Video & Transcript Research : 'student programs'
Page 115 of 500
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Tribal and State Relations Committee Jul 22nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So we very much have tried to accommodate students, allowing them to be able to do their programs of
- And a lot of our students, especially in business, we have a large teacher education program.
- Those students can go out and be aides, or business students are working for tribal programs.
- now to do our online programming... ...take students from other states now to do our online programming
- So we're starting to get more students from a distance for those two programs.
Summary:
The Tribal and State Relations Committee met at Standing Rock with tribal council members, state legislators, and agency representatives to discuss state-tribal coordination and local priorities. Early discussion focused on process concerns, including the short agenda time and the need for better communication, more advance notice, and more relevant state department staff at future meetings. Tribal leaders asked for lists of state tribal liaisons and bills affecting tribes, and state members said they would follow up, share grant and deadline information, and plan another meeting in Bismarck with program experts and agency staff.
A major portion of the meeting centered on health, child welfare, law enforcement, housing, infrastructure, and sovereignty issues. Tribal speakers said rural health transformation funding and other state programs often do not fit direct-service tribes or IHS-funded systems, and they raised concerns about Medicaid, ICWA, foster care delays, human service zones, housing shortages, and the placement of Native children off-reservation. They also discussed missing and murdered Indigenous people, search-and-rescue cooperation, cross-deputization, extradition and banishment ordinances, and the need for stronger law enforcement partnerships that respect tribal sovereignty. Other concerns included poor roads, water and sewer needs in Sioux County communities, census accuracy, and the impact of data centers and other development on water and health.
Economic development and regulatory issues were also discussed. Standing Rock representatives raised concerns about charitable gaming and e-pull tabs, saying the machines function like Class III gaming and have harmed tribal revenue while spreading into local businesses. They also described problems with county-issued fireworks permits and state/county liquor licensing rules that they said undermine tribal authority within reservation boundaries. In response, legislators said the committee would continue to look at these issues, and one member suggested possible legislation such as limiting e-tabs near tribal lands. The committee also heard from Joseph McNeil of Sage Development Authority about a 235-megawatt wind project on tribal, allotted, and fee land; he said federal permitting delays have stalled the project and asked for state support to help move it forward.
The meeting concluded with a presentation from Dave Archambo of Wojou, a nonprofit focused on land regeneration, buffalo, food sovereignty, cultural programming, and youth wellness. He described the organization’s work on buffalo processing, gardening, fishing, hunting, language, and arts programs, and framed it as a response to historical trauma and community healing. The committee then broke for lunch and planned to resume with the Wojou presentation after the recess.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
FIN Info Briefing - Mon Jan 13, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Maui College, with nearly 2,800 students and many additional students in noncredit apprenticeship programs
- Maui College, with nearly 2,800 students and many additional students in noncredit apprenticeship programs
- four-year programs so that that students four-year programs so that that students as<00:35:58.960
- So there's student loan programs for student loan forgiveness if they are in certain careers or industries
- So there's student loan programs for student loan forgiveness if they are in certain careers or industries
Summary:
The House Finance Committee held an informational briefing with the University of Hawaiʻi, led by new President Wendy Hensel and Vice President for Budget and Finance Calbert Young. Hensel outlined the university system’s scope, student demographics, research activity, and campus missions, emphasizing four strategic priorities: serving Native Hawaiians and Hawaiʻi, student success, workforce development, and economic diversification through innovation and research. She highlighted the system’s enrollment, research funding, and the roles of Mānoa, Hilo, West Oʻahu, the community colleges, and specialized institutions such as JABSOM and the Cancer Center.
Young then reviewed the budget request, focusing largely on making prior one-time appropriations permanent and supporting recurring needs. Items included funding for Mānoa athletics, the Hawaiʻi Institute for Marine Biology, K-12 teacher education, Pamantasan Council support, Hilo programs, Windward’s mental health technician certificate, Maui’s practical nursing bridge program, and student support positions such as financial aid and admissions counselors. He also described workforce-related requests tied to nursing expansion at Mānoa and West Oʻahu, as well as facilities support at West Oʻahu.
A major portion of the testimony addressed the university’s two Kakaʻako medical facilities. Young explained that declining tobacco settlement and cigarette tax revenues are no longer sufficient to cover debt service for JABSOM and the Cancer Center, so the governor’s budget includes general fund support to supplement those obligations. He also described a regents-approved request not included in the governor’s proposal: expanding the Hawaiʻi Promise financial aid program to the four-year campuses, estimated at about $11–12 million. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- program, improved alternative certification programs with pre-service training and supports, and a grow-your-own
- Close to one-fourth of the students are in the special education program, and a whopping 75% are English
- TIA to include CTE programs.
