Transcript Highlights:

• But that organization also administers the education freedom account program and the IFA program statute
• organization administers both the education tax credit program.
• both the education tax credit program.
• education freedom account program and education tax credit program are buried in a national organization's
• So our New Hampshire education freedom account program and education tax credit program are buried in

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on HB 402, a bill to repeal a provision in RSA 194-F:2 stating that Education Freedom Account (EFA) funds “shall not constitute taxable income” to the parent or student. The bill sponsor argued the current language is misleading because the state cannot determine federal tax liability, and said the bill would simply remove inaccurate tax advice from state law. He cited IRS guidance and prior federal legislation, including a Ted Cruz proposal, to suggest some EFA uses may be taxable under federal law, while others may not, and said the bill could be amended if needed to avoid confusion. Testimony was sharply divided. Py Campbell opposed the bill, arguing it would unfairly single out EFA students and could amount to a tax on education funds, including for self-employed families, and recommended it be voted inexpedient to legislate. Stephen Matthew French, a tax preparer, also opposed the bill, saying IRS Publication 970 already makes clear that scholarship-type payments used for tuition and related expenses are not taxable, and that the bill addresses a problem that does not exist. He warned that adding tax reporting requirements could create administrative costs for families and the program administrator. Bill Ardinger, a tax attorney, supported the repeal of the statutory language, saying the state should not place potentially incorrect tax advice into law. He explained that under federal tax law, only certain scholarship-like uses are exempt, while many EFA-eligible expenses may not be, especially for families using the program for homeschooling or other nontraditional expenses. He said the current statute could mislead families into thinking all EFA payments are tax-free and could expose the state to future legal problems. The hearing ended after questions from committee members; no vote or final action was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• programming and the Reach education programming and the communities<01:42:26.480> that<01:42:
• and Title I programs, PAC continues to provide high-quality education, global education to Hawaiʻi's
• > educational<02:49:35.520> programming<02:49:36.560> to provides educational programming
• This is a hands-on education program.
• The area has led our education program.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: This joint informational briefing focused on Act 310 grants and aid, with committee members hearing one-minute testimony from organizations first in person and then by Zoom. At the outset, the chairs explained there would be no Q&A during the briefing and asked testifiers to focus on how federal cuts were affecting their work. The meeting was organized by registration number and included both neighbor island and Oʻahu applicants. Testimony centered on organizations seeking state support to offset federal funding losses or anticipated reductions. Health and social service providers described impacts from Medicaid, SNAP, ACA subsidy, Title X, and other federal changes, including Aloha Care, Community Clinic of Maui, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies, West Hawaiʻi Community Health Center, Hawaiʻi Disability Rights Center, Hawaiʻi Youth Services Network, Alcoholic Rehabilitation Services of Hawaiʻi, and Kokua Kalihi Valley. Other groups highlighted losses affecting food security, housing, disaster preparedness, and climate resilience, including the Kohala Center, Feeding Hawaiʻi Together, Hawaiian Lending and Investments, Dynamic Community Solutions, and the Pacific Tsunami Museum. Several arts, youth, and education organizations also testified, including Hawaiʻi Literacy, Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony, Honolulu Theatre for the Youth, Sounding Joy Music Therapy, Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaiʻi, Girl Scouts of Hawaiʻi, Kids Hurt Too Hawaiʻi, and US Vets, each requesting funding to preserve programs and staffing. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing. The only action was procedural: the chairs moved through the applicant list, limited testimony time, and then transitioned from neighbor island in-person testimony to Oʻahu and later Zoom participants.

Transcript Highlights:

• Math education is a key driver of individual opportunity and economic growth.
• identified and to recognize that their individualized education program is actually not being given
• Sam is the fourth largest university-based educator preparation program in Texas, and implementing and
• We invest across the education ecosystem, partnering with school systems, preparation programs, funders
• We invest across the education ecosystem, partnering with school systems, preparation programs, funders

