Video & Transcript Research : 'Child Protection Team'

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CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Business and Professions Committee Apr 22nd, 2025

Business and Professions

Transcript Highlights:
  • We will protect our public infrastructure, our taxpayers, and each other.
  • Therefore, this team-based, team care based approach is necessary to maintain highest standards of anesthesia
  • The physician-led anesthesia care team model is the right solution.
  • In the long term, estrogen is a protective organ, for which there are many, is a protective hormone,
  • It is a public health concern and a consumer protection issue.
Keywords: 988, house, all
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Ways and Means Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am

Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • It is something also that I've asked our team to work with the state procurement team to see whether
  • , or whether they be a child seeking after-s, Toddler in a rural community, or whether they be a child
  • Beyond direct care, we manage Child Care Circuit, one of the state's regional child care resource and
  • More recently, we are exploring employer-supported child care as a way to help normalize child care as
  • Child care as a way to help normalize child care as a workforce benefit.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The hearing was a Joint Committee on Ways and Means budget session held in Lawrence focused on the governor’s proposed FY27 education and local aid budget, with remarks from legislative co-chairs, local officials, and education agency leaders. Acting Mayor Giovanni Rodriguez and Superintendent Ralph Carrero emphasized Lawrence’s high-need student population, the importance of Chapter 70 and Student Opportunity Act funding, and the impact of state aid on schools serving many English learners and low-income families. Carrero highlighted Lawrence High School programs such as early college, dual degrees, career pathways, and early childhood classrooms embedded in the high school, while lawmakers introduced themselves and noted the importance of the hearing to their districts. Acting Secretary of Education Amy Kershaw, Commissioner of Higher Education Noi Ortega, Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Pedro Martinez, and Commissioner of Early Education and Care Amy Kershaw outlined the administration’s FY27 priorities. They described investments in literacy initiatives, universal school meals, student mental health, early college and career pathways, higher education affordability, community college and university student-success supports, preschool expansion, child care subsidies, and workforce supports for early educators. The commissioners also discussed federal funding threats, equity gaps, and the administration’s efforts to improve outcomes for Black and brown students, multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and low-income students. Members questioned the panel about the local contribution formula study, the final year of Student Opportunity Act implementation, and the need to revisit Chapter 70 funding to better address rising costs such as special education, transportation, and health care. Officials said the local contribution study report is expected by the end of June, with a draft to be shared after data analysis and public comment. Commissioner Martinez said the Student Opportunity Act narrowed funding gaps but more work is needed, and he pointed to a proposed Accelerating Achievement Initiative to support the highest-need schools. Senator Oliveira also raised concerns about Chapter 70 disparities and asked about partnerships with libraries to support literacy, prompting discussion of broader early literacy collaboration.
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • My daughter Lily was the catcher on the team, but most of the rest of the team also flew in last night
  • But I know that the current team and the future...
  • My commitment is to hire an A plus plus team.
  • And we best protect them and keep them safe. them on that farm.
  • So I do everything I can to protect my growers in Georgia.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

FL House Floor Session - 2026-02-26 (9:00AM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We had the team together.
  • I've been blessed with incredible team members, incredible team members.
  • The bill updates residency restrictions and expands protections in parks, playgrounds, schools, child
  • The bill updates residency restrictions, expands protections in parks, playgrounds, schools, child care
  • It protects our residents, it protects our ratepayers, first and foremost.
Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, several introductions, and an announcement that there would be no conference that weekend. The chamber then took up a long special order calendar and passed a series of bills, often by substituting House companions. Early measures included trust law modernization to create a nonjudicial trustee discharge process, military affairs changes expanding leave and retirement-related provisions, a bill to prepare for the end of penny use by standardizing cash rounding, and a podiatric medicine bill regulating cellular or tissue-based products and informed consent. The Senate also approved veterans court expansion, RV park assessment clarification, alcohol-loss tax deduction authority, bail bond and pretrial release revisions, and a military-installation jurisdiction bill to allow juvenile cases on bases to be handled in state juvenile court under certain conditions. Most bills passed unanimously or near-unanimously, with the bail bond bill passing 36-1 after questions about charitable bail bonds and confirmation that existing law on return of charitable bail funds would remain unchanged. The chamber then paused for a lengthy farewell presentation honoring Senator Lori Berman, featuring a video, remarks from many senators, and Berman’s own closing speech reflecting on her 16 years of service, her legislative priorities, and her call for civility, bipartisanship, and continued support for issues such as school safety, Israel, anti-Semitism, and affordability. After the tribute, the Senate resumed and passed additional bills, including one expanding insurance coverage definitions for portable electronics and eyewear, a workforce and nursing education funding bill broadening support for health science programs, a recovery residences regulatory streamlining bill, a felony battery enhancement bill adding resisting an officer with violence as a qualifying prior offense, and a child welfare bill extending visitor thresholds in out-of-home placements, making the Step Into Success program permanent, and creating a best-practices program. The chamber also advanced a candidate qualification bill tightening party-affiliation requirements and adding a House provision on recent legal name changes; debate began on that measure as the transcript ended.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Courts, Corrections and Justice Sep 24th, 2025

Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • A child or a family calling in to the Child Advocate for concern, assistance, or some type of issue would
  • And I'm not a child welfare expert; I'm an attorney.
  • But as I said, Brenda Donald is a child welfare expert.
  • So we need to protect the people who are protecting us, the ICE agents who are doing their jobs, and
  • We had a foster child in the audience.
AR

Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session

HOUSE CONVENES Apr 8th, 2026

Arkansas All Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm going to make a child. You know, and I'm going to have it. And we're going to be.
  • By third grade, a child must be able to read in order to learn.
  • When their son was younger, Bill coached his baseball team.
  • That team went on to win three championships.
  • Another needed increase goes to those who protect and serve our state.
Summary: The transcript covers the opening of the Arkansas House and a joint session of the 95th General Assembly’s fiscal session. The House first established a quorum, granted leave for absent members, recognized guests, and adopted House Resolution 1001 to convene a joint session with the Senate for Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’s address. Several bills and resolutions were read for the record, including House Resolution 1002 and House Bills 1001, 102, and 103, before the House recessed to await the Senate and then the governor. In the joint session, leaders recognized the late Representative Stan Barry with a moment of silence, introduced constitutional officers, judges, and other guests, and appointed committees to escort the governor. Governor Sanders then delivered a lengthy fiscal-session address focused on her budget priorities and policy agenda. She emphasized continued funding for education under LEARNS, teacher pay and literacy gains, public safety and law enforcement funding, government efficiency and tax cuts, and the 1033 initiative aimed at helping vulnerable Arkansans move from crisis to self-sufficiency. She also urged lawmakers to avoid new Medicaid mandates or ongoing spending and said she would call a special session to cut income taxes further if the budget is passed. After the governor’s remarks, the joint session adjourned. The House then reconvened briefly, adopted a motion to adjourn until the next day, and announced that the Joint Budget Committee would meet later that afternoon and again the following morning.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session - part 2 May 16th, 2025

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Parents of the other students are calling daily, "Why can't you protect my child?"
  • We're reading to them in child care centers, family child care, and there are expectations for children
  • I think a child that ignores safety is a child that ignores safety.
  • If it's one child, it's one child too many.
  • This bill also protects educational freedom.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

