Transcript Highlights:

• the poorest, least advantaged kids with early childhood education, as well as health, nutrition, social
• the poorest, least advantaged kids with early childhood education, as well as health, nutrition, social
• SB 624 would require the California Department of Social Services to issue guidance to county child welfare
• I graduated from Sacramento State this year and am returning for a master's in social work this fall.
• service referrals, including professional development. ...meals, snacks, parental education, and social

Committee: House Human Services

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Human Services heard several measures focused on child welfare, early childhood services, and access to public benefits. AJR 12 recognized May 2025 as Head Start Month and urged Congress and the President to protect and increase Head Start funding. Supporters described Head Start’s role in providing education, health, nutrition, and family support services, especially in rural and low-income communities. The resolution passed 6-0, later updated to 7-0 with an add-on vote. SB 624, the Foster Act, would expand access to the California Foster Youth Tax Credit by requiring county child welfare agencies and juvenile probation departments to mail information to non-minor foster youth and by directing CDSS to issue guidance on outreach and filing support. Testimony emphasized that many eligible youth do not claim the credit, while those who do often receive meaningful refunds that help with rent, transportation, debt, and other basic needs. The bill was supported by foster youth advocates and committee members and passed 7-0 to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. SB 778 would broaden eligibility for the Migrant Child Care and Development Program by redefining migrant agricultural worker family and allowing self-certification of income eligibility. Supporters said the change would ease enrollment for farmworker families facing seasonal work, language barriers, and verification challenges. The bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations. The committee also approved the consent calendar, which included SB 444, SB 471, and SB 792, all on a 7-0 vote. Finally, SB 739 would authorize CDSS to check whether counties in federally declared disaster areas can provide timely CalFresh and Disaster CalFresh services, aimed at preventing delays when local systems are damaged or overwhelmed. Supporters said the measure would help ensure families can access food benefits during emergencies. The bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations, and the committee adjourned after all items were processed.

Transcript Highlights:

• We care about our social safety net.
• Particularly, I'm talking about skilled nursing centers.
• Particularly, I'm talking about skilled nursing centers.
• This is for lowering the B&O tax for our skilled nursing facilities.
• And it talks about centuries of socialism and communism.

Summary: The House debated a series of amendments to a major income tax bill, with repeated arguments over tax fairness, affordability, administrative feasibility, and the role of the Department of Revenue. Early motions to reconsider a failed child care amendment were rejected, and Amendment 2561, which would have restricted data sharing with the IRS, was also defeated after debate over privacy, federal relationships, and whether the proposal was administrable. Amendment 2579, which would have required annual reporting on the tax’s effects on filers, businesses, and charitable donations, likewise failed, with supporters emphasizing transparency and opponents arguing DOR was not the right agency and the report was too speculative. Amendment 2598, proposing to use half of new revenue for a broad sales tax cut, was rejected despite arguments that it would reduce regressivity and provide immediate relief; Amendment 2556, expanding sales tax exemptions for diapers and other child-care essentials to include adult diapers and earlier implementation, also failed after debate over scope and timing.

Transcript Highlights:

• After two years of teaching social studies at Rigby High School, Mr.
• How is your game? How is this? Attend their games. Attend their sporting events.
• How is your game? How is this? Attend their games. Attend their sporting events.
• This, again, is their games, attend their sporting events, attend their concerts.
• It has one of the biggest Connect 4 games you've ever seen. It has art.

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• We open it up to Game and Fish, Pinal County Sheriff's Office. We've had Marana.
• Game and Fish routinely uses...
• Game and Fish calls us, which they have.
• Arizona Game and Fish routinely uses our academy for their officers.
• It is a very skilled profession.

