Transcript Highlights:

• of money, 100%, is for the classroom.
• of money, 100% is for the classroom. of money, 100% is for the classroom.
• they can reenter the classroom they can reenter the classroom successfully<00:33:08.960> without
• And I think that's the point classroom.
• So, this, from what I read classrooms.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the second floor is six classrooms.
• And then the second floor is six classrooms.
• Those additional classrooms are absorbed on the Richmond campus.
• Those additional classrooms are absorbed on the Richmond campus.
• Uh those additional classrooms building.

Keywords: Call to Order 00:17 Department of Corrections 01:35 Community Transitional Services 06:47 Administrative Office of the Courts 23:06 Department of Criminal Justice Training/ KSP 45:49 Adjournment 59:14, 958, all

Summary: The Public Safety and Judiciary Committee met without a quorum, so approval of the January 3, January 20, and February 3 minutes was postponed. The committee then heard an update from the Department of Corrections on halfway house and Recovery Kentucky funding and operations. Deputy Commissioner Hillary Daily said DOC contracts for up to 1,752 halfway house beds and 780 Recovery Kentucky beds, with 16 halfway houses and 13 Recovery Kentucky centers statewide. She reported 6,329 admissions in fiscal year 2025, average daily populations of 1,041 in halfway houses and 494 in Recovery Kentucky, and explained that Recovery Kentucky placements are more restrictive, generally excluding violent and sex offenders, while halfway houses serve probationers, parolees, and sex offenders who need treatment. She also described programming such as MRT, parenting, adult basic education, and trauma-focused services, and said some facilities offer supervised visitation. Daily said no new funding request was included in the current budget, though DOC has sought rate increases in prior cycles. Community Transitional Services director Barbara Stum also testified in support of halfway houses as re-entry and substance abuse treatment centers. She said CTS primarily serves men coming out of prison or returning to prison who need treatment, and that halfway houses provide security, accountability, treatment, employment support, and help with home placement. Stum said the state moved substance abuse treatment into the community in 2010 to avoid sending people back to prison for treatment, and argued halfway houses are the least expensive form of incarceration. She cited daily rates of $33.61 for CTS beds and DOC figures of $37.33 to $44.33 per day, compared with higher prison and jail costs, and said reimbursement has not kept pace with inflation since the last increase in 2019. She said staffing and supplies are the main pressure points, with counselor pay below market rates, and noted two counselor vacancies. A former resident, Michael Bird, testified that CTS helped him recover and re-enter the community successfully. The committee also received an update from the Administrative Office of the Courts on implementation of the video arraignment/video conferencing system. AOC officials Zach Ramsey and Charles Buyers said the system is now fully implemented in all courtrooms and is used for video arraignments and other Zoom-based court proceedings. Buyers described the pandemic-era transition from older, inconsistent equipment to improvised laptop/webcam setups, then to a more integrated vendor-supported system with touchscreen controls and a judicial support specialist position for training and operation. He said 324 courtrooms are already up to the current standard, with 128 remaining on an older bundle, and that there are no technical barriers to continued use. AOC said it is seeking $3.8 million in recurring annual funding to keep the systems upgraded and current, and plans to upgrade 46 systems in fiscal year 2026 across 15 counties.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those that didn't have enough space think that they'll need about 500 more classrooms by next year.
• It's down by half from the previous year when they thought they would need 946 more classrooms.
• It's not just the potties in the classroom, right? It's also the playgrounds.
• You want 500 classrooms. We have them in our buildings. You need teachers. We have them.
• the ongoing... ...quality in state preschool, the Classroom Assessment Scoring System.

