Video & Transcript Research : 'workforce development'
Page 134 of 500
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Housing, Construction and Community Development - 04/20/2026
Housing, Construction, and Community Development
Transcript Highlights:
- welcome to this meeting of the New York State Committee on Housing, Construction and Community Development
- But certainly, it is for a specific segment of the workforce.
- more than any other workforce that's out there meeting the same income requirements?
- But if there were other workforces that either would fit within this.
- It says qualifying care workforce occupation means health care workers, determined...
Summary:
The Housing, Construction and Community Development Committee met in Albany and considered a series of housing and homeownership bills. Early actions included reporting S.852 (Homebuyer Renovation Property Tax Exemption Act) to Finance, S.955 on smart access systems to Internet and Technology, and S.7933A on registrations of residential mortgages in default. The committee also advanced S.8675, the CAREforce First-Time Homebuyers Act, after a lengthy discussion about whether the bill inappropriately targets a specific workforce; supporters said it addresses a documented shortage of human services workers and includes existing SONYMA income eligibility, while opponents raised concerns about favoring one occupation over others. The bill was reported with some members in the negative and others voting to advance without recommendation.
Members then reported S.9650, which would prohibit landlords from including incorrect rent decontrol information in certain leases and standardize notices for Affordable New York Housing Program units, and S.9679, which would codify the Block-by-Block Home Ownership Program in state law. Both had prior Senate history and drew some negative or AWR votes. The committee also discussed and advanced S.9742, which would allow residential units in multiple dwellings to omit openable windows if they meet ASHRAE ventilation standards; supporters said the change is needed to facilitate office-to-residential conversions, while members raised questions about maintenance, egress, and the bill’s limited application to localities under the multiple dwelling law.
Finally, the committee reported S.989, establishing the vacant rental improvement program, after noting it had previously passed the Senate and was being reintroduced. Throughout the meeting, several bills were described as reintroductions or prior Senate measures, and multiple motions were made to report bills either to Finance, the floor, or another committee, with several members voting in the negative or to advance without recommendation on selected measures.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Education Policy and Administration (01/28/2026)
Education Policy and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- >> You have to do professional development >> You have to do professional development
- Innovation Board to work with the governor to develop a process for short-term workforce training programs
- Innovation Board to work with the governor to develop a process for short-term workforce training programs
- Innovation Board to work with the governor to develop a process for short-term workforce training programs
- <01:28:45.199>
faster trained and into the workforce faster trained and into the workforce
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Select Committee on Child Care Costs Dec 9th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We also talk about investing in the workforce.
- We do advocacy for our learning, after we prepare, and for the workforce.
- And I think that, And for the workforce.
- And I think that our workforce is not appreciated, right?
- We provide all of these services, including professional development.
Summary:
The Assembly Select Committee on Child Care Costs held its third hearing, focused on how transitional kindergarten (TK) fits into California’s mixed-delivery early learning system, with an emphasis on the Central Valley. Opening remarks stressed that TK and child care should complement each other, not compete, and that families need both part-day school-based options and full-day, year-round care. Committee members outlined hearing goals around aligning TK with existing programs, understanding family needs, and examining the economic impact of early learning on workforce participation and local economies.
Panelists from the Legislative Analyst’s Office, Every Child California, Early Edge, Children Now, and others described TK’s rapid expansion to all four-year-olds, the growth in enrollment, and related changes to state preschool and after-school programs. Witnesses generally supported TK but warned that its expansion has shifted enrollment away from community-based providers, especially centers and family child care homes, creating financial strain, vacant classrooms, and staffing challenges. They urged stronger partnerships between school districts and community providers, more flexible licensing and facilities support, higher and more uniform reimbursement rates, permanent authority for state preschool to serve two-year-olds, and better compensation and training for educators across settings.
Parents and providers testified about the importance of trusted, culturally and linguistically responsive care, the need for infant-toddler and home-based options, and the difficulty of affording child care when TK is not full-day or does not fit family schedules. Several speakers emphasized that many families still face long waits for subsidies and that reimbursement and payment delays threaten provider stability. Public comment echoed these concerns, with providers calling for true cost-of-care rates, more vouchers, support for transportation and nontraditional hours, and protection from insurance and facility costs that can force programs to close.