- become teachers whose students experience more growth than students of those educated through other
- Arts programs are often why students come to school.
Bills:
HB2
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- c> services student programs and essential services student programs and essential services this<
- 00:46:13.599>
to Innovative academic programming to Innovative academic programming to students - This ensured stable funding for student programs and staff.
- ensured stable funding for student ensured stable funding for student programs<01:27:03.199>
- programming, and doubling our high school fees for our students and families.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (05/09/2025)
Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- That's just an example, a program that teaches elementary students.
- That's just an example, a program that teaches elementary students.
- That's just an example, a program that teaches elementary students.
- That's just an example, a program that teaches elementary students.
- That's just an example, a program that teaches elementary students.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 11, 2025 - 08:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 1403, Safety of Students, by Representative Yeager.
- This bill puts school safety first while protecting the student campus experience for students.
- School safety first while protecting the student campus experience for students across Florida. Mr.
- take away from other programs, but add to programs as important as this in rare disease and clinical
- A school of 2,000 students or 4,000 students is not the same as a school of 200 students.
Summary:
The Education Administration Subcommittee heard and approved four bills focused on school safety, student health, and classroom environment. HB 1403, Safety of Students, would expand Guardian program participation to child care facilities, require substitute teachers to receive campus safety protocols, and allow limited exceptions for certain CTE classrooms; it drew supportive testimony from school safety and education groups and passed 16-0. PCS for HB 907, the Sunshine Genetics Act, would create the Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases at FSU and launch an opt-in newborn whole-genome screening program funded with $20 million; supporters said it could speed diagnosis, save lives, and reduce health care costs, and it passed 17-0. HB 949 would prohibit student use of wireless communication devices during the full school day, while allowing districts flexibility in implementation and medical exceptions; supporters cited distraction and bullying data, and the bill passed 17-0.
The committee also approved HB 723, the Type 1 Diabetes Early Detection Program, which requires the Department of Health to provide school-based informational materials to parents and guardians about early warning signs, risk factors, and screening for type 1 diabetes. An amendment broadened the notification to include voluntary pre-K, kindergarten, and first grade and shifted the annual notice to September 30. Testimony in support came from diabetes advocates and pediatric groups, and members spoke about personal experiences with diabetes and the value of earlier education. The bill passed 17-0 after the amendment was adopted.
Across the meeting, members from both parties generally praised the bills as bipartisan efforts to improve student safety, health, and learning conditions. Several members raised questions or concerns about implementation details, including school guardian tracking, cell phone pouches and emergency access, and how the diabetes notice would be distributed, but no bill faced opposition in committee. All four measures were reported favorably.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Feb 18th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- for our diverse student population.
- for those students, and ensuring a resilient institution.
- is improving our student success rate.
- The Slate program, where the parents of the students can actually monitor the students' success, which
- and I got to do a special program at the G.
Bills:
S1694
Keywords:
technology education, digital literacy, artificial intelligence, computer science, high school graduation
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met with a quorum present and first took up CS for SB 1694, which would require technology-integrated postsecondary general education core courses to include digital literacy and competency instruction, including use of artificial intelligence tools, and encourage high school computer science courses with AI content to teach how AI systems use data, their benefits and limitations, and responsible use in academic and personal contexts. The bill drew support from several speakers who emphasized the need for students to understand AI’s capabilities, limitations, ethics, and risks, while one speaker raised concerns about overreliance on AI and the loss of skills. Senator Davis said the bill was a good step toward preparing the future workforce and suggested earlier instruction might be worth considering later. The bill was reported favorably, and Senator Leek asked to be recorded in the affirmative.
The committee then heard a long series of confirmation presentations for trustees at multiple Florida colleges and universities, including Tallahassee State College, USF, UNF, Palm Beach State College, the College of the Florida Keys, Hillsborough College, Miami-Dade College, Florida A&M University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International University, New College of Florida, Florida Polytechnic University, and the University of Florida. The appointees generally emphasized student success, workforce alignment, fiscal responsibility, access and affordability, and institutional growth; several members and senators offered supportive comments, with some asking about specific issues such as Tallahassee State’s NCLEX passage rates and the need for continued improvement. One appointee’s attendance was delayed or skipped for later consideration, but the committee ultimately took a block vote and reported the confirmations favorably to the Ethics and Elections Committee.
