Video & Transcript Research : 'Legislative Reference Library'
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MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Irish-American experience in Massachusetts through landmarks, monuments, public buildings, museums, parks, libraries
Summary:
The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted a resolution commending the National Coalition for LGBTQ Health and its Massachusetts affiliates for LGBTQ Health Awareness Week. Members also received and adopted a gubernatorial proclamation recognizing Evacuation Day, with remarks noting its historical significance as the first victory of the American Revolution and its connection to St. Patrick’s Day observances in Massachusetts.
The chamber then took up House No. 62, a bill extending certain COVID-19 measures adopted during the state of emergency. On a motion to suspend the rules and consider the bill forthwith, the Senate agreed, and the bill was ordered to a third reading. Later, Senator Kahn read Governor Healey’s proclamation declaring March 2025 Irish American Heritage Month, highlighting the contributions of Irish Americans in Massachusetts and the state’s Irish heritage trails; the Senate ordered both the Evacuation Day and Irish American Heritage Month remarks entered into the Journal.
The Senate also adopted a motion that it adjourn in memory of Mark T. Feeney of South Boston, with a brief tribute to his family, community ties, and public service. Finally, the Senate adopted an order to meet again the following Thursday at 11 a.m. and then adjourned.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Are they serving in a legislative manner or judicial?
- So I ask for your favorable support of this legislation.
- And hopefully it is in the spirit of your legislation.
- This legislation is not about weakening child protection.
- This legislation was passed, or excuse me, the legislature was passed during the 2023 legislative session
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, doctor and guest introductions, and then took up Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, on mental health. Senator Bradley described the bill as a major criminal justice and behavioral health reform measure that would expand pretrial mental health diversion, strengthen treatment-based probation conditions, broaden grant uses for mental health and substance abuse programs, add Hillsborough County to a forensic hospital diversion pilot, require certain DOC mental health evaluations, and create a Florida Behavioral Health Data Repository. Senators from both parties spoke in strong support, emphasizing treatment over incarceration, public safety, data collection, and the Murphy family’s role in advancing the bill. The Senate passed the bill 37-0 and then approved 37 co-sponsors.
The chamber then received the Senate’s 2025-26 General Appropriations Bill, SB 2500, with Chair Hooper outlining a $117.4 billion budget that he said reduces spending, preserves reserves, and includes major investments in water quality, transportation, education infrastructure, and reporting requirements. Committee chairs summarized their portions: K-12 funding at $34.7 billion with increases for FEFP, scholarships, VPK, school hardening, and school safety; higher education at $11.5 billion with workforce, nursing, reading, autism, and student aid investments; health and human services with a $1.8 billion increase for Medicaid, mental health, opioid response, disability services, and veterans programs; criminal and civil justice at $7.6 billion for corrections, juvenile justice, law enforcement, courts, and judgeships; transportation/tourism/economic development at about $18 billion including roads, housing, Visit Florida, and cultural grants; and agriculture/environment/general government with major Everglades, water quality, citrus, food bank, and agency IT funding.
Members then questioned several budget items, especially education funding formulas, the shift of scholarship dollars below the line, the impact on public school districts, AP/IB and other accelerated program funding, the APD wait list, opioid settlement spending, arts grants, and the My Safe Florida Home and condo pilot programs. Chairs generally said scholarship and accelerated-program dollars were being restructured for transparency and flexibility rather than cut, that school districts would still receive funding based on enrollment, and that APD and other human services issues would continue to be worked out in conference. The budget discussion concluded with remarks praising staff and noting a 4% across-the-board pay raise for state employees and targeted increases for law enforcement and firefighters, followed by a recognition for FAMU Day at the Capitol.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- The bill is passed and will be re-referred to Higher Education.
- >
to <00:25:54.880>higher moved to re-referred to higher moved to re-referred to higher - My great-grandfather, John Kinszer, spent 28 years as a Democratic legislator.
- He was working to ensure legislator.
- That means the legislative session.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Education Policy and Administration (01/15/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:16:18.360>
to treated as such um we should refer to treated as such um we should refer - <00:34:27.440>
um legislation um legislation um um<00:34:29.919>even <00:34:30.679> - ><01:48:20.000>
legislative department and this legislative department and this legislative body - It's a helpful quick reference.
