Transcript Highlights:

• Um, yeah, it's a 12-month-long program.
• Ultimately, just creates a state-level program that builds upon really the successful federal program
• other states that have passed programs other states that have passed programs like<00:04:19.840>
• And she's an incredible entrepreneur, and this program isn't the program that does that.
• <00:06:10.960> do program isn't the program doesn't do program isn't the program doesn't do

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 2360, as amended by H.F. 2360A1, which would create a state-level New Markets Tax Credit-style program modeled on the federal program. Chair Swedzinski explained that the bill is intended to drive investment across Minnesota, including a requirement that at least 50% of the $200 million allocation be directed to greater Minnesota, and noted that the program would run for 12 months with state oversight to help guide investments. Testimony in support came from Alex Stuponic of Advantage Capital and Jason Wabama of Advanced Machine Guarding Solutions in Hibbing. Stuponic described the federal New Markets program as a tool for directing capital to low-income and underserved communities, cited Minnesota projects that have already benefited from federal funding, and argued that state programs in other states have successfully attracted more investment. Wabama said the credit could help rural businesses like his expand, noting that his Hibbing company has grown from one employee in 2021 to 22 employees and hopes to reach 50 employees while eventually becoming an ESOP. Chair Gomez raised concerns about the bill’s changes, especially the set-aside of half the funds for one region and the five-year carryforward, saying the proposal seemed arbitrary and more permissive and that there was likely not room in the budget for the $100 million cost this year. In response, Swedzinski said the fiscal note pushes costs into future years, with the first costs beginning in 2028-2029, and emphasized that the structure would allow the investment benefits to occur upfront. The amendment was adopted, and the bill, as amended, was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus tax bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Legislative audit tested 10% of students who participated in the program for scholarship eligibility
• Students participating in the program attended cultural, Pandemic.
• Students participating in the program attended cultural and social activities and events that were funded
• regular contact with program participants.
• and things of that nature for those students who are participating in this program.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At Nicholls, I am able to participate in internship programs, audit college courses, live on campus,
• In Arkansas, as mentioned earlier, the program saw over a 200% increase in participation, from 14,000
• enrolled in the non-public school early childhood development program at the participating school.
• schools, Gator schools had fewer programs but higher participation.
• Gator schools had fewer programs, but higher participation.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Excuse me, protected race, color, or language minority groups to participate in elections.
• Faith without. for our communities to participate and serve.
• Thank you for participating today. Next on our list virtually is Andrew Bernstein.
• Holder, the Court ended the federal preclearance program, which required jurisdictions with histories
• I know, for example, there have been certain grant programs that have been offered up.

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those six programs are listed on the slide.
• Our program officers—we have four program officers—keep in touch.
• I do see that there's a number of participants under age. ...participating in this kind of grant.
• So our grant program has really grown.
• programming.

Transcript Highlights:

• Part of that money goes to the ROC program. Okay. You call it the ROC's program?
• We recently launched a program called the ZIP Program, Zero Interest Homebuyer Program, recently launched
• a program called the ZIP Program, Zero Interest Homebuyer Program, which is to stimulate entry-level
• It was a startup program.
• in our program.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the case where the paid family leave program was completely manual, and we modified that program
• So we are not only experiencing an uptick in the program just because of a higher participation, because
• Again, with the larger of the two programs under the SDI umbrella being the DI program, I mean, it's.
• The larger of the two programs under the SDI umbrella being the DI program, it's really event-driven,
• This program is sometimes referred to as COYA. This program is sometimes referred to as COYA.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in intercollegiate athletic programs at certain institutions of higher education.
• care costs in the state employees group benefits program.
• care costs in the state employees group benefits program.
• Electronic Verification of Employment Authorization Program or E-Verify program and authorizing the
• HB 1327, by Harless, relating to the continuation of a health care provider participation program by

Summary: The House met to read a large slate of newly filed bills and resolutions and refer them to committees. The measures covered a wide range of topics, including health care and insurance, public education, elections, criminal justice, public safety, taxes, transportation, agriculture, environmental regulation, higher education, housing, and local government. Several proposals focused on abortion and reproductive health, firearms, voter registration and ballot access, school curriculum and accountability, property tax and homestead issues, and state contracting and agency oversight. A number of constitutional amendments were also filed, including proposals on initiative and referendum, veto override authority, vaccination refusal, parental rights in education, gun rights, Medicaid expansion, and various tax exemptions. No substantive debate, testimony, or votes occurred during this portion of the meeting; the clerk simply read the bills and resolutions and announced their committee referrals. The list included both general legislation and joint resolutions, with many items sent to standing committees and several to subcommittees. The House then adjourned without objection until 2 p.m. on Tuesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is why I am here today to speak in support of the Grow Your Own program, a program that not only
• This program isn't just about filling vacancies.
• We'll increase participation in programs with a meaningful classroom training component to ensure new
• What about parental participation?
• Do you see an increase in that participation?