Finally, Chair Harrell gave a brief overview of the higher education budget, describing a total of $11.9 billion and highlighting increases for workforce education, Florida College System operating funds, workforce development capitalization, the Rural Incentive for Professional Educators program, the USF Center for Nursing, preeminent research universities, UCF’s community school grant program, UF’s Lassinger Center on Learning, the Florida Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment, and campus security through a postsecondary guardian program. Senator Davis asked about a transfer related to the workforce development capitalization and incentive grant fund, and the chair explained it was a transfer of an existing program with new funds being added. There was no public comment on the budget, and the meeting adjourned after Senator Leek requested to be recorded in the affirmative on SB 1694.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 5th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- for the students.
- Many of these programs help students with much-needed career pathways and actually...
- Many of these programs help students with much-needed career pathways in agribusiness, energy, trade,
- Here's an example of a student packet that students would be a here's an example of a student packet
- students.
Summary:
The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a long floor file of bills. Early measures passed with little or no debate, including AB 698 on local transfer taxes and affordable housing analysis, AB 456 on mobile home sales, AB 1129 on reportable infant health conditions, AB 69 on Fair Plan insurance notices and voluntary market searches, AB 357 on expedited student and faculty housing permits, AB 383 on firearms code cleanups, AB 426 on drones interfering with emergency response, AB 825 on energy affordability and transmission financing, and AB 699 on ballot transparency for local tax and bond measures. Most of these bills passed unanimously or with strong bipartisan margins, while AB 825 drew the most extended debate over whether it would lower costs or expand state control of energy infrastructure; it ultimately passed 45-5.
The most contentious item was AB 84, which would strengthen oversight of non-classroom-based charter schools and tighten accountability for charter spending and operations. Supporters argued it was needed to stop fraud and misuse of public education dollars, citing major scandals and audit findings, while opponents warned it would harm legitimate charter schools, reduce educational options, and disproportionately affect rural and special-needs students. Several members said they supported the bill only to keep negotiations going, and others urged more targeted or delayed action. After extensive debate and multiple amendments, the Assembly passed AB 84 on a 41-22 vote.
The chamber also took up AB 610, a housing bill that would require cities and counties to disclose planned housing restrictions and limit new constraints for three years after housing element approval. The author framed it as a certainty and transparency measure to help address the state’s housing shortage, while noting continued discussions with local governments and housing advocates. The transcript ends with the bill’s presentation and request for an aye vote, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Feb 12th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Ultimately, he wants students to come to the university, have a great student experience, and get well-paying
- students in the area and around the state, especially the nursing program, the water program, the entrepreneur
- program, and the hospitality program.
- I would have loved those for both of my students.
- We're very heavily focused on student success.
Summary:
The Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to continue confirmation hearings, but the chair announced the committee would not present its budget that day and would instead roll it out the following week in coordination with House partners and Senate notice requirements. After a quorum was confirmed, the committee discussed how it would handle a large number of university board appointments, noting that some reappointments would be grouped for a block vote while others could be heard individually if members requested it.
The committee then heard testimony from a series of appointees and reappointees to university boards. Florida A&M University nominees Roderick Harris, Victor Young, and Rafael Vasquez emphasized service to FAMU, student success, and support for the university’s national standing; Harris highlighted his FAMU background and faculty experience, Young cited his business and health care leadership, and Vasquez described scholarship support through his company. Florida Atlantic University appointees Linda Stock and Thomas Mersh focused on servant leadership, research growth, entrepreneurship, and FAU’s recent R1 designation and quantum computing initiatives. University of Central Florida reappointee Alex Martins discussed UCF’s preeminence goal, workforce needs, and strong nursing outcomes.
The committee also heard from Florida Gulf Coast University appointees James Gris-Mall, Douglas Van Orte, Robert Rommel, Sarah Partial Perry, and reappointment Joseph Fogg, who spoke about workforce development, affordability, student success, water and nursing programs, and FGCU’s role in regional economic growth. University of South Florida reappointee Rogan Donnelly highlighted USF’s AAU status, research growth, and workforce-focused programs. Members and the chair responded positively throughout, praising the universities’ achievements and the nominees’ qualifications.