Summary: The joint hearing focused on California’s child care, preschool, and transitional kindergarten oversight, with chairs emphasizing the state’s Master Plan for Early Learning and Care and the need to break down silos between programs. CDSS and CDE reported progress toward the plan’s goals, including universal access to TK for all four-year-olds next school year, expanded access for low-income three-year-olds, and more children with disabilities being served in state preschool. They also noted ongoing work on quality rating/review reform, funding structure changes, and the need to address rates, workforce shortages, and federal uncertainty around Head Start. Testimony from advocacy groups and providers largely supported expanding access while simplifying the system. Children Now, Every Child California, and the California Budget and Policy Center argued that California still has uneven access, especially for infants, toddlers, and three-year-olds, and urged investments in mixed delivery, inclusion, full-day options, and a cost-of-care rate methodology. Every Child California recommended consolidating part-day and full-day contracts, streamlining eligibility priorities, making the two-year-old option permanent, and funding staffing incentives. Parent testimony highlighted how child care gaps and county-to-county transfer delays can disrupt work, safety, and children’s stability, and providers described low reimbursement rates, the need for health and retirement benefits, and support for delinking subsidy rates from private pay. The second panel addressed universal transitional kindergarten. The Learning Policy Institute reported rapid TK expansion, with most districts now offering TK, but said access still depends on facilities, staffing, and whether programs are available at all school sites. The Department of Finance said the governor’s budget would fully implement TK by adding funding for all eligible four-year-olds and lowering the adult-to-child ratio from 12:1 to 10:1. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the administration’s enrollment and cost assumptions were optimistic and estimated lower TK enrollment growth and lower costs for the ratio change. CDE supported the expansion and urged continued funding for UPK coordinators, teacher development, and mixed-delivery planning grants. Members questioned facilities shortages, staffing competition, and how to ensure TK expansion does not displace CSPP or Head Start classrooms. No formal votes or actions were taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• teachers, they've been in the classroom teachers, they've been in the classroom for<00:09:55.200
• Number one, we want to improve academic performance in the classroom.
• Uh maybe there's four things classroom.
• Some schools have a plastic holder on the front of the classroom.
• you know, the front of the classroom. you know, the front of the classroom.

Keywords: This meeting will take place upon Recess of the Senate Chambers. There is not an exact time for this meeting therefore a placeholder time for the live stream has been set for 12:30PM est., 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Education met with a quorum and took up several education bills near the end of session. House Bill 342, which would require a financial literacy course for Kentucky high school students, was presented by Rep. Michael Meredith and student advocate Patrick Reovi. Meredith explained that a committee substitute addressed Kentucky Department of Education concerns by making the course a required elective anywhere in high school rather than limiting it to junior or senior year, and by retaining flexibility on credit options. Reovi testified in support, arguing that many students lack basic financial knowledge and should graduate prepared to handle budgeting, credit, debt, and student loans. The substitute was adopted, and HB 342 passed the committee 10-0. The committee then heard House Bill 480, a teacher workload and bureaucracy reduction measure. Rep. Shane Baker described the bill as the product of a working group with educators and administrators and said it was intended to reduce redundant requirements and let teachers focus more on students. He said the bill would lengthen the evaluation cycle from every three years to every five, streamline professional development requirements, update continuous school improvement plan filing rules, and limit new reporting mandates. A committee substitute removed the CSIP provisions after discussion with KDE, and members noted concerns about implementation and federal funding implications for mentor training language. The substitute was adopted and HB 480 passed unanimously. House Bill 190, relating to advanced education opportunities, was presented by Rep. Robert Duvall. He said the bill would require districts to adopt policies on advanced coursework and accelerated learning for grades 4 through 12, with local flexibility. He also explained that the House committee substitute changed several provisions from mandatory to permissive, including automatic enrollment for students scoring distinguished and parent opt-out language. The bill passed unanimously. House Bill 430, on school bus safety training, was presented by Reps. Mike Clines and Emily Callaway, who said it would reduce regulations, improve bus safety, and fix regulatory issues arising from prior legislation allowing nine-passenger vans for school transportation. A committee substitute was adopted, the bill passed unanimously, and a title amendment was also adopted. Finally, the committee began hearing House Bill 208 on technology and public schools. Rep. Josh Bray, Rep. James Tipton, and Nick Spencer of the Family Foundation of Kentucky supported a policy requiring districts to prohibit student cell phone use during instructional time, with exceptions for disabilities, teacher-directed educational use, or incentives. They argued the bill would improve academic performance, reduce bullying and mental health problems, and limit social media access during school. The transcript cuts off during testimony on HB 208, before any committee action on the bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• classrooms where we want them to be. classrooms where we want them to be.
• We are riveted on generating classroom.
• Leasing and building out additional lab classroom space.
• Leasing and building out additional lab classroom space.
• They'll leverage learning classrooms.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• WE DO NOT SPEAK FOR THE GOVERNMENT WHICH IS WHAT A TEACHER DOES WHEN THEY ARE IN THE CLASSROOM.
• WHEN YOU'RE AT SCHOOL IN A CLASSROOM YOU'RE NOT OPERATING AS A PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL.
• IF A TEACHER PUT IN THE WINDOW OF A CLASSROOM -- PIECE OF PAPER COVERED IN RAINBOW COLORS ONLY, WOULD
• FRANKLY, IT'S ABOUT PEOPLE BEING SCARED LGBT ACUTE KIDS NOT WANTING ANY TALK OF IT IN A CLASSROOM.
• THERE'S NO COST TO MAKE SURE WE KEEP THE STUFF OUT OF THE CLASSROOM.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:11:33.680> in programs um with 20 pre-K classrooms in programs um with 20 pre-K classrooms
• classrooms that will be opening in 2026. classrooms that will be opening in 2026.
• classrooms. >> Oh, that's fantastic.
• that are happening at the classroom that are happening at the classroom level<02:19:42.880> are
• <02:47:31.520> if the board in every single classroom if the board in every single classroom

