Transcript Highlights:

• </c> meeting the standards of that district. meeting the standards of that district.
• The district shall up as much.
• Be distributed more fairly across the property-poor countries, uh, count um, districts, districts, districts
• </c> this did a lot of damage in my district. this did a lot of damage in my district.
• They used to be in my district. towns. They used to be in my district.

Committee: House Education Funding

Transcript Highlights:

• Amy Mossangelo from the 11th Middlesex District. Bridget Ploff from the 9th Plymouth District.
• Fifth Barnsville District, Cape Cod.
• We serve school districts across 38 states.
• At the same time, as mentioned, most districts don't have many choices: 67% of districts only had one
• This allows districts to use safe, appropriately sized vehicles for individualized or out-of-district

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security held a public hearing with opening remarks from Senate Chair John Cronin and House Chair Dan Cahill, followed by member introductions and instructions limiting testimony to three minutes. The committee first heard testimony on S. 2743, an act addressing staged suicides. Elizabeth Sherin Feiner of Jewish Family and Children’s Service and later Susan Altman, a domestic violence advocate, described cases in which deaths initially treated as accidents or suicides were later found to be homicides, arguing the bill would improve training, investigation protocols, and accountability in deaths involving domestic abuse. Committee members asked about current police and medical examiner practices, and one member noted that sudden-death determinations are handled by the chief medical examiner in Massachusetts. The committee then heard testimony on S. 2861, a special commission to examine school bus safety, led by Representative Sabadosa and Amanda Taylor, whose daughter Summer Steel was killed in a school bus door incident. Taylor urged adoption of anti-pinch sensor technology on new buses, saying it could have prevented her daughter’s death. Representative Sabadosa and later a Mazur USA representative supported the bill, explaining that anti-pinch and anti-drag technologies are already used in other transportation sectors and could prevent similar tragedies. The hearing also included discussion of costs and the fact that the proposal would apply prospectively to buses manufactured going forward. Finally, the committee heard testimony on S. 3021, updating Massachusetts student transportation. Ever-Driven Technologies and Chamber of Progress supported the bill, saying it would modernize Section 7D requirements for smaller passenger vehicles used for alternative student transportation while keeping core safety standards in place. They argued the change would help districts serve students experiencing homelessness, in foster care, or with disabilities, reduce costs, and expand transportation options amid a statewide transportation crisis. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the committee adjourned after public testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Cultural districts and ensuring that they're fully funded here.
• Texas, for example, has 50 cultural districts and allocates $12 million to their program.
• In California, our cultural districts are proven catalysts for economic vitality.
• In California, our cultural districts are proven catalysts for economic vitality.
• , the Black cultural art district.

Summary: The Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee heard several bills, mostly related to Proposition 19, voluntary tax checkoffs, and local tax authority. SB 288 would clarify that the one-year residency and exemption deadline for inherited homes held in probate begins when legal ownership is established; it received support from the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and others, no opposition, and was referred to suspense. SB 974 would explicitly include special needs trusts in Prop. 19-related inheritance rules; it had support from the Riverside County Board of Supervisors and Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and passed 5-0 to Appropriations as amended. The committee also heard SB 575, which would restore the Sea Otter Voluntary Contribution Fund for voluntary tax return donations to sea otter conservation. Supporters cited sea otter recovery, research, and habitat protection needs; there was no opposition, and the bill passed 5-0 to Appropriations. SB 999 would delay the Franchise Tax Board’s annual report on the health care individual mandate from March 1 to June 1 to allow more complete data; Health Access California supported it, and it passed 5-1 to Appropriations. SB 762 would authorize certain cities and counties, including Hercules, Santa Cruz, and Santa Barbara, to seek voter approval for local transaction and use taxes to address budget pressures, public safety, infrastructure, and safety-net service cuts. Local officials, labor groups, and health advocates supported it, while the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association opposed it; the committee adopted the urgency clause and then passed the bill to Local Government with urgency, with some no votes. SB 1073 would create a voluntary tax contribution fund to support the Historic South Los Angeles Black Cultural District; arts advocates and community supporters backed it, and the bill passed unanimously to the Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Alfredo de Rodondo on behalf of Irvine Ranch Water District and East Valley Water District, in support
• Alfredo Redondo on behalf of Irvine Ranch Water District and East Valley Water District, in support.
• Jamie Miner on behalf of Santa Margarita Water District and Eastern Municipal Water District, pleased
• Andrea Dam, Municipal Water District, in support.
• Sorry, Steven, the municipal water district in Orange County and the Coachella Valley Water District,