- 21 and9 which sets out again I reference 21 and9 which sets out that<02:24:32.560>
legislative
Summary:
The House Education Committee held its organizational meeting for the new term, with members introducing themselves and describing their backgrounds in teaching, school boards, special education, administration, law, and related fields. Chair Glenn Cordelli outlined the committee’s goals and procedures, emphasizing civility, professionalism, and respectful treatment of witnesses and members. He also noted that the committee has been split into two this year because of the large volume of bills, and said the committee had already sent three bills to the other education committee, with 36 bills currently assigned and more expected.
The chair reviewed committee rules and logistics: hearings should start on time, members should minimize cell phone use and avoid searching during testimony, and questioning of witnesses is limited to one question at a time unless the chair allows a follow-up. Members were told to use the title “Representative,” to sign up on pink cards to testify, and to submit written testimony to the clerk. He also explained that hearings are for listening rather than debating, while executive sessions are where debate and motions occur. Possible motions include ought to pass, inexpedient to legislate, and retain in committee for further work, including subcommittees.
Additional procedures covered scheduling, with the committee expected to meet Wednesday and Thursday the following week because of a holiday, and regular meetings generally planned for Monday and Wednesday. The chair also discussed the consent calendar, reports from majority and minority positions, and the expectation that members who testify on a bill should not then question other witnesses on that same bill. No legislation was voted on at this meeting; it was a procedural and orientation session for the committee.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Science, Technology and Energy (02/04/2025)
Science, Technology and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- problematic it would be non-legislative problematic it would be non-legislative but<00:33:30.200
- <01:02:09.400>
to to introduce this legislation to to introduce this legislation to us<01: - perspective if this legislation perspective if this legislation basically<01:40:46.480>
said< - legislation to our federal legislation legislation to our<02:08:51.800>
governor <02:08:52.400 - legislation, the library could be part of the group.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- legislative session together. legislative session together.
- and not pedal legislation.
- and not pedal legislation.
- legislation and not pedal legislation. legislation and not pedal legislation.
- Old lo legislators legislators, too. Old lo legislators never<04:24:36.000>
die.
Summary:
The House met with a quorum present, approved the previous day’s journal, and welcomed an honored guest, Kenyan Parliament member Joshua Aduma Aore, introduced by Representative Momanyi-Hiltsley. The main business of the day was a series of retirement speeches from departing members, with the chamber proceeding in seniority order.
Representative Perryman said she was leaving the House to run for the Senate and reflected on four years of service, thanking constituents, family, colleagues, and staff. She emphasized integrity, compassion, and the belief that people in public office share more in common than what divides them. Representative Perez Vega gave a lengthy farewell centered on her identity, district, and legislative priorities, thanking staff and colleagues and highlighting work on drivers’ licenses for all, housing justice, the Read Act, ethnic studies, workforce development, and funding for a Minnesota Latino Museum. She also spoke about the importance of representation, community, and continuing to fight for children, families, and immigrant communities.
Representative Weiner said his time in the House had been educational and urged less division, more civility, and a return to public service over party conflict. He cited George Washington’s warnings about factions, said he would carry a calmer voice to the Senate, and argued for more single-subject bills and against careerism in office. Representative Bakeberg thanked members, staff, and his family, spoke about faith and service, and said his work was motivated by constituents and by the example of children visiting the Capitol. Representative Ryer also thanked staff and colleagues, reflected on serving during COVID and after George Floyd’s murder, and listed policy successes and disappointments, including medical debt reform, rare disease treatment, Medicaid dental support, housing and bonding, solar on public buildings, and soil and water funding; she also criticized failures on immigrant protections, disability services, and gun violence measures, and called for protecting human rights, voting rights, and democratic norms. No votes or formal legislative actions were taken beyond the journal approval and recognition of guests and speakers.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Jun 26th, 2025
Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Emergency Management, Community Services, which includes recreation facilities, Henry Hammond Paul: Libraries
- The recap of child welfare legislation passed during the 2025 legislative session.
- It's titled 2025 Legislative Session Recap.
- I'm referring to page by Ms.
