Transcript Highlights:

• ...really very close, very few apart on average, and then something else that shows that in fourth grade
• work on West Hall Street itself, the city-owned road, which also included re-lining with reflective-grade
• work on West Hall Street itself, the city-owned road, which also included re-lining with reflective-grade
• also included rellining<03:48:23.040> with<03:48:23.439> reflective<03:48:24.000> grade
• rellining with reflective grade paint. rellining with reflective grade paint.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard HB 1334, which would remove the Education Freedom Account scholarship organization’s authority to approve “any other educational expense” under the EFA statute. The prime sponsor, Representative Porchelli, said the bill would narrow the law to the specifically listed qualifying expenses, avoid broad interpretation, and shift any questions to the Department of Education or the legislative oversight committee. In response to questions, she said she did not think the open-ended category had been needed and that the statute already clearly lists allowable expenses. A representative of the Children’s Scholarship Fund testified in opposition, saying the category is used rarely but is important for unusual cases, especially students with special needs, and that removing it could create unintended consequences. After testimony, the chair closed the hearing on HB 1334. The committee then heard HB 1513, which would move several EFA reporting and oversight requirements from administrative rules and the contract with the Children’s Scholarship Fund into statute. Representative Porchelli said the bill would consolidate existing requirements on timely responses to oversight requests, publication of expense reports by category and provider, and transmission of eligibility and enrollment data to the Department of Education. She described the bill as mostly a clarification and transparency measure rather than a substantive policy change. Members asked about the meaning of “timely access,” the 45-day deadline, whether the contract already covered these duties, and whether the scholarship organization had ever failed to comply. The Children’s Scholarship Fund said it had generally met the 45-day deadline, had not knowingly refused information requests, and that the quarterly reporting requirement could add cost; the sponsor said the DOE had provided guidance and was neutral. The hearing on HB 1513 was then closed. Finally, the committee heard HB 1256, which would repeal the state librarian’s authority to award scholarships for graduate library school attendance at American Library Association-accredited schools. Representative Drago said the law was unnecessary because the state does not currently have a state librarian, scholarships are not typically granted by statute, and he objected to the ALA accreditation requirement and what he described as the association’s political advocacy. In questions, he clarified that the bill targets the accreditation requirement rather than a specific school and said he did not think the state should direct taxpayer-funded scholarships toward ALA-accredited programs. A member raised First Amendment concerns, but the sponsor said the issue was not speech itself, only the use of taxpayer dollars and state law to support that direction. The transcript cuts off before any vote or final action on HB 1256.

Transcript Highlights:

• the distribution of the still important pink message slips to members, and supervising the eighth-grade
• entryways of the House and Senate to ensure good order during daily sessions, working with the eighth-grade
• daily sessions, working<00:09:58.520> with<00:09:58.640> the<00:09:58.760> eighth-grade
• working with the eighth-grade working with the eighth-grade legislative<00:10:00.040> pages

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional performance by the State House singers, then moved to routine chamber business. The Speaker announced that the Committee on Ways and Means had reported favorably on Senate Bill 214, which concerns pre-kindergarten education in geographically isolated school districts and includes an appropriation; it was referred to Appropriations under House Rule 35A. House Resolution 17, affirming that all Vermonters are presumed competent to communicate and must be provided effective communication resources of their choice, was read by title only and placed on the calendar for action on the next legislative day. The chamber also took up two adopted House Concurrent Resolutions honoring long-serving State House staff. HCR 279 honored Head Doorkeeper Michael C. Waite and his wife, Sergeant-at-Arms Administrative Assistant Donna Waite, for their public service, and HCR 282 honored Doorkeeper Dennis Miles for his dedication to the General Assembly and Vermonters. Both resolutions recounted the honorees’ military, law enforcement, educational, and State House service and directed the Secretary of State to send copies to the honorees. Several members then offered remarks recognizing the Waite and Miles families, praising their mentorship, service, and support for the page program and chamber operations. Additional announcements included a diaper and wipes drive in the State House lobby to support Vermont military families through the National Guard Family Readiness Program, a welcome for Vermont nurses participating in a national rally, and recognition of guests from Champlain Community Services. The House then recessed until approximately 2:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want the to change a grade etc.
• grades would be improving. grades would be improving.
• , and 12th grade.
• , and 12th grade.
• we have to look at it in first grade. we have to look at it in first grade.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Pony are the co-founders of Hawaiian Vinegar and Spice Company, a vinegar brewery that transforms off-grade
• 00:04:43.919> transforms vinegar brewery that transforms vinegar brewery that transforms off-grade
• produce<00:04:45.360> into<00:04:45.600> premium<00:04:46.000> vinegars off-grade
• produce into premium vinegars off-grade produce into premium vinegars and<00:04:46.720> seasonings

