbursement from the state, with implementation beginning in the 2027-28 school year. The committee first filled a vacancy created by Representative Jared Hagert’s resignation by appointing Representative Berg to the committee. Legislative Council and DPI staff explained the measure’s requirements, including federal reimbursement participation, possible use of the legacy earnings fund if other funding is unavailable, and the authority of the Legislature and superintendent of public instruction to clarify implementation details. Linnell Johnson of DPI testified that the estimated fiscal impact for the 2027-2029 biennium is between $124 million and $134 million, based on participation assumptions, federal reimbursement rates, and the extent to which schools continue to collect applications or use community eligibility/provision 2 options. She also noted a likely additional administrative cost of about $300,000 for DPI to operate the program. Members asked about school participation, Title I implications, special diets, staffing, and whether the measure could reduce federal reimbursements if families stop applying. Johnson said the estimate is uncertain and could be higher if applications decline, but that schools would still have incentives to participate in federal programs because of reimbursement and other funding ties. After discussion, the committee adopted a motion to report a fiscal impact range of $124,300,000 to $134,300,000 per biennium to the Secretary of State. The committee then received an informational update from Legislative Council attorney Dustin Richard on the ongoing redistricting litigation. He explained that the U.S. Supreme Court vacated the Eighth Circuit’s ruling and sent the case back for reconsideration in light of Louisiana v. Callais, while the district court-imposed map remains in effect for now. No action was taken on that update, and the meeting adjourned after members noted minutes from the prior meeting were not yet available for approval.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am a Spirit Lake enrolled member. Hiana, this is Collette Brown.
• I'm an enrolled member here at Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.
• With our enrollment, the majority of our students are female.
• We require them on our campus.
• So we have our tuition based upon full-time enrollment.

Summary: The Tribal and State Relations Committee met at Standing Rock with tribal council members, state legislators, and agency representatives to discuss state-tribal coordination and local priorities. Early discussion focused on process concerns, including the short agenda time and the need for better communication, more advance notice, and more relevant state department staff at future meetings. Tribal leaders asked for lists of state tribal liaisons and bills affecting tribes, and state members said they would follow up, share grant and deadline information, and plan another meeting in Bismarck with program experts and agency staff. A major portion of the meeting centered on health, child welfare, law enforcement, housing, infrastructure, and sovereignty issues. Tribal speakers said rural health transformation funding and other state programs often do not fit direct-service tribes or IHS-funded systems, and they raised concerns about Medicaid, ICWA, foster care delays, human service zones, housing shortages, and the placement of Native children off-reservation. They also discussed missing and murdered Indigenous people, search-and-rescue cooperation, cross-deputization, extradition and banishment ordinances, and the need for stronger law enforcement partnerships that respect tribal sovereignty. Other concerns included poor roads, water and sewer needs in Sioux County communities, census accuracy, and the impact of data centers and other development on water and health. Economic development and regulatory issues were also discussed. Standing Rock representatives raised concerns about charitable gaming and e-pull tabs, saying the machines function like Class III gaming and have harmed tribal revenue while spreading into local businesses. They also described problems with county-issued fireworks permits and state/county liquor licensing rules that they said undermine tribal authority within reservation boundaries. In response, legislators said the committee would continue to look at these issues, and one member suggested possible legislation such as limiting e-tabs near tribal lands. The committee also heard from Joseph McNeil of Sage Development Authority about a 235-megawatt wind project on tribal, allotted, and fee land; he said federal permitting delays have stalled the project and asked for state support to help move it forward. The meeting concluded with a presentation from Dave Archambo of Wojou, a nonprofit focused on land regeneration, buffalo, food sovereignty, cultural programming, and youth wellness. He described the organization’s work on buffalo processing, gardening, fishing, hunting, language, and arts programs, and framed it as a response to historical trauma and community healing. The committee then broke for lunch and planned to resume with the Wojou presentation after the recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• Many Minnesota students participate in dual enrollment or postsecondary enrollment options, which follow
• Many Minnesota students participate in dual enrollment or postsecondary enrollment options, which follow
• It also requires live streams of the closure hearings, in addition to the recently required audio and
• </c> for more transparency requiring for more transparency requiring authorizers<00:47:16.800><c> to<
• Senate file 1311 requires additional Senate file 1311 requires additional transparency<00:56:14.079><

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• programmer for the subcommittee on Workforce, HB 1703 by Lozano relating to the average use of the enrollment
• To the required provision of certain governmental entity contracts regarding the carrying of handguns
• HB 1740 by Tupper relating to requiring a search warrant for certain health fire code inspections for
• HB 1923 by Riddell relating to removing the requirement of an applicant or for of a holder.
• HB 2256 by Goodwin relates to the financial security requirement for.

