Transcript Highlights:

• So a version of the way and a bit of a cleanup for alignment.
• We align our staffing, as I said, to our enrollment demands to meet costs responsibly.
• Because I think for years, I personally don't go to conferences, but if you go to conferences and there's
• Because I think for years, I personally don't go to conferences, but if you go to conferences and there's
• ...how do we find that balance and how do we align resources, and in my opinion, aligning resources at

Summary: The task force reviewed survey results from state agencies on potential statutory revisions, with Levi reporting 70 proposals from 20 agencies and noting that about 33 might become agency pre-file bills. Members discussed the need to share the survey more broadly within higher education and to better coordinate issues involving IT and other cross-agency functions. The task force then heard from the Office of Management and Budget on three topics: concessions, architect/engineering pre-qualification, and legal notices. OMB said the concessions law is outdated and inconsistent with current practice, and suggested a collaborative rewrite to allow best-value evaluation, raise the threshold, and standardize solicitation templates. On architect/engineering pre-qualification, OMB proposed expanding authority beyond current state-agency limits and creating uniform templates. On legal notices, OMB proposed modernizing publication requirements, exploring online and abbreviated notices, and working with newspapers and other stakeholders on technology and accessibility improvements. Members asked about where concession revenues go, whether political subdivisions must follow the same rules, and how to move from discussion to action. The task force agreed to have OMB work with Legislative Council and affected stakeholders to develop bill drafts, and the motion passed unanimously. The University of North Dakota then presented a series of proposed revisions focused on public buildings and procurement. UND asked to rework the definition of construction so routine maintenance and one-for-one replacements over $250,000 would not automatically trigger public-improvement requirements, suggested raising the threshold to $500,000, and asked for more flexibility based on project complexity and risk. UND also proposed changes to public bid advertisements to reflect electronic bidding, revisions to construction manager-at-risk selection criteria, changes to architect/engineer procurement rules, an increase in the direct-hire design threshold, and a higher legislative-consent threshold for privately funded projects. The task force supported having UND work with counsel and OMB to develop bill drafts, and that motion also passed. The Department of Public Instruction concluded with proposed cleanup to credentialing and education statutes. DPI recommended reviewing its credential categories for relevance, possibly transferring credentialing authority to the Education Standards and Practices Board, removing outdated school safety patrol language, clarifying waiver provisions, and updating dyslexia screening reporting requirements so the statute reflects current practice. Members focused mainly on whether the dyslexia reporting requirement should remain, and DPI said the screening itself would continue even if reporting language were revised. No votes were taken on DPI’s suggestions, and the task force recessed after the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm curious whether you know whether they align with our current standards in Early Learning and
• And I'm curious whether you know whether they align with our current standards in Early Learning and
• the bill was delivered, since changes could jeopardize the bill as it returned to the House and conference
• We were happy to explain how those stipulations align with our procedures and works already to make sure
• This technical fix will align the RCW with the long-term practices within these programs.

Bills: HB2464 , SGA9305

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: detention facilities, law enforcement, reporting requirements, incidents, private detention

Transcript Highlights:

• students to cover the cost of their attendance at the MAPSTARS events, including two leadership conferences
• MAPSTARS offers three statewide events for alternative schools in Minnesota: the Fall Leadership Conference
• , Legislative Day, and a Spring Events Conference.
• two specific curricula for the development of a STARS program: the chapter manual and the spring conference
• It aligns with extensive research and teacher knowledge relating to how math skills develop.

Bills: HF1966 , HF54 , HF2043 , HF1171 , HF2741

Committee: House Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• :04.080><c> this</c><00:21:04.559><c> earlier</c> our conference committee this earlier our conference
• Chair. uh only in a conference committee. Uh we uh only in a conference committee.
• :23:45.679><c> are</c> all know conference committees are all know conference committees are somewhat
• </c> established through the conference established through the conference committee<00:27:19.919><c>
• </c> conference committee earlier this year. conference committee earlier this year.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• It also advances a broader priority of using better cross-system data and policy alignment to improve
• I will have with me to testify Matt Kremens with the California-Nevada Conference of Operating Engineers
• Matt Kremens here on behalf of the California-Nevada Conference of Operating Engineers.
• Matt Kremens, California-Nevada Conference of Operating Engineers. We are in support. Thank you.
• California-Nevada Conference of Operating Engineers, we are in support. Thank you.