Summary: The committee continued hearing testimony on Senate Bill 2252, which would expand early literacy and numeracy screening, parent notification, intervention supports, and teacher training, including math academies and early childhood supports. Supporters from Texas 2036, Good Reason Houston, Texas Business Leadership Council, and several parents argued that early identification of skill gaps, clearer data for families, and stronger teacher preparation would improve student outcomes, workforce readiness, and long-term earnings. They cited low math proficiency statewide, the importance of early intervention, and examples of districts using screeners and data dashboards to guide instruction and resource allocation. One witness also highlighted home visiting as a family-support model, while another urged more funding for pre-K partnerships and stronger support for parents with reading materials and guidance. A district special education administrator testified neutrally, saying the bill reflects practices already used in her district but expressing concern that it could reduce local control and teacher discretion by standardizing screening and tying it to funding. A Texas Classroom Teachers Association representative supported the intent but warned that mandatory math academies and intervention academies could burden teachers if implemented like prior reading academies, and a substitute teacher/teacher-of-the-year witness asked for clearer protections around special education information and pay for alternative certification candidates. After public testimony closed, SB 2252 was left pending. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2253, as substituted, which would phase out routine hiring of uncertified teachers over time, require parent notification when a teacher is uncertified, and expand high-quality preparation pathways such as university programs, residencies, improved alternative certification, and grow-your-own programs. Senator Creighton said the bill responds to the rise in uncertified teachers and aims to strengthen the teacher pipeline with more structured preparation, mentorship, and oversight by SBEC. Invited testimony strongly supported the measure: a Texas Tech researcher said uncertified teachers and fast-track programs are associated with significant learning losses, while year-long residencies and mentored pathways produce stronger outcomes and higher earnings for students. Leaders from Dallas College and Sam Houston State University described successful residency and grow-your-own models, high completion and retention rates, and the need for paid residencies and stipends so candidates can afford to enter the profession. Committee members asked about the difference between mentorship and residency, the cost-effectiveness of paid residencies, retention incentives, and how to scale the model statewide. The committee also adopted the substitute for SB 2253 and later paused to vote out several other bills, including SB 1191, SB 1786, SB 226, SB 326, SB 570, SB 870, SB 991, SB 60, SB 365, SB 1401, and SB 1067, all of which were reported favorably, many with unanimous votes and some placed on the local and uncontested calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are a phased program, and we're very individualized.
• Again, the increased opportunity for education and skill building will be there throughout the program
• Youth need quality education.
• We continue to work to expand programming and educational opportunities so that every young person has
• Funding proven and effective programs like Jobs for America's Graduates and Future Focused Education

Transcript Highlights:

• General for Education to the creation of a division for the Inspector General for the Education and the
• Public Education and the authority of the Commissioner of Education to conduct special investigations
• as public school career and technology education programs and the indicator for achievement and military
• Rights and Education and training requirements on parental rights and education for a member of the Board
• School program to provide full and individual initial evaluations for special education services for

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the program was established to help paraprofessional educators and substitute teachers working in North
• Since the fall of 2020, more than 220 education professionals have completed this program.
• We tested eight programs based on risk factors such as enrollment caps, program admissions, and program
• They have unemployment insurance filings by individual, and they connect that with the higher education
• And then that's one program underneath the capital program, and the other one is the Angel Match program

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• MY OTHER EDUCATION HAS INCLUDE EDUCATION MARKET ASSOCIATION FOUNDED IN 1916 AND FUNCTIONS AS A NONPROFIT
• PROGRAMS.
• TO POLICY FOR FIVE YEARS I WORKED AT FIRE THE FOUNDATION FOR INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS IN EDUCATION.
• DO YOU STILL BELIEVE THAT THE BEST PATH FORWARD FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION AND FOR HIGHER EDUCATION IS STOP
• THAT WILL IMPACT THE ACADEMIC PROGRAMS, THE ACCREDITATION PROGRAMS, THE BUDGET, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Education Reform Fund, where it'll sit in this fund and support three years of programming that you all
• The public education reform fund, just because out of school time programs can be so many...
• The program was specifically for undergraduate students seeking elementary education certification, as
• I've also been a part of the TECLA program for teacher education at the University of New Mexico.
• Their goal is to strengthen math... teacher preparation programs to ensure educators feel confident.

