Transcript Highlights:

• school and has not engaged in any education system to enroll in a dropout retrieval program.
• But... ...graduate, right, and earn their high school diploma.
• Senior High School, wishes to appear in person as a proponent of the bill.
• And last up today, CS for HB 261, Middle School and High School Start Times, by Representative Gerwig
• It's free to go to college while you're in high school.

Summary: The Education and Employment Committee met with a quorum and heard four bills. CS/HB 1145 on workforce education clarified that public charter schools may receive CAP grant funds, expanded the number of college system money-back programs from three to six, and standardized eligibility rules while allowing institutions some flexibility. Supporters said it would help students access career training without adding new funding in the bill. The committee also heard CS/HB 1079, which expands dropout retrieval program eligibility to any individual who has withdrawn from high school and is not engaged in education, while resolving statutory conflicts about program structure; some members raised concerns about FERPA, student privacy, and third-party funding, but the bill was reported favorably despite one no vote from Rep. Valdes. The committee then considered HB 251, which would designate January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Florida. The sponsor and supporters described the bill as a response to rising antisemitism and emphasized education, remembrance, and opposition to hate. Testimony came from a Miami-Dade school board member, a student, and other supporters, and members spoke strongly in favor of the measure. The bill was reported favorably with no opposition. Finally, the committee heard CS/HB 261 on middle and high school start times. The bill revises the earlier mandated later-start-time law by allowing districts to comply through a report to DOE detailing start times, planning efforts, public input, and impacts, rather than requiring immediate uniform implementation. Supporters from small school districts, Miami-Dade, PTA, and other organizations said the change preserves the health goal while giving districts flexibility to address transportation, dual enrollment, athletics, and staffing constraints. Members debated the need for parental involvement and detailed reporting, but the bill was ultimately reported favorably on a unanimous vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• ; second, expand ELOP, Expanded Learning Opportunities Program funding, to be able to serve high school
• ; second, expand ELOP, Expanded Learning Opportunities Program funding, to be able to serve high school
• You'll go to high schools and recruit working-class students from high schools that serve mostly working-class
• You'll go to high schools and recruit working-class students from high schools that serve mostly working-class
• The middle school and the high school were back to back.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Select Committee on the Status of Boys and Men of Color held its second hearing, focused on the cradle-to-college-and-career pipeline, with an emphasis on education, school discipline, community schools, and higher education pathways. Chair Isaac Bryan opened by noting that two bills from the first hearing had been introduced and were advancing through the Legislature. Members Mike Fong, Senator Gonzalez, and Corey Jackson offered remarks supporting bipartisan, cross-sector work to address inequities affecting boys and young men of color. The first panel discussed school discipline and safety. Dr. David Turner cited major declines in suspensions since state reforms such as SB 274, SB 419, and AB 420, but said disparities remain for Black and Native boys and that school policing and “ghost suspensions” still push students out of class. Brandy Bowen-Bremont and LaQuan Muhammad described hidden disciplinary practices, police referrals, and the need for restorative, culturally rooted, and care-first supports. Members asked about the causes of the suspension decline, statewide versus local data, and whether MTSS and restorative practices are being implemented with fidelity. The second panel focused on community schools. Witnesses from Californians for Justice, Reclaim Our Schools LA, M.I.L.P.A., and the Center at Sierra Health Foundation urged a $1 billion ongoing state investment in the California Community Schools Partnership Act. They argued community schools improve attendance, school climate, academic outcomes, and family engagement while reducing suspensions and chronic absenteeism. The third panel addressed college and career pathways, with speakers from the California Faculty Association, UC Student Association, Brotherhood Crusade, A.M.E.N., and Improve Your Tomorrow calling for more financial aid, dual enrollment, mentorship, and student support. They also criticized state spending priorities, compared prison and higher education budgets, and urged investment in programs that keep young men of color connected to school and work. Public commenters largely echoed support for community schools, youth justice, and broader investment in boys and men of color, including rural and urban perspectives. Chair Bryan closed by highlighting the importance of representation and the role of mentorship and second chances in his own life, then adjourned the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• It doesn't have a high school component like some of the other combination schools that we will be talking
• The program statement and then the subsequent ODR programs to ensure that we're building the school that
• middle school and they're coming back when they're in high school and they have the opportunities that
• And so our academic programming, our core academic programming of these two middle schools resembles
• , and high school core classrooms on certain electives.