- Any concern, Self-refer, call, be referred by a doctor, be referred by a home visitor, by a childcare
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 3/4/26
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:25:33.560>
and decades, we see that legislation and decades, we see that legislation and - While we recognize this legislation, although I think the amendment gets in that direction, it needs
- , While we recognize this legislation, While we recognize this legislation, although<00:30:17.800
- >
issue <01:17:11.040>of As legislators discuss the issue of As legislators discuss the - We are currently preparing to sponsor the Anoka County Library Summer Reading Challenge.
Keywords:
surveillance, price discrimination, wage discrimination, automated decision systems, consumer protections, data privacy, biometrics, consumer protection, price setting, biometric data, retail, privacy, 1183, house
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes from March 3, 2026, and then received a presentation from the Minnesota Office of the Attorney General on the Minnesota Consumer Data Privacy Act. Assistant Attorney General Caitlin Miko and Deputy Attorney General Jessica Whitney reviewed the law’s scope, consumer rights, business obligations, and enforcement history. They said the law took effect July 31, 2025, gives Minnesotans rights to access, delete, and opt out of sale, profiling, and targeted advertising, and is enforced by the Attorney General with penalties up to $7,500 per violation. They reported more than 200 complaints in the first six months, many warning letters, and a shift from education to active enforcement now that the initial warning-letter period has expired.
Committee members asked about how the universal opt-out works, what happens when companies deny deletion or editing requests, how the office determines willful noncompliance, and whether the law could burden small businesses. The AG’s office said the opt-out can be set through privacy-protective browsers or extensions, companies must respond to consumer requests within 45 days, small businesses are exempt as defined by the SBA, and investigations look for patterns and evidence of willful conduct rather than minor technical violations. The office also said it needs additional funding to fully staff enforcement efforts and noted that it has already issued subpoenas and civil investigative demands.
The committee then took up House File 3408, the Stop Grocery Surveillance Price Gouging Act. The author explained that the bill would prohibit retail grocers, physical and online, from setting individualized prices based on consumer information, would limit certain uses of facial recognition and electronic shelf labels, and would preserve narrow exceptions for discounts and loyalty programs. Public testimony followed from the Minnesota Farmers Union in support, arguing that grocery consolidation and surveillance pricing could worsen already high food costs and harm fair competition. The Minnesota Grocers Association opposed the premise that grocery stores use surveillance pricing, said shelf prices are generally uniform and set from a single storewide database, and argued electronic shelf labels are efficient and not nefarious. A technology company representative similarly said ESLs do not use personal data or facial recognition, prices are uniform, and a 2025 study found no meaningful price increases after ESL adoption. The bill was laid over for possible further discussion after the testimony.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
SPEED Task Force (STF) - Tue Jan 6, 2026 @ 9:30 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- <01:30:48.000>
process during that process legislative process during that process legislative - previous call out the state legislator previous call out the state legislator um<03:14:43.120>
<04:44:43.200>- Um so we will reference them in them.
it opportunities and ways to legislate it opportunities and ways to legislate - move forward past this legislative move forward past this legislative session<04:46:07.520>
and
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session 4/25/25 - Part 2
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- chair she started money for libraries chair she started money for libraries and<00:21:35.600>
- <00:31:01.200>
and good legislation done communicating and good legislation done communicating - And so, um, you state level legislation.
- <02:06:02.480>
really also state that this legislation really also state that this legislation - Maybe we need legislation."
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
September 22, 2025 - 12:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- States all ran back in legislators for of their community in which they lived.
- States all ran back in legislators for number of other local functions.
- States all ran back in legislators for To equal education, states all ran back, and legislators for a
- You'll hear it referred to throughout the presentation as TRIM. And, as Dr.
- You'll hear it referred to throughout the presentation as trim. And as Dr.
Summary:
The Select Committee on Property Taxes met for an educational session focused on how Florida funds public schools and how property taxes are assessed and levied. Dr. Jim Zengali of the Department of Revenue explained the FEFP school funding formula, noting that it is built on weighted student counts, a base student allocation, and programmatic add-ons such as transportation, exceptional student education, school safety, and mental health. He said school funding is roughly split between state general revenue and local property taxes through required local effort, with additional discretionary and capital outlay millages contributing to total school funding. He also described the Department of Revenue’s role in certifying property rolls at fair market value and reviewing them for substantial compliance, including the so-called “nuclear option” if a roll is not approved.
