Transcript Highlights:

• “All of our new grads require some kind of additional training.
• All of our new grads require some kind of additional training.
• I understand the training is important.
• Is it appropriate in terms of the amount of training?
• Is it appropriate in terms of the amount of training?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so a lot of that intentionality is done through the on-the-job training.
• And all that training is done under a supervised mentor, or whatever.
• All the training and learning is done with that training mentor for that apprentice.
• Then that organization will tether their training to an employer.
• That organization will tether their training to an employer.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities held its quarterly virtual/in-person meeting and approved the December minutes. The chair announced plans for the next “Meeting the Moment” community forum in Lowell on March 27, in partnership with MassAbility, focused on digital accessibility, education-to-employment transition, workforce supports, long-term services and supports, and health equity, along with a resource fair. The commission also began planning for its October National Disability Employment Awareness Month event and sought volunteers for a small planning group. The meeting featured an update from the Attorney General’s office on federal litigation affecting Massachusetts, including challenges to federal actions on higher education diversity data collection and DEI-related funding conditions, immigration/TPS for Haitians, NIH research grant disruptions, and the nonrenewal of mental health services grants for schools. The presenter said the state has helped protect more than $3 billion in federal funding and noted ongoing or pending appeals in several cases. Commissioners asked about possible impacts on disability-related DEI work and Medicaid; the AG’s office said guidance on DEIA/employment initiatives is available and that the state is closely monitoring federal Medicaid communications and coordinating with the governor’s office. Undersecretary of Labor Josh Cutler and apprenticeship liaison Amara Riemann presented on registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, emphasizing paid, employer-driven pathways with classroom instruction and wage progression. They highlighted growth in nontraditional fields such as human services, IT, early education, biotech, and banking, and described Bridgewater State University’s Excel program for neurodivergent people and people with disabilities as a model that can lead from pre-apprenticeship to apprenticeship. Commissioners discussed expanding similar models through community colleges and disability-focused workforce pipelines. Subcommittee reports covered disability employment, long-term services and supports, and health equity. The employment subcommittee heard from CED on state disability employment initiatives and planned future presentations from the Lawrence Partnership for Transition to Employment and Veterans Affairs. The long-term services and supports subcommittee discussed MassHealth budget pressures, anticipated federal Medicaid changes, the personal care attendant working group, and an upcoming discussion on crisis standards of care. In commissioner announcements, members highlighted recent honors for several commissioners, updates on municipal digital accessibility grants, a June Medicaid summit, and other commission activities. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have implemented several training programs to assist them in this process.
• It’s a substantial investment in training that can't be easily replaced.
• We are very grateful for this. users need skilled librarians to help them navigate it.
• Our print collection, our electronic resources, and salaries for our skilled staff.
• Therefore, it's crucial that we have trained staff to evaluate these complaints effectively.

Bills: SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• directing the State Center for Juvenile Justice Training and Research, an agency that's somewhat akin
• So again, pairing their very unique experiences with training on the most current curriculum for young
• Accountability is a really. important part of our program and and and we you know we do life skills training
• I am an attorney and director of training with the Lone Star Justice Alliance.
• I mean, I heard de-escalation, training, maybe, and anything else that you would like.

Bills: HB31 , HB3360

Committee: House S/C on Juvenile Justice

Keywords: juvenile justice, community supervision, felony offenses, treatment of children, juvenile facilities, chemical dispensing device, solitary confinement, rehabilitation, criminal proceedings, delinquency, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Autism awareness and training is important in education.
• Autism awareness and training is important in education.
• Although some teacher training programs already offer autism education training, and I checked with a
• In any case, although some training programs do already offer this very valuable autism education training
• This bill would mandate required training and...

