Transcript Highlights:

• have some experts on the school have some experts on the school accounting<00:18:37.440> system
• We need a collaborative system that allows schools and counties to track and respond to lost instructional
• We need a collaborative system that allows schools and counties to track and respond to lost instructional
• our school social workers, school counselors, and school nurses do.
• our school social workers, school counselors, and school nurses do.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• High into one consolidated school, and this is a replacement school.
• a planning study, systems upgrades and partial renovation, and the Rio Rancho High School, which was
• , Grants High School, Hatch Valley Middle School, Logan combined, Rudoso High School and Silver, two
• schools within Silver, Harrison Schmidt and La Plata Middle School.
• PS you'll see funding for school infrastructure is based on standards or systems-based awards in which

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• We are a K-12 school system. We enroll approximately 200 students.
• We are a K-12 school system. We enroll approximately 200 students.
• ><00:14:01.759> worse school system or um even worse school system or um even worse experiences
• <00:14:15.920> once<00:14:16.120> we our school system um and then once we our school
• I know it was hard on every school system.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , impact tutoring, and out-of-school learning on line 140 to 143. ...impact tutoring, and out-of-school
• They should not be siloed systems. It should really be an integrated system.
• But other kids in the high school and dual credit system are working towards their nursing degrees at
• And high school... ...cost burden. Teens not in school.
• And high school... ...school Proficient in reading, eighth graders not proficient in math, and high school

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• system in the school district, and the Pre-K capital outlay.
• Rio Rancho, Lincoln Middle School ranked number 88; they're in a planning study for a system upgrade.
• One systems-based application so far from McCurdy Charter School, and then there is a demolition, one
• Convo School, those systems-based projects have been completed as well.
• You're not part of our school board system, but these are our local school boards that are having to

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• This is what. which you spend to run your school systems.
• Yeah, I— So we see highly variable performance across the schools of Texas. 100 school systems, some
• predicates the inputs. the resources that a school system has.
• Running school systems is a very. difficult job.
• And, so, it's a little bit weird in the school finance system.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• health system.
• health system.
• system the cardiovascular system nervous system the cardiovascular system uh<00:45:42.680> the
• All academic health medical schools have clinical system partners for which their academic physicians
• are funded by the clinical schools are funded by the clinical system<01:18:45.679> that<01:18

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's between the local receiving school and the community college system to set up an agreement in
• Adjunct professors from the community college system who are not certified high school teachers.
• choice system, our public schools are excluded from participating in this landscape of school choice
• It worked just fine. public school choice system, our public public school choice system, our public
• <02:47:03.040> does<02:47:03.279> not school system because the state does not school

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• at school?
• For example, there are also folks in the system such as school counselors who are a vital part of providing
• If you're a teacher in the system, how can you progress beyond becoming a school principal, for example
• The School of Blind, the two state schools...
• That I think we do away with school boards and we have a statewide system.

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• I’m not in the school system.
• I don’t have children in the school system, but at times call for drastic changes, and I apologize in
• I support an adequately funded public school system, and I’m opposed to the EFA. I apologize.
• He has had an excellent school system and thrived. He was known as the mayor of Newfound.
• He has had an excellent school system and thrived. He was known as the mayor of Newfound.

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• school.
• So far, this school year, Missy's had a few absences from school.
• systems.
• kid might be missing school, or a middle school child might be missing school.
• So that’s our school counselors, our mental health, our school psychs, our health clinicians, our school

Summary: The committee met to discuss student attendance and chronic absenteeism in Florida K-12 schools, with Chair Simon outlining the state’s attendance requirements and intervention process, including school contact after unexcused absences, child study team review, district superintendent referral, DJJ family services referral, truancy petitions, and possible parental prosecution and driver’s license consequences. Dr. Chris Curran of the University of Florida presented statewide data showing chronic absenteeism has risen sharply since the pandemic, with Florida at about 31.4% in 2023–24, and noted that absenteeism varies by district, school level, demographics, and urbanicity. He emphasized that causes are multifaceted—ranging from transportation, mental health, housing instability, safety concerns, and family circumstances—and said effective responses include early warning systems, text or phone outreach, multi-tiered interventions, mentoring programs like Check & Connect, and community partnerships. He also cautioned that punitive responses alone are often less effective than addressing root causes and keeping students engaged academically even when they miss school. Collier County Superintendent Leslie Ricciardelli described her district’s attendance efforts as a priority supported by attendance specialists, social workers, mental health staff, home visits, attendance contracts, and extensive parent communication. She said Collier’s chronic absenteeism rate was about 9% in 2023–24 and attributed success to consistent monitoring, family outreach, and community support, while stressing that students must be physically present to learn. She also argued that many absences are tied to barriers such as clothing, transportation, childcare, or family mental health, and that districts need resources to address those issues. Dr. Rachel Dawes added that Collier uses multilingual brochures, attendance awareness campaigns, vacation-planning guidance, door tags, automated calls and letters, and a truancy flow chart, with truancy court used as a last resort. Volusia County Executive Director Mike McAuliffe described a districtwide overhaul that included an attendance matters campaign, automated notices sent early and often, same-day and period-by-period notifications, a data dashboard, and tiered supports through MTSS. He said Volusia reduced chronic absenteeism from 34% in 2023–24 to a projected 29% and reported a first-quarter rate of about 20% in the current year. He highlighted community partnerships, including AdventHealth support for washers and dryers, bikes for students with transportation barriers, and monetary recognition for schools that reduce absenteeism. In response to questions, both district leaders emphasized that funding, staffing, and consistent follow-through are essential, and that attendance work is most effective when paired with family engagement, data monitoring, and practical supports rather than punishment alone.