Transcript Highlights:

• HMS School in Mount Joy, the Easter Seals support schools and special education programs statewide, and
• They don't get a second chance at middle school. They don't get a second chance at high school.
• My dad was someone who never finished high school.
• My dad was someone who never finished high school.
• , the economically disadvantaged schools program.

Summary: The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved several journals, and welcomed a number of guests, including Irish dignitaries, scholarship winners, interns, student pages, and members of Omega Psi Phi. After confirming a quorum, the chamber received committee reports and referred new bills and resolutions, then recessed for caucuses and committee meetings before returning to floor action. In the afternoon session, the House considered several bills and amendments. It approved amendments to House Bills 426, 1127, 2551, and Senate Bill 146, while rejecting an amendment to HB 1127 that would have tightened background-check requirements for out-of-state dentists. The chamber also agreed to HB 2234, which creates a spent grain donation tax credit and updates the malt beverage tax credit, and HB 2551, which limits text-message notices by the Turnpike Commission and other agencies about unpaid fines, fees, or tolls. Senate Bill 146, creating the Veterans Trust Fund Board, was amended to add audit-related changes and then agreed to. The House then took final passage votes on several bills. HB 133, allowing a process to petition for reinstatement of parental rights, passed 191-11; HB 138, barring parental incarceration as the sole basis for termination of parental rights, passed 200-2; HB 2207, on capital development loans, passed 202-0; and HB 2224, dealing with utility rate and tax-related changes, passed 202-0 after extensive debate over affordability, consumer protections, and tax relief. HB 2473, repealing the Flood Insurance Education Information Act of 1996, also passed unanimously, and HB 2544, addressing school administrator rights and compensation disputes, passed 141-61. The most extensive debate centered on HB 2632, which reallocates educational tax credit caps and replaces the EITC and OSTC programs with a new options tax credit framework beginning in 2027-28. Supporters said it would improve transparency, accountability, and access for the poorest students, while opponents argued it would reduce scholarship opportunities, add burdens, and harm families and schools that rely on the current programs. After lengthy debate, the House passed HB 2632 by a vote of 105-97. The chamber then announced a Finance Committee voting meeting, recommitted several bills to Appropriations, and adjourned until June 23, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we're doing these after-school and summer programs as well as partnering with schools.
• And we're doing these after-school and summer programs as well as partnering with schools.
• And we're doing these after-school and summer programs as well as partnering with schools.
• And we're doing these after-school and summer programs as well as partnering with schools.
• And we're doing these after-school and summer programs as well as partnering with schools.

Summary: The committee heard an interim study on expanding or simplifying sales tax exemptions for Oklahoma nonprofits. Representatives Stark and Schreiber said the issue has been filed repeatedly over several sessions and framed it as a bipartisan effort to keep more charitable dollars in service of communities rather than paying sales tax. Schreiber also suggested broader tax reform or an omnibus approach rather than continuing to add individual exemptions. Marnie Taylor of the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits gave an overview of the sector, describing nonprofits as a major part of the state economy and safety net, and argued that many organizations are highly regulated, under-resourced, and facing declining donations and funding. She said the current patchwork of exemptions is uneven and that a blanket or broader exemption would help organizations serving public needs. Committee members asked for sources behind some of the poverty, education, and health rankings cited in her presentation. Several nonprofit leaders testified about how sales tax affects their operations. RG Foods described the cost of opening neighborhood grocery markets in food deserts and said sales tax on a Tulsa project would divert about $85,000 from programming. Jubilee Partners, Skyline Urban Outreach, the Pencil Box, the Tulsa Police Foundation, Blue Rose Ranch, and Legacy Parenting Center each explained how exemption status or the lack of it affects food assistance, school supplies, public safety equipment, animal rescue, and diapers and family support. Members asked follow-up questions about food desert definitions, budgets, and how much sales tax savings would change operations. No vote was taken in the excerpt, but the study concluded with closing remarks emphasizing that the exemption would keep more money in direct services and support the nonprofit sector statewide.

