Video & Transcript Research : 'veterinary workforce'
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FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
December 4, 2025 - 11:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- ONE THING WE STARTED DOING IS EVEN THOUGH WE ARE FULL, WE HAVE DEVELOPED AT FDLEA EFFECTIVE WORKFORCE
- YOU ARE AT 60 – 70% EFFECTIVE WORKFORCE IN ORDER TO CONTINUE TO DO WHAT WE WERE DOING.
- WE HAVE A GREAT WORKFORCE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROFESSIONALS.
- BUT WE WANT TO GIVE AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEY CAN EXCEL IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT KIND OF ASK WHAT YOU
- OUR VACANCIES REPRESENT WORKFORCE CHALLENGES, NOT INEFFICIENCY.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- regarding the Department of Workforce. regarding the Department of Workforce.
- successful in the workforce. successful in the workforce. >> Mhm. >> Mhm.
- workforce training certificate, right? workforce training certificate, right?
- to the workforce. to the workforce.
- into the workforce. into the workforce. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Okay.
Summary:
The Senate first recognized the Montgomery Academy boys basketball team for winning the 2026 Class 3A state championship, their second straight title. Senator Barfoot introduced the team and read a resolution commending the players, coaches, and school community for the 66-39 win over Southside Selma, noting standout performances by Braden Gordon, Mason Ellis, and Jarrett Friendley. Coach Jeremy Aant and school head John Williams thanked the Senate and emphasized the team’s selflessness, teamwork, academic standards, service, and leadership development. The Senate applauded the team, added all senators to the resolution, and arranged for a picture and challenge coins for the players.
After the recognition, the Senate came to order, established a quorum, excused absent senators, and adopted the previous day’s journal. Committee reports followed. The Committee on State Government Affairs reported House Bill 541 favorably with one amendment; the bill would create the Safeguard Alabama Voter Engagement Act, requiring party registration for primary voting, restricting crossover voting, retaining voter history as a public record, revising voter registration forms, and requiring parties to publish candidate qualifications. The bill was ordered to a second reading and placed on the calendar.
The Committee on Local Legislation reported House Bills 630, 631, and 632 favorably, all relating to Etowah County, including changes to tax exemptions and personnel board membership. These bills were also sent to second reading and the calendar. The Senate then took up Senate Joint Resolution 117, commending Dylan Nut for winning the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic, and added all members as co-sponsors. During discussion, one senator used the opportunity to speak at length about a separate concern involving alleged unlicensed real estate solicitation and the need for legislation to protect citizens from property-related scams; he also discussed the calendar process and other bills. The floor later included extended informal remarks about fishing and a separate discussion of a proposal to designate Miss America as an official state ambassador, with support expressed for a possible stipend amendment.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 03/03/26
Housing and Homelessness Prevention
Transcript Highlights:
- MHP supports aligning the program with the workforce housing program for maximum impact.
- MHP supports aligning the program with the workforce housing program for maximum impact.
- aligning the program with the workforce aligning the program with the workforce housing<01:06:58.960
- A couple of added retain workforce.
- maintain, let alone grow our workforce. maintain, let alone grow our workforce.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Mar 25th, 2026 at 01:12 pm
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Of course, this was brought to me by the Association of County Commissioners, as we know, our workforce
- President, which specific agencies or sectors have you seen our experiencing workforce shortages that
- is that they are the ones that are requesting the bill, and that they are needing assistance with workforce
- Could those workforce gaps be addressed through hiring Or training new employees rather than rehiring
- But I do agree with your assessment here that we do need broader workforce efforts.