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Why this matters, as a former educator and public school teacher, is that in-classroom time matters a
• I can assure you that no amount of differentiation in the classroom can adequately meet the needs of
• But in those unleveled classrooms, the advanced kids, they are the bottom of the totem pole in terms
• But in those unleveled classrooms, the advanced kids, they are the bottom of the totem pole in terms
• , seven grade levels present in their classroom.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held a public hearing on a large slate of bills, with much of the testimony focused on school discipline and student equity. Bills discussed included measures to address inequities in suspension and expulsion, clarify school exclusion rules, reduce discipline for dress and grooming violations, and expand protections related to fair educational practices. Committee members repeatedly reminded witnesses of the two-minute limit and asked for written testimony to supplement oral remarks. A substantial portion of the hearing centered on the RAISE Act and related school discipline bills, including H. 730/S. 376 and H. 731/S. 380. Testifiers from advocacy groups, legal services, and the legislature argued that exclusionary discipline disproportionately affects Black and Latino students, students with disabilities, low-income students, and DCF-involved youth. They said current law is overly broad or unclear in areas such as “assault on educational staff,” indefinite suspensions tied to felony complaints, and definitions of weapons, leading to unnecessary removals from school. Supporters said the bills would add due process, clearer definitions, and better accountability, while one legislator testified in support of the discipline reforms and opposed several other bills on the agenda. The committee also heard testimony on H. 576/S. 368, which would prohibit suspensions and expulsions for dress and grooming violations and require clearer, non-discriminatory dress code policies. Witnesses cited research and personal stories about disproportionate enforcement against Black girls, girls of color, non-binary students, and students wearing religious attire, and said the bill would prevent physical contact used to enforce dress codes. Another major topic was H. 641/S. 349, which would add “special medical status” protections in education; supporters said it would prevent exclusion based on medical decisions or conditions, though members questioned how it would interact with existing disability law and vaccination-related school requirements. The committee also heard testimony on H. 625, which would extend the ban on corporal punishment from public to private schools, with witnesses citing research on harm and disproportionate impact. Additional testimony covered bills on accelerated learning and gifted education, with parents, educators, and advocates saying Massachusetts under-identifies advanced learners and lacks adequate acceleration pathways. A senator also testified for S. 406 on recovery high schools, saying the funding formula should be updated to better support students in recovery. No votes were taken during the hearing; the chair closed testimony on several bill groups and noted that written testimony would remain open for a week.

