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

Transcript Highlights:

• 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:

• 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:

• 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:

• </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:

• While working in the Legislature, these students receive academic credits, combining academic studies
• and for continuing his leadership and his outstanding performance in nurturing these students academically
• Young man has amassed an impressive academic portfolio also that we should marvel at and want all interns
• But making their schedule, students must carefully coordinate their academic schedule with military commitments
• Texas's public universities and colleges are institutions of academic freedom and security, but there

Bills: SJR60 , SB203 , SB317 , SB397 , SB511 , SB524 , SB731 , SB781 , SB801 , SB867 , SB1071 , SB1232 , SB1319 , SB1444 , SB1483 , SB1633 , SB1798 , SB1944 , SB1978 , SB2082 , SB2233 , SB2363 , SB2603 , SB2607 , SB2717 , SB2797 , SB2841 , SB2919 , SB2928 , SB2969 , SB3038 , SB3063 , HB 102 , HB 107 , HB 130 , HB132 , HB148 , HB647 , HB668 , HB677 , HB694 , HB748 , HB754 , HB923 , HB 1193 , HB 1240 , HB1318 , HB1397 , HB1584 , HB1639 , HB1875 , HB1893 , HB1922 , HB2071 , HB2187 , HB2254 , HB2350 , HB2510 , HB2513 , HB2516 , HB2522 , HB2559 , HB2712 , HB2713 , HB2733 , HB2775 , HB2788 , HB2789 , HB2894 , HB2960 , HB3033 , HB3126 , HB3211 , HB3370 , HB3376 , HB3751 , HB3805 , HB3810 , HB4187 , HB4219 , HB4238 , HB4273 , HB4325 , HB4344 , HB4384 , HB4506 , HB4529 , HB4643 , HB4753 , HB4783 , HB4850 , HB4885 , HB5342 , HB5424 , HB5560 , HCR90 , HCR98 , SJR5 , SJR34 , SB9 , SB27 , SB40 , SB458 , SB482 , SB493 , SB529 , SB541 , SB693 , SB841 , SB843 , SB912 , SB963 , SB1173 , SB1241 , SB1350 , SB1383 , SB1388 , SB1559 , SB1646 , SB1734 , SB1789 , SB1833 , SB1883 , SB1951 , SB1968 , SB2143 , SB2544 , SB1 , SB17 , SB260 , SB509 , SB1506 , SB1637 , SB1833 , SB2308 , HB2525 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SJR60 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SB2023 , SB511 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB507 , SB1434 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1122 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB1085 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB1200 , SB1845 , SB2458 , SB801 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB2797 , SB2076 , SB2876 , SB1640 , SB1449 , SB1181 , SB1234 , SB2926 , SB2841 , SB1528 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB1237 , SB2819 , SB629 , SB2608 , SB1602 , SB2009 , SB867 , SB640 , SB1698 , SB2680 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1483 , SB1444 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1703 , SB2133 , SB2297 , SB2298 , SB2622 , SB2955 , SB2334 , SB1367 , SB2044 , SB2363 , SB2565 , SB1888 , SB3036 , SB3057 , SB3043 , SB3063 , SB3035 , SB203 , SB2688 , SB2522 , SB2459 , SB2655 , SB2251 , SB1884 , SB2928 , SB2566 , SB1749 , SB2549 , SB2553 , SB2919 , SB1944 , SB1232 , SB1798 , SB2603 , SB2607 , SB2233 , SB2683 , SB1319 , SB1978 , SB3038 , SB3045 , SB1633 , SB1538 , SB719 , SB3071 , SB3065 , HJR34 , HB1393 , HB26 , HB3810 , HB388 , HB2712 , HB1633 , HB685 , HB4753 , HB762 , HB2286 , HB1606 , HB132 , HB1458 , HB 1240 , HB2788 , HB2791 , HB3146 , HB1893 , HB4850 , HB4187 , HB1397 , HB3751 , HB2061 , HB647 , HB2522 , HB4738 , HB3033 , HB2563 , HB 128 , HB581 , HB766 , HB2259 , HB2358 , HB4384 , HB748 , HB793 , HB1734 , HB2340 , HB2350 , HB3104 , HB5180 , HB1584 , HB4219 , HB3806 , HB3804 , HB3803 , HB1522 , HB3597 , HB1612 , HB4224 , HB1314 , HB2254 , HB4643 , HB 1237 , HB3126 , HB2856 , HB3114 , HB3505 , HB4205 , HB5652 , HB3687 , HB5424 , HB4506 , HB3370 , HB2025 , HB4273 , HB3395 , HB3376 , HB2733 , HB2495 , HB4325 , HB2071 , HB2510 , HB138 , HB18 , HB 107 , HB694 , HB923 , HB1639 , HB1700 , HB2187 , HB3211 , HB4529 , HB4655 , HB5342 , HB2516 , HB4783 , HB1894 , HB1965 , HB 102 , HB300 , HB1875 , HB2513 , HB2713 , HB39 , HB 114 , HB24 , HB3088 , HB4163 , HB3479 , HB2842 , HB519 , HB609 , HB 1275 , HB1592 , HB3348 , HB 120 , HB6 , HB247 , HB1533 , HB2421 , HB2273 , HB2464 , HB2011 , HB3575 , HB3788 , HB4370 , HB4809 , HB5057 , HB5084 , HB5534 , HB5668 , HB3424 , HB2715 , HB2564 , HB2760 , HB2765 , HB2898 , HB3260 , HB3800 , HB4396 , HB5195 , HB4341 , HB43 , HB5686 , HCR90 , HCR98 , SJR60 , SB1633 , SB2233 , HB 102 , HB 107 , HB132 , HB694 , HB923 , HB1639 , HB1875 , HB1893 , HB2071 , HB2187 , HB2510 , HB2513 , HB2522 , HB2733 , HB2788 , HB3033 , HB3211 , HB3370 , HB3376 , HB3751 , HB3810 , HB4187 , HB4219 , HB4273 , HB4325 , HB4506 , HB4529 , HB4643 , HB4753 , HB4783 , HB4850 , HB5342 , HB5424 , SB511 , SB1978 , SR533 , SR554 , HCR90 , HCR98 , HCR144 , SJR34 , SB529 , SB541 , SB693 , SB1173 , SB1646 , SB1734 , SB1833 , SB3074 , HB 1233 , HB 1285 , HB1828 , HB1876 , HB2091 , HB2301 , HB2725 , HB3063 , HB3177 , HB3483 , HB4662 , HB5606 , HCR9 , HCR10 , HCR40 , HCR76 , HCR118 , HCR127 , HCR135 , HCR141 , SB3074 , HB 1233 , HB 1285 , HB1828 , HB1876 , HB2091 , HB2301 , HB2725 , HB3063 , HB3177 , HB3483 , HB4662 , HB5606 , HCR9 , HCR10 , HCR40 , HCR76 , HCR118 , HCR127 , HCR135 , HCR141