Transcript Highlights:

• The A&M School of Law has risen faster in national rankings than any other law school in history and
• district, private school, and open enrollment charter schools employees and.
• School program and the cost of.
• system and the Career and Technology allotment under the Foundation School program for of the Subcommittee
• System of Texas who resume in certain employments with the public school for the Committee of Pitches

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• School, whichever is later.
• FAU is an R2 school. FAMU is an R2 school.
• These systems are ginormous.
• and digital school maps across the scope of Florida schools so that everybody's in the same system network
• And we believe in staff dug in and $450,000... ...system on these panic alert systems.

Summary: The committee took up a series of bills and amendments, reporting several measures favorably. Early in the meeting, CS for CS for SB 344 modernizing the Telecommunications Access System Act was approved without opposition. The committee then adopted amendments and passed CS for SB 714 on non-opioid advanced directives, CS for SB 738 updating child care and early learning provider regulation, CS for SB 756 revising health insurance coverage for individuals with developmental disabilities, and CS for CS for SB 1356 creating a Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases at FSU and a newborn genetic testing pilot. Later, the committee also approved CS for SB 1624 on higher education, CS for SB 1626 on child welfare, SB 178 on an agronomic study for emerging crops, SB 1162 on water access facilities and boat ramp parking, CS for CS for SB 958 creating a type 1 diabetes early detection program, CS for CS for SB 1402 expanding dropout retrieval eligibility, SB 774 requiring electronic transmission of certain court orders, SB 1516 creating an international aerospace innovation fund, and SB 994 revising driver education requirements. Most of these bills were reported favorably by roll call votes after brief explanations and, in several cases, amendments. Several measures drew substantive discussion and public testimony. CS for CS for SB 1624 prompted questions about replacing “minority” with “underrepresented,” the role of the Florida Department of Education’s Commission for Independent Education in overseeing private religious postsecondary institutions, and whether the changes could affect access for students at institutions such as FAMU and FIU. CS for CS for SB 1070 on ECGs for student athletes received extensive emotional testimony from parents and advocates describing children lost to sudden cardiac arrest and urging mandatory screenings; the sponsor said the bill would be cost-neutral for districts by encouraging partnerships with screening groups. SB 994 on driver education was discussed as a vehicle to add distracted driving instruction, and the sponsor agreed to work on that issue. SB 774 was presented as a response to a fatal delay in transmitting an ex parte order, with support from clerks and sheriffs. The most extended debate centered on SB 810 on stormwater management systems. The sponsor said the bill, as amended, would narrow annual inspections to infrastructure identified as vulnerable by MS4 entities, but the Florida League of Cities, Florida Association of Counties, and Florida Stormwater Association warned the proposal could impose major costs and duplicate existing MS4 permit requirements. Committee members questioned the fiscal impact, whether the bill would apply to FDOT or other entities, and whether annual inspections were feasible for large and small jurisdictions alike. Despite those concerns, the sponsor and several members emphasized flood prevention and public safety, and the bill remained under discussion with the sponsor indicating continued willingness to work with stakeholders.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of those effective layers to keep our kids safe in schools is anonymous threat reporting systems.
• Their system has successfully prevented planned school shootings and has confirmed 1,269 young lives
• ,<01:47:04.239> charter systems in our school districts, charter systems in our school districts
• > districts a system available for school districts a system available for school districts and
• that we have at the school safety center at the BCA: the "see something, say something" system.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House began with a resolution recognizing May 15, 2026, as Peace Officer Memorial Day and the week of May 10-16 as Police Week in Minnesota. Members read a series of “whereas” clauses honoring fallen peace officers, including three names added to the memorial this year, and thanking the thousands of officers serving across the state. The resolution was adopted without objection, and the chamber also received a Rules and Legislative Administration report placing several bills on the calendar for the day. The main floor action was on House File 4252, the higher education finance and policy conference committee report. Supporters said the bill includes funding for identification verification systems in the MNSCU system to combat enrollment fraud, money to cover a shortfall in Fostering Independence grants for foster youth, and a small appropriation for trees at Bemidji State University. Several members praised the public conference committee process and the bipartisan work behind the bill. Others criticized the bill for not addressing the larger state grant shortfall and raised concerns about how grant dollars are allocated. The House adopted the conference report and repassed the bill 101-33. The House then concurred in Senate amendments to House File 3825, a public safety vehicle bill that also carried a package of scope-of-practice and licensing changes. Members described provisions affecting acupuncture, athletic trainers, massage therapy, mortuary science, music therapy, social work title protection, pharmacist prescribing, physical therapy, and advanced practice nursing. Supporters argued the changes improve access, affordability, workforce flexibility, and patient care, while one member warned that some scope expansions were insufficiently scrutinized and could harm the health care system. After debate, the House agreed to the Senate amendments and moved the bill forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, rural schools and small schools are something near and dear to me.
• We can do school A that has two programs, school B that has three programs, and school C that has one
• I also want to point out that this year We required any school that was a designated school, a CSI school
• So not in high school. Maybe it was good for middle school.
• score to evaluate your school, your school program?

