Transcript Highlights:

• from this program are charter schools.
• schools do not have credit ratings that high.
• schools to use program monies to ...program provisions, including authorizing schools to use program
• Going back to 2018, the school safety program was a $12 million program.
• safety program, providing technical assistance to public schools for school safety program proposals

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Education Committee met as a committee of reference to complete required sunset reviews and hear a performance audit. Members and staff introduced themselves at the start of the session, and the chair outlined committee procedures, including limits on public testimony and the goal of adjournment by 5 p.m. The committee then heard the sunset review of the Credit Enhancement Eligibility Board. A governor’s office representative explained that the board was created in 2016 to help qualifying schools, mostly charter schools, lower borrowing costs through a credit enhancement fund. He said the board has approved 15 projects, has no dedicated staff or budget, and is now at its statutory leverage limit, so it is mainly monitoring existing obligations. Members voiced support, and the committee voted by voice vote to recommend continuation of the board for 10 years, until July 1, 2036. The committee next reviewed the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). WICHE leadership described the interstate compact, its student exchange programs for undergraduate, graduate, and professional health care education, and related cost-savings and workforce benefits for Arizona. Testimony emphasized tuition savings for Arizona students, the return of many professional students to practice in Arizona, and the role of the compact in supporting higher education access and workforce needs. Commissioners from Arizona’s Board of Regents and Eastern Arizona College also spoke in support. The committee then voted by voice vote to recommend continuation of WICHE for 10 years, until July 1, 2036. The committee also received the Arizona Auditor General’s performance audit of the Arizona Department of Education school safety program. The audit found that while the program has grown substantially and now funds more than 1,000 school safety positions, ADE did not ensure many sampled schools complied with requirements such as operational plans, safety teams, annual training, activity logs, and expenditure documentation. The Auditor General said the department relied too heavily on written attestations and reduced monitoring as the program expanded, and recommended stronger oversight, written procedures, and better reimbursement controls. ADE’s school safety director responded that the department accepts the findings, has already begun improving monitoring, and is moving to require uploaded documentation and more risk-based reviews; he also said the department will seek additional staffing and will meet with the Auditor General and ASU to strengthen evaluation of the program. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 2142, which would establish a school safety center within ADE, assign it responsibility for administering the school safety program and providing technical assistance, and allow up to 10% of program appropriations for administration. Members discussed whether the bill should also require monitoring of emergency operations plan compliance, better address students with disabilities, and clarify coordination with other state agencies. The sponsor said he planned to offer a floor amendment to make monitoring expectations clearer. The bill was discussed but no final committee action was recorded in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The engineering school specifically has a tutoring program. we're in partnership with.
• Programs for these students that are coming out of high school to go into your program?
• school graduates that are in engineering programs and doing very well.
• Pay while you're in school and, you know, awesome program.
• Previously, we had what they called the high school scholarship program, which is the four-year scholarship

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:30:06.159> That's their school is in high risk. That's their school is in high risk.
• <02:16:01.360> Uh high school campus. Uh high school campus.
• school school on<02:16:11.119> Milani<02:16:11.679> High<02:16:11.840> School<02
• And you went to Y High School, W Intermediate.
• The next position for the next school year is leadership for program to students' high school success

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• follow through with in the high school program.
• <01:29:26.320> school College we also have a high school College we also have a high school
• <01:30:02.040> a<01:30:02.119> little high school program so we're a little high school
• from high school all the way from high school all the way through<01:30:11.760> the<01:30
• graduating from high school in 1998 I graduating from high school in 1998 I joined<01:32:39.560>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to another program.
• to another program.
• the fee schedule program.
• the fee scheduled program.
• that support school-based health care, including the LEA Billing Options Program, or LEA BOP, to minimize

