Transcript Highlights:

• THIS SIMPLY SAYS THE PEOPLE THAT ARE IN IT, IT WILL END AT THE END OF THIS ACADEMIC YEAR. >> Sen.
• Polsky: WHEN YOU SAY IT WILL END THE ACADEMIC YEAR THEY HAVE TO APPLY EACH YEAR FOR THE WAIVER?
• STUDENTS RIGHT NOW BENEFITING FROM THE WAIVER THAT WILL NOT BENEFIT ANY LONGER IN THE MIDDLE OF THEIR ACADEMIC
• MANY OF OUR UNIVERSITIES IF NOT ALL OUR STATE UNIVERSITIES CANNOT TAKE EVERY FLORIDIAN WHO IS ACADEMICALLY

Transcript Highlights:

• The Climate Commitment Act is one of our main policies that will allow us to achieve our state's climate
• The Climate Commitment Act is one of our main policies that will allow us to achieve our state's climate
• As an industry, we've made significant efforts throughout the past several years to achieve as close
• As an industry, we've made significant efforts throughout the past several years to achieve as close
• It was intended to kind of raise all of our school districts to have the opportunity to achieve more

Summary: The committee heard public hearings on several bills. HB 2675 would eliminate a number of state accounts and transfer remaining balances from two accounts to the general fund, while also changing how revenues in the Salary Insurance Contribution Increase Revolving Account are deposited; OFM testified in support and there was no public opposition. SHB 1903 would create a statewide low-income energy assistance program through the Department of Commerce, funded by the general fund and Climate Commitment Act revenues; supporters said it would address Washington’s underfunded and uneven energy assistance system, while utilities and rural co-ops raised concerns about cost, reporting burdens, utility authority, and implementation details. SHB 2384 would require actuarial reviews for certain continuing care retirement communities with prepaid life care contracts; residents and consumer advocates supported the added transparency, while providers opposed the added review costs and said they already pay for actuarial work. SHB 1982 would expand the ability of tribal members to vacate convictions tied to treaty rights, add OPD representation and a tribal liaison position, and then an amendment was described that would remove the liaison position and eliminate the fiscal impact; the sponsor and OPD supported the bill, and testimony emphasized correcting past treaty-rights convictions. The committee also heard SHB 2389, a broad juvenile justice bill that would expand suspended disposition options, create midpoint review hearings, reduce some robbery ranges, and address juvenile rehabilitation capacity and transfers. Supporters argued it would reduce racial disparities, favor community-based rehabilitation when safe, and improve outcomes, while prosecutors, sheriffs, counties, judges, cities, victim advocates, and some tribal law enforcement warned it would weaken accountability for serious violent offenses, increase court and local government burdens, and shift costs without funding. Several witnesses and the bill sponsor discussed proposed amendments, including removing presumptions and the mid-sentence review. The committee then heard SHB 2439, which would raise tobacco and vapor product license fees, create a responsible vendor program, add manufacturer certification and enforcement provisions, restrict certain products and sales practices, and redirect tobacco tax revenue to public health, cancer research, and youth prevention accounts; public health and prevention groups supported it, while retailers and industry representatives opposed the fee increases and some of the new restrictions. Finally, HB 2681 would sharply increase cannabis license fees and index them to inflation; OFM supported the change as aligning fees with program costs, while cannabis businesses and associations opposed or sought changes to the fee structure and CPI indexing. The committee also heard a briefing on SHB 2215, which would require the Caseload Forecast Council to forecast SNAP and state food assistance caseloads in light of upcoming federal cost-sharing changes; no questions were raised at the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• That makes it more realistic for a volunteer commission to achieve.
• It allows remote commission to achieve.
• </c> uh openings did not had not achieved uh openings did not had not achieved quorum.<00:46:57.760><
• academically.
• academically.

