Transcript Highlights:

• advised by the state board of education advised by the state board of education and<02:07:11.920
• What we have educational professionals.
• of educator and and all in this. of educator and and all in this.
• education, which is defined by statute. education, which is defined by statute.
• for the purposes of the of our education for the purposes of the of our education funding.

Keywords: 10:00am HB 1260 11:00am HB 1574 12:00pm HB 1816 2:30pm HB 1499 2:45pm HB 1709, 928, house, all

Summary: The conference committee first met on HB 1260, a bill requested by municipal clerks to allow certain divorce-related records to be kept confidential. House members argued the Senate amendment would reverse the presumption of openness established in the Keene Sentinel case and raise constitutional issues under the state constitution’s privacy and open-government provisions. Senate members responded that the 2018 privacy amendment, the limited scope of the proposal, and modern internet risks justified the change, but the House maintained the issue needed a full hearing in a separate bill. The committee ultimately voted unanimously for the Senate to recede and adopt the House version, preserving the underlying bill without the Senate amendment, and both sides said they would revisit the topic in a future session. The committee then took up HB 1574, which extends free and reduced-price breakfast and lunch programs and provides funding for SNAP administrative costs. The main dispute was the Senate’s addition of $4.4 million for SNAP administration, which DHHS said was needed because federal law would shift more administrative costs to the state and could increase the state’s SNAP error rate, potentially triggering much larger future penalties. DHHS officials reported the current error rate was 7.57% for federal fiscal year 2024, below the national average, and estimated that if the rate rose above 8%, the state could owe about 10% of SNAP benefits, or roughly $12 million for a partial year and nearly $16 million for a full year. Some House members supported the added funding as a preventive measure, while others objected that the underlying bill was modest and the amendment resembled a previously rejected proposal. The discussion ended with the committee moving toward the House position and the bill’s future depending on the chamber’s vote on the Senate amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Garrett regarding the Education Garrett regarding the Education Opportunities<00:46:44.560> Reserve
• Aniston and Gaston area former educator Aniston and Gaston area former educator and<01:04:48.480
• That sound like more educational study.
• That sound like more educational study.
• That sound like more educational study.

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer and the pledge, confirmed a quorum, excused absent senators, and adopted the previous day’s journal. The chamber then received House messages referring House Bill 614 on supplemental appropriations and House Bill 224 on the distribution and use of tax funds to the Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee. Committee reports followed on several bills, including favorable reports for House Bills 169, 542, 593, and 13, with HB 542 amended in committee. The Senate also referred Senator Orr’s proposed rules change to the Rules Committee. A series of resolutions were taken up and adopted, including Senate Resolution 109 creating the Alabama Boating Safety Task Force, Senate Joint Resolutions 102 and 103, House Joint Resolutions 237, 215, 216, 218, and 235, Senate Joint Resolution 88 supporting the U.S. Department of Energy’s nuclear life cycle innovation effort, Senate Joint Resolution 93 creating a rural EMS and volunteer fire department study commission, Senate Joint Resolution 94 commending Exchange Club of Tuscaloosa Officer of the Year honorees, and Senate Joint Resolution 110 commending William Riley Hawkins Jr. on his retirement from AARP Alabama. The Senate also recognized several guests in the gallery, including local school superintendents and a student visitor. The chamber then moved through local legislation, adopting BRs and passing numerous local bills and constitutional amendments, including measures for Mobile, Prichard, Class 2 municipalities, Mingo County, Talladega County, Perry County, Wilcox County, Clay County, Washington County, and Madison County. Senate Bill 376 on Mobile County and Senate Bill 379 on Madison County were both passed and transmitted. Most local bills passed on unanimous or near-unanimous votes using the previous roll. The Senate also adopted Special Order Calendar Resolution 111, setting a special order calendar for the 27th legislative day that prioritized a long list of appropriations, education, retirement, dam safety, and higher education bills. On that calendar, House Bills 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 565, and Senate Bill 380 were taken up. HB 235’s committee substitute was tabled, a floor substitute was adopted restoring funding to the McQuain Center and removing some arts grants, and the bill passed. HB 236 passed after a language amendment. HB 237 passed as the Education Opportunities Reserve Fund bill. HB 238 passed after a floor substitute that shifted arts grants, added Voices for Alabama’s Children, adjusted RAISE Act weights, and increased funding for poverty, special education, and gifted students, along with a small amendment. HB 239 passed as the public education employee pay raise bill, with a substitute adding a retiree bonus and members discussing that the bonus would also be carried through SB 380. HB 240, HB 241, HB 242, and HB 565 all passed. SB 380 on the teachers retirement system received committee amendments and was being advanced as the vehicle for the retiree bonus, with Senator Orr explaining the bonus would be about $33 million and based on $1 per month of service for eligible retirees with at least 10 years of service.

