Transcript Highlights:

• THE MODULE IS COMPLETE BY THE END OF THIS YEAR, THE NURSING HOMES CAN START REGISTERING FOR SYSTEM ACCESS
• FOR 2022 AND 2023, FLORIDA'S RATE WAS HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.
• ALL SUBMISSIONS ARE TRIAGED AND ASSIGNED THE AGENCY STAFF RESEARCH AND DIRECTS ACCESS.
• AND THEN WE LOOK AT HOW CAN WE BUILD IN PROVING THOSE IN THE NEXT ITERATION IN LEARNING FROM THE PAST
• AND LEARNING FROM PERFORMANCE IN GENERAL.

Transcript Highlights:

• You've got higher any one problem.
• Our campuses are learning spaces. Our campuses are learning spaces. Absolutely. Absolutely.
• apprenticeships or workbased learning apprenticeships or workbased learning model.<01:01:43.520>
• So that's summer extended learning.
• Access distance learning.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• enrolled in school until age 22 to learn enrolled in school until age 22 to learn vital<00:15:07.199
• <00:25:56.320> to students should have the same access to students should have the same access
• This may be the year where they learn perhaps more language, ...where they learn perhaps more language
• learn that we don't have better data. learn that we don't have better data.
• there were lower cost IEPs and higher there were lower cost IEPs and higher cost<02:39:25.920>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Higher education has empowered me to take that foundation and build a future beyond the uniform.
• For me and for so many others of my fellow service members, access to higher education has been transformational
• If confirmed as regent representing Northern Arizona, I would be honored to help strengthen our higher
• I'm learning.
• I'm learning.

Bills: SB1026, SB1126, SB1143, SB1166

Keywords: alternative education, school funding, student accountability, education reform, school district governance, educational records, student privacy, FERPA, family educational rights and privacy act, Department of Child Safety, DCS caseworker, child welfare, abuse or neglect, juvenile justice, juvenile court, juvenile corrections, school records, discipline records, attendance records, school district

Summary: The Senate Education Committee first considered the executive nomination of James McCain to the Arizona Board of Regents. McCain described his military service, education at Arizona State University, and interest in serving rural, tribal, and veteran communities through ABOR. Senators from both parties praised his background and bipartisan support, and McCain said his experience would bring accountability, leadership development, and a focus on affordability and student safety. The committee voted 7-0 to recommend his confirmation to the full Senate. The committee then heard SB 1026, which would limit how often alternative schools and alternative education programs must recertify and allow them to continue operating in good standing without repeated applications. An amendment added a five-year recertification limit, a 70% student-population threshold for qualifying alternative programs, an appeal process, and flexibility on instructional days. Supporters said the bill would reduce regulation for schools serving vulnerable students; opponents raised concerns about accountability and whether the bill clearly defined good standing. The committee adopted the amendment and advanced the bill 4-3. Next, SB 1126 was heard, requiring schools to provide Department of Child Safety caseworkers with information about who withdrew a student or requested records, and barring schools from preventing employees, contractors, or volunteers from speaking with DCS during abuse or neglect investigations. Senator Werner said it was developed with DCS after reviewing child deaths and system failures, including the Rebecca Baptiste case. The bill passed 7-0. SB 1143, which would require schools and LEAs to submit federal civil rights data to ADE and require an annual school safety report posted publicly, drew opposition from the Arizona Education Association as redundant and burdensome, but it still passed 4-3. Finally, SB 1166 would allow county school superintendents to offer high school equivalency preparation through accommodation schools to students in grades 10-12 who are at least 16 years old, rather than only 12th graders. The sponsor said the bill simply expands access to the program, while one senator questioned whether it might encourage students to pursue a GED earlier than intended. The committee advanced the bill 5-2, then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• > from<00:35:01.839> my there's anything I learned from my there's anything I learned from
• operations for responsive space access operations for responsive space access at<00:40:05.920>
• <00:48:47.760> rate that tax capital gains at a higher rate that tax capital gains at a higher
• <00:48:52.400> rate wealth should be taxed at a higher rate wealth should be taxed at a higher
• Um, that means that people at higher.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint hearing covered several bills focused on economic development, tourism, business climate, and related policy areas. On HB 1943, which would support a DBEDT office in Korea, DBEDT and the Retail Merchants of Hawaii testified in support, emphasizing Korea’s importance as a market for investment, trade, and tourism and the value of helping small and midsize Hawaii businesses access Asian markets. A later witness also tied the proposal to broader free-trade and APEC-related goals. The committees heard no opposition on that measure. The committees then heard HB 1612 and HB 1614, both supported by multiple organizations and agencies. Testimony for HB 1612 stressed Hawaii’s weak business climate and the need for policies that improve economic growth and competitiveness; the Hulamua Collaborative cited survey results showing only 19% of respondents viewed Hawaii as a good place to do business. HB 1614 also drew support, with HTC saying its focus is on economic growth. For HB 1968 and HB 1967, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, the University of Hawaii, the Chamber of Commerce, and Hulamua Collaborative largely stood on written testimony in support; the hearing notes reported nine supporters and one opponent on HB 1968, and seven supporters with one comment on HB 1967. A substantial portion of the hearing focused on HB 1589, a bill to create dementia training and recognition for businesses. Testifiers included a private citizen sharing a personal family story, the Alzheimer’s Association, and DBEDT. Supporters said the measure would help families affected by dementia, reduce stigma, and make businesses more dementia-friendly. DBEDT said the issue would be better handled by an agency with dementia expertise, while the Alzheimer’s Association said it could provide training at no cost and suggested amendments to shift implementation toward the Executive Office on Aging and to use the term “dementia business champion.” The final major topic was HB 1608, involving a space-related project and financing. Phoenix Space testified that the bill would help launch responsive space access operations at Hilo International Airport, create local jobs, and support partnerships with Hawaii institutions, while another supporter said the project could diversify the economy. A committee member raised a timing concern, noting bond cap capacity was already allocated through 2028, and the witness said they were willing to work on a solution. The hearing also included HB 1850 on capital gains taxation, where supporters argued the bill would make the tax system fairer by increasing taxes on investment income, while the Chamber of Commerce opposed it. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• that we learned during that process and one is...
• They do carry a higher caseload and also deal with incredibly complex cases.
• There to fill all of those slots when we are able to access those services.
• So that Texans can have access to high quality care when they need it most.
• more and we learn more. learn more from our federal partners, we'd be happy to share that and keep the