CPN Informational Briefing 01-14-2026

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:03:21.360> the have been redacted to protect the have been redacted to protect the identity
  • that relies on team-based that relies on team-based decision-making<00:38:19.960> and<00:
  • And my team and I refine our practices.
  • experience would be for a common child experience would be for a common child user. user. user.
  • <01:07:06.560> requirements, protection requirements, protection requirements, um um um as<01:
Keywords: 912, senate, all
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
  • Mesod and our leadership team and the Senate leadership team to say, look, Mr. Olson and Mr.
  • Mesod and our leadership team and the Senate leadership team to say, look, let's make a good effort of
  • And that's why we put it in the child care tax credit.
  • And so the two child care credits that we did... ...child care tax credit.
  • And Vince can help me on this: the child care deduction? Child care costs, right?
Keywords: 1182, all
Summary: The caucus focused on HB 2153, a tax conformity bill that would align Arizona statute with the Internal Revenue Code as of January 1, 2026, including retroactive provisions affecting tax year 2025. Staff explained that the bill excludes three federal provisions from H.R. 1: the additional $6,000 senior deduction, the increase in the state and local tax (SALT) deduction to $40,000, and the deduction for interest on new car loans. It also adds several Arizona-specific provisions, including a $6,000 deduction for certain retirement distributions for taxpayers age 65 or older, a $6,000 deduction for Roth IRA contributions, an increase in the dependent tax credit from $100 to $125, and a deduction for child and dependent care expenses above the federal credit. JLBC’s fiscal note was cited as a negative $441.3 million in year one, declining over the next two years. Chairman Livingston and other Republican members argued the bill was needed immediately because the Department of Revenue had already issued tentative forms assuming full conformity, creating confusion for taxpayers and businesses. They said the state needed a signed law as soon as possible to avoid amended returns, inconsistent filing rules, and uncertainty for small businesses. Livingston emphasized that the bill was intended to protect small businesses from having to keep two sets of books and said he was advising taxpayers not to file until the issue was resolved. Members also discussed the practical impact on small businesses, citing testimony that Arizona has about 700,000 small businesses employing well over a million people. Several exchanges clarified the difference between the governor’s November direction to the Department of Revenue and the bill before the committee. Staff explained that DOR normally assumes “simple conformity” and that the governor’s directive attempted to add “below-the-line” deductions through a worksheet, but that those items still require statutory authorization. Members said the governor’s action was confusing and characterized it as a press release rather than binding law. The committee also discussed the child care provisions, describing them as a federal-style deduction Arizona has not previously adopted and as one of the main new benefits in the bill. The caucus ended without a vote, and members were told the floor would begin at 10 a.m.
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Day 56 (3-31-26)

Kentucky Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Bill 778, an act relating to child Bill 778, an act relating to child welfare.<02:14:06.079>
  • ><03:43:32.640> $12,000<03:43:33.920> per child care costs surpassing $12,000 per child
  • And it codifies the state's nationally renowned free child care for child care workers program, which
  • Piner Elementary School Archery Team Piner Elementary School Archery Team competed<05:14:52.798>
  • were<05:17:41.920> seniors the championship team were seniors the championship team were
Bills: HB567, HB776, HB2, HB568, HB619
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am

Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We have cheered on our sports teams through ups and downs.
  • She is the whole child president.
  • In-state tuition, that's for every child. Access to community college for every child.
  • And of course, I would like to thank the clerk and his team, Senate Counsel and his team, and all of
  • That's why my team has That's why my team has worked with our LIS to create a digital press room on the
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Senate convened for the opening day of the 194th General Court, with ceremonial remarks, an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the formal canvass of election returns. A special committee reported that all senators had been duly elected, and a committee was then appointed to notify the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Governor’s Council that a quorum of senators-elect was assembled and ready to be sworn in. Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll addressed the chamber, praised public service, and administered the oaths of office to the senators. The main business of the day was the election of the Senate President. Senator Karen Spilka was nominated by Senator DiDomenico and seconded by Senator Edwards, while Senator Bruce Tarr was nominated by Senator Durant and seconded by Senator Dooner. After nominations were closed, the roll call resulted in 34 votes for Spilka and 5 for Tarr, and the Senate declared Spilka elected president. Senator Tarr then moved that the vote be considered unanimous, and the Senate agreed. President Spilka delivered an inaugural address focused on the chamber’s recent legislative record and priorities for the new session. In her remarks, Spilka highlighted prior accomplishments including education funding, free community college, early education reforms, mental health care reform, prescription drug cost reductions, tax relief, housing, transportation, climate, and veterans’ legislation. She also outlined priorities for the new session, including a statewide listening tour, more transparency in committee and joint committee proceedings, housing and transportation affordability, health care reform, career and technical education, early education, and juvenile justice reform. She emphasized continued bipartisan work and public engagement. The Senate also adopted temporary joint rules and temporary Senate rules, authorized printing of the daily journal, and scheduled the next meeting for the following day at 11:30 a.m. Michael D. Hurley was elected clerk of the Senate and sworn in, and James DiTulio was sworn in as Senate counsel. The chamber also adopted a memorial adjournment in memory of Mary J. Hurley of South Boston before adjourning.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Judiciary Committee Jun 23rd, 2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • Transparency protects workers, protects the public, and builds trust. I urge your aye vote.
  • When a family enters the child welfare system, our mandate is the safety of the child.
  • AB 2439 is about protecting home, protecting people from avoidable harm, and restoring confidence in
  • It protects Dr.
  • their child currently receives.
Keywords: 987, senate, all
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • Those are things worth protecting. And so you're talking about protecting them.
  • Those are things worth protecting.
  • <00:12:46.959> right confidence that we have a team right confidence that we have a team right
  • what is something that your team what is something that your team accomplished<00:13:43.600>
  • proud of is the unity within our team proud of is the unity within our team addressing<00:13:50.959
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
Summary: The program opened with interviews on the start of Minnesota’s 94th Senate session, where the chamber is evenly split 33-33 after the death of DFL Senator Kari Dziedzic and a special election to fill the vacancy. DFL Majority Leader Aaron Murphy and Republican Leader Mark Johnson both said the tied Senate and narrow margins in both chambers will require more cooperation and compromise. Murphy emphasized affordability issues such as health care, child care, housing, college costs, and medical debt, while Johnson said Republicans want to refocus on Minnesota’s needs, limit tax increases and mandates, and use the split chamber to gain more influence in negotiations. Both leaders said they expect bipartisan work on issues like mental health, EMS, public school funding, permitting reform, and mandate reform. Former Senator Ann Johnson Stewart was also sworn in after winning the special election for District 45 and said she hopes to work on infrastructure, transportation, bonding, and jobs. The Senate Finance Committee then held a hearing on the social impact of legalizing online sports betting. Testimony from researchers and gambling addiction experts warned that online sports betting can contribute to addiction, family harm, and financial distress, with one witness describing it as a public health disaster and citing higher bankruptcy filings in states that legalize it. Committee discussion also reflected the competing view that many Minnesotans want the option to bet legally, while lawmakers have a responsibility to protect residents from harm. The final segment focused on Minnesota’s budget and economic forecast. Officials said the state is expected to end the 2026-2027 biennium with a surplus, but spending growth is projected to outpace revenues in the following years, creating a structural deficit of nearly $6 billion in fiscal years 2028-2029. Legislators said the forecast underscores the need to address spending, inflation, and long-term obligations such as special education and disability services, and some Republicans called for attention to waste, fraud, and abuse. The report noted that an updated forecast will be released in February, which could further shape budget negotiations.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Insurance May 7th, 2025