Transcript Highlights:

• Commission for Higher Education Commission for Higher Education guminatorial<00:07:03.360> nominee
• Um just a little bit about Education.
• and<00:10:15.120> the of education of higher education and the of education of higher
• <00:27:19.279> to<00:27:20.000> so education is important important to so education
• <00:27:23.279> education development and the educ education development and the educ education

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard HCR 96, which encourages the University of Hawaiʻi to evaluate and expand student mental health services. University of Hawaiʻi Associate Vice President Farah Marie Gomes testified in support and noted the system’s mental health and basic-needs efforts across all 10 campuses. Members discussed staffing and funding constraints, including that the system had 27 adult mental health positions, 21 filled and six vacant, with one vacancy open for about four years. The resolution was adopted unanimously, unamended. The committee then took up several gubernatorial appointments. GM 785 nominated Wendo Hensel to the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), and GM 784 nominated Terry George to the same body. Both nominees testified about the value of Hawaiʻi’s participation in WICHE; Hensel emphasized the importance of sharing policy ideas and best practices, while George highlighted Hawaiʻi’s unique higher education needs and the benefits of learning from other western states. Both nominations were supported and moved forward. The committee also considered multiple appointments to the Hawaiʻi Commission for National and Community Service. Kylie Alakard described wanting to serve as a youth voice and role model, and Ray Galas spoke about his prior volunteer board experience and desire to help people connect through service. Sandra Larson said volunteerism and community service were important to her and that she wanted to give back. The committee then heard GM 771 and GM 772 for Ken Kawahara to the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaiʻi; Kawahara said he would bring business and government experience to help with internal operations, education, and strategic goals, though he acknowledged he was still learning the organization’s details. Members also began hearing GM 624 for Joshua Famuina to the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents, with student caucus testimony in strong support emphasizing his attendance, communication, and engagement with students.

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota Senate Education Policy Committee will come to order.
• <00:20:55.520> policy members of the education policy members of the education policy committee
• through the tribal Nations education through the tribal Nations education committee<00:42:15.000
• objects in the tribal nation's education objects in the tribal nation's education committee committee
• We are adjourned. special education so we can kind of wrap special education so we can kind of wrap our

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Education, which pertains to education stabilization grants. On March 28th, the U.S.
• funding for six programs related to English learning and adult education.
• The programs in question included the Migrant Education Program, which supports the educational needs
• I know that the Public Education Department (PED) has some more money.
• I mean, my area is education; there was five billion dollars.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have been to these education conferences; in fact, my good friend, Representative Drummond, goes to
• ... and Virginia have done, educating students and parents about how to safely use social media is a
• I don't have a problem with diverting some of the money to education.
• So, I'm working with the Department of Education because they are... ...Department of Education because
• The focus on education and evidence-based resources is something we welcome as well.

