Transcript Highlights:

• establish and maintain both general qualifications for personnel and specific qualifications for paraprofessionals
• The specific qualifications provide that paraprofessionals, or educational assistance or instructional
• This federal specific qualification for paraprofessionals requires ODE to establish training and supervision
• This federal specific qualification for paraprofessionals requires ODE to establish training and supervision

Keywords: 907, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As paraprofessionals, there are a multitude of duties and positions we may be asked to fill.
• Retaining well-trained paraprofessionals is essential to having schools that work for our children.
• As paraprofessionals, there are a multitude of duties and positions we may be asked to fill.
• Retaining well-trained paraprofessionals is essential to having schools that work for our children.
• Retaining well-trained paraprofessionals is essential to having schools that work for our children.

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:

• We are allowing paraprofessional support specialists at MDE.
• We um are allowing<00:51:07.400> paraprofessional<00:51:08.400> support allowing paraprofessional
• support allowing paraprofessional support specialists<00:51:09.440> at<00:51:09.600> MDE.
• Line 21 displays the additional costs for one FTE at the Department of Education to support paraprofessional
• <00:56:15.720> uh uh to support paraprofessional uh uh to support paraprofessional uh requirements

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As Zara mentioned, a lot of this has stemmed from the lack of paraprofessionals and proper support in
• We are an active union with over 1,200 members of teachers, administrative assistants, and paraprofessionals
• He has a wonderful teacher, a paraprofessional, a learning specialist, as well as a speech pathologist
• Talk to any teacher or paraprofessional, and you'll hear countless stories of students whose dysregulation
• So, depending on what discipline you're in, you may need certain credentials.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Ways and Means Committee held its final public hearing on the FY26 state budget, with chairs and members emphasizing that public testimony would help shape the budget and asking speakers to keep remarks brief. Committee leaders introduced members, explained the hearing process, and repeatedly thanked residents, students, and advocates for participating. No votes were taken during the hearing. Testimony focused heavily on education funding and the Chapter 70 formula. Students from Amherst, Northampton, Gateway Regional, Chester Elementary, and other districts described budget-driven cuts to electives, special education supports, paraprofessionals, counselors, transportation, and building maintenance. They urged higher Chapter 70 aid, increased minimum aid, rural school aid, and a reopening or restructuring of the funding formula, arguing that current formulas leave many districts unable to meet student needs and force local layoffs and overrides. Other speakers urged funding or protection for a range of programs and facilities, including the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute for homicide survivor services, the Museum of African American History, the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and CART/interpreter services, the Access to Counsel housing legal aid program, the Department of Mental Health and Pocasset Mental Health Center, and Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children. One speaker opposed offshore wind-related spending and urged a reset of the state’s energy approach, while another advocated ending the aircraft sales tax exemption. Committee members responded sympathetically to many speakers, asked a few follow-up questions, and several expressed support for maintaining or expanding the programs discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• bills, H. 686 and S. 321, that focus specifically on helping more students earn industry-recognized credentials
• year, my district cut $2.1 million from our budget, including 23 teachers, one nurse, and 18 paraprofessionals

