Transcript Highlights:

• Historically, higher education was the largest recipient of state bond funding, where higher education
• to be updated Heat um I've learned to be updated Heat um I've learned visiting<00:23:09.279>
• And safe learning spaces.
• <01:10:11.199> projects facilities accessibility projects facilities accessibility projects
• struggle for that access.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm trying to learn everything I can learn.
• I think the kids that don't want to learn Shakespeare are never going to learn Shakespeare.
• seek higher education.
• focusing on early learning.
• the early learning world.

Summary: The Education Administration Subcommittee held an introductory meeting focused largely on member introductions and “homework” reports about education issues in each district. Members raised a wide range of concerns and priorities, including early childhood care and VPK access, school choice and school closures, teacher recruitment and retention, conflict resolution and school safety, early literacy and preparedness, technology and AI/STEM instruction, attendance and mental health, ESE services, dual enrollment and career/technical education, caregiving youth, and real-time student enrollment/funding tracking. Several members also emphasized local challenges such as housing-driven teacher turnover, disaster-related attendance problems, and funding inequities across counties. The committee then heard a detailed presentation on Florida’s early learning system from Chancellor Carrie Miller of the Department of Education’s Division of Early Learning. She outlined the structure and funding of School Readiness, VPK, and the Gold Seal Quality Care program, the role of early learning coalitions and DCF, and the state’s quality and accountability measures. She highlighted the importance of kindergarten readiness, teacher quality, and the new School Readiness Plus program, which helps families transition off subsidy more gradually. Additional panelists from the Children’s Forum, the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe, and a Tallahassee child care provider discussed workforce shortages, low wages, provider turnover, the TEACH scholarship program, Help Me Grow, local coalition operations, and the need for more providers and more consistent regulation. During questions, members asked about wait lists, special needs services, teacher retention, provider onboarding, and DCF regulation. The panel said Miami-Dade’s wait list was about 4,000 children and described priority categories for service; they also said children with disabilities are screened and referred for support, though not given a separate priority category. Panelists reported that TEACH has helped reduce turnover through education support and service commitments, but said wages and career pathways remain major issues. Members also pressed for clearer, more consistent licensing standards and more support for new providers entering the field. No formal votes or committee actions were taken in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:11:44.800> education of the House me um higher education of the House me um higher education
• This is relating to an early learning apprenticeship grant program.
• <00:25:03.760> apprenticeship to An Early Learning apprenticeship to An Early Learning apprenticeship
• without access to the Department of Taxation data.
• state that are difficult to access state that are difficult to access without<00:34:40.040> access

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education met on January 31 and heard six bills. The chair opened by outlining committee practices, including giving at least 72 hours’ notice for hearings, releasing testimony by 5:00 p.m. the day before hearings, and deferring bills needing substantive HT1 changes so members would not vote “blind.” Members briefly thanked the chair for the transparency approach before moving to the agenda. HB 223 would create a Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy special fund and workforce assessment fee to support a pharmacy center. Testimony from the Board of Pharmacy, the Hawaii Pharmacists Association, the University of Hawaiʻi Hilo College of Pharmacy, Mokai Drugs, and others generally supported the measure, emphasizing workforce data, rural access, student loan repayment, and retention. The committee later advanced HB 223 with amendments, including leaving fee amounts blank for further discussion and inserting a defective date, and the motion passed unanimously. HB 940 would appropriate funds for the rat lungworm lab at UH Hilo; HB 546 would establish the Aloha Intelligence Institute at UH to advance AI; HB 549 would create an early learning apprenticeship grant program; HB 1172 would add the Department of Taxation to the Statewide Longitudinal Data System for wage-data sharing; and HB 1320 would require UH to collect and publicly report graduate outcome data and create a dashboard. Testimony on these bills was largely supportive, with some privacy concerns raised on HB 1172 and a request to protect taxpayer confidentiality. In decision-making, the committee passed all five bills with amendments, generally deleting or blanking appropriations and FTEs for Finance Committee review, adding defective dates for further discussion, and in HB 549 adding a statement that the program is a matter of statewide concern. The committee recessed briefly for decision-making and then adopted the chair’s recommendations on each bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:07:12.240> and cornerstone of opportunity, access, and cornerstone of opportunity, access
• :13.919> education excellence in public higher education excellence in public higher education
• <00:07:58.240> Education, England Commission of Higher Education, England Commission of Higher
• <00:10:47.279> Chancellor public higher education. Chancellor public higher education.
• presentation on public higher education. presentation on public higher education.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met to review the annual report on collaboration between the University System of New Hampshire and the Community College System of New Hampshire, and the meeting began with approval of the prior minutes and a gubernatorial proclamation recognizing the community college system’s 80th anniversary. Both chancellors praised the proclamation and described the report as a statutory follow-up to the public higher education task force. They said the two systems have built a close working relationship and that the collaboration is intended to continue, though progress may be limited by resources and staffing changes. Much of the discussion focused on transfer pathways and new academic models. The chancellors said House Bill 1530 helped drive the creation of more than 100, and possibly about 130, “universal pathways” between the systems, with a reported 30% increase in community college associate-degree graduates transferring to the university system in the last academic year. They also discussed direct-admit outreach for community college graduates, early college and CTE-to-workforce pathways, and the development of three-year bachelor’s programs at Plymouth State and in some health-care fields. Members asked about nursing, allied dental health, and radiologic technology, and the chancellors said they are exploring whether some programs can be streamlined, while noting that nursing’s requirements may limit how short a pathway can be. Members also raised concerns about whether transfer pathways could affect university enrollment, but the university chancellor said declining enrollment is more likely due to a smaller pool of college-age students and broader competition, not the transfer programs. Another topic was the ERP/technology platform recommendation from the task force: the university system is moving to Workday, while the community college system is working to align business practices and move from an on-premises system to a cloud-based solution. Officials said a shared enterprise system could create efficiencies in the future, but it is not expected in the short term; student-facing tools like Canvas are already shared. The committee also discussed House Bill 112, which would require passing a civics test for graduation, and the chancellors said they support civic education but see implementation challenges. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving the report.