Transcript Highlights:

• to new charter schools.
• schools are opening it would expand that to all charter schools with priority given for start up schools
• She referenced LA Unified School Districts. ICE has been lurking near schools for weeks.
• College Ready Public Schools and California Charter Schools Association in support.
• School sexual abuse is not only costing our schools, but more importantly and tragic.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the superintendent at Pack Charter School, a K-12 system serving about 1,500 students.
• Schools are now expected to provide layered systems of protection, physical security, mental health supports
• He said that in the bill, the anonymous threat reporting system language only encourages school districts
• He said they have a great option available to all school districts right now that do not have a system
• on the public school system. on the public school system.

Bills: HF3493, HF4114

Keywords: safe schools, charter schools, nonpublic schools, Tribal education, funding increase, special education, funding, education finance, appropriations, budget, cross subsidy

Transcript Highlights:

• finance system.
• So this this is sort of mechanically what happens in the school finance system.
• When we pull those into the system, what happens to school districts? So slide 12 is like...
• Essentially, the school district.
• PVS is woven throughout the school finance system.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• program, with our out-of-school time programs, both on-site and then at our local schools.
• I go to Cheyenne High School. I'm also a 2026 Governor's School scholar.
• Was it from the schools? Was it... ...where you got that response from? Was it from the schools?
• the system office.
• the state higher education system.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• going through high school.
• Equity means the system adjusts for student needs, school district characteristics, and local economic
• for schools and school systems by relying on a mix of revenue sources that behave predictably over time
• as well as charter schools.
• traditional public schools and open-enrollment public charter schools.

Summary: The House and Senate Education Committee first approved minutes from February 2 and 3, then took up an interim study proposal on adult education and the Excel Center model. Representatives from Goodwill Industries of Arkansas, the Excel Center network, and the University of Notre Dame’s Lab for Economic Opportunities testified that roughly 300,000 Arkansans over age 19 lack a high school diploma or GED, and argued that the Excel Center provides a supported diploma pathway for adults who struggle with GED testing. Witnesses highlighted wraparound services such as free child care, transportation assistance, tutoring, life coaching, and career services, and cited outcomes including high retention, growing enrollment, and research showing higher employment and earnings and lower criminal justice involvement for graduates. Committee members raised questions about the state’s role, existing adult education programs, and how the study would be structured; the motion to adopt the ISP passed, though there was some procedural disagreement about when questions should have been taken. The committee then heard a detailed adequacy funding overview from BLR staff Katie Walden and Adrian Beck on Arkansas K-12 education finance. They reviewed national funding principles and explained Arkansas’s system, including state and local revenue sources, the Public School Fund, the Educational Excellence Trust Fund, the Educational Adequacy Fund, and the Facilities Partnership Program. Staff said K-12 state and local revenues totaled $6.6 billion in 2025, with foundation funding making up the largest share of district and charter funding, followed by additional, categorical, and supplemental funds. They also explained the matrix-based foundation formula, the role of the uniform rate of tax, and how categorical and supplemental funds support areas such as alternative learning, English learners, special education high-cost cases, teacher salary equalization, declining enrollment, and student growth. Members asked several follow-up questions about how specific funding categories are defined and used, including student support staff, instructional aides, special education high-cost occurrences, ALE funding, teacher salary equalization, and the inclusion of Excel Center amounts in state-local funding totals. Staff said some of those details would be addressed in a later presentation and offered to provide additional records, including district lists and historical information. The meeting ended after the funding overview, with no additional votes or actions beyond the ISP adoption and adjournment.