Committee: Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• FINALLY, DEVELOP RESOURCE ALLOCATION PLANS SO IMPLEMENTATION IS SUSTAINABLE AND ALIGNED WITH INSTRUCTIONAL
• WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT STUDENT LED CONFERENCES THAT IS WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.
• STUDENTS NEED TO UNDERSTAND WE HAVE STUDENT LED CONFERENCES AT NIGHT WHEN THE PARENTS COME IN AND THE
• ALL THE OF THEM GO THROUGH THE STUDENT LED CONFERENCE OF THE STUDENT IS ACTUALLY TELLING THE PARENTS
• IT IS ALIGNED WITH THE STATE STANDARDS IT IS ALIGNED WITH RUBRIC AND EVERYTHING ELSE IF YOU ARE USING

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have a brief budget presentation to give you some information before we head into conference
• we're proposing that the... ...10-year period of time, we're proposing that the Florida school grades align
• It is these differences that are the primary focus during the conference process.
• I wanted to pass these out to you all before we actually begin conference so that you have time to review
• And I look forward to when we get to conference together.

Summary: The Pre-K Through 12 Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and took up three bills, along with a brief budget conference-prep presentation. The first bill, CS/HB 1483 on school grading and student supports, would gradually align Florida’s school grading scale with the familiar A-F student grading scale over a 10-year glide path, add school report card transparency on the percentage of students reading at grade level, expand interventions for students with substantial reading and math deficiencies through VPK through grade 8, and create a competitive grant for diverse books in K-5 classrooms and libraries. Supporters argued the current school-grade scale is misleading and that the bill would improve transparency and supports; some members raised concerns about impacts on turnaround schools, community perception, and whether the bill adequately captures student gains. The bill passed 12-2 and was reported favorably. The committee then considered CS/HB 859 on the School Readiness Program, which revises the definition of “economically disadvantaged” for eligibility purposes. The bill originally moved from 150% of the federal poverty level to 65% of state median income, but three amendments were adopted to create a glide path and reduce fiscal impact by using 50% of state median income or 150% of poverty, whichever is greater, and by deleting an obsolete section. Public testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, emphasizing child care as workforce infrastructure and a lifeline for working families. The bill passed unanimously, 14-0, and was reported favorably. Finally, CS/HB 1607 on cardiac emergencies in schools would require AEDs in every Florida school, including charter schools, require CPR/AED training, and create a pulse-saving plan with rulemaking authority for the State Board of Education. Proponents cited alarming statistics about sudden cardiac arrest on campuses and argued that rapid AED access can save lives; supporters from the American Heart Association, PTA, and cardiology groups backed the measure. Members spoke in strong support, and the bill passed unanimously, 14-0, and was reported favorably. The meeting ended with a budget presentation explaining that House and Senate FY 2025-26 budget, appropriations project, and proviso side-by-sides had been distributed ahead of conference, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I do really want to thank Governor Ferguson and Attorney General Brown for their press conference yesterday
• . ...Governor Ferguson and Attorney General Brown for their press conference yesterday talking about
• told a committee chair to hear something or not to hear something, but I think that our caucus is aligned
• I mean, we're aligned. We're aligned. Thank you.
• Are you aligned with how the governor has moved forward on that, his plan?