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• at High School for Recording Arts in St. at High School for Recording Arts in St.
• At High School for Paul, Minnesota.
• at high school for recording they enroll at high school for recording arts,<01:35:59.760> that
• High School within Roseville Alternative High School within Roseville Area<01:46:02.719> Schools.
• High School in the Phillips Ray Jesuit High School in the Phillips neighborhood<01:59:20.560> in<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• High Kajamarca from Columbia Heights High School.
• A number of states have established high school diploma programs for veterans who have served in active
• The bill before the committee would establish a high school diploma for veterans program here in Minnesota
• complete their high school degree. complete their high school degree.
• school diploma for establish a high school diploma for veterans<00:43:08.520> program<00:43:09.040

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:20:15.280> breakfast<00:20:15.760> program million for the school breakfast program
• <01:05:04.400> school<01:05:04.720> students, County, adults of high school students
• , provide $3 million for the Move On Ready program, which will enable students to graduate high school
• several pilot programs from multiple school districts.
• will enable students to graduate high will enable students to graduate high school<01:20:58.000>

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to go to film school at UNM-Gallup Middle College High School.
• I am a fourth-year student at Wingate High School, and after high school, I want to be a welder.
• If there are programs at Bernalillo High School, kids don't have transportation.
• That even within just Gallup itself, there are many, many schools—high schools.
• That's the only high school in that vicinity, and I'm sure other schools are similar.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:13:59.680> school, complete calculus in high school, complete calculus in high school,
• So I I think required in high school.
• <05:01:08.878> Most<05:01:08.958> of are public high school kids.
• Most of are public high school kids.
• be left high and dry right after they started the program.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on House Bill 1571, which would direct the Department of Education to review and revise statewide academic standards and curriculum and make an appropriation. Representative Kristen Noble, the sponsor, said the bill is intended to update outdated standards, especially in math, and to have the department create a list of high-quality curriculum and materials aligned to the revised standards. She noted she would likely amend the bill to change a requirement that districts “shall” select from the list to “may,” and said a misplaced crossed-out section would need to be restored and moved by amendment. She also said assessments would need to be updated to match any new standards. Testimony from Marie Banfield strongly supported the bill and the move away from a mandate, arguing that current standards are outdated and that Common Core and related standards have not improved student outcomes. She criticized the math standards for emphasizing multiple strategies and written explanations over computation, and said stronger standards would better support students, including those with learning or communication challenges. She also argued that New Hampshire should follow examples such as Massachusetts, which she said used rigorous standards successfully. Nate Green of the Department of Education did not take a position on the bill but explained that the bill would affect statewide academic standards, state assessments, and potentially federal compliance. He distinguished academic standards from minimum standards in statute, said any standards revision would require work with content experts, State Board approval, and then a corresponding assessment update that could take about two years. He estimated assessment development costs could range from about $200,000 to $500,000 for minor revisions and $1 million to $2 million for a wholesale new set of standards. He also said the bill would apply to public and charter public schools, not private or homeschool students, and that the department does not currently provide a statewide list of curriculum materials because curriculum decisions have historically been local.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:09:42.680> income of that very, I would say, high income of that very, I would say, high
• But the other piece is for this very expensive program there is also no pay for.
• But the other piece is for this very expensive program there is also no pay for.
• And I think we need to costs are high.
• <00:15:39.360> districts escape to school districts escape to school districts of<00:15:40.760