Transcript Highlights:

• state and 14 SANE programs.
• program number up to 21.
• One would be on your prevention programs for individuals with disabilities.
• That program works with individuals who are mainly... in transition services, such as the Kiva program
• This program helps them understand that they have agency over their bodies and... sexual health education

Transcript Highlights:

• , and continue to fund our ESD K9 program, and provide<03:03:38.319> educational<03:03:38.960>
• My agency and step-up, step-down programs in general play a vital role in employing individuals who may
• My agency and step-up, step-down programs in general play a vital role in employing individuals who may
• My agency and step-up, step-down programs in general play a vital role in employing individuals who may
• My agency and step-up, step-down programs in general play a vital role in employing individuals who may

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Education also makes a mighty difference in developing individual potential and growing a strong economy
• Education also makes a mighty difference in developing individual potential and growing a strong economy
• Your history is education access to educational institutions are necessary.
• Your history is education access to educational institutions are necessary.
• Your history is education access to educational institutions are necessary.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met with a quorum and first considered two concurrent resolutions. SCR 76, sponsored by Sen. Amanda Bledsoe, would create a Kentucky School for the Deaf Governance Task Force to examine the school’s future governance and its relationship with the Kentucky Department of Education. Bledsoe described the school’s long history and said the task force would give the small deaf-school community more voice. The committee adopted the resolution unanimously with favorable expression. The committee then took up SCR 131, sponsored by Sen. Max Wise, to continue the Efficient and Effective Districts Task Force from 2024. Wise said the prior task force met about 10 times and focused on student achievement and district policy, and the new version would continue that work as a legislature-only task force. The resolution passed unanimously with favorable expression. Members next considered HB 240 on primary school promotion. Rep. Truitt explained that the bill would require students who are not ready in kindergarten to repeat kindergarten, while a committee substitute softened the approach by allowing a school to hold a child back in kindergarten but requiring action in first grade. He said the bill aligns with existing reading-screening efforts and is intended to strengthen early literacy foundations. The committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill unanimously with favorable expression; Sen. Williams briefly explained his support as favoring performance-based advancement. The committee also approved HB 298, which would change the identification of schools for comprehensive support and improvement from every three years to annually, require KDE recommendations during management audits, add professional development in reading and math, and require effective instructional resources. The committee substitute also allowed districts with multiple CSI schools to contract for a turnaround vendor. The bill additionally carried employee-misconduct provisions from prior sessions, including disclosure requirements for applicants; the only change discussed was removing the word “investigation” from one disclosure section. HB 298 passed unanimously with favorable expression, and the committee also adopted a title amendment. Finally, the committee heard HB 424 on employment at public postsecondary institutions. Rep. Tipton said the bill would require performance and productivity reviews for faculty at least every four years, clarify appointment and removal authority for presidents at certain institutions, and expand “cause” for dismissal to include failure to meet performance and productivity requirements. Dr. Ray Horton, speaking for faculty groups, proposed a small substitute that would tie any performance measures to existing employment contracts to preserve academic integrity and avoid unintended changes to tenure processes. Members discussed how tenure works at Kentucky universities, and the committee was still in the middle of considering the proposed substitute when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act authorizes the United States Secretary of Education to
• administer grant programs to support state and local educational agencies in providing special education
• So the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act authorizes the United States Education Secretary to
• with the individualized education program.
• And D are provided in conformity with the individualized education program required under the IDEA.

Keywords: 907, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you would prefer to wait and have one individual or several of them voted on individually, I am happy
• Within the graduation alternative to traditional education, GATE program, offer unique opportunities
• When I view education, when I view education policy, I view it mostly through the lens of access for
• This is a higher education committee and a higher education bill.
• or college dropout prevention programs or the Florida Education Equality Act, and every place that underrepresented