Bills: S0124 , S0206 , S0420

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education

Keywords: Florida Virtual School, FLVS, virtual school, online education, distance learning, K-12 education, public school choice, charter-like franchise, student enrollment priorities, home education, homeschool, military families, active duty military, rural schools, inner-city schools, accelerated graduation, education technology, supplemental funding, direct-support organization, foundation

Summary: The committee first heard SB 124, which updates Florida Virtual School’s statute to remove outdated language and clarify its service, funding, governance, reporting, and district coordination provisions without changing day-to-day operations. Florida Virtual School testified in support, members praised the bill, and it passed unanimously on a roll call vote. The committee then took up CS for SB 206 on students with autism spectrum disorder. Senator Harrell explained that the bill would require autism and neurodevelopmental training in educator preparation programs, require ESE-certified teachers to complete an autism microcredential, create an Autism Educator Loan Forgiveness Program, provide salary supplements for teachers with the autism endorsement, and require district professional development to include autism-specific training with local CARD centers. A large number of speakers—teachers, parents, students, and advocacy groups—supported the bill while urging that implementation be fully funded, high quality, and not become an unfunded mandate. Several members spoke in favor, emphasizing the growing number of students with autism and the need to recruit and retain special education teachers. The bill was reported favorably by committee vote. Finally, the committee considered SB 420 on patriotic displays in classrooms. Chair Burgess explained the bill as a way to place portraits of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln in schools to encourage civic and patriotic reflection, and he offered an amendment narrowing the requirement from every classroom to one prominent display in each school and adding language making it subject to state appropriation. The amendment was adopted. Testimony on the bill was mixed: some speakers supported the idea as a spark for civic discussion, while many others opposed it as symbolic, unnecessary, or better addressed through curriculum and teacher training rather than mandated displays. In debate, some senators argued the portraits could prompt broader historical conversations, while others raised concerns about representation, classroom autonomy, and funding. The transcript ends during debate on the amended bill, before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is to conduct leadership and professional development training.
• The training is supported by a grant from the Office of Skills Development.
• Skills Lab training facility.
• The Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training request for $225,000 is to cover a 911 Skills
• Lab training facility.

Committee: All ALC-PEER

Summary: The committee met to review a large slate of fiscal year 2026 and 2027 appropriation, transfer, and continuation requests across multiple sections. Early items included temporary appropriations for agencies such as Health, DHS, Education, Public Safety, State Police, Emergency Management, Aeronautics, Military, Economic Development, and Game and Fish, covering items like maternal health outreach, energy assistance repayments, Wynne High School tornado rebuilding, senior food services, cybersecurity, crime victim reparations, aviation grants, conservation incentives, and emergency tower maintenance. Members asked questions on several items, including DHS aging carry-forward funds and Treasury custodial banking fees tied to COVID-era balances; the committee also approved a disclosure by the chair on the Game and Fish-related item before voting to approve the section. The committee then approved continuation requests, CARES Act and ARPA reallocations, and federal grant appropriations. Notable discussion included the Boonville developmental disability project, ALIGN program reallocations at several universities, a small business technical assistance grant at UA Little Rock, and a Department of Public Safety highway safety grant, for which members requested more detail on operating expenses and professional fees. Additional approvals covered a transfer to the Merit Teacher Incentive program, restricted reserve fund transfers for military medical command and university projects, and a state central services deduction held at 2%. The Department of Commerce also received approval for a reallocation of positions and spending authority tied to its organizational realignment. Later sections included shared technology and higher education transfers, cash fund appropriations for school Medicaid reimbursements, corrections, youth mental health, narcotics detection canines, bike safety equipment, a state motor pool pilot, and law enforcement safety costs. The committee also reviewed budget classification transfers, including a Governor’s Office legal fee transfer related to a California lawsuit, and heard explanations about E-Rate reimbursements affecting the Office of State Technology. Members asked about VOCA funding levels for crime victim services and about the National Security Grant Program for nonprofits and faith-based organizations; officials said federal funding had declined from prior highs but appeared to have stabilized, and that the nonprofit security grant is an annual federal program. The meeting concluded with review of pay plan requests, DHS overtime funding for child protection caseloads, and a year-end adjustment request allowing DFA to make up to $1 million in transfers to close the books, after which the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Training is provided by one of the state-contracted epilepsy providers funded through the Department
• students on a regular basis, and some bus drivers are trained but this would be training through their
• DRIVER THAT TRANSPORTS  105 STUDENTS ON A REGULAR BASIS AND  SOME BUS DRIVERS ARE TRAINED
• BUT  106 THIS WOULD BE TRAINING THROUGH  THEIR REQUIRED ASSOCIATION AND A  107 POSTER
• Our therapists are trained in safety.