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard presentation on HF 495, a bill intended to help families with rising child care costs by allowing a subtraction from taxable income for licensed child care expenses. The author said the measure would provide immediate relief to families while broader child care supply and affordability problems are addressed, citing a revenue analysis estimating about 81,700 returns affected and an average tax decrease of $639. The bill was described as applying only to licensed child care centers, family child care, or group family child care under chapter 142B. A virtual testifier, Annel Velasco of St. Paul, opposed the bill. She said child care is indeed expensive but argued the proposal is only a small patch that does not address structural problems such as provider closures, low teacher pay, and lack of available slots. She also said the subtraction would disproportionately benefit higher-income families and would not help providers or teachers. Members debated whether the bill should be more targeted. Representative Smith and Representative Lee argued the proposal is uncapped, expensive, and structured as a subtraction rather than a refundable credit, meaning it would mainly help higher-income households and could divert resources from other credits such as the working family tax credit or child tax credit. Representative Swedzinski supported the bill as allowing families to keep their own money and said child care costs are high across income levels. Chair Gomez and others emphasized that the child care system has broader structural failures, including low pay and lack of slots, and said this bill would address only one part of the problem. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• NSBA opposes legislation that mandates public schools to implement new programs or initiatives without
• And then the last couple of years teaching general education as a high school in Alamogordo, running
• the teacher academy program for our high school students who want to move into education and be teachers
• after-school programs.
• because they want to be in those after-school programs.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Even high school, whichever is later.
• high school, it went undetected and no, no, you could do was done and even with to physical.
• And there has been legislation past year that required high school students to be comes certified in
• school and is not engaged in the education system to enroll and drop out retrieval program.
• responsible for school safety received consistent, high-quality preparation and firearms proficiency

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Public schools offer norm reference tests to seniors in high school.
• Utah's school choice program is not the biggest program.
• Utah's school choice program is not the biggest program.
• Our average high school tuition is under $12,000.
• Our average high school tuition is under $12,000.

Bills: SB 2

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am a mother of three nice children, elementary, middle school, and high school.
• On behalf of the Fullerton Joint Union High School District and the San Benito High School District,
• It's Inglewood High School. It's Compton High School. It's poor school districts.
• How is their school? We have seniors. We have high school students here.
• about making high-stakes decisions for charter high schools without a growth measure.

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard AB 84, a charter school accountability measure focused on non-classroom-based charter schools and fraud prevention. The author and supporters said the bill was intended to respond to the A3 charter fraud case and related scandals by strengthening audits, transparency, authorizer oversight, and funding determination rules, while ensuring public education dollars are used for public education. Supporters included FCMAT, CSEA, CTA, and CSBA, who argued the bill would improve oversight and protect taxpayers. Opponents, including the California Charter Schools Association, Green Dot, many charter parents, educators, and charter operators, said the bill was too broad, would impose major new costs and bureaucracy on all charter schools, and could reduce options for families, especially those using flexible, homeschool, or special-needs charter programs. After extensive testimony and committee discussion, the bill passed on a 5-1 vote and was sent to Appropriations, with the item left open for additional votes. The committee then approved a consent calendar of 11 education bills, including AB 542, AB 563, AB 731, AB 753, AB 784, AB 964, AB 988, AB 1034, AB 1233, AB 1255, and AB 1381, all moving to Appropriations. The consent calendar passed unanimously. Later, the committee heard AB 1454, a literacy and reading instruction bill authored by Assembly Members Rubio and Revis. The bill would require the state to create professional development resources for evidence-based literacy instruction, update English language arts and English language development instructional materials, and revise administrator preparation standards to include literacy training. The authors and a broad coalition of supporters, including CTA, EdVoice, Families in Schools, Decoding Dyslexia, school administrators, and parent advocates, described the measure as a compromise aimed at improving reading outcomes and addressing California’s literacy crisis. There was no opposition testimony at the hearing, and members voiced strong support for the bill and its collaborative approach.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Graduate School, which is our PhD, MD-PhD, and PhD programs, has eight tracks that we offer.
• So our programs can span from weeks to years in that school. The next one is our medical school.
• That's the creation of the medical school. Next is Arizona, and they too offer a four-year program.
• <00:42:22.800> school<00:42:23.319> math uh I did not do well in high school math uh
• Olaf in Northfield, and my youngest is a junior at the high school here locally.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Joaquin Avalos, and I have just completed my junior year at Da Vinci High School, located
• , allowing state special schools to offer work-based learning programs, and removing academic program
• We see every day what happens when students leave high schools without a clear pathway.
• prevent high school students from accessing meaningful earn-and-learn opportunities.
• In addition, the district offers, who were hired while still in high school.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Institute and the New Mexico High School.
• So I've been a leader, a preschool director, Elementary principal, middle school principal, high school
• high school?
• So the Latinos in Action programming started with three schools.
• Pecos High School, Pecos Middle School, and Albuquerque Technology.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, in high school, are directed towards Career Bridge to look at programs, will they find...?
• We are in high schools, we go to trade shows, career resource fairs, tribal, veteran, and reentry programs
• And the same goes for high schools and ESDs.
• This involves high school students who are going to be working toward high school credits but have work
• We're intending to open that up to high school students in the area.