Bills:
SB1778, SB1570, SB134, SB1966, SB1636, SB1725, SB1726, SB259, SB504, SB592, SB2030, SB1572, SB843, SB1242, SB1255, SB1262, SB1264, SB1286, SB1581, SB1290, SB1316, SB1319, SB1369, SB1379, SB1381, SB1400, SB1427, SB1436, SB1461, SB1496, SB1509, SB1534, SB1553, SB904, SB1592, SB1645, SB1684, SB1767, SB1772, SB1813, SB1894, SB1928, SB1946, SB1980, SB2040, SB2060, SB2061
Keywords:
reading instruction, literacy, educational equity, intervention services, third grade retention, Strong Readers Act, child welfare, child safety, administrative transition, Department of Child Safety and Well-being, Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth, juvenile justice, foster care, retirement, public employees, reemployment, benefit adjustment, Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System, memorial highways, bridge designations
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Yes, Governor Hobbs proclaimed March 18th as Health Workforce Wellbeing Day of Awareness in Arizona in
- support the well-being of Arizona's health professionals, formed in response to rising burnout and workforce
- Whereas a healthy and well workforce is critically necessary to ensure access to high-quality care and
- And whereas Arizona is experiencing severe workforce shortages of physicians, nurses, advanced practice
- March 18, 2016, ...of the state of Arizona, do hereby proclaim March 18th, 2026, as Arizona Health Workforce
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal, recorded attendance, and recognized several guests and proclamations, including Arizona Health Workforce Well-Being Day of Awareness, the Doctor of the Day, educators visiting the Capitol, and student guests. The chamber also announced temporary committee replacements and received House messages and bill referrals before moving to floor action.
On third reading, the Senate passed SB 1014 on health insurance, SB 1016 on employment practices, SB 1050 on state parks board/veterans park access, SB 1054 on referendum power and emergency measures, SB 1177 on public monies and gender-affirming care, SB 1194 on health care services and vaccination-related treatment issues, SB 1398 on AHCCCS, SB 1751 on capital punishment, and SCR 1049, a constitutional amendment proposal related to capital punishment. Several members explained votes, with supporters emphasizing veterans’ benefits, limits on emergency measure abuse, health care access, and policy changes on capital punishment, while opponents raised concerns about worker protections, local government authority, discrimination against transgender people, and the death penalty. Each measure passed by recorded vote and was transmitted to the House.
The Senate also noted upcoming committee meetings, including Health and Human Services the next day, and then adjourned until Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 10 a.m.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- and whereas today Goodwill Industries of New Mexico has 19 stores and donation centers, including workforce
- Goodwill Industries of New Mexico serves New Mexico residents who are searching for employment or workforce
- impact 33 counties, but even I was unfamiliar with just how impactful they are in the emphasis on workforce
- In fact, 88 cents of every dollar goes to workforce development programs.
- It deeply impacts those workforce programs, and so I'm happy for the work.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations.(6-18-26)
Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:52:29.520>
certificate degrees and workforce certificate degrees and workforce certificate - <00:52:36.120>
training create a parallel workforce training create a parallel workforce training - <00:55:16.560>
to <00:55:16.760>Kentucky's Barbering can be an incredible workforce - opportunity to close gaps and provide credentialing to Kentucky's workforce goals.
- funding model and workforce funding model and workforce credentialing<01:00:53.000>
needs
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Other areas are federal funds, the contractor recovery fund, and workforce development.
- Recovery Fund and Workforce Recovery Fund and Workforce Development<00:14:31.839>
next Development - Okay, next we will jump into the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board.
- <00:30:07.720>
Standards <00:30:08.200>Board nursing home Workforce Standards Board - <01:23:54.080>
Development standard of Workforce Development standard of Workforce Development
Summary:
The committee met under a new Senate power-sharing arrangement with co-chairs, began with member and staff introductions, and then received a jurisdiction overview from Senate counsel. The overview explained that the Labor Committee’s jurisdiction has not changed from the previous biennium and covers fair labor standards, minimum wage, workers’ compensation, occupational safety and health, and related agencies and boards such as the Department of Labor and Industry, Bureau of Mediation Services, PERB, and the Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals. It also noted that some topics, including paid leave, fall under other committees, while earned sick and safe time remains within Labor and Industry jurisdiction.
Commissioner Nicole Blissenbach and Josiah Moore then gave a detailed Department of Labor and Industry presentation. They reviewed the department’s funding sources, emphasizing that workers’ compensation funds and construction codes/licensing revenues make up most of the budget, while the general fund is a small share. They described the department’s major divisions, including workers’ compensation, construction codes and licensing, labor standards, nursing home workforce standards, and OSHA consultation and compliance, and highlighted practical examples of their work.