Transcript Highlights:

• They need classrooms that are cleaned and sanitized so kids can come into a classroom and have an environment
• So the difference is pulled from M&O, which is meant for the classroom.
• They put in the work to make sure every student is reached in the classroom.
• If the kids in her classroom do well, she will receive $12,000."
• Cameras in the classrooms.

Bills: HB2

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It opened classroom doors to equity.
• In 2020, classrooms is not new.
• associated with Confucious classrooms. associated with Confucious classrooms.
• , even into elementary classrooms, even into elementary classrooms, cultivating<00:59:02.319>
• > to<00:59:39.680> their Our classrooms will return to their Our classrooms will return

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, December 4, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this this legislation classrooms.
• . classrooms. classrooms.
• ideas in a classroom, to do that safely. ideas in a classroom, to do that safely.
• is supposed to take place in a classroom is supposed to take place in a classroom uh<02:50:29.120
• That's not happening in the classrooms That's not happening in the classrooms and<02:52:31.359><

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are grounded in the realities of classrooms.
• This work has included on-site professional development, communities of practice, and classroom visits
• We focus on helping educators Both their knowledge and their practical application in the classroom.
• as UDL, which focuses on students with disabilities but can ultimately support any student in a classroom
• And the most important person is that teacher in the classroom So I don't have a lot of questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 371 pressures educators to self-censor, strip classrooms of culturally responsive materials
• This bill does nothing to address teacher shortages, student achievement, mental health, or classroom
• And so instead of every classroom, this is only in the common area.
• This bill does nothing to address teacher shortages, student achievement, mental health, or classroom
• classroom, this is only in the common areas at each school.

Summary: The Education Administration Subcommittee met with a quorum and considered several education-related bills. CS/HB 1085 on local government cybersecurity was presented as a measure to codify an existing grant program that has helped secure more than 200 local governments, especially rural and fiscally constrained ones; Florida League of Cities supported it, and it passed 15-0. PCS/HB 371 on patriotic displays at public schools would require, subject to appropriation, display of portraits of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln in school common areas for America’s 250th anniversary; one opponent argued it would create complaint-driven enforcement and pressure educators, but the sponsor said the PCS narrowed the original classroom requirement, and the bill passed 16-0. PCS/HB 833 on private school facilities would deem small private schools of 150 students or fewer a permitted use in commercial and mixed-use zoning districts and allow use of certain existing buildings if fire and occupancy standards are met. Supporters said it would reduce local red tape and expand school choice, while opponents warned it would divert public resources and weaken public education; several members raised concerns about local traffic and safety authority. The sponsor said she was open to further amendments, and the bill passed 13-3. PCS/HB 1147 on school district unimproved real property would require districts to submit annual inventories of vacant, unimproved land to the Department of Education for transparency and planning; some members and a Monroe County school board member questioned the need for a state registry, while supporters said it would improve data and accountability. The bill passed 12-3. The committee then considered HB 615 on individualized education plans (IEPs), which would strengthen parent notification and access to service logs, require individualized orientation for newly eligible students, and standardize district service logs. An amendment removed notification requirements when a missed service was due to student absence, and it was adopted. The bill drew emotional testimony from a student and parent describing missed accommodations, along with support from Disability Rights Florida and several members who emphasized parent partnership and accountability; one ESE teacher said the bill was a good start but more staffing and support are needed. The bill passed unanimously 15-0, and the meeting adjourned after all agenda items were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• It looks at the classroom environment, the literacy environment, making sure that those classrooms are
• > environment,<00:32:51.200> the looks at the classroom environment, the looks at the classroom
• pre-ervice training and classroom pre-ervice training and classroom reality,<01:04:16.559> making
• literacy in a primary grade classroom. literacy in a primary grade classroom.
• been in early learning classrooms. been in early learning classrooms.