Committee: House Education & Employment Committee

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and began by welcoming students and coaches participating in the inaugural Sunshine State Debate. Members then heard and voted on a series of education-related bills, with most measures receiving favorable reports by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The first bill, HB 1081, created a Cybersecurity Internship Clearance Readiness Program in the Department of Commerce for NCACE-designated universities and Florida College System institutions; a friendly amendment expanded access to private schools, and the bill passed 19-0. HB 1201 updated Florida’s epilepsy/seizure plan law to clarify protections for charter school students, require acceptance of physician-submitted plans, extend training validity to five years, and expand training to regular bus drivers; epilepsy advocates supported it, and it passed 19-0. HB 851 required annual autism-specific professional learning opportunities for teachers and school-based administrators, and it also passed 19-0. HB 615, dealing with IEPs, required quicker parent notice when services are missed, faster access to service logs, individualized parent orientation, and standardized district service logs; parents and advocates testified strongly in support, and the bill was reported favorably. HB 1503 added technology-related competencies to education courses and directed the Department of Education to develop computer science certification coverage; it passed 19-0. HB 371 required public schools to display portraits of Abraham Lincoln and George Washington in common areas and passed 19-0 after testimony both for and against. HB 731 revised extracurricular eligibility rules and allowed local policies for compensating coaches and activity sponsors; an amendment broadened manual requirements and clarified fee actions, and the bill passed 18-0. The committee also took up HB 173, a parental rights bill that drew the most extensive debate and public testimony. The bill would require parental consent for many medical decisions for minors, give parents access to medical records, and expand parental review/opt-in rights for certain school surveys and biofeedback devices. Supporters argued it restores parental authority, improves safety, and prevents children from being cut out of important medical decisions; opponents warned it would remove confidential access to STI treatment, crisis mental health care, and other services for minors in unsafe or abusive homes. Members raised questions about abuse exceptions, emergency care, and how the bill would affect routine treatment and time-sensitive care. The bill was not voted on in the portion provided, and debate continued through multiple rounds of sponsor responses and member comments.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we've gotten, collectively, more than a million households trained with digital literacy.
• Digital readiness, digital skills, devices, confidence ...puzzle.
• Digital readiness, digital skills, devices, confidence is increasingly a barrier.
• That is why building skills and trust matter, and why the work underway of the industry, partners like
• And so for all these reasons, too, we need access and adoption for our digital skills and our future

Summary: The Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee held an informational hearing on the state of broadband affordability in California. Chair Tasha Berner said the committee was examining how broadband prices, access, and affordability are affecting households, especially after the end of the federal Affordable Connectivity Program and amid concerns about federal resistance to state broadband regulation. She noted the committee’s continued interest in policy options for 2026 and referenced prior legislation, including AB 353, that would have required affordable home internet as a condition of doing business in California. Industry witnesses from U.S. Telecom and CTIA argued that broadband and wireless prices have generally fallen in real terms even as inflation and other household costs have risen, citing competition, infrastructure investment, and faster speeds as the main drivers. They said California’s higher costs are tied to permitting delays, taxes, copper theft, and legacy obligations such as COLR requirements, and they urged the Legislature to preserve market incentives, reduce fees and regulatory burdens, and support infrastructure deployment. They also discussed fixed wireless access, federal BEAD funding, and Universal Service Fund reform, arguing that more entities benefiting from networks, including tech platforms, should contribute to support programs. Consumer and public-interest witnesses presented a different view, saying California still has a serious affordability and adoption problem, especially for low-income households. Sunny McPhee of the California Emerging Technology Fund said broadband adoption has improved dramatically over time, but about 500,000 households remain offline or underconnected and many low-income households still pay above the FCC affordability benchmark. Ernesto Falcon of the CPUC Public Advocates Office said California’s market is losing its competitive edge, with prices higher than in other states and meaningful price pressure coming mainly from fiber competition at the gigabit tier. He said roughly 4.8 million Californians are limited to one gigabit option and estimated that more competition could save consumers more than $1 billion annually. Both witnesses emphasized the need for stronger transparency, targeted subsidies, and a permanent affordability solution, including extending and refining the CPUC broadband Lifeline pilot and advancing SB 716. Public commenters, including representatives from cable providers, nonprofits, and digital equity organizations, largely supported SB 716 and a permanent broadband affordability program. Several urged the committee to remove a cap on the Lifeline program, expand the CPUC pilot, and invest in digital navigators, outreach, and enrollment assistance. The hearing ended without a vote or formal action, after the chair thanked the witnesses and public commenters for their testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this integration expands access to career navigation, training, financial coaching, and wraparound
• , how to hold books and flip pages, and language skills, correctly using many different words.
• Children with these skills are more likely to read proficiently by third grade, a critical educational
• This bill also helps build an education workforce trained here in Washington State.
• This bill also helps build an education workforce trained here in Washington State.