Transcript Highlights:

• The measure would be required to be liberally construed.
• So there are some requirements, whether or not this could be added to those requirements, I could look
• Right now, it's not a requirement.
• So you've got 200 students enrolled in a school.
• That they require a meal, but not both.

Committee: Joint Legislative Management

Summary: The Legislative Management Committee met to fill a vacancy created by Representative Jared Hagert’s resignation, and the House majority recommended Representative Berg to replace him on the committee. The motion to appoint Berg was approved unanimously. The committee then took up its assigned task of estimating the fiscal impact of Initiated Constitutional Measure No. 3, the school meals measure, which would require public schools, and optionally nonpublic and tribal schools, to provide breakfast and lunch at no cost to students and reimburse schools through state funds after federal reimbursements are maximized. Legislative Council’s Liz Fordall summarized the measure’s requirements and answered questions about implementation, including the 2027-28 start date, the measure’s interaction with the Legacy Earnings Fund, and the fact that the Legislature would still control the funding source. DPI’s Linnell Johnson then testified at length on current school meal programs, direct certification, CEP and Provision 2 participation, and likely behavioral changes if the measure passed. She estimated the biennial fiscal impact at $124 million to $134 million, with an additional roughly $300,000 in administrative costs, and explained that the estimate assumed higher participation and some schools shifting to CEP/Provision 2 to preserve federal reimbursements. She also noted that if no new applications were filed in non-CEP schools, the cost could be substantially higher. After discussion, Senator Sorvaag moved to report a fiscal impact range of $124,300,000 to $134,300,000 per biennium to the Secretary of State, and the motion carried. The committee also received an informational update from Legislative Council attorney Dustin Richard on the ongoing redistricting litigation, explaining that the U.S. Supreme Court vacated the Eighth Circuit’s prior ruling and remanded the case for further consideration in light of Louisiana v. Callais, leaving the court-imposed map in effect for now. No action was required on that item, and the meeting adjourned after a brief note that the prior minutes would be brought back at a later meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• It doesn't change vaccination requirements. Student privacy is protected.
• We are facing declining enrollment. There's no one cause for it.
• Most importantly, AB 2430 does not create a new entitlement or require ongoing new spending.
• Most importantly, AB 2430 does not create a new entitlement or require ongoing new spending.
• or low-support requiring, or might even require special instructional delivery methodology, and making

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It doesn't change vaccination requirements. Student privacy is protected.
• We are facing declining enrollment. There's no one cause for it.
• or low-support requiring, or might even require special instructional delivery methodology, and making
• AB 2404 simply requires that at least one member on five different governor-appointed bodies... ...requires
• On an 11-member board, this bill requires just one... ...important.

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard a lengthy agenda of education-related bills, with quorum established at the start and several measures taken up on consent or special order. The committee also announced that AB 1644, AB 2362, and later AB 2197 were pulled from the hearing. Members reminded the public of hearing rules and limited testimony to two witnesses each in support and opposition. AB 2651, by Assemblymember Bonta, would require schools to notify parents when school vaccination rates fall below herd-immunity thresholds. Supporters, including physicians, the California State PTA, public health groups, and school employee organizations, argued that families need timely, school-specific information to protect children and vulnerable community members. Opponents raised concerns about privacy, stigma, and whether school-level snapshots could be misleading. The bill passed the committee 5-1 and later 7-1 on the roll call. AB 2509, by Assemblymember Schultz, would allow districts to use a five-year rolling average for ADA funding calculations; supporters said it would stabilize funding amid attendance declines, while one member noted concerns about masking long-term enrollment problems. It passed 5-1 and later 7-2. The committee also approved AB 2430, which would expand after-school access, especially for high school students, improve funding and transparency, and create a work group on program quality. Testimony emphasized the value of expanded learning for youth development and working families, and members discussed the need to address middle school access as well. AB 2526, focused on special education funding, would expand the low-incidence fund to include students qualifying for the California alternate assessment; supporters said it would better align funding with student need, while some concerns remained about over-identification. AB 2325, the Pathways to Bilingual Teaching Act, would create a grant program to build bilingual teacher pipelines through partnerships among schools, community colleges, and universities; it received strong support and passed unanimously. AB 2460, presented by Assemblymember Pellerin for Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez, would update school mental-health referral protocols to address trauma related to immigration enforcement; it also passed unanimously. AB 2404, which sought to require Central Valley representation on several governor-appointed bodies, drew debate over geographic representation and board composition and ultimately failed on a 2-5 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> do have certain areas where enrollment do have certain areas where enrollment is<00:40:18.480><c
• </c> Resources as it relates to enrollment Resources as it relates to enrollment okay<00:41:25.760><c
• I don't believe it's a requirement.
• </c> you I don't believe it's a requirement you I don't believe it's a requirement when<00:51:09.880>
• </c><01:18:48.760><c> shrinks</c> to um as as School enrollment shrinks to um as as School enrollment