Committee: House Local Government

Summary: The Assembly Local Government Committee met on June 18, 2025, and began with housekeeping rules emphasizing in-person testimony, written submissions through the portal, and a prohibition on disruptive conduct. The chair noted the committee was initially operating without a quorum, so several bills were heard in subcommittee format before the quorum was later established and formal votes were taken. The committee heard several local government and infrastructure measures. SB 333 (Laird) would let San Luis Obispo County voters consider raising the combined local sales tax limit above 2% for transportation funding; it had support from the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments and no opposition, but was later approved 7-2 and sent to Revenue and Taxation. SB 390 (Becker) would close a Mello-Roos-related loophole affecting certain South San Francisco properties with conservation easements so they can contribute to infrastructure financing; it drew support from the city and was approved 9-0. SB 394 (Allen) would increase penalties for water theft, especially unauthorized use of fire hydrants, and allow recovery of damages; it had broad support from water agencies and was approved 9-0 to Judiciary. The committee also heard housing and code enforcement bills. SB 611 (Richardson) would restore protections for housing projects tied to adopted community plans while CEQA litigation is pending, with support from Los Angeles and San Francisco representatives and no opposition; it was approved 10-0 to Judiciary. SB 757 (Richardson) would let cities and counties collect nuisance abatement costs through liens or special assessments for certain public health and safety violations, with supporters arguing it would help cities address chronic blight and opponents warning about due process, displacement, and racialized wealth extraction; after quorum was established, the bill passed 7-0. SB 489 (Arrigine) would require agencies involved in housing approvals to post application requirements online and make related Permit Streamlining Act changes; it was supported by builders and housing groups, received one question about LAFCO-related concerns, and passed 10-0 to Housing and Community Development. The committee then approved the consent calendar, which included SB 74, SB 225, SB 272, SB 409, SB 558, SB 735, SB 736, and SB 737, all by unanimous vote. After disposing of the remaining items, the chair adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Reclamation District.
• Senator Judy Warnick, District 13.
• I'm the senator from the 10th legislative district and a farmer. So.
• Ninety percent of those are in the Rosa district.
• That’s where this district starts.

Committee: Joint Joint Legislative Committee on Water Supply During Drought

Summary: The Joint Committee on Water Supply During Drought opened its 2025 meeting by electing new leadership. After brief discussion of the committee’s membership and the usual practice of alternating leadership between chambers and parties, members unanimously elected Senator Ron Mazzal as chair and Representative Christine Reeves as vice chair. The outgoing chair, Representative Ybarra, continued presiding for the remainder of the meeting at Senator Mazzal’s request. The committee then heard a presentation from Sage Park of the Rosa Irrigation District on the severe 2025 water year. Park said Rosa is facing very low reservoir levels, declining water supply forecasts, and an earlier-than-planned end to the irrigation season. She described the district’s conservation and drought response measures, including canal shutdowns, pump-backs, leased water, on-farm fallowing and water pooling, emergency well permits, and long-term investments in piping, sealant, drip irrigation, and storage. Park also urged continued emergency drought funding, more efficient state lease funding processes, and support for water releases that benefit fish during drought conditions. Urban Eberhard then presented on the Kittitas Reclamation District and the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan. He described widespread on-farm conservation, reduced acre allocations, early shutoffs expected in late summer, and ongoing infrastructure work such as piping, lining, telemetry, and the Springwood reservoir project. He emphasized that these projects are intended to improve water delivery, support fish flows, and provide future storage, including possible hydroelectric generation as part of feasibility work. In response to a question, he said the districts are monitoring aquifer impacts from canal lining and are working on managed aquifer recharge to direct conserved water to beneficial groundwater areas. No additional votes or formal actions were taken after the leadership elections.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that District 12 down there? Second by Senator Gullar. Is that District 12 down there? Okay.
• I do think this is a legislation that helps us in our district with the guys on the ground in our district
• Devastated school districts.
• ...district whole when their valuations plummet.
• It allows the school district that has completed appropriate financial training to invest certain district