Insurance

Transcript Highlights:
  • I don't have an exact date of when our teams ...started to do the analysis.
  • What causes a five-year-old child to need ten teeth worked on?
  • The child came to the emergency room with a hernia or appendicitis.
  • This will protect both small businesses and insurance policyholders.
  • Related to the age of the child during diagnosis.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, January 21, 2026)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • . protect. protect.
  • The administration is illegally withholding payments to states for child care, foster care, child protective
  • foster<04:41:21.840> care,<04:41:22.160> child<04:41:22.480> protective<04:41:22.878
  • > services, foster care, child protective services, foster care, child protective services, and
  • first child. first child.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Finance (03/12/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • We urge you: prioritize funding for child care, protect Family Resource Centers, keep Medicaid strong
  • We urge you: prioritize funding for child care, protect Family Resource Centers, keep Medicaid strong
  • We urge you: prioritize funding for child care, protect Family Resource Centers, keep Medicaid strong
  • We urge you: prioritize funding for child care, protect Family Resource Centers, keep Medicaid strong
  • > a<04:06:10.080> machete of Child Protection uh taking a machete of Child Protection uh
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The House Finance Committee opened a public hearing on House Bills 1 and 2, which concern the governor’s proposed FY 2026-2027 budget. The chair explained that the committee must fit the budget to House Ways and Means revenue, which is about $800 million below the governor’s estimate in an almost $16 billion budget. He also noted a projected current-budget overspend, the impact of recently passed legislation, possible fee updates, no new tax proposals at that time, and the importance of federal funding and Medicaid stability. Testimony was limited to three minutes, with the chair asking speakers to avoid duplication. Much of the testimony focused on Medicaid, disability services, and home- and community-based care. Speakers urged the committee to restore or protect funding for transportation, Medicaid, day programs, in-home supports, and behavioral health services. Several individuals and providers described how cuts would affect people with disabilities, medically fragile children, and families who rely on services to remain employed and avoid institutional care. A home care provider argued that a proposed 3% Medicaid cut would increase hospitalizations and costs, while a behavioral health representative asked for sustainable Medicaid rates, uncompensated care support, housing resources, and continued funding for community behavioral health clinics. Another major topic was the Group II retirement provisions in HB 2 for public safety workers. Representatives from police, fire, corrections, probation/parole, and related associations testified in support, saying prior pension changes hurt recruitment and retention, pushed experienced workers to neighboring states, and should be reversed to restore promised benefits. They argued the provisions would help keep public safety careers viable and honor commitments made to first responders. An executive counselor also warned that when the state shifts costs away from itself, local property taxpayers bear the burden, and she opposed cost shifts such as Medicaid premiums and universal vouchers. A separate speaker urged funding public schools rather than universal vouchers, arguing vouchers can leave other students behind as resources are diverted.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • generally the patients stay on the team generally the patients stay on the team regardless<00:13
  • <00:15:17.560> uh<00:15:17.759> we of this team uh we of this team uh we will<00:15
  • toddler Child Care Centers and group child<00:50:47.240> care<00:50:47.359> centers<00
  • measure HB 874 relating to child measure HB 874 relating to child performers<00:57:41.960> it
  • relating to child relating to child care<01:23:00.280> um<01:23:00.800> for<01:23:
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The hearing began with HB 1113, which would create an intensive mobile team pilot program in the Department of Health for chronically houseless individuals with serious brain disorders such as schizophrenia. The Department of Health Adult Mental Health Division strongly supported the bill, and written support was also submitted by several health and harm-reduction organizations. Members asked about the program’s size and coordination with existing services; the testifier said the team would use a low-caseload, 24/7 mobile model, coordinate with police, ERs, hospitals, housing, dual-diagnosis treatment, and other case-management resources, and continue serving participants even if they cycle through jail or hospital. The committee amended the bill to change the participant language from a maximum of 40 to “at least 40,” blanked out the appropriations section, deferred the effective date to July 1, 3000, and then adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass with amendments by unanimous vote in both committees. The next measure, HB 1140, would appropriate funds for DLNR to clean up homeless encampments on department lands. DLNR testified in support, saying it conducts about 22 to 24 cleanups per year and the bill would help it address homelessness statewide. Members asked whether the funds would be used to sweep people out of areas; DLNR said its practice is to give notice, allow time to leave, and then clean up what remains, with storage procedures for personal property. The department also said people still present are told to move to the county area across the road. DLNR confirmed the bill is not in the governor’s budget, though it is in the governor’s legislative package. The committee then heard HB 1486, which would make it disorderly conduct to remain or loiter within 20 feet of a bus stop without intent to use bus services. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing that criminal enforcement is not the right tool, could lead to arrests of people who are simply tired or unhoused, and could create a cycle of repeated low-level cases and constitutional issues around questioning and intent. HPD supported the bill, saying officers would generally try to get people to move first, but could also use field questioning, citations, or arrests depending on the circumstances; HPD said such incidents can be documented and later used in ACT or other mental-health interventions. A private resident testified in support, describing bus stops near her home as occupied overnight and burdening nearby residents and small businesses. Written support came from the City and County of Honolulu Mayor’s Office, and one individual opposed the bill. Members also asked about neighbor-island impacts, property handling, and whether the bill could help connect people to services; HPD said it had not consulted other counties and would follow up. Finally, the committee began hearing HB 877, which would prohibit encampments within 100 feet of the property line of a K-12 public or private school or school facility. DLNR stood on its written testimony, and the Department of the Attorney General raised concerns that the bill did not specify how violators would be removed, what would happen to property or the encampment, or whether the buffer zone applies only to public spaces. The AG suggested making violations petty misdemeanors and adding clearer definitions and due-process guidance. Members asked whether charter schools are included and whether private-property situations within the buffer zone should be clarified; the AG said public schools include charter schools and indicated the bill may need more specificity about private property and trespass situations.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session May 23rd, 2025