At the end of the hearing, the committee voted by block on all nominees in tabs 2 through 13 and recommended them for confirmation without objection. The meeting then adjourned.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Education Postsecondary Jan 14th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- ACQUISITION OF CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY AND FINALLY SUPPORT FOR OUR STUDENTS.
- OBVIOUSLY THERE HAS BEEN ACTIVE DRUG DISCOVERY PROGRAMS AS PART OF THE CENTER.
- THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, THESE ARE CHANGING CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE STUDENTS.
- AND BASKETBALL PROGRAM.
- SYSTEMS WHO HELPED US TO SCALE A PROGRAM I WILL BE TELLING YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- of um students and uh programs<00:51:10.079>
across <00:51:10.480>the <00:51:10.800> - attracting u more students. attracting u more students.
- needs of the students. needs of the students.
- <01:25:16.239>
So national mar program. So national mar program. - , um, to expand our residency and fellowship programs that are available to, um, our students who are
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate Chamber Feb 9th, 2026 at 11:18 am
New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- in Action; Madison Sal's, Student Council; and Camilla Fierro, Student Council.
- in student council.
- And through that program, he was eligible to attend. of NMSU College Assistance Migrant Program, and
- President, we also have Eric Holland, and he's here with 24 students from the Student Council at Mesa
- She's an honor roll student, a student leader, and a mentor.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Education Assessment and Accountability Review Subcommittee (10-14-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- fiscal and had program impact. fiscal and had program impact.
- and other students.
- At-risk students comprise 29% of preschool students, and the remainder of the preschool students shown
- preschool<00:08:06.000>
students preschool students preschool students and<00:08:08.000>the - But less students. So, obviously more money per student.
Keywords:
Call to Order and Roll Call: 00:22
Office of Education Accountability Report: Early Childhood Regional Training Centers (RTCs): 01:22
Approval of July 14, 2025 Minutes 31:21
Office of Education Accountability: 2025 Study Agenda 32:35
Adjournment: 39:12, 958, all
Summary:
The subcommittee heard an Office of Education Accountability report on Kentucky’s early childhood regional training centers (RTCs). OEA said the centers provide valuable training, consultation, technical assistance, and materials for preschool personnel, especially for children with disabilities and at-risk students, and that the services align with state and federal requirements. However, the report found uneven student and teacher populations across regions, wide variation in per-student funding, some staffing data inaccuracies, and several fiscal oversight concerns, including inconsistent indirect cost rates, a building rental charge that may have been duplicative, and host districts recording RTC expenditures in a way that could blur them with district finances. OEA also said some documentation of progress toward goals was incomplete and that the technology lending library appeared underused. The report recommended stronger KDE oversight, uniform coding and accounting practices, review of budgets and expenditures, and an evaluation of whether the current five-center model remains the most efficient structure; OEA also suggested the General Assembly may wish to revisit KRS 157.318. Members asked about KDE’s response, whether the centers are required by federal law, how the centers operate, and whether changing the model would affect federal funding. OEA said KDE had only discussed the findings informally and had not issued a formal response, the centers are required by state law but not federal law, and changing the model would not jeopardize IDEA preschool funds. The committee accepted the report by motion.
The subcommittee then approved the minutes from its July 14, 2025 meeting after initially delaying action because quorum was not yet present. After that, members turned to the Office of Education Accountability’s proposed 2026 study agenda. OEA said the three proposed topics are the annual district data profiles, facilities funding, and implementation of early literacy statutes. The district profiles would add an appendix showing the number and percentage of students moving to private school or homeschool by district and another appendix noting data-quality issues that affect comparability. OEA explained that district staffing data can undercount contract staff because those employees are not always entered into the system, and members expressed interest in tracking whether prior recommendations were implemented. One senator also raised a separate interest in reviewing whether KDE created and implemented regulations related to KFIX. The discussion remained informational, with no final vote on the study agenda shown in the transcript excerpt.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Jobs and Economic Development - 03/26/25
Jobs and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- their unique college program and beyond. their unique college program and beyond.
- ramp up the program and get it settled. ramp up the program and get it settled.
- its third year working with students. its third year working with students.
- And I think not only for those programs but for all programs.
- especially as a high school student. especially as a high school student.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-05-02 (11:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Serve as many students as possible.
- fixed capital outlay per student.
- The Schools of Hope program, Of 422, the Schools of Hope program that falls below $25 million.