Transcript Highlights:

• to higher education.
• The three public higher education segments are participating that. one of those, the three public higher
• Providing a higher state COLA can lead to higher salary pressure for districts and an expectation that
• We know that providing a higher state COLA can lead to higher salary pressure in the budget.
• We know that providing a higher state COLA can lead to higher salary pressures for districts and expectation

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• represented in higher education before.
• to higher education and that they know they have a university education. here.
• And so, of course, a lot of us are just higher education.
• First of all, we know that in the San Diego region, we have several higher institutions of learning that
• I've learned so much and met so many amazing people.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And like students across our state, Perpich students deserve to learn in facilities that are safe, accessible
• in facilities that are safe, learn in facilities that are safe, accessible,<00:08:36.000> and
• Investing in these smaller projects would provide students with access to state-of-the-art learning environments
• Investing in these smaller projects would provide students with access to state-of-the-art learning environments
• Investing in these smaller projects would provide students with access to state-of-the-art learning environments

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it was built a learning ecosystem for every stage of the learning journey.
• And so we really laid out a taxonomy for AI courses, the learning outcomes that you would learn and each
• learning and AI courses.
• They're learning the fundamentals of the eye and they learn how to apply their into their on field of
• They're coming back because they really need to learn and they want to learn the eye up there to pieces

Transcript Highlights:

• As legislative investments in higher education increase access to our colleges and universities, our
• to access and complete higher education.
• > to<00:51:35.799> our higher education increase access to our higher education increase
• Education to access and complete Higher Education to access and complete Higher Education Minnesota
• Mental Health Access help to create<00:57:55.720> active<00:57:56.200> learning<00:57:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• training and higher education.
• training and higher education.
• Welcome to the Higher Education Committee.
• education can access training and higher education can access training and higher education I
• savings thank you welcome to the higher savings thank you welcome to the higher education<00:04:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• All those kids can learn.
• That's the higher bar of readiness. Higher bar meaning, what does that mean the higher bar?
• Public charter school students often gain access to higher-rated schools, and our latest research puts
• to, students have access to, staff has access to.
• they had access to.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• our higher education obviously our higher education institutions institutions institutions uh<00:24:
• grants of up to $400,000 to higher grants of up to $400,000 to higher education<00:25:41.679>
• Uh, MDE has work-based learning. DLI has youth skills. Office of Higher Ed plays into this.
• Uh, MDE has work-based learning. DLI has youth skills. Office of Higher Ed plays into this.
• our higher in their institutes of higher our higher in their institutes of higher education<00:47

Bills: HF2440

Keywords: labor market, employment, economic development, funding, data analysis, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We have the highest level of accreditation possible through the Higher Learning Commission, and we have
• um became accredited by The Higher um became accredited by The Higher Learning<00:36:36.160>
• then I am a peer reviewer for the higher then I am a peer reviewer for the higher learning<00:36
• We're accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
• <00:42:34.640> Learning accredited by The Higher Learning accredited by The Higher Learning