Members asked about trends in millage rates, county-by-county funding differences, the effect of growth and enrollment changes, and how property appraisals are reviewed. Zengali said aggregate millage for school funding has declined over the last decade while revenues have still increased, and he agreed to provide additional data on county trends, parcel strata, student growth, and enrollment impacts. He also clarified that school funding is equalized so students receive similar resources regardless of county wealth, and that federal funding plays only a small role in the FEFP.
Amy Baker of the Joint Legislative Office of Economic and Demographic Research then discussed existing homestead benefits. She said about half of Florida’s parcels are homestead properties, most fall in the $250,000 to $500,000 value range, and many seniors without mortgages pay property taxes in lump sums rather than through escrow. Baker explained that Florida’s homestead tax burden is middle-of-the-pack nationally and that the main benefits are Save Our Homes and portability on the differential side, plus the $25,000 homestead exemption and related exemptions on the exemption side. She said these benefits reduce taxable value substantially, with homestead properties receiving a large share of the reductions, and noted that the committee requested follow-up data on exemption usage, portability timing, senior exemptions, and county-level patterns.
The final presentation, by Lizette Kelly of the Department of Revenue, covered millage rates and the TRIM process. She reviewed the history of truth-in-millage notices, required taxpayer mailings, public hearing notices, and later changes that tied local millage resets to rollback and majority-vote rates. Kelly explained the difference between proposed and adopted millage, the rollback rate, and the majority-vote rate, and described how taxing authorities include counties, cities, special districts, and MSTUs. She also outlined how county taxable value is calculated from just value through assessment differentials and exemptions, and how certain exemptions, such as the additional senior exemption, apply only to the taxing authority that adopted them. No votes were taken during the meeting, but members requested several follow-up data reports for later discussion.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- like, what is Mississippi doing to include one of the top things that they did was they reinstated library
- :15:03.000>
was <01:15:03.520>they <01:15:04.080>reinstated <01:15:04.920>library - <01:15:05.320>
media did was they reinstated library media did was they reinstated library - It was just after COVID, and I was doing both legislation and teaching.
- I was doing both legislation and and and I was doing both legislation and and and teaching. teaching.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Fiscal Committee (04/18/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- million is that they were uh legislative million is that they were uh legislative appropriations
- This is prospective legislation and not passed legislation. Is that what this list is meant to do?”
- So legislation that has not passed yet.
- legislation and not passed<01:24:42.960>
legislation. - Is that what this passed legislation.
Summary:
The committee first approved the March 21 minutes and then took up a consent calendar, withdrawing several items before adopting the remainder. It also moved item FIS 25103 to the table by a 6-4 vote after Senator Gray argued the Executive Council had not yet acted on a prior $5 million approval and that the committee should avoid adding to the rainy day fund draw. The committee then approved item 25106 for the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources/State Library after hearing that the department expected about a $400,000 lapse to return to the state.
A major discussion centered on New Hampshire Police Standards and Training (item 2577). Senator Gray questioned whether a proposed equipment purchase could be delayed to the next biennium in light of the state’s deficit and rainy day fund use. The agency said the equipment was needed now for scenario training, vendors had already been identified, and delaying would likely increase costs and force continued reliance on unpaid volunteer help. The committee ultimately approved the item.
The committee also approved Department of Energy item 2587 after hearing that federal weatherization funds are drawn down on a reimbursement basis, and item 2588 after similar testimony that weatherization work must be completed and inspected before reimbursement, limiting how quickly funds can be expended. Item 250094 had been withdrawn. Later, the committee discussed Senator Carson’s request for an LBA review of the YDC claims settlement fund, with members expressing concern about administrative costs, attorney fees, settlement-loan payoffs, and the need for more detailed reporting. The committee voted to direct LBA to conduct the audit described in Senator Carson’s memo, with the additional request that the review include the term over which attorney fees are paid. The meeting then moved on to an HHS staff item, where members began questioning the timing of dashboard data and reporting delays.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 083 Apr 7th, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Today, upon adjournment in the old state library, the Appropriations Committee will meet.