Summary: The work session focused first on Washington’s apprenticeship system, especially building trades programs and support services. Labor and Industries staff explained how registered apprenticeship works in the state, including the role of the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council, the requirements for paid on-the-job training and classroom instruction, and the difference between apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship. Panelists emphasized that apprenticeship is tied to actual jobs and training agents, and that many waitlists reflect a shortage of job openings and employer participation rather than a lack of interest. They also discussed youth apprenticeship, the growth of apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, and the use of Career Bridge and L&I’s database to help people find programs. Representatives asked whether the state should expand apprenticeship programs and how people can find openings. Speakers said more programs alone would not solve the backlog without more employers signing on as training agents and more apprenticeship utilization on projects. The panel also highlighted the Constructed Career Initiative, a grant-funded navigation and support program that helps people enter and stay in building trades apprenticeships through outreach, case management, and wraparound aid such as transportation, tools, and work clothes. A related nonprofit, Build Up, described similar support services, including prison-based boot and PPE programs and assistance for reentry participants. The panel said these services are especially important because apprentices often face unstable income, housing, food, and transportation barriers. The panel also discussed House Bill 2084 and the new Construction Training Pathway Oversight Committee, which is examining construction training in correctional facilities and how to create clearer pathways from prison-based training to apprenticeship, college, or work. Speakers said the committee is still in its early stages and will report to the legislature. The session ended with committee members thanking the panel and noting the importance of support services and referral networks for apprentices. The meeting then resumed at Renton Technical College, where college leaders and faculty discussed serving non-traditional students. The college reported strong enrollment growth, a median student age of 30, a diverse student body, and high job placement rates, while also noting significant budget cuts and program reductions from the prior year. Health care and early childhood education programs were highlighted, including efforts to expand access through hybrid scheduling, evening and Saturday classes, Spanish-language offerings, and in-person wraparound support for admissions, financial aid, and registration. Faculty said these changes were driven by student data and were aimed at helping working parents, English learners, and other non-traditional students complete credentials and enter family-wage careers.

Transcript Highlights:

• So many students are now in a position to be able to go into the workforce after high school, having
• We’re one of nine states that will not experience the decline in high school graduates.
• I came from high school graduation up in 20 to the military, so I served in the Army for eight years.
• It's been a passion of mine to help the youth and to bring those children up from the high school level
• You know, we have a great program with a... ...like the gentleman said before me, our school is really

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education received a presentation from the Governor’s Office and the Commissioner of Education on the proposed higher education budget. The presentation highlighted a $117.4 billion overall state budget, with education at $32.5 billion and higher education receiving a modest overall increase. Key items included no tuition or fee increases for Florida residents, major financial aid funding such as Bright Futures, Benacquisto, EASE, Open Door, and first responder scholarships, as well as workforce investments including apprenticeship programs, career and technical education, nursing pipeline funding, and performance-based funding for colleges and universities. Committee members asked questions about the proposed expansion of the Guardian program at state colleges and the $100 million university recruitment and retention fund. Officials said the Guardian funding would give colleges flexibility to use trained personnel for campus safety, sometimes alongside or in place of campus police or private security. The Chancellor explained that the recruitment and retention money would be distributed to universities with no specific directives beyond using it for faculty recruitment and retention, emphasizing Florida’s favorable demographics and the opportunity to attract faculty from states facing enrollment declines. The committee then heard testimony from multiple appointees and reappointees to boards of trustees at state colleges and universities, including Eastern Florida State College, Lake-Sumter State College, State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota, Miami Dade College, Northwest Florida State College, and St. Johns River State College. Each described their backgrounds and stressed themes of affordability, workforce alignment, nursing and technical programs, dual enrollment, and local community needs. Several cited strong nursing licensure pass rates and college outcomes. After hearing all appointees, the committee voted unanimously to confirm the full block of nominees, and the confirmations were reported favorably before the meeting adjourned.