Summary: The committee heard a budget oversight hearing on the Department of Health Care Services, focusing first on the overall Medi-Cal budget and a March General Fund loan to cover a current-year shortfall. DHCS said the 2025-26 budget proposal totals $193.4 billion, with Medi-Cal projected at $188.1 billion total funds and $42.1 billion General Fund, driven by higher enrollment, pharmacy costs, managed care growth, and costs tied to eligibility expansions and the COVID-era redetermination unwinding. The department said the $3.44 billion loan was needed to manage cash flow and ensure timely payments to providers and plans, while the LAO noted Medi-Cal’s cash-basis budgeting creates volatility and that more detailed estimates would come with the May Revision. Members discussed federal Medicaid threats, the need for transparency on cost drivers, and the impact of pharmacy spending, long-term care, and immigration-related coverage expansions. The second major topic was family health programs, including California Children’s Services, the continuous coverage unwinding, and opioid settlement fund spending. DHCS described CCS funding methodology changes, ongoing county stakeholder work, and a delayed rollout of CCS monitoring and oversight until July 1, 2025, while county representatives and advocates argued the program is underfunded and asked for more technical assistance and a delay in implementation. On the unwinding, the department explained that federal redetermination flexibilities helped maintain coverage after the pandemic, but the Governor’s budget proposes ending them at the end of June 2025; advocates urged making the flexibilities permanent to avoid coverage losses. For opioid settlement funds, DHCS and Finance said the budget increases funding for naloxone distribution while reducing other harm-reduction spending based on updated settlement revenues, prompting criticism from members and public commenters who argued the change would weaken effective harm-reduction programs. The hearing also included an update on Proposition 35 implementation. DHCS said the voter-approved measure continuously appropriates MCO tax revenues beginning in 2025, with up to $4.6 billion annually available for specified Medi-Cal and provider investments in 2025 and 2026, but implementation depends on consultation with the required stakeholder advisory committee. The department and LAO noted uncertainty about future federal rules affecting the MCO tax after 2026. Public testimony largely supported maintaining Medi-Cal expansions, protecting immigrant coverage, preserving harm-reduction funding, and increasing support for community health workers, pediatric dental care, and CCS county administration. No votes were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The CalWORKs program supported me in going back to school, getting a job, and providing child care for
• Nearly 60 percent of adults entering into the CalWORKs program do not have a high school diploma.
• On average, CalWORKs families may lack a high school diploma or GED, employment, transportation, and
• her education due to these programs. for schooling and obtain a college degree.
• without a high school diploma in attaining their educational goals.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're trying to expand those programs as well and working with the school boards to try and be more
• Those are the primary programs that we use in Medicaid to support school-based services.
• necessary service at school.
• school diploma?
• Are you still hiring what you call caseworkers with high school diplomas? Mr.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Schools K-9 Program, $6.5 million for safe school technology systems, $3.5 million for the transparency
• that maybe had a population of 5,600 in Zephyrhills High School.
• I'm telling you, it's so critically important in high schools because...
• I mean, the skills that I acquired in law school are skills that we should be allowing our high school
• I mean, the skills that I acquired in law school are skills that we should be allowing our high school

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:

• Not assuming they're going to private schools because the cost of living is so high here, sadly.
• These schools, high schools, are graduating outstanding students.
• Because you are tying up homeschool and other charter school programs in so much red tape, it will be
• Unfortunately, that individual no longer went to high school and dropped out.
• Sweetwater Union High School District.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That includes over $1.1 billion in cuts to health care, cuts to food programs that feed kids in school
• They can graduate with a high school diploma, and at the same time they're getting an associate's degree
• school and already have a huge jump on a post-high school, post-secondary education, if that's their
• in our current pilot, which is a one-free-designee program for school staff.
• For those one-free-designee programs, the OIG picks up the cost for one municipal or school employee

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The joint budget hearing opened the FY27 budget process with remarks from the Senate and House Ways and Means chairs, who described the fiscal outlook as challenging because of slow revenue growth, rising health care and other costs, and uncertainty from federal policy changes. Governor Healey and Secretary of Administration and Finance Matthew Gorzkowicz then presented House 2, a $62.8 billion budget that they said grows by about 1% and does not raise taxes or fees. They emphasized affordability, fiscal discipline, protection of core services, and continued investment in education, transportation, housing, child care, health care, and public safety. The administration also discussed a separate bill to delay and phase in certain federal tax-code changes from the so-called OB3 law, especially research and experimental expense provisions, to reduce immediate budget impacts and preserve competitiveness. A major portion of the hearing focused on education and municipal aid. The administration said House 2 provides about $7.6 billion for Chapter 70 aid, fully funds the final year of the Student Opportunity Act, increases special education circuit breaker funding, and raises rural school aid. Senators and representatives from both parties raised concerns that Chapter 70 and other aid formulas are not equitable for small, rural, and low-wealth communities and are not keeping pace with inflation, and several called for broader review of the formula and related funding streams. The governor and secretary said they are open to further discussion, pointed to additional support through rural aid, special education, transportation reimbursements, and minimum aid, and said total Student Opportunity Act investment would reach about $2.1 billion over the life of the law. Transportation, housing, and fair share spending were also central topics. The administration said fair share revenues are being used holistically, with education-heavy spending in the operating budget and transportation-heavy spending in the supplemental budget, and estimated the overall split to date at roughly 57% education and 43% transportation. They highlighted MBTA stabilization, regional transit authority support, microtransit, fare-free regional transit, and bridge and commuter rail investments, while noting the MBTA remains a major fiscal concern. On housing, the governor stressed production, permitting reform, ADUs, down-payment assistance, and support for public housing authorities, while lawmakers pressed for more funding for local housing authorities and for ways to address out-migration, energy costs, and affordability. The governor also said the administration will not withhold fire safety grants from communities over MBTA Communities Act noncompliance and will handle such issues case by case. No votes were taken at the hearing; it was an informational presentation and question-and-answer session.

