Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Harlan Vincent, House District 56. Good morning. I'm Rep.
• More five-day school districts and charters have moved to four days; we have an additional eight districts
• to a more urban district.
• The dashboard is available, but districts still have to input the data, and many districts are not.
• Schools within a district get certain funds or programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• working well can be enjoyed by the rest of our school districts. rest of our school districts.
• that it may be more districts.
• If it's just one school district, we ought to task that district with doing what they ought to do without
• The smaller districts have four consortia.
• Some mostly, three of them made up of small school districts, one made up of larger districts.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a decision to be made at the district level.
• So at four school districts to move to guardians, and most districts chose people that were ex-military
• , they charge the school district for the service.
• And then when they go provide the service to the school district, they charge the school district for
• But ultimately, the per-district, per-teacher incentive will be done at that district level, just through

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education received a presentation from the Governor’s Office of Policy and Budget and the Department of Education on the Governor’s fiscal year 2026-27 education budget. Shelby Salmons outlined the overall budget framework, and Commissioner Stasi Kamoutsis highlighted major education investments, including $486 million for VPK, $30.6 billion for K-12 education, a $761.1 million increase in FEFP funding, the highest per-student funding level to date, and $201 million more for teacher pay flexibility. The presentation also emphasized school safety, mental health, civics education, and the Guardian Program, along with continued funding for TEACH, HIPPY, Help Me Grow, and civics debate and literacy initiatives. Members asked about how the mental health allocation would be used, counselor staffing ratios, school closures and whether the department intervenes, oversight of school choice and voucher-funded schools, and the Guardian Program’s pay structure and effectiveness. Senators also raised concerns about the FISH school capacity report, data collection, teacher pay, professional development, AI and tutoring technology, and whether the budget adequately supports mental health services and school safety. The Commissioner said many funding decisions are left to districts, that the department stands ready to assist, and that the Guardian Program has been successful and expanded over time. During public testimony, Pinellas County School Board member Laura Hine said her district spends far more on safety and mental health than it receives in state categorical funding, and urged the committee to consider full-day VPK funding, arguing it has improved third-grade reading outcomes in Pinellas. Senators followed up on district flexibility and local spending choices. The committee took no substantive vote on the budget presentation and adjourned after thanking the department for its recommendations and partnership.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, Senator Pat Moon, District 27, uh.
• I'm State Senator Candy Spence Zell, District 32.
• I represent 5 different school districts, which is the Russell Independent School District, Dexter, Hankerman
• Roswell Independent School District has 4 community schools.
• Where is Roswell district now?

Transcript Highlights:

• On line 19, which is the 80/20 districts, the districts that are already paying the 80/20, will they
• It's a few districts that it doesn't.
• As new students for other districts because other districts have entered.
• It says school districts must pay at least, which is why we actually have some districts who are paying
• to partner school districts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are they in a district that is now in a new district?
• Did you draw majority districts first?
• , and we went over the districts that were in need of gaining population and the districts that are in
• Those two districts. >> Back and forth. You just asked me about House districts.
• Those two districts. >> Back and forth. You just asked me about House districts.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll just speak on school districts for just a moment, but there are a number of districts across the
• I'll just speak on school districts for just a moment, but there are a number of districts across the
• to help districts with been willing to help districts with their<00:53:35.240> facility<00:53
• is that a worthwhile cost for our district and our school district?
• the challenges that those districts face. ...furthering the challenges that those districts face.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Senate Roll Call 00:00:00 House Roll Call 00:00:10 Discussion of Recent Disaster 00:01:18 House Adjourned 00:42:28 SB 218 Discussion 00:43:00 SB 218 Vote 00:46:46 SB 186 Discussion 00:47:22:00, 958, all