Bills: HB235, HB276, HB285

Keywords: social media, age verification, minors, under 16, children online safety, online privacy, platform regulation, deceptive trade practice, Attorney General, civil penalties, punitive damages, consumer protection, account creation, algorithmic feeds, internet safety, youth social media, minor safety, child online safety, teen accounts, parental controls

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, so, I I I'm going to have education.
• we have a target in education this year. we have a target in education this year.
• <00:52:06.560> Finance members of the Senate Education Finance members of the Senate Education
• central part of community education central part of community education programs<00:52:23.640>
• the Minnesota Department of Education. the Minnesota Department of Education.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Education. Education. >> I'm<00:01:43.920> sorry.
• of educational opportunity at MDE.
• <00:11:00.000> finance I know we're in the education finance I know we're in the education
• our families, we educated our staff, and we educated our support staff regarding it.
• our staff, and we educated our educated our staff, and we educated our support<00:58:54.720> staff

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• and provide that opportunity. for for virtual education if a kid gets for for virtual education if a
• Um, as far as virtual education Um, as far as virtual education and<00:49:25.520> there<00:49:
• <00:50:00.319> their provide virtual education to their provide virtual education to their
• mean I want our kids to be as educated mean I want our kids to be as educated as<01:03:21.359>
• <01:08:08.160> than will do more to help our education than will do more to help our education

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But we've, I think this is one where we need to spend more educational time.
• I think it's, again, we're going to have to educate our colleagues on that.
• And it is also an educational process.
• So I think the education piece is where we need to go with this.
• Education as well, but we're going to hear from the public after this meeting.

Keywords: Commission on Updating Virginia Law to Reflect Federal Recognition of Virginia Tribes, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Representative Ron Kresha, the co-chair for education finance.
• This works to create a safe educational learning environment for all students.
• education policy have listened to different ideas.
• So, we're the education committee. Those bills have been heard.
• It happened in education policy.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House Education Finance and Policy leaders discussed House File 3493, a school safety package presented as a bipartisan, common-sense effort to protect students in public, non-public, tribal, and charter schools. Rep. Brian Lawrence said the bill would provide more school safety funding, more student mental health support, local anonymous threat reporting options, safe school plans, and student discipline reforms. Chair Peggy Bennett and Rep. Ben Bakeberg emphasized that the proposal was intended to be flexible, practical, and responsive to local needs rather than a one-size-fits-all mandate. Several questions focused on whether the package would include gun restrictions, but the authors said the committee was focused on education-related tools it could control and on areas of agreement. They repeatedly said they were not willing to advance a package that left any students out, including those in non-public or tribal schools. Bennett said schools should be able to opt into anonymous threat reporting systems rather than being mandated, arguing schools are already overmandated and that good ideas will be adopted voluntarily. Members also discussed funding, including a proposed $50 million shift from Northern Lights money and the overall size of the appropriation, which was described as still unsettled but roughly $52 million a year in the latest figures. The speakers said the package was being moved during committee deadlines and that they wanted to act quickly on the areas where there was agreement. They expressed frustration that no Democratic counterproposal had been brought forward and said they hoped to pass a school safety package that could keep all kids safe.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have adult education as one of our SNAP Employment and Training providers.
• They provide adult education services to our Arkansans.
• They provide adult education services to our Kansans.
• So it's going to be about just educating as much as possible. That.
• want to do for people who make sure everybody has an education and training.

Summary: The subcommittee first recognized the Arkansas Community Colleges Leadership Institute and received a brief DHS update on the Living Choices Assisted Living Waiver reimbursement process, including that the new cost-reporting period began in January and provider/contractor calls are underway. The main presentation then focused on SNAP and TANF, with DHS describing federal changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill that tighten SNAP work requirements for adults ages 18 to 64 without certain exemptions, remove some prior exemptions, and add new federal definitions for Native American populations. DHS also reviewed SNAP Employment and Training providers, their service areas, projected budgets, participant characteristics, and outcomes, noting that the program is currently voluntary but will shift toward mandatory participation for those subject to the new rules. Members asked detailed questions about how mandatory participation will be implemented, how referrals will be made, what other training options exist, how verification of work, volunteering, disability, and exemptions will be handled, and whether DHS has enough funding and provider capacity. DHS said it will conduct verbal and written notices during eligibility interviews, make direct referrals to providers, use six-month recertifications and documentation from employers or volunteer organizations, and apply sanctions for noncompliance after determining whether a good cause exists. Members also requested additional data, including age breakdowns of at-risk SNAP recipients, provider-level outcomes and costs, and information on other training programs such as WIOA. The committee then moved to Medicaid community engagement requirements for ARHOME, which DHS said are also required by the same federal law and must be implemented by January 1, 2027. DHS said it is preparing policy, system changes, communications, and a customer-service/outbound verification vendor, and plans a soft launch beginning in July to help clients understand what would be required if the rule were already in effect. Members raised concerns about timing, local versus central decision-making, and how clients in rural areas will be notified and assisted. The meeting concluded with broader discussion of the committee’s workforce-development goals, the recently released Alliance for Opportunity audit, and interest in continuing the contract with that group to help guide future reforms.