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• You might learn some plays, you might learn some To learn football that way.
• You might learn some plays, you might learn some operations, but to learn football, you need to get out
• end, the reference to not just students, but learn. in higher ed.
• provide access to that.
• In that sense, the state board worked to look at what the Higher Learning Commission requirements are

Summary: The Higher Education Institutions Committee met at NDSU and heard an extensive presentation from President David Cook/President Stewart and NDSU leadership on the university’s priorities, including enrollment, student success, research growth, and use of New Horizons funding. Leaders emphasized NDSU’s land-grant mission, its role in workforce development, and its goal of becoming more distinctive through strategic planning, recruitment and retention, commercialization, and partnerships. They highlighted that NDSU awarded 2,370 degrees in 2025, produces a large share of the state’s engineering, nursing, and agriculture graduates, and reported strong outcomes for graduates staying and working in North Dakota. They also noted enrollment headwinds, competition from other institutions, and the need to manage tuition waivers more carefully through a scholarship optimization effort. Provost Sherry Vale outlined academic stewardship efforts, including review or consolidation of low-producing programs, strategic hiring tied to institutional priorities, faculty workload policy changes, and expanded online and regional offerings. She said the university is using New Horizons dollars to strengthen advising, student support, and programs in engineering, agriculture, and health. NDSU leaders also described new or expanded academic offerings such as robotics and automation, artificial intelligence, material science and engineering, nuclear engineering certificates, accelerated nursing, nurse practitioner certificates, a Master of Health Administration, and a clinical research master’s program with Sanford Health. They stressed that these investments are intended to improve student completion, meet workforce needs, and increase return on public investment. The committee also heard testimony from students and recent graduates who described the value of NDSU’s education, mentorship, internships, research opportunities, and support services. Alyssa Hodges spoke about pharmacy education, public health work, and campus support as a parent and student; Ethan Blessy described engineering coursework, internships with Marvin, and career preparation; and Aiden Freolic discussed neuroscience research, federally funded projects, and plans for graduate study. Their testimony was followed by presentations on partnerships with Gateway to Science for K-12 STEM outreach and with Sanford Research on biomedical research, clinical trials, obesity research, and a joint biostatistics hire. NDSU also highlighted systemwide shared services, Governor’s School programming, and research growth, including a reported 8% increase in research expenditures from $199 million to $215 million. No bill votes were taken; the meeting was informational and featured presentations, testimony, and discussion of future planning and partnerships.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're graduating students at a higher and higher rate.
• Thank you. of higher education.
• Reliance on tuition, an effort to make higher education more affordable and accessible to our students
• We increased access to higher education, with a student population that is 70% first generation and 47%
• And I know Higher Ed did that. We'll fix that at the Higher Ed Board.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, those same protections don't To the early learning population.
• ed, because this bill is mainly about the higher ed piece.
• environment for so many of our students who are trying to access higher education, change careers, or
• I learned at an early age that love and sex was transactional.
• I learned at an early age that love and sex was transactional.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Bills: SCR 22, SB 53, SB 204, SB 266, SB 268, SB 291, SB 292, SB 296, SB 304, SB 305, SB 413, SB 447, SB 455, SB 462, SB 493, SB 504, SB 519, SB 522, SB 532, SB 541, SB 667, SB 670, SB 673, SB 681, SB 687, SB 711, SB 746, SB 765, SB 783, SB 827, SB 850, SB 860, SB 888, SB 897, SB 901, SB 927, SB 955, SB 963, SB 984, SB 989, SB 993, SB 996, SB 1023, SB 1033, SB 1058, SB 1062, SB 1101, SB 1119, SB 1172, SB 1173, SB 1215, SB 1220, SB 1227, SB 1228, SB 1229, SB 1238, SB 1239, SB 1245, SB 1248, SB 1254, SB 1259, SB 1273, SB 1277, SB 1302, SB 1332, SB 1341, SB 1346, SB 1350, SB 1352, SB 1353, SB 1355, SB 1358, SB 1370, SB 1371, SB 1378, SB 1403, SB 1404, SB 1415, SB 1437, SB 1448, SB 1450, SB 1464, SB 1493, SB 1494, SB 1537, SB 1566, SB 1569, SB 1589, SB 1598, SB 1644, SB 1709, SB 1719, SB 1729, SB 1733, SB 1744, SB 1772, SB 1810, SB 1841, SB 1895, SB 1930, SB 2039, SB 2289, SB 2312, SCR 1, SCR 6, SCR 27, SCR 32, SB 2232

Keywords: mental health, court proceedings, notice requirements, legal filings, electronic documents, parental rights, education, school trustees, training, handbook, tax collection, managed audits, taxpayer rights, dispute resolution, penalty, health care, licensing, complaint procedure, disciplinary action, law enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• Service learning is in our DNA from the first day we opened our door.
• Service learning also provides research projects for our students.
• It allows increased access to tools.
• It allows increased access to tools.
• Being able to apply those things that you learn in the classroom...