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum, heard an invocation, dispensed with the previous journal, and received a House message. Members also recognized Dr. Namita Bardwaj as doctor of the day. The chamber then adopted Senate Resolution 554 honoring Christopher “Chris” Jake Stone of Santa Fe for his heroism during the 2018 Santa Fe High School shooting, with several senators and the lieutenant governor offering remarks about his sacrifice and the ongoing impact on his family and community. The Senate also signed a number of bills and resolutions and adopted Senate Resolution 533 recognizing the Texas Legislative Internship Program class, with multiple senators highlighting individual interns and the program’s role in developing future public servants. The floor then took up and passed several bills, often by suspending the regular order and the three-day rule. These included HB 1639 on a study of cancer incidence among female firefighters; HB 102 granting early registration for students in military-related programs; HB 4325 increasing civil penalties for barratry; HB 5342 creating a 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline trust fund and related funding study; HB 3370 allowing late timberland appraisal applications after an owner’s death; HB 3376 requiring certain guardians to complete dementia/Alzheimer’s training; HB 132 extending confidentiality protections to information about hostile acts by foreign adversaries; and HB 1978, which sought to restrict ERCOT interconnections, but its motion to pass to engrossment failed on a 20-11 vote. Additional measures passed included HB 511 on unsolicited voter registration mailings, HB 2187 on nurse staffing, retaliation, and overtime protections, HB 2510 creating offenses for unlicensed assisted living operations, HB 694 on DFPS notification timelines, HB 1893 making license plates in law-enforcement video nonconfidential for public information requests, HB 2733 updating barratry and solicitation laws for digital communications, HB 4506 allowing opt-in electronic zoning notices, HB 3751 transferring a TxDOT property to DPS, HB 3033 creating a grant program for nonprofits supporting injured or killed DPS employees, HB 4273 on Medicaid fraud prevention and eligibility verification, HB 3211 on vision care benefits, HB 4529 exempting certain DoD-certified child care facilities from state licensure, HB 2522 easing fingerprinting requirements for certain vehicle dealers, HB 4219 tightening public information request response requirements, and HB 4783 requiring a report on opioid antagonist programs. The Senate also received a House message noting passage of SB 9, and a nominations committee report was announced for future consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• to adopt a resolution to either approve, disapprove, or disapprove in part with instructions, any academic
• everybody in the building thinking, okay, these are great, you know, anything like that with these academic