Bills: SB451, SB762, SB1490, SB1262, SB1459, SB1750, SB1962, SB2252, SB2253, SB2365

Keywords: instructional materials, public schools, Education Code, adoption, rejected materials, local funds, open educational resources, Texas Education Code, school districts, open enrollment charter schools, funding restrictions, environmental regulation, business compliance, local authority, economic development, state preemption, local control, open education resources, SB 762, Texas public schools

Transcript Highlights:

• They take them and put them into a structured program.
• At the state fairgrounds, and we're very proud of that program.
• It's the biggest classroom in New Mexico, so we still do that program.
• The current program is very outdated.
• I'm sure who's being investigated of participants of the race.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our associate teacher program is specifically designed as a pipeline to attract and develop these young
• My three children were talented and gifted program scholars whose development and academic habits of
• My three children were talented and gifted program scholars whose development and academic habits of
• This forces families into private programs, deepening the equity divide.
• Appreciate your participation.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held its 13th hearing, chaired by Senator Jason Lewis and Representative Gordon, and heard testimony on a large slate of bills covering personnel and miscellaneous education issues. The first major topic was House Bill 711 and Senate Bill 327, the “So All Students Thrive” proposal, which would change reduction-in-force rules so districts could consider teacher effectiveness, student impact, staffing needs, and diversity-related factors alongside seniority. Supporters from Educators for Excellence, including teachers and a former school committee chair, argued that current seniority-based layoff rules can push out effective early-career educators and harm efforts to build a more diverse workforce. Committee members raised questions about tenure, union involvement, and how the bill would interact with the Educator Diversity Act and local contract negotiations; members generally said they shared the goal of diversifying the educator workforce and encouraged continued collaboration and feedback. The committee then heard testimony on House Bill 658, which would require educator training on gifted and advanced learners. Parents, teachers, researchers, and advocates said Massachusetts lacks required preservice or professional development on gifted education, leaving many advanced students unchallenged and underserved. Witnesses described students who are bored, under-identified, or even discouraged in school, and argued that training would help teachers recognize and support gifted students, including students of color, multilingual learners, low-income students, and students with disabilities. Testimony also supported related prior bills on advanced learners and emphasized that the state should act on a 2019 DESE report recommending such training. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 736 and Senate Bill 435, which would establish de-escalation training for school transportation. The Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council said the measure would improve safety for students and bus operators, fill a gap in current school bus driver certification requirements, and better support students with disabilities. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 4720, concerning the Athol-Royalston Regional School District’s state bailout-related reserve requirements; the superintendent said the district has long maintained fiscal stability but is still forced to leave over half a million dollars unspent each year, limiting resources for a high-poverty student population. After testimony concluded, the chairs read the full list of bills on the agenda, thanked the committee and staff, and the hearing was adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• How does that program work? million. How does that program work?
• added additional money to the program. added additional money to the program.
• and the benefits offered to low-income participants in the program.
• > LMI<00:51:54.960> program<00:51:55.680> is the new program, the LMI program is
• in offered to low-income participants in the<00:52:09.280> program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The framework for public education initiatives is used as a three-year pilot program to fund programs
• One of the exclusions for that MOE is if the program is a pilot program.
• create a quality program?
• programs are usually gone through, because they're usually competitive programs...
• Federal programs are usually gone through because they're usually competitive programs.

Bills: SB204, SB241, HB34

Keywords: higher education, research funding, federal funding, New Mexico, appropriation, University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department

Transcript Highlights:

• So currently a compensation program.
• Again, this program is a proven program increasing fruits and vegetables, and decreasing sugary drinks
• Again, this program is a proven program increasing fruits and vegetables, and decreasing sugary drinks
• 21.640> program<00:16:22.160> increasing program is a proven program increasing program
• implementing this program.