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused primarily on H. 517/S. 314, a bill to provide a sustainable future for rural schools, and H. 697, a bill to require full funding of regional school transportation. Witnesses from rural districts, school committees, superintendents, students, and local officials described chronic underfunding, declining enrollment, high fixed costs, special education and transportation burdens, and the loss of programs, staff, and extracurriculars. Several speakers argued that rural aid should be funded at $60 million annually and made non-discretionary, while others emphasized that transportation reimbursement for regional districts has repeatedly fallen short of the state’s promise and is driving budget crises and overrides. A number of students testified in support of rural aid, describing cuts to classes, counselors, and activities, and the impact on their schools and communities. Committee members also discussed whether transportation policy should be revisited to address underlying cost drivers, including bus bidding practices and whether regional districts should have more flexibility in transportation requirements. The committee also heard H. 515, concerning Hancock Elementary School and a school choice-related exemption from a state requirement that has created a large financial burden for the district. Hancock’s superintendent and Rep. John Barrett explained that a decades-old regulation, recently enforced by DESE, would require Hancock to pay tuition for choice-in students through high school graduation even though the district only serves pre-K through grade 6 and sends its own students elsewhere for middle and high school. They said the rule creates a significant per-student shortfall and has forced Hancock to opt out of school choice. Committee members asked for clarification about how the arrangement works and how the costs fall on Hancock. Additional testimony supported related transportation bills for non-regional districts, especially Plymouth/Carver and North Middlesex, describing high and rising bus costs, special education and McKinney-Vento transportation expenses, and the strain on local budgets. Speakers repeatedly said that state reimbursement has not matched actual costs and that communities are being forced to choose between transportation and classroom services. No votes or final actions were taken in the hearing; the committee simply received testimony and closed the hearing on the bills discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I would suggest that the other thing we need to be thinking about is how we train paraprofessionals
• So, I do think this paraprofessional category actually has been a topic the last several years.
• But this limited scope paraprofessional idea for things that are, you know, sort of standard and almost
• cookie-cutter practice, we can and should be developing paraprofessionals who do that.
• who do that, and when they take on those responsibilities for, Developing paraprofessionals who do that

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We, as you, as those of you know, the triple L program was a licensed paraprofessional program that the
• Since that time, other states have adopted licensed paraprofessional programs.
• Since that time, other states have adopted licensed paraprofessional programs.
• dialogue with the court around whether something should change in our state's approach to licensing paraprofessionals

Summary: The work session began with a discussion of expanding opportunities in the legal profession, especially in response to shortages of lawyers in rural Washington and in public service roles. Washington State Bar Executive Director Tara Nevitt described a slowly growing but aging attorney population, noted that younger attorneys have declined, and outlined efforts such as supervised practice pathways to bar admission, reduced admission-by-motion experience requirements, expanded law clerk capacity, rural job fairs and grants, and a pilot program allowing innovative legal service delivery models. Members asked about bar passage score changes, loan repayment assistance, and the former Limited License Legal Technician program; Nevitt said the bar is monitoring other states and remains in dialogue with the court about paraprofessional licensing. Law school representatives from UW, Seattle University, and Gonzaga emphasized public service pipelines, financial barriers, and rural legal deserts, citing LRAPs, scholarships, stipends, clinics, and hybrid or regional programs designed to recruit and retain students in Washington. Seattle U highlighted its FlexJD and hybrid hub partnerships in underserved areas, while Gonzaga and UW reported substantial shares of graduates entering public service, though most still cluster in urban regions. The committee also heard from the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys and the Office of Public Defense, both of which described severe recruitment and retention problems in rural counties, with vacancies, low applicant pools, and the need for higher salaries, housing help, internships, and loan support. The Office of Public Defense said its internship and fellowship program, created by SB 5780, has already placed interns in rural counties and produced some commitments to return after graduation. The Washington State Bar’s law clerk program was also presented as a pathway that helps people train locally and remain in their communities, including by supporting succession for aging solo practitioners. The committee then shifted to family law and guardianship issues. On Title 26 guardian ad litem practice, presenters from Northwest Justice Project and private family law practice said GALs can play an important role but that training, oversight, and consistency remain major concerns, especially in domestic violence cases. They described problems such as inadequate training, bias, inconsistent recommendations, high fees, and lack of accountability, and suggested stronger, standardized training, more use of mental health professionals for custody evaluations, and better oversight mechanisms. Members asked about county practices, including rotation systems for GAL appointments and whether King County’s family court assessors provide a useful model. The discussion then moved to minor guardianships under the Uniform Guardianship Act. A Superior Court judge said the 2021 changes increased the need for court visitors and appointed counsel, but courts are struggling to find qualified attorneys and visitors, especially in rural areas. A former commissioner said most of the bill under discussion was technical cleanup to align prior amendments, though it would add some fiscal burdens. Administrative Office of the Courts staff reported that the statewide reimbursement program for UGA implementation has repeatedly run out of money earlier each year, with minor guardianship costs making up most of the expense. The Office of Public Guardianship then described rapid growth in demand for adult guardianship and less restrictive alternatives, noting that referrals and caseloads have risen sharply, but that the office is constrained by a shortage of certified professional guardians and low compensation levels. Finally, the committee began an update on Blake implementation from the Office of Civil Legal Aid, which funds civil legal services related to the decision, before the transcript cut off.