Summary: Senate and House Democratic leaders used the meeting to preview several bills they expect to move quickly, while framing much of their agenda as a response to federal ICE actions and broader concerns about public safety and accountability. They said the Senate will pass a bill banning law-enforcement masking, with the stated goal of requiring identification and transparency for officers, and that the House will likely take it up after House-of-Origin cutoff. They also said a bill restricting Flock automated license plate readers will move from rules to the floor, and they discussed a separate proposal to bar people hired as ICE agents under Trump’s second term from later serving in Washington law enforcement, though leaders said they had not yet reviewed its details. The leaders repeatedly criticized ICE and said the state must do what it can to protect residents, especially immigrants, while also defending Washington’s law enforcement training and accountability systems. They said the bill on face coverings is aimed at federal agents, though they also argued it is a general standard for all law enforcement and may serve to “enunciate” a norm even if its legal scope is tested in court. They also discussed concerns about fraud and misuse of funds in state programs, saying Washington has checks and balances and that accountability measures are appropriate, while cautioning against baseless claims. On budget and policy matters, they said a Senate bill to restore Washington College Grant and Washington Promise scholarship funding would be considered in the operating budget process, but it was too early to know what reductions could be reversed. They expressed openness to a House bill limiting non-emergency charity care to Washington residents, citing border-community strain and examples from eastern Washington hospitals. They also said they were still evaluating a House bill on camping enforcement tied to shelter availability and a tort-liability measure, noting that any savings would likely come from reduced litigation costs rather than caps on damages. Other topics included a possible income tax proposal, which leaders said could be introduced as soon as Friday or next week with offsets included or outlined; House Bill 1607 on a beverage container recycling/deposit system, which they said could reach executive action soon; and a floor vote expected on the BAC bill the next day. They also said they were not inclined to hear the recently arrived voter initiatives in committee, describing them as likely headed to the ballot instead.

Transcript Highlights:

• I do really want to thank Governor Ferguson and Attorney General Brown for their press conference yesterday
• ... ...Governor Ferguson and Attorney General Brown for their press conference yesterday talking about
• told a committee chair to hear something or not to hear something, but I think that our caucus is aligned
• I mean, we're aligned. We're aligned. Thank you.
• Are you aligned with how the governor has moved forward on that, his plan?

Summary: Senate and House Democratic leaders used the meeting to discuss a broad package of bills they said were aimed at responding to federal ICE actions and protecting Washington residents. They highlighted an upcoming Senate vote on Senator Valdez’s bill banning law-enforcement masking, a Flock automated license plate reader restrictions bill moving through rules, and a bill to protect emergency response operations. They said the face-covering bill is intended to apply to law enforcement generally but is mainly aimed at federal agents, and argued it would improve accountability and set a clear state norm, while acknowledging legal questions and a similar California case. They also said they were working with the governor and attorney general on related protections and invited Republican support. The leaders also addressed several other policy items. They said a Senate bill to restore Washington College Grant and College Bound scholarship funding would be considered in the operating budget process, but it was too early to know whether reductions could be reversed. They expressed openness to a House bill limiting non-emergency charity care to Washington residents, citing border hospitals and the burden on local resources, and said they were open to oversight ideas for housing-related fraud concerns while defending the accountability systems already in place. They also discussed a House bill on camping enforcement tied to shelter availability, saying it was a complex issue and likely still under discussion. On budget and tax issues, they said an income tax proposal was likely to be introduced later in the week or the following week, with offsets either included in the bill or outlined in a companion measure. They also said they were still evaluating a tort-liability proposal and its projected savings, and were open to Representative Keaton’s memorial urging Washington to opt into a federal education tax credit, though they emphasized their priority remains funding public schools. Finally, they said a recycling/deposit-return bill had improved and was likely to move out of committee, and they expected a floor vote on the BAC bill the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Conference Committee on the House Justice Budget Subcommittee and the Senate Appropriations Committee
• This will be our last conference committee meeting. I would like to thank both Senator...
• This will be our last conference committee meeting.
• Is there any public comment, anyone wishing to make comments or address the conference committee?
• If there's no further business to the conference committee, Senator Hooper moves we adjourn.