Bills: SB6256 , SB6275 , SB5868 , SB5954

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: tax exemptions, affordable housing, nonprofit, unoccupied property, housing policy, community reinvestment, economic development, local investment, financial assistance, SB 5868, superior court, judge, judgeship, judicial vacancy, court administration, Skagit County, Yakima County, RCW 2.08.061, Washington courts, county judges

Transcript Highlights:

• I understand the training is important.
• Is it appropriate in terms of the amount of training?
• Is it appropriate in terms of the amount of training?
• I'm currently training at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Stockton.
• Therapist assistants are trained in neurological rehabilitation.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I also mentor young adults across our state who are enrolled in skills-based training programs and internships
• I also mentor young adults across our state who are enrolled in skills-based training programs and internships
• When young people gain access to industry-aligned training, professional mentorship, and paid skills-based
• The third performance measure is the results of the office's trainings, including the number of trainings
• completed, the topics, and attendance at the trainings.

Summary: The Technology, Economic Development, and Veterans Committee first met in executive session on House Bills 2157, 2351, 2365, 2357, and 2446. Staff briefed proposed substitutes and amendments for each bill. HB 2157, concerning high-risk AI systems, was amended to exempt activities regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act and covered entities under HIPAA; members discussed balancing consumer protections with flexibility for developers and deployers. HB 2351, addressing protections for emergency responders and emergency operations, was described as clarifying definitions and procedures, including a mental health crisis defense and changes to emergency operation zone notifications; some members raised concerns about deconfliction and implementation details. HB 2365, on digital equity, was amended with several definitional and data-sharing proposals, though some amendments were rejected over fiscal concerns. HB 2357, creating the Washington Division of Civil Air Patrol within the Military Department, passed without amendment. HB 2446, on developing a quantum technology industry strategy, was amended to extend the strategy deadline, broaden who Commerce may contract with, and correct terminology; members noted concerns about industry involvement in the strategic plan and fiscal impacts. All five bills were reported out of committee with do pass recommendations, with recorded votes of 8-5 on HB 2157, HB 2351, and HB 2365, unanimous support for HB 2357, and 12-1 for HB 2446. The committee then held a public hearing on HB 2523, which would make the community reinvestment program ongoing, require periodic updates and reporting, and direct a study of fund distribution and use. Testifiers from workforce boards, tribal programs, reentry services, community organizations, and Commerce described successful uses of the program for job training, reentry, small business support, legal services, and economic mobility, and urged the bill’s passage. Some suggested strengthening accountability, reporting, and access for new organizations. Commerce staff said the program has served more than 190,000 people and supported over 400 organizations, and asked for technical adjustments to keep administrative costs low. The bill was then closed for hearing. The committee also heard HB 2606, which would revise the Office of Privacy and Data Protection’s duties and performance measures, remove some reporting requirements, and add review of agency AI projects. The prime sponsor described it as a “stay-in-your-lane” cleanup bill responding to JLARC recommendations, and the state chief privacy officer testified in support, saying the office could implement the changes within existing resources. After questions about local government support and public resources, the hearing on HB 2606 was closed and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do provide that kind of relevant training.
• As an instructional coach, one of my jobs was to train EAs.
• Strengthening math coursework requirements and improving practice-based teacher training are critical
• Yet, HB 63 is currently penalizing our skill and efficiency.
• Steps of a pilot program for conflict resolution training for elementary and junior high schools.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, and improve their skills.
• on education and higher education, that a skilled labor force.
• I know we have a robust system throughout the state in training people who want to go into the trades
• That's what skilled labor is going to do for our state.
• The skilled labor that is employed in an ecosystem like this allows us to grab our youth, train them,

Transcript Highlights:

• At Melba High School, I took a personal skills class my junior year that allowed me to come out of my
• And then they also can do job interview skills and just learn how to be a well-rounded individual.
• So the idea of the three-circle model for this part is you're taking the skills you've learned in FFA
• And we also train our district officers there in Cascade, Idaho.
• So I'm sorting through here where, to me, there's kind of two trains of thought here.