Committee: House Common Education

Transcript Highlights:

• to adopt a resolution to either approve, disapprove, or disapprove in part with instructions any academic
• everybody in the building thinking, okay, these are great, you know, anything like that with this academic

Committee: House Common Education

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 4427, with the sponsor explaining that it would place guardrails on the use of adjunct teachers in school districts. The bill would, beginning in the 2026-27 school year, prohibit adjunct teachers from teaching core subjects in pre-K through 4th grade, including math, ELA, science, and social studies, with a limited exemption process through the State Board. After brief discussion, the committee voted 8-0 to report the bill out as a do pass. Next, House Bill 3021 was presented as a graduation requirements measure that had been worked on with SDE, higher education, and career tech. The sponsor said a PCS or amendment would remove a conflicting section and that the agencies were in agreement on the planned changes. After questions about agency alignment, the committee voted 10-1 to report the bill out as a do pass. The committee then heard House Bill 3711, a transparency bill requiring school districts to post the percentage of spending devoted to instruction on the front page of their websites and include it in bond applications. The sponsor said the goal was to give taxpayers clearer information about how school funds are used. After discussion about how districts define instructional versus support spending, the bill passed the committee on a 7-9-4-N-A vote as announced in the transcript. Finally, House Bill 2987 would change the default outcome for academic standards if the legislature fails to act within 30 legislative days, making them deemed disapproved rather than approved. The sponsor argued this would preserve legislative oversight and prevent substandard standards from taking effect, while opponents raised concerns about delays and outdated standards. The committee discussed how the process would work if standards were rejected or sent back with instructions, and then voted 10-1-1-0 to report the bill out as a do pass.

Transcript Highlights:

• They support academic planning, building social skills, and help students prepare for the post-secondary
• They support academic planning, building social skills, and help students prepare for the post-secondary
• They support academic planning, building social skills, and help students prepare for the post-secondary
• They support academic planning, building social skills, and help students prepare for the post-secondary

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for February 3 by roll call vote, 131-1. Members spent much of the morning introducing special guests, including Missouri State University Citizen Scholars, Jobs for America’s Graduates participants, school counselors observing National School Counselor Week, Gainesville Elementary students joining online, interns and student shadows, and a tribute to Josephine Baker highlighting her St. Louis roots, artistic career, wartime service, and civil rights legacy. The chamber then took up first reading of several measures, including a firearms-related joint resolution, a bill on flags at cemeteries, and a bill on ownership of single-family residential property. The main floor action centered on House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2273, a large anti-trafficking package combining provisions on child sexual abuse material terminology, trafficking, grooming, sextortion, training requirements for professionals, a statewide council in the Attorney General’s office, longer civil statutes of limitation, and tougher penalties. Supporters cited survivor testimony, the need for training and enforcement, and the bill’s role in helping victims; the House adopted the committee substitute and ordered it perfected and printed. Members also advanced House Committee Substitute for House Bills 1694, 1674, 1780, 2056, 2312, and 1755, a bill string aimed at curbing abusive website accessibility lawsuits against Missouri businesses while preserving ADA rights. Sponsors and supporters said the measure would protect small businesses from sue-and-settle tactics and give businesses notice and time to fix problems; the House adopted the substitute and ordered it perfected and printed. Finally, the House considered House Bill 2375 on workers’ compensation, which would clarify the prevailing-factor standard, adjust treatment of pre-existing conditions, change how certain benefits are treated, and add an early dismissal mechanism and temporary appeal process. Supporters called it a fairness and clarification measure for employers and insurers, while opponents argued it could raise barriers for injured workers; the House nevertheless adopted the substitute and ordered it perfected and printed. The session ended with announcements, including committee meetings, a Black History program, a reminder for American Heart Month, concern for the city of Cameron after a fire, and a moment of reflection for the House doorkeeper Charlie, followed by a recess until 2 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• So for residence halls, dining facilities, etc., we cannot issue debt pursuant to statute for academic
• cannot issue debt pursuant to statute We cannot issue debt pursuant to statute for<00:04:30.639><c> academic
• </c><00:04:32.160><c> So</c><00:04:32.400><c> these</c><00:04:32.800><c> two</c> for academic buildings
• So these two for academic buildings.