Committee: House House Public Safety & Law Enforcement Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first heard HB 2641, which would ban firefighting foam containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals. The sponsor said the bill is intended to protect firefighters and the public from cancer-linked “forever chemicals” that can contaminate groundwater, and cited other states and prior Arizona action banning the foam for training. Testimony from a University of Arizona public health researcher and a firefighters’ association representative supported the bill, saying alternatives exist and that current stockpiles and continued use still expose firefighters and water supplies. Members asked about environmental impacts, alternatives, procurement, and stockpiles. The bill passed unanimously, 15-0. The committee then considered HB 2602, which appropriates $24 million from the general fund for a 10% pay increase for Department of Public Safety employees in fiscal year 2027. The sponsor and supporters argued the raise is needed for recruitment and retention, noting vacancies, turnover, and the cost of training new troopers. Several members raised budget concerns but said they supported the goal of better pay for law enforcement and state employees more broadly. Others discussed whether pay should be addressed across all agencies or through a broader statewide compensation approach. The bill received a do-pass recommendation on a 10-2-3 vote. Finally, the committee heard HB 2225, which would provide $10 million for capital costs for the Northern Arizona Regional Training Academy in Yavapai County, with the money exempt from lapsing until 2029. Supporters said the academy is too small for current demand, serves multiple northern Arizona agencies and some statewide partners, and would reduce travel and lodging costs for training. Testimony emphasized regional oversight, cultural awareness training, and the academy’s role in officer education and retention. Some members questioned whether the state should fund a county-based academy and raised concerns about the bill’s structure and broader budget priorities; one member also objected to law enforcement practices in their community. The bill was moved forward with a do-pass recommendation, though the roll-call vote was not fully shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Funding from the Social Security Administration.
• Consumers' training supports the seven standards and employability skills.
• It's extreme social anxiety.
• skills, sensory processing, organization, and task completion.
• We assess their independent living skills. We assess their independent living skills.

Summary: The committee met to receive a detailed financial operations presentation from the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency, with staff walking members through funding sources, budgeting, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and grants management. Sabrina Walker explained VR’s blended funding structure, including federal grants, state appropriations, program income, and interagency contracts, and emphasized that state funds are essential to meeting the federal match and maintenance-of-effort requirements. Members asked repeatedly about transparency, audit controls, and the risk that state cuts could reduce federal drawdowns; staff responded that all reports reconcile back to the SCEIS accounting system, are subject to state audits and internal reviews, and that even modest state reductions could significantly reduce total available funding. The committee also discussed pre-employment transition services for students with disabilities, with staff confirming services are offered through school districts, charters, and private schools, and that contracts are monitored for performance and compliance. The presentation then shifted to budgeting and internal controls. Walker described a zero-based departmental budgeting process, monthly monitoring reports, contingency reserves for unexpected expenses, and a formal annual cycle that culminates in board approval. Members asked about facilities tracking, culture, and how the agency maintains accountability; staff said facilities staff inspect buildings and equipment, supervisors justify line-item requests, and the process has become smoother over time as departments learned the system. Cynthia Johnson followed with an accounts receivable overview, describing invoicing, receipting, aging, customer verification, year-end reporting, and the use of cross-training, shared email inboxes, and spreadsheets as checks and balances. She also explained work training center billing, interdepartmental transfers, and the revolving fund used to issue consumer checks more quickly than standard vendor payments. Olivia Perez presented accounts payable operations, including invoice processing through SCEIS and OnBase, the three-way match, travel reimbursements, revolving fund checks, State Treasury Office interactions, and handling of reversals, rejections, and levy notices. She reported that AP processed 67,723 SCEIS payments, 13,670 case management system invoices, 3,379 travel reimbursements, and 15,693 revolving fund checks in fiscal year 2025, with only 70 payment rejections. The final portion of the meeting covered Grants and Funds Management, where Walker explained federal reporting, drawdowns, payroll allocation, asset tracking, lease and IT contract reviews, cost allocation, and closing packages. She noted upcoming system changes such as S/4HANA, Workiva, and SC Pro, but said the agency is receiving training and feedback opportunities. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the presentation portion beyond approval of the prior minutes and a brief recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're free to do new things and think outside the box and elevate the game of those schools that have
• box and things and and think outside the box and elevate<00:12:11.519><c> the</c><00:12:11.760><c> game
• It has the potential to be a game-changer for districts like Gallatin County.
• It was a game plan from 1990 to 1995. And then when you get to 1996, 1997, well, what do you have?
• It was a game plan from 1990 to itself.