Transcript Highlights:

• We found that other organizations provide the public with access to resources on privacy education.
• We welcome and have worked with higher education institutions, and our trainings are available to be
• “We currently do not provide specific sort of one-law, like a FERPA education or a Gramm-Leach-Bliley
• Yes, I believe you're referring to the boater safety education card.
• And our education coordinator for the last 11 years, Derek Van Dyck, would tell you that education works

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee met on September 17, 2025, in hybrid format. After roll call, the committee initially lacked a quorum and deferred approval of the July 15 minutes until Representative Berg arrived; the minutes were then adopted. Members also discussed the proposed 2026 JLARC meeting schedule, including possible changes to address crowded July meetings and the annual tax exemption review workload. Staff presented the annual lodging tax expenditures report, noting that 213 municipalities received distributions in 2024, with 91% reporting compliance, $114 million awarded for more than 1,700 activities, and no independent verification of the self-reported data. Several members questioned the value and usefulness of the report, and the executive committee indicated it may recommend removing the statutory reporting requirement. The committee then heard the preliminary performance audit of the Office of Privacy and Data Protection, which found the office meets its statutory responsibilities and has high user satisfaction, but recommended updating the statute to better match the office’s current capacity and focus and improving performance measures to reflect long-term privacy outcomes rather than outputs. Members asked about FERPA and other federal privacy laws, and OPDP staff said they provide general privacy training and consultation but not law-specific training unless requested. The committee adopted the final report on Washington State recreational boating programs without recommendation, after staff reported that boating revenues support both general government and boating activities and that no participating agencies submitted formal comments. Members asked about boater safety education and possible overlap among the six agencies involved; Parks staff said education has reached more than 500,000 boaters and that fatalities and incidents have declined. The committee also reviewed planned study questions for a JLARC review of Labor and Industries’ enforcement of farm worker laws, with members raising scope questions about the term “farm worker” versus “agricultural worker,” and for DNR’s Eastern Washington sustainable harvest calculation, which JLARC will review as DNR completes its recalculation. Finally, staff outlined the 2026 tax preference performance reviews covering seven preferences, and members asked about racial equity, environmental impacts, disclosure of beneficiary savings, and how the reviews will measure effectiveness; the meeting adjourned before noon.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, our third main topic is education.
• You'll see under education again a variety of issues of keeping culturally relevant education in the
• So item C, education, and it's gonna be the annual reports. So we'll, uh, anybody on education?
• legislative Education Study Committee, um.
• Any other on education?

Transcript Highlights:

• I am an early childhood education professional from San Jose.
• I am an early childhood education professional from San Jose.
• I work at the Santa Clara County Office of Education.
• We know that education, equality, education, is the foundation for a successful life.
• Sadly, in public education, we don't have adequate choice.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation met under suspense-file procedures, with the chair explaining limits on testimony, position letters, and that bills with fiscal impacts of $150,000 or more would generally be sent to suspense rather than voted on immediately. Several bills were pulled from hearing, and a consent calendar of committee bills later passed 4-0. AB 761 by Addis, the only item initially slated for a vote, was ultimately held over to the next hearing. The committee heard testimony on a series of tax-related proposals. AB 232 would create catastrophe savings accounts for homeowners to save pre-tax money for wildfire, flood, or earthquake-related expenses; it drew support from the Department of Insurance and the California Bankers Association, but was sent to suspense. AB 1443 would exempt tips from state income tax for five years and was supported by the California Restaurant Association and a restaurant owner, but also went to suspense. AB 1435 would provide relief to businesses and property owners facing cleanup and security costs from unauthorized encampments and illegal dumping; it received broad support from business, real estate, trucking, retail, and local government representatives, and was referred to suspense. The committee also heard AB 1428, which would create a California Affordable Child Care Fund financed by a 0.5% tax on income above $10 million; child care workers and SEIU-backed witnesses supported it, while taxpayer and business groups opposed it as harmful to competitiveness and affordability. AB 691 proposed a tax credit for adopting shelter pets and covering veterinary costs, AB 1219 proposed a middle- and low-income personal income tax cut, AB 1354 proposed a credit for increased homeowners insurance premiums, AB 19 proposed an education savings account/voucher-style program, and AB 567 proposed insurance rate stabilization and related tax/fund changes; each drew testimony for and against where present, but all were referred to suspense. The meeting ended with the committee adjourning after the held-over AB 761 item was postponed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Anderson, and the vote in the Education Anderson, and the vote in the Education Committee<01:55:02.960
• Education Committee and S. 232. Education Committee and S. 232.
• Committee on Education. Thank you, Mr. Committee on Education. Thank you, Mr. President.
• also spoke with the chair of Education also spoke with the chair of Education about<01:58:13.000
• Education Committee is going to uh be on Education Committee is going to uh be on top<02:10:33.800>

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we have to re-educate winter.
• He is our rider education coordinator.
• c> the<00:14:46.000> more So, the more education, the more So, the more education, the more
• Happy to educate you.
• educate educate uh<00:28:57.320> that<00:28:57.480> my<00:28:57.600> other<00:28

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Senator Judy Seeberger and traffic safety officials held a press conference focused on a deadly Minnesota motorcycle season and urged both drivers and riders to take greater care. Seeberger described several near-misses and a preventable crash at an intersection near her home, and asked motorists to put phones down, avoid impaired driving, and look twice or three times at stop signs, lane changes, and intersections. Mike Hanson, director of the Department of Public Safety’s Office of Traffic Safety, said 37 motorcyclists had been killed so far this year, compared with 24 at the same time last year, and warned the state could approach 90 motorcycle fatalities if current trends continue. He said about half of motorcycle deaths are single-vehicle run-off-the-road crashes, often tied to speed, inattention, or skill level, while the other half involve a motorcycle and another vehicle; he also noted passenger fatalities are higher than usual and that riders over 60 are now being killed more often than younger riders. Hanson and others emphasized education, training, visibility, helmets, high-visibility gear, and sober driving. He said the state’s motorcycle safety training program is expanding with 11 additional basic rider courses, which should train about 121 more riders, and that safety materials are available to clubs and community groups. He also highlighted the new lane filtering and splitting law, saying it is limited to 25 mph or less and must be done within a rider’s skill level; he said he has seen it done both safely and unsafely and urged riders to follow the law and not be “knuckleheads.” Representatives from the Saint Croix Valley Riders and the Litas St. Croix Valley also spoke. Don Morley said his group promotes safety and awareness, reimburses members for rider training, and supports the new lane filtering/splitting law while stressing that riders and motorists must share the road. Heather Sevlin and other speakers tied the safety message to the death of Dana Milan, saying her crash was preventable and calling for justice and accountability in the impaired-driving case involving Robert Rodriguez, who they said was on a second DUI offense. In response to questions, Seeberger said she would support stricter penalties for repeat impaired or reckless drivers but would not support mandatory helmet legislation. Hanson said the legislature should continue to rely on rider experts and training advocates when considering motorcycle safety policy.

Transcript Highlights:

• bond for our education facilities.
• Keeping our higher education institutions on life support.
• Funding for our higher education is vital, right?
• Anything we could do to advance the conversation of higher education and education as a whole.
• and access to higher education.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Education.
• Can you tell us if the Department of Education is exploring withholding funds?
• As an educator and an advocate who cares deeply about ensuring each student has equal educational opportunities
• I'm an educator and professor at UC Davis.
• and their respective institutions of higher education.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• news to any of you that higher education news to any of you that higher education is<00:24:26.000
• education sector.
• And on the uh education sector.
• higher education. Anyway, let's move on. higher education. Anyway, let's move on.
• <01:26:03.360> The help strengthen math education. The help strengthen math education.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all