Transcript Highlights:

• I’m the Director of Ed Resources and Innovation at the Washington State Board of Community and Technical
• OSPI has sponsored for the last 15 years or so, and looking at that transition from K-12 to higher ed
• students are looking at public, private, for-profit, or unknown institutions that can help our higher ed
• So again, this can help our higher ed system think about how might we need to market differently because
• powerful because one of the things we heard loud and clear from our partners, especially in higher ed

Summary: The committee spent much of the meeting hearing presentations on student mental health supports at Central Washington University, Washington State University, the University of Washington, and the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges. CWU described high levels of student distress, loneliness, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and basic-needs insecurity, along with a campus-wide holistic well-being model that includes behavioral intervention teams, emergency aid, peer outreach, community partnerships, and a collegiate recovery community. WSU emphasized loneliness, common presenting concerns such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and relationship distress, and the role of housing and residence life, resident advisors, living-learning communities, and coordinated crisis response in identifying and supporting students. UW highlighted prevention and support programs through LiveWell, including alcohol and other drug consultations, confidential advocacy, suicide intervention, student needs navigation, peer health educators, and peer wellness coaches. The community and technical college system reported persistent access barriers, especially for students ages 18 to 24 and those facing housing or food insecurity, and said the legislature-funded mental health pilot at four colleges expanded counseling access, telehealth, and referral pathways, while broader system efforts focus on awareness, telehealth, basic-needs supports, and workforce training in behavioral health fields. Members asked each panel how they gather student feedback, and the institutions said they use surveys, evaluations, and ongoing outreach to students in services. Questions also focused on substance-use and recovery resources, Greek life outreach, and whether colleges have enough licensed mental health staff versus academic advisors; the community college board said not all colleges have licensed mental health providers on staff, and some rely on community contracts or telehealth. The committee also discussed whether counseling services are increasing because of post-pandemic effects or because students are more willing to seek help, with presenters saying both factors likely play a role. The committee then shifted to artificial intelligence in higher education. Washington State University, the University of Washington, Western Washington University, and the community and technical college system described campus AI task forces, governance structures, and efforts to set policies for students, faculty, and staff. Presenters said institutions are requiring course-level AI use statements, promoting ethical and transparent use, expanding access to approved tools such as Microsoft Copilot, and using AI for teaching, research, advising, and administrative support while guarding privacy, equity, and academic integrity. Members raised concerns about deepfakes, bias, student monitoring, and whether AI should be used to screen applications or evaluate student work; presenters said human review remains essential and that some institutions prohibit AI use in hiring or admissions screening. The final presentation, from OSPI, described the statewide rollout of the School Links high school and beyond plan platform under 2023 legislation, saying it will standardize career and college planning across K-12, provide better data and student guidance, and connect students to postsecondary pathways and employers; OSPI said the rollout is underway but current funding only extends through June 30, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• I wasn't aware that it was part of California Ed Code, and indeed, most teachers are not.
• Actually, you've got the Ed Code quite right.
• It's the inhumanity of genocide, slavery, and the But actually, you got the Ed Code quite right.
• Student Association, the official voice of over 160,000 students, proud co-sponsors, and on behalf of Ed
• SB 638 fills the gaps and more, connecting not just higher ed, but also TK-12, workforce, and safety