Summary:
The House convened, the Pledge of Allegiance was led, and a roll call established a quorum with 51 members present and 14 excused. The journal for Thursday, April 2, 2026, was approved as corrected by the Chief Clerk after a voice vote, with the motion adopted despite some lighthearted remarks from members.
Members then announced committee meetings and schedules for later in the day. Appropriations was set to meet in the old state library and lay over House Bill 1365 until the next day. House Finance announced it would hear Senate Bill 128, House Bill 1225, and House Bill 1117 in room 112. House Agriculture, Water, and Natural Resources announced it would hear Senate Bill 122 and Senate Bill 121. The State Civic Veterans Military Affairs Committee announced it would hear Senate Bill 48 and HCR 1001.
Several members also made personal announcements, including requests to be excused and notice of a Bible study in room 109. Representative Phillips jokingly noted a Kit Kat placed on the Speaker’s desk. At the end of the session, the Majority Leader moved to lay over the balance of the calendar until Tuesday, April 7, 2026, and then moved that the House stand in recess until later that day; both motions were adopted without objection.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- This session I'm looking to expand on the success success of that legislation by introducing this legislation
- The proposed text refers to endogenous profiles.
- I implore you all as legislators to use this opportunity to protect women.
- I'll also point out that that is just a really weird thing to legislate.
- And basic fundamental realities are now having to be legislated into law.
Keywords:
biological sex, gender identity, public facilities, civil penalties, local government, EBT, electronic benefits transfer, food stamps, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, TANF, temporary assistance for needy families, welfare benefits, benefit card fraud, fraud hotline, card replacement, photo ID, recipient photograph, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- This session I'm looking to expand on the success success of that legislation by introducing this legislation
- The proposed text refers to endogenous profiles.
- That's the sort of gross violation of privacy I expect as a response to this legislation.
- I implore you all as legislators to use this opportunity to protect women.
- I'll also point out that that is just a really weird thing to legislate.
Keywords:
biological sex, gender identity, public facilities, civil penalties, local government, EBT, electronic benefits transfer, food stamps, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, TANF, temporary assistance for needy families, welfare benefits, benefit card fraud, fraud hotline, card replacement, photo ID, recipient photograph, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Delivery of Government Efficiency Apr 30th, 2025
Delivery of Government Efficiency
Transcript Highlights:
- However, the process for enacting comprehensive legislation is ongoing.
- We've never had a legislative hearing to properly assess this risk.
- This is government expansion through bureaucracy, not legislation.
- council or legislative schedule, and so on.
- As a reference on the transparency for recapture.
Keywords:
government review, Texas Sunset Act, regulatory oversight, agencies, sunset provisions, autonomous vehicles, regulation, safety, criminal offense, Autonomous Vehicle Commission, registration, regulations, Level 4 automation, Level 5 automation, self-driving technology, traffic laws, permit system, collision reporting, safety standards, Automated Vehicle Commission
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 29th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Introduction and reference of bills will be deferred.
- Connie Chan, Legislative Manager, State Treasurer, Fiona Ma, and Russell Manning, Legislative Analyst
- This bill sets a clear, transparent path for legislative review and input.
- Let's try and get through as much legislation as we can.
- Also, this is a California Legislative Black Caucus priority bill.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Fincham: Senator Mark Fincham, Legislative District 1, which includes...
- This is my fourth legislative session.
- The agenda order today, if you refer to the list, Agenda order today, if you refer to the list, we'll
- These devices are already... ...commonly referred to as suppressors.
- We appreciate your consideration of this legislation today.
