Transcript Highlights:

• right brought a bill about funding going to where it belongs in education.
• Funding that are difficult for people not in education to understand.
• It's been to many folks in your education committee, certainly many on the House side.
• So I come into the Education Committee on the House side last year.
• My name is Peggy Hoy, and I am a longtime educator in the state of Idaho.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, let's get started with our Senate Education today.
• ...in education.
• Our funding comes through the Department of Education.
• I do think that education is changing as we know it with ChatGPT.
• The State Board of Education unanimously voted to support it.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a joint memorial that would send a message to Congress that special education needs to be funded
• Basically, in 1975, Congress passed the IDEA, or the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, as
• Currently, Idaho gets around 12% funding from the federal government to help with special education needs
• We want to provide what they need to be educated, but we can't do it for free.
• So I do think there's a larger conversation and an opportunity to educate the public.

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• So first we will hear CS for House Bill 1267, Education, by Representative Boussada.
• Kathy Bome, Florida Education Association, waves in opposition.
• But I again don't think it should come at the sacrifice of public education.
• advocate as a former public school educator.
• House Bill 1115, education by Representative Valdes.

Summary: The Pre-K through 12 Budget Subcommittee heard and advanced three bills. CS/HB 1267, by Rep. Boussada, would require school districts to allow Schools of Hope to use vacant or surplus facilities or co-locate in schools with capacity, with non-instructional services handled through a pro rata agreement and a performance-based agreement requiring Schools of Hope to meet expectations within five years. Supporters argued it would better use underfilled public schools and help students in the bottom 10% of schools statewide; opponents raised concerns about local control, funding, and the effect on public schools. The bill passed 13-2. The committee also heard CS/HB 1115, by Rep. Valdes, which would require sharing certain discretionary sales surtax revenues with eligible charter schools based on enrollment, create a standardized charter school monitoring tool, and align Schools of Hope sponsoring-entity rules with charter school processes. Supporters said it would improve consistency and accountability; critics questioned fiscal impacts and district flexibility. That bill passed 13-2. The final bill, CS/HB 1213, by Rep. Alvarez, would create a K-12 School Route Optimization Pilot Program using five counties to test AI-assisted analysis of school bus routes and walking conditions, with the goal of improving child safety for students who currently walk long distances. Members discussed hazardous conditions, possible use of safe-school transportation funds, and the bill’s lack of fiscal impact. Public testimony included support from education and parent groups. The bill passed unanimously, 15-0. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2015, she was the first woman elected county superintendent of education.
• Currently, she is the Director of Education for Area 1 in the USD.
• Eileen Mitro is a climate advocate and former public educator.
• A long-time public servant and educator, Dr.
• Arts and Education.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> appropriate for an educational setting. appropriate for an educational setting.
• </c> well educated and able to navigate this. well educated and able to navigate this.
• by the Department of Education.
• Trust our educators. Trust our SB96. Trust our educators.
• </c> directly bypasses right to the educator. directly bypasses right to the educator.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 34, which would require parental consent for each new service provided to a student through the Medicaid to Schools program and require reports to legislative policy committees. Senator Ruth Ward said the bill was intended to increase transparency, protect parental involvement, and ensure continuity of care, especially for students with disabilities. She also noted a proposed amendment she received shortly before the hearing that would change the bill’s focus from a “new service” to a “new care plan.” Representatives from the New Hampshire Primary Care Association and Amoscake Health testified that they opposed the bill as written but would support it with the amendment. They explained that tying consent to individual diagnosis codes or services could be burdensome, could delay care, and could create compliance problems if a diagnosis changes during a visit. They said the amendment would better align consent with the overall care plan and avoid interrupting treatment mid-appointment. Committee members raised questions about how the bill would interact with IEPs, individualized health plans, homebound services, telehealth, billing, and whether the amendment would still require parental involvement after a care plan changes. The deputy Medicaid director from the Department of Health and Human Services testified that the amendment was more operationally feasible because Medicaid billing involves many ICD-10 codes that can change or overlap, and consent should be tied to the care plan rather than to each code. He said the current law already requires parental consent for participation in the Medicaid to Schools program and annual consent for billing, but the bill would make explicit consent for care-plan changes. No vote was taken during the portion of the hearing provided, and the committee appeared to continue discussion with DHHS after the testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• When programs opt out, children and educators lose access to critical support.
• network. state preschool, general child care, and family child care home education networks.
• The motion is due pass as amended to the Assembly Education Committee. Lee? Aye. Castillo? Aye.
• We bring together K-12 education, higher education, community organizations, local partners to ensure
• McLean Rosansky with the Alameda County Office of Education in support.