Transcript Highlights:

• to high school, and from high school to college.
• /c><01:37:22.920> from<01:37:23.160> high school to high school, and from high school to
• high school, and from high school<01:37:23.720> to<01:37:23.840> college.
• school program that way.
• high school program that develop your high school program that way.<03:17:48.440> Make<03:17:48.760

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thousands fewer youth will have access to impactful programming, and the number of schools that have
• It is a win-win program that trains high-risk youth who give back to the community.
• It is a win-win program that trains<01:05:18.240> high-risisk<01:05:18.799> youth<01:05
• She asked Aiden to share more about his Rochester experience, including whether he is in high school
• <01:25:46.159> school connecting in the area with high school connecting in the area with

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, as you heard from schools program.
• For high school graduation." >> "For high school graduation that can be taken any time between 9th and
• <01:24:01.600> Those required of high schools. Those required of high schools.
• <01:41:33.920> school development as part of our high school development as part of our high
• community local high schools to teach community local high schools to teach community college<01

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• high schools to help them gain the skills they need to remain drug-free.
• Keshev Kharpavar, a high school student, representing the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.
• Our clients are high-risk individuals who must be treated in an intensive inpatient program that will
• Tragically, one in 10 high school students. report attempting suicide in the past year.
• at that time, so there were a lot of school programs available, etc.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a public awareness campaign or program for the disease.
• their current school district.
• Most of the applicants to the program.
• need for the renewed support of the program.
• At the end of the four-year pilot program.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The new elementary school is in Ever Beach. A new high school is in Ever Beach.
• The new elementary school is in Ever Beach. A new high school is in Ever Beach.
• The new elementary school is in Ever Beach. A new high school is in Ever Beach.
• The new elementary school is in Ever Beach. A new high school is in Ever Beach.
• The new elementary school is in Ever Beach. A new high school is in Ever Beach.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Senate Committee on Education, Hawaiian Affairs, and Housing heard House Bill 1088 HD1, which would exempt housing developed by the Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL) from school impact fees. The Department of Education said it was open to working with DHHL and the Legislature, including possibly eliminating the construction-cost portion of the fee for DHHL and other government affordable housing projects, but it wanted to retain the land-dedication requirement for future school sites where growth would exceed existing school capacity. The School Facilities Authority supported the bill, and DHHL strongly supported it, noting that its testimony referenced an earlier emergency proclamation but that the exemption remains in the current proclamation. DHHL also said it had no objection to a proposed amendment from the Wahiawa Hawaiian Homestead Association. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii testified in opposition to the broader school impact fee program, arguing that the fund has accumulated about $29 million that has not been spent and citing concerns raised in State Auditor Report 19-13, including administrative and constitutional issues. Committee discussion focused heavily on whether the fee system is being applied fairly, especially to smaller projects and homeowners, and whether the districts and calculations used to assess fees have been updated. Members questioned the DOE and SFA about the distinction between land and construction costs, the use of fees in areas like Kīhei, Kalihi, Ala Moana, and Ewa, and whether the department had revisited district calculations as recommended in the audit. DOE said it had collected about $500,000 in construction money and $2.8 million in land contributions for Kalihi-related areas, and said it would follow up on questions about land conveyances and district updates. After discussion, the chair called for a vote. The Education committee recommended passing HB 1088 HD1 as is, with Senator San Buenaventura voting with reservation and Senators Ihara and Kole voting aye. The recommendation was adopted. The Housing committee then also deferred the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• their partnership with Harding High their partnership with Harding High School<00:13:24.920>
• Some are summer programs, some are after-school programs, some are camps.
• Some are summer programs, some are after-school programs, some are camps.
• The base for this program is $200,000 per year. Demand for this program remains high.
• 47:51.480> um demand for this program remains High um demand for this program remains High um