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard a series of bills focused largely on school safety, immigrant student protections, Holocaust and genocide education, civic engagement, and workforce pathways. SB 631 would expand the charter school revolving loan fund by increasing loan amounts and broadening eligibility, including for charter schools affected by natural disasters; it drew support from the Treasurer’s Office and the California Charter Schools Association and was advanced on a 4-0 vote, with the bill held on call. SB 472 would reinforce Holocaust, slavery, and genocide education requirements and create or expand teacher training and grants; it received strong support from survivors, educators, and Jewish organizations and passed 6-0, with several members asking to be added as coauthors. The committee also took up a package of immigration-related school bills. SB 48 would bar school officials from allowing immigration enforcement access to campuses without a judicial warrant and protect student records; it was backed by Superintendent Tony Thurmond, teachers, school districts, and many advocacy groups, and passed 5-0 to the Judiciary Committee. SB 98 would require K-12 schools and higher education institutions to notify campus communities when immigration enforcement is present; it also drew broad support from student groups, colleges, and education organizations and passed 3-0 to Higher Education, with the bill held on call. Both measures were presented as responses to recent immigration enforcement activity near schools and the chilling effect on attendance and student well-being. Other measures advanced included SB 848, which would strengthen protections against employee sexual misconduct in schools by updating safety plans, training, reporting, and misconduct tracking; it was supported by education groups and a survivor who described grooming at her high school, and passed 6-0 to Public Safety. SB 638 would create a statewide coordinating entity for education and workforce programs and support career pathways, with testimony emphasizing the need to align fragmented funding and improve access for underserved communities; it passed 7-0 to Higher Education. SB 316, on high school voter registration and pre-registration, passed 8-0 to Elections after testimony from students and civic engagement advocates, and SB 334, which would add sexual harassment prevention content and a Sexual Harassment Safety Week to school curriculum, was presented with support from student advocates and AAUW, with no opposition noted in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're calling up invited witness Ed Johnson. Invited witness Ed Johnson, please come to the table.
• Ed Johnson is here on the bill. I'm also representing the Harris County Ballot Security Committee.
• But I do know from Ed, I think you were on some of those conference calls, what’s going on.
• Thank you, Ed. Any questions for this witness? Thank you for participating.

Bills: SB397, SB481, SB596, SB760, SB855, SB1195, SB1196, SB1233, SB1257, SB1318, SB1368, SB1388, SB1398, SB1524, SB1558, SB1589, SB1677, SB1792, SB2034

Keywords: SB 397, telemedicine, telehealth, teledentistry, remote care, virtual care, consent documentation, patient consent, data collection, data sharing, audio-only telehealth, in-person examination, irreversible medical procedure, health professional regulation, Occupations Code, Texas Health and Human Services, medical records, provider compliance, data privacy, consumer rights

Transcript Highlights:

• we need to go to state go it we're in we need to go to state go it we're in higher<00:05:18.880> ed
• are<00:05:19.680> referencing<00:05:20.360> now<00:05:20.600> that higher ed
• you are referencing now that higher ed you are referencing now that it's<00:05:20.880> going<
• Lower higher ed costs for others? We know the answer is no.
• as harsh as possible to immigrant families does nothing to address the skyrocketing cost of higher ed

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• and ed leadership program and take it online.
• I've taught in pre-K through 16 ed for over 20 years.
• So, our district is responsible for reporting 32 different reports to the Department of Ed, and 13 of
• And what I'm getting to is that data and the data that the legislature and the Department of Ed requires
• As far as overlap, the Department of Ed has done a really good job over the years of trying to reduce

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the last piece in the cooperative agreement, I understand Department of Ed, they can't say what CFL
• I understand Department of Ed, they can't say what CFL will... they can't give you access to a private
• We can make DOE do that, you know, but we can't make the Department of Ed do that.
• They've been assisting with the special ed audit to try to get that one finished up.
• So they'll be freed up right as soon as that special ed audit is done, they'll be starting work on the