Summary: The conference committee on the House Justice Budget Subcommittee and the Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice met to exchange and accept offers on budget, proviso, implementing, back-of-the-bill, and project language for HB 5403E and SB 2512E. The House accepted several Senate project-line offers, while the Senate accepted multiple House proviso and bill-language lines. Both sides agreed that remaining unresolved items would be bumped to the full committee for further resolution. Members used the meeting to thank one another and staff for their work throughout the budget process, with several remarks recognizing the cooperation between the House and Senate teams and Senator Hooper’s service. The committee noted that this was likely the last conference committee meeting and that substantial progress had been made in narrowing differences between the chambers. Representative Costa moved to allow staff to make technical adjustments related to the bump process, and the motion was adopted without objection. There was no public comment, and Senator Hooper moved to adjourn; the motion carried and the meeting ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, the Conference Committee on the House Justice Budget Subcommittee and the Senate Appropriations
• This will be our last conference committee meeting. I would like to thank both Senator...
• This will be our last conference committee meeting.
• Is there any public comment, anyone wishing to make comments or address the conference committee?
• If there's no further business to the conference committee, Senator Hooper moves we adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> potentially bring it out of conference potentially bring it out of conference um<00:08:28.240><c
• This bill is a bring it into conference.
• Um this bill to conference committee.
• </c> this bill does get us to conference this bill does get us to conference committee.<00:15:23.360>
• </c> conversation in the conference conversation in the conference committee.<00:43:23.680><c> I</c><

Transcript Highlights:

• It is Tuesday, April 7th, 2:00 p.m. here in conference room 325.
• We could not make progress unless we would have spent the time aligning around that understanding.
• </c><00:24:36.240><c> in</c> um that there's been an alignment in um that there's been an alignment in
• ><c> and</c><00:24:43.040><c> an</c> &gt;&gt; There is an alignment and an &gt;&gt; There is an alignment
• </c> aligning around that understanding. aligning around that understanding.

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committee heard a series of resolutions and a few bills, with testimony largely in support across the agenda. Early measures included HCR 15/HR 17 supporting Kamehameha Schools’ admissions policy, and HCR 22/HR 22 urging Congress to pass federal kidney disease legislation; both drew support and no opposition. The committee also heard HCR 146 HD1/HR 138 HD1 on “excited delirium,” with testimony from advocates urging the resolutions be broadened to include related terms such as hyperactive delirium and agitated delirium, and from family members and disability-rights advocates describing the issue as harmful pseudoscience tied to police-custody deaths and calling for a ban on the term and better mental-health responses. The committee then took up HCR 123/HR 115 on creating a coordinated support and stabilization task force for Native Hawaiians experiencing homelessness or extreme low income. Department of Hawaiian Home Lands testified in support, describing its transitional housing work and saying collaboration and data-sharing with the state homelessness office would help beneficiaries and others; members questioned whether existing entities already do similar work and whether the proposal would extend beyond beneficiaries. HCR 32/HR 32, which asks the governor’s senior advisor on mental health and the justice system to develop a plan to increase access to Hawaii State Hospital for certain criminal defendants, drew support from the Department of Health, the governor’s office, and disability-rights advocates, who emphasized coordinated planning, diversion from arrest when appropriate, and matching people to the right level of care. Additional resolutions addressed a range of policy issues: renaming Leeward Community College to Puloulou Community College (with no testimony), creating an ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi pathway under the Niʻihau dialect at UH (UH noted existing courses already cover the dialect but not a degree pathway), moving to a demerit-point driver licensing system (support only), and coordinating transportation infrastructure planning for Hawaiian home lands (DHHL supported the measure and said an expired DOT memorandum of understanding had covered related collaboration). The committee also heard support for expanding DHHL financial literacy and homeownership-preparedness programs, a resolution asking the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission to examine algorithmic discrimination, and a resolution urging the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Advisory Committee to follow its rules, comply with the Sunshine Law, review its executive director, and strengthen accountability; the last measure drew 11 written supports and no opposition. No final votes or decisions were taken in the portion provided, as the hearing focused on testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• THE SENATE IS THE HOSTING CONFERENCE THIS YEAR AND AS SUCH THEY WILL BE DEVELOPING THE CONFERENCE DOCUMENTS
• THAT ARE PASSED BACK AND FORTH DURING THE CONFERENCE NEGOTIATION PROCESS.
• ALTHOUGH THERE MIGHT BE SLIGHT DIFFERENCES IN THE APPEARANCE OF THE CONFERENCE DOCUMENTS, ONCE CONFERENCE
• >> Chair Maney: THAT IS THE PHONE CALL PILOT PROGRAM AND WE WILL ADDRESS THAT IN CONFERENCE.
• AS WE CONTINUE TO MOVE TO THE CONFERENCE PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO CONTACT ME.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> room</c> 2 p.m. here in conference room 2 p.m. here in conference room 325<00:10:08.320><c> we're<
• </c> do um we had an excellent conference do um we had an excellent conference yesterday<01:09:05.000
• </c><01:17:44.159><c> it</c> some changes to the program to align it some changes to the program to align
• </c><02:08:00.960><c> with</c> that mental health programs aligned with that mental health programs aligned
• </c> the change we could do it in conference the change we could do it in conference okay<02:28:33.080