Transcript Highlights:

• In particular for us, the livelihoods of teachers, paraprofessionals, counselors, and other support personnel
• Because their principal or their school district has pulled the paraprofessional that should be there

Transcript Highlights:

• Back those days they really didn't call them paraprofessionals yet. They called them teacher aides.
• Back those days they really didn't call them paraprofessionals yet. They called them teacher aides.
• You know, some districts are increasing dramatically in the cost of a paraprofessional.
• In the district I have, a small district, we had over a half a million dollars in paraprofessionals.
• Um, paraprofessionals, that one is a legal obligation in many, many IEPs.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• their credential. their credential.
• credentialed and then they do that. credentialed and then they do that.
• <00:56:22.720> because here to revoke your credential because here to revoke your credential
• credential all over again? credential all over again?
• <04:54:23.680> for with most changes in credentials for with most changes in credentials for

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Pathways and stackable credentials are critical to our work.
• more now, but we're really one of the earlier leaders in the university system around stackable credentials
• And we heard about stackable credentials.
• Students can rebuild credentials over time.
• Students can rebuild credentials over time.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first reviewed the 2024-25 tuition waiver report for the North Dakota University System. Staff explained that waivers were reported for degree-seeking students and broken out by residency, institution, and waiver type. Members asked about partial versus full waivers, institutional discretion, athletic waivers, and whether campuses have published guardrails or transparency requirements. Staff said most waivers are set by institutions, with some statutory and board-required categories, and that athletic waivers are a small share of total waiver dollars. The report showed total gross tuition of $354.5 million, tuition waived of $38.9 million, and 11,193 of 42,040 students receiving some waiver. Members also discussed how waivers affect net tuition revenue, housing and food collections, and whether campuses are using waivers strategically compared with scholarships and other funding sources. The committee then heard a presentation on tuition rates by campus and State Board policy. Staff explained the board’s tuition factors for resident, Minnesota reciprocity, contiguous-state/U.S. nonresident, and international students, and noted that campuses often seek exceptions based on program-specific competition and enrollment goals. Members asked whether rates are based on cost or competition, and staff said campuses typically bring forward estimates and market comparisons when requesting special rates. The presentation also reviewed general fund appropriations versus net tuition revenue by campus, and members discussed how local tuition decisions and waivers do not directly affect the state funding formula, though they do affect institutional revenue and reserves. Questions were also raised about the Higher Learning Commission’s financial composite indicator and how it differs from the more intuitive reserve and revenue figures. The committee next received a broad overview of non-higher-education entities affiliated with the State Board of Higher Education, beginning with NDSU agriculture-related units. Dr. Greg Lardy described the State Board of Agricultural Research and Education, the NDSU Extension Service, the Agricultural Experiment Station, and the branch research centers, emphasizing their statewide role in crop and livestock research, extension education, and county-based outreach. He outlined funding mixes for extension, the experiment station, and branch stations, noting that grants and contracts support both research and education, while the agronomy seed farm is self-funded through seed sales. Members asked about the new and vacant FTE pool, R1 research status, matching requirements for grants, and whether state appropriations count toward research expenditures. Dr. Lardy also highlighted major research impacts, including crop varieties, virtual fencing, AI-assisted weed control, and NDAWN weather data. The Northern Crops Institute and the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute also presented. NCI described its role in market development, technical services, and education for regional agriculture, its governance through the Northern Crops Council, and its funding from state appropriations, other states, and earned revenue. Members asked about the source of out-of-state funding, intellectual property, and the institute’s international reach. UGPTI then outlined its transportation research, federal and state funding structure, and work on road and bridge condition assessments, travel demand modeling, and workforce training. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting reflected in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• So you might have a paraprofessional in there, and then, as I said before, supplementary aids might be
• So you might have a paraprofessional in there, and then, as I said before, supplementary aids might be
• So you might have a paraprofessional<02:54:25.120> in<02:54:25.359> there<02:54:25.520>
• but<02:54:25.760> and<02:54:26.000> then paraprofessional in there but and then
• paraprofessional in there but and then as<02:54:26.399> I<02:54:26.560> said<02:54:26.720