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Summary: The Senate Agricultural Committee began with a presentation from Idaho FFA state officers, who introduced themselves and described FFA’s classroom, leadership, and supervised agricultural experience model. They highlighted student leadership development, community service, and the organization’s statewide reach, and invited legislators to the upcoming state convention in Twin Falls. Senator Zito briefly shared how FFA helped build her public speaking skills and confidence. The committee then took up Senate Bill 1270 on alternative animal proteins. Sponsor Senator Nichols said the bill is a labeling measure intended to ensure cell-cultivated products are clearly identified and not marketed with traditional meat terms, and she asked to send it to the amending order for technical refinements. Food Northwest testified in opposition to state-by-state labeling mandates, citing patchwork compliance costs, but acknowledged the sponsor’s narrowing amendments and the removal of penalties for good-faith errors. The Idaho Farm Bureau supported the bill as a consumer transparency measure and also supported moving it to the amending order. The committee voted to send SB 1270 to the amending order. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1271 on invasive rats, which would classify Norway rats and roof rats as public nuisances, invasive species, and agricultural pests and direct the Idaho Department of Agriculture to coordinate response efforts. Supporters described growing rat problems in Ada County and elsewhere, citing damage to homes, infrastructure, and agriculture, while opponents from the pest management industry warned about unfunded mandates, potential overlap with private pest control, and unclear costs. The Department of Agriculture said it could implement the program through existing structures and explained that rulemaking and possible deficiency funding would follow if needed. After debate over whether the issue was a state or local responsibility, the committee voted to send SB 1271 to the amending order. At the end of the meeting, University of Idaho representatives gave a brief update on the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, extension and 4-H work, the new Meat Science and Innovation Center, the Idaho CAFE dairy project, the deep soil ecotron, and the Idaho Water Resources Research Institute. They also described budget-related hiring pauses and program adjustments, and thanked the committee for its support.

Transcript Highlights:

• At Melba High School, I took a personal skills class my junior year that allowed me to come out of my
• And then they also can do job interview skills and just learn how to be a well-rounded individual.
• So the idea of the three-circle model for this part is you're taking the skills you've learned in FFA
• And we also train our district officers there in Cascade, Idaho.
• So I'm sorting through here where, to me, there's kind of two trains of thought here.

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I was in the top 10% of my basic training class.
• They've demonstrated their competency in training, but state law has not kept up.
• Licensing and training requirements remain in place.
• , knowledgeable, skilled, thorough, and kind.
• AB 1973 updates California laws to better align with my education, training, clinical competence, skills

Committee: House Business and Professions

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are doubling down on our apprenticeship training programs. We say college and career.
• We’ve already invested in them in training, in beginning teacher assessment and support programs, all
• It enhances training, not only for staff, but also now includes training for students on what is appropriate
• Find another line item for that sort of thing, for the additional training and guidance.
• Helping people who need to improve their skills so they can function in the community.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also utilize Stride Arcade skills for reading and math, and the great thing about this program is
• Our instructional coach is going through the LETRS training.
• I'm going through the LETRS training, and the LETRS training is specifically in regards to the science
• </c><00:50:41.240><c> in</c> maybe a a if they're very U skilled in maybe a a if they're very U skilled
• </c><00:50:45.599><c> former</c> sports program and training former sports program and training former

