Transcript Highlights:

• diversity of our communities and<00:05:20.520> that<00:05:20.760> includes<00:05:21.240
• It is diverse in thought, background, and lived experiences, and it deserves representation that reflects
• the diversity of its ideas.
• So that was part of my outreach and helped me recognize that the diversity of Latinos and the work that
• So that was part of my outreach and helped me recognize that the diversity of Latinos and the work that

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House Republicans announced the formation of the Minnesota Latino Caucus as a sub-caucus of the House Republican Caucus. Chair John Koznick said the group is intended to give Latino conservatives a voice, promote “common sense” and right-of-center policies, and reach Latino communities across Minnesota, especially around affordability, lower taxes, less regulation, and government accountability. Representatives Bedell Duran and Erica Schwartz joined Koznick as founding members and described the caucus as a response to the diversity of Latino communities and the need for representation beyond a single political viewpoint. The members emphasized personal backgrounds and constituent outreach. Koznick discussed his adoption from Colombia and his long involvement with Latino advocacy groups, while Duran and Schwartz spoke about their districts, family histories, and experiences that shaped their politics. They said Latino Minnesotans live throughout the state, work in many fields, and should not be viewed as a monolithic voting bloc. They also highlighted issues such as education, postsecondary achievement, entrepreneurship, public safety, and the economic impact of immigrants and Latinos. In response to questions, the lawmakers said the caucus was not created solely because of recent Latino voting patterns, but they acknowledged Republican gains among Latino voters and said they want to continue competing for Latino support. They also said immigration policy should be clearer and more transparent, while supporting secure borders and reform. Koznick said he has bipartisan relationships with Latino legislators and pointed to support for a Hispanic or Latino art museum in St. Paul as an example of possible cross-party cooperation. No formal votes were taken; the event was a caucus launch and press availability, and the members said they would hold a celebratory kickoff later that evening.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:52.040> all<00:10:52.360> diversity<00:10:52.880> is that all diversity
• all diversity is that all diversity all diversity is being<00:10:53.440> attacked<00:10:54.200
• You know, unfortunately, things maybe were a little simpler back there, but we have a very diverse, we
• but we have a little simpler back there but we have a<00:16:23.160> very<00:16:23.880> diverse
• we have a very Complex a very diverse we have a very Complex Community<00:16:26.800> and<00:16

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have one of the first universities, WPI, that had an undergraduate program in robotics.
• I run the technology and justice programs at the ACLU of Massachusetts.
• the diverse district in the entire state of Massachusetts.
• It's certainly not inclusive or diverse. Oh, I forgot. Those are bad words.
• I should have inclusive or diverse. Oh, I forgot, those are bad words.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee opened with procedural guidance for a very large hearing, explaining testimony limits, written testimony procedures, and rules for maintaining order. Members then heard testimony on a wide range of bills, including proposals to define antisemitism using the IHRA definition, regulate facial recognition technology, restrict weaponized robotics and drone use, expand protections for journalists’ confidential sources, address access to decedents’ email accounts, and create or adjust rules around municipal enforcement and animal cruelty fines. Several sponsors and advocates asked for favorable reports, and committee members asked clarifying questions on implementation, costs, and how the bills would interact with existing law. On facial recognition, sponsors and advocates described the technology as a threat to privacy, due process, and civil liberties, and urged adoption of the Special Commission’s recommendations, including warrant requirements, notice to defendants, and limits on untargeted surveillance. Support came from legislators, the ACLU, CDT, EFF, and a UMass professor, while committee members asked about current state law and municipal bans. On robotics, Senator Moore and industry witnesses from MassRobotics, Boston Dynamics, and AUVSI supported a bill prohibiting weaponized robots and requiring warrants for certain law enforcement uses, describing it as a public-safety and trust-building measure. On the shield law bill, newspaper publishers, journalists, NEFAC, and the Reporters Committee argued Massachusetts needs statutory protection for confidential sources, citing costly subpoenas and chilling effects on reporting. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to expand the right of publicity to cover image and voice, with SAG-AFTRA members supporting protections against AI-driven exploitation and some discussion about viral content and consent. Another bill would allow limited access to a decedent’s email accounts, with one witness describing a family’s inability to use a deceased relative’s email to notify friends. The committee then took testimony on psilocybin-related bills: supporters described medical and personal benefits and argued for narrow decriminalization or study, while an opponent warned of public-health risks, impaired driving, and youth exposure; the Massachusetts Psychiatric Society supported limited, safety-based decriminalization. Finally, the committee heard strong support for a “safe reporting” bill for sex workers and trafficking survivors, with advocates saying immunity would encourage victims and witnesses to report crimes without fear of arrest, and members raised questions about how the immunity would work in practice.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, you know, that new school district may have a better, you know, AP program or a robotics program
• or a robotics you know, AP program or a robotics program<01:19:55.600> that<01:19:55.760>
• The schools I represent are very diverse.
• . diverse. diverse.
• Extremely<02:22:05.120> diverse.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 7 January, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, heard an invocation from Reverend Chip Stevens of First Baptist Church in Jackson, and recited the pledge of allegiance. The body then dispensed with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and bill titles, and received several guest introductions, including the president of Mississippi University for Women, the physician of the day, and the session’s pages. The main item of business was Senate Bill 2004, the Mississippi PERS Stability Act. Senator Sparks explained that the bill would provide a $500 million infusion to the PERS accumulated employers account on July 1, 2026, followed by $50 million annually for 10 years, with backup funding from unobligated general funds if needed. He said the measure was intended to help address the system’s roughly $26 billion liability and to support both state employees and local government employers, noting that the state had already taken other steps to strengthen PERS. The bill was advanced to engrossed status, read for the third time, and placed on the calendar for final passage. Senator Norwood asked whether the funding would help local governments, and Senator Sparks said it would, because the liability is shared by all employers in the system and affects local balance sheets and bond ratings. Senator Bryan then spoke at length in opposition to the broader direction of retirement policy, criticizing the committee process, the fragmentation of retirement legislation, and what he described as incentives for privatization and unfair treatment of new hires. He said he would still vote for the bill because it sends money into the system, but argued that the state should focus retirement benefits on older retirees and avoid further benefit expansions. Senator Sparks responded that the bill was a necessary cash infusion to honor commitments to employees, stabilize the system, and avoid insolvency, and said more PERS legislation would follow.