State education officials said California’s UPK system works best when TK, state preschool, Head Start, and community-based providers are treated as a shared system, and noted that planning and implementation grants and local coordination efforts have helped build mixed-delivery partnerships. The hearing ended without formal votes or actions, but committee members indicated they would continue gathering input to inform future policy and budget decisions.
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology Committee Meeting Jun 24th, 2026
Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology
Transcript Highlights:
- As written, in 1981, Delaware passed the Financial Center Development Act, which essentially...
- And I developed a pattern for identifying it by the industry.
- workforce.
- It promotes smart growth in housing development by setting minimum residential density standards that
- I live over by the new Wegmans... ...which has become a staple of our current development process.
Bills:
HB373
Keywords:
infused beverages, THC, alcohol control, regulation, non-intoxicating cannabinoids, marijuana, legalization, taxation
Summary:
The Senate Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology Committee met in hybrid format and heard testimony on several bills. HB 373, as amended, would regulate hemp-derived THC-infused beverages by defining the products, limiting them to 10 mg of Delta-9 THC per container, restricting sales to package stores and licensed marijuana retail stores, requiring testing and labeling, and imposing a 50-cent per container tax; the sponsor said the bill is intended to create guardrails and protect youth, and a wholesaler representative testified in support. HB 398 would allow racinos to serve alcohol until 2 a.m. and remove local authority to require earlier closing times; the sponsor and Bally’s representative said it would help Delaware remain competitive and increase revenue, and no opposition was heard. HB 433 would let municipalities and counties extend last call for bars, restaurants, and clubs from 1 a.m. to 2 a.m.; a witness from Connect Delaware supported it as a competitiveness and retention measure, emphasizing that it is permissive rather than mandatory.
The committee also heard extensive testimony on HB 441, which would ban cryptocurrency kiosks/crypto ATMs in Delaware and require existing machines to be removed within 90 days. The sponsor and supporters, including AARP, the Delaware Department of Justice, and the League of Women Voters, argued the machines are heavily used in scams, especially against older adults, and that regulation has not been effective. CoinFlip opposed the bill, saying it is a regulated operator, that the fraud statistics are overstated or incomplete, and that Delaware should instead adopt a regulatory framework and amendment. HB 465 would update the criminal code to formally define virtual currency and incorporate it into theft, money laundering, racketeering, and search-and-seizure provisions; the sponsor said it would align Delaware law with modern crypto-related crimes, and no opposition was presented.
The committee then heard HB 467, which would prevent landlords from requiring renters to buy insurance from a specific company while still allowing them to require coverage meeting lease terms; the sponsor described it as a consumer-choice bill and there was no public opposition. HB 435 would require payment parity for certified registered nurse anesthetists and physicians when the same services are provided; the sponsor, nurse anesthetists, the Delaware Health Care Association, the Department of Insurance, and ChristianaCare supported it as a workforce and access-to-care measure, with no opposition. Finally, HS 1 for HB 450, the Road DE Act, would overhaul permitting and traffic-impact review, emphasize peak-hour traffic, set density standards in growth areas, create a transportation impact fee, and direct some revenue to open space, farmland, and coastal restoration; realtors, builders, environmental groups, engineers, and GEAR supported it as a way to speed permitting, reduce sprawl, and improve infrastructure planning. The committee adjourned after public comment; no votes were recorded in the transcript.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Higher Education Institutions Committee Apr 9th, 2026 at 08:30 am
Higher Education Institutions Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- It's privately owned by a developer.
- So we've hired a workforce development officer who has been fantastic.
- And we've done a lot of course development so far.
- And we've done a lot of course development so far.
- The professional development, all of them have reported the professional development, the bringing them
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Conference Committee on H.F. 1141 - Omnibus Housing finance and policy provisions- 05/08/26
Transcript Highlights:
- Housing Development Fund. Housing Development Fund.