Bills: HB3044 , HB3465 , HB3625 , HB3704 , HB3759 , HB3920 , HB3972 , HB4191 , HB4311 , HB4426

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Summary: The Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee considered several House bills dealing with tax credits, fee changes, school funding, and investment authority. House Bill 4426 extended the sunset on the SIDE tax credit to December 31, 2032, and passed 7-2. House Bill 3704 elected Oklahoma into the federal income tax credit for contributions to scholarship-granting organizations and passed 9-2. House Bill 4311 raised the unclaimed property division’s administrative fee from 4% to 6% to cover increased duties and costs; it passed 8-3 after debate over whether the increase was justified. House Bill 3044 reauthorized the veterans income tax checkoff and the associated capital improvement fund, and passed 10-0. House Bill 4191 revised the Smaller Employer Quality Jobs Act by lowering job thresholds, expanding qualifying locations and industries, and changing other eligibility rules; it passed 6-4. House Bill 3465 extended the emission tax credit sunset from July 1, 2027 to July 1, 2029 and passed 6-4, with opponents arguing it subsidized compliance with federal mandates. House Bill 3972, a title-off bill addressing ad valorem reimbursement issues tied to the state purchase of a prison, drew extensive debate over precedent and scope; an amendment to add a sunset failed 5-5, and the bill then passed 8-2 as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• CHAIRMAN OBVIOUSLY I'M NOT GOING TO DICTATE TO 67 SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHEN THEY WILL ESTABLISH TRAINING.
• YOU HAVE TO INCORPORATE SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS IN THAT, THAT IS A COST FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.
• ACCORDINGLY PROVIDED A THREE-YEAR IMPLEMENTATION OR DISTRICTS TO MODIFY THEIR POLICIES.
• THEM TO SET THE START TIME AS THEY SEE FIT FOR THEIR DISTRICT.
• CHAIR, CHRIS DOOLIN REPRESENTING SMALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS AS WELL AS THE SMALL COUNTY COALITION.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've seen several in my own district. You've all been seeing them in your districts.
• Because school districts in my district and across the state have different funding and spending realities
• Madam President, there is no harder issue in my Senate district.
• And while the Student Opportunity Act has benefited tens of school districts, hundreds of school districts
• What we are seeing in the gentlelady's district, my good friend, the distinguished chair's district,

Summary: The Senate took up a long series of FY26 budget amendments during debate on the Ways and Means budget bill. Early on, an amendment on debt service and the Debt Affordability Committee was rejected. A major education amendment offered by Senator Lewis and supported by Senator Comerford was then adopted; it directs DESE to begin a public process, with $200,000 in funding, to review and recommend updates to the Chapter 70 municipal contribution formula and related school funding structures as the Student Opportunity Act nears full implementation. Senators argued that school districts across the Commonwealth are under severe fiscal strain, citing rising special education, transportation, health insurance, and Proposition 2 1/2 pressures, and that the current formulas are increasingly out of alignment with local needs. The chamber also considered and voted on many other amendments, with several adopted and several rejected. Adopted amendments included measures on public payroll transparency, regional EMS, a small business group purchasing cooperative pilot, simplifying Medicaid eligibility determinations, and early education background checks. Rejected amendments included proposals on first-time homebuyer savings accounts, population change studies, competitiveness studies, emergency contract reform, natural gas cost containment, a $200 per pupil aid increase, regional school reimbursement increases, a Foundation Budget Review Commission-related study, special education service studies, welfare benefit audits, short-term capital gains, and an MBTA sustainability plan. Senator Durant also spoke in support of Amendment 766, which would create a crumbling concrete assistance fund for homeowners affected by pyrrhotite, with tax-exempt aid, federal funding applications, audits, and a stakeholder working group. Near the end of debate, Senator D. DiDomenico praised the Shannon Grant program for gang violence prevention, and the Senate adopted a final corrective amendment containing technical fixes and local earmarks. The bill was then ordered to a third reading and, after a roll call on engrossment, passed to be engrossed by a vote of 38-2. The Senate also approved a motion to adjourn to the following Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. and recessed in memory of Yaron Lashinsky, Sarah Lynn Milgram, and Leslie A. Feeney.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not going to describe that to the Pasco County School District.
• Jason Unger, District School Board of Pasco County, waving in support.
• We have a school district, for example, one of ours that has five employees that run the whole district
• the whole district.
• Small school district, self-insured, got it.