Transcript Highlights:

• Colleagues, we all represent diverse caucuses with standard priorities to improve our state.
• is a common-sense policy to streamline the application process for the California Food Assistance Program
• , ...hearing specifically focused on California's road user-charge pilot programs, lessons learned, and
• We should continue to support programs, services, funding, and initiatives that promote families, We
• should continue to support programs, services, funding, and initiatives that promote family wellness,

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, offered a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, and then took up a long third-reading file with several guest introductions and ceremonial resolutions. Early floor action included AB 713, allowing undocumented students equal access to campus jobs at UC, CSU, and community colleges, and AB 1049, streamlining California Food Assistance Program applications for low-income immigrant families; both passed. The body also defeated an amendment to AB 1421, a bill to begin studying a statewide mileage-based road user charge, before passing the measure. AB 1171, modernizing part-time community college faculty health insurance access, also passed with strong support. The Assembly then approved a series of policy bills on animals, domestic violence, telehealth for autism services, forestry, false lien filings, tianeptine restrictions, housing, common interest development fee transparency, prison sexual abuse accountability, PBM reporting, foster youth benefits protections, illegal dumping and abandoned RV removal, condo financing/liquidated damages, public contracting, pension-related study language, climate resiliency research funding, and a disposable vape reduction measure. Most passed with broad margins; AB 762 on vapor inhalation devices drew the most debate, with supporters emphasizing landfill fires and public health and opponents warning about revenue losses and illicit-market growth, but it still passed. AB 1406 on condo development financing drew extensive discussion about housing affordability and consumer protections before passing. The chamber also adopted three resolutions: ACR 120 declaring January 2026 Positive Parenting Awareness Month, ACR 121 designating January 2026 National Mentoring Month, and ACR 122 designating Anesthesiologist Week. Later, the Assembly concurred in Senate amendments on AB 1485, extending welfare-tax exemption treatment to federally recognized tribes holding land for conservation, and adopted the consent calendar, which included several additional bills and SCR 6. The session ended with adjournment until February 2, 2016, after which several members recorded vote changes from the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are clergy and lay members from diverse faith communities in Collier and Lee counties.
• As people of diverse faith and beliefs, we strongly oppose H.B.
• As people of diverse faith and beliefs, we strongly oppose H.B. 1517.
• Only 1.3% of physicians have opted out of the Medicare program in our state, meaning it's used by 98%
• health care Thank you. are allowed to accept if they want to participate in federal health care programs