Bills: HB9, SB2069, SB2342, SB2861, SB3123, SB2623, SB585, SB2211, SB2446, SB2919, SB2125, SB2116, SB2999, SB2656, SB2001, SB3169

Keywords: HB9, Hawaii Purple Heart state, Purple Heart, Purple Heart recipients, veterans, military, armed forces, service members, combat wounded, war veterans, military honors, state designation, symbolic legislation, honorary designation, Chapter 5 HRS, Hawaii Revised Statutes, military appreciation, veteran recognition, SB2069, Hawaii housing

Transcript Highlights:

• corporation established in law under the chairmanship of the adjutant general and at least two field-grade
• c><00:05:04.759> least<00:05:04.919> two<00:05:05.080> field<00:05:05.360> grade
• general and at least two field grade general and at least two field grade officers<00:05:05.880>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• WAY FOR DECADES AS A LEADER IN EARLY THE READING INSTRUCTION THAT RESULTS IN A PASSING RATE AT THIRD GRADE
• DESIGNER AND IMPLEMENTER AT A MULTITIER SYSTEM WITH FRAMEWORK THAT IMPROVED STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AT GRADE
• REALLY THINK ABOUT THE SCIENCE EXPERIENCES THAT WE ARE PROVIDING FOR OUR STUDENTS KINDERGARTEN – 12TH GRADE
• UNDERWAY THAT IS FUNDED BY A VERY GENEROUS DONOR FOR ACADEMIC FOR FAMILIES WITH KINDERGARTEN – 4TH GRADE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And even in the eighth grade, I was like, 'Oh, no. No freaking way.' But I did it.
• And even in the eighth grade, I was like, 'Oh, no. No freaking way.' But I did it.
• And even in the eighth grade, I was like, 'Oh, no. No freaking way.' But I did it.
• ,<01:46:11.520> I<01:46:11.679> was And even in the eighth grade, I was And even in
• the eighth grade, I was like,<01:46:12.000> "Oh,<01:46:12.480> no.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the March 9, 2026 journal, and received committee reports on several appointments and bills. The education committee recommended confirmation of appointments to the Charter School Institute Board and the Colorado Mesa University Board of Trustees. The judiciary committee reported several measures, including Senate Bills 75, 132, 104, and 112 and House Bills 1017 and 1103, with recommendations ranging from amendment to favorable referral to the committee of the whole, and some placement on the consent calendar. The chamber also received multiple House messages transmitting House Joint Resolution 1020 and a number of House bills, many of which were passed on third reading and sent to the Revisor of Statutes. The Senate then moved out of order to consider Senate Joint Memorial 002 honoring former Senator Lewis H. Ent. The memorial recounted his service as a Marine in the Korean War, his work as a farmer and county commissioner, and his long legislative career in the House and Senate, with emphasis on agriculture, water policy, natural resources, veterans affairs, and local government. Several members and former members spoke in support, describing him as a mentor, a relentless advocate for the San Luis Valley and its water issues, and a respected colleague. Representative Martinez and Senators Hillman and Jones offered personal recollections of working with him and his influence on their service. The Senate suspended Rule 31A to allow remarks from House members and former senators, then adopted SJM 002 by a unanimous 35-0 vote. The memorial directs copies to members of Ent’s family, and Minority Leader Simpson requested that the current roll call be added as co-sponsors, with no objection noted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, I live in Montevideo, Minnesota, and I teach sixth grade math.
• Minnesota and I teach sixth grade math. Minnesota and I teach sixth grade math.
• Sixth grade was new to me five years ago, and I came into the sixth grade classroom right after COVID
• <01:19:44.920> as experience and with the older grades as experience and with the older grades
• <01:20:55.600> level, third grade level, third grade level, you<01:20:57.120> can't

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . 8th grade was very generous letting her in.
• Maybe some of the middle school classes individually, but grade schools were not allowed in.
• <01:19:34.640> 8th<01:19:34.960> grade<01:19:35.600> was the um the lower grades
• . 8th grade was the um the lower grades. 8th grade was very<01:19:36.320> generous<01:19:37.199
• but grade schools were not allowed in. but grade schools were not allowed in.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am a fourth-grade teacher from Hatch Valley Public Schools. Thank you for having me today.
• I am a fourth-grade bilingual teacher for Hatch Valley Public Schools.
• Then, on page 18, this compares to the national average: Hispanic Education Act students in all grades
• Our team is working on making sure that it's available across the state and easier to grade virtually
• school, and I'm a fourth grade teacher there.