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee received an update from the LBA on three audits related to education programs. Christine Young reported that the special education audit is in report-writing, with 44 of 81 observations completed, and that a draft is expected early in the third quarter with a final report later in the summer. She also said the doorway program audit has a draft report with 12 observations, auditee responses were received May 14, an exit conference was held May 18, and the report is now expected to be presented at the June fiscal committee meeting. The bulk of the discussion focused on the education freedom accounts audit and a proposed expansion of scope. Beulah Skids explained that the original audit, required by the 2022 law creating the EFA program, would be expanded to examine whether students were New Hampshire residents at enrollment and throughout participation, and whether records of educational attainment satisfied program requirements. She described the current work, the draft cooperation agreement being developed with the Department of Education and the Children’s Scholarship Fund, and the department’s concerns about the audit period and the term "educational progress," which the LBA said it would revise. The committee discussed that the expanded work would depend on a written agreement giving the LBA access to needed records, policies, and staff, with the Department of Education potentially serving as an intermediary for data access. Members raised concerns about the scope period and data access. Senator Lang asked that the residency review be limited to the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years, rather than the broader 2022-25 period, because those years captured the major program expansions; the committee appeared to agree, with clarification that the reference was to school years, not fiscal years. Members also discussed reconciliation of EFA funds, noting that the department has agreed to reopen rulemaking to make reconciliation more frequent so unused funds can be returned to the state sooner. Several members expressed frustration that access to data had been delayed, while LBA staff said the cooperation agreement is intended to prevent further roadblocks and that the AG’s office could review it if needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Ed Reese, President of the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments and proud to sponsor AB 1786
• Ed Manning with KP Public Affairs on behalf of the New California Coalition.
• Ed Manning, on behalf of New California... changed.
• Ed Manning on behalf of New California. ...and strong support of this bill.
• Ed Manning, on behalf of the New California Coalition, in support.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The committee hearing covered a large slate of local government and housing-related bills, with several authors presenting measures aimed at streamlining development, updating local government procedures, and addressing infrastructure and resource issues. Early bills included AB 2639 on Merced County flood control coordination, AB 1786 allowing certain local agencies to use best-value contracting, AB 2058 reducing duplicative permitting and inspection costs for factory-built housing, AB 2576 clarifying historic resource protections in housing law, AB 2568 increasing the number of compensated days for water district board members, AB 2224 updating county recorder fees and electronic recording requirements, AB 2469 requiring data-center water supply assessments and cost responsibility, and AB 2397 limiting local vetoes over housing infrastructure financing districts. Most of these measures drew support from local governments, housing advocates, or special districts, while some also drew opposition from business, county, or labor groups depending on the bill. The most extensive debate centered on AB 1751, which would create ministerial approval for qualifying townhome projects and establish a $28 hourly minimum wage floor for construction workers on covered projects, while expressly preserving prevailing wage law. Supporters, including the author, the California Conference of Carpenters, and housing advocates, argued the bill would expand homeownership opportunities, raise wages for largely non-union workers, and improve accountability through direct developer liability and enforcement provisions. Opponents, including several building trades organizations and some local government groups, argued the bill would undercut prevailing wage standards, reduce benefits, and could create broader wage pressure in the construction market. Committee members raised questions about land-use barriers, the wage floor, and the bill’s interaction with prevailing wage and federal law, and the author emphasized that the measure was intended as a wage floor rather than a replacement for prevailing wage. AB 2469 on data centers also drew a sharp split. Supporters said the bill would give local governments better information before approving water-intensive projects, protect overdrafted groundwater basins, and ensure data centers pay for needed infrastructure rather than shifting costs to ratepayers. Opponents from the Chamber of Commerce, the Data Center Coalition, and others argued the bill imposed unnecessary and potentially unconstitutional burdens, singled out one industry, and could create security and competitiveness concerns. Across the hearing, several authors asked for aye votes, and committee members repeatedly noted that the committee was still operating without a quorum, so no final votes were taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• remain for a couple of minutes more, I'd like to recognize the Student Retention Council with a higher ed
• council<00:40:51.359> with<00:40:51.520> a<00:40:51.680> higher<00:40:51.920> ed
• <00:40:52.400> ed<00:40:52.720> partnership.
• council with a higher ed ed partnership. council with a higher ed ed partnership.

Bills: HB527, HB563, HB580, HB579, SB190, HB15, HB390, HB527, HB563, HB580, HB579, SB190, HB15, HB390

Keywords: liability, off-roading, parks, participant safety, risk management, SNAP, food assistance, public assistance, income standards, Department of Human Resources, eligibility, HB580, Alabama Healthy Schools Act, public schools, K-12, school nutrition, school meals, cafeteria, vending machines, fundraising sales

Transcript Highlights:

• I am an educator in higher ed, and unfortunately so many of my colleagues who also oppose this bill and
• pertains to instructional material, I think the... ...goal and what we talked about with the Senate Ed
• And we've seen op-eds in higher ed about folks leaving the profession because of this kind of political
• why I know that we kind of resolved, or kind of ended up in this place of not being the Department of Ed
• I spent a lot of time looking at John Dewey when I was in ed school.

