Video & Transcript Research : 'Century Code'

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NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate Chamber Feb 14th, 2026 at 12:23 pm

New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • If they violate health code, they can be shut down. Absolutely, Mr. President.
  • President, the motor vehicle personal information bill updates the motor vehicle code definition of personal
  • I move that Senate Bill 111, Motor Vehicle Code Personal Information, do now pass, and I ask unanimous
  • And even those drivers, Madam President, from last century.
  • If we are teaching our younger generation about it, those that were born this century, it's troublesome
Keywords: 996, all
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, June 10, 2026)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • ,<01:03:44.400> most<01:03:44.720> recently<01:03:45.119> as quarter century
  • , most recently as quarter century, most recently as assistant<01:03:46.000> chief<01:03:46.400
  • A bill to amend title 31 United<03:05:39.120> States<03:05:39.359> Code<03:05:39.600>
  • > to<03:05:39.840> authorize<03:05:40.399> pausing United States Code to authorize
  • pausing United States Code to authorize pausing and<03:05:41.279> segmenting<03:05:42.080>
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

89th Legislative Session Jun 2nd, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I've known Dave for at least a quarter century, and I can tell you, you've never seen a more determined
  • People of every background, occupation, and zip code knew that they could count on this person because
  • This man has worked in almost every counterterrorism operation in the modern century.
  • It's my understanding that judicial pay and legislative pensions have been linked for over half a century
  • , and it makes sense why I. ...been linked for over half a century, and it makes sense why.
Summary: The House met on sine die and began with prayer, pledges, quorum verification, and a series of announcements and recognitions. The chamber received Senate messages reporting adoption of conference committee reports on SB 268 and SB 2972, and Senate concurrence in House amendments to SB 1637. Members also referred several resolutions and announced the signing of numerous House and Senate measures by the presence of the House. Technical correction resolutions were adopted: HCR 171, authorizing corrections to HB 46, passed 138-0, and SCR 55, making a wording correction in SB 1964, passed 126-12. A large portion of the meeting was devoted to memorials and recognitions. The House honored Pastor Dave Welch, with several members offering condolences and reflections on his work organizing pastors and engaging in civic life, followed by a moment of silence. Members also recognized the Ganado High School Maidens for winning the 2025 UIL 2A Division I softball state championship, Waco police K-9 Andor after being shot in the line of duty, Region 7 DPS for Capitol Complex security, and various restaurants, staff members, interns, caucus staff, and caucus freshmen of the year across Republican, Democratic, Black, Progressive, LGBTQ, IT, Energy and Climate, and Mexican American Legislative Caucuses. The chamber also heard a retirement-style address from Rep. Tony Tinderholt, who reflected on his six sessions in the House, his military service, and his decision to step aside to focus on family, while colleagues from both parties praised his service, discipline, and willingness to work across differences. The House then continued with additional staff and caucus recognitions, including committee staff, district office staff, and interns, with members repeatedly thanking their teams for their work during the session.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • Uh, on Section 4, um, we are also highly supportive of efforts to make our corporate tax code more transparent
  • Corporations contributed as much as 40% of federal revenues in the middle of the 20th century compared
  • ><00:37:25.280> 20th revenues in the middle of the 20th revenues in the middle of the 20th century
  • century compared to less than 6% today. century compared to less than 6% today.
Keywords: 1183, house
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

Education Pre-K - 12 Mar 11th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • Let's take up Amendment bar code 4, 0, 1, 8, 5, 0, by Senator Burton.
  • Century, are there any questions on the bill? So we are where you're recognized. >> Thank you, Mr.
  • We will take up Amendment bar code 2, 2, 1, 3, 5, 0, by Senator Simon, Senator Senator. >> Thank you.
  • Let's take up bar code 4, 5, 1, 9, 1, for Senator.
Keywords: 999, senate, all
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