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• A quick notice: I had the pleasure of growing up and going to Saugerties High School with many of the
• A QUICK NOTICE, I HAD THE PLEASURE OF GROWING UP AND GOING TO SAUGERTIES HIGH SCHOOL WITH MANY OF THE
• Resolution J.2038 by Senator Hinchey, congratulating the Marlboro High School boys bowling team upon
• THEY BATTLED AGAINST HIGH SCHOOL AND NARROWLY WON BY JUST THREE PINS.
• achieve academic success in high school and prepares them most certainly for College.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, approved the journal, and welcomed several guest groups, including Saugerties student government officers, the Marlboro High School boys bowling state champions, a civics group, a National Guard/9-11 responder advocate, family members honoring Salvador Vizcarrondo Jr., architecture professionals, correctional officers and employees, and small business representatives. Members also offered resolutions recognizing Architecture Week, Correctional Officers and Employees Week, and Small Business Week, along with tributes to community leaders and student achievements. The chamber then took up a series of bills on the non-controversial calendar, passing measures on education leave for incarcerated people, utility interconnection study, property tax exemption, alcohol regulation, executive law, school drill requirements, victim sentencing rights, public health, public officers, public authorities, election law, environmental conservation, veterans/homeland security, labor, and other topics. Several bills were laid aside. Some measures drew brief explanations of vote, including concerns about school safety drills, correctional staffing and safety, and a victims’ rights bill that one senator said mirrored an earlier version he had carried. The most extended debate centered on the 21st Century Antitrust Act (Calendar 879), with supporters arguing it would modernize antitrust enforcement against dominant firms, especially big tech, and opponents warning it would create vague standards, invite private lawsuits, and harm small and rural businesses. Another debated bill (Calendar 818) would restrict sharing of utility consumption data with police; supporters framed it as a privacy measure requiring normal legal process, while opponents said it would hinder law enforcement while still allowing state regulators access. Both bills were ultimately restored to the non-controversial calendar and passed, and the Senate adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• And they can select from this list of artists, knowing that it's going to be a high quality program that
• school students I'm talking about, to participate in summer training programs. grants of $5,000 each
• school.
• , and we give out scholarships to attend either middle school or high school students. for a year, and
• opportunities upon graduation of high school.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ABC programs typically run during the school year, and they also run during the school day.
• So when you have a child who attends an ABC program during the school year, but then maybe after school
• Or you have school programs who might apply for a grant with us or summer programming, and we're pulling
• So when you have a child who attends an ABC program during the school year, but then maybe after school
• Or you have school programs who might apply for a grant with us or summer programming, and we're pulling

Summary: The Early Childhood Committee met to receive an update from the Office of Early Childhood on Arkansas child care and early learning programs. Committee members discussed the state’s child care crisis, including reported economic losses from lack of access, the need to track access, affordability, workforce shortages, rural and infant/toddler care gaps, and the role of local leads in identifying needs across the state. The committee also approved the February 17 minutes. Office of Early Childhood staff explained their responsibilities under the LEARNS Act, including kindergarten readiness, provider quality, and access to affordable seats. They reviewed licensing, quality efforts, and the two main funding streams: School Readiness Assistance (SRA), a federally funded voucher program serving about 14,600 children with a wait list of more than 3,000, and Arkansas Better Chance (ABC), a state-funded program serving about 23,000 children, with approval to increase to 24,000 slots. Members asked about the difference between market rate surveys and cost analyses, and staff said the office is procuring both, with results expected by the end of the year. Several members raised concerns about funding levels, especially that ABC reimbursement has not kept pace with K-12 funding increases and that child care reimbursement remains below the true cost of care. Staff said ABC requires certified teachers and lower ratios than SRA, but pays less, and that some federal pre-K slots were moved into ABC to preserve continuity of care. They also explained that SRA eligibility changes, including a higher work requirement and ending a child care worker eligibility category, were made to reduce spending and serve families on the wait list. The committee discussed communication with providers and parents, technical assistance for centers, and possible future legislative action to stabilize providers and expand access, but no votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and adjournment.