- So a student could, for the purpose of your bill, a student who is not supposed to be on that school
- So a student could, for the purpose of your bill, a student would not be, a student who is not supposed
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum established, and several recognitions, including a legislative intern, a guest in the gallery, and Representative Bruce Antone’s upcoming induction into the Tuskegee Athletic Hall of Fame. The Speaker also gave brief remarks about the end of session and the freshman class. The chamber then took up a series of Senate-returned messages and concurred or insisted on several amendments while moving bills toward final passage.
The House unanimously approved CS/CS/HB 1299 on Department of Health matters, CS/HB 1549 on financial institutions after adopting a House amendment to remove the IOTA-related provision, and CS/CS/SB 768 on foreign ties and business interests after a House concurrence motion. It also insisted on its amendment to CS/CS/CS/SB 184 on housing. CS/CS/HB 875 on educator preparation was amended to restore House provisions on teacher-prep courses, the Florida Center for Teaching Excellence at Miami-Dade College, and related testing and mentor-qualification changes; it passed 91-22 after debate over teacher certification, testing, and “identity politics” language. HB 1101 on out-of-network providers was amended to keep the House’s original notice and referral framework with a good-cause exemption; it passed 87-27 despite objections that it placed too much responsibility on doctors.
After recess, the House took up CS/CS/SB 180 on emergency preparedness and response. Members described changes including removal of some homestead-assessment and debris-removal provisions, a study requirement for a post-hurricane county restriction concept, and a Florida Keys evacuation-time change paired with a 10-year cap of 900 permit allocations; the bill passed 116-0. The House also refused to concur in a Senate amendment to HB 1609 on waste incineration and requested the Senate recede. Later, the House returned to HB 1101 and insisted on its amendment after the Senate refused to concur.
The longest debate came on CS/CS/HB 1115 on education, where the House amendment replaced the Senate version with the substance of HB 1267, including Schools of Hope, higher education governance, and course transparency. Members questioned provisions expanding Schools of Hope co-location and sponsorship authority beyond traditional opportunity zones, the role of the Department of Education versus school districts, transportation and facility-cost issues, and performance-based agreements. Supporters said the changes would expand options for students and use vacant or underutilized facilities; opponents argued the language was added late, lacked transportation funding, and could allow charter operators to enter high-performing schools. The bill remained under debate at the end of the transcript, with no final vote shown.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- should be able to look down the program should be able to look down the program line<00:03:27.959
- Federal funds directly support priority MDE programs benefiting Minnesota students and educators.
- MD programs benefiting Minnesota students<00:22:15.000>
and <00:22:15.200>Educators <00: - programs are among the largest.
- supporting students with disabilities right<00:48:43.119>
and <00:48:43.319>programs <00
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- wants<00:47:28.319>
to if a student student a parent wants to if a student student a parent - to use that program.
- This program is sending money to private schools that make their students apply for financial aid every
- by the individualized education program and to support emergent multilingual students.
- and to support emergent program and to support emergent multilingual multilingual multilingual students
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development May 7th, 2026
Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture & Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Maybe it's a program. I had to Act 30, Section 32 in that program, I mean, in that act.
- Maybe it's a program.
- This program is one in which USDA pays the full ride for the students. We have 25.
- I saw Matt leave the other day—we had five students accepted into the LSU veterinary school program.
- We were students one day.
Summary:
The House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development met to approve the October 3, 2024 interim minutes and then took up two resolutions. HCR 205, by Representative Kerner, urged USDA to use its Commodity Procurement Program to purchase domestic Louisiana shrimp. Supporters said shrimpers are facing very low prices, full cold storage, and an urgent need for federal purchases to stabilize the market and help local processors and fishermen. Commissioner Mike Strain explained that USDA commodity purchases can support schools, nursing homes, and food banks, and members discussed the need for cold storage, marketing, and better promotion of local seafood. The resolution was reported favorably without objection. The committee also considered HCR 188, which memorializes Congress to oppose any federal farm bill language that could negatively affect the use of hunting dogs; members said the provision had raised concerns about field trials, scent hounds, and hunting practices, and the resolution was also reported favorably without objection.