89th Legislative Session Feb 26th, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Southwest Movers Association has been serving household goods moving industry in Texas for more than a century
  • It's chapter 161.001B10 of the Family code.
  • But the thing is, There's another provision right next to it in the code that allows termination of rights
  • And we need to make sure that our family code is not stacking the deck against the parents before the
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • Americans strongly feel that the tax code is built in favor of the wealthy.
  • TCJA addressed some of the more egregious problems that existed in the tax code until 2017.
  • Simplify the tax code to remove the financial burden that creates a competitive disadvantage.
  • But I believe a tax code that benefits our small businesses is a tax code that pays also for the essential
  • You also testified to the need to close a series of loopholes. in our tax code.
Summary: In this joint hearing of the House Committee on Small Business and the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, the primary focus was on the importance of making the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) permanent. The chair emphasized that small businesses are crucial for the nation's economic recovery, especially in the wake of current federal policies perceived as detrimental. Witnesses shared their experiences and highlighted how the tax cuts facilitated job creation and business expansion, stressing the need for continued support through ongoing tax relief measures. The meeting included discussions about the economic implications of the TCJA's potential expiration, with members voicing their concerns regarding how this could impact small businesses and the broader economy.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

February 20, 2025 - 09:00 AM

Transcript Highlights:
  • We code and configure. And then we test, accept, and release.
  • We code and configure. And then we test, accept, and release.
  • You have access to the original code and structure of the data.
  • We're still, that code is written in COBOL, correctly.
  • My job is to enforce the election code.
Summary: The subcommittee first heard a panel on state cloud modernization efforts after canceling an LBR on the Department of Corrections’ OBIS project because the presentation materials were not submitted on time. Florida Digital Service, the Northwest Regional Data Center, and several agencies described how the state is assessing and migrating applications to cloud environments under the cloud-first policy. Northwest explained its 2023 cloud readiness assessment of 890 applications from 24 agencies, the criteria used to rate readiness and risk, and its recommendation to tackle lower-risk applications first. Agency updates covered the Department of Corrections’ modernization of 98 legacy applications tied to OBIS and cloud-native infrastructure, the Department of Elder Affairs’ Microsoft Power Platform modernization, the Department of Health’s health management and child protection systems, and FDOT’s large cloud program for transportation systems. Members repeatedly asked about costs, data ownership, disaster recovery, single sign-on, security tools, and whether cloud migration actually saves money; presenters generally said the focus is more on modernization, resilience, and efficiency than immediate savings, and that cost analyses are often application-specific rather than enterprise-wide. The discussion also covered governance and architecture questions. Florida Digital Service said agencies remain responsible for their own databases and cloud tenants, while FLDS provides advice and an enterprise architecture framework; it does not have statutory oversight over most projects, except for OBIS project oversight due to its size. Northwest said it is acting as a cloud broker for some agencies and is consolidating Azure and AWS payer tenants to seek better pricing, but agencies still make system-by-system decisions based on business needs, risk, latency, and total cost of ownership. Members raised concerns about fragmented data structures, the lack of a complete statewide application inventory, and the need for better interoperability and enterprise standards. Several agencies said disaster recovery is built into their cloud plans, and FDOT and Corrections described ongoing efforts to keep systems current through core platforms, training, and ongoing support. In the second half of the meeting, the Department of State presented two new technology requests. Secretary Byrd described the SunBiz corporate registry system as a 34-year-old platform supporting more than 3.5 million business entities and generating over $575 million in annual general revenue. He said the department had already virtualized the legacy hardware after earlier modernization efforts failed and is now seeking $800,000 recurring for password protection and $5 million nonrecurring to continue procurement for a replacement system. The department also presented the Florida Voter Registration System modernization request, noting that the current system is outdated and requires manual workarounds for some statutory changes. The department requested $2.4948 million nonrecurring and $44,000 recurring to procure a modernized FVRS solution, and staff said the feasibility study recommended a hybrid approach. Members asked about the study’s findings and about creating a database for voter eligibility information for returning citizens; the department said that would require data sharing with all 67 clerks of court and other entities such as DOC.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, April 9, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • economic opportunity and a fair tax code economic opportunity and a fair tax code that<05:03:19.440
  • Small businesses that rely on consistency in our tax code. We cannot fail them.
  • <05:10:22.080> We<05:10:22.320> cannot consistency in our tax code.
  • We cannot consistency in our tax code. We cannot fail<05:10:23.160> them.
  • The code got more progressive.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Fish and Game uses science and data to manage this industry and continually updates the code to ensure
  • So that is why CDFW and the current Fish and Game Code limits the number of dogs in a depredation permit
  • If the bear is still in the house, we're going to be responding code three.
  • listed under the California Endangered Species Act and are more likely to go extinct in the next century
  • Coupled with short-sighted federal policies, more species are likely to be... ...extinct in the next century
Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of water, parks, transportation, species protection, and fisheries bills. AB 430 would require the State Water Resources Control Board to publish an economic and environmental impact study when emergency water regulations are extended over multiple years; the author and supporters from agricultural and water groups said it would add transparency without limiting emergency authority. AB 1139 would expand a CEQA exemption to let county park agencies open existing roads and trails for non-motorized recreation, with supporters emphasizing access to nature and opponents warning about impacts to sensitive habitat, tribal resources, and fire risk. AB 929 would temporarily exempt small community water systems and managed wetlands from certain SGMA pumping reductions and fines; supporters said it would protect vulnerable communities and wetlands, while farm and water coalition opponents argued it would undermine basin-wide groundwater management and shift burdens to other users. AB 1225, creating an Accessibility Advisory Committee for State Parks, drew broad support and passed unanimously. The committee also heard AB 514, which would encourage local water suppliers to develop emergency water supplies for drought and service interruptions; it passed with broad support, though one member cautioned against using scientific research as a loophole. AB 550 would let developers seek incidental take permits for species under consideration for listing, aimed at reducing delays for clean energy projects; environmental groups supported the goal but asked for clearer standards, limits on using research as mitigation, and a fee provision, and the bill passed as amended. AB 697 would authorize an incidental take permit for the State Route 37 interim project in Solano and Marin counties, balancing congestion relief and habitat restoration; supporters stressed long commutes and urgent restoration deadlines, while opponents raised climate, sea-level-rise, and tribal concerns. The bill passed, with some members noting they would continue to work on the measure. Other measures discussed included AB 975, which would give Sutter County a narrow, temporary exemption from streambed alteration agreements for certain damaged small bridges and culverts; county officials described repeated flood damage and long permitting delays, and the bill passed as amended. AB 1056 would phase out transferability of set gillnet permits after 2027, allowing only a final family transfer; supporters framed it as a gradual response to bycatch concerns, while fishing industry opponents said it would unfairly target an existing fishery and set a bad precedent. The committee also took up AB 1146, described by the author as a response to politically motivated water releases; supporters from conservation and water organizations backed the bill. Several bills were voted out to Appropriations, some were left open for later action or add-ons, and the committee repeatedly noted it was working through the agenda without a quorum early in the hearing.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Working Group on Omnibus Taxes Bill - Part 1 - 05/22/25

Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • language that we were looking at would have carried something to, well, anyway, up into the next century
  • /c><00:13:55.600> into<00:13:55.920> the<00:13:56.079> next<00:13:56.240> century
  • 20 well anyway up into the next century. 20 well anyway up into the next century.
  • We had the lowest income in Minnesota farms in the entire 21st century this year.
  • doesn't matter whether or your zip code doesn't matter whether or not<01:16:20.880> you<01:16
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

March 19, 2025 - 01:00 PM

Transcript Highlights:
  • What do they need to do to stay up to date on the fire protection code?
  • Municipalities have their own enhancements to the Florida Fire Code.
  • What do they need to do to stay up to date on the fire protection code?
  • Municipalities have their own enhancements to the Florida Fire Code.
  • I have to wait until... ...Here's the code it's going. Here's what my chair is doing.
Summary: The subcommittee met with a quorum and took up a series of bills, beginning with PCS for HB 743 on social media use by minors. The sponsor said the bill would extend last session’s restrictions by requiring parental access to messages for minors ages 15 and 16 and allowing law enforcement access with a warrant or parental request. Members raised concerns about abuse situations and private communications, but the sponsor said the bill was aimed at protecting children from grooming and trafficking. The PCS was supported in public testimony and passed 15-0. Members then approved HB 1161, which would let victims of altered sexual depictions or deepfakes demand removal of the content and pursue civil remedies if it is not taken down; an amendment clarified a definition tied to federal law, and the bill passed 14-0. The committee also passed local bills for Duval County (HB 4053) and Oviedo/Seminole County (HB 4031) creating special alcohol licensing exception areas, and HB 717, which increases penalties for unlawful demolition of historic buildings and structures on the National Register of Historic Places, with supporters from historic preservation and local government groups. The committee next approved HB 1035 on building permits for single-family dwellings, as amended, to extend permit validity around building code updates, speed approvals after emergencies, and create faster review timelines for smaller projects; members questioned possible loopholes and storm-related applications, while the home builders association supported the measure. It also passed PCS for HB 1219 on employment agreements, creating a framework for covered non-compete and garden leave agreements for higher-wage employees or those with access to confidential information; several members objected to its impact on workers and the marketplace, and the vote was 11-5. Additional favorable votes were taken on HB 799 regarding condominium alcohol licenses, HB 869 expanding underground utility contractors’ scope to include certain fire line work after a contested amendment and testimony from both utility and fire sprinkler groups, HB 1071 on alternative plan reviews and inspections, PCS for HB 981 on athlete representation and NIL compensation, and PCS for HB 801 on HVAC/mechanical contractors repairing and replacing certain pool heaters, both of which drew mixed testimony and debate over scope and safety. The final item introduced was HB 311 on repair of motorized wheelchairs, which the sponsor said would improve access to parts, tools, and independent repair options for users.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee 4/8/26

Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Please explain your amendment code A1.
  • Representative Duran, I see you have an amendment coded A1.
  • <01:48:40.719> Um billion by the end of this century.
  • Um billion by the end of this century.
  • I see you have an amendment coded A1. Please describe your amendment. Thank you, Mr.
CO

Colorado 2026 Regular Session

Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 056 Mar 11th, 2026

Colorado House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • ,<01:34:49.640> and bringing us into the 21st century, and bringing us into the 21st century
  • code is focused on addressing real harm. code is focused on addressing real harm.
  • I heard that in committee last night when it came to tax code. Antiquated. It's not the word.
  • I heard that in committee last night when it came to tax code. Antiquated. It's not the word.
  • I heard that in committee last night when it came to tax code. Antiquated. It's not the word.
Keywords: 981, all
Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal from March 9, 2026, and made several announcements about committee meetings and visiting student groups. Members also moved out of order to consider Senate Joint Resolution 11, which designates a portion of U.S. Highway 34 in memory of Sergeant John Jack Thurman. Supportive remarks highlighted Thurman’s Marine Corps service at Iwo Jima and his later work in Colorado. The resolution passed unanimously, 61-0, with four excused. The chamber then took up third-reading bills. House Bill 1213, continuing the Biomass Utilization Grant Program, and House Bill 1185, continuing the Cold Case Task Force and updating its sunset review, both passed 61-0. Senate Bill 7, allowing terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana in health facilities, drew supportive remarks about patient choice and district support and passed 49-12 with four excused. House Bill 1137, concerning requirements for campaign consultants, prompted extended debate. Supporters argued it would address conflicts of interest and protect candidates from unethical consulting practices, while opponents said the issue should be handled by contract rather than law and warned against further regulation. The bill failed on third reading, 26-35, with four excused. The House then moved to Senate Bill 1 on housing policy; the transcript cuts off during debate, with concerns raised about housing shortages, vacancies, and the risk of a housing bubble.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • Because we are over a century old, that comes with aging infrastructure and aging facilities.
  • <01:03:20.480> year Um because we are over a century year Um because we are over a century
  • Meg and her team have heat maps on all of our buildings with color codings on how we're doing.
  • Meg and her team have heat maps on all of our buildings with color codings on how we're doing.
  • Meg and her team have heat maps on all of our buildings with color codings on how we're doing.
Summary: The meeting opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a roll call establishing a quorum. The committee then approved the prior meeting’s minutes. Members were reminded to silence cell phones, and the chair noted an informational item on capital plan amendments made by state agencies during the latest revision period before moving to university capital plan presentations. Eastern Kentucky University President David McFaden outlined EKU’s enrollment growth, strong Kentucky student retention, and signature programs in nursing, occupational therapy, criminal justice, education, manufacturing engineering, and aviation. EKU’s main capital priorities were a new health innovation project to support a proposed osteopathic medical program, including a $50 million escrow requirement until accreditation; a collaborative center for health innovation to address outdated health sciences facilities; a $5 million startup request for an air traffic control program; aircraft upgrades for the aviation fleet; and continued asset preservation funding. In response to questions, EKU said roughly 40% of the new health facility would be dedicated to the medical school, with shared simulation space for multiple health programs, and that aviation maintenance needs are currently being met through KCTCS partners but could be expanded if demand grows. KCTCS representatives then described the system’s scale and capital needs, noting service to 107,000 students, extensive dual credit and workforce training, and a network of 342 buildings across 70 campuses. They said prior legislative support, including $277 million in asset preservation and $90 million released for approved projects, had helped with safety, roofs, energy efficiency, and campus security. Their current priorities include about $30 million for systemwide safety and security upgrades, renovations tied to consolidation and footprint reduction under Senate Joint Resolution 179, and broader asset preservation needs estimated at roughly $300 million to $325 million. Members discussed the need to preserve and expand skilled trades training, and KCTCS said its plan includes construction trades and flexible, multiuse facilities that can adapt to changing workforce needs. No votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes, and the presentations concluded with questions and discussion only.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, February 11, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • be in order to consider in the House the bill H.R. 77 to amend chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code
  • Did they tamper with the code?
  • <04:21:58.800> did<04:21:59.040> they<04:21:59.479> manipulate with the code
  • We're in for a long slow rest of the century, and that's worth thinking about because the debt starts
  • and that's worth thinking about century and that's worth thinking about because<06:00:06.120> the
MD