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education first took up a block of confirmation hearings for trustees and board members at several public universities and state colleges. Appointees from Florida A&M University, Florida International University, New College of Florida, Pasco-Hernando State College, South Florida State College, Valencia College, Florida Atlantic University, and the University of Florida described their backgrounds and emphasized themes such as governance, student success, workforce alignment, fiscal stewardship, research growth, and institutional reputation. Members asked a few questions, but most nominees received no substantive opposition. The committee then voted unanimously to recommend confirmation of the group of appointees on tabs 3 through 18 and forwarded them to Ethics and Elections. The committee next heard Senate Bill 114 by Senator Trumbull, which would create the Florida Center of Excellence in Insurance and Risk Management at Florida State University, move the public hurricane loss projection model from FIU to FSU, and provide funding for the effort. Trumbull said the bill is intended to strengthen the state’s insurance research capacity and broaden study of insurance lines beyond wind risk. Senators asked about the impact on FIU and the distinction between the new center and existing FIU work; Trumbull said FIU’s Wall of Wind would remain and that the state-owned model would simply be contracted to FSU instead of FIU. The committee reported the bill favorably. The committee then considered Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1624 by Senator Calatayud, a wide-ranging higher education bill addressing tuition, workforce programs, institutional operations, and naming changes. Amendments were adopted to create state college regional consortium service organizations for rural colleges, remove a proposed out-of-state fee change for nonresident online students, extend university master plan update cycles from five to 10 years, and rename Hillsborough Community College as Hillsborough College. The bill also changed several references from specific minority categories to “underrepresented,” revised aid and waiver provisions, adjusted adult education and career program rules, and made other technical changes. Senators Smith and Davis questioned the shift away from enumerated categories, arguing it could obscure disparities affecting groups such as Black students, women in STEM, and students with disabilities; Calatayud said the intent was to focus on socioeconomic access and flexibility for institutions. After debate, the committee voted 6-2 to report the bill favorably, with Senators Davis and Smith voting no, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This money is directed to support tribes and government entities in their education programs.
• If the Navajo Nation Education Department says we're going to have an after-school... program in Shiprock
• and their programs.
• It empowers local control to design and implement education programs.
• What are they doing to design and implement education? program. The other issue is accountability.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Rebbe taught that every individual and every individual action has an impact on our universe.
• HB 612 by Shaheen, relating to the establishment of an education savings account program and insurance
• on public education.
• Public Education.
• referred to the committee on public education.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• program or anything like that.
• I'm about a pilot program. I think the way in which we commodify education is concerning.
• I'm about a pilot program. I think the way in which we commodify education is concerning.
• So me as an individual, I do have a board of education Facebook account that I'll reshare things from
• There's not a whole lot of individuality in public education at this point in our state.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Children and Families heard public testimony on Senate Bill 1002, which would move St. Charles County school board elections and school levy/bond questions to the November general election, extend school board terms to four years, and allow candidates to voluntarily list party affiliation. The bill sponsor argued the change would increase turnout, broaden parent and taxpayer participation, and better align school board decisions with the broader electorate. Supporters echoed those points, saying April elections have low turnout, campaigning is difficult in winter, and November voting would give more residents a voice. Opponents, including school board members, parents, and the Missouri School Boards’ Association, argued the bill unnecessarily singles out St. Charles County, could politicize school board races, and might bury local issues on crowded November ballots. Several witnesses said school boards should remain nonpartisan and warned that four-year terms and the loss of staggered elections could reduce continuity and institutional knowledge. Others said limiting levy and bond questions to November could delay urgent district needs and reduce local flexibility. Some supporters and opponents also debated whether the bill should be statewide rather than county-specific. After testimony, the committee moved into executive session and voted Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 1002 “do pass” by a vote of 10 aye, 5 no, and 1 present. The committee also voted Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 1135 “do pass” by the same 10 aye, 5 no, and 1 present margin.

Transcript Highlights:

• During the session, we'll staff both House Education and Senate Education.
• So, special education units, bilingual and multicultural services, elementary programs, including fine
• arts and physical education, K-12 plus programs.
• education services, but they do have to services required by a student's individualized education plan
• programs at the higher ed level. bound to study K-12 education, with the exception of teacher preparation

Transcript Highlights:

• out individuals.
• It expands eligibility for temporary educator certifications to include individuals whose professional
• Let's take up tab 50, CS for SB 7038 on education by Education Post-Secondary, and Senator Calatayud,
• The bill strengthens the Department of Health's education program also for the care and treatment of
• We're going to take up tab 49, CS for SB 7036 on education by the Education Pre-K through 12 Committee