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:31:54.920> to that makes certification accessible to that makes certification accessible
• <04:43:13.760> education related to is it for higher education related to is it for higher
• yeah this is the existing law for higher yeah this is the existing law for higher education<04:43
• not when you're thinking about higher not when you're thinking about higher education<04:46:17.600
• first right of refusal it limits access first right of refusal it limits access to<05:21:52.360>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first addressed House Bill 415, which would remove the requirement that schools provide menstrual products. Members supporting an ITL said the mandate was unfunded, had been in place since 2019, and was already working without complaints from districts. Other members opposed the bill, arguing menstrual products are essential and that the requirement helps students, especially those with fewer resources. The committee voted ITL on HB 415 by a roll call of 17 yeas, 0 nays. The committee then took up House Bill 388, concerning public reports on special education. Supporters of ITL said they agreed with the goal of transparency but were concerned about student privacy, especially in small districts, and thought the bill’s information requests went too far. They noted that related issues could potentially be addressed in another bill, HB 557. The committee voted ITL on HB 388, 17-0. House Bill 730, which would require schools and some colleges to provide information on adoption, was also moved ITL. The sponsor said adoption is personally important to him but that the bill was not the right vehicle and involved entities such as colleges and the Attorney General unnecessarily; he said related ideas might be folded into other bills later. The committee agreed and voted ITL, 17-0. The committee then discussed House Bill 671, a preschool/early literacy proposal involving a statewide nonprofit digital program, likely Waterford. Members raised questions about who would be covered, data privacy, prior use of federal ESSER funds, whether the program had measurable results, and whether the bill’s nonprofit requirement was too restrictive. Department of Education witness Melissa White said the state had spent $400,000 in FY22 and $600,000 in FY23 on a Waterford contract using ARP ESSER funds, but she did not have participant counts and said the department could not measure literacy gains for that population. She also said the bill’s funding level would likely require an RFP and that, if enacted as written, the program would probably still be Waterford-based. The discussion continued without a final vote in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we will be the first ones to do that, and I do think that puts a higher light on this project.
• Have you seen any impact from the higher oil prices as far as the inflows to the Legacy Fund?
• So over all funds, you would expect a 0% active return, some higher, some lower.
• So over all funds, you would expect a 0% active return, some higher, some lower.
• The corridor benchmark has been a higher return, or a more difficult benchmark.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Their premium would be lower but potentially more um co-pays, higher deductibles, more um co-pays, higher
• We know from COVID that there is no time to learn how to respond to a crisis.
• <00:59:20.640> in want to expand healthcare access in want to expand healthcare access in
• and learn and apprenticeship programs. and learn and apprenticeship programs. building<01:02:36.000
• >> higher. >> higher.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :05:10.240> wouldn't that's learning that really wouldn't that's learning that really wouldn't
• ,<01:05:22.000> and drug diversion, lessons learned, and drug diversion, lessons learned,
• Um, so when care is accessed.
• It relates to internet access.
• will help to access that care. will help to access that care.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the draft minutes of its May 16, 2025 meeting, with one correction removing Representative Dry from the attendance list because she was present as a guest rather than an appointed member. The committee then received a Department of Health and Human Services update from Commissioner Lori Weaver, who focused on the rural health transformation grant process. She said the department has been gathering stakeholder input since July, issued a request for information on September 22, and is working toward an end-of-October draft and a November 3 deadline, with a grant writer request expected to go before Governor and Council at no cost to the state. The bulk of the meeting centered on federal changes affecting SNAP and Medicaid. Karen Heert explained that the federal law changes commonly referred to as the “Big Beautiful Bill” or HR1 will affect SNAP eligibility and state costs, including a shift in administrative cost sharing from 50/50 to 75/25 beginning in October 2026 and a possible state share of benefits if New Hampshire’s error rate is too high. She said the program affects about 43,000 households, that New Hampshire’s federal fiscal year 2024 error rate was 7.57% versus a national rate of 10.93%, and that the state must get below 6% to avoid liability. She also said DHS is preparing remediation steps, auditing cases, and seeking technology and staffing support, including a grant for automation and training. Henry Litman then described Medicaid changes under HB2 and the new federal law. He said New Hampshire returned to pre-pandemic eligibility verification rules on July 1, including a 10% income compatibility standard and reduced ex parte renewals, which has increased manual work and contributed to a drop in enrollment from about 185,000 in late June to about 178,000 in early September. He also reviewed new child premiums, pharmacy copays, Granite Advantage premiums, and possible Medicaid work requirements, noting that DHS is working with CMS on implementation details and may use a state plan option rather than an 1115 waiver because it would be less expensive and faster. Members asked several questions about the SNAP error-rate rules, the distinction between administrative and client errors, the effect of unpaid copays, and the timing and legal risk of the Medicaid work requirement; no votes were taken on those policy issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• um a good portion of our early learning um a good portion of our early learning services<00:40:57.319
• we think about early learning we think about early learning opportunities<00:41:16.319> and
• <00:57:47.400> their kids in schools and so they learn their kids in schools and so they learn
• here is literacy our kids need to learn here is literacy our kids need to learn how<01:21:33.199
• <01:45:37.520> if school and they really can't learn if school and they really can't learn