Summary: The subcommittee first heard HB 6507, a claims bill for Marcus Button, who suffered severe permanent injuries in a 2006 school bus crash. Representative Andrade explained that a jury awarded Button more than $2 million in 2009, but only a small amount was paid under sovereign immunity limits. He said Pasco County later reached a settlement with Button, but believed it lacked legal authority to pay without legislative approval. The bill would give the county that authority. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill passed unanimously, 18-0. The committee then took up HB 301, which would substantially revise Florida’s sovereign immunity framework. Representative McFarland said the bill would raise liability caps for state and local governments from $200,000/$300,000 to $1 million/$3 million, with a later increase in 2030, align statutes of limitations with private suits, allow governments to settle above the caps without a claims bill, and prevent insurance policies from conditioning payment on legislative approval. She framed the bill as a way to reduce the need for the claims bill process and provide faster redress to injured people. Testimony on HB 301 was sharply divided. Local governments, school districts, counties, cities, hospital groups, and insurance representatives opposed the bill, arguing the higher caps would sharply increase insurance and taxpayer costs, especially for small or fiscally constrained entities, and that the claims bill process and special masters provide useful review and leverage. Supporters, including the Florida Justice Association and several members, argued the current system is too slow and political, leaves seriously injured people waiting years for compensation, and should be modernized to better hold government accountable. No vote was taken on HB 301 in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• district court judge, Judge Browning.
• On the district court, 102 district court judges around the state.
• We'll talk more about district court later.
• The district attorney in this district was dismissing a number of DWIs. Of DWIs.
• Yes, the other bill is the First District Court civil judgeship, and the Second District Court would

Committees: Senate Senate Judiciary , Senate House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• that works best for the district.
• We're not in every district.
• , because it's usually a smaller district moving into a bigger district.
• So isolated funding in law, there are districts that were identified as isolated school districts, and
• But isolated district is a whole district. Correct. Entirely. Yes. Thank you.

