Transcript Highlights:

• Bolton says: Dear Senators and Education Committee, my name is Dr. Laura Bolton.
• For the education profession, it is not uniform across the state. Thank you, Mr.
• That we have consistency in education, regardless of how that education looks.
• So, because it is all education related.
• disclosure statements from applicants and all educational employers or educational contractors with the

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bills 1371 and 1372, which were described as measures to improve student safety by requiring more consistent disclosure and sharing of personnel information across educational entities, including public, charter, private, and micro schools. Senator Nichols said the bills would help ensure that allegations of misconduct, resignations during investigations, disciplinary actions, and other relevant employment history are not kept internal but are disclosed during hiring, and that cases involving covered individuals would be referred to the Idaho Professional Standards Commission. The State Superintendent said the department shared the goal of stronger mandatory reporting and hiring safeguards, and noted ongoing work with the Attorney General’s office and school attorneys to refine the language and align it with existing law and ethics training. Several committee members questioned how the proposal differed from current background checks and mandatory reporting laws, whether it would affect out-of-state applicants, and how it would apply to private schools and micro schools. Nichols said the bills were intended to fill gaps where information is not reported or transferred, and that the language would be adjusted to request records from prior employers over the last 10 years without automatically disqualifying applicants if information is unavailable. He also said the whistleblower language from SB 1372 would likely be folded into SB 1371 so the issues could be handled in one bill. The superintendent added that the department is also working on reinforcing the code of ethics and mandatory reporting expectations for educators. Testimony included statements from a friend reading a written statement for Dr. Laura Bolton, who said she had reported misconduct in the Boise School District and faced retaliation; the chair stopped that testimony when it touched on allegations tied to a current or previously settled case. Kathy Wilson testified that her son was assaulted in a Boise school restroom and said the district failed to report properly, while Tori Dole described retaliation after she reported concerns about a registered sex offender connected to a Boise school. After discussion, Senator Woodward moved to hold both bills in committee, and the motion passed unanimously, with the chair saying the committee would bring the bills back once the language was ready.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a big topic going on right now: special education costs in public education.
• It is a big topic going on right now: special education costs in public education.
• It is a big topic going on right now: special education costs in public education.
• It is a big topic going on right now: special education costs in public education.
• . education. education. question. question. question.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Legislative Performance Audit and Oversight Committee met to accept prior minutes and receive updates on ongoing audits. Audit staff reported progress on three education-related reviews: special education (34 of 71 observations completed, draft expected in the second quarter and final in the summer), education freedom accounts (22 of 41 observations completed, draft expected in the second quarter and final in the summer), and the doorway program (5 of 13 observations completed, draft expected by the end of February and final by April or May). No committee questions were raised on the audit status update. The committee then discussed possible future oversight topics, beginning with SNAP and concerns about fraud and work requirements. Members suggested inviting DHS officials and contract administrators to explain program operations and compliance, and also discussed whether the Department of Justice Medicaid fraud unit or other experienced officials could provide useful context. Members noted New Hampshire’s existing oversight layers, including the Executive Council and the joint HHS oversight committee, while also expressing interest in hearing more directly from department staff about staffing and contract management capacity. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on whether to pursue an audit of special education at the local school level. Members debated whether to wait for the ongoing statewide special education review and a legislative study commission report, or to begin scoping a local audit now so work could start sooner. Supporters argued that local-level spending, identification rates, and effectiveness vary widely by district and that an audit should examine both costs and outcomes; others cautioned that the scope would need to be manageable given limited audit staff and that the statewide report may help narrow the focus. The committee also briefly discussed a potential audit of the Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services, but no decision was made on that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• Voter education—we know voter education is going to be...
• Voter education, we know voter education is going to be incredibly important.
• Like, who does the voter education right now, and who do you anticipate doing this expanded voter education
• And will it be education, or will there be something in place?
• And will it be education or will there be something in place?