Summary: The subcommittee considered a long agenda of civil justice and claims measures. HB 1173, relating to the Florida Trust Code, was presented as a clarification of standing in trust litigation after recent case law; after questions about who may sue, an amendment was adopted clarifying that an expressly named charity retains standing, and the bill passed 14-2. HB 1437, on attorney’s fees in motor vehicle PIP disputes, drew testimony from insurers and reform groups opposing a return to fee-driven litigation and from medical groups supporting fee recovery for prevailing parties; it passed 17-0. CS/HB 147, addressing prohibited debt-collection communications during nighttime and early morning hours, was described as a clarification of an outdated statute in light of modern communications, with support from business groups and no opposition in the vote; it passed 18-0. The committee then heard several claims bills against the Department of Children and Families. HB 6511, for relief of L.P., described severe injuries to a child after DCF allegedly failed to act on warning signs; a technical amendment was adopted and the bill passed 18-0. HB 6515, for relief of Michael Barnett, involved DCF’s alleged failure to investigate domestic violence that preceded the killing of three children and injury of a fourth; members asked about the settlement amount and the case’s circumstances, and the bill also passed 18-0. HB 1517, expanding wrongful death law to allow parents of an unborn child to recover for the child’s death, generated the most extensive debate. The sponsor said it aligns civil law with existing criminal definitions and excludes claims against mothers and providers of lawful medical care, including IVF; opponents warned it could be used to target reproductive care, support networks, and domestic violence survivors, while supporters framed it as a justice measure for families. An amendment clarifying damages rules for minors and unborn children was adopted, and the bill passed 13-4. Finally, HB 947, on evidence of medical damages in personal injury and wrongful death cases, sought to allow broader evidence at trial and to change “shall” to “may”; supporters said it would improve fairness and transparency, while opponents argued it would weaken post-2023 tort reforms and reintroduce inflated medical damages. The amendment was adopted and the bill was then taken up with additional opposition testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that prison or do certain programming. So, prison or do certain programming.
• mentioned that we already have programs mentioned that we already have programs in<00:53:26.960>
• It prohibits access programs.
• Uh we view this as a programs.
• Thank you, Chair. access program. The notion here to access program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• advise MINT and our agency partners on the responsible adoption of AI to improve how we deliver programs
• c><00:04:12.159> and<00:04:12.400> services<00:04:12.720> to how we deliver programs
• and services to how we deliver programs and services to motans.<00:04:14.080> So<00:04:14.239
• function of technologists close diverse function of technologists close it's<00:07:14.080> a<
• Most of our programming right now is AI-related, and so it's giving us a good opportunity to stay on

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• code has gradually evolved, incorporating adjustments for convenience like varying ballot styles, diverse
• Well, my, my biggest concern is what I've heard about the pilot program.
• I would be concerned that there would be some counties that would be voting while the pilot programs
• And then these other counties, all the rest of the counties will stop voting while the pilot program
• I do like the idea of the pilot program or the study, and I do think the elections offices should be

Bills: HB311

Keywords: flood hazards, recreational vehicles, temporary dwelling structures, Texas Water Development Board, flood safety standards, emergency management

Transcript Highlights:

• code has gradually evolved, incorporating adjustments for convenience, like varying ballot styles, diverse
• Well, my biggest concern is what I've heard about the pilot program.
• I'm concerned that there would be some counties that would have voting while the pilot programs haven't
• I do like the idea of the pilot program or the study, and I do think the elections office should be open
• The Valley is a vibrant, diverse region, but it's also one where many people face real barriers to civic

Bills: HB311, SB447, SB505, SB2217, SB2753, HB311

Keywords: voter registration, electronic, Texas election law, Signature verification, DPS, internet application, Texas Election Code, signature verification, online application, data security, electronic application, Department of Public Safety, information security, electronic voter registration, voting technology, voter access, state election laws, digital signature, election irregularities, audit

Transcript Highlights:

• And so for example, in Travis County, a lot of our programs for diversion have been.
• subjected to felony punishment as compared to What's happening right now, which is misdemeanors or diversion
• We have the privilege of representing member programs all over the state, thousands of Texans and survivors
• financial resources that can be used to support law enforcement and to fund violence prevention programs
• Gun violence involving children is a tragedy, and there are many community-based intervention programs

Transcript Highlights:

• fuel types as well as expands funding opportunities for public boat ramps parking marinas, Andrea programs
• Madam Chair and committee members. >> Florida is a land of color, contrast and coastline of diverse wildlife
• Recognizing both birds allows us to celebrate Florida's diverse wildlife while honoring different aspects
• or 7 pieces of land and the middle piece parcel for wants to take advantage of this conservation program
• We found a way to win from a conservation easement from, you know, from the Florida forever program and

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Jesuit beat a program with moment.
• This bill creates a grant program to make these programs accessible to departments of all sizes, rural
• > to<00:46:33.839> departments these programs accessible to departments these programs
• , and Shop with a Cop programs.
• He was also a town board programs.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, May 15, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think I have one of them that's a statewide program.
• Again, I think a statewide uh program Again, I think a statewide uh program for<00:08:23.039>
• But then we look at the diversity car.
• point I think they can do that I program point I think they can do that I program ours<01:05:01.520
• <01:08:04.480> is vehicle infrastructure program is vehicle infrastructure program is submitting

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In three years, our programming is 19 times less expensive than the average DOC prison time.
• programs.
• We offer this program to this age range because an individual is considered an adolescent from 10 to
• I have various programs on radio here in Boston, on Emissora Power 102.9 FM.
• They were the ones who helped to establish the statewide head injury program.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing opened with procedural remarks and acknowledgments of Rosh Hashanah, followed by testimony on several criminal justice bills before the Joint Committee on the Judiciary. A major focus was S. 1061, the “Raise the Age” bill, which would gradually move 18- to 20-year-olds into the juvenile justice system. Supporters included youth and young adult advocates, former juvenile court Judge Jay Blitzman, ACLU and CPCS representatives, Roca, United Way, Citizens for Juvenile Justice, and Senator Brendan Crichton. They argued that young adults are still developmentally immature, that juvenile court services improve education and rehabilitation, and that adult-system involvement leads to higher recidivism and racial disparities. Committee members asked practical questions about how the bill would work, and witnesses explained that it would expand access to juvenile court diversion, probation, and DYS services for the covered age group. The chairs also noted a notice issue, clarifying that the hearing had been posted seven days in advance rather than the usual ten. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to revise accomplice and joint venture murder liability and sentencing. Representative Sam Montaño and Senator Liz Miranda supported the reform, arguing that current law can impose life sentences on people with limited or no knowledge of a killing and that the doctrine contributes to racial bias and disproportionate punishment. A law professor, a former defendant, and advocates from the National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls described cases where people were punished far beyond their actual role and said the bill would better align charges and sentences with individual culpability. Related testimony also supported a proportionality-focused reform to reduce the harshness of joint venture sentencing. Several other public safety and criminal justice bills drew testimony. Senator Robin Kennedy supported a bill redefining strangulation in domestic violence law, saying the current “substantial pressure” standard is too vague and that strangulation is often lethal without visible injury. District Attorney Ryan and a retail business executive backed a bill on organized retail theft, saying it would give prosecutors more flexible charging options and better address coordinated theft rings. Representative Vieira and the family of Kiana Barros urged action on Kiana’s Law, which would improve restraining-order notification and enforcement after Barros’s daughter was killed after an order was not served. The hearing also included support for the HALO Act, which would create a 25-foot safety zone around first responders and penalize harassment or obstruction, and for a bill to enhance courthouse security by creating specific protections for judges and their families. No votes were taken during the hearing."} 0}]}

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:16:28.959> people also represent 150,000 of diverse people also represent 150,000 of diverse
• He also launched an aerospace internship program as well as an aerospace supplier program.
• /c><00:38:47.200> program.
• That is a community corrections program that's a great program for the right folks to be on there.
• program under DOC's purview I believe. program under DOC's purview I believe.