Bills: HF3421

Keywords: early literacy, reading instruction, teacher preparation, teacher candidates, teacher licensure, educator licensing, Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, PELSB, field experience, supervised practicum, evidence-based reading, science of reading, literacy methods, teacher training, preservice teachers, school-based experience, reading intervention, Minnesota education policy, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• nine classrooms nine classrooms with<00:14:29.480> eight<00:14:29.720> of<00:14:29.920
• eight of those classrooms having no with eight of those classrooms having no doors<00:14:31.639>
• class uh glass excuse me classroom class uh glass excuse me classroom duress<00:14:52.079> alarms
• And a student being disruptive in the classroom?
• I dealt with that a lot in our first grade classrooms, I believe that.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• There are some things that the work group needs to do that are faculty purview only, things like classroom
• While there is room for AI to contribute to CSU classrooms and campus...
• relationships with students outside of the classroom.
• But it has to be classroom related. Is that correct?
• I think Jonathan Haidt has actually written some things that talk about over-technology in the classroom

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee met to hear several Senate measures focused on artificial intelligence in higher education. Senator Niello presented SCR 82, which encourages California’s higher education segments to coordinate on best practices for AI use, including academic integrity, teaching standards, and faculty/student engagement. Testimony was generally supportive, with one community college faculty representative raising concerns about preserving faculty purview, academic freedom, and segment-specific governance. The resolution was adopted and re-referred to the Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee on an 8-0 vote. The committee also heard SB 928 by Senator Cervantes, which seeks to protect CSU faculty employees from being replaced by AI and to clarify that faculty positions, including instructional and certain non-instructional roles such as librarians, counselors, and coaches, must be held by humans who meet CSU minimum qualifications. Support came from the California Faculty Association and labor groups, who argued that AI should augment rather than replace faculty and that guardrails are needed to protect jobs and student support. Members asked for clarification about the bill’s scope, and the author and witnesses explained that it was intended to mirror CSU faculty definitions and not apply to classified or administrative workers. The bill passed the committee on a 10-0 vote and was sent to the Assembly Floor. The committee also approved a consent calendar containing SB 308, SB 892, and SB 968 on a 7-0 vote, with the roll kept open for additional members to add on. Several members also requested to be added as co-authors on the AI-related measures. The chair announced the next hearing date and then adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are some things that work group needs to do that are faculty purview only, things like classroom
• relationships with students outside of the classroom.
• So they are typically referred to as non-instructional faculty, but it has to be classroom related.
• I think Jonathan Haidt has actually written some things that talk about over-technology in the classroom
• I think Jonathan Haight has actually written some things that talks about over technology and classroom

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard two Senate measures focused on artificial intelligence in higher education. SCR 82 by Senator Niello would encourage the California higher education segments to convene a work group and share best practices on AI use, including how to address academic integrity and student use of AI in coursework. Supportive comments emphasized the need for intersegmental coordination and faculty/student engagement, while the Faculty Association for California Community Colleges raised concerns about preserving faculty purview, academic freedom, and governance differences at the community college level. The resolution was adopted and re-referred to the Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection on an 8-0 vote. The committee also heard SB 928 by Senator Cervantes, which would establish guardrails for AI use at CSU by requiring that faculty employee positions be filled by humans who meet CSU minimum qualifications and that instructors of record be human faculty for credit and non-credit instruction. The author and supporters, including the California Faculty Association, Teamsters California, the California Federation of Labor Unions, and the State Building and Construction Trades Council, argued the bill is needed to prevent AI from replacing faculty and to preserve the human role in teaching and student support. Members asked for clarification that the bill would not apply to classified, administrative, or clerical employees, and the author’s office said the definition was intended to mirror CSU faculty classifications and bargaining language. Both measures received unanimous support from the committee after discussion. SB 928 was passed to the Assembly Floor on a 10-0 vote, with several members requesting to be added as coauthors. The consent calendar, which included SB 308, SB 892, and SB 968, was also approved unanimously, and the committee adjourned after announcing its next hearing date.