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations and took executive recommendations on several Department of Human Services divisions, including Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services; Children and Family Services; County Operations; Developmental Disability Services; and Medical Services, with most divisions showing little or no significant change in total appropriations. Staff and agency witnesses repeatedly explained that many large appropriations are maintained for flexibility, federal matching requirements, or contingency needs, even when actual spending is much lower than the authorized amount. Members also raised concerns about staffing vacancies, long-vacant budgeted positions, and the use of excess appropriation authority across DHS. In Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health, members questioned federal funding levels for mental health and substance abuse grants, the status of senior centers and Meals on Wheels, the Medicaid tobacco settlement program, community alcohol safety grants, and the veterans mental health grant. Agency officials said federal block grants are largely committed, that senior center funding had been delayed by shutdown timing but was now back on track, that the tobacco settlement program had been moved internally within DHS, and that the veterans mental health appropriation remains unfunded. Senators also criticized the adequacy of support for seniors and asked for more detail on how transportation, meal services, and local contributions are funded. In Children and Family Services, members asked about rising appropriation levels, foster care and adoption subsidies, professional fees, the number of children in foster care, and the Children’s Trust Fund. DHS said increases reflect added flexibility for residential treatment, adoption subsidies, and prevention services, while the foster care population has remained fairly steady at about 3,400 children. The Children’s Trust Fund was described as supporting primary prevention programs such as Baby and Me and community schools, and members asked whether it could be administratively combined with other efforts. Questions also covered TANF subgrants, with DHS explaining that it had reduced outside subgrants after discovering over-obligation and was rebuilding reserves. In County Operations, members focused on the summer EBT program, SNAP employment and training, the farmer’s market program, and the state’s TANF reserve position. DHS said summer EBT is still being funded through temporary appropriations because it is a newer program, SNAP employment and training is largely federally funded and may expand under a pending policy change, and TANF reserves were drawn down after prior over-obligation but are now being stabilized. In Developmental Disability Services, members asked about vacancies, human development center staffing, facility construction funds, and the Booneville work program, and DHS said the program has reopened and staffing recruitment continues. In Medical Services, members asked about FMAP, the Our Kids B CHIP program, school-based Medicaid reimbursements, nursing home distress funds, and several large appropriation lines that far exceed actual spending; DHS said these are maintained for claims payment, nursing home receivership contingencies, and other flexibility needs. Each division reviewed was adopted by executive recommendation after questions concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• This proposal splits my Assembly District into three congressional districts and divides communities
• My district is the most purple and balanced district in the state, so you should all be interested in
• They are loved in my district because they understand my very unique district.
• On Assembly, on Assembly, District 72, 72.
• District drawn by the Commission.

Summary: The Assembly met in session after a quorum call and brief recess, then moved into a highly procedural and contentious floor debate centered on redistricting measures, especially ACA 8, along with SB 280, AB 604, and related motions. A point of order challenging the constitutionality of the redistricting items was raised by Assembly Member DeMaio, but the chair ruled it not well taken; an appeal was taken and the chair was sustained, 58-18. The body also approved a motion to adopt late amendments on ACA 8 (57-20), rejected a motion to re-refer ACA 8 and SB 280 to Judiciary (19-58), and defeated a motion to take up AJR 21 without regard to file (19-58). Earlier, the consent calendar was taken up and SB 482 was removed at the author’s request; ACR 105 was listed on the consent calendar and the roll was opened, though the transcript then moved into further procedural business. The main substantive debate focused on ACA 8, described by supporters as an “Election Rigging Response Act” that would temporarily use voter-approved congressional district boundaries and send the question to the voters, while opponents argued it would undermine California’s independent redistricting system and violate the state constitution. Supporters, including Assembly Members Berman, Lowenthal, Boerner, Carrillo, Mark González, Bonta, Gibson, Elhawary, Gabriel, Salachi, Ransom, Ávila Farías, and others, framed the measure as a response to mid-decade redistricting efforts in Texas and other states, warning that Donald Trump and Republican-led states were trying to rig the 2026 election and threaten democracy, health care, immigrant communities, and other rights. Several supporters emphasized that ACA 8 would still leave the final decision to California voters and argued the state needed to act to preserve fair representation and counter national power grabs. Opponents, including Assembly Members Wallace, Ta, Gallagher, DeMaio, Dixon, Patterson, and Davies, argued that ACA 8 would abandon the voter-created independent citizens’ redistricting commission, erode trust, and amount to partisan gerrymandering or a “power grab.” They stressed that Californians had already approved independent redistricting, that the Legislature lacked authority to redraw maps, and that the proposal was rushed with limited public input. Several opponents also criticized the cost of a special election and argued the state should focus on other priorities. The debate was marked by repeated admonitions from the chair to avoid impugning motives and to keep remarks decorous, but no final vote on ACA 8 itself appears in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Leach because of important business in the district. On motion of Mr. Metcalf. Please excuse Ms.
• Slawson because of important business in the district. On motion of Mr. Metcalf. Please excuse Mr.
• of territory from an existing school district, is referred to the Committee on Public Education.
• HB5579 relates to the Board of Directors and the Appraisal District, which considers the Appraisal District
• HB5658 by Patterson relates to the creation of the Craver Ranch Municipal Management District.