- Housing Development Program or the Workforce and Affordable Homeownership Program would be eligible
- >
or Workforce Housing Development Program or Workforce Housing Development Program or the<00: - I appreciate the House bill has made some additional investments in the workforce housing development
- That language will help the program better align with the Workforce Housing Development Grant Program
Summary:
The conference committee on the housing omnibus bill began with member introductions and a staff walk-through comparing House and Senate provisions. House Research staff reviewed major policy differences affecting Minnesota Housing Finance Agency operations, including limits on how much the agency may retain from state appropriations for administrative costs, new reporting requirements, restrictions on transfers between appropriated accounts, and House-only language requiring annual expenditure of investment income from state appropriations. Senate provisions were also summarized, including tighter rules on when appropriations may be placed into Housing Development Fund bookkeeping accounts, updated operating-cost reporting, and Senate-only changes to how investment earnings may be used. Staff also described shared and differing provisions on program-money transfers, a lived-experience earnings exemption, and a long list of Senate-only policy changes, including manufactured home park tenant protections, low-income housing tax credit and bond-related changes, a task force on housing taxes and fees, and repealers affecting Housing Development Fund authority and certain older programs.
Fiscal staff then reviewed the budget impacts. The House side included one-time appropriations for workforce housing development, family homeless prevention and assistance, a Minnesota Nice Home Share pilot, and homebuyer education, along with debt service for $100 million in housing infrastructure bonds and transfers/cancellations that produced a net zero general fund impact across the budget window. The Senate side noted a fiscal note for the housing taxes and fees task force and a smaller housing infrastructure bond authorization, with corresponding debt service costs and a total Senate budget-window impact of about $1 million in general fund debt service. After the staff presentations, the committee moved to public testimony.
Commissioner Jennifer Ho of Minnesota Housing said the bill’s housing infrastructure bonds and continued support for family homeless prevention were important, and she supported the lived-experience earnings exemption, while noting concerns about the interest-earnings provisions. Testifiers from Greater Minnesota groups praised the workforce housing investments and Senate updates to the state housing tax credit and infrastructure grant program, though they suggested changes to the geographic distribution language. HOME Line urged funding for statewide tenant hotline services, citing rising demand and asking for $1 million if additional money becomes available. The Minnesota Consortium of Community Developers supported the bill’s investments and emphasized the need to pair housing development with supportive services. Housing First Minnesota praised housing infrastructure bonds and other investments but criticized the omission of the Minnesota Starter Homes Act. The Minnesota Multi Housing Association began testimony opposing certain rent-control-related provisions in the House bill. No votes or final actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.
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
- WE HAVE A GREAT WORKFORCE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROFESSIONALS.
- DEVELOPMENT TO BRING THOSE ENTRANTS INTO HELP IN EARLY PART.
- UNIVERSITY DOES RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
- BUT WE WANT TO GIVE AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEY CAN EXCEL IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT KIND OF ASK WHAT YOU
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee Jun 29th, 2026
Budget and Fiscal Review
Transcript Highlights:
- It requires the Office of the Chancellor of CSU annually to develop enrollment targets for each campus
- It requires the Office of the Chancellor of CSU annually to develop enrollment targets for each campus
- I can't speak to workforce programs, but I do want to mention that the bill does include 100... ...workforce
- So as the Department of Health Care Access and Information develops the program design and evaluates,
- In labor, I'm really glad to see the workforce development, whether it's through the Department of Industrial
WI
Wisconsin 2026 1st Special Session
Joint Committee on Finance Jun 2nd, 2026
Joint Committee on Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- Development.
- Landmark Development Services Company submitted a successful bid of $10 million, which DOA indicates
- Next item on the agenda is the request from the Department of Workforce Development.
- Next item on the agenda is the request from the Department of Workforce Development. Fiscal Bureau.
- Yeah, the Department of Workforce Development requests supplemental funding of $4.6 million in fiscal
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Aug 19th, 2025
Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- The higher education system plays a pivotal role in addressing these workforce needs.
- That's the Department of Workforce and Health and Human Services.
- , and develop a corrective action plan.