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• Like many academic theories, it is simply one lens among many used to analyze history and society.
• framework used to examine an academic framework used to examine how<00:25:48.000><c> laws</c><00:25:
• Like many<00:25:51.840><c> academic</c><00:25:52.320><c> theories,</c><00:25:52.799><c> it</c><00:25:
• 52.960><c> is</c><00:25:53.120><c> simply</c><00:25:53.440><c> one</c> many academic theories, it is
• </c><00:44:14.800><c> inclusive</c> well as academic outcomes. inclusive well as academic outcomes. inclusive

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• We have been working with our partners<00:10:41.440><c> in</c><00:10:41.760><c> academic</c><00:10:42.240
• ><c> and</c><00:10:42.480><c> student</c><00:10:42.720><c> affairs</c> partners in academic and student
• So our cyber security and academic teams are working together to ensure that we do not create equity
• </c> So our our cyber security and academic So our our cyber security and academic teams<00:11:55.519
• and student affairs teams with academic and student affairs teams with with<00:19:15.919><c> my</c><

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Both his academic and professional experience evidence that he is well qualified to serve as a member
• Both his academic and professional experience evidence that he is well qualified to serve as a member
• His architectural and academic perspective has been incredibly useful for covering the board's business
• His architectural um you know, academic<00:09:42.920><c> perspective</c><00:09:43.760><c> has</c><00:
• 09:43.960><c> been</c><00:09:44.120><c> incredibly</c> academic perspective has been incredibly academic

Summary: The committee heard and then later voted on a series of gubernatorial nominations and several bills. In the nomination portion, DLNR and the nominees generally testified in support or briefly described their qualifications and goals. The nominees included Elray Moreno, Richard First, and Stephen DeWalt for the Game Management Advisory Commission; Noah Dolim and Graham Hart for the Hawaii Historic Places Review Board; Joseph Pickard, Jared Machado, and Elena Bryant for the Kaneohe Bay Regional Council; Kaipuloa Makanui Alona Kealoha for the Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve Commission; and Zachary Bentolina for the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission. Testimony emphasized public service, community representation, historic preservation awareness, and bridging communication between communities and DLNR. For the Kaho‘olawe nomination, testimony also discussed storm damage and ongoing assessments on the island. The chair asked questions about historic preservation outreach, board vacancies, and the status of Kaho‘olawe facilities. GM 651 was deferred so the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts could weigh in, while the others were later recommended for advise and consent and adopted without opposition. In decision making on the 1:00 p.m. agenda, the committee voted to advise and consent on GM 641, 642, 703, 683, 743, 645, 646, 647, and 738. GM 651 was deferred to a later date. The committee also noted that some nominees were interim or reappointments, and clarified that the Kaneohe Bay and Kaho‘olawe-related appointments were being confirmed for the first time or as continuing service, as applicable. The committee then moved into its 1:05 p.m. agenda on several bills. HB 2426 relating to state parks was passed with amendments, including an effective date change. HB 1881 relating to land use was passed with amendments that limited passenger ropeways for private single-home use, removed the mountain definition, prohibited passenger ropeways in all land use districts, and added a narrow exemption for certain government or recognized nonprofit projects subject to legislative approval. HB 1918 relating to taxation was passed with amendments changing the effective date to January 1, 2028 so it could proceed to Ways and Means. HB 1802 relating to conservation mitigation banks was passed with technical amendments. Each measure was adopted by the members present without recorded opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• with communication disorders, promotes the professional interests of its members, assists with the academic
• She excels in her academics.
• facilities that could... ...the definition of student life project means major capital outlay for non-academic
• using graduation rates instead of the NCAA APR or other performance metrics, and that would be the academic
• Speaker, gentlemen, that figure was for academic facilities.

Bills: HB111 , HJR1 , HB61 , HB8 , HB30 , HB43 , HB156 , HJM2 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50 , HB70 , SB3 , HJM3

Keywords: water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance

Transcript Highlights:

• respectfully opposes Senate Bill 2125 due to concerns about its duration and the learning loss and academic
• Due to concerns about its duration and the learning loss and academic gaps experienced by students taught
• This learning loss can compound and can have everlasting effects on students' academic growth, especially
• Research consistently shows that licensed teachers are associated with higher student achievement and
• stronger long-term academic and social-emotional outcomes.