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard Senate Bill 1322, SD2, HD1, a comprehensive measure revising Hawaii’s mental health code. The bill would clarify emergency transportation, examination, and hospitalization procedures for people who may be mentally ill or suffering from substance abuse and deemed imminently dangerous, expand notice requirements, allow certain information-sharing for assisted community treatment petitions, and add liability protections for emergency responders and providers. The Department of the Attorney General supported the bill as a collaborative update to the law, while the Department of Health asked for a copy of provider-generated emergency transport documentation within five days for data and planning purposes. Testimony was sharply divided. Queen’s Health System, Hawaiʻi Pacific Health, HHSC, and the Institute for Human Services supported the measure or parts of it but requested amendments, including clarifying whether a second psychiatric exam is required, restoring a 72-hour rather than 48-hour stabilization window, and adjusting where patients are taken when an MEO cannot be reached. The ACLU of Hawaiʻi strongly opposed the bill, arguing it weakens due process and civil liberties, especially around involuntary commitment, assisted community treatment, emergency transport by police, and reduced procedural safeguards; it urged the committee to hold the bill and consider an interim working group. Louie E.K. of the Hawaiʻi Disability Rights Center also opposed the bill, focusing on immunity from negligence, the use of police for transport, and the reduction of a three-provider review to one in state-hospital treatment orders. Other testimony included support from an individual who said the bill could improve mental health care delivery amid provider shortages, and a comment from Hawaiʻi Health and Harm Reduction Center warning that the substance use portion of the bill lacks evidence of effectiveness and could be misused. In response to committee questions, the Attorney General’s office said the measure was developed with input from multiple stakeholders, including state agencies, hospitals, the ACLU, HHSC, and IHS, and that it aims to make assisted community treatment more accessible and effective by streamlining the legal process and improving consequences for noncompliance. No vote or final action was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The conference committee has just removed it altogether, and therefore I move adoption of the conference
• The conference committee kept that change.
• The conference committee met at $10 million.
• I move to adopt the conference committee report.
• In return, the conference committee agreed to increase the height of structures, So the conference committee

Bills: SB1637 , SB1 , HB300 , SB2601 , SB37 , HB2011 , HB3595 , HB3071 , SB12 , HB3372 , SB457 , HB2067 , SB2337 , SB447 , SB1506 , SB1566 , SB763 , HB3556 , SB13 , SB2018 , SB331 , SB379 , HB145 , SB441 , SB2878 , HB2885 , HB2017 , HB5246 , SB8 , SB2308 , SB1540 , HB 119 , SB1405 , SB3059 , SB15 , SB568