Transcript Highlights:

• Six-year-olds should be entering the first grade outside playing with neighbors, watching superhero movies
• What kind of grade would you give them for the last couple of months?
• I'm not sure I'd give him a very good grade, but you're a Doge guy.
• What kind of grade would you give him for the first couple months?
• So let the record show that I asked our nominee twice to give a grade for the Doge operation.

Keywords: Social Security, Medicaid, Frank Bisignano, Elon Musk, benefit processing, office closures, public testimony, administration policies, health care, vulnerable populations

Summary: The committee meeting focused heavily on the nomination of Frank Bisignano as the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, with intense discussions around the current state of Social Security and its management under the current administration. Members voiced significant concerns regarding potential changes to Social Security and Medicaid, specifically addressing issues such as office closures, delays in benefit processing, and the perceived policies from Elon Musk's association with the administration. Public testimonies highlighted fears that these changes would severely impact the accessibility of benefits for seniors and vulnerable individuals, resulting in a chaotic environment at the SSA. Members expressed a unified opposition to the notion of dismantling these critical programs, emphasizing the long-term implications on their constituents' well-being.

Transcript Highlights:

• In some of our ninth and tenth grade classrooms where the kids need a little more support, those teachers
• in the workforce you have to make those decisions on your own in the in some of our ninth and tenth grade
• We're asking students to use MyStudent to check grades, to check attendance.
• Our assistant principals, our teams, our grade-level teams, the focus is know your students, know what
• Still never figured out how that works. ...high school, that was the highest grade.

Summary: The Student Academic Success Subcommittee met to review Florida’s cell phone and social media literacy law, with Representative Brad Yeager describing the 2023 policy as aimed at removing classroom distractions and teaching students how to use social media responsibly. He said the law was intended to keep phones out of classrooms unless used for instruction, require social media literacy education, and limit access to certain sites on school Wi-Fi and government devices. Yeager said feedback since passage has been mixed: many teachers support it and some have adopted inexpensive shoe-organizer or pouch systems, but implementation varies by school and administrator enforcement. He said he is not currently pursuing a broader statewide mandate. Superintendent Dr. Maria Vazquez and Timber Creek High School Principal Mr. Wasco described Orange County’s approach as bell-to-bell phone restrictions, while Pasco County’s Dr. Zetchy described a similar policy with some flexibility during lunch or passing periods at the high school level. Both districts said the policy was implemented with parent communication, town halls, surveys, and transition periods, and that concerns about emergencies were addressed by allowing phones to be returned at the end of the day and by establishing procedures for parent contact. They reported few theft problems and said discipline issues related to phones have generally been manageable, though some teachers still struggle with enforcement or with students trying to evade the rules. A major portion of the discussion focused on social media literacy instruction. Orange County said it uses counselor-led programs, Canvas courses, resiliency days, and curriculum materials to teach students about cyberbullying, human trafficking, privacy, and the permanence of online posts, with progress tracked through the learning platform. Pasco said it has some resiliency modules but lacks a fully built-out, pre-made social media curriculum and would welcome more guidance from DOE, especially for high school classrooms where instructional time is limited. Members also asked about student anxiety, 504/IEP accommodations, caregiver students, and parent education; the districts said exceptions are handled through school committees and that parent academies and district resources are being used to help families set boundaries and understand the risks and benefits of phones and social media. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• That experience improved my confidence, my grades, and my outlook on life.
• That experience improved my confidence, my grades, and my outlook on life.
• incarceration through new and existing prison construction, including long-term planning for a large-scale