Bills: AB49, AB169, AB188, AB284, AB296, AB306, AB356, AB366, AB467, AB499, AB515, AB540, AB542, AB595

Keywords: educational personnel, teacher licensing, reciprocal licensure, provisional teaching, school counselors, school nurses, school social workers, state education standards, health insurance, speech-language pathology, stuttering, rehabilitative services, habilitative services, coverage requirements, health plans, retired public employees, subsidy, Medicare, health reimbursement arrangement, Public Employees' Benefits Program

Transcript Highlights:

• 10:34.000><c> committee</c><00:10:34.399><c> and</c> is the education budget committee and is the education
• </c> beneficial for education than harmful. beneficial for education than harmful.
• Their focus is education.
• And so I'm their focus is education.
• </c><00:48:59.119><c> uh</c> through2, but also higher education uh through2, but also higher education

Bills: HB527, HB563, HB580, HB579, SB190, HB15, HB390, HB527, HB563, HB580, HB579, SB190, HB15, HB390

Keywords: liability, off-roading, parks, participant safety, risk management, SNAP, food assistance, public assistance, income standards, Department of Human Resources, eligibility, HB580, Alabama Healthy Schools Act, public schools, K-12, school nutrition, school meals, cafeteria, vending machines, fundraising sales

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:34.720><c> director</c> I work with a special education director I work with a special education
• Working in public education is like me. Working in public education is a<00:08:20.479><c> calling.
• </c><00:08:32.479><c> counterparts</c> than our equally educated counterparts than our equally educated
• </c><00:19:35.520><c> and</c> programs like special education and programs like special education and
• </c> table and talk about uh, educators table and talk about uh, educators joining<00:20:56.880><c> CEP

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the February 18th meeting of the Postsecondary Education and Workforce Committee.
• , labor, and workforce development stakeholders to recommend how the Legislature... ...education, labor
• This legislation also eliminates the requirement for the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating
• Our mission at WASAC is to increase educational attainment and opportunities for all Washingtonians,
• It is a good, simple... ...promise to help them further access higher education.

Bills: SB5963

Keywords: SB 5963, passport to careers, Washington College Grant, financial aid, higher education, student aid, need-based aid, college affordability, postsecondary education, workforce development, apprenticeship, foster youth, homeless students, unaccompanied youth, low-income students, public assistance, state financial aid account, scholarships, Washington student grants, grant eligibility

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the Assembly Committee on Education. Will the Secretary, Mr.
• Is there anybody from the Nevada Department of Education in the room?
• Senate Bill 81 requires Nevada's Department of Education.
• It was always on the responsibility of the Department of Education.
• It was always on the responsibility of the Department of Education.

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• RENTAL PRE-RIDE INSTRUCTIONS MUST HAVE AN APPROVED EDUCATION COURSE.
• THIS IS FOUND IN EDUCATION STATUTE 34395, AND THAT DOES NOT APPLY SO THOSE EXEMPTIONS INCLUDE SOMEONE
• THAT CAN BE A BOATER SAFETY EDUCATION COURSE BUT ALSO A TEMPORARY CERTIFICATE.
• THE STATUTE SAYS THEY HAVE TO MAKE SURE THEY MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF EDUCATION STATUTE.
• SB 472 ON EDUCATION AND CORRECTION FACILITIES FOR LICENSED PROFESSIONALS BY SENATOR TRUENOW.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , one special education educator on here.
• And again, special education cannot be just carved out of a regular education program.
• , one special education educator on here.
• And again, special education cannot be just carved out of a regular education program.
• /c><04:25:16.560><c> there</c> education educator on here um there education educator on here um there