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The committee opened by explaining it would work through a long list of interim topics one at a time and asked members to complete a selection form at the end. The first topic, long-term care, drew testimony from AARP Wyoming and the Wyoming Long-Term Care Association. AARP emphasized Wyoming’s aging population, the state’s roughly $200 million annual Medicaid spending on long-term care, and the need to examine whether more support for home-based care could reduce nursing home use and costs. The association agreed with supporting people at home as long as possible, but asked that any study also consider increased support for nursing homes and assisted living when home care is no longer feasible. Committee discussion also touched on adult day care and PACE-like services, with Mr. Laycock noting prior Department of Health discussion and limited adult day availability due to reimbursement concerns. The committee then heard proposals for neonatal intensive care unit family leave, expanded midwifery scope, and a modification to workers’ compensation law. The NICU leave idea, presented by the Wyoming Women’s Foundation, would explore leave options for families with premature infants in intensive care, potentially paid or unpaid, while considering business size and the burden on families who may need out-of-state care. The midwifery topic was framed as a way to address rural maternity and women’s health gaps by allowing midwives to practice to the full extent of their training. On workers’ compensation, the Wyoming Association of Municipalities sought to classify dispatch personnel as first responders so they could receive mental health coverage under workers’ compensation; the Department of Workforce Services explained that current law covers dispatchers under workers’ compensation generally, but the first responder mental health provision added in 2018 applies to law enforcement and firefighters and does not currently include dispatchers. Other topics included problematic gaming and program funding, breast cancer diagnostic and supplemental exams, prescription drug coverage for advanced metastatic cancer, SNAP education, behavioral health workforce clinical training site shortages, CPR in schools, and broader midwifery oversight. The behavioral health workforce proposal, brought by a WICHE commissioner, focused on increasing psychology internship slots in Wyoming, noting that the state currently has only three and that expanding placements could improve recruitment and retention. The CPR in schools topic drew strong support from the American Heart Association, which argued that CPR training in high school could improve bystander response in a rural state with long EMS response times; committee members asked about cost and curriculum fit, and the witnesses said hands-only CPR could be taught by school staff rather than requiring expensive certification. The midwifery discussion later broadened into concerns about oversight and standards after a representative described a constituent’s pregnancy loss and said complaints involving midwifery practice and staffing delays in investigations warranted a deeper review. No votes were taken during the portion provided, and most topics were simply introduced, discussed, and left open for further testimony or later committee selection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Community custody and RAC programs.
• The programs that work, the programs that have worked for a decade should be implemented across the state
• I worked at Mandy's Farm and participated in the AmeriCorps program back in 2021 and 2022.
• complete the program.
• Appropriate for this program, and those sentenced to YDDC would also not be accepted into this program

Transcript Highlights:

• A few years ago, the Minnesota Poet Laureate Program was established, and this is a program where we're
• We founded the program in New York City in 2008.
• Of course, Amanda Gorman also elevated the program.
• Because right now, the program can only engage the participants through their cities.
• The program can only engage the participants through their cities.

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, these programs didn't exist, so every program that the department is approving right now had to
• Also, these programs didn't exist, so every program that the department is approving right now had to
• Nick Anderson: This apprenticeship program requires participants to complete a classroom component as
• of Nick Anderson: This apprenticeship program requires participants to complete a classroom component
• of Nick Anderson: This apprenticeship program requires participants to complete a classroom component

Bills: HF47, HF434, HF1503, HF1702

Keywords: telecommunications, installation, certification, safety, underground utilities, HF434, cervidae, deer, elk, moose, chronic wasting disease, CWD, wildlife importation, animal health, biosecurity, zoo, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, AZA, USDA exhibitor, species survival plan

Transcript Highlights:

• It does not force participation.
• > towns Under this bill, participating towns Under this bill, participating towns would<00:29:
• Non-participating towns would not pay for it and would not be drawn into it.
• Each participating town pays their population multiplied by the per capita rate.
• > their Each participating town pays their Each participating town pays their population<00:31