- Is it a workforce issue, a funding issue, or infrastructure?
- But again, that doesn't matter if you don't have the skilled workforce.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on State and Local Government. (2-11-26)
State & Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- budget to encourage housing development budget to encourage housing development and<00:10:35.279
- This development tool will help developers overcome the costly infrastructure costs that might cause
- Within this housing development district, a developer can file an application for an approved project
- >
once <00:14:20.079>again This development tool should once again This development tool - certain projects to be workforce certain projects to be workforce housing, housing, housing, uh<
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:04
Attendance Roll Call: 00:08
SB 141 Discussion 00:58
SB 141 Vote 07:03
SB 9 Discussion 09:10
SB 9 Vote 19:47
Adjournment: 21:20, 958, all
Summary:
The Senate State and Local Government Committee first took up Senate Bill 141, sponsored by Senator Given, which revises Kentucky’s public notice laws. Senator Given said the bill was the product of negotiations among the Kentucky Press Association, the Kentucky League of Cities, and the Kentucky Association of Counties, aiming to balance transparency with the cost of publication. Testimony described changes to clarify which newspapers may publish legal notices, address publication errors, ensure fair and reasonable rates, update ad size requirements, and provide more practical hearing timelines. Committee members praised the compromise and the bill’s modernization, including expanded online access to public notices. SB 141 passed 10-0 with favorable expression.
The committee then considered Senate Bill 9, sponsored by Senator Mills, and first adopted a substitute that addressed concerns from Farm Bureau and the Kentucky Bankers Association. Senator Mills said Kentucky faces a significant housing shortage and that the bill would give local governments two tools to encourage development without direct state cost: a residential infrastructure development district and a housing development district. He explained that the first tool would help finance infrastructure within a district through bonds repaid by special assessments, while the second would allow local governments to negotiate incentives and streamlined review for larger housing projects. Members asked about public participation, local control, infrastructure financing, and whether the bill required affordable housing set-asides; Mills said the bill leaves those decisions to local governments. SB 9 passed 9-0 with one pass and favorable expression.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:29:29.240>
and <00:29:29.520>business <00:29:29.880>development workforce and - business development workforce and business development service<00:29:31.159>
for <00:29:31.280 - This bill charges the Office of Workforce Strategy and Development to determine, in consultation with
- >
to Workforce Strategy and Development to Workforce Strategy and Development to determine,<00 - The bill takes effect on passage. ...for our workforce development, and that takes the sunset on the
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee to Hear SAO Performance Audits Jul 15th, 2026 at 02:00 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- Although Washington has a shortage of workers, Washington's workforce is closer to meeting the demand
- We've heard quite a bit about the fact that many people in the home health care provider workforce are
- immigrants. ...workforce are immigrants.
- But Christine Morris, I'm Office Chief at DSHS for Training, Communications, and Workforce Development
- And you know, I know I just want to say, for example, that the post-secondary and workforce development
Summary:
The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee heard a State Auditor’s Office performance audit on the Restoring Quality Home Care Initiative (I-1163), which created home care aide certification requirements, FBI background checks, and an abuse/neglect registry. Auditors said some requirements likely improve safety, especially background checks and training, but the state lacked pre-2011 data to measure outcomes directly. They also found Washington has a long-term care workforce shortage, though its workforce supply ranks better than many states, and that more stringent entry requirements do not appear to reduce workforce participation compared with other states.
The audit’s main concern was that the certification process is slow and burdensome. Auditors reported that most applicants never finish certification, that only about one-third of fiscal year 2025 applicants were certified within the 200-day legal deadline, and that the average time to certification was 463 days. They identified delays between training and testing, limited testing access in some areas, and redundant Department of Health verification of FBI background checks as key causes. The audit recommended streamlining the process by accepting applications later in the process, expanding testing within training programs, and eliminating the redundant background-check verification.