Committee: House Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• We build quality educational environments.
• What can we do to help educate you to a better level?"
• It'd be nice to see New Mexico in an education area ranked. Highly.
• Improving the educational environment.
• We are prepared to start educating.

Committee: House Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the December 5th Post-Secondary Education Workforce Committee.
• we've got a panel. ...health in higher education.
• They plan educational programs.
• They plan educational programs.
• Our peer health educators are paid employees.

Committee: House Postsecondary Education & Workforce

Summary: The committee heard a series of informational presentations on student mental health, artificial intelligence, and the High School and Beyond Plan. Central Washington University, Washington State University, the University of Washington, and the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges described campus and system efforts to support student well-being through counseling, peer programs, behavioral intervention teams, basic-needs assistance, crisis response, and partnerships with community providers. Presenters said students are reporting high levels of anxiety, loneliness, basic-needs insecurity, and substance-use concerns, while also increasingly seeking services. Members asked about substance-use treatment, student feedback, historical trends, and the distinction between counseling and academic advising. The community and technical colleges also discussed a four-college mental health pilot that expanded access through licensed counselors, telehealth, referral pathways, and stronger connections to basic-needs supports. The committee then shifted to artificial intelligence in higher education. Washington State University, the University of Washington, Western Washington University, and the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges described how they are developing AI policies, governance structures, faculty guidance, and training for students and staff. Topics included academic integrity, ethical use, privacy, cybersecurity, equitable access to AI tools, and using AI to support teaching, research, advising, and operations. Presenters emphasized that AI should be used with human oversight and that students need clear course-level policies and foundational skills. Members asked about deepfakes, AI use in hiring and admissions, student monitoring, K-12 alignment, and the risk of bias or privacy problems. Finally, OSPI presented the statewide High School and Beyond Plan platform, School Links, as a practical tool to help students plan for postsecondary pathways and connect to career and college information. The presenter said the new platform is intended to create more equitable access across districts, improve implementation data, and support students’ future planning, while also helping them see a pathway forward. OSPI reported that about 200 districts and 694 middle and high schools are using the platform, with roughly 282,000 students rostered, and said additional funding is needed to complete the statewide rollout beyond June 30, 2026. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• we've got a panel. ...health in higher education.
• We also are directly connected to the educational...
• They plan educational programs.
• Our peer health educators are paid employees.
• We know that research consistently shows that peer education is one of the most effective forms of education

Summary: The committee spent much of the meeting hearing presentations on student mental health supports at Central Washington University, Washington State University, the University of Washington, and the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges. CWU described high levels of student distress, loneliness, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and basic-needs insecurity, along with a campus-wide holistic well-being model that includes behavioral intervention teams, emergency aid, peer outreach, community partnerships, and a collegiate recovery community. WSU emphasized loneliness, common presenting concerns such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and relationship distress, and the role of housing and residence life, resident advisors, living-learning communities, and coordinated crisis response in identifying and supporting students. UW highlighted prevention and support programs through LiveWell, including alcohol and other drug consultations, confidential advocacy, suicide intervention, student needs navigation, peer health educators, and peer wellness coaches. The community and technical college system reported persistent access barriers, especially for students ages 18 to 24 and those facing housing or food insecurity, and said the legislature-funded mental health pilot at four colleges expanded counseling access, telehealth, and referral pathways, while broader system efforts focus on awareness, telehealth, basic-needs supports, and workforce training in behavioral health fields. Members asked each panel how they gather student feedback, and the institutions said they use surveys, evaluations, and ongoing outreach to students in services. Questions also focused on substance-use and recovery resources, Greek life outreach, and whether colleges have enough licensed mental health staff versus academic advisors; the community college board said not all colleges have licensed mental health providers on staff, and some rely on community contracts or telehealth. The committee also discussed whether counseling services are increasing because of post-pandemic effects or because students are more willing to seek help, with presenters saying both factors likely play a role. The committee then shifted to artificial intelligence in higher education. Washington State University, the University of Washington, Western Washington University, and the community and technical college system described campus AI task forces, governance structures, and efforts to set policies for students, faculty, and staff. Presenters said institutions are requiring course-level AI use statements, promoting ethical and transparent use, expanding access to approved tools such as Microsoft Copilot, and using AI for teaching, research, advising, and administrative support while guarding privacy, equity, and academic integrity. Members raised concerns about deepfakes, bias, student monitoring, and whether AI should be used to screen applications or evaluate student work; presenters said human review remains essential and that some institutions prohibit AI use in hiring or admissions screening. The final presentation, from OSPI, described the statewide rollout of the School Links high school and beyond plan platform under 2023 legislation, saying it will standardize career and college planning across K-12, provide better data and student guidance, and connect students to postsecondary pathways and employers; OSPI said the rollout is underway but current funding only extends through June 30, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• of higher education, to adopt minimum standards for Texas institutions of higher education to provide
• Then they do graduate medical education.
• Currently, the Education Code allows conscientious...
• in K-12 education and higher education.
• The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board would conduct this study in partnership with higher education