The committee then received a presentation from Southern University Ag Center and College of Agriculture leadership, led by interim president and chancellor Orlando McMeans and Executive Vice Chancellor Calvin Walker. They outlined the center’s research, teaching, and extension work, including medicinal cannabis research, beef cattle and smart ranching, viticulture, aquaculture, precision agriculture, food and nutrition, and support for small farmers and K-12 dual enrollment. They highlighted scholarship and enrollment programs, including USDA-supported 1890 scholars and JAG Stars, as well as partnerships with LSU and USDA. They also described major facility projects, including a high-tech meat processing facility, research labs, a vineyard, and a proposed 1,300-bed disaster shelter/mega shelter at the experiment station.
Members asked questions about meat-cutting and processing training, cattle genetics, and the shelter’s use when not needed for disasters. Southern officials said the new processing facility is intended to support training and workforce development, and that the shelter could also be used for events such as weddings, graduations, and agricultural activities. The committee expressed appreciation for the presentation and the work of the Ag Center. Representative Broussard then moved to adjourn, and the committee adjourned.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
EDN Public Hearing - Tue Feb 3, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- <01:31:43.679>
They program for new teachers. They program for new teachers. - . students. students.
- . programs. programs.
- <01:45:49.600>
as program and with that J1 program as program and with that J1 program as - So it's an 18-month program or a two-year program if they're getting a master's degree.
Summary:
The committee on Education heard testimony on HB 1895, which would add education-worker protections by expanding harassment-related offenses. The Department of Education, HSTA, HGA, and several school employees and principals testified in support, describing increased harassment and threats toward teachers and staff, especially since COVID, and saying the bill would help deter bad actors. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the measure, saying the language was vague and overbroad, could criminalize ordinary parental advocacy or speech, and might not survive constitutional scrutiny. In response to questions, the public defender said existing statutes already cover threatening or assaultive conduct against educational workers, while DOE representatives said the bill was aimed at excessive and repetitive disruptive behavior. No vote or final action was taken in the excerpt.
The committee then took up HB 1592, concerning protections for educational workers and sports officials. DOE, the Charter School Commission, HGA, HSTA, school principals, athletic programs, and many individual testifiers supported the bill, with several describing threats, harassment, and aggressive behavior at schools and athletic events. One principal said he had repeatedly involved law enforcement after threats and incidents on campus, and a teacher testified about the need to keep school environments safe and orderly. The Office of the Public Defender again opposed the bill, arguing that current law already enhances penalties for assaults and terroristic threatening against educational workers and sports officials, and that new offenses would have little deterrent effect. Committee members questioned whether the bill should be a separate statute and how to distinguish passionate advocacy from harassment; DOE said the line was crossed when conduct became excessive and repetitive, while the public defender urged clearer drafting and more emphasis on prevention, education, security, and de-escalation. No vote or final action was announced in the excerpt.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Postsecondary Education (3-3-26)
Postsecondary Education
Transcript Highlights:
- those students as other students have. those students as other students have.
- students have qualified? students have qualified?
- c> students<00:15:12.240>
currently my own students currently my own students currently based - <00:15:32.080>
Um these students. Um these students. - We want to support the students. We want to support the students.
Summary:
The House Standing Committee on Postsecondary Education met for its fifth meeting and first took up House Bill 236, which would remove dual licensure requirements for certain Kentucky EMS education and training programs licensed by the Kentucky Board of EMS. The sponsor and witnesses said the change would reduce red tape and costs for small EMS training providers, help address workforce shortages, and preserve existing training standards. The committee adopted a committee substitute, then passed the bill with favorable expression and adopted a title amendment. Members noted support from the Council for Proprietary Education and the Council for Postsecondary Education.
The committee then heard House Bill 298 for discussion only, with no vote taken. The bill would extend KEES scholarship eligibility to students from non-certified schools, including homeschool, parochial, church, and other private schools, using dual-credit coursework, AP exams, and ACT scores to determine merit. The sponsor and a homeschooling witness argued the measure would create fairness for high-achieving students who are currently limited to the ACT supplement, and said homeschool students often take advanced coursework and dual-credit classes. Members asked about instructional hours, certification, eligibility criteria, and the fiscal impact; the sponsor said the bill had a fiscal note of about $290,000 in the first year and about $3.9 million at full implementation, and that the policy would apply to lottery-funded KEES dollars.
Several members expressed support for both bills, while also seeking clarification on how homeschool and non-certified school programs operate and why some do not seek certification. The discussion emphasized that homeschoolers are treated as private schools under Kentucky law, that certification can be costly and time-consuming, and that the bill would not change existing academic standards for KEES eligibility. The meeting ended after the discussion of HB 298, with no committee vote on that bill.