Examples included return-to-work assistance for an injured worker, compliance training that reduced penalties for self-insurers and claim administrators, and use of the Special Compensation Fund when an employer lacked workers’ compensation insurance. The labor standards section highlighted enforcement actions involving unpaid overtime, pregnancy and parental leave retaliation, wage deductions, and child labor violations, along with totals for 2024 collections and inquiries. The presentation also noted the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board’s adopted rules, the expansion of construction licensing exams statewide, and OSHA consultation programs such as Min-SHARP and MINSTAR, including a Minnesota employer that recently achieved MINSTAR status. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Health and Human Services (01/28/2026)
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, workforce, workforce, workforce, pre-COVID, post-COVID.
- Um, workforce, workforce, workforce, pre-COVID, post-COVID.
- Um, workforce, workforce, workforce, pre-COVID, post-COVID.
- Um, workforce, workforce, workforce, pre-COVID, post-COVID.
- Um, workforce, workforce, workforce, precoid,<01:20:25.760>
postcoid.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Health Care Financing Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Health Care Financing
Transcript Highlights:
- I think you all know that the crisis in the direct care workforce has been serious for many years, and
- It is a workforce crisis that has ripple effects in our communities. Substance use is rising.
- By paying these workers a living wage, we can better recruit and retain the workforce needed to meet
- We have seen since the pandemic that there is a workforce shortage because of the pandemic.
- Many people are to take the loved ones home and leave the workforce.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing focused largely on senior long-term care issues, family caregiving, post-acute care access, and direct care workforce pay. Testimony strongly supported bills to raise the personal needs allowance for nursing home and rest home residents (including H. 1411, S. 482, and related bills), with speakers from Mass Senior Action, Dignity Alliance, nursing home residents, providers, and former state officials arguing that the current $72.80 monthly allowance has been unchanged since 2008 and is inadequate for basic items like clothing, toiletries, haircuts, and transportation. Witnesses also backed bills to increase MassHealth asset and income limits for seniors and to stop counting life insurance as cash, describing the current rules as outdated and harmful to low-income elders.
The committee also heard testimony on bills allowing family members, including spouses and guardians, to be paid caregivers (H. 1394/S. 886), with supporters saying this would help families keep loved ones at home and reduce reliance on costly institutional care. Another set of bills (H. 1412/S. 903) drew support from a physician who said clearer MassHealth communication and improved post-acute care determination processes would help reduce delays and backlogs for patients awaiting skilled nursing, rehabilitation, or other post-acute placement. Several speakers emphasized that better home- and community-based care can prevent hospital readmissions and support independence.
A major portion of the hearing focused on S. 877, which would establish an enhanced care worker minimum wage of $25 per hour, indexed to inflation, for certain home care and human services workers. Union representatives and direct care workers from SEIU Local 509, 1199 SEIU, and the AFL-CIO described severe staffing shortages, burnout, low wages, and high turnover across home care, mental health, disability services, and crisis response. They argued that higher pay is necessary to recruit and retain workers and to stabilize services for vulnerable residents. Committee members asked about costs, comparisons with other states, and whether non-wage incentives could help, but witnesses repeatedly said wages were the central issue. The hearing concluded after all registered testimony was heard, with the committee noting it would continue accepting written testimony and then adjourning.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
December 10, 2025 - 01:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- ARE MOVING QUICKLY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT AI MEANS FOR INSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION, DATA GOVERNANCE AND WORKFORCE
- , EMERGING POLICIES, ADMINISTRATIVE USES AND OPERATION AND BUDGETING AND THE NEW SKILLS THAT OUR WORKFORCE
- 16 COMPACT STATES TO UNDERSTAND HOW ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IS RESHAPING TEACHING, LEARNING AND WORKFORCE
- IN WAYS THAT ENHANCE INSTRUCTION, PROTECT STUDENTS AND SUPPORT WORKFORCE READINESS.
- WE WANT TO PUT THE PIPELINE IN THE WORKFORCE THAT FLORIDA NEEDS AND BEYOND. AND THE ENTIRE NATION.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Dec 3rd, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- and the leadership at the college have on the horizon and certainly interested in improving our workforce
- Certainly, workforce is important.
- have North Florida College as a segue for those students to be able to get out and get into the workforce
- Well, thank you very much for your commitment, especially on the workforce.