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent District 22.
• with the fire protection districts located within urban renewal districts.
• We also provided a provision that if there was a new district being formed, the fire districts had the
• I represent District 22.
• And so they bring the package to the local highway district or ITD.

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• That currently encompasses 116 school districts.
• Boise School District certainly did do some increases.
• And districts and charters are required to have these individuals.
• And so some of our districts have to use some sort of bonuses so that they can, Some of our districts
• We’re in every one of your districts—not just our school in Gooding, but every one of your districts,

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy presentation on the K-12 public school support budget, including how support units, career ladder funding, health insurance, discretionary funding, transportation, facilities, and the Public Education Stabilization Fund (PSIF) work. Legislative Services explained that FY 2026 support units were revised downward, creating a $22.3 million ongoing general fund reduction, and walked through the FY 2027 agency request and governor’s recommendation. The governor recommended no increase for population forecast adjustments, but did recommend some statutory and policy changes, including shifting certain interest earnings to the general fund and reducing funding for some virtual school and IDLA-related items. The agency request also included one-time proposals for a high-needs special education fund and a regional service model for related services. Members asked extensive questions about how career ladder dollars are distributed, how health insurance and discretionary funds interact, why the health insurance increase in the budget differed from current plan estimates, and how facilities money under House Bill 292 is used. There were also questions about the size and use of the Idaho Career Ready Students fund, the maintenance-of-effort implications of special education funding, and whether some special education costs are being used for student housing or other noninstructional expenses. The superintendent and budget staff emphasized that many of the budget lines are formula-driven or statutorily required, that local districts determine actual staffing and spending within those formulas, and that special education costs continue to outpace available funding. Superintendent Debbie Critchfield then framed the budget request around enrollment trends, shifting demographics, and the need for more flexibility in how districts use existing dollars. She highlighted proposed categorical flexibility for some funds, changes to digital content and curriculum distribution, continued literacy gains, growth in career technical education programs funded through Idaho Career Ready Students, and the importance of endowment and Millennium Fund support. She also described the special education proposals as a temporary bridge while the state considers larger formula changes and noted a near $100 million gap between special education spending and funding. She further outlined planned federal waiver requests on assessments and flexibility, and said the department is seeking more state control over testing and reporting requirements. The committee did not take final action on the budget during this portion of the meeting. Members raised concerns about interest transfers from dedicated funds, the complexity of the funding formula, special education accountability, and whether the state should revisit the overall school funding model. Several follow-up data requests were made, including information on health insurance participation, regional special education service needs, and school contingency fund balances.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm glad to see this in Hillsborough County; shameless plug for my district.
• I’ve got 20 municipalities in my district.
• That's why there are many fewer issues matching students with districts.
• This provides the district to receive resilience grant funding.
• The water management districts have a variety of revenues.

Transcript Highlights:

• district buildings altogether.
• </c> other 340 school districts in the state. other 340 school districts in the state.
• <c> a</c> district needs.
• For many districts, a district needs.
• amongst communities and in districts. amongst communities and in districts.

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Districts right now are operating without ambulances.
• This is a gentleman from Butler, the Billington District.
• You're pointing in the McGaugh district. Okay.
• If you've got a district, no matter what taxing district, maybe they're wanting to initiate some wage
• So in my district, I live in a historic district. There are 16 houses on my block.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is up to district policy, but currently it is not. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Senator, would you also believe that in the Abington School District v.
• So does this paragraph call out that something the school district would do?
• Yes, I think your greater point of, should school districts be doing this?
• But I also thought school districts should have banned cell phones. Thank you.