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a roll call establishing a quorum. Senators then adopted the prior day’s journal and excused absent members. A lengthy point of personal privilege followed, in which Senator Smith criticized the prior day’s handling of the special order calendar and argued that minority-party senators were denied the chance to speak, while Senator Coleman said Senate Bill 318 had been removed from the calendar and tied that to Child Abuse Prevention Month; she also noted Senate Bill 43, which would provide civil recourse for child sex assault survivors, had not advanced. The presiding officer also recognized guests in the gallery, including staff from the Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention and members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. The Senate then received multiple committee reports, largely on a unanimous or near-unanimous basis. Finance and Taxation Education reported favorably on House Bills 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 565, 517, and 98, and Senate Bill 380, with some substitutes or amendments; Finance and Taxation General Fund reported Senate Bill 378 favorably; County and Municipal Government reported House Bills 568, 499, and 433; Education Policy reported House Bills 8 and 380; Banking and Insurance reported House Bill 545; Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development reported House Bill 586 with two nays; Healthcare reported House Bills 533 and 605; Tourism and Marketing reported House Bills 513 and 626 and Senate Bill 357; and local legislation committees reported several Mobile County and Madison County bills, including Senate Bill 379 relating to Madison County and various House bills, all advancing to the next legislative day. In motions and resolutions, the Senate agreed to allow committee reports to be received at any time during the day. Several resolutions were introduced and referred to the Rules Committee, including Senate Joint Resolution 100 honoring Presley Skelton, SJR 101 commending Auburn University’s School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture, SJR 102 establishing the Alabama Forest Products Retention and Pulp and Paper Mill Stability Study Commission, SJR 103 mourning Norman Wendell Arnold, and SJR 104 designating Alabama as the river state. The chamber also suspended the rules to take up Senate Joint Resolution 105, commending Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth for his service; the resolution included a lengthy recitation of his background and accomplishments and was read for immediate consideration with all senators added as sponsors.

Transcript Highlights:

• have one of the unique positions where they actually partner with all three major universities' programs
• along with them, a two-plus-two program in Yuma.
• This is going to be a great companion to the program.
• This is a program that the GOP runs to teach women how to get involved in government, whether behind
• SB 1582, appropriation school safety program; SB 1583, school safety and operability monies return; SB

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• where the ability of the town to continue receiving federal assistance from a variety of different programs
• a public safety building authority, very similar, as you've heard, to the school and the library programs
• Finally, the bills offer a governance structure and include a diverse advisory board that ensures rural
• Finally, the bills offer a governance structure and include a diverse advisory board that ensures rural
• There should be a risk management program in place.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security heard testimony on several bills, with strong support expressed for a proposed municipal and public safety building authority (H. 2571/S. 1650). Municipal officials, fire chiefs, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, regional planning leaders, and Senator Comerford described aging town halls, fire stations, DPW facilities, and other local buildings, especially in small towns and gateway cities, and argued that local budgets and Proposition 2 1/2 make major capital projects difficult to fund. Testimony emphasized the need for a dedicated revenue stream, with the bill proposing a share of marijuana excise tax revenue and a rural funding set-aside. Committee members asked about prioritization and funding levels, and witnesses said even a modest start would help address a large statewide backlog. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the committee later adjourned unanimously. The committee also heard testimony on H. 2689, requiring fuel gas alarms/detectors in residential dwellings using explosive gases. Representative Jeff Roy, Susan Brown, Jason Cohn, and representatives from NEMA and Kidde supported the bill, describing it as a life-saving measure similar to carbon monoxide detector requirements. Witnesses cited the 2015 Franklin propane explosion that killed Nancy and Robert Brown, the Merrimack Valley gas explosions, and national fire data showing fatalities and property damage from gas leaks. They said detectors are affordable, commercially available, and should be required where gas is used; one witness noted battery-backed or battery-operated options exist. Committee questions focused on cost, battery power, outdoor propane setups, and whether the bill would cover private databases or only residential safety devices. Another major topic was S. 1755 on missing and abducted children. Senator Pavel Payano testified in favor, citing the case of Lee Manuel Villoria Paolino and arguing that misclassification of missing children as runaways can delay urgent response and worsen outcomes, especially for Black and brown youth. He said the bill would set minimum law enforcement response standards, require training, and expand multilingual intake forms. The committee also heard support for expanding the state DNA database through familial DNA searching, with Dr. Amory Myers explaining that the technology could help solve long-unsolved cases while including guardrails to prevent use of private consumer DNA databases. Finally, the committee heard extensive testimony on H. 2740, “Colby’s Law,” establishing safety standards for BMX and motocross tracks. Colby Lippincott’s family, community members, and industry representatives described his fatal crash and urged requirements for medical staff, insurance, inspections, warning systems, barriers, and access roads. Witnesses said the bill would not end the sport but would create basic protections, and the committee heard that Massachusetts would join a number of other states with similar standards. The hearing ended with a motion to adjourn, which passed unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• has significant overlap with the Cal Grant program.
• Program.
• Since it is a program that addresses the total cost of attendance, the program would need to increase
• More accelerated programs, three-year degree programs as opposed to four.
• So when we look at graduate programs, professional programs, are there any thoughts to possibly think