Summary: The Capital Project Overview Committee met at 9:00 a.m. and first approved the September 29 minutes. The committee then considered University System of New Hampshire Capital Project 260001, a $70 million request involving two residence hall renovation projects at UNH. UNH officials said the work is needed to address aging 1970-era buildings, including heating, plumbing, and other deferred maintenance, and to improve student recruitment, retention, and living conditions. Members asked about the construction timeline, which was estimated at about four years, and about enrollment decline, which was estimated at roughly 15% over 10 years. The committee approved the project after discussion, with members noting the buildings’ age and need for repair. The committee next heard Capital Project 26003 from the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources for Cannon Mountain. Commissioner Sarah Stewart and staff described an $893,000 tranche, part of a larger effort to address deferred maintenance at the mountain, including guest facilities, lift infrastructure, a passenger ramp for scenic chairlift use, snowmaking improvements, a line replacement, a pump rebuild, and operations equipment. Members asked about the $6 million bonding limit established in 1999, and the department said it appears insufficient and may need updating in the future. The committee approved the Cannon Mountain request. The department also provided an informational update on the Cannon Mountain aerial tramway. Officials said a structural engineering firm is analyzing towers, terminals, and footings, with the goal of confirming the existing infrastructure can support a new tram system and refining bid specifications. They said the work is on track, with an updated cost estimate expected in January and a bid targeted for May. Members asked about the limited number of manufacturers capable of doing the work and whether the project could be delayed; the department said it is in active discussions with the likely bidders and pre-qualifying them. The meeting ended with brief discussion of informational reports, including a question about apparent delays in some New Hampshire Veterans Home projects, which staff said they would follow up on, and the committee adjourned with the next meeting set for March 16 at 9:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Line 535 requires that private schools share and discuss academic programs and policies before enrollment
• That's not the academic piece.
• That's not the academic piece.
• a lot of people that we would be more than comfortable allowing our children to be instructed by academic

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

Summary: The committee first heard the proposed Pre-K-12 education budget for fiscal year 2025-26, totaling $34.7 billion. The chair highlighted major increases for the FEFP, including $29.6 billion for public schools and K-12 scholarships, a $984 million year-over-year increase, along with higher per-FTE funding, $4 billion for the Family Empowerment Scholarship, $431.4 million for VPK, funding for school safety, the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, school hardening, Jewish day school security, and an education enrollment stabilization fund. With no public comment, the committee adopted a motion for staff technical corrections and then approved the budget proposal as a recommendation to the full Senate Appropriations Committee. The committee then considered SB 1402 on dropout retrieval programs. The bill expands eligibility so any individual who has withdrawn from high school may enroll in dropout retrieval services and clarifies how school grades are calculated for virtual instruction providers that offer those services. An amendment clarifying the grading calculation was adopted, and the committee reported the bill favorably. Next, the committee took up SPB 7030 on educational scholarship programs, a broad measure addressing school choice funding and administration. The bill would fund the Family Empowerment Scholarship as a separate categorical, expand the education stabilization fund, create fall and spring application windows, require a single scholarship application and more documentation, assign student IDs, standardize payment timing to monthly installments, require continued eligibility verification, and add Level 2 background checks for providers receiving state funds. Members raised questions about background-check enforcement, payment timing, data sharing, and the impact on homeschool and private-school families. Public testimony included support from school-choice advocates and concerns from private-school representatives about added regulatory burdens and deadlines. The committee adopted the bill as a committee bill and reported it favorably, with Senator Osgood voting no. Finally, the committee considered SB 508 on the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program, which requires private schools to disclose in writing what accommodations, modifications, and services they will provide to students with existing plans such as IEPs, EEPs, 504 plans, or ELL plans before enrollment. An amendment was adopted to require public schools to consult with private schools about equitable services. Testimony was mixed: supporters said the bill would give parents needed information for informed choice, while private-school representatives said the language could be burdensome and vague. The committee reported the bill favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• So these are, you know, these are understood as climate impacts in the realm of academics and science
• /c><00:18:49.039><c> the</c><00:18:49.200><c> realm</c><00:18:49.440><c> of</c><00:18:49.760><c> academics
• </c> impacts in the in the realm of academics impacts in the in the realm of academics and<00:18:50.679