Bills: SB66 , SB243 , SB250 , SB317 , SB393 , SB397 , SB456 , SB628 , SB629 , SB636 , SB715 , SB731 , SB801 , SB865 , SB1012 , SB1013 , SB1015 , SB1032 , SB1141 , SB1181 , SB1224 , SB1241 , SB1242 , SB1250 , SB1266 , SB1285 , SB1376 , SB1442 , SB1449 , SB1502 , SB1524 , SB1528 , SB1551 , SB1585 , SB1640 , SB1708 , SB1844 , SB1854 , SB1863 , SB1959 , SB1965 , SB2035 , SB2082 , SB2119 , SB2138 , SB2199 , SB2200 , SB2201 , SB2245 , SB2269 , SB2284 , SB2310 , SB2357 , SB2419 , SB2422 , SB2480 , SB2514 , SB2523 , SB2529 , SB2533 , SB2541 , SB2550 , SB2568 , SB2595 , SB2605 , SB2608 , SB2615 , SB2717 , SB2721 , SB2753 , SB2778 , SB2841 , SB2846 , SB2891 , SB2925 , SB2929 , SB2933 , SB3016 , SB3029 , SB3039 , SB3044 , SJR3 , SJR18 , SB5 , SB326 , SB494 , SB530 , SB767 , SB769 , SB783 , SB914 , SB963 , SB1035 , SB1197 , SB1271 , SB1415 , SB1437 , SB1619 , SB1637 , SB1786 , SB1806 , SB2312 , SB29 , SB1238 , SB1967 , SB1 , SB260 , SB1637 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SJR59 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SCR48 , SCR19 , SB2023 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB1073 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB1502 , SB507 , SB1434 , SB1376 , SB1585 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1163 , SB1122 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB261 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB1999 , SB511 , SB2309 , SB510 , SB1085 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB1524 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB517 , SB1200 , SB1845 , SB1863 , SB2681 , SB2200 , SB2199 , SB2458 , SB2201 , SB801 , SB2533 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB1013 , SB2797 , SB2119 , SB2076 , SB2876 , SB2284 , SB2929 , SB2595 , SB715 , SB1640 , SB2514 , SB2753 , SB1241 , SB2538 , SB1449 , SB2529 , SB2846 , SB986 , SB1181 , SB1359 , SB2550 , SB2245 , SB410 , SB1234 , SB456 , SB1012 , SB2926 , SB2138 , SB1242 , SB2615 , SB2310 , SB1224 , SB2972 , SB2841 , SB3016 , SB1856 , SB2035 , SB1528 , SB1141 , SB1266 , SB1373 , SB2269 , SB2480 , SB672 , SB2891 , SB2422 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB2539 , SB2532 , SB2925 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB2203 , SB2357 , SB2721 , SB243 , SB1285 , SB2568 , SB1959 , SB1442 , SB1454 , SB2520 , SB2541 , SB1708 , SB1237 , SB1844 , SB1586 , SB1551 , SB3039 , SB2819 , SB66 , SB629 , SB1015 , SB2342 , SB2903 , SB2933 , SB1965 , SB2477 , SB3029 , SB2605 , SB2419 , SB1957 , SB375 , SB250 , SB777 , SB628 , SB2523 , SB2367 , SB2703 , SB2608 , SB2778 , SB3044 , SB2965 , SB2521 , SB865 , SB1032 , SB2165 , SB2501 , SB2675 , SB2452 , SB2835 , HB 1109 , HB1392 , HB22 , HB2525 , HB3093 , SB872 , SB1212 , SB1278 , SB1588 , SB1602 , SB1704 , SB1723 , SB1833 , SB1858 , SB1946 , SB2009 , SB2177 , SB2460 , SB2785 , SB2373 , SB1660 , SB614 , SB867 , SB1608 , SB1525 , SB905 , SB640 , SB2487 , SB1698 , SB383 , SB705 , SB748 , SB1113 , SB1117 , SB1802 , SB2340 , SB2586 , SB2680 , SB2690 , SB2994 , SB2747 , SB1950 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1483 , SB1444 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1703 , SB2133 , SB2297 , SB2298 , SB2622 , SB2955 , SB3059 , SB2782 , SB2781 , SB2637 , SB2633 , SB2337 , SB2334 , SB1861 , SB2043 , SB1367 , SB946 , SB945 , SB2857 , SB128 , SB571 , SB1263 , SB3058 , SB612 , SB2221 , SB2587 , SB2044 , SB2363 , SB2713 , HB517 , HB912 , HB 1130 , HB142 , HB1689 , HB2018