Department of Health and Department of Social and Health Services staff largely agreed with the audit’s findings and recommendations. They said they have already made improvements, including moving exams into more than 110 training programs, increasing credentialing staff, and reducing barriers through rule changes. DSHS noted testing is offered in 13 languages. Committee members asked about testing contract incentives, language access, and whether the agencies would seek statutory or budget changes to implement the recommendations. No public testimony was offered, and the meeting adjourned without any vote or formal action by the committee.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Apr 22nd, 2025
Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact
Transcript Highlights:
- Pryor, the Regional Director of the Central Small Business Development Centers.
- Preet Alawalia with Small Business Development Center for NorCal.
- It would, through the Office of Economic Development, GO-Biz, as it's referred to.
- development frontiers.
- not having electricity because of development reasons.
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama Joint Contract Review Committee Feb 5th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- are developed.
- apprenticeship standards are developed. apprenticeship standards are developed. the<00:05:22.080
- <00:05:36.000>
an that if a person develops an that if a person develops an apprenticeship - developing the framework. developing the framework.
- development?
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Committee Jun 29th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The bill requires the Office of the Chancellor of the California State University annually to develop
- I have one question about the plastics market development payment program.
- Is it because as these things start to develop, they don't need as much funding?
- 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.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- In the case of our work, early childhood, K-12, higher ed, and workforce development.
- And ultimately, this is about benefiting Minnesota's students. nonprofits, workforce development, and
- nonprofits, workforce development, and government.<00:18:12.920>
The <00:18:13.520>partnership - and workforce development. and workforce development.
- development board, consisting of GWDB members and P20 members, looking at the educator workforce.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Mar 25th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Cuts to the federal workforce are also affecting medical care for veterans.
- The veteran health administration workforce constitutes 90% of the VA's workforce.
- We also developed an employment program.
- We spent a million dollars that we raised to develop a women veterans program, and we developed a peer
- You know, There's a workforce element to that as well.
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Military and Veteran Affairs held an informational hearing focused on the effects of federal budget cuts and policy changes on veterans, military readiness, and California’s veteran support systems. The chair and members emphasized that federal reductions to the VA, Medicaid/Medi-Cal, SNAP, and the federal workforce are disproportionately harming veterans by threatening health care, employment, housing, crisis lines, and suicide prevention services. The chair also highlighted California’s progress on veteran homelessness and the importance of preserving state programs that leverage federal dollars.
Major General Matthew Beavers of the California Military Department described the department’s structure, its response to the Los Angeles fire emergency, and concerns that federal cuts could reduce readiness through less training, older equipment, and fewer resources. He also discussed state programs such as Work for Warriors, STARBASE, youth and community schools, and the counterdrug task force, saying they are valuable but vulnerable if funding is redirected away from readiness. Members asked about the impact of federal changes on the Guard and how the Legislature could help, and Beavers said the state should advocate for recapitalized equipment and continued support for key programs.
A second panel focused on veterans’ benefits and claims support. CalVet, Los Angeles County, and Swords to Plowshares testified that county veteran service officers, legal aid, and community-based partnerships are essential to helping veterans access VA benefits, especially after the PACT Act expanded eligibility and increased claims volume. Witnesses said these services bring substantial federal dollars back to California, but county offices and legal providers are underfunded and overburdened. Members discussed data sharing, staffing shortages, and the need for more resources to reach veterans who are not connected to VA care.
In the final panel on mental health and suicide prevention, CalVet and nonprofit providers described state-funded programs such as the Veterans Support Self-Reliance program and the California Veterans Health Initiative, which place services in permanent supportive housing and provide no-cost counseling statewide. Witnesses said these programs are showing measurable improvements in health, medication adherence, and emergency room use, but they depend on sustained funding and are vulnerable to step-down grants and federal instability. Committee members expressed support for the programs and raised questions about access, staffing, and the role of non-veteran family members in Vet Center services.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Assembly Select Committee on the Nonprofit Sector and Senate Select Committee on the Nonprofit Sector Aug 19th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Just to level set, California's nonprofit sector makes up 10% of the state's workforce, with over 1.7
- The nonprofit sector is central to our state's economy and our diverse workforce.
- A second role would be really policy, research, and development.
- And lastly, workforce and staffing crises.