Keywords: SB 1637, deadly conduct, Texas Penal Code, Section 22.05, firearm, gun, pointing a gun, recklessness presumption, peace officer, law enforcement, police, officer-involved shooting, use of force, justification, self-defense, defense of others, Chapter 9, criminal prosecution, Penal Code amendment, appropriations

Summary: The House met in a late-session floor session that began with prayer, pledges, quorum, and a series of excused absences and Senate messages reporting action on numerous bills, conference committee appointments, and conference reports. Members also adopted a memorial resolution honoring Mark James Hanna, a Capitol lobbyist and advocate for nurses, and a congratulatory resolution for Rishi Tarumalasetti, an eighth-grade civics bee winner from Katy. The chamber also received and recorded a parliamentary colloquy about an unusual Senate request on SB 293, with the Chair stating the House could not recede from only part of its amendments and could not suspend the rules because the bill had not been returned from the Senate. The bulk of the session was devoted to taking up conference committee reports and related procedural resolutions, especially the state budget. The House adopted a resolution allowing the SB 1 conferees to go outside the normal bounds, then adopted the SB 1 conference report on a 107-21 vote. Debate on the budget centered on public education funding, tax relief, health care, corrections pay, and judicial compensation, with supporters calling it a responsible compromise and opponents arguing it was overly expansive and insufficient on property tax relief. The House also adopted a technical correction resolution tying judicial pay increases in SB 1 to the House version of SB 293, and members discussed at length the relationship between judicial salaries and legislative pensions. The chamber then adopted a long series of conference reports on measures covering topics such as school library review and book challenges (SB 13), SNAP restrictions on sweetened drinks and candy (SB 379), hospital price transparency (SB 331), nursing home accountability (SB 457), school district personnel compensation conflicts (HB 3372), property notice rules (HB 2011), research and development tax credits (SB 2018), and several other bills affecting elections, permits, education, and criminal justice. Most reports passed by wide margins, though some drew significant opposition, especially SB 13 and SB 379. The House also granted several Senate requests for conference committees and introduced additional resolutions to suspend conferee limits on various bills as the session moved toward adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So when we have something that is a difficult task, it's just a blessing to be able to, you know, confer
• But what we're doing with Learns and getting coherence and alignment and then really investing in our
• We have an aligned system for the first time, and so your grandkids are getting test results.
• We've got them aligned in a system where we're going to see even more students excel.
• All right, and probably the most expensive as far as the cost of PD conferences and workshops.

Summary: The committee first approved the March 9 and 10 minutes, then heard a presentation from the Arkansas Excellence in Teaching Fellowship Program featuring three third-grade teachers from Poyen, Drew Central, and Cabot, along with Department of Education Secretary Jacob Oliva. The teachers described the fellowship as a year-long collaboration among 23 merit-pay recipients from across the state, focused on sharing classroom strategies, data use, and professional support. Members asked about teacher experience, how the fellowship information is shared locally, the role of merit pay, and how teachers are addressing third-grade reading and retention concerns under the ATLAS assessment system. The teachers emphasized early intervention, relationships with students, small-group instruction, progress monitoring, and communication with families; they also described community supports such as churches, food backpacks, and local donations. Several members raised broader questions about poverty, trauma, social services, DHS involvement, and whether similar professional learning should be expanded to more teachers. Secretary Oliva said the fellowship is a small subset of a larger merit-pay program, that participation was voluntary, and that the state is working to improve literacy supports, clarity, and alignment across grades. He also said ATLAS results are now available to schools and families much faster than in the past, often within 24 to 72 hours, and that the state is using the data to identify at-risk students earlier and support intervention before retention decisions are made. The committee then moved to the adequacy/resource allocation presentation from the Bureau of Legislative Research. Staff explained that the report is part of the statutory adequacy review and focuses on state funding sources beyond foundation aid, including categorical and supplemental funds. They noted that districts and charters spent more than $7 billion in the 2025 school year, with roughly 49% from foundation funding and 51% from other sources over the last three years. The presentation outlined the four categorical funds—Alternative Learning Environment, English Learners, Enhanced Student Achievement, and Professional Development—describing their restricted uses, student-based funding formulas, and the ability of districts to transfer some money among categoricals while keeping it within allowable purposes. Staff said categorical funds account for about 4% of total spending, or less than $300 million, and reviewed superintendent feedback on whether those funds met district needs, with responses varying by category and district.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a reallocation of previously awarded appropriation for the Align program.
• It's another ALIGN reallocation.
• It's to move $33,000 from salaries and conference and travel to operating expenses.
• BB is another ALIGN reallocation.
• This is for the ALIGN program and their partnership with Baxter Health.