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the other night with some of my teachers, bus drivers, well, teachers, bus drivers, all the paraprofessionals
• the other night with some of my teachers, bus drivers, well, teachers, bus drivers, all the paraprofessionals
• the other night with some of my teachers, bus drivers, well, teachers, bus drivers, all the paraprofessionals
• the other night with some of my teachers, bus drivers, well, teachers, bus drivers, all the paraprofessionals

Bills: HB117, HB17, HB22, HB153, HB140, HB117, HB17, HB22, HB153, HB140, SB12, SB42, SB93, SB28, SB35, SB134, SB12, SB42, SB93, SB28, SB35, SB134

Keywords: procurement, county commission, administrative savings, public services, government efficiency, HB17, municipal audits, municipal audit clarification act, municipal finance, local government, city council, mayor, city manager, Department of Examiners of Public Accounts, independent public accountant, annual audit, biennial audit, annual report, financial accountability, public records

Transcript Highlights:

• This could mean shortages in food service, paraprofessional support for students attending summer programs
• This could mean shortages in food service, paraprofessional support for students attending summer programs
• This could mean shortages in food service, paraprofessional support for students attending summer programs
• This could mean shortages in food service, paraprofessional support for students attending summer programs
• Our district serves about 6,500 students and employs over 900 teachers, paraprofessionals, custodians

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Education Policy Committee approved the minutes from January 21, 2025, and then heard testimony from several school superintendents about the financial and operational impact of recent education-related mandates. Chair Bennett framed the hearing as an opportunity to hear from districts about the effects of more than 65 new mandates and restrictions adopted in recent years. The first witnesses were Corey McIntyre of Anoka-Hennepin, Michael Thomas of Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools, and David Law of Minnetonka Public Schools. The superintendents said districts are facing rising costs, flat or declining enrollment, the end of federal pandemic aid, and mandates they described as unfunded or underfunded. McIntyre cited major budget cuts in Anoka-Hennepin, including reductions in central office staff, and said the district faces continuing shortfalls tied to special education, multilingual learner costs, unemployment claims, paid leave, transportation, literacy materials, and the K-3 discipline statute. Thomas said Prior Lake-Savage is balancing growing student needs against limited revenue, and argued that mandates such as REACT and other requirements should be delayed or better funded so districts can implement them with fidelity. Law said the concerns are statewide, not just metro-based, and criticized the accumulation of expectations around food service, mental health, sick and safe time, unemployment, and family leave without corresponding resources. Several witnesses emphasized that school budgets are heavily committed to staff costs and that new obligations create administrative burdens as well as direct expenses. They urged lawmakers to reduce, delay, or better fund mandates, adjust timelines, and provide more flexibility in local revenue tools and equalization aid. No votes were taken on legislation during this portion of the meeting beyond approval of the prior day’s minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• philosophical concerns, and I think we should generally support the creation and the nurturing of paraprofessionals
• And if they believe that through the employment of paraprofessionals that they can do that, and that

Summary: The Health Professions and Programs Subcommittee met with a quorum and heard two bills. HB 649 would remove the current written physician protocol requirement for certified registered nurse anesthetists, allowing CRNAs to practice autonomously. The sponsor and supporters argued the change would modernize Florida law, address anesthesia workforce shortages, keep graduates in the state, and improve access especially in rural areas; opponents, including the Florida Medical Association and a cardiologist, warned that physician oversight is important for patient safety and that anesthesia complications can arise quickly. After debate, the committee passed HB 649 favorably by a vote of 12 yeas and 6 nays. The committee then heard HB 723, which requires the Department of Health, working with school districts, to develop informational materials on early detection of type 1 diabetes and have schools notify parents within the first 30 school days about those materials. The sponsor said the goal is to help parents recognize warning signs earlier and avoid emergency diagnoses such as diabetic ketoacidosis, with minimal fiscal impact because the materials would be distributed digitally. Members generally supported the bill and discussed timing and distribution methods, suggesting the notice not get lost in back-to-school paperwork. HB 723 passed unanimously, 18 yeas and 0 nays, and was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hispanic workers represent 18.6% of the U.S. workforce but make up 20.3% of paraprofessional workers
• Be rest assured, members, that I am strongly supporting paraprofessionals. I think we all do.
• Paraprofessionals, hourly workers, are incredibly important in our school districts.
• Senator Nelson said he strongly supports paraprofessionals.
• He said the discussion is not about whether paraprofessionals are worthwhile, because they are.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Kiana Thompson, and I am a supervisory paraprofessional at Hopkins Public Schools.
• My name is Kiana Thompson, and I am a supervisory paraprofessional at Hopkins Public Schools.
• a partnership with Bemidji State University as the related technical provider will help our paraprofessionals
• a partnership with Bemidji State University as the related technical provider will help our paraprofessionals
• It provides a pathway for a paraprofessional or an aide that may be interested in advancing their career