- As I said earlier, we're very interested in the workforce elements, and certainly building a welding
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to hear confirmations for 19 appointees and reappointees to university and state college boards, with most of the agenda focused on the University of Florida, Florida A&M University, Florida Atlantic University, University of Central Florida, Florida State University, Florida Polytechnic University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Pensacola State College, State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota, North Florida College, South Florida State College, and the Florida Prepaid College Board. Testimony from the nominees generally emphasized their educational backgrounds, professional experience, and priorities such as student success, workforce development, financial sustainability, research growth, housing, and maintaining or improving institutional rankings. Several UF trustees highlighted the university’s “One UF” vision, institutional neutrality, and goals of reaching top-three or top-one national status. Other nominees stressed the role of state colleges in workforce pipelines, and Florida Poly witnesses focused on STEM growth, housing, and strong graduate outcomes.
One in-person public testimony came from Elijah Hooks, who spoke in opposition to the current FAMU administration and described his expulsion, arrest, and trespass from campus after protesting the appointment of President Marva Johnson. For FAMU, Jocelyn Dobson Rodriguez testified in support of her appointment, emphasizing her legal background, alumni ties, and goals of strengthening leadership, alumni engagement, and the connection between the main campus and the College of Law in Orlando. For Florida Atlantic University, Tina Vidal-Duart was questioned closely about her prior service on the Hope Florida Foundation board and about CDR Health’s involvement in state contracts; she said she was not aware of the foundation’s governance problems at the time and that CDR’s state contract was a flat daily rate.
The committee then voted to report all appointees favorably except for Tina Vidal-Duart, whose confirmation was held for a separate vote at the request of Senator Bracy Davis. After discussion, the committee voted 5-1 to report her confirmation favorably as well. The meeting concluded with no further business and adjournment.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Apr 10th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- It requires the District Workforce, Education funding steering committee to hold public meetings and
- About 10 years ago, I started it PT Consulting firm that focuses on education and workforce policy.
- And I appreciate the college's emphasis on providing job skills, job training, workforce opportunities
- I know I'm a huge advocate of having prepared women in the workforce and women in the workforce.
- And thank you for the background and your sister and and your relationship with women in the workforce
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint hearings with the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs to examine the legislative presentation of The American Legion and multi VSOs: Minority Veterans of America, Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A, National Association of County Veterans Servic Feb 26th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Senate Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- is preserved as the VA implements new federal workforce guidance.
- I'm quoting him, a veteran in the government workforce.
- I want to ask you guys a few questions related to the workforce at the VA. Commander.
- VA's total workforce is 469,000 employees.
- A third of the workforce in this country is made up of our veterans.
Keywords:
veteran services, homelessness, unemployment, VA funding, mental health, congressional oversight, testimonies, American Legion, Dole Act, suicide prevention
Summary:
This meeting focused on veteran services, emphasizing the urgent need to address the alarming rate of unemployment and homelessness among veterans. Numerous testimonies were presented detailing the impact of mass furloughs and cutbacks at the VA on personnel, notably veterans who were serving as employees. Various representatives expressed deep concern over how these firings could drastically affect the quality of care available to those who have served the nation. There was a strong call for Congress to bolster funding for existing programs aimed at alleviating veteran homelessness and improving overall care quality, especially in mental health services.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Committee Jun 29th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- . $428 million for educator workforce investments to support the student teacher stipend program, the
- Pell Grant program to make Pell Grants available to eligible students in short-term workforce training
- , preschool shift, paid pregnancy leave, the creation of CalNAS, and the investments in educator workforce
- And additionally, additional conversations are on what you're doing for a SNF workforce.
- And additionally, additional conversations are on what you're doing for a SNF workforce.
Summary:
The Assembly Budget Committee met to consider the final three-party agreement for the 2026-27 state budget and 19 implementing bills, including two budget bill juniors and 17 trailer bills. Committee leadership and administration officials described the budget as a balanced plan that reduces out-year structural deficits, maintains large reserves, and makes major investments in health care, education, housing, child care, public safety, and other core services while also responding to expected federal cuts and fiscal uncertainty. The Department of Finance outlined the package’s major components, including Medi-Cal adjustments, education funding increases, higher education changes, child care and human services updates, housing and homelessness funding, energy and transportation provisions, and tax and general government changes.