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 695, relating to school districts and medically related grants. The sponsor argued the bill was vague and could undermine existing law, and another member said it would add an unnecessary mandate for school districts. The committee voted to recommend inexpedient to legislate, and the motion passed 18-0. Next, House Bill 765, which would consolidate school administrative units and make superintendent jobs elected positions, was also recommended inexpedient to legislate. Members said the bill raised too many questions, could duplicate other legislation, and would move away from local control. That motion likewise passed 18-0. House Bill 768, allowing public school districts to contract with approved private schools, drew more debate. Supporters described it as a language cleanup and an expansion of educational opportunity, while opponents raised concerns about the placement of the language and pending Supreme Court cases. The committee voted 10-8 to recommend ought to pass, and then 10-8 to recommend ought to pass as amended, with a minority report noted. The committee then considered House Bill 446, dealing with parental notice for non-academic surveys. An amendment was offered to make the Youth Risk Behavior Survey opt-in rather than opt-out. Supporters said parents should be informed and should choose whether their children participate, while opponents argued the survey is an important tool for mental health data, grants, and school programming, and that opt-in would reduce participation and data quality. The amendment passed 10-8, and the bill as amended also passed 10-8, with a minority report noted. Finally, the committee began House Bill 741, which would allow parents to send children to any school district they choose and expand open enrollment. The sponsor described it as broadening choice and keeping public funds in public schools, and an amendment was proposed to restore provisions for children of military personnel. Discussion on the amendment began, but the transcript cuts off before any vote on House Bill 741 or the amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate subcommittee on education appropriations will come to order.
• Me and support higher education.
• Education.
• Needs and engineering healthcare and teacher education.
• A lot of it going actually directly to higher education.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Equity Act to Florida educational quality.
• within the Florida Department of Education.
• support education.
• I'm with the Panhandle Area, Educational Consortium.
• , driver, education, traffic safety class, of course.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of Education dep Department of Board of Education dep Department of Education<00:13:46.959><c> 704</
• c> Education 704 Education 704 K3 K3 K3 535<00:13:51.720><c> this</c><00:13:51.880><c> regulation</c>
• </c><00:18:44.480><c> and</c> before the State Board of Education and before the State Board of Education
• , House Education, as well, at which time an agency amendment could be adopted.
• , House Education, as well, at which time an agency amendment could be adopted.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee met on February 10 with a quorum present, approved the minutes, and then reviewed a long agenda of agency regulations, most of which were accompanied by staff-suggested amendments for drafting conformity under KRS Chapter 13A. The Department of Financial Institutions’ 808 KAR 9:10, the Secretary of State’s 030 KAR 2:11, the Office of the Attorney General’s 04 KAR 5:10, the Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology’s emergency 201 KAR 17:120, the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources’ 301 KAR 2:41, the Department for Environmental Protection’s 401 KAR 47:110 and 48:320, the State Police regulations 502 KAR 1:012 and 1:121, the Department for Public Health’s 902 KAR 4:15, the Department for Medicaid Services’ 907 KAR 1:15, and the Department for Community Based Services’ 921 KAR 1:400 were all discussed and, where applicable, staff amendments were approved without objection. The Workplace Standards emergency regulation 803 KAR 2:320E was also presented without amendment, and the Department of Insurance’s 806 KAR 9:360 was taken up but ultimately deferred at the agency’s request. Several regulations drew brief substantive discussion. The Fish and Wildlife rule on foxhound training enclosures was explained as expanding both commercial and non-commercial provisions for training with dogs involving red fox and coyotes, with enclosure standards intended to protect wildlife inside and outside the facilities. The environmental protection rules were tied to House Bill 478 and addressed permit-by-rule timelines, reporting, and operating standards for certain construction and demolition debris landfills, including