Summary: The Appropriations Committee considered a large agenda of bills and reported several measures favorably. Early action included SB 6, a settled claim bill involving the Department of Children and Families and a trust for Leila Estrada and Sapphire Williams, and CS/CS/SB 1266, which creates a cybersecurity experiential learning and clearance-readiness program through the Department of Commerce and Cyber Florida. The committee also approved SB 532 on clerks of court funding, allowing clerks to retain all excess Article V revenue rather than returning half to the state and clarifying foreclosure sale procedures. In addition, the committee passed CS/CS/SB 1602 and CS/CS/SB 1604 to create and fund a pilot housing program for veterans through the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, and CS/SB 1110 to expand Medicaid and private insurance coverage for medically necessary orthotics and prosthetics, including testimony from affected families and advocates. The committee also adopted an amendment and then favorably reported CS/CS/SB 1012 on inmate services, removing the bill’s medical-services compensation provisions while retaining changes to the inmate welfare trust fund and related facility uses. It also adopted a delete-all amendment and then favorably reported CS/CS/CS/SB 1614, which was narrowed to remove a provision allowing local governments to use excess fees to construct new buildings. The committee spent substantial time on CS/SB 17, a Medicaid oversight and transparency bill. The sponsor said the measure would create a joint legislative Medicaid oversight committee, authorize the Legislature to retain its own actuary, modernize Medicaid statutes, strengthen managed-care performance standards, and increase accountability for pharmacy benefit managers and related entities. After amendment, the committee adopted changes removing several PBM-related provisions while retaining the broader oversight framework. Testimony from supporters emphasized transparency, fraud prevention, and cost control, while a PBM trade association asked to continue working on affiliate-manufacturer, network, and payment issues. The bill was reported favorably. The most extensive discussion centered on CS/SB 1758, which proposes major changes to Medicaid and SNAP. The sponsor described five reforms: stronger fraud and overpayment recovery authority, a Medicaid work requirement for certain able-bodied adults, expanded behavioral-health services through Medicaid waivers, pharmacy-program changes to obtain rebates and reduce institutional costs, and SNAP/EBT reforms including photo IDs and work requirements. The committee adopted two amendments: one adding a transitional “glide path” for people who gain employment but risk losing Medicaid, and another exempting hospice patients with six months or less to live. Supporters argued the bill would reduce fraud, improve accountability, and encourage work, while opponents warned it would increase administrative burdens, push eligible people off coverage, and conflict with federal law or guidance. The bill remained under debate with extensive public testimony from advocates, providers, and affected families, and the transcript ends before final disposition on the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Someone has graduated fifth grade and is rising to sixth grade.
• <00:29:44.600> to<00:29:44.760> sixth<00:29:45.080> grade.
• <00:29:45.360> Are grade and is rising to sixth grade.
• Are grade and is rising to sixth grade.
• :30:05.760> means >> graduated fifth grade, that means >> graduated fifth grade, that

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is critical to begin the process of returning to investment grade and reducing cost to customers
• This bill is critical to begin the process of returning to investment grade and reducing cost to customers
• This bill is critical to begin the process of returning to investment grade and reducing cost to customers
• This bill is critical to begin the process of returning to investment grade and reducing cost to customers
• This bill is critical to begin the process of returning to investment grade and reducing cost to customers