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• RCO, Parks, DFW, and DNR all reported infrastructure and access expenditures.
• And what we did learn is that the agents that administer this program And what we did learn is that the
• And DOH should make reported hospital data more accessible to the public.
• And DOH should make reported hospital data more accessible to the public.
• by... ...at least 10 years in data, and data before that is accessible by request.

Summary: The meeting began with JLARC’s biennial executive committee elections. After confirming a quorum, members unanimously elected Representative Pollet as chair, Senator Wagoner as vice chair, Representative Orcutt as secretary, and Senator Solomon as assistant secretary for the 2025-27 biennium. The committee also approved the May 14 meeting minutes unanimously. Chair Pollet then outlined a commitment to more member input on audit scope and coordination with the State Auditor’s Office. Staff presented a preliminary report on Washington State recreation boating programs. They reported that six agencies administer boating-related activities, that the state collected about $108 million in boating-related revenue in 2021-23, and that $86 million was spent, mostly on infrastructure and water access, environmental protection, boater safety, and marine law enforcement. Staff said Washington’s boating laws and programs are broadly similar to other states and noted that the final report is expected in September. JLARC then reviewed several tax preferences. For natural gas used as a transportation fuel, staff said the preferences reduce fuel costs but did not meet emissions-reduction targets because fewer vessels and vehicles converted to natural gas than expected; staff recommended continuing some exemptions and modifying reporting requirements. For travel agents and tour operators, staff said the preference continues to provide tax relief, but large beneficiaries’ savings are rising while small beneficiaries’ use is declining, leading to recommendations to continue the small-business rate and add or revise performance metrics. Staff also reviewed a nonprofit low-income housing property tax exemption, concluding it helps developers build homes as intended but that the performance metric should better reflect housing outcomes; they recommended the legislature decide whether to continue or modify it. Other reviews covered multipurpose senior citizen centers, disabled veteran adapted housing, trade convention attendance, agricultural fertilizer and seed wholesaling, hazardous substance tax treatment for pesticides, and silicon smelter energy preferences, with recommendations ranging from continuation to expiration depending on whether the stated objectives were met. The committee then adopted the final cannabis market study for distribution. Staff reported that Washington businesses produced two to three times more cannabis than retailers sold in 2023, and that inaccurate and incomplete reporting limits the Liquor and Cannabis Board’s ability to regulate the market. The board said it concurs with the recommendations, including developing a plan for a new data system and considering broader social equity options. Finally, staff presented the proposed final report on Department of Health oversight of hospital data reporting, inspections, and complaints. Staff said DOH was late on most acute-care hospital inspections, had not fully verified third-party inspection standards, and did not adequately review adverse event correction plans or assess language access barriers in its complaint system. DOH said it concurs with all six recommendations and has already made some transparency improvements, including a public dashboard for adverse event reporting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it's actually much higher.
• And so we use the apex which is a virtual learning platform.
• It's actually higher from calendar year 23.
• to hospitals or clinics, 40.2% reported insufficient access to hospitals or clinics. efficient access
• And 82% of Texas voters came back and said it shouldn't be higher than 85 degrees.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this, we're all sharing, we're all putting the learnings into one basket.
• And we're going to learn from each well, just like we have in the Bakken.
• We've been able to reset assets up the rate curve in this higher rate environment.
• A school district needs to pass a bond issue before they can have access to this fund.
• And I think we're going to be talking about education, higher ed, and stuff at that point.