Bills: HB2185 , HB2621 , HB2179 , HB2534 , HB2168 , HB2427 , HB2560 , HB2565 , HB2172 , HB2298 , HB2304

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill strengthens academics by expanding access to agriculture instruction, teaching Algebra I through
• The bill strengthens academics by expanding access to agriculture instruction, teaching Algebra I through

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Hibbing Public Schools value academic excellence.
• Delivering innovative academic programming to students in an environment that celebrates history while
• programming with Innovative academic programming leads<00:46:08.760><c> to</c><00:46:09.000><c> Student
• Specifically, it would allow us to continue offering academic interventions, mental health support, and
• </c> allow us to continue offering academic allow us to continue offering academic interventions<01:26

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:51:55.920><c> scholarship</c> academic scholarship academic scholarship and<00:51:57.440><c> so</
• uh academic scholarships if if a uh if a uh academic scholarships if if a uh if a student<00:52:25.880
• </c><00:52:34.160><c> scholarship</c> should their their academic scholarship should their their academic
• And I think that takes away a lot from both the athletics and the academics portion.
• And I think that takes away a lot from both the athletics and the academics portion.

Summary: The committee first heard testimony on House Bill 167, which would add ski, snowboard, and boat wax containing PFAS to the state’s consumer-product restrictions. The sponsor argued the product is already banned in many places, has PFAS-free alternatives, and is used in ways that can directly contaminate water rather than landfills. She cited high PFAS levels in several New Hampshire lakes and said the bill was a simple extension of prior PFAS legislation. A witness also described a personal experience where a liquid ski wax disappeared from the market and later returned, likely because of PFAS concerns. The chair then closed the hearing on HB 167 without a vote. The committee then opened a hearing on House Bill 312, dealing with college athletes’ name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights. Representative Moffett said the bill was modeled on New Jersey law and intended to let student-athletes earn compensation from NIL without losing institutional scholarships, while also requiring licensed representation and setting limits on certain endorsements. He described the measure as proactive because NIL rules are evolving and could create conflicts among schools and future lawsuits. Members questioned whether the bill should apply to two-year institutions, whether it should exclude firearms and weapons, and whether the scholarship protections would cover need-based or academic aid as well as athletic scholarships. Moffett said the scholarship language was intended to protect scholarships generally, but not need-based aid specifically, and he acknowledged discomfort with some of the endorsement restrictions. Public testimony on HB 312 was mixed. One supporter, a former Division III athlete and coach, backed the bill but urged removal of a section allowing institutions or athletic bodies to use an athlete’s NIL without compensation, arguing most New Hampshire athletes do not receive NIL money and should not have to work extra jobs to cover basic expenses. The chair also raised concerns about the bill’s contractual and identity-rights implications, referencing prior committee work on a J.D. Salinger-related identity case and noting the committee had previously declined to get involved in similar contractual disputes. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Bills: HR286 , HR287 , HR288 , HR289 , HR290 , HR291 , HR292 , HR293 , HR294 , HCR114 , HR275 , HR276 , HR277 , HR278 , HR279 , HR280 , HR282 , HR283 , HR284 , HR285 , HCR112 , HCR113 , SCR62 , SCR64 , SB132 , SB135 , SB405 , HR179 , HR216 , HR223 , HR225 , HR274 , HCR89 , SB39 , SB99 , SB111 , SB112 , SB124 , SB134 , SB174 , SB189 , SB190 , SB201 , SB233 , SB236 , SB258 , SB270 , SB273 , SB288 , SB307 , SB313 , SB320 , SB321 , SB325 , SB326 , SB331 , SB339 , SB341 , SB345 , SB346 , SB347 , SB353 , SB357 , SB359 , SB387 , SB393 , SB401 , SB415 , SB419 , SB422 , SB426 , SB435 , SB437 , SB440 , SB451 , SB464 , SB470 , SB487 , SB488 , SB495 , SB504 , SB505 , SB518 , SB523 , SB228 , SB408 , HR168 , HR174 , HR194 , HCR54 , HCR74 , HCR79 , HCR87 , HCR94 , HCR95 , HCR97 , HCR98 , HCR102 , HCR104 , SCR23 , SCR38 , HCR26 , HB250 , HB265 , HB339 , HB427 , HB445 , HB463 , HB468 , HB606 , HB639 , HB649 , HB665 , HB746 , HB781 , HB853 , HB861 , HB872 , HB886 , HB916 , HB937 , HB1054 , HB1068 , HB1117 , HB1237 , HB75 , HB705 , SB34 , SB164 , SB172 , SB198 , SB208 , SB232 , SB281 , SB286 , SB317 , SB322 , SB334 , SB380 , SB385 , SB409 , SB417 , SB421 , SB430 , SB439 , SB447 , SB458 , SB510 , SB54 , SB56 , SB72 , SB79 , SB97 , SB105 , SB123 , SB125 , SB129 , SB163 , SB171 , SB252 , SB287 , SB375 , SB386 , SB461 , SB466 , HR84 , SCR3 , HB582 , HB625 , HB646 , HB998 , HB1191 , HB1255 , SB81 , SB100 , SB109 , SB197 , SB374 , SB479 , SB78 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HCR65 , HCR71 , HB284 , HB302 , HB306 , HB341 , HB366 , HB393 , HB458 , HB577 , HB603 , HB605 , HB614 , HB733 , HB752 , HB773 , HB798 , HB911 , HB955 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1069 , HB1113 , HB1140 , HB1180 , HB1240 , SB82 , SB89 , HB134 , HB258 , HB359 , HB782 , SB149 , SB382 , SB441