Summary: The committee first confirmed six appointees in a single vote, then took up a series of bills, most of them reported favorably. The early debate centered on SB 208, a land-use bill by Sen. McLean that would require development fees to reflect review costs and create more objective compatibility standards for residential development denials. An amendment adding housing-related provisions, including an OPAGA study of urban development boundaries, drew extended discussion over the Everglades and local control; it was adopted, while a late-filed amendment on rural boundaries was withdrawn. The bill was then reported favorably after supporters and opponents, including Miami-Dade and housing groups, weighed in. The committee also favorably reported SB 686 on agricultural enclaves after amendments adding conservation, wildlife corridor, and Everglades-related protections, with one amendment specifically preserving stronger protections in counties covered by the Northern Everglades/Indian River Lagoon plan. Several criminal justice and public records measures also advanced. SB 436 would add resisting an officer with violence as a qualifying prior offense for battery enhancement and include certain felony battery offenses in prison release reoffender status. SB 830 would extend public-records protections to county and city administrators and related family information. SB 990 would authorize protected cell captive insurers in Florida. SB 600, on bail bonds, drew the most debate: an amendment by Sen. Rouson preserved the current treatment of charitable bail organizations’ deposits, with supporters arguing nonprofits help low-income defendants and critics saying the bill should distinguish commercial and nonprofit bonding; the amendment was adopted and the bill reported favorably. SB 914 on dry needling and SB 1434 on infill redevelopment also passed, the latter with an amendment removing a 10% markup requirement for buyback provisions. The committee then moved through a large education and health agenda. SB 1504 would let high school students who complete an insurance/personal finance elective qualify later for a customer service representative license. SB 1718 would expand educator preparation and temporary certification options. SB 7038 was a broad education package covering tuition waivers for Florida State Guard members, residency rules, consumer protections, dual enrollment, grading, and college funding; amendments clarified workforce licensure and exempted certain dental training from new licensure rules. SB 1092 on podiatric medicine added definitions and restrictions for cellular/tissue-based products. SB 1138 on qualified contractors created a pre-application review program for certain local governments, with historic-preservation carveouts. SB 186 on student health and safety required seizure-training and action plans in schools, and SB 560 on child welfare streamlined psychotropic-medication procedures for children in state care while adding youth advisory meetings and insurance-data review. SB 902, a broad Department of Health bill, addressed medical marijuana facility setbacks, practitioner discipline, autism microcredentials, marriage and family therapy licensure, a neurofibromatosis grant program, and family home health aide delegation; it passed after two amendments. Finally, SB 218 on land-use regulations limited hurricane-recovery restrictions to affected counties, SB 1002 expanded child-neglect definitions tied to parental drug abuse, SB 1474 tightened biosolids land-application rules, SB 1708 eased out-of-state veterinary licensure by endorsement, and SB 314 established a Florida regulatory framework for payment stablecoins aligned with federal law. Most measures were reported favorably by committee vote after brief testimony or no debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• We believe that with an education and the proper tools and access to the opportunity, individuals can
• We believe that with an education and the proper tools and the access to the opportunity, individuals
• the Educational Adequacy Fund as requested by the Department of Education.
• The Department of Education also receives general revenue, Educational Excellence Trust Fund, and Educational
• programs providing...

Summary: The House and Senate Education Committee first approved minutes from February 2 and 3, then took up an interim study proposal on adult education and the Excel Center model. Representatives from Goodwill Industries of Arkansas, the Excel Center network, and the University of Notre Dame’s Lab for Economic Opportunities testified that roughly 300,000 Arkansans over age 19 lack a high school diploma or GED, and argued that the Excel Center provides a supported diploma pathway for adults who struggle with GED testing. Witnesses highlighted wraparound services such as free child care, transportation assistance, tutoring, life coaching, and career services, and cited outcomes including high retention, growing enrollment, and research showing higher employment and earnings and lower criminal justice involvement for graduates. Committee members raised questions about the state’s role, existing adult education programs, and how the study would be structured; the motion to adopt the ISP passed, though there was some procedural disagreement about when questions should have been taken. The committee then heard a detailed adequacy funding overview from BLR staff Katie Walden and Adrian Beck on Arkansas K-12 education finance. They reviewed national funding principles and explained Arkansas’s system, including state and local revenue sources, the Public School Fund, the Educational Excellence Trust Fund, the Educational Adequacy Fund, and the Facilities Partnership Program. Staff said K-12 state and local revenues totaled $6.6 billion in 2025, with foundation funding making up the largest share of district and charter funding, followed by additional, categorical, and supplemental funds. They also explained the matrix-based foundation formula, the role of the uniform rate of tax, and how categorical and supplemental funds support areas such as alternative learning, English learners, special education high-cost cases, teacher salary equalization, declining enrollment, and student growth. Members asked several follow-up questions about how specific funding categories are defined and used, including student support staff, instructional aides, special education high-cost occurrences, ALE funding, teacher salary equalization, and the inclusion of Excel Center amounts in state-local funding totals. Staff said some of those details would be addressed in a later presentation and offered to provide additional records, including district lists and historical information. The meeting ended after the funding overview, with no additional votes or actions beyond the ISP adoption and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• This shows that this program helped us fill critical special education vacancies using talent that was
• These included individuals coming from roles outside of education, from higher education programs, and
• So if I could just very briefly, so we do have the Educators Rising program, which that is a program
• so thinking about Educators Rising, Educator Fellows, our teacher residency programs, all of these things
• of that program and with that we would be addressing special education educators as well.