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Finance received an informational briefing from the Department of Education on its budget request for the upcoming fiscal year. The Superintendent and staff described the department’s mission, enrollment and staffing scale, recent gains in NAEP reading and math, persistent attendance problems since the pandemic, and the need for resources to support student recovery, middle school math, and other strategic priorities. The department said its proposal is intended to be aligned with its 2023–2029 strategic plan, fiscally balanced, and reliable for schools, while also addressing inflation, workforce needs, and uncertainty in federal funding. Assistant Superintendent and CFO Brian Hallet reviewed federal grants, non-general funds, and the budget development process. He said federal funds make up about 11% of the department’s FY25 appropriation and warned that House budget proposals could threaten predictable funding for core programs. He also explained that the department began its biennial budget work in April 2024 and used an internal review group to identify possible reallocations. The department characterized its request as a “flat” budget proposal overall, with a large share devoted to continued funding for existing recurring needs, and noted challenges including a projected state funding decline, inflation, lingering pandemic impacts, recruitment and retention, and uncertainty about future federal support. A major topic was the department’s capital improvement program. DOE officials argued for a risk-based, proactive approach using lump-sum “buckets” to manage facilities and deferred maintenance across more than 21.5 million square feet at 268 sites. They said this would allow more efficient prioritization of projects and better coordination with complex area superintendents, principals, and legislators. Members asked about how legislative priorities would fit into the bucket system, county-versus-state property jurisdiction issues affecting school facilities, enrollment decline and staffing ratios, and how the department plans to adjust facilities and human resources to shifting enrollment patterns. DOE said it is studying enrollment trends, will brief the Board of Education next month, and is willing to provide further briefings to legislators. No votes or formal actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are specific requirements.
• So to the extent of the claim comes in, has all the required to fields meets all the requirements.
• So medicated as open enrollment period right now where an open enrollment.
• We also have requirements and ratio requirements that the agency implemented relative to be services
• >> We are only requiring it on initial.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are told to defer to SSD and what the IDEA law requires.
• Another is enrolled in the gifted program there.
• And they would be required, they'd be forced back in.
• So all for open enrollment. It would be great if we could pass that.
• The fiscal note also requires one new full-time employee.

Committee: House General Laws

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So as we think about the work requirements in the To serve more students.
• These... ...fields that require advanced education.
• They're enrolling in more online classes because they fear being caught up in ice, They're enrolling
• These designations are not just a symbol of enrollment.
• Jackson, of these cuts: less classes, less faculty, and less enrollment.

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee held an oversight hearing on how federal actions are affecting California higher education, with opening remarks from the chair and members emphasizing the importance of state-federal shared governance and the need to protect access, affordability, and campus diversity. The first panel included leaders from the CSU, University of the Pacific, California Community Colleges, and UC, who described broad impacts from federal grant terminations, changes to student aid, loan limits, visa and immigration policy, and proposed reductions to research support. Testimony focused on the elimination of Grad PLUS loans, caps on Parent PLUS and Pell-related changes, the loss or suspension of hundreds of grants, and the resulting harm to student support services, research, workforce pipelines, food assistance, and health care training. UC and CSU representatives warned of major losses in research funding, indirect cost reimbursement, and student opportunities, while community college leaders highlighted uncertainty around federal grants and the need to maintain services for low-income, first-generation, undocumented, and other vulnerable students. Committee members asked how the state could respond, including through intersegmental partnerships, dual enrollment, transfer pathways, and support for basic needs and nutrition programs. Witnesses said California could help by sustaining financial aid, protecting minority-serving institution programs, and investing in research, housing, and workforce development. Several speakers stressed that federal changes were creating instability for students and campuses, and that the effects would likely be long-lasting, especially in health care, teaching, STEM, and social work pipelines. A second panel then focused on equitable access. The California Student Aid Commission described state efforts such as the $3.9 billion investment in aid programs, the Cal Grant system, the Dream Act, and possible reforms to better serve adult learners, foster youth, undocumented students, and students with dependents. The Los Angeles Community College District reported that federal cuts and policy shifts are discouraging students from applying for aid, threatening TRIO and MSI/HSI-funded services, and reducing support for basic needs, counseling, and workforce programs. The Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities and the CSU Academic Senate echoed concerns about FAFSA confusion, international student restrictions, grant losses, and the erosion of equity-focused programs. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and discussed possible state responses.