Keywords: HR286, House Resolution 286, LED, Louisiana Economic Development, rural development, energy efficiency, renewable energy, public-private partnership, tax credits, economic development, workforce training, school energy costs, community colleges, technical colleges, local government, building modernization, on-site energy generation, public facilities, rural parishes, distressed communities

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> for thousands of students to achieve for thousands of students to achieve their<02:10:03.679><c>
• H.R. 2482 helps achieve this goal.
• </c><04:44:51.520><c> The</c> advocates, academics, and industry.
• The advocates, academics, and industry.
• The FACT Act will mark real bipartisan progress in achieving these efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• skills, AI ethics, responsible academic skills, AI ethics, responsible use<00:13:16.640><c> of</c><00
• So, we'll start off here to talk a little bit about AI and academic programs and coursework.
• CPE approves all academic programs at institutions.
• CPE approves all academic programs.
• CPE approves all academic programs<00:24:15.080><c> at</c><00:24:15.160><c> institutions.

Summary: The Artificial Intelligence Task Force met and adopted the prior minutes before turning to AI in education. Jeff Gagne of the Southern Regional Education Board described SREB’s Commission on AI in Education, which has organized its work into committees on policy, K-12 instruction, postsecondary instruction, and skills development. He highlighted eight commission recommendations covering statewide AI networks, targeted guidance for different user groups, professional development, standards and curricula, local capacity assessments, risk management, procurement, and AI-ready workforce skills. He also emphasized that states need more specific guidance for students, teachers, faculty, administrators, and parents, and that training is essential because many educators have not been prepared to use AI in instruction. Gagne also summarized two recent SREB reports: one on AI-ready workforce skills and one on AI use in K-12 classrooms. The workforce report recommends embedding AI across standards, strengthening computer science and digital learning standards, collaborating with industry and workforce agencies, building AI competencies into training and upskilling, providing educator professional development, and monitoring readiness. He said the report identifies three skill areas: success skills, industry baseline skills, and technical skills. The classroom guidance report promotes responsible AI adoption, with four pillars focused on increasing cognitive demand, streamlining teaching and administrative work, supporting personalized learning, and developing ethical AI users. He also noted that the report includes an AI procurement tool for school districts. Members thanked Gagne for providing outside examples and resources. One member noted JCPS has an introductory AI professional development offering for educators. Gagne said Kentucky’s David Couch serves on the SREB commission and that the commission’s member list and reports are available on SREB’s website. The committee then heard from Travis Powell of the Council on Postsecondary Education, who said CPE had surveyed campuses and found that Kentucky institutions have broadly embraced AI in teaching, research, student services, and administrative operations. He said all institutions have AI-focused degrees, minors, or courses, and many are integrating AI into general education and across disciplines. Powell also said CPE is considering an AI consortium and that campuses are using AI in research partnerships and applied work, while continuing to focus on ethical and effective use.