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with devotional remarks and then handled several procedural items, including referring Senate Bill 223 on Vermont water quality, which carries an appropriation, to the Committee on Appropriations. The chamber also read and recognized three House Concurrent Resolutions: honoring Maria Blair for nearly four decades of service in the Joint Fiscal Office; designating April 11–17, 2026 as Black Maternal Health Week in Vermont; and congratulating the 2025 Green Mountain Council class of Eagle Scouts. Members offered brief tributes to Blair’s institutional knowledge and service, and to the importance of addressing racial disparities in maternal and infant health. Guests connected to the resolutions were recognized in the gallery, and the House also heard announcements introducing visitors and upcoming meetings. The main legislative action was on Senate Bill 255, which would establish a pilot law enforcement governance council in Windham County. Committee members described it as a limited, voluntary pilot intended to improve regional public safety governance and funding without imposing a statewide mandate or new tax. Testimony came from legislative staff, local officials, sheriffs, police, the Vermont State Police, and municipal representatives. The Government Operations and Military Affairs Committee reported the bill favorably with a 9-0-1 vote and a small amendment adding an additional report-back requirement; Ways and Means found no fiscal impact to state revenue and reported it favorably 10-0-1. The House then agreed to propose the amendment and ordered the bill to third reading. The final action item was House Bill 956, approving Burlington’s charter amendment to formally establish the Office of Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging as a permanent city office. The sponsor explained that Burlington voters had already approved the change and that the bill would codify existing duties, including equity strategy, policy advice, representation of underserved communities, and community engagement, with the director reporting to the mayor. The Government Operations and Military Affairs Committee reported the bill favorably 10-0-1, and the House ordered it to third reading. Later, Ways and Means reported favorably with amendment on Senate Bill 327, an economic development bill carrying an appropriation, and it was referred to Appropriations under House Rule 35A. The House then adjourned until April 28, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this bill aligns with our residency requirements throughout our programs.
• Our work focuses on building that system, not as a single program.
• This is going to add to our navigator program.
• This is going to add to her navigator program are right now.
• To participate as well.

Bills: HF3727, HF3684, HF3467

Keywords: veterans property tax, homestead exclusion, disabled veteran, totally and permanently disabled, service-connected disability, property tax relief, market value exclusion, surviving spouse, family caregiver, county veterans service officer, Minnesota property tax, assessment year 2027, homestead tax benefit, veterans tax exemption, DD214, VA disability rating, veterans, veterans affairs, Department of Veterans Affairs, grant standards

Transcript Highlights:

• Member from Burlington. producer responsibility program for producer responsibility program for beverage
• extended producer responsibility program extended producer responsibility program for<00:07:46.560
• <00:21:08.880> has years provided that participant has years provided that participant has
• the adult court diversion program. the adult court diversion program.
• Participants in that program could have been charged a fee of up to $300, but House Judiciary recommended

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional led by Rep. Bram Kleppner, who spoke about ethics, the virtues of kindness, wisdom, and courage, and offered an atheist’s prayer focused on those themes for legislative work. After the devotional, the chamber handled first readings of four bills: H.913 on prohibiting certain prediction markets securities, H.914 on compensating the city of Barre for an education property tax overpayment, H.915 on an extended producer responsibility program for beverage containers, and H.916 on education fund expenditures review. H.913 was referred to Government Operations and Military Affairs, H.914 to Ways and Means, H.915 to Ways and Means under House Rule 35A because it affects state revenue, and H.916 to Education. Members also made several announcements recognizing outside groups and events, including a Universal Health Care Caucus meeting, the organization Lond, visiting Vermont NEA educators for “Stand Up for Students Day,” a Federation of Sportsmen mixer, a Vermont State Employees Association reception and dinner, a Council of State Governments East reception, a mental health first aid class reminder, and State House apparel sales. The House then took up orders of the day, first postponing action on H.205, an act relating to agreements not to compete, for one legislative day. The chamber passed H.639 on genetic data privacy, H.694 on amendments to the Bennington town charter concerning the town manager, and H.907 on legislative review of reporting requirements. It then considered H.566 on sealing postcharge court diversion records upon successful completion. The Judiciary Committee explained the bill would replace expungement with sealing for juvenile and adult diversion records, add a limited Burlington Community Justice Center pilot for certain municipal ordinance violations, and align the law with prior record-clearance reforms; Judiciary reported it favorably 10-1. Ways and Means said removal of a proposed fee eliminated any fiscal impact and reported the bill ought to pass 11-0. The House agreed to the Judiciary amendment and ordered third reading. Finally, the House postponed H.635, which would eliminate Department of Correction supervisory fees, for one legislative day, heard additional announcements, and adjourned until Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 3:30 p.m.