Committee: All ALC-PEER

Summary: The committee met to review a large slate of fiscal year 2026 and 2027 appropriation, transfer, and continuation requests across multiple sections. Early items included temporary appropriations for agencies such as Health, DHS, Education, Public Safety, State Police, Emergency Management, Aeronautics, Military, Economic Development, and Game and Fish, covering items like maternal health outreach, energy assistance repayments, Wynne High School tornado rebuilding, senior food services, cybersecurity, crime victim reparations, aviation grants, conservation incentives, and emergency tower maintenance. Members asked questions on several items, including DHS aging carry-forward funds and Treasury custodial banking fees tied to COVID-era balances; the committee also approved a disclosure by the chair on the Game and Fish-related item before voting to approve the section. The committee then approved continuation requests, CARES Act and ARPA reallocations, and federal grant appropriations. Notable discussion included the Boonville developmental disability project, ALIGN program reallocations at several universities, a small business technical assistance grant at UA Little Rock, and a Department of Public Safety highway safety grant, for which members requested more detail on operating expenses and professional fees. Additional approvals covered a transfer to the Merit Teacher Incentive program, restricted reserve fund transfers for military medical command and university projects, and a state central services deduction held at 2%. The Department of Commerce also received approval for a reallocation of positions and spending authority tied to its organizational realignment. Later sections included shared technology and higher education transfers, cash fund appropriations for school Medicaid reimbursements, corrections, youth mental health, narcotics detection canines, bike safety equipment, a state motor pool pilot, and law enforcement safety costs. The committee also reviewed budget classification transfers, including a Governor’s Office legal fee transfer related to a California lawsuit, and heard explanations about E-Rate reimbursements affecting the Office of State Technology. Members asked about VOCA funding levels for crime victim services and about the National Security Grant Program for nonprofits and faith-based organizations; officials said federal funding had declined from prior highs but appeared to have stabilized, and that the nonprofit security grant is an annual federal program. The meeting concluded with review of pay plan requests, DHS overtime funding for child protection caseloads, and a year-end adjustment request allowing DFA to make up to $1 million in transfers to close the books, after which the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We must also examine the alignment of each required academic standard and related benchmark with the
• ,</c> That second bullet, vertical alignment, That second bullet, vertical alignment, allows<00:25:38.000
• We must also examine the<00:25:58.240><c> alignment</c><00:25:58.720><c> of</c><00:25:58.880><c> each
• the alignment of each required academic standard<00:26:00.880><c> and</c><00:26:01.120><c> related</
• </c><00:46:26.000><c> curriculum</c> building standards aligned curriculum building standards aligned

Bills: HF3489 , HF3550

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: grooming, child protection, student safety, sexual exploitation, educator licensing, teacher discipline, mandatory reporting, mandated reporter training, school misconduct, predatory offender, child abuse, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, child sexual abuse material, child pornography, position of authority, school employee, school administrator, license revocation, license suspension

Transcript Highlights:

• I can wait for the committee hearing, but a lot of the agendas of this regional governance do not align
• It's heavily corporate-run and funded, and it pushes policies that we don't align with.
• It pushes policies that we don't align with. I can just hit a few.
• zero emissions, freight initiatives, border digital identity efforts, and cross-border regulatory alignment
• They have conferences across the country, and then we pay our legislators to go wherever that conference

Committee: House State Affairs