Transcript Highlights:

• Qualified school volunteers also bring in school-sponsored academic tutors or anyone that the board of
• And it prohibits compelling consent as a requirement to participate in an academic, athletic, or extracurricular
• as a requirement to participate<00:13:19.040><c> in</c><00:13:19.279><c> an</c><00:13:19.519><c> academic
• ,</c><00:13:20.160><c> athletic,</c><00:13:20.959><c> or</c> participate in an academic, athletic, or
• participate in an academic, athletic, or extracurricular<00:13:22.079><c> opportunity.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm focusing on academic and research excellence.
• task force was charged with advancing accreditation reform aligned with institutional autonomy, academic
• quality... ...accreditation reform aligned with institutional autonomy, academic quality, and federal

Committee: House Education

Summary: The House Education Committee met on May 6 and first welcomed LSU President Wade Roos and Chancellor Jim Dalton, who outlined LSU’s goals of becoming an elite, accessible flagship university, increasing research expenditures, improving student recruitment and retention, and expanding pathways that keep Louisiana students in-state. Members praised the new leadership and LSU’s workforce and research direction, and a representative from LSU enrollment reported gains in TOPS Excellence commitments for the coming fall. The committee then advanced several education bills. SB 105 by Sen. Kathy, which reinstates TOPS Tech eligibility for honorably discharged veterans, was reported favorably without objection. SB 374, also by Sen. Kathy, creates a uniform framework for college economic development districts; members adopted an amendment adding a legislator to each district board, and the bill was reported favorably with amendments. SB 304 by Sen. Edmonds, which authorizes the Board of Regents to establish a list of eligible accreditors and allows institutions to seek different accreditors, was reported favorably. SB 522 by Sen. Edmonds, allowing vocational and technical charter schools to apply directly to BESE as Type 2 charters with Commerce and Industry support, drew discussion about whether the authority should extend to public schools as well; it ultimately passed 9-1. The committee also approved SB 290 by Sen. Abraham, a cleanup bill requiring school system concurrence before student exit-code changes in the data system, and HCR 81 by Rep. Freiberg, which asks the Department of Education to study options for districts facing declining enrollment and related financial pressures. HCR 175 by Rep. Larvadain, a study resolution on possible TOPS Tech changes, was deferred by the author because it overlapped with another measure. Several members also used personal privilege to welcome local mayors and community guests to the committee room.

Transcript Highlights:

• Dysart Unified School District Governing Board, Stevens-Skabara brings a wealth of leadership and academic
• expertise to his Stevens-Cabara brings a wealth of leadership and academic expertise to his community
• Driven by a deep commitment to the next generation, Stephen continues to bridge the gap between academic

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• Thanks to Cornerstone's learning lab, he saw enormous growth in his academics.
• Thanks to Cornerstone's learning lab, he saw enormous growth in his academics, and for the very first
• Thanks to Cornerstone's learning lab, he saw enormous growth in his academics, and for the very first

Transcript Highlights:

• profound shift in nursing also occurred from traditional caretaking into a respected clinical and academic
• profound shift in nursing also occurred from traditional caretaking into a respected clinical and academic

Summary: The Senate Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs heard two resolutions honoring veterans. S.J.R. 14, authored by Senator Gabaldon, urges California’s congressional delegation to support federal legislation awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to members of the U.S. Army Nurse Corps and Navy Nurse Corps who served in World War II. Brigadier General Ruth Wong testified in strong support, describing the nurses’ frontline service, harsh conditions, discrimination, POW experiences, and long-overlooked sacrifices. Senators praised the measure and noted the historical significance of recognizing these women’s service. The committee also heard S.J.R. 17, presented by Senator Choi, which honors Republic of Korea veterans who fought alongside American troops in Vietnam and later became U.S. citizens. The resolution urges Congress and the President to allow states to extend burial and memorial benefits in state veterans’ cemeteries to these veterans without jeopardizing federal cemetery funding. No opposition testimony was offered, and senators emphasized the importance of recognizing allied service members who fought with U.S. forces. Both resolutions were moved on call and later adopted by the committee on 5-0 votes. The chair thanked members for supporting veterans and closed the hearing after announcing the final votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• across both sides of the aisle, and maybe this gets us there to a better way of assessing student achievements
• across both sides of the aisle, and maybe this gets us there to a better way of assessing student achievements
• Independent School District uses Title I as resources for extra academic help, thank you.
• School district uses Title I as resources for extra academic help and additional teachers.
• celebrate diversity as a resource, and encourage asset-based celebrations of accomplishments, increase academic