Maryland 2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session, 3/20/2026 #1

Maryland House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • House Bill 732, Baltimore County Code of Public Local Laws, 2025 Edition, legalization, favorable.
  • transparency requirements by allowing manufacturers to share testing results online and through QR codes
  • <00:39:41.080> on<00:39:41.200> a<00:39:41.280> delayed online and through QR codes
  • on a delayed online and through QR codes on a delayed timeline.
  • , the last century, the last century, once<01:10:03.600> that<01:10:03.960> is<01:10
Summary: The House met with 125 members present and began with the pledge, prayer, and opening formalities. Two House resolutions were presented and adopted by voice vote: one honoring the pioneering women of the Maryland State Police and State Fire Marshal’s Office during Women’s History Month, and another recognizing the University of Maryland School of Medicine Center for Infant and Childhood Loss on its 50th anniversary. Both resolutions highlighted the honorees’ service and contributions, and the clerk read each resolution into the record. The chamber then received Senate bills introduced in the House, including Senate Bill 6 and Senate Bill 551, which were read the first time and referred to committee without objection. The House also took up multiple committee reports, largely adopting favorable reports and ordering bills printed for third reading. Measures advanced included bills on residential real estate contract contingencies, Maryland data privacy, local alcoholic beverages licenses and fees in several counties, county salary study commission membership, sheriff and municipal enforcement matters, estates, health occupations background checks, school book fair tax exemptions, school board compensation and voting, and a Calvert County medical center bill. Several bills were amended before advancing. House Bill 443 on Prince George’s County small event center alcohol licensing received a capacity-related amendment; House Bill 348 on Baltimore City alcohol license extension received a technical amendment and a change expanding coverage to transfers of ownership before July 1, 2029; House Bill 682 changed a license classification from Class C to Class GC; House Bill 405 on EV recharging equipment in condo/HOA documents was amended to clarify budget treatment; and House Bill 895 on dynamic pricing and predatory pricing received amendments clarifying definitions, disclosures, and enforcement. After extended discussion of HB 895, including questions about whether it bans dynamic pricing for food, how it treats discounts and loyalty programs, and whether supply-and-demand pricing changes are affected, the House agreed to special order the bill until later in the day.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Jun 25th, 2026