Bills:
SB1003, SB1006, SB1029, SB1037, SB1038, SB1039, SB1040, SB1053, SB1057, SB1060, SB1061, SB1068, SB1069
Keywords:
election, canvass, certification, ballot tabulation, write-in candidates, registration, voting procedures, campaign finance, contribution limits, reporting requirements, political action committees, elections, campaign contributions, candidate committees, posthumous provisions, termination process, Arizona Revised Statutes, voting systems, vote tabulation, election security
Summary:
The Judiciary and Elections Committee opened with roll call, member introductions, and a lengthy agenda item on alleged anomalies involving the State Bar of Arizona. The committee heard live testimony from a former attorney who described his disciplinary experience as retaliatory and unfair, and staff read excerpts from affidavits criticizing bar discipline procedures, notice, and due process. Members debated the State Bar’s authority, attorney discipline rules, and whether attorneys can practice while under investigation, with some arguing the bar is unaccountable and others emphasizing the Supreme Court’s oversight and existing disciplinary procedures.
The committee then considered several election-related bills. SB 1037, requiring stricter security measures for vote-recording and tabulating equipment, passed 4-2-1 after members debated claims of election-system vulnerabilities and the cost of added safeguards. SB 1038, which would make cast vote records publicly available quickly after polls close, was amended to require transmission to the Secretary of State within 48 hours after canvass and then passed 4-2-1. SB 1040, expanding public online access to voter registration rolls in read-only form, also passed 4-2-1 after privacy concerns were raised and the sponsor argued for transparency.
The committee next approved SB 1039, allowing attorneys who prevail in discipline matters to seek damages for reputational harm and lost earnings, despite objections that it raised separation-of-powers concerns and testimony about bar discipline procedures. SB 1053, capping Arizona resident concealed-carry permit fees at 10% of the nonresident fee, passed 4-2-1 after supporters framed it as a constitutional-rights and affordability measure and opponents raised public-safety and revenue concerns. SB 1057, requiring ballot paper fraud-countermeasure features, passed 4-2-1 after debate over cost and vendor capability. SB 1060, removing a voting exemption for U.S. citizens who have never resided in the United States, passed 3-2-2 amid concerns about unintended effects on military families. Finally, SB 1061, lowering the fentanyl threshold for enhanced sentencing from 200 grams to 9 grams, drew strong opposition from defense and civil-liberties witnesses who warned it would sweep in users and prescribed medications; the transcript ends during that testimony, before a final action is shown.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
SB 2330 Conference Committee Apr 14th, 2025 at 03:00 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- You know, we've been debating, we just got done debating the library bill.
- Question as far as, you know, this legislation came across in the Senate so that you would have broad
- So my preference would be to leave the non-public off the legislation.
- The legislation and the appropriation does not say, well, if you're out of money, the education stops
- The legislation and the appropriation does not say, well, if you're out of money, the education stops
Summary:
The Senate conference committee on Senate Bill 2330 met to resolve differences between the Senate and House versions of the bill, which concerns human trafficking and exploitation prevention and awareness education in schools. House members explained their amendments, including adding non-public schools, narrowing some statutory language, removing the appropriation section because funding had been moved into the Attorney General’s budget, and changing the bill’s structure to reduce what they viewed as an overly broad mandate. Senators and House members then debated whether the education should be required for all grades or limited to specific grades, and whether it should be delivered every year or every other year.
Testimony from Amy Boyd-Bomey of YouthWorks and Stacey Schaefer of the 31A Project supported focusing the program on grades 6 and 10, with later discussion adding grade 12. They said sixth grade is a key entry point into junior high and social media exposure, tenth grade is important because of dropout risk, and twelfth grade would be the last opportunity to reach students before adulthood. They also said repeating the same material every year could dilute the message, that the curriculum should be thoughtful and trauma-informed, and that “best practices” may be preferable to the bill’s “evidence-based” language because of cost and feasibility. They emphasized that presenters must be prepared for disclosures from students after the training.
Committee members also discussed logistics and funding. The witnesses said the Attorney General’s budget line for the program would fund third-party organizations through a grant process, with reporting requirements, and that the proposed amount was based on their cost estimates. Members raised concerns about whether the funding would cover all schools and grades, especially if non-public schools were included. Several members argued against mandating the program in non-public schools at this time, citing uncertainty about related legislation and the need to maximize available funds, while others said private school students also face trafficking risks and should not be excluded. The committee did not take final action on the bill; instead, members agreed to continue working on amendments, including grade levels, annual versus biennial implementation, the “may include” language, the “evidence-based” standard, and the non-public school issue, and to reconvene at a later meeting.