sites up to two acres; members asked whether these facilities were private or municipal, and staff said they were a mix, often tied to private demolition contractors or single projects. The State Police fee increase for hazardous materials endorsements was described as reflecting a federal TSA fee change, and the witness estimated the new fee at about $23. The most extended debate concerned the Board of Education’s 704 KAR 3:535 on full-time virtual and remote learning programs. The agency amendment would cap enrollment in such programs at 10% above a district’s prior-year in-person enrollment, while also clarifying accountability, staffing, and monitoring requirements. Education officials said the cap was intended to address concerns about district capacity and student performance, and they cited Cloverport as an example of a district with high virtual participation and participation-rate issues. Members expressed concern that the amendment was too open-ended for regulation and suggested the issue might be better addressed in statute; no motion was made to adopt the agency amendment, so the regulation was left to proceed to the committee of jurisdiction. The Department of Insurance also discussed implementation of Senate Bill 188, saying it had received more than 3,000 complaints since the law took effect and was still working through enforcement and complaint processing before asking to defer its PBM licensing regulation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you have agricultural education?
• Do you have agricultural education?
• </c> part of the office of education part of the office of education accountability<01:26:17.360><c>
• </c> physical education as our cornerstone. physical education as our cornerstone.
• </c> education is part of curriculum as well. education is part of curriculum as well.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The task force met with a quorum, approved the minutes from the August 20 meeting, and then heard testimony from Representative Steven Doan on House Bill 439, a school nutrition bill aimed at restricting certain ultra-processed foods in schools. Doan said the bill was inspired by his own health journey and his work in agriculture, and he described the measure as targeting specific chemical additives in foods served during the school day, not concession sales or after-hours activities. He said the bill would phase in later to give schools time to adjust and noted that the list of restricted additives was drawn from efforts in other states and advocacy groups. Members asked about the chemical abstract numbers, fiscal impact, summer meal programs, fundraisers, and whether the bill would affect parent-provided items; Doan said he had not done a fiscal note and explained that the bill was intended to apply only during instructional time on school property. Committee members generally reacted favorably, with some raising practical concerns about cost and implementation. One member asked about high fructose corn syrup, which Doan said was not included because it is too pervasive in the food system. Another member noted that schools already limit some homemade items and asked about the line between school-provided and parent-provided food. Doan also said the list was based in part on Turning Point USA materials and similar laws in other states, and he referenced federal efforts to define ultra-processed foods. The committee then heard from Kentucky Department of Education officials Matt Ross, Lauren Moore, and Katie Embry on school meals and nutrition programs. They outlined Kentucky’s school lunch, breakfast, summer meals, and other USDA child nutrition programs, including participation and reimbursement figures, and explained how community eligibility provision schools, meal patterns, offer-versus-serve, smart snacks, and local wellness policies work. They said USDA and FDA are currently seeking public input on a uniform definition of ultra-processed foods, that there are no current USDA requirements specifically on ultra-processed foods, and that schools already operate under federal and state rules governing competitive foods, including a state time restriction on smart snacks. They also discussed local purchasing, noting its benefits but also the procurement and staffing challenges schools face. No votes or final actions on the bill were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> possible inclusion in an education possible inclusion in an education finance<00:03:42.239><c> bill
• </c> we have a very complicated education we have a very complicated education budget.<00:07:26.720><
• Next up, we have Adosuni, director of ... paper educational benefits forms and the paper educational
• </c> elimination of essential educational elimination of essential educational programs<00:25:22.720>
• </c> the best education for their students. the best education for their students.