Summary: The meeting focused on Kentucky school choice and innovation, with discussion of the state constitution’s “common schools” requirement and how that has been interpreted alongside newer education models. Chairman Tipton described model laboratory schools, Gatton and Craft Academies, magnet and virtual programs, and said these options show that Kentucky has long expanded opportunity through innovation. He then turned the discussion to Senate Bill 207, which he said was designed to support schools of innovation. Senator Steve West reviewed the history of Kentucky charter schools and explained that SB 207 was modeled on a South Carolina approach. He said the bill allows a local school board to contract with a third-party entity to manage an existing school, seek waivers from certain state rules, and receive SEEK funding while also allowing outside private investment. He emphasized that the district initiates the process, that the school remains public, and that the bill includes accountability through a time-limited contract that can be ended if the school is not performing. Members asked about the difference between SB 207 and the earlier charter school law, whether schools could cherry-pick students, and whether teachers would remain district employees. West and Tipton said the new model is tied to an existing school rather than a new charter, cannot cherry-pick students, and keeps teachers as district employees. Representative Brown raised concerns that charters and exceptions could leave some children out, especially lower-income students, while West responded that the proposal is intended to expand choice for families who may not otherwise have it and cited examples from other states where similar models improved low-performing schools. No vote or formal action was taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• But when the social worker is employed by the mobile crisis team, there is a charge.
• But when the social worker is employed by the mobile crisis team, there is a charge.
• But when the social worker is employed by the mobile crisis team, there is a charge.
• But when the social worker is employed by the mobile crisis team, there is a charge.
• </c> co-responder response when the social co-responder response when the social worker<01:21:57.400>

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• They gain critical thinking skills and a deeper sense of belonging.
• My name is Filma Fonsenelia, and I'm a middle school ELA and social studies teacher. Thank you.
• My name is Filma Fonsenelia and I'm a middle school ELA and social studies teacher. Thank you.
• The time to act and ensure our stories are part of social studies curriculums in Washington is now.
• I went back and looked, as a good social studies teacher, at the current social studies standards.

Bills: SB5901 , SB5860 , SB5956 , SB5574 , SB5922 , SB5858

Committee: Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education

Keywords: school construction, school facilities, capital budget, school plant project, state funding assistance, school construction assistance program, on-base schools, military base, Department of Defense school, military families, public school facilities, instructional space, Superintendent of Public Instruction, SIP, school district capital funding, school housing burden, rapid growth, enrollment growth, free and reduced-price meals, alternative learning experience

Transcript Highlights:

• In part, it's because, as you know, with Fish and Game, it's not general funded.
• </c> and the good work of the fishing game and the good work of the fishing game and<01:20:34.400><c>
• So I am opposed to the ITL, and I hope we will allow Fish and Game to actually self-fund.
• </c> voters May fear social voters May fear social consequences<01:33:10.159><c> inside</c><01:33:10.600
• </c><01:50:13.000><c> is</c> just to remember the the gaming is just to remember the the gaming is allowed

Transcript Highlights:

• We are still working through skilled Labor shortages, particularly in nursing, are a significant issue
• step through all areas of the organization to figure out how we can unload unnecessary tasks from skilled
• And so, taking all that into consideration, before the end of that meeting, our social work team works
• How many like your independent living skills training program?
• How many teens do you see in that independent living skills?

Committee: House A&B Health Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• These companies are reporting challenges with hiring skilled employees have AI skills.
• How does I effect critical thinking and problem solving skills?
• And last session, we talked about how important it was to do social media literacy.
• I mean, I think to a certain extent we failed with cell phones and we failed with social media.
• Because there's we missed mixed AI as the teachers resources, student resource and social studies.

Transcript Highlights:

• High-volume surgery requires specialized skills and oversight.
• for your work, and that you are dedicating your life to a certain category of skill.
• Some go through licensure for micro social work.
• And when we say we are social workers, we expect that comes with a certain sense...
• When we say we are social workers, we expect that comes with a certain set of skills people can rely

Committee: House Business and Professions

Transcript Highlights:

• mean, part of the the social contract, mean, part of the the social contract, right,<00:09:12.240><c>
• online casino-style games for the chance to win real cash prizes.
• online casino-style games for the chance to win real cash prizes.
• online casino-style games for the chance to win real cash prizes.
• But, before an automated vehicle company... online gambling lacks social and online gambling lacks social

Transcript Highlights:

• consistently gone above and beyond the call of duty, fulfilling his responsibilities with exemplary skill
• I hope you take the time to learn about the game of rugby. With that, I ask the secretary to read.
• If you follow them online, you can also watch their games streaming live online.
• We would love to have anybody here out to a game or training or to practice on campus if you want to

Bills: HJR1032 , SB1314 , SB1257 , SB1326 , SB1365 , SB1932 , SB169 , SB1991 , SB1992 , SB1204 , SB1339 , SB182 , SB1847 , SB1360 , SB1346

Keywords: HJR1032, House Joint Resolution 1032, Service Oklahoma, administrative rules, rule repeal, joint resolution, Oklahoma Administrative Code, OAC 670:15-1-10, OAC 670:15-1-14, agency regulation, legislative oversight, Secretary of State, Oklahoma Register, rulemaking, permanent rules, administrative code, groundwater, indemnity fund, well drilling, pollution prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• But it's a whole other game to find rate filings for other states.
• Home health care is skilled care that supports people who are recovering from disease or hospitalization
• The skilled professionals, such as nurses... Do we have a handout? No?
• So, skilled care in the home, such as nurses and occupational therapists.
• We provide non-skilled care, such as for activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and meal

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• growth and promoting workforce success, making sure that young people are fully prepared, having the skills
• growth and promoting workforce success, making sure that young people are fully prepared, having the skills
• to let us know what technology fields they have so we can transfer that into, I guess, marketable skills
• For many of us, that’s not just missing out on a game.
• know in the data is that children who are learning to read really need to be able to practice the skills

Committee: House Education

Summary: The House Education Committee met on March 24, 2026, with a quorum present and announced that HB 690 would not be heard. The committee first advanced HB 350, which would extend the grades served by Ecole Ponashan in Terrebonne Parish from pre-K through 4th grade to 8th grade; members spoke in support of the school’s role in French immersion, Cajun heritage, and local educational access, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. HB 434, which shifts certain probationary employment authority over school bus operators from school boards to superintendents, also received favorable passage without objection, with support from the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents. The committee then considered HB 445 on the Louisiana STEM Advisory Council. The bill would move the STEM Commission from the Board of Regents to Louisiana Works, reduce and reorganize membership, and cut the number of meetings from four to two while keeping funding in place. Supporters said the change would better align the council with workforce needs and economic development, while members asked about the loss of some education representatives and the continued role of employers and K-12 stakeholders. After discussion, the bill was reported favorably. HB 386, which would allow local school districts to let locally authorized charter schools operate as their own local education agency under district rules, was also reported favorably after extensive discussion of charter types, LEA status, federal funding, special education liability, and the difference between local and state authorization. HB 363, which would let students enrolled in virtual schools participate in extracurricular activities and athletics at their zoned public school, drew strong support from members and testimony from students and families. Witnesses described the bill as a fairness measure that would give online students the same opportunity to try out for sports and activities as home study students, subject to the same eligibility rules, and the bill was reported favorably. HB 256, clarifying that school employees are mandatory reporters and subject to existing DCFS training requirements, was also reported favorably, with members emphasizing child protection and the need to simplify reporting obligations. Finally, HB 272, which expands eligibility for the READ literacy program to students in D- and F-rated schools, was supported by the sponsor, Scholastic, and literacy advocates who cited Florida data showing improved reading outcomes and stronger family engagement; members raised questions about the fiscal note, parent literacy, and program overlap, but the bill was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Individuals without social work degrees may be skilled and dedicated public servants with backgrounds
• </c> all in social work. all in social work.
• </c> actually trained as a social worker? actually trained as a social worker?
• </c> do not hold a social work degree. do not hold a social work degree.
• </c> a trained social worker. a trained social worker.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Employers will be more easily able to hire skilled workers within their regions, and students will be
• Support skills based on hiring through a career passport, building on industry-recognized certifications
• The second part is having employers engage with this system to understand what those skill needs are
• However, they need more than that; they need a skilled person to be able to do the job.
• The chance to help your community, gain real job skills, and build social networks and social capital

Transcript Highlights:

• do that. has the skills to be able to do that.
• </c><00:20:24.960><c> media</c> help young people navigate social media help young people navigate social
• ,</c> a form of uh socialization, a form of uh socialization, communication<00:37:30.400><c> with</c>
• Um next up, Christy McCoy, school social workers.
• </c><01:49:47.440><c> For</c> social emotional well-being. For social emotional well-being.