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Someone carried them to safety, bound up the wound, fed them, and protected them.
  • Please welcome Hopkins Middle School National Science Bowl Team to the State Assembly.
  • Please welcome Hopkins Middle School National Science Bowl Team to the State Assembly. Thank you.
  • Please welcome Hopkins Middle School National Science Bowl Team to the State Assembly. Thank you.
  • This measure is designed, excuse me, to protect survivors of domestic violence and strengthen our child
Summary: The Assembly met on May 23, 2025, after a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance. Members also made several guest introductions and memorial recognitions, including tributes to labor leader Louisa Blue and a Memorial Day moment of silence. The body adopted a motion to suspend Assembly Rule 63 for certain Appropriations Committee bills, and later took up a second-day consent calendar and several resolutions. The chamber adopted ACR 68, declaring July 2025 as Parks Make Life Better Month, and ACR 83, proclaiming California Maritime Day; both received broad support. On the floor file, members passed a series of bills covering child passenger safety, student financial aid, downtown office-to-housing conversion districts, rental vehicle theft prevention, fire hazard zone reviews, medical data protections, UC admissions transparency, office-to-housing streamlining, inoperable RV removal, domestic violence and child welfare, insurance classification for social service workers, sustainable aviation fuel CEQA review, UC hiring background checks, accessory dwelling units, fish and wildlife exemptions for Sutter County infrastructure, speed limit assessments, geothermal permitting, special education transfers, recorder fee adjustments, and a BIT program exemption for farmers and ranchers. Most measures passed with little or no opposition. AB 435, which would have implemented a five-step test standard for child passenger safety laws, was later reconsidered and failed on a vote of 36-12 after the call was lifted. The Assembly also adopted the second-day consent calendar, including multiple bills and resolutions, and added co-authors to several resolutions. The session ended with adjournments in memory and an adjournment until Tuesday, May 27 at 1 p.m.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Dylan Miles and Destin Bigglery are also part of our team.
  • My team and I, we look forward to working with you and all your staff.
  • , the public school would receive money for that child either way.
  • Greta's youngest child is a girl aptly named Miracle.
  • Zion was sweet and a very well-liked child by his teachers.
Bills: SB 2
Keywords: 1185, senate, all
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Higher Education and Workforce Development Apr 28th, 2026

Higher Education and Workforce Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • You know, I had a bill around tax credits for child care, and we talked about child care deserts, where
  • $80,000 and $100,000 per year to run the team.
  • by putting the team on a T-shirt.
  • I work on the business side of our robotics team.
  • , our team will put you on the T-shirt.
Summary: The Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development heard House Bill 3359, presented by Representative Wilson on behalf of Representative Riggs. The bill would create a 20% state income tax credit, capped at $10 million annually beginning in tax year 2027, for donations to registered school robotics/STEAM programs. Eligible contributions were described as cash, equipment, software, materials, supplies, and possibly employee volunteer hours, with a six-year sunset. Committee members asked for clarification on whether the credit applies to individuals or businesses, whether volunteer time by parents or other non-experts would qualify, which state agency would administer reporting, and whether the 20% rate should be higher. Wilson said the bill would need clarifying language, including on volunteer eligibility and the reporting department, and said he was open to revisiting the percentage and other details with the sponsor. The primary witness in support was Sarah Waldron, an 18-year-old Westminster Christian Academy senior and robotics team CEO who said she wrote the bill. She argued the credit would help businesses invest in robotics programs, address unequal access across Missouri, and strengthen workforce readiness in STEM and AI. She said the bill was intended to support business employee volunteer hours, not individual volunteer claims, and noted she had drafted an amendment to provide larger credits for under-resourced schools based on free-and-reduced-lunch percentages. Committee members praised her work and discussed how to target aid toward rural and under-resourced districts. One witness testified in opposition, State Public Advocate Arne C. A. C. Dinoff, who said he supported robotics and the student’s effort but opposed the tax credit because of the state’s budget deficit and the broader cost of tax credit programs. He objected particularly to subsidizing volunteerism and said robotics should be supported locally rather than through a state tax credit. The hearing concluded without a vote or other formal action on the bill.