Summary: The committee took roll, approved the March 18 minutes, and then received a compliance-report update on the Industrial Commission and related funds and programs. Staff reviewed the status of one-time appropriations and grant programs, including electric grid resiliency, lignite research, enhanced oil recovery, the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority, the salt cavern business-case study, and the new NDSU research and technology park grant. Members asked about funding balances, reimbursement timing, matching requirements, and how some commitments would affect the State Investment Fund and future biennia. Industrial Commission staff then gave a broader update on the agency’s administrative office, grant management system, leadership transitions at several commission agencies, and active grant rounds. They reported that the grant management system is nearing completion, that several agency leadership searches have concluded, and that the commission’s grant programs currently have 108 active grants totaling more than $165 million. They also described the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority round, the oil and gas research program’s enhanced oil recovery awards, the grid resiliency grants, the salt cavern study, and the research technology park program, noting that some projects are awaiting federal funds or additional matching cash. Ron Ness, speaking for the Oil and Gas Research Council, focused on the state of the oil industry and the enhanced oil recovery “Bakken 2.0” effort. He said production remains steady, but future growth depends on better infrastructure, longer laterals, and new EOR methods such as CO2, natural gas, and surfactants. He emphasized the importance of the Bakkeneast pipeline and related gas-utilization projects, the recent DOE funding that will return some money to the research council, and the need to modernize tax and incentive rules for CO2-based recovery. Members discussed the potential economic benefits for oil, agriculture, and manufacturing. The Bank of North Dakota then presented its compliance report and a broader strategic update. Bank leadership reviewed the bank’s mission, governance, participation lending, student lending, disaster programs, and legislatively directed programs, and said the bank is managing for a flatter deposit base and stronger liquidity because of fintech competition and changing market conditions. They reported improved earnings, with net income rising to about $231 million, and described Rough Rider Coin as a new internal payment rail for North Dakota banks and credit unions, not a public cryptocurrency. Members asked about student loan eligibility, disaster lending, and the bank’s capacity to support state programs while maintaining its balance-sheet and liquidity requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've enjoyed working with everybody and learning about everyone's priorities.
• I've enjoyed working with everybody and learning about everyone's priorities.
• I've enjoyed working with everybody and learning about everyone's priorities.
• And so this bill is my attempt to respond to the things that we learned.
• So we added the early learning coalition.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, doctor and guest introductions, and then took up Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, on mental health. Senator Bradley described the bill as a major criminal justice and behavioral health reform measure that would expand pretrial mental health diversion, strengthen treatment-based probation conditions, broaden grant uses for mental health and substance abuse programs, add Hillsborough County to a forensic hospital diversion pilot, require certain DOC mental health evaluations, and create a Florida Behavioral Health Data Repository. Senators from both parties spoke in strong support, emphasizing treatment over incarceration, public safety, data collection, and the Murphy family’s role in advancing the bill. The Senate passed the bill 37-0 and then approved 37 co-sponsors. The chamber then received the Senate’s 2025-26 General Appropriations Bill, SB 2500, with Chair Hooper outlining a $117.4 billion budget that he said reduces spending, preserves reserves, and includes major investments in water quality, transportation, education infrastructure, and reporting requirements. Committee chairs summarized their portions: K-12 funding at $34.7 billion with increases for FEFP, scholarships, VPK, school hardening, and school safety; higher education at $11.5 billion with workforce, nursing, reading, autism, and student aid investments; health and human services with a $1.8 billion increase for Medicaid, mental health, opioid response, disability services, and veterans programs; criminal and civil justice at $7.6 billion for corrections, juvenile justice, law enforcement, courts, and judgeships; transportation/tourism/economic development at about $18 billion including roads, housing, Visit Florida, and cultural grants; and agriculture/environment/general government with major Everglades, water quality, citrus, food bank, and agency IT funding. Members then questioned several budget items, especially education funding formulas, the shift of scholarship dollars below the line, the impact on public school districts, AP/IB and other accelerated program funding, the APD wait list, opioid settlement spending, arts grants, and the My Safe Florida Home and condo pilot programs. Chairs generally said scholarship and accelerated-program dollars were being restructured for transparency and flexibility rather than cut, that school districts would still receive funding based on enrollment, and that APD and other human services issues would continue to be worked out in conference. The budget discussion concluded with remarks praising staff and noting a 4% across-the-board pay raise for state employees and targeted increases for law enforcement and firefighters, followed by a recognition for FAMU Day at the Capitol.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is our quantum learning lab and technician training program.
• So very, very excited about the quantum learning lab.
• I learned a lot of physics, a lot of math. And help me out here.
• But then they learned about the grant offerings from our office.
• In just a few minutes, we'll learn about our off-site tour.