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures, beginning with SB 48 SD2 HD1 relating to combat sports. The Attorney General offered a technical comment on the bill’s effective date, and several testifiers from the combat sports community strongly supported the measure with amendments. They argued that boxing and MMA should be treated separately, that the current regulatory structure has made events too costly and reduced opportunities, and that more local oversight would help revive the sport and give youth a constructive outlet. Committee members questioned whether the bill’s medical staffing requirements would apply to boxing, MMA, or both, and whether the added requirements would increase costs and reduce access. The witness from the combat sports community said amateur boxing is already regulated through USA Boxing, that the DCCA should focus on professional boxing, and that for safety he would support two physicians and one ambulance for boxing and MMA events. The committee then took up SB 117 SD2 HD1 relating to transportation. The Department of Transportation and the Ulon Initiative testified in support, and the bicycling community was listed as supporting as well. Members focused on the bill’s rebate program for electric transportation devices, asking how successful it had been and whether removing the rebate would affect use. DOT said the program began in February 2023 and had issued about 500 rebates totaling roughly $166,000, aimed at helping people without vehicles access transportation options. The department explained that the bill would broaden access and increase the rebate amount, including additional assistance for low-income applicants. Finally, the committee heard SB 897 SD3 HD1 relating to energy and wildfire liability. The Division of Consumer Advocacy, the Public Utilities Commission, the Attorney General, Clearway Energy Group, Ulon Initiative, Kawai K, IBEW Local 1260, and Hawaiian Electric all testified in support, while the Hawaii Association for Justice was listed as opposed but not present. Supporters said the bill would help finance wildfire mitigation and infrastructure improvements through securitization, reduce wildfire risk, and address utility cost and credit concerns. Hawaiian Electric emphasized that the bill is forward-looking, would help protect customers from future wildfire-related cost increases, and requested amendments including a study on a future wildfire recovery fund. In questioning, members pressed Hawaiian Electric on the liability cap, asking whether it would have applied to the Maui wildfires and whether it would cover personal injury or wrongful death; the witness and company counsel clarified that the aggregate cap applies only to qualifying property damage, not personal injury or wrongful death, and said they would follow up on how the cap would calculate in a Maui-type event. Hawaiian Electric also said it would seek financing under the bill if enacted and updated members on settlement funding efforts, including raising the first $550 million in equity and divesting assets to help meet its obligations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul serving more than a thousand students in kindergarten through 12th grade.
• We are a public charter school serving over 550 students from preschool through 8th grade.
• We are a public charter school serving over 550 students from preschool through 8th grade.
• We opened in 2015 and serve students from grades 6 to 12 who live in the metro area.
• We opened in 2015 and serve students from grades 6 to 12 who live in the metro area.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He was a shoemaker who never had more than a first or second-grade education, yet came to this country
• She has a 98.6 grade point average, scored a 1420 on the SATs, and a score of 405 on all of her AP exams
• RUSSIA A 98.6 GRADE POINT AVERAGE, SCORED A 1420 ON THE SATs.
• WIFE JANICE ARE REALLY AMAZING PEOPLE AND WHEN I WAS IN SCHOOL, IN PS-83, FROM Kindergarten to fourth grade
• I remember Ron in fourth grade and, as an adult running for office, and he's incredible.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with routine proceedings, approved the prior day’s journal, and then took up a budget extender. Senator Serrano’s appropriation bill was recalled from the Assembly, reconsidered, amended, and sent through Rules to the floor. During debate, senators discussed the ongoing delay in finalizing the state budget, the 13th extender, school aid payments, the Yonkers school district payment, and unresolved issues such as Tier 6 retirement changes and other budget policy items. The extender was passed 57-2 after debate, with senators pressing for more transparency about the budget negotiations and the majority responding that those issues were not germane to the extender. The chamber then recognized several resolutions and guests. Senators spoke in support of Resolution 1948 honoring New York State 4-H and its Capital Days participants, Resolution 2054 commemorating Italian American Day, and Resolution 1620 mourning Denis Michael Troy of Rockland County. The Italian American Day resolution drew extensive remarks from many senators about family histories, immigration, cultural contributions, scholarships, and community traditions, and the Senate welcomed honored guests from the Italian American community. The Rosalyn Yalow Charter School fencing team was also introduced, along with the family of Denis Troy. The Senate then moved through a long calendar of bills, passing measures on public service, city administrative code, municipal law, correction law, criminal procedure, real property tax, education, social services, public health, executive law, parks, judiciary, and alcoholic beverage control, among others. Several members explained votes on bills related to ratepayer protection, hip-hop lyrics in criminal cases, sovereign nations and gaming compacts, and the Traveling with Dignity Act requiring adult changing stations in public facilities. Most bills passed with broad support, though some drew notable negative votes. The Senate completed the calendar and adjourned until Tuesday, May 19, at 3:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• school year, she was He was teaching at the time at a Title I school in Cypher ISD, teaching sixth grade
• example, used to... to always talk about how the TELPAS program was so frustrating to her as a sixth grade
• health and takes that on. job very seriously and he pointed out to me that the health teaks in 5th grade
• Health Teak in grade 7, explain the importance of mental and emotional health and how it relates to physical
• Grades 11 and 12 evaluate strategies for building and maintaining positive relationships and their role

Bills: HB367, HB497, HB549, HB983, HB 1188, HB 1290, HB1368, HB2243, HB2310, HB2849, HB3099, HB3546, HB3629, HB3627

Keywords: education, absences, severe illness, life-threatening, school policy, verification, healthcare, insurance, affordability, coverage, patient rights, school health, respiratory distress, airway clearance devices, medication training, public health, HB 983, Texas Education Agency, TEA, educator privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• retrieval program will have the option to receive a school improvement rating instead of a school grade
• I'm the 4th grade teacher. I'm not a politician. I'm not a lobbyist or anything else.
• I'm a 4th grade teacher. But I do represent about 10,000 people throughout the state saw one.
• developing teacher and school personnel housing on parcels that are being reimagined from 6 to 12 grade
• No, this bill has nothing to do with school grades start in the bill.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• School who survived a cardiac arrest on March 4, 2025, almost a year earlier, when she was in eighth grade
• She has a rare heart eighth grade.
• In response to a question, the presenter said the CT program is for technical education for grades N
• <00:08:00.960> Is<00:08:01.120> that for grades n through higher.
• Is that for grades n through higher. Is that correct? correct? correct?

Bills: HB517, HB520, HB233, HB354, HB517, HB520, HB233, HB354

Keywords: underground damage prevention, one-call notification system, utility locating, excavation safety, dig safe, call before you dig, 811, utility lines, underground utilities, pipeline safety, gas pipeline, electric utility, telecommunications, water utility, wastewater, cable television, locate request, premark, tolerance zone, positive response