Summary: The concurrent House-Senate meeting opened with a roll call and then received a briefing from Kentucky Emergency Management and the Transportation Cabinet on the February storms and flooding. Officials described the event as ongoing and statewide in scope, beginning in western counties and then heavily affecting Eastern Kentucky, including major impacts in Perry, Letcher, Clay, Bell, Martin, Pike, and other counties. They reported widespread power and water outages, nearly 600 people initially sheltered, more than 1,500 water rescues, over 250 National Guard members activated, and substantial mutual aid from other states and FEMA. They also said 73 counties had declared emergencies, 23 fatalities had been confirmed at that point, and individual assistance had already distributed $5.5 million to residents after the federal declaration was signed. The administration emphasized that recovery needs were still being assessed but were already significant. Kentucky Emergency Management said public assistance estimates were about $58 million and rising, with about 2,005 homes and 272 businesses inspected so far. Debris removal was identified as a major issue, and officials said they had requested Category A federal assistance for debris in four counties while continuing to seek more as assessments continued. They also noted that disaster recovery centers were opening and that teams were going door to door in affected areas. On transportation, KYTC reported 39 counties affected, a peak of 355 road closures reduced to 49, 18 damaged bridges, 94 bridges with debris on them, and 579 roadway damages, while continuing to clear roads and move supplies such as water, food, blankets, and heaters. Secretary Hicks then asked lawmakers to consider additional funding mechanisms. He said the current $50 million emergency cap in the budget was likely to be exhausted, with $21.5 million already allocated, and proposed either lifting the cap or creating a new “safe fund” for this disaster, similar to prior funds used after the western Kentucky tornadoes and the 2022 eastern Kentucky floods. He said the state could redirect about $25 million from an unused western Kentucky economic development allocation and about $20 million from an eastern Kentucky transportation allocation, for a total of $45 million, to help with this response. Members and officials also discussed debris disposal, with the Pike County landfill expansion identified as a possible site to receive some of the debris and reduce costs. Representative Fugate thanked the agencies for their response and described severe local impacts, including water outages, road slides, damaged water treatment plants, and heavy debris in homes and driveways.

Transcript Highlights:

• relationships with school district relationships with school district officials,<00:03:38.480>
• As part of the OPA examination, interviews were conducted with district officials and school district
• Gupton testifies, the report notes that district officials from former school districts, those that have
• my district during that period of time. my district during that period of time.
• school districts. I'm sorry. school districts. I'm sorry.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee met without a quorum and did not approve minutes, but heard testimony on budget line items for Data Seam and Teach for America. Andrew McNeel of Kentucky Free and representatives from the Commonwealth Policy Center argued that both programs rely heavily on recurring taxpayer support and should be re-evaluated. McNeel cited a 2020 Office of Policy and Audit examination of Data Seam, saying the program had received more than $30 million in state support since 2006, including $3.5 million in the current budget, and that the audit raised concerns about administrative overhead, alleged threats to districts, and the use of line-item language to justify sole-source contracting. He recommended suspending Data Seam funding this biennium, directing a new special audit, and requiring reimbursement of audit costs. The witnesses also urged the committee to withhold funding for Teach for America, saying the organization’s materials and history showed a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion that they opposed. They pointed to past statements, leadership titles, and program language as evidence that DEI concepts remained embedded in the organization, and suggested any funding should be redirected directly to school districts instead. Mike Harmon and Richard Nelson echoed those concerns, while also saying long-running programs should be periodically reviewed for efficiency. Teach for America Appalachia representatives then testified in support of the program. Executive director C.D. Morton described the organization as a teacher-preparation and leadership-development program serving rural eastern Kentucky, saying it had recruited and supported more than 325 teachers since 2011, with about 30 current core members in several counties and roughly 2,800 students impacted daily. He said the program helps fill hard-to-staff vacancies, that about 80% of teachers stay for a third year, and that many alumni remain in education. In response to questions from Representative Bojanowski about retention and cost, Morton said more than 60% of alumni are still in education, but he could not give a precise classroom-teacher retention number beyond the program’s broader alumni data.