Committee: House Higher Education

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education heard SB 657 SD1 HD1, which would appropriate funds for SOEST at UH Manoa to establish and operate a Center for Climate Resilient Development. Testimony was strongly in support from UH researchers, DLNR, and several other organizations. Supporters said the center’s modeling and data are already used by state and county agencies for sea level rise, shoreline setback, flood, and infrastructure planning, and that local funding is increasingly important because federal climate research funding is uncertain. Members discussed how the work might be framed to avoid federal political pushback, and witnesses said the research can be described in terms of infrastructure protection, public safety, and cost savings. They also confirmed the funding would primarily support salaries for climate modelers and would help backfill federal cuts. The committee recommended and adopted passage of the bill unamended. Members also discussed the practical value of the center’s work, including Kauai’s sea level rise constraint district, future rainfall and flooding modeling, and the need for more granular data than current FEMA maps provide. Additional support was noted from the State Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, the City and County of Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency, the Ulu Pono Initiative, Surfrider Foundation, Hawaii Region Climate Protectors, Hawaii Coalition Earth, and the Climate Change and Health Working Group. The committee then voted to pass SB 657 SD1 HD1 as recommended. The committee later took up SB 1252 SD2, a bill requiring the Board of Regents to establish a specialized training program for health care providers on Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and appropriating funds. The chair explained that the HD1 version incorporated suggestions from the John A. Burns School of Medicine, added a preamble recognizing existing programs and the need for coordination, and left a blank appropriation and FTE count in the bill while including the amounts in the committee report. With no discussion, the committee voted to pass SB 1252 SD2 with amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• I may be wrong about this, but just thinking hospitality crews, maybe kids who, for traditional academics
• 17:12.199><c> who</c><00:17:12.720><c> for</c><00:17:13.199><c> traditional</c><00:17:13.640><c> academics
• </c><00:17:14.039><c> are</c> kids who for traditional academics are kids who for traditional academics

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Their academic needs might be 10 years apart, ranging from elementary fundamentals to college-ready skills
• may require nurse-level knowledge, behavioral challenges that are more therapeutic in nature, and academic
• D is when, of course, that child is no longer being able to be successful in that setting C, and academics
• are... ...is no longer being able to be successful in that setting C, and academics aren't even an option
• we're focusing a lot on the lagging skills that those kids need to be successful back into their academic