Members asked questions about several provisions, including CSU enrollment targets and turnaround plans, the Prop. 98 settle-up mechanism, the plastics market development payment program, housing accountability measures, NextGen 9-1-1 implementation, and veteran services. Staff and administration witnesses explained that the higher education language is intended to improve campus-by-campus reporting and oversight, that Prop. 98 settle-up would be finalized later through the statutory certification process, and that NextGen 9-1-1 now includes one-time funding, quarterly reporting, an independent technical review, and a state audit. Members also discussed the HAP homelessness funding increase to $900 million and the balance between accountability and timely distribution of funds.
The most extended exchange centered on comparisons between funding for veterans and Medi-Cal/immigrant health coverage. Republican members argued the budget spends far more on undocumented immigrant services than on veterans, while Democratic members and Finance staff responded that the comparison was misleading because many veterans’ services are federally funded and the state budget also includes dedicated veteran support. The chair and other members emphasized that the budget reflects difficult tradeoffs and that the package protects vulnerable populations, preserves health care access, and advances affordability. No final vote was described in the excerpt, but members indicated support for the overall package and said they would support it on the floor.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- We've already got about 36,000 people that are commuting workforce out there trying to desperately train
- business, but also a good place to make sure that we can maintain a proper and properly trained workforce
- responsible planning, strategic infrastructure upgrades, and a continued focus on education and workforce
- By directing resources towards strategic infrastructure projects, as was mentioned, workforce development
- We want to make sure that we have the workforce in place to keep that going.
Keywords:
emergency preparedness, flood-prone communities, Texas Rural Emergency Preparedness Fund, disaster relief, funding, youth camp, safety regulations, advisory committee, child welfare, health standards, summer camp, camp safety, child abuse reporting, child neglect, mandatory reporting, background check, criminal history check, sex offender registry, CPR training, first aid
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Budget Review Sub. on Primary & Secondary Education & Workforce Development (2-17-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- this fifth meeting of the House Budget Review Subcommittee on Primary and Secondary Education and Workforce
- They've gone directly into the workforce, being able to make family-sustaining income.
- They've gone directly into the workforce They've gone directly into the workforce being<00:49:59.760
- <00:53:50.880>
And <00:53:51.040>you'll six state workforce program. - And you'll six state workforce program.
Summary:
The subcommittee met without a quorum and did not approve minutes, but heard testimony on budget line items for Data Seam and Teach for America. Andrew McNeel of Kentucky Free and representatives from the Commonwealth Policy Center argued that both programs rely heavily on recurring taxpayer support and should be re-evaluated. McNeel cited a 2020 Office of Policy and Audit examination of Data Seam, saying the program had received more than $30 million in state support since 2006, including $3.5 million in the current budget, and that the audit raised concerns about administrative overhead, alleged threats to districts, and the use of line-item language to justify sole-source contracting. He recommended suspending Data Seam funding this biennium, directing a new special audit, and requiring reimbursement of audit costs.
The witnesses also urged the committee to withhold funding for Teach for America, saying the organization’s materials and history showed a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion that they opposed. They pointed to past statements, leadership titles, and program language as evidence that DEI concepts remained embedded in the organization, and suggested any funding should be redirected directly to school districts instead. Mike Harmon and Richard Nelson echoed those concerns, while also saying long-running programs should be periodically reviewed for efficiency.
Teach for America Appalachia representatives then testified in support of the program. Executive director C.D. Morton described the organization as a teacher-preparation and leadership-development program serving rural eastern Kentucky, saying it had recruited and supported more than 325 teachers since 2011, with about 30 current core members in several counties and roughly 2,800 students impacted daily. He said the program helps fill hard-to-staff vacancies, that about 80% of teachers stay for a third year, and that many alumni remain in education. In response to questions from Representative Bojanowski about retention and cost, Morton said more than 60% of alumni are still in education, but he could not give a precise classroom-teacher retention number beyond the program’s broader alumni data.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Jobs and Economic Development - 01/22/25
Jobs and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- AI is already transforming Minnesota's workforce, industries, government, and higher ed.
- AI is already transforming Minnesota's workforce, industries, government, and higher ed.