Summary: The subcommittee on Education Finance heard an overview of the governor’s budget proposals and higher education financial aid trends, with a major focus on the Middle Class Scholarship (MCS), Cal Grant spending, and the effects of recent federal student aid changes. The Department of Finance said the budget would fully fund Cal Grant at projected levels and reduce MCS coverage from 35% to 17.5% of unmet need in 2026-27, while the Legislative Analyst’s Office supported considering the reduction as a cost-saving measure given out-year deficits. UC and CSU representatives opposed the cut, saying MCS is important to affordability and debt-free degree goals; they estimated average awards would fall substantially and that campuses do not have funds to backfill the loss. The Student Aid Commission said the proposal would reduce aid but simplify administration, and members questioned how lower awards would affect students, borrowing, and work-study options. No vote was taken, and the issue was held open for possible future action. The committee then discussed federal changes to student loans and Pell Grant policy under H.R. 1, including caps on Parent PLUS loans, elimination of Grad PLUS loans, and new proration rules for federal direct loans based on enrollment intensity. The LAO said these changes would likely push some borrowers into the private market, especially graduate and professional students and some parents of students at private institutions. CSU said the changes would affect thousands of graduate and part-time students and could reduce access by about $97 million in loan availability for part-time borrowers, while UC said the new definitions of professional degrees were too restrictive and would reduce access for nursing, teaching, law, dentistry, and other programs. Community colleges said they use relatively little federal loan aid but are monitoring Workforce Pell. Members raised concerns about workforce impacts, social mobility, and whether the state should consider alternative loan programs or other ways to reduce student costs. This issue was also held open. In the segment financial aid update, the LAO reported Cal Grant spending is projected to rise to about $3.2 billion in 2026-27, driven by more recipients and higher awards tied to UC and CSU tuition increases, while CSAC said FAFSA and CADAA applications are up significantly year over year. CSU, community colleges, and UC described their aid packaging and rising aid totals, with CSU reporting over $5.5 billion in aid to 381,000 students, community colleges reporting over $4.3 billion to more than 920,000 students, and UC reporting $3.17 billion in grant aid to undergraduates. Members asked about Cal Grant reform, application trends, and long-term outcomes; UC and community colleges pointed to alumni and wage dashboards, and the LAO noted the state’s Cradle to Career data effort. The committee then took public comment, including testimony on library funding and other education-related priorities, and concluded by holding the issues open without formal action.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're very diverse, as small as we are.
• <00:20:36.640> that participate in after school program that participate in after school program
• <00:21:37.400> so other sort of diversionary programs so other sort of diversionary programs
• We are doing where education is going for the future as far as facilities, programs.
• these programs these programs attendance<01:36:55.119> is<01:36:55.239> a<01:36:55.400

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Education Finance Committee met on January 28, 2025, to receive updates on chronic absenteeism work funded in the 2024 education finance bill. The chair introduced presentations from districts in the student attendance pilot program—Minneapolis, Columbia Heights, Chisago, and Rochester—and noted that the committee would also hear the student attendance and truancy legislative study group report and later a bill from Senator Weber. The chair also thanked educational assistants and paraprofessionals for their work in schools. Minneapolis Public Schools described common attendance challenges across pilot districts, including inconsistent attendance coding, weak family communication, difficulty identifying interventions, and uneven responses to absences. The district said pilot districts want statewide definitions for absences, tardies, and exempt codes, as well as better internal dashboards and clearer procedures. Minneapolis also highlighted strategies such as attendance teams at each school, quarterly postcards to families after five or more absences, Promise Fellows, home visits, multilingual communication through TalkingPoints, and a morning nurse line to help parents decide whether a child should stay home. The district said its main attendance goal is to raise consistent attendance from 68 percent to 80 percent by 2026. In response to committee questions, Minneapolis said its main post-COVID absenteeism reason has been illness or medical issues, followed by transportation problems, and that it does not penalize students for transportation-related absences. The district said it counts secondary absences when students miss more than three periods in a day, with truancy beginning after seven such absences, while elementary students are counted absent for the full day. Members also asked about whether reduced truancy referrals reflected more attendance or diversionary supports; the district said its approach is to focus on understanding root causes and providing support rather than quickly referring students to truancy processes. The district reported improved communication, greater parent awareness, and fewer truancy referrals so far, and said the attendance team model should be sustainable because it uses existing staff with clearer direction.