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee held an informational hearing on AB 715, followed by discussion of SB 48. AB 715 was presented by Assembly Members Zbur and Addis as a response to rising anti-Semitism in California schools. They described incidents involving harassment, swastikas, biased classroom materials, and students feeling unsafe, and said the bill would create an Office of Civil Rights with coordinators to address anti-Semitism and other forms of discrimination, provide prevention resources, and support school districts. Witnesses in support, including a rabbi and a student who described personal experiences with anti-Semitic harassment, urged immediate action to protect Jewish students. Opposition testimony came from the California Teachers Association, county superintendents, school board groups, labor organizations, civil liberties advocates, ethnic studies educators, and many community members. Their main concerns were that the bill was rushed, had not been fully vetted in the Assembly Education Committee, and could chill classroom speech or create constitutional problems, especially around language requiring instruction and materials to be “factually accurate” and not based on advocacy, bias, or partisanship. Several opponents argued that anti-Semitism should be addressed through education, training, and restorative practices rather than new statutory restrictions. Some witnesses also raised concerns about the bill’s impact on ethnic studies and free speech. Committee members then debated the bill’s process and substance at length. The authors said the bill had been narrowed through negotiations with education stakeholders and the Senate, that some disputed provisions would be revisited in cleanup language, and that the urgency of anti-Semitic incidents required action now. Several members expressed support for the bill’s goal but criticized the late release of the final language and the lack of consultation with the Assembly committee. Others emphasized the need to protect Jewish students immediately and argued the bill was a necessary response to a real crisis. The transcript does not show a final vote on AB 715 in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, attention, salute, pledge er c er n ed to the list distributed by the majority floor leader's
• Representative Ed Ford, you're recognized to present the Nurse of the Day. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Bills: HB3281, HB3320, HB3081, HB3127, HB3128, HB3498, HB2035, HB3765, HB4324, HB3678, HB4170, HB3495, HB3040, HB3062, HB4140, HB4106, HB4109, HB4104, HB3581, HB3620, HB3942, HB3279, HB3378, HB3383, HB3413, HB3414, HB3415, HB3420, HB3130, HB3700, HB3379, HB3129, HB3132, HB3315, HB2950, HB3242, HB3041, HB4428, HB4429, HB1064, HB3265, HB3721, HB3028, HB3313, HB3588, HB3020, HB3724, HB3392, HB3466, HB4060, HJR1074, HB3501, HJR1070, HB3794, HB3796, HB3928, HB2955, HB4453, HB4460, HB4128, HB3659, HB3270, HB3145

Keywords: administrative procedures, guidance documents, transparency, public inspection, rulemaking, sunset laws, statutory entities, regulatory compliance, emergency provisions, board re-creation, fire extinguisher, licensing, public safety, age qualification, State Fire Marshal, medical marijuana, employment rights, safety-sensitive positions, workplace policies, public assistance

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, we will invite Alex Miller with the Guardian Ed Lighten board to come forward.
• program administrator of the Guardian Ed program administrator of the Guardian Ed Lightum<01:01:
• <01:01:45.119> Lightum I've been with the Guardian Ed Lightum I've been with the Guardian
• Ed Lightum program<01:01:45.920> for<01:01:46.480> about<01:01:46.960> 27<01:01:
• c> employees<01:21:40.239> logged So, Guardian Ed Lightum employees logged So, Guardian Ed

Bills: HF2825

Keywords: expungement, criminal justice, background check, security industry, private detective, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• "Vice Chairman, members of the committee, my name is Ed Nao.
• We have the new Ed system up; it's operational at this point right now.
• The first one is for an Ed Specialist to support applied math.
• If it’s required, it’s with the Board of Ed.
• it's required is with the Board of Ed it's required is with the Board of Ed correct<03:29:04.439

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, Vice Chair, members of the committee, my name is Martin R.
• Chair, Vice Chair, members of the committee, my name is Martin R.
• Chair, Vice Chair, members of the committee, my name is Martin R.
• Robin Martin in support on Zoom.
• Robin Martin.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, just to remind the committee that beginning in 2028, the special ed spending will be cut by $125
• where it was, but I share the angst that the governor thinks we can find even more savings in special ed
• We've already identified the<00:07:10.760> special<00:07:11.120> ed,<00:07:11.240> but
• I'm<00:07:11.800> just<00:07:12.000> looking<00:07:12.360> for the special ed
• , but I'm just looking for the special ed, but I'm just looking for your<00:07:12.880> years<00

Bills: HF4213, HF4198, HF3930, HF3585, HF3451

Keywords: education finance, school funding, K-12, prekindergarten, pre-K, early childhood education, general education aid, special education, literacy aid, school meals, free school meals, school breakfast, school lunch, charter school lease aid, charter schools, nonpublic pupil aid, private school aid, transportation aid, desegregation aid, integration aid

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, adult ed, do you have a partnership with them because they're involved in this very same thing?
• Also adult ed, do you quite extensively.
• "What about adult ed, which we do fund as well?"
• "So I uh, Ashley Janicki is the leader of adult ed in Jefferson County.
• , which we do fund as >> What about adult ed, which we do fund as well?