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, received the House message that HB 35 had passed, and heard a gubernatorial message submitting Trinity River Authority board appointments for Senate confirmation. The chamber also adopted a slate of Senate resolutions by voice vote and later postponed reading and referral of bills and resolutions until the end of the calendar. Several members introduced bills with brief explanations before the Senate took them up under suspension of the regular order. The body then considered and passed a series of measures, often by wide margins, including SB 2846 on wildlife disease control and quarantine authority; CS SB 1224 requiring school superintendents or directors to report certain employee misconduct to local law enforcement; CS SB 2310 on transparency for degree and transfer requirements at public colleges; SB 1502 limiting school districts’ ability to exceed voter-approval tax rates after a failed TRE; CS SB 1141 on notice requirements before full adversary hearings in child-protection cases; CS SB 2568 exempting certain flood-control reservoirs from TCEQ permitting; SB 1524 on confidentiality of information about weapons in foster homes; CS SB 2925 creating a task force on modernizing manufacturing; CS SB 2269 on dispute resolution and enforcement for long-term care facilities; CS SB 1266 on Medicaid provider enrollment and disenrollment notices; SB 243 on migrant labor housing standards; SB 2200 on overweight vehicles transporting hazardous materials; CS SB 2480 on the Texas Physician Health Program; CS SB 1585 restricting government contracts with companies tied to foreign adversaries; CS SB 2357 establishing maternal health training; and SB 1551 requiring accessible AED placement in public schools. The Senate also debated more contested bills. CS SB 2019, which would extend vaccine exemption rules to medical and veterinary students, advanced only partway after a divided vote. CS SB 1442, directing a study on veterinary telemedicine relationships, and CS SB 1241, which would allow the Higher Education Coordinating Board to study alternative college entrance exams, prompted extended questioning about agency authority and whether changes should return to the legislature before taking effect. CS SB 2753, which would integrate early voting and election day voting into a single in-person voting period, was amended and passed to engrossment despite opposition. CS SB 2201, dealing with gang and foreign terrorist organization intelligence databases, and CS SB 2514, creating a DPS hostile foreign adversaries unit, drew detailed debate over civil liberties and national security. CS SB 2422, aimed at limiting Texas Medical Board discipline related to COVID-19 treatments and practices, also advanced after lengthy discussion and a close vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 246 with House education.
• </c> The Primary and Secondary Education The Primary and Secondary Education Committee<00:09:47.680><
• </c><00:31:11.840><c> to</c> Kentucky Department of Education to Kentucky Department of Education to
• </c> happens, the Department of Education happens, the Department of Education advises<01:05:46.960><
• House Bill 415, an act relating to educators. House Bill 415, an act relating to educators.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, when we're moving away from educational educational educational um<02:05:22.080><c> you</c><02:05
• </c><02:06:43.360><c> This</c> education this education committee.
• This education this education committee.
• </c> the outside of education. the outside of education.
• </c> education out of a sex education education out of a sex education program?