Bills: HF1048, HF1049, HF745, HF2210

Keywords: charter schools, education funding, revenue calculation, general education revenue, special education, school library aid, education finance, school districts, funding eligibility, compensatory revenue, task force, free meals, school funding, education equity, HF2210, school unemployment aid, Minnesota Department of Education, general fund appropriation, unemployment insurance, unemployment claims

Transcript Highlights:

• >> The education, the education and Employment Committee will now come to order.
• Make sure education is not making parental choice is for parents.
• I'm an educator parents and I live in South Florida and I strongly oppose this bill.
• Horse man himself claim the education is the great equalizer.
• Education should prepare students for reality, not shield them from it.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our goal is not to keep kiddos for the duration of their education.
• That's where we need to educate them and make sure we take them along.
• With AI, it's the same thing: educating them on what AI means, educating them on what AI safety means
• , educating them on what AI can do and cannot do.
• Have those grants been affected, do you know, the higher education grants?

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Education Pre-K through 12 will now come to order.
• has the authority to adopt rules rather than the Department of Education.
• I want to thank you, Senator Kaladu, the entire education and leadership team.
• I want to thank you, Senator Kaladu, the entire education and leadership team.
• This is the last time we put her on education. Right? Okay, I don't know that's good.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education Pre-K through 12 considered three bills and reported each favorably. SB 1318, by Senator Rodriguez, made a technical clarification to the Florida tax credit scholarship program so that when a scholarship account is closed, any remaining funds revert but do not revert to the state. The bill was passed without debate or amendments. The committee then heard CS for SB 1690, by Senator Claudio, which updates child care and early learning laws, including transparency, accountability, terminology, and regulation of before- and after-school programs. An amendment was adopted to clarify rulemaking authority by specifying the State Board of Education rather than the Department of Education. Senator Berman raised a concern about the bill’s removal of a parent-notification requirement related to leaving children in vehicles, and the sponsor said she would follow up. The committee then voted the bill favorably. Finally, the committee considered CS for SB 182, by Senator Jones, on school teacher training and mentoring programs. A strike-all amendment was adopted that refocused the program on schools with D or F grades, allowed districts and charter schools to place mentors, tightened mentor qualifications, authorized stipends up to $3,000, and directed the Department of Education to set standards and create a contract template. Supportive appearance forms were filed by Nancy Lothar and Orange County Public Schools. The bill was reported favorably, and the meeting ended with remarks thanking staff and recognizing Kathy Missouri for her service.

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:20:15.159><c> know</c> Department of Education and if I know Department of Education and if I know
• </c> 31 and if I know that the education 31 and if I know that the education policy<00:20:32.440><c>
• <01:03:57.559><c> and</c><01:03:57.760><c> their</c> education and their education and their care<01:
• the house education communities and the house education funding<01:44:49.080><c> committee</c><01:44
• laws where we said it's no education laws where we said it's no longer<01:49:29.360><c> educating</c

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When education funding falls short, it's not just a budget issue.
• Investing in education, at its core, is an investment in the dignity and future of our children.
• childhood education in Arkansas.
• Better health care, better K-12 education, reducing childhood hunger, and reducing poverty.
• Number one, we are committed to public education in the state of Arkansas.

Summary: The Senate Revenue and Tax Committee met to consider Senate Bill 1, sponsored by Senator Jonathan Dismang, which continues the state’s long-running effort to reduce Arkansas income tax rates. Dismang said the bill would lower the personal income tax rate retroactive to January 1, 2026 and delay the corporate income tax change until the following January, bringing the rate down from 7% to 3.7%. He also said the bill would use existing surplus funds and estimated that a person making $65,000 would see their effective tax burden reduced by about 45% compared with earlier rates. The committee heard several witnesses in opposition, including a United Methodist pastor/social worker, a parent describing her son’s disability and need for supported living services, representatives from Arkansas Appleseed and Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, and a Marshallese community advocate. They argued that Arkansas should preserve revenue for public schools, health care, food assistance, housing, rural hospitals, early childhood education, and disability services, and said the tax cuts would disproportionately benefit higher-income taxpayers while providing little relief to working families. Several speakers cited low state spending relative to national averages and warned that further cuts would worsen existing service gaps. In closing, Dismang and other supporters said the state can be both compassionate and competitive, that no essential services would be cut by the bill, and that Arkansas has continued to grow revenue despite prior tax reductions. Members emphasized balancing service funding with economic competitiveness and noted the legislature’s focus on lower-income tax brackets in earlier reforms. The committee then voted to do pass SB1, and the bill was approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• That list would be available for the higher education department, public post-secondary educational institutions
• Right now, the state of New Mexico requires the state to provide public education to a student up to
• I think it was brought up in a different way in education.
• As you know, their public schools are looking to expand their career and technical education and they
• You know, a commercialized way of introducing education and educational institutes to my children has