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:00:28 Kentucky Recovery Vocational: Workforce Reimagined 00:01:31 Update on College Athletics and 25RS SB 3 00:24:39 Goodwill Kentucky Excel Center 01:09:53, 958, all

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from Kentucky Recovery Vocational Workforce and Re-entry Incorporated, led by Executive Director Jerick D'vor, on its vocational training model for people in recovery and formerly incarcerated individuals. He said the nonprofit operates in Russell Springs and serves students from across Kentucky, offering manufacturing and welding training tied to recovery services through Spark Recovery. D'vor emphasized that the program combines treatment, soft-skills coaching, job placement, and continued support after employment, arguing that training should begin around 90 days into recovery rather than earlier. He reported strong outcomes, including 292 students served, 259 certificates earned, and 250 job placements, with many participants placed in manufacturing jobs and 17 welders trained and placed through the new welding academy. Members praised the program but asked about funding, retention, and employability barriers. D'vor said the pilot was supported by opioid abatement grant funding, and the program now relies mainly on donor contributions and Spark Recovery’s investment in clients, with possible future support from additional opioid abatement funds or 1915(i) mechanisms. He said participants are not charged tuition and that the organization provides soft-skills training and job coaches. In response to questions about long-term outcomes, he said the program does not yet have a full alumni tracking system but is exploring technology options and continues to provide post-employment support for 90 days. After approving the committee minutes, members received an update on college athletics and Senate Bill 3 from University of Louisville Athletic Director Josh Heird and University of Kentucky Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart. They said Kentucky’s NIL framework and reporting requirements are working reasonably well and praised the state for not trying to create a competitive advantage in the evolving college sports environment. Heird reported that 521 student-athletes have signed up for NILGO and about 240 deals have been approved through the system, while noting the need to ensure NIL agreements are legitimate marketplace deals rather than artificial payments. The discussion also touched on the House settlement, the $600 approval threshold, and broader federal changes affecting college athletics.

Transcript Highlights:

• Oliver, Representative Representative Ed Oliver, Representative Representative Ed Oliver, Representative
• Ed Oliver's coming in. Ed, leadership. Ed Oliver's coming in. Ed, leadership.
• Ed Oliver's coming in.
• Ed, come down here and stand in front with come down here and stand in front with come down here and
• I next like to recognize Representative Ed Oliver, recognize Representative Ed Oliver, recognize Representative

Bills: HB 10, HB 12, HB 147, HB 1522, HB 422, HB 675, HB 204, HB 748, HB 912

Keywords: regulatory reform, government efficiency, administrative law, rulemaking, agency deference, judicial review, de novo review, Texas Government Code, Administrative Procedure Act, state agencies, plain language, regulatory burden, regulatory reduction, cost-benefit analysis, fiscal note, public benefits and costs, contested case, rule challenge, Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office, advisory panel

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we also have relied on studies from Ed Choice that not just couldn't cover academic performance
• It's the combination of higher ed and together as we did last session.
• The ESA funding is a... fraction of what we are putting into public ed, or if you want me to relate a
• Two sessions combined higher ed and lower ed in a session before higher ed six years.
• This amendment ensures that parents of ELL kids like parents of special ed students can make an informed

Bills: SB2, SJR36, SB2, SB2, SR29, SB2

Keywords: Maverick County, recognition, economic development, Texas Senate, community celebration, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for um thank you pages and welcome<00:01:55.960> to<00:01:56.079> the<00:01:56.200> Ed
• policy committee um so welcome to the Ed policy committee um so we'll<00:01:58.719> begin<00:
• I think we talked about it during Ed Finance when we were creating this pilot project.
• I think we talked about it during Ed Finance when we were creating this pilot project.
• I think we talked about it during Ed I think we talked about it during Ed Finance<00:51:08.920><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ch Ed Matsudo with the DLNR Engineering Division.
• :35.240> with<00:16:35.519> the<00:16:36.079> um<00:16:36.480> DLR H CH Ed
• matsudo with the um DLR H CH Ed matsudo with the um DLR engineering<00:16:37.279> division<00
• <01:01:17.480> chair<01:01:17.760> of and I've notified the higher ed chair of and
• I've notified the higher ed chair of this<01:01:18.319> and<01:01:18.640> defective<01:

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing began with SB 133 on energy, which drew opposition testimony from James Abraham, who said the bill was unnecessary because the Public Utilities Commission had already opened a proceeding to investigate wheeling, including intergovernmental wheeling, and should be allowed to finish its collaborative process. The committees then moved to SB 161 on county permitting and inspection, where several agencies submitted written comments or opposition, while the Grassroots Institute and HCDA-related testimony supported the measure. Members raised concerns about accountability and whether state agencies would report back on projects approved under any permitting exemption, and witnesses suggested annual reporting or amendment language to address that issue. The hearing then turned to SB 232 and SB 588, both related to renewable energy permitting. Testimony on SB 232 was largely supportive, but Rocky Mold of the Hawaii Solar Energy Association said SB 232 was an older version of a bill and that SB 588 was the preferred, updated measure. Members discussed whether the bill should be limited to residential or behind-the-meter customer-sited systems rather than utility-scale projects, and Mold clarified that the proposal was intended for customer-sited systems, not utility-scale facilities. For SB 588, the Department of Land and Natural Resources warned that state or county laws inconsistent with the National Flood Insurance Program could jeopardize flood insurance eligibility and related federal assistance, while Mold argued the bill’s FEMA floodway exemption was needed to avoid blocking solar installations on existing structures. The chair expressed concern about risking federal funding and questioned whether the exemption could be narrowed without defeating the bill’s purpose. SB 412, also on renewable energy, received supportive testimony from the State Energy Office and others. Members questioned whether a single coordinating entity should compile agency assessments, and Mark Glick said the Energy Office could take on that role if given the duty and sufficient staff. The committee then discussed SB 635 on energy efficiency, which would require state agencies to use energy-efficient lighting. Mark Glick testified that much of the work was already underway through benchmarking and related contracts, and a DAGS representative said the state was already assessing 590 buildings over 10,000 square feet, with results expected around 2027. Members suggested amending the bill to require annual status reports so the committees could track progress and avoid duplication. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill reflects what Harvard Ed Redesign Lab calls a place-based, whole-child, whole-family approach
• I don't know... ...reflects what Harvard Ed Redesign Lab calls a place-based, whole-child, whole-family
• embraces a cradle-to-career vision, aligning education, health, and social... reflects what Harvard ed
• That work led us to the Harvard Ed Redesign Lab and eventually to the Harlem Children's Zone.
• of our community: who's doing what, and create, like, zero to three, then K to 12, and then higher ed

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Business held its final hearing of the session on H. 5187 and S. 3022, the Enough Act, with Chair Andy Vargas and Senator Adam Gomez opening by thanking committee members and stakeholders for their work during the session. The bills were described as a grant-based, place-based anti-poverty initiative intended to support cradle-to-career services by funding local nonprofits, schools, community organizations, and backbone entities that can coordinate housing, education, health, workforce, and family supports in high-poverty neighborhoods. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support of the bills. Speakers including Strategies for Children, Chelsea Public Schools, Bunker Hill Community College, Senator Sal DiDomenico, Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian, Rep. Antonio Cabral, the Harlem Children’s Zone’s Kwame Owusu Kesse and Jeffrey Canada, former Education Secretary Paul Reville, AFT Massachusetts, United Way, the Boston Foundation, Give Black Alliance, Eastern Bank Foundation, and others argued that poverty is a systems issue that schools alone cannot solve. They emphasized the need for local control, community voice, coordinated services, and long-term public-private investment, often citing examples from Chelsea, New Bedford, Springfield, Lowell, Boston, and other communities, as well as the Harlem Children’s Zone and Maryland’s similar model. Committee members asked several questions about how the bill would function in practice, including what organizations would do on day one, how it would interact with existing efforts like community schools, McKinney-Vento, and the Student Opportunity Act, and how it would be sustained over time. Witnesses said the act would help create or strengthen backbone organizations, reduce duplication, align existing resources, and leverage philanthropy and future revenue sources for long-term sustainability. No vote was taken during the hearing, but multiple speakers urged the committee to report the bill favorably and quickly.