- Industries government and high Workforce Industries government and high Ed<00:10:08.200>
our < - to be AI-ready, equipping the workforce with skills.
- <01:36:55.480>
because skilled and diverse Workforce because skilled and diverse Workforce
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- Safety, access, cost, and workforce Safety, access, cost, and workforce development. development
- Third, what are the economic and workforce impacts?
- Third, what are the economic and workforce impacts?
- sustainable healthcare workforce. sustainable healthcare workforce.
- Yet, I care access and its workforce.
Summary:
The House began with several announcements and recognitions, including a lengthy tribute to Representative Carolyn Brangan of Georgia on her retirement and years of service, followed by remarks from Brangan explaining that she is leaving to care for her husband during cancer treatment. Additional members offered brief reflections, including one on the end of the session and another welcoming students from Founders Memorial School to the gallery, and a member from Brattleboro highlighted a collaborative mural in the card room titled “These Green Hills, Vermont State Symbols and Personal Reflections.”
The body then took up its calendar. It adopted Joint House Resolution 12, authorizing limited remote voting in joint committees through the remainder of the calendar year, with an ADA-related accommodation for members physically present but unable to access a meeting room. The House also suspended rules to take up and concur in the Senate amendment to House Bill 935 on emergency management. The committee report described grant programs for emergency response and technical rescue, new definitions and shelter-planning language centered on “whole community,” a wildland fire response task force, and an emergency rulemaking provision requested by the Agency of Natural Resources; the committee approved the Senate proposal on an 8-3 straw poll, and the House concurred.
The House next adopted the conference committee report on House Bill 952, the capital construction and state bonding budget adjustment bill. The report explained changes made in conference, including shifting funds to cover a higher-than-expected bid for the St. Johnsbury facility, restoring some funding for maintenance at the women’s correctional facility in Chittenden County, and setting aside $750,000 toward planning for Wi-Fi installation in correctional facilities. It also noted a lease-related language change for a Vermont Huts project at Little River State Park, with notification to the institutions committee chairs. The House then took up Senate Bill 64 on optometrists’ scope of practice; the committee presentation supported allowing specially credentialed optometrists to perform certain minor surgical, laser, and injection procedures, citing improved access, safety, cost, and workforce development, and the bill was read for second reading with committee recommendations for concurrence.
ND
Transcript Highlights:
- So in the post-secondary ready pathway and in the workforce ready pathway, it gives a student an either-or
- And in the Workforce Ready Pathway, it gives a student an either-or.
- Where it does remove the ACT is at the bottom of that Workforce Ready Pathway, and if I look at the bill
- could use the subscores from that specific test to meet one of the additional indicators in that workforce-ready
- So if I can, so we're striking it from the workforce ready, which would meet an ACT of 19.
Bills:
HB1404
Keywords:
HB 1404, North Dakota scholarship, scholarship eligibility, student aid, high school graduation, college readiness, career readiness, career and technical education, CTE, dual credit, advanced placement, AP exam, International Baccalaureate, IB exam, ACT, SAT, WorkKeys, ASVAB, JROTC, Civil Air Patrol
Summary:
The Senate Education Committee met with six members present and first took up House Bill 1404, which would update North Dakota scholarship eligibility language by allowing the NDA Plus assessment to be used in place of ACT scores in certain pathways. The Department of Public Instruction explained that the bill does not eliminate the ACT entirely, but removes outdated references tied to ACT accountability testing that will no longer apply after this year’s seniors graduate. Members discussed how the change affects public and nonpublic schools, then voted 6-0 to give HB 1404 a do pass recommendation.
The committee then returned to House Bill 1363, a bill dealing with school emergency response planning and automatic external defibrillators. Members adopted an amendment clarifying that the requirements apply to school-owned facilities and grounds, replacing language about school events and venues, and revising the planning language for school-based events not held on school-owned property. The committee also debated whether the bill should be mandatory or permissive; a motion to change “shall” to “may” failed, with members noting the bill’s liability protections. The committee then voted 5-1 to pass HB 1363 as amended, with Senator Gerhardt carrying the bill.
Before recessing, the chair noted that House Bill 1533 would be taken up later in the day after additional information from DPI was received.