Summary: The committee met to discuss special education funding and retention, beginning with approval of the prior meeting minutes and then hearing a presentation from North Dakota United on a statewide special education survey and retention rubric. Presenters described how the rubric and survey were developed from special educator input around four domains: paperwork and due process support, workload, student and staff safety, and paraprofessional management. They reported high levels of stress and burnout, including increased workload, difficulty taking prep and lunch time, concerns about mental health, and widespread difficulty filling special education positions. Committee members questioned the survey’s lack of a general-education comparison group, the interpretation of terms like “rarely” and “sometimes,” and whether results could be broken down further by district size, unit, or disability area. The survey results showed the weakest area was workload, with respondents reporting caseloads increasing without corresponding adjustments, little additional support or compensation when workloads rise, and few negotiated-agreement protections. Paperwork and due process also scored poorly, with many teachers saying they rarely receive dedicated time during the duty day, often work outside contract hours without compensation, and take work home on evenings and weekends. Student and staff safety scored somewhat better but still showed gaps in crisis follow-up, notification about violent behavior, protective gear, and leave options after incidents. Paraprofessional management also drew concern, especially low pay, insufficient staffing, limited administrative support, and the burden placed on teachers to supervise and train paras. Several teachers then testified directly about the practical impact of these issues. One special education teacher described the job as combining instruction, legal compliance, and paraprofessional supervision, often requiring work beyond contracted hours and contributing to burnout and turnover. Another testified that special education case managers are effectively doing three full-time jobs and that the paperwork and caseload demands are a major reason people avoid or leave the field. Committee members discussed whether the problems are primarily local or state-level, whether more funding would solve them, and whether changes to the funding formula or weighting for high-cost students might be needed. No formal vote or action was taken beyond a recess and return to order for the next presentation, which continued the discussion of possible special education study objectives and potential policy directions.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1087 is intended to modernize SB 375 to make it right-sized to the objectives we're trying to achieve
• It also has lots of folks who are trying to achieve it more effective and achieving deeper and more profound
• CARB does consider this sector critical to achieve the climate goals, and in fact the revenues from our
• Carb does consider this sector critical to achieve CARB does consider this sector critical to achieving
• The goal here is to achieve the profound climate reductions that we know are possible.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through confirmations and floor legislation. Three California Housing Finance Agency and State Mining and Geology Board appointments were confirmed unanimously. The chamber then took up several policy bills, with debate often focusing on housing, public safety, energy, and local government impacts. Among the major measures, SB 1173 on lesser related offense jury instructions passed after supporters argued it would give judges limited discretion and improve fairness, while opponents warned it could create inconsistency. SB 1354, barring out-of-state military or law enforcement activity in California without the Governor’s permission, passed despite objections that it conflicted with federal commander-in-chief authority. SB 1090, the Altadena disaster-speculation bill, passed to restrict unsolicited purchase offers in fire-affected areas, and SB 966 passed to preserve refinery worker safety participation rights. SB 1256, a local housing/land-use bill, passed unanimously after discussion of fire-safety concerns and ongoing amendments. The Senate also approved SB 865 on music festivals, SB 866 on homelessness planning and regional coordination for jurisdictions not receiving HAP funds, SB 938 on peace officer training requirements for certain immigration-enforcement-related applicants after the author committed to major amendments, SB 1359 on natural gas planning to reduce ratepayer costs, SB 923 on privacy rights under the CCPA, SB 1098 on utility memorandum and balancing accounts, SB 1010 on refrigerant recovery for cooling appliances, SB 937 on restricting flashbang use in crowd control and immigration enforcement, SB 1082 on inter-district pupil transfers, and SB 1087 on modernizing regional transportation planning. Several bills drew split votes and pointed debate over mandates, taxes, local control, and regulatory certainty, but most ultimately passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, academically, half of my work has been in the area of history.
• Um, academically, academically, academically, um,<01:12:24.560><c> half</c><01:12:24.800><c> of</c><01
• clinic were having and that<03:43:34.399><c> they</c><03:43:34.640><c> weren't</c><03:43:34.880><c> achieving
• </c><03:43:35.279><c> those</c> that they weren't achieving those that they weren't achieving those outcomes

Committee: House Children and Family Law

Transcript Highlights:

• Students receive academic and vocational credit for both their instruction at school and their crucial
• These requirements cover employer participation criteria, minimum academic standards for students, and
• Already, across the Commonwealth, community schools are improving student attendance and academic outcomes

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hybrid hearing on a large slate of bills related to advertising, economic development, tourism, digital advertising, delivery taxes, and alcohol taxation. The first panel supported H. 3249, which would create a high school trade partnership program linking public schools with private employers, especially in manufacturing, and would offer employers a tax credit for participation. Representative Soder, Uxbridge High School leaders, and others argued the bill would strengthen career pathways, build a skilled workforce, and keep students and jobs in Massachusetts. The committee then heard testimony on H. 3031 and S. 2003 to modernize the Massachusetts Tourism Trust Fund by dedicating an additional share of hotel occupancy tax revenue to tourism promotion. Tourism and hospitality representatives from Cape Cod, Southwick Zoo, and Indian Ranch said the proposal would not raise taxes but would reinvest existing visitor-generated revenue into marketing that supports jobs, local businesses, and municipal tax receipts. A tech-industry coalition opposed several digital advertising tax bills and a delivery tax bill, warning they would raise costs, create uncertainty, and burden consumers, small businesses, and delivery workers. The largest portion of the hearing focused on S. 2029, which would raise the alcohol excise tax by 10 cents per drink and dedicate the revenue to public health programs. Public health experts, advocates, a student prevention leader, and representatives from Jane Doe, Inc. argued the tax would reduce alcohol-related harms, address decades of inflation-driven erosion in the tax, and generate substantial new funding for prevention, treatment, domestic violence services, and community schools. Committee members asked questions about the current tax structure, inflation, and how the proposal compares with neighboring states. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair adjourned after public testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• And responsible use of AI is key to preserving academic integrity.
• They have book groups on the ethics, how to implement it into their teaching, how to handle academic
• Critical thinkers about civic responsibility and academic success.