Transcript Highlights:

• Office of Broadband Access and Expansion P789.
• Digital Record and Accessibility. LFC Recommendation: zero.
• We also have low-income households that don't have access.
• That means access to telehealth, access to education, access to employment and many opportunities.
• But now we have to learn.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He was a master at it, and I was still learning about what the state budget involves.
• You know, it's a steep learning curve. It's like going straight.
• Just so I'm clear, they're requesting a higher pay level. How are they?
• These pilot projects were at 10 different state agencies and higher education. institutions.
• A big chunk of the state junior appropriations have gone to higher education institutions.

Transcript Highlights:

• The vast majority of residents of Massachusetts have access to these systems.
• They need to have access.
• So why do higher redemption rates matter?
• And I've learned that microplastics and nanoplastics are getting into our bodies.
• We need to get even higher. They're trying to get into the 90s.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused mainly on two subjects: expansion of the Massachusetts bottle bill and bills to remove woody biomass from state clean-energy and greenhouse-gas programs. On the bottle bill, supporters from municipal, environmental, public health, and local government groups argued that the 5-cent deposit is outdated, redemption rates have fallen, and expanding coverage to more beverage containers—especially water, sports drinks, and small alcohol bottles—would reduce litter, cut plastic waste and microplastics, and save cities and towns money. Several speakers also backed raising handling fees for retailers and redemption centers, and some supported restoring a Clean Environment Fund so unclaimed deposits would support recycling-related purposes. Opponents, including the Massachusetts Beverage Association and the National Waste and Recycling Association, argued that curbside recycling and transfer-station systems are more convenient, that the targeted containers are valuable to local recycling programs, and that the proposal would shift costs onto consumers and municipalities. Committee members questioned witnesses about redemption rates, handling fees, the 2014 ballot question, and whether the bill had changed from prior sessions. The biomass portion drew strong support from Springfield officials, state legislators, environmental advocates, and public health groups. They said woody biomass should not count as clean energy because burning wood produces particulate pollution and carbon emissions, and they warned that current law contains a loophole that could help finance the proposed Palmer Renewable Energy biomass plant in Springfield. Witnesses emphasized Springfield’s air-quality and asthma burdens, the public health impacts of PM2.5, and the need to close the loophole before a January 1, 2026 deadline. One forest-industry witness supported a separate bill promoting modern wood heat with pollution controls, arguing it is cleaner than older wood systems and has minimal ratepayer cost, while noting that those credits would be affected if the governor’s broader energy affordability bill repeals the alternative energy portfolio standard. No votes were taken during the hearing. The chairs managed testimony by alternating between the bottle bill and biomass topics, asking speakers to keep remarks brief and to note when they agreed with prior testimony. Several legislators also testified in support of the bills, and committee members asked follow-up questions on deposit levels, retailer handling fees, recycling economics, and the public-health rationale for the biomass restrictions.

Transcript Highlights:

• They love to learn to read.
• from the office of teaching and learning from the office of teaching and learning and<00:04:25.720
• for adult learning.
• <01:36:48.199> that learning but a pattern of learning that learning but a pattern of learning
• learning opportunities and assessments from something that they weren't able to access.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all