Transcript Highlights:

• because, again, this committee doesn't have jurisdiction over the counties, but the schools are required
• to communicate with the Cy are required to communicate with the Cy so<00:04:25.120><c> what</c><00:04
• </c><00:04:53.919><c> to</c> district would be required to district would be required to immediately<
• um kind of like re-enrollment um kind of like representative<00:13:00.360><c> Baker</c><00:13:00.800
• This proposed change will require districts to report noncompliant students to counties for services

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It caused a misalignment of eligibility criteria and programmatic requirements.
• And so I would like to request that the eligibility requirements and income requirements be consistent
• enrollment, whether or not a child attends that care.
• or meeting the classroom size requirements.
• the classroom size requirements.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those are not requiring funding at this time, so these are the only items that are actually requiring
• They have an enrollment projection of 95.
• Heiser is a replacement with an increase in square footage due to that enrollment and anticipated enrollment
• Every 6th grader is going to take PE as a requirement, a state requirement, as well as 7th and 8th graders
• That says this is, again, a requirement.

Committee: House Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force

Transcript Highlights:

• and access records accordingly in support of that enrollment.
• and access records accordingly in support of that enrollment and student support process.
• This is something that's going to require attention. It's not going to go away.
• Tarr, probation certification prior to acceptance of a child requiring assistance petition.
• Tarr, required DESE to develop statewide truancy and engagement standards. Senator Tarr. Mr.

Summary: The Senate began with several adjournment motions in memory of John Edwards and Hadley Boucher, each adopted by voice vote, followed later by a unanimous adjournment motion in memory of Barney Frank. The chamber also observed moments of silence for the deceased. In between, the Senate considered a child welfare bill, House No. 4646, with multiple amendments offered on issues including a Massachusetts Children’s Cabinet, student transfers, reasonableness in statutory language, electronic backpack records transfer, Office of the Child Advocate information integrity, timeout and isolation standards, best-interest-of-the-child standards, CRA filing prerequisites, probation petition standards, truancy and engagement standards, and mandated reporter definitions. Several amendments were withdrawn; others were adopted or rejected. Notably, amendments on student transfers, reasonableness, electronic backpacks, information management integrity, and the Senate Ways and Means draft were adopted, while several Tarr amendments were not adopted. After amendment consideration, the Senate ordered the bill to a third reading and then passed it to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 39 in favor and none opposed. The transcript indicates the bill was then sent forward after engrossment. Separately, the Senate took up the House’s amendment to the Massachusetts Data Privacy Act, voted not to concur, and requested a committee of conference, appointing Senators Creem, Finegold, and O’Connor. The Senate also adopted an order to reconvene the following Monday at 11 a.m. and to dispense with printing a calendar before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, in your testimony, you had noted the documentation requirements for enrollment, specifically the
• missing paperwork that is normally required for enrollment, such as birth certificate, proof of residency
• caused by missing records and requirements that homeless youth be enrolled and have equal opportunities
• caused by missing records and requirements that homeless youth be enrolled and have equal opportunities
• by missing records and requirements that homeless youth be enrolled and have equal opportunities to

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 2185, which would add protections for sports officials. The Department of Education, the State Public Charter School Commission, the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools, HSTA, HGA, school administrators, the Hawaii High School Athletic Association, the Hawaii State Basketball Officials Association, and several individuals testified in support. The Department of the Attorney General offered comments and recommended amendments, especially on the bill’s civil-action provisions and criminal language, saying the measure should be made more consistent and narrowed to clarify who is covered. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the increased criminal penalties but said its concerns were limited to that portion of the bill. The chair repeatedly noted the committee’s education-policy focus and limited discussion of legal issues. The committee then took up HB 2621 on student misconduct. The Department of Education testified and answered questions about its student discipline data, explaining that much of the information is kept in the department’s internal Infinite Campus system and is not public, but that some additional information could be added to the annual report while still protecting student privacy. Members discussed whether the department tracks incidents consistently across schools and whether more public reporting would help identify where violence or discipline issues are occurring. The department said it was not seeing an increase in suspensions in the data it had, though it acknowledged internal data showed more detail than the annual report. HB 2179, concerning DOE and e-pipes, drew comments from the Department of Education, support from the Department of Health, the Hawaii Bicycling League, and other individuals. The committee then heard HB 2534, which would recognize robotics in schools as an interscholastic sport. The Department of Education offered comments, the State Public Charter School Commission supported the bill, and multiple students and robotics participants testified in strong support, arguing that robotics provides STEM opportunities, competition, and career pathways, and that formal recognition and funding would help sustain teams and compensate mentors. No votes or final actions were taken on the bills in the portion of the meeting provided.