Committee: All ALC-HIGHER EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The meeting opened with a report on annual solvency certification for institutions of higher education, which required no action and was to be distributed later. The main presentation focused on artificial intelligence in K-12 and higher education, delivered by students from Arkansas State University, the University of Central Arkansas, and Valley View High School. They argued that AI is becoming central to education and the workforce, especially as Arkansas adds major data center investments, and said students should be taught to use AI responsibly so they can compete for jobs, improve internships, and keep talent in-state. They also emphasized concerns about academic integrity, cybercrime, and the need for ethics training and district-level guidance. The presenters shared survey findings from educators in several Arkansas districts, saying most teachers support teaching responsible AI use, believe students without access to AI will be disadvantaged, and want training and district-level management. They described existing AI uses at Arkansas colleges, including AI tutors, AI-generated practice exams, homework feedback tools, and classroom applications in business, climate science, and urban forestry. They also proposed an AI library built on the state’s Access Act infrastructure so K-12 and college students could access shared AI tools and resources across Arkansas. Committee members asked about student attitudes, classroom concerns, and whether AI could help standardize course materials and objectives across institutions. The presenters said reactions among students are mixed, with arts students especially worried about copyright and originality, but that many recognize AI’s real-world value. A UCA representative added that faculty training, ethics discussions, and academic dishonesty guidance are already underway there. The chair thanked the students, noted their work on related research projects, and then moved to a second presentation from Pine Bluff community leaders. The Pine Bluff group described community-based school support efforts, including the Pastors on Patrol program, mentoring, anti-bullying and nonviolence training, drug and vaping education, leadership clubs, and a youth diversion effort for students at risk of detention. They said their work is aimed at improving school climate, encouraging citizenship and scholarship, and reducing negative behavior. Members praised the group’s efforts and asked about expanding the programs to other districts; the presenters said their model and curriculum can be shared and adapted. The meeting ended after the chair thanked both groups and adjourned with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• And responsible use of AI is key to preserving academic integrity. 74% of teachers agree that students
• They have book groups on the ethics, how to implement it into their teaching, how to handle academic
• Critical thinkers about civic responsibility and academic success.

Committee: All ALC-HIGHER EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The meeting began with a report on institutions of higher education for annual certification/solvency, which required no action and was noted as coming later in the week. The main presentation featured students from Arkansas State University, Valley View High School, and the University of Central Arkansas discussing artificial intelligence in education and the workforce. They argued that AI should be taught responsibly in K-12 and higher education to prepare students for jobs, support Arkansas’s growing tech sector, and reduce misuse such as cybercrime, scams, plagiarism, and academic dishonesty. They also cited survey results from teachers showing broad support for responsible AI instruction, district-level management, and teacher training, while noting concerns about critical thinking, ethics, and unequal access. Examples were given of AI already being used at UCA and the University of the Ozarks, and the group suggested a statewide AI library and related training built on the Access Act framework. Committee members asked about student reactions, and the presenters said responses are mixed, especially in the arts, but that AI is already being used in real-world careers and should be integrated with clear standards. The committee then heard from a Pine Bluff community coalition led by Pastor Jesse Turner about school-based outreach and youth support programs. The group described long-running work in Pine Bluff schools and Watson Chapel, including Pass on Patrol, mentoring, anti-bullying and nonviolence efforts, drug and vaping education, gun-violence prevention, and leadership clubs for students. They emphasized that their approach is nonreligious in the schools, focused on encouragement, citizenship, scholarship, and keeping students engaged in class. They also highlighted the use of free curriculum resources on African American history and said they help students see themselves as having promise rather than being “at risk.” Members asked about whether the programs could be shared elsewhere and about impacts on behavior; the group said some materials are trademarked but can be adapted with support, and cited reported reductions in negative behavior and referrals in participating schools. The meeting ended after members praised both the AI presenters and the Pine Bluff outreach group, and the committee adjourned with no votes taken.