- And lastly, workforce and staffing crises.
Summary:
The joint Senate and Assembly select committee hearing focused on the challenges facing California nonprofits in 2025 and possible state responses. Opening remarks emphasized the sector’s size and importance, the impact of federal funding disruptions and tax policy changes, and the need for stronger public-private partnerships, especially in disaster response and recovery. Witnesses from community foundations, food banks, Cal OES, long-term recovery groups, CalNonprofits, and nonprofit finance organizations described funding uncertainty, delayed reimbursements, reduced indirect cost coverage, staffing strain, and the effects of climate disasters and immigration-related fear on service delivery.
Testimony highlighted several policy ideas, including advance payments for state grants and contracts, prompt payment standards, sustainable indirect cost rates, contract flexibility in emergencies, streamlined registration and reporting, and a possible new Office of Nonprofit Empowerment to serve as a central point of contact and coordination within state government. Speakers also described how nonprofits and VOAD networks support wildfire response and long-term recovery, but noted that recovery groups often lack stable operating funding even when they are recognized as best practice. A food bank leader described federal food aid cuts and disruptions to deliveries, while other witnesses stressed that nonprofits are increasingly forced to use reserves, loans, or service reductions to manage cash flow gaps.
Committee members generally expressed support for the sector and asked how the state could better partner with nonprofits during both disasters and budget crises. Several members raised the possibility of incremental steps if full legislative changes are not immediately feasible, and witnesses suggested pilots, better sharing of best practices, and stronger state leadership on payment timelines. Public commenters echoed the need for better contracting practices, support for community-based organizations, and attention to nonprofit worker compensation and protections. No formal votes or committee actions were taken in the hearing, which concluded with adjournment.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
EDUCATION- HOUSE EARLY CHILDHOOD SUBCOMMITTEE Jun 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- participation. 80% of the moms that we talked, and a fuller workforce participation. 80% of the moms
- We heard over and over again that child care costs are a workforce barrier.
- We had another meeting earlier this week about workforce, and I brought up the question of education
- We had another meeting earlier this week about workforce.
- So they were able to rewrite for different professional developments that they wanted to provide.
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes and then heard a presentation from Maddie San Juan of the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas on the report “Holding It All Together: Working Moms and Child Care in Arkansas.” She said the research found Arkansas moms are working and want to work, but child care costs, inflexible schedules, inadequate paid leave, and the mental load of caregiving are major barriers. She cited survey and focus group findings showing flexible hours were the most requested workplace support, 69% of moms identified child care costs as a barrier, and many families spend a large share of income on care. Members asked about labor force trends, what flexibility means in practice, and the cost and age structure of child care assistance programs. The presenter also noted child care affects economic development and workforce recruitment, and mentioned a Department of Commerce option that may help pay child care for people seeking training.
Department of Education and Office of Early Childhood staff then gave updates on internal dashboards for enrollment, applications, and provider participation in School Readiness Assistance (SRA), saying the tools are now live for internal use and should improve transparency and data access. They said CLASS transition funding from the PDG grant would be released soon to providers who completed observations, and clarified that OEP awards based on CLASS scores are separate from OEC’s work. They also warned providers about a payment interruption during the transition to a new system: June 26 would be the last day to submit SRA payments for processing, payments would stop June 30, and billing would continue without processing from July 1 to 13, with back payments expected when the system resumes around July 14. Members raised concerns about provider cash flow, early childhood special education funding, an overpayment appeal involving a child care center, and whether CLASS data would be public; staff said the data is FOIA-able but not used by the department to set current quality or rates.
The department also said it is reviewing audit requirements tied to Head Start and SRA, that Early Head Start children remained in their facilities after a closure, and that a market rate survey/cost analysis is still in procurement. Staff reported that the QRIS process will begin with a June 23 webinar and that CLASS will be part of a broader quality system still being developed with provider and parent input. They also said the local lead network was re-competed and will cover all counties starting July 1 with 23 local leads, and that the PDG partner group has been formed to provide ongoing stakeholder feedback. The meeting ended with no further business and adjournment.