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • It requires standardized itemization of all lien-based medical bills so that you have the same codes
  • for the same treatment, i.e., like a chiropractor will be X code or Y code.
  • I can, require standardized itemization of all lien-based medical bills so that you have the same codes
  • for the same treatment, i.e. like a chiropractor, will be X code or Y code.
  • As we approach a quarter century since that tragic day, it is especially important that we preserve opportunities
Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then handled a series of procedural motions to re-refer bills, suspend rules, and remove items from the consent calendar. The chamber also heard guest introductions recognizing family milestones, a youth leadership program from Assembly District 13, a delegation of Japanese business leaders, and a Michoacan delegation. Later, members adopted several resolutions and consent items, including California Craft Beer Week, the Freedom Flag as a 9/11 remembrance symbol, Probation Services Week, and California Wildfire Week, along with other consent-calendar measures. The main floor debate centered on SB 417, a $10 billion housing bond for the ballot, with supporters emphasizing the state’s housing shortage, homelessness crisis, and funding for multifamily housing, supportive housing, homeownership, farmworker housing, student housing, tribal housing, infrastructure, and preservation of existing affordable units. Opponents criticized the proposal as adding debt without enough reform and objected to the use of veterans in the measure’s messaging. The Assembly passed SB 417 on urgency and on the measure, 54-7, and sent it to the Senate. Members then adopted ACA 20, which would expand and modernize the state Rainy Day Fund by increasing its cap and changing deposit rules; it passed 54-8 and was transmitted to the Senate. The Assembly also approved SB 623, a transportation-related bill addressing rideshare safety and medical lien practices. Supporters said it would curb abusive billing, restrict attorney conflicts and kickbacks, require stronger background checks for TNC drivers, and allow women riders and drivers to request women-only matches. The measure passed unanimously, 67-0. Later, the House adopted ACA 21, which removes ACA 13 from the November ballot, by 62-0, and ACA 22, which amends a ballot measure affecting taxation and local fiscal resources, by 64-0. The session concluded with an adjournment in memory of Dr. Dorothy Viola Calvin, followed by announcements, recesses, and final adjournment until the next scheduled floor session.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Appropriations Committee Aug 20th, 2025

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • related to lithium, widely recognized as the most comprehensive, would be taken into the building code
  • There is a flexibility to ensure that restaurants do their menu with a QR code.
  • The flexibility in the model food code for ways to communicate with guests are exactly as the senator
  • QR codes. That flexibility is allowed in this bill for restaurants with five or fewer locations.
  • Specifically this bill addresses a discrepancy between state elections code with Proposition 218 and
Keywords: 988, house, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Education K-16 (Part I) May 15th, 2025

Education K-16

Transcript Highlights:
  • constitution requires that we provide an equitable education for all students, regardless of the ZIP code
  • It's been half a century of discussion, Senator Menendez, and you've been a leader on that, always trying
  • Every student, regardless of zip code, deserves access to high-quality instruction, and this investment
  • Every student, regardless of zip code, deserves access to high quality instruction.
  • all, thank you very much for your testimony, and you're right: every child, regardless of their zip code
Bills: HB2
Summary: The Senate Education K-16 Committee met to consider HB 2, the major school finance bill, with the chair explaining that the committee substitute would provide about $8 billion in new public education funding. The bill was described as including permanent teacher compensation increases, expanded teacher incentive allotment funding, support for early literacy and numeracy, teacher certification and residency pathways, special education funding, career and technical education, school safety dollars, and facilities support for charter schools. The committee adopted the committee substitute without objection after roll was called and a quorum was present. Members questioned the bill’s structure, especially the balance between across-the-board teacher pay and the teacher incentive allotment, the treatment of uncertified teachers, and differences in requirements between traditional public schools and charter schools. Senator Menendez and Senator West raised concerns about equity, charter-school parity, facilities funding, inflation, and whether the bill should include more support for fine arts and extracurricular programs. The chair responded that the bill was designed to direct most new money to traditional public schools while also preserving flexibility and that charter-school and public-school alignment would need further work. Invited witnesses Dr. Imelda De La Rosa and Val Acri testified in support of the bill, emphasizing that the Teacher Incentive Allotment helps recruit and retain teachers in rural districts and supports mentorship and certification pathways. Public witnesses also supported the bill but urged more funding for fine arts, local flexibility, and full restoration of House-proposed funding levels. Dr. Josh Jones supported year-long teacher residencies, Dr. Philip Morgan asked for more local control and restoration of fine arts funding, Rich Saina supported the bill but warned about hold-harmless reductions, and Dr. Greg Poole supported the bill while asking for flexibility for high-performing districts that already pay high salaries. After the invited testimony and some public testimony, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair so members could attend the Senate floor.