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met with a quorum and heard first from the Washway Nicotine Youth Advocacy Group, which urged stronger enforcement of Kentucky’s Tobacco 21 law. Youth advocates described the harms of flavored vaping products, argued that nicotine use is targeting children, and called for retailer licensing, annual compliance checks, harsher penalties for illegal sales, and more funding for enforcement. Committee members praised the presentation, and one senator said he had heard a bill on licensed retailers may be coming soon. The committee then heard a lengthy presentation from Cloverport Independent School District and the Kentucky Virtual Academy about the state’s virtual school model. Superintendent Keith Haynes and principals Brandy Fagan and Sally Johnson said KYVA serves about 2,800 students, many of whom are at-risk or have health, safety, behavioral, or family reasons for choosing virtual education. They emphasized that the program uses live synchronous instruction, provides devices and materials, and offers special education and related services. They also said the school had a large wait list and that virtual programs need more flexibility in staffing ratios, scheduling, and testing windows. School leaders acknowledged criticism of KYVA’s proficiency scores and said many students entered far below grade level, with 59% not proficient in English language arts and 79% not proficient in math on recent state testing. They argued the program is too new to judge solely on one year of data and pointed to growth in MAP scores, as well as middle and high school rankings in the top half of Kentucky schools. Fagan and Johnson outlined improvement efforts, including daily interventions, small-group instruction, literacy programs, staff training, and expanded clubs and student activities. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've been working with them for the last two-plus years, side by side, scrubbed into cases, training
• might not exist for me, and I'll need to transition into another career path that I haven't been training
• We had a Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services-required process for skilled nursing.
• Representative Bliss, this bill will help train health care providers statewide on best practices for
• And this is really important, so I'm going to get to it. 289 providers they have trained in over five

Bills: HB2050 , HB2082 , HB2176 , HB2195 , HB2202 , HB2307 , HB2584

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: radiologic technologist, radiologist assistant, radiology, imaging, x-ray, diagnostic x-ray, fluoroscopy, mammography, computed tomography, CT technologist, nuclear medicine technologist, bone densitometry, radiation safety, radiation licensing, scope of practice, health workforce, rural health care, critical access hospital, supervision, telehealth

Transcript Highlights:

• And yet, many of the skilled jobs that we know we must be prepared for require a bachelor's and many
• We're doing these things so that our people can spend more time employing their skills and expertise
• I could mention several things their skills and expertise in the work their skills and expertise in the
• to provide space and skills for them to<00:33:09.600><c> excel.
• ,<00:41:08.880><c> equipment,</c><00:41:09.520><c> supplies,</c> training, equipment, supplies, training

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education met without a quorum and postponed approval of the minutes. The committee first heard from Northern Kentucky University President Katie Short Thompson, who highlighted NKU’s enrollment growth, student success metrics, national recognition for value, lower student debt, and new programs tied to regional workforce needs, including AI, cybersecurity, supply chain analytics, cardiovascular perfusion, and the Norse Network Hub for employer access. She asked for a $5 million recurring base funding adjustment to align NKU’s general fund support with peer institutions, along with support for tuition waivers with FAFSA requirements, continued debt collection authority through the Department of Revenue, inclusion of fire and tornado insurance premiums in base funding, inflation and performance-funding support, and increased asset preservation funding. She also outlined capital priorities for the Hail College of Business building, Nunn Hall, and the MEP building, and requested $5.4 million to match private support for the Young Scholars Academy, a dual-credit program serving first-generation and low-income students. Representative Tipton questioned NKU about the number of older students using tuition waivers and whether the university could continue the program without a statutory age-based mandate. Thompson said the number of students over 65 using the waiver was small, that some students pursue degrees while others audit classes, and that external fundraising could potentially support the program if state funding changed. Tipton also confirmed NKU’s requested priorities and the $5.4 million match for the Young Scholars Academy. The committee then heard from University of Kentucky representative Dr. Cavallo, who framed UK’s request around accountability, workforce development, research, and health care impact. He described a patient story to illustrate UK’s medical mission, cited growth in enrollment, degrees awarded, hospital patients treated, and research grant revenue, and emphasized UK’s role in extension services and disaster response. He said UK is consolidating services for efficiency and is focusing on future workforce needs, especially artificial intelligence, noting the launch of the state’s first AI bachelor’s degree and a partnership with Microsoft to expand AI tools and training across campus and the Advancing Kentucky Together network. He also discussed demographic challenges, the need to retain graduates in Kentucky, and the importance of aligning programs and funding with long-term state needs.