Bills: HF3653 , HF2717 , HF3451 , HF3857

Committee: House Education Finance

Summary: The committee first adopted the March 3rd minutes by voice vote after Representative Lee moved them and there was no discussion. Members then reviewed hearing rules on decorum, safety, and participation before taking testimony from Dr. James Densley and Dr. Jillian Peterson of the Violence Prevention Project Research Center at Hamline University. The presenters summarized research on mass shootings and K-12 school shootings, drawing on a database of homicides in school settings from 2000 to 2025 and a smaller set of 15 K-12 mass shooting cases. They said school shooters are usually insiders, most often current or former students, and typically young males. They described common patterns including a noticeable crisis before attacks, perpetrators viewing the shooting as a final act, studying prior shooters online, and “leakage” in which most tell someone in advance. They also emphasized that many perpetrators use unsecured firearms from family members and argued that prevention should combine reporting systems, behavioral threat assessment, counseling, mentoring, secure storage, and other layered interventions rather than rely on a single solution. The presenters also discussed broader violence trends in the Twin Cities, saying much school violence is spillover from community violence and that pandemic-era disruptions and weakened trust in institutions contributed to serious violence. They cited a national survey finding that exposure to gun violence is associated with PTSD, anxiety, depression, and fear of public spaces, especially among young people. During member questions, Representative Wam asked for clarification on the data set and the rural/small-town share of the survey sample.

Transcript Highlights:

• They gain critical thinking skills and a deeper sense of belonging.
• My name is Filma Fonsenelia, and I'm a middle school ELA and social studies teacher. Thank you.
• My name is Filma Fonsenelia and I'm a middle school ELA and social studies teacher. Thank you.
• The time to act and ensure our stories are part of social studies curriculums in Washington is now.
• I went back and looked, as a good social studies teacher, at the current social studies standards.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 5901, which would change the school construction assistance program so that instructional space on military bases is excluded from a district’s available space inventory when calculating state construction aid. Staff explained the bill would also require state assistance to equal approved project cost minus federal funding received. Senator Christian said the measure is intended to prevent military-base facilities from unfairly reducing districts’ ability to modernize or build schools. Testimony in support came from OSPI, Clover Park School District, and Medical Lake School District, which said the current formula penalizes districts serving military families and can leave them unable to secure needed renovation funding. No opposition was heard, and the bill was later described as having an indeterminate fiscal impact. The committee then took up Senate Bill 5860 on school board compensation. The bill would raise director pay from $50 to $100 per day, increase the annual cap, allow child care expenses to be reimbursed, require OFM to periodically adjust compensation, and direct WASDA to develop finance training for school directors. Senator Cortez said the changes are needed to broaden who can serve on school boards and to help working families participate. Supporters from OSPI, WASDA, and South Sound superintendents said compensation could improve diversity and help recruit and retain board members, though WASDA noted concerns about diverting district funds and said its members do not have consensus on mandatory training. Opponents argued the bill would misuse levy funds and that child care and other expenses should not be paid from local education levies. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5956 on artificial intelligence, student discipline, and surveillance in schools, which would bar automated systems from being the sole basis for discipline decisions, prohibit risk scores and biometric surveillance, require OSPI guidance updates, and direct WASDA to create model policy. Senator Nobles and supporters said the bill is needed to protect students from discriminatory and inaccurate AI-driven decisions; no vote was taken in the hearing. Finally, the committee heard a proposed substitute for Senate Bill 5574, which would require districts to include instruction on Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, Latino American, and Black American history in required social studies courses during the regular curriculum review cycle, with reporting beginning in 2030. Senator Nobles said the bill is meant to address exclusion and bias in history education and to help students see themselves reflected in the curriculum. Testifiers from education, student, parent, and community groups overwhelmingly supported the measure, saying it would improve belonging, reduce bullying, and build on existing curriculum resources without creating a new course or major new cost. The hearing ended without a vote or other formal action on SB 5956 or SB 5574.