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• who manage the library media center; most are either licensed media specialists, teachers, or paraprofessionals
• who manage the library media center; most are either licensed media specialists, teachers, or paraprofessionals
• who manage the library media center; most are either licensed media specialists, teachers, or paraprofessionals
• And if it's not a licensed media specialist, it's often a teacher without a media license or a paraprofessional
• And just, you know, this idea that a paraprofessional can do what needs to be done in a media center

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A paraprofessional or something. Are they protected in this? >> Mr.
• A paraprofessional or something. Are they protected in this? >> Mr.
• A paraprofessional or something. Are they protected in this? >> Mr.

Bills: HB0150

Keywords: Wyoming business council, economic development, task force, evaluation, policy reform, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The other one was for a paraprofessional, with the increase in what we have in students and the needs
• that they're going to have. ...and was for a paraprofessional, with the increase in what we have in
• The paraprofessional teachers program, which is $3 million, is a good program that has a fast track for
• our paraprofessionals to go from in-classroom training to becoming a teacher.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge, a quorum call, and approval of journal corrections. It then handled several House messages, appointing conference committees on Senate Bills 2004 and 2006 and House Bills 1018, 1019, and 1363, and re-referring House Bill 1216 to Appropriations. The chamber also adopted amendments to House Bill 1601, which would have expanded special assistant attorney general authority for certain offices, but the bill failed on final passage after strong opposition centered on preserving the Attorney General’s control and avoiding a solution in search of a problem. A major portion of the day focused on education funding. House Bill 1369 was amended to raise per-pupil aid from 2% and 2% to 3% and 3% and to increase the school construction loan transfer from $75 million to $100 million; supporters said this would help local schools and military base projects, while opponents raised questions about special education placement language and state coordination. The bill passed 44-3. House Bill 1013, the DPI budget, was also amended extensively to adjust staffing, funding sources, grants, meal assistance, teacher training, and other education programs; it passed 45-2. House Bill 2234, dealing with Choice Ready grants, was amended to shift funding away from general funds and toward federal or other sources, but then failed on final passage after the sponsor urged a red vote. The Senate also approved House Bill 1482, restricting bond and indebtedness elections for counties, cities, school districts, and park districts to primary or general election days, and House Bill 1332, creating a value-added agriculture facility incentive program with an emergency clause. House Bill 1010, the Insurance Department budget, passed unanimously after amendments reflecting the merger of the Securities Department into Insurance and adding staff and fee changes, while House Bill 1011, the separate Securities Department budget, failed because its funding was already included in HB 1010. House Bill 1584, a major pharmacy benefit manager reform bill, passed with an enforcement fund and new licensing/enforcement structure despite debate over ERISA and market transparency. In other action, the Senate concurred in House amendments and passed Senate Bills 2226, 2230, 2069, 2082, 2387, 2385, and 2186, with SB 2186 on parenting time interference and a child custody task force passing 27-20 after debate over whether the issue should be left to the courts. Senate Bill 2234, on Choice Ready grants, and Senate Bill 2243, on driver’s license points and traffic penalties, both failed after concurrence motions were adopted but final passage votes were overwhelmingly negative. The chamber also advanced Senate Bill 2291 to conference committee consideration near the end of the transcript.