Transcript Highlights:

• our district, so please vote yes on AB 715.
• I have four kids in the TAM district.
• I have three kids in the public schools, Morland School District and Campbell Union High School District
• might be used, then a district could be subject to a complaint that asserts that the district de facto
• We have heard these stories from children, from family after family, from district after district, from

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee held a special hearing on AB 715, with the authors presenting the bill as a response to rising anti-Semitism in K-12 schools. The authors said the measure is intended to strengthen protections for Jewish students, improve district accountability, expand the uniform complaint process, clarify protections related to religion and nationality, and create a state-level anti-Semitism coordinator. They emphasized that the bill was developed through collaboration with the Black, Latino, AAPI, and Jewish caucuses and argued it is meant to protect all students from hate while preserving legitimate classroom discussion. The hearing included extensive public testimony. Supporters, including students, parents, rabbis, Jewish organizations, and some educators, described harassment, biased curriculum, delayed or ineffective school responses, and fear among Jewish students and families. They urged the committee to act to make schools safer and more responsive. Opponents, including teachers, ethnic studies advocates, civil liberties groups, Palestinian rights advocates, and some Jewish parents, argued the bill was rushed, vague, and could chill academic freedom, censor discussion of Palestine and Israel, and expand complaints against teachers and school districts. Several witnesses said existing complaint and anti-discrimination systems already address these issues. Committee members then questioned the authors and witnesses about implementation, definitions, and possible effects on curriculum and school boards. The authors said the bill is still intent language and that details would be refined in further negotiations with stakeholders. Representatives from the California School Boards Association and California Teachers Association raised concerns about the new language and possible unintended consequences, while ACLU California Action said it had concerns but wanted to keep working on the bill. The transcript does not show a final vote or action taken on AB 715 during this hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I also had, I have 9 school districts that in my district and 2 of them gave the feedback.
• Uh, consistent pattern of school districts. Borrowing too much money.
• About 5000 schoolchildren attend this district.
• That's just another instance of a school district passing a bond.
• So we have $202 billion in school district debt.

Transcript Highlights:

• District.
• gentleman from the Ellen District, and the gentleman from the Senator Mayhew District.
• District, my ranking members, the lady from the Walshmore District, and the lady from the Curry District
• Which district, gentlemen? The Knight District.
• from the Kimball District, my main man, Cups from the Cups District, and again the...

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :52.960> and SF2250 would encourage districts and SF2250 would encourage districts and schools
• 2250, we can support Minnesota districts 2250, we can support Minnesota districts in<00:36:28.480
• isn't just a big school district isn't just a big school district problem.<01:25:54.400> Uh,<
• School districts um in school districts.
• <01:41:36.080> districts.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• time um after Labor Day School Districts time um after Labor Day School Districts can<00:02:27.680
• a.40 so that individual school districts a.40 so that individual school districts can<00:02:57.840
• Introduce yourself for the record. allowing districts to start before Labor allowing districts to start
• particular will provide all districts particular will provide all districts with<00:03:34.040>
• <00:07:01.240> to districts it simply allows districts to districts it simply allows districts

Bills: HF1124, HF1457, HF1803

Keywords: school calendar, education, school year, Labor Day, state law, school construction, landfill, dump site, closed landfill, contaminated site, pollution control agency, school siting, public school, charter school, environmental health, student safety, brownfield, solid waste, waste disposal site, site contamination

Transcript Highlights:

• During that time, I was a district engineer for 45 reclamation districts, which is about half of the
• So as district engineer, our job is to assist reclamation districts with their flood control drainage
• , two resource conservation districts, and a large amount of non-districted land without surface water
• Rick Ortega, Grassland Water District, Grassland Resource Conservation District, in support.
• Rick Ortega, Grassland Water District, Grassland Resource Conservation District, in support.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have water districts that support...
• Not all of them are in the groundwater district. So this only refers to the groundwater district.
• district.
• District as total water in the aquifer?
• , to my district, from my district to my district.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > the School districts should have the School districts should have the authority<01:15:08.400
• Minnesota and several school districts Minnesota and several school districts in<01:24:07.840>
• . districts. districts.
• <01:41:34.800> I many, many districts in the state. I many, many districts in the state.
• :55.280> I'm<01:50:55.360> a district or found district I'm a district or found district