Summary: The Senate Education Committee considered a long agenda of education-related bills, with most measures receiving unanimous or near-unanimous support. Early actions included passage of SB 843, which allows certain rural schools with low average daily membership to hire teachers related to board members in the second degree, and SB 1733, which requires schools to report child sexual abuse allegations to law enforcement within 24 hours before conducting their own investigation. The committee also advanced SB 1476, a Commissioners of the Land Office cleanup bill that makes land exchange approvals permissive, updates terminology, and expands permanent school fund investment options to include private equity and private credit; members questioned CLO staff about appraisals, notices, ethics, and audits before voting it out 11-0. A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 1237, the Teacher Bill of Rights, which would codify various teacher protections involving religious expression, discipline, planning time, workplace safety, and due process. Senators raised extensive questions about religious symbols, prayer, Bible use, classroom discipline, and whether some provisions were already in law; the author said the bill was intended to protect teachers and improve recruitment and retention. Despite concerns that some language was vague or duplicative, the bill passed 7-4. The committee also passed SB 1410 to codify the Ag in the Classroom program after deleting a section that would have increased a license plate fee, and SB 1894, which would remove the five-year cap on professional development hours for certain teacher training, though the title was struck for further work. Later, the committee approved SB 1272 to raise the income cap for the Oklahoma Tuition Equalization Grant, SB 1204 to provide three days of bereavement leave for education employees after the loss of a spouse or child, including miscarriage, and SB 1721 to extend the sunset of the Oklahoma Advisory Council on Indian Education. It also passed SB 1725 on higher-education expressive activity and free speech training, SB 1735 giving CareerTech sole authority over its accreditation, SB 1337 establishing paid paternity leave for education employees, SB 1339 codifying funding for the 2023 teacher pay raise for off-formula districts, SB 1461 extending the OETA sunset to 2031, and SB 1975 centralizing notice of AP testing locations. Several bills drew brief discussion about fiscal impact, local control, and retention benefits, and the committee adjourned after noting one agenda item had been laid over.

Transcript Highlights:

• Many of you know I was in your districts.
• So every district here, every district of one of your colleagues, has arts funding.
• Every district here, every district of one of your colleagues, has arts funding, and it's all designed
• But every Missouri Senate district and 97% of the House districts receive program funding.
• Those last districts are districts without an infrastructure for the arts.

Committee: House Budget

Summary: The committee heard the Office of the Lieutenant Governor’s FY 2027 budget request as part of House Bill 12. Lieutenant Governor David Wasinger said he generally agreed with the governor’s proposed core budget, but asked for restoration of prior cuts and funding for a statutory senior advocate role in his office. Members questioned the office about staffing levels, prior lapse in spending, and whether the office could tighten its own budget further. Wasinger and Chief of Staff Katie Ashcroft said the office had been operating leanly with five full-time employees and a part-time general counsel, and that the senior advocate function had been picked up by the office’s counsel after the statute was brought to their attention. Several members pressed for data on senior calls and for more detail on how the office would use any additional FTEs, while others supported the senior advocate position but objected to broader office expansion. A major portion of the hearing focused on the Missouri Arts Council, which Wasinger oversees. Michael Donovan testified that the governor’s recommendation would cut the council’s transfer by nearly half, reducing grants to communities and schools statewide. He said the council’s work supports arts education, community resilience, tourism, workforce readiness, and economic activity, citing a statewide economic impact study and examples from districts around Missouri. Members from both parties described local arts programs, festivals, and school partnerships that had benefited from grants, and several urged restoration of the funding. Questions also addressed the statutory distribution of nonresident athletes and entertainers tax revenue, the council’s unspent spending authority, and how cuts would affect grantmaking; Donovan said the council would likely have to reduce or scale back grants proportionally. The committee then heard from Missouri Humanities Executive Director Ashley Beard Foss, who described grants and public programs in local history, cultural heritage, veterans writing workshops, traveling exhibits, and digital humanities. She said the proposed 50% reduction to the humanities transfer would force staffing and program cuts and reduce regrants, including pass-through support for organizations such as the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Kansas City Urban League, and the Griot Museum. Members asked about those pass-throughs and the effect of the cuts, and the lieutenant governor said the office stood by the budget it had submitted. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded with the chair noting follow-up materials would be distributed and announcing possible schedule changes for upcoming hearings because of weather.