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Fund, expands the fund to include child care services, not just education programs, changes where money
• This is if any tax credits are received for early childhood education, all of them would go into the
• Individuals who don’t have children, early childhood education, and they’re...” “...not a flaw.
• But this is how we fund our education system is through sales tax.
• facilities that give early childhood education.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Summary: The House Ways and Means Committee met in executive session to consider House Bill 2379, which had a pre-distributed House Committee Substitute. The bill sponsor, Rep. Cecily Williams, explained that the substitute was revised to align with a Senate version and to clarify definitions, limit applicability to certain counties, rename the fund the Early Childhood Education Fund, expand eligible uses to include child care services, move fund custody to the county treasurer, broaden the types of eligible providers, and prioritize children with the greatest financial need. Members discussed how the measure would work in practice, with repeated clarification that it does not create a new tax but instead governs how locally approved early childhood sales tax revenue would be collected and distributed. Several members focused on whether the bill involved tax credits or a sales tax, whether any tax was already in place, and whether the money would otherwise go to general revenue. The sponsor and other members clarified that local governments already have authority to place an early childhood sales tax on the ballot, and the bill would require any revenue approved for that purpose to be deposited into a dedicated children’s service fund rather than diverted to general funds. Supporters, including Rep. Taylor and Rep. Wright, said the bill would improve transparency and ensure funds are used for the intended early childhood purpose, while Rep. Davis questioned the fairness of a sales tax that would be paid broadly but benefit only families with young children. Rep. Coleman also raised questions about the funding mechanism and remained uncertain during the discussion. The committee first adopted the House Committee Substitute by voice vote. It then voted on the substitute version of House Bill 2379 and passed it do pass by a roll call vote of 7 ayes and 2 noes. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• in K-12 and higher education on AI usage.
• Now moving on to K-12 and higher education, how does this connect back to K-12 and higher education?
• In terms of education in the future, we need to go back to agency, character, ethics, and moral education
• And the best way to do that would be to follow, again, going back to character education, to ethics education
• Pencil stands for education. PIN stands for penitentiary. Pencil stands for education.

Committee: All ALC-HIGHER EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:

• In my work in higher education at some of the smaller institutions, I don't think it's cheaper to educate
• I'm curious about the education one.
• of institutions of higher education.
• And so that's generated by higher education today.
• Because I think education lifts all.

Committee: Joint Higher Education Funding Review Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• The Assembly Higher Education Committee is now called to order.
• I want to welcome everyone to the Assembly Higher Education Committee hearing.
• students can thrive in their educational journeys.
• AI adoption is already happening in higher education. ...and to not reinvent the wheel.
• of our students, but in the very fabric of higher education and our society.

Committee: House Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• So, reduced student populations limit higher education institutions' ability to raise funding.
• This is not just in our higher education but in our K-12 um as well, and I don't, um, I just think that
• So, right now, that would be the goal of higher education institutions.
• Representative, currently, now for some background The way that higher education projects are funded,
• Chairman, if there's going to be a waiver of the match requirement, then the public education or the

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• So we are going to be adding the education policy and education budget bill to the calendar for the day
• Budget Bill; Senate File 1740, the Education Policy Bill, substituting the House language. policy and
• education budget bill to the policy and education budget bill to the calendar<00:00:48.559><c> for</
• I'm just curious if the plan with trying to find an agreement on the education bills over the weekend
• Minnesota over the course of education Minnesota over the course of the<00:02:23.360><c> weekend</c>

Committee: House Rules and Legislative Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• It's still an education.
• looking for adult education aligned with training.
• prioritize adult education for this population.
• I'm the Adult Education Director at the New Mexico Higher Education Department.
• Also, in adult education, Navajo Technical University in particular has not applied. for adult education