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Third district, Grant Hauschild. Fourth district, Robert J. Kupec. Fifth district, Paul J. Utke.
• 15th district Gary H. 15th district Gary H.
• 43rd district, Ann H. 43rd district, Ann H.
• 54th District, Eric R. 54th District, Eric R.
• Sixtieth District, Doron Clark. Sixty-first District, D. Scott Dibble. Sixty-first District, D.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think every district, every senator, has heard from their school districts about how untenable and
• School District near my Senate district and Naples School District, the early adopters that stepped
• , not the hundreds of square miles in the districts like I represent.
• very high in every district and very complex.
• It is not practical all over the state to force mandates on every district and treat every district as

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met on May 5, 2026, and considered a series of bills, several of them brought up through motions for committee consideration. Chair Shelley Mayer said she would allow brief remarks but stated her opposition to those motioned bills, emphasizing her general practice of giving minority members’ bills consideration. The committee first took up S-16 (Jacob’s Law, on bullying and related school safety issues), which was moved out of committee on a majority vote, with Senators Jackson and Bynoe recorded without recommendation. The committee then debated S-717, a local bill by Senator Rose to exempt the Wantagh Union Free School District from the state’s indigenous mascots/logos restrictions. Senator Rose argued Wantagh’s mascot and name are tied to local history and not intended to denigrate anyone. The bill was moved, but the committee vote was not favorable enough to advance it, and it was referred onward to the Investigations Committee. S-4496, Senator White’s bill to protect women’s sports from what supporters described as unfair competition by biological males, drew strong support from the sponsor and strong opposition from Chair Mayer, who said she opposed it as mean-spirited and unnecessary; the bill did not advance. The committee also considered several school bus and transportation bills. S-4748, by Senator Borrello, would repeal the electric school bus mandate and replace it with a feasibility study; he cited safety, cost, and operational problems with early adopters. S-8847, by Senator White, similarly sought to remove electric bus mandates and leave decisions to local districts, and S-9667, by Senator Ryan, would delay the zero-emission school bus mandate by five years. The committee advanced some of these measures to other committees or the floor, while others did not move. In addition, the committee approved S-7788 on special education reserve funds, S-8288A on reasonable rates for public school room use, S-8368 on records retention for Education Department proceedings, S-8370 on temporary resident placement of children with disabilities, S-8370 on release of student records to juvenile detention facilities, and S-1049 on updating the Dignity for All Students Act’s cyberbullying definition to include AI-related harassment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Both come with cost to district.
• the<00:20:32.080> practical Districts do not have the practical Districts do not have the
• with cost to district. with cost to district.
• > internet district has a five-year internet district has a five-year internet agreement<00:21
• <00:35:00.880> who the issue and the um school district who the issue and the um school district

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:45:26.639> Districts talking about small districts.
• Districts talking about small districts.
• This is intra-district, within one school district. Open enrollment is another district.
• So to me that says it's not just intra-school district but outside of the district also.
• It was all intra-school district, and that wasn't true. of the district also.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 34, concerning parental consent for student participation in the Medicaid-to-schools program. Members said they were not comfortable with a suggested amendment and wanted more information from Health and Human Services about how the program and billing work. On motion by Representative Noble, seconded by Representative Freeman, the committee voted unanimously to retain the bill, 18-0. The committee then considered Senate Bill 102, which would make informational materials about type 1 diabetes available on the Department of Education website. Supporters said the bill could help parents and teachers recognize warning signs early and could be life-saving in some cases. Opponents argued the material belonged on the Health and Human Services website rather than the DOE site, and some suggested a narrower link-only approach. After discussion, the committee voted 13-5 to ought to pass, with a minority report requested. The final major item was Senate Bill 97FN on intradistrict public school transfers. The committee first adopted an amendment that incorporated provisions from House Bill 68, required superintendents to approve best-interest transfer requests unless they failed to meet requirements, and revised language on capacity and accommodation. Supporters said the changes would help students, including those facing bullying, while opponents raised concerns about local control, capacity, and fairness to families who can transport children. The amendment passed 10-8, and the bill as amended also passed 10-8, with a minority report requested. The chair then announced the next meetings would be on the 21st and 27th, and reminded members to watch the Senate calendar.