Transcript Highlights:

• They need classrooms that are cleaned and sanitized, so it can't be just teachers.
• They put the work in to make sure every student is reached in a classroom.
• If the kids in her classroom do well, she will receive $12,000.'
• Don't you think maybe the classrooms would already potentially Would get all these cameras in the classrooms
• And I actually testified and mentioned a nonverbal student that cleared the classroom.

Bills: HB2

Keywords: disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace, medical examiner, county judge, sheriff, mayor, emergency coordinator, emergency manager license, volunteer management system, volunteer registration, criminal history check, background check, Texas Division of Emergency Management

Summary: The committee continued public testimony on House Bill 2, which would make major changes to public school funding, teacher pay, special education, early learning, school safety, and related programs. Many superintendents and education advocates supported the bill’s overall direction but urged changes, especially a larger basic allotment and more flexible funding for rural and small districts. Witnesses from Paint Creek, West Hardin, Cushing, Blooming Grove, Mildred, Buffalo, Plano, and rural school groups said the bill’s targeted raises and new requirements would not fully cover inflation, TRS/Medicare costs, transportation, insurance, or support staff salaries, and several asked the committee to restore the House version’s higher basic allotment and small-school allotment. Charter school representatives supported the facilities funding changes and said charter schools need state help because they cannot levy taxes, while also noting the funding gap with ISDs. Fine arts advocates asked the committee to restore the fine arts allotment, arguing arts improve engagement, attendance, and academic outcomes, especially in rural and at-risk communities. Early learning and special education witnesses supported parts of the bill but raised concerns about pre-K restrictions, disability-related pre-K access, and the need to preserve or clarify special education provisions and mental health oversight language. Several witnesses praised the teacher pay raise, teacher incentive allotment expansion, and teacher preparation investments, saying they would help recruit and retain educators and improve student outcomes. Others, including counselors and support staff advocates, argued the bill should also include raises for counselors, nurses, librarians, bus drivers, custodians, aides, and other non-teaching employees who keep schools running. One witness from the Texas Counseling Association opposed the substitute because it removed a counselor pay provision, warning of counselor shortages and inequities. A parent and special education advocate said the bill’s structure creates too many strings attached and asked for a larger basic allotment instead of more targeted funding. Another witness from Mental Health America urged keeping the collaborative task force on public school mental health services through 2031, and a disability rights advocate said the committee substitute appears to omit some special education items that were in the House version. The committee also briefly took up House Bill 6, a school discipline bill. After questions about automatic mandatory expulsion for vape possession and concerns about younger students, the committee adopted the substitute and voted to report HB 6 favorably to the full Senate by a 9-1 vote, with Senator Menendez voting no and Senators West and Menendez expressing reservations but supporting further discussion. After that vote, testimony on HB 2 resumed. Senators used the hearing to ask about the bill’s cost, the difference between the basic allotment and the bill’s targeted funding buckets, and whether the permanent teacher pay increase shifts pressure off districts. The bill’s supporters emphasized that it represents an historic, roughly $8 billion investment and that many of the new funding streams are intended to be permanent or to address specific district needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• It appropriates funds to the Department of Education for teacher-requested classroom supplies for fiscal
• My classroom could not run without the supplies that I've got from DonorsChoose.
• Please come forward. use um my classroom could not run use um my classroom could not run without<00:02
• encourage equity in our classroom encourage equity in our classroom Statewide<00:03:55.360> providing
• classroom and students supplies<00:04:43.960> for<00:04:44.160> classrooms<00:04:44.600

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• part of that um decrease in classroom part of that um decrease in classroom teachers.<00:29:37.200
• , classrooms, classrooms, >> but<02:43:35.300> [clears throat]<02:43:35.439> I<02
• Come talk to the teachers in the classroom. I'm passionate about the classroom.
• Come talk to the teachers in the classroom. I'm passionate about the classroom.
• of the classroom teacher. of the classroom teacher.

Keywords: 916, all