Summary: The Committee on Education Postsecondary held an informational hearing focused on how Florida’s public colleges and universities are aligning bachelor’s degree programs with workforce needs and improving student outcomes. Chancellor Kathy Hebda described Florida College System enrollment growth, the state college system’s workforce-oriented bachelor’s degrees, approval and accountability processes for those programs, and outcomes data showing strong completion and wage results, especially in health care. Emily Sykes of the Board of Governors outlined the State University System’s program review practices, performance-based funding metrics, strategic emphasis programs, and the MyFloridaFuture tool that lets students compare earnings, debt, and employment outcomes by major and institution. University and college leaders then described campus-level workforce initiatives. Florida Gulf Coast University highlighted employer-driven microcredentials, digital badges, internships, career fairs, service learning, and partnerships with regional employers. UCF discussed its career navigator requirements, major industry partnerships such as Lockheed Martin, nursing and faculty career-integration efforts, and a centralized career development center. Northwest Florida State College and the University of West Florida emphasized their bachelor’s programs, transfer pathways, teacher and nursing outcomes, military and defense-related workforce pipelines, cybersecurity training, and stackable credentials tied to regional labor needs. During member questions, senators asked how microcredentials and military experience translate into college credit, whether credentials transfer across institutions, and what legislators can do to help. Witnesses said the state’s common course and articulation systems already support transfer, and they encouraged continued legislative support for innovation, faster curriculum alignment, internships, and specialized transfer degrees. No bills were voted on, and the meeting ended with no public comment and an adjournment motion adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:11:56.000> a numbers they're really accessing a numbers they're really accessing a little
• <00:11:59.040> by being pretty much equally accessed by being pretty much equally accessed
• Work-based learning has developed an apprentice-type program that combines work-based learning across
• Work-based learning has developed an apprentice-type program that combines work-based learning across
• <00:51:36.599> learning number used by our higher learning number used by our higher learning

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Minnesota State Colleges and Universities presented an overview of the system and several budget riders. Board Chair George Soul described the system’s structure, noting 26 colleges and seven universities governed by a 15-member board, and emphasized that Minnesota State serves about 270,000 students annually, including many students of color, adult learners, Pell-eligible students, first-generation students, and veterans. He highlighted the system’s workforce role, saying it offers more than 4,000 programs, extensive employer partnerships, and that 86% of graduates find jobs in their field or a related field. He then turned the presentation over to system staff to discuss specific funding requests. Associate Vice Chancellor Kim Lynch focused on the Z-degree textbook program, which supports zero-textbook-cost courses and degrees. She said prior legislative support has produced about $3.1 million in savings in academic year 2024 and more than $12.6 million in aggregate savings, with 10 colleges now offering Z degrees and 12 more on track or exploring implementation. She described the program’s use of open educational resources, instructional design support, and library resources to fill gaps where free materials are not available, and said students save roughly $7 to $10 for every $1 invested. Members praised the program and asked about its expansion. Associate Vice Chancellor Paul Shepard discussed student support funding, including a centralized basic needs resource hub, the Mantra Health mental health platform, and the emergency grant program. He said student surveys showed significant food, housing, and homelessness insecurity, and that the basic needs hub has served over 2,400 students with a 97% positive response rate. He said Mantra provides telecounseling, peer support, self-paced courses, and crisis support, and clarified in response to questions that it is not AI-driven and does not sell student data; general usage data is collected, and follow-up with campus counselors occurs only at the student’s request. He also said the emergency grant program has distributed over $3 million to more than 4,800 students, with grants averaging just under $700, and that campuses use application review and recordkeeping to manage repeat requests. Members asked about counselor staffing, data privacy, and grant safeguards. The final item addressed sexual assault reporting and prevention funding. System staff said the appropriation supports technology infrastructure for statutory reporting, case management for investigations, campus prevention training, and professional development for Title IX coordinators and related staff. They noted that the statutory student training requirement is funded by individual colleges and universities, not by this appropriation. No formal votes were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• learning challenges.
• Learning opportunities for students statewide professional learning opportunities for educators and for
• We needed small group learning and one-on-one group learning spaces. We needed flexible classrooms.
• professional learning opportunities.
• that can be accessed.