Transcript Highlights:

• .understands how local dynamics impact school environments, knows how to differentiate classroom material
• for diverse learning, has experience with migrant student needs, and has focused on a safe and productive
• learning environment in their own class.
• serious about modernizing the QEM, which I am, we must listen to people doing the work, the work and learning

Summary: The Senate convened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation by Senator Starr, followed by several courtesies recognizing Pride Month, a staff birthday, and later a retirement and a community celebration. Senator Robinson then used remonstrances to warn against expanding surveillance through school bus camera systems, arguing that leaked plans from a vendor could create commercial databases of drivers’ movements and erode privacy. The main business was confirmation of numerous gubernatorial appointments and reappointments to boards and commissions. Senators debated the process at length, with several minority members objecting that the volume of nominees, limited hearing time, and lack of transparency made meaningful advice-and-consent review difficult. Supporters responded that the nominees were qualified public servants and that the Senate should work with the Governor’s office on reforms. The Senate first confirmed a large block of appointments, then confirmed two Sustainability Board appointees, and later confirmed three Quality Education Commission appointees after extended debate. The Quality Education Commission nominations drew the most substantive policy discussion. Opponents argued the commission needs more technical research expertise and broader representation, while supporters emphasized the nominees’ education experience and direct knowledge of Oregon schools. Several senators described Oregon’s education system as in crisis, citing low reading and math proficiency, chronic absenteeism, and the need for urgent reform of the Quality Education Model and school funding. The Senate also received a proposed rule amendment creating an official Senate seal, which was distributed and held on the table, and the chamber adjourned without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Does the state of Arkansas fund any quality learning centers? Any daycares? I didn't hear that.
• I didn't know if quality learning centers had any branches in Arkansas. I'm not familiar with that.
• I didn't know if quality learning centers had any branches in Arkansas. I'm not familiar with that.
• One is the contract amendments without a material change. The second is executed minor contracts.

Summary: The review subcommittee met to consider a supplemental agenda, methods of finance, an alternative delivery project, discretionary grants, and a large slate of construction, out-of-state, and in-state contracts. The supplemental item was a $2.6 million out-of-state contract with Tyler Technologies for a mobile app that would let citizens access state services through a single sign-on, initially for DFA vehicle and licensing services, with possible expansion to other agencies. Members also reviewed five methods of finance, including University of Arkansas projects for roof and cooling tower replacements, a new $100 million academic classroom building at U of A Fayetteville, a police department renovation at UA Fort Smith, and a boiler/chiller replacement at Hope-Texarkana. Questions focused on project timing, why some items were being reviewed after work had begun, and the high estimated cost of the Fayetteville classroom building; DFA explained that projects under $250,000 are not reviewed and that the larger project was still in design and would later seek a guaranteed maximum price. The committee also reviewed two DHS discretionary grants: one for targeted youth advocacy in southwest Arkansas and another adding $582,000 for family-centered treatment training and implementation. In the services contract section, members discussed construction-related contracts, including an ASMSA electrical scope increase tied to three-phase power requirements and the U of A Fayetteville architect contract for the classroom building. Out-of-state contracts included major items such as ACT Education’s $17 million amendment to provide required pre-ACT testing for 9th and 10th graders, a $12.5 million DFA contract for rural health transformation grant management, DHS’s $16.5 million EBT services contract with updated chip-card and fraud-prevention features, and ADH’s special procurement for the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey. The committee also reviewed U of A system consulting contracts for financial advisory and sponsorship strategy work, with university officials saying the outside expertise was needed for specialized planning and revenue-generation efforts. In-state contracts covered corrections reentry services, nursing board investigations, foster care and child welfare services, DHS office janitorial work, emergency management radio system expansion, veterans’ home nursing staffing, and UAMS grants consulting. A lengthy exchange centered on the Department of Corrections’ reentry housing contract, with members pressing officials about vacant beds and urging fuller use of the program, while corrections staff said placements depend on screening and eligibility. Another discussion addressed the balance between out-of-state and in-state contracting, with a member noting the large dollar volume going to out-of-state vendors and asking whether Arkansas vendors receive any preference; State Procurement said current law does not allow an in-state preference. The committee approved the supplemental agenda, the methods of finance, the alternative delivery project, the discretionary grants, and the contract lists, and then received routine reports and an emergency action report before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Schools Commission on Colleges, the accreditor of virtually all state public institutions of higher learning
• school policies and programs regarding the production or distribution of certain intimate visual material
• Senate Bill 646 does that, plus I've learned that the Higher Education Coordinating Board needs the ability
• For example, the Higher Learning Commission is a good one.

Bills: SB1998, SB646, SB2786, SB2076, SB2615, SB1961, SB1418, SB2647, SB1322, SB2788

Keywords: pediatrics, medical education, subsidiary, preceptorship, medical training, student programs, mental health, loan repayment, education funding, mental health professionals, healthcare access, Texas Success Initiative, exemption, public officers, employees, higher education, Capitol view, Austin, urban planning, construction

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, some schools we did learn don't have uh counselors or, or, uh, to, to talk to the children, some
• I don't know if you know this, but I learned this prior year, not this Secretary.
• in there that it can only be used for state roads, and I'm going to give you two examples that I learned
• or Charles, whoever wants to answer, give us, um, an idea regarding any language changes that are material

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, I've spent the last four years thinking about lessons learned from that experience.
• And so from that kind of experience, or battlefield experience, as it were, you just learn things you
• would otherwise never learn.
• keep the record open for two weeks to edit statements and submit letters and any other relevant materials

Keywords: SBA, small business, nominations, Bill Briggs, Casey Mulligan, regulations, capital access, public support

Summary: The Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship convened to consider the nominations of Bill Briggs for Deputy Administrator of the SBA and Dr. Casey Mulligan for Chief Counsel for Advocacy. The discussions highlighted the critical role of the SBA in promoting small businesses, with emphasis on overcoming challenges posed by excessive regulations and the need for improved access to capital. Several committee members expressed their concerns over recent layoffs within the SBA and the closure of district offices, which they believe undermine support for small businesses across the nation. The committee meeting saw extensive dialogue about the implications of regulations on small business operations and how the nominees plan to address these issues if confirmed. Public support for the nominees was acknowledged through letters from various stakeholders who advocate for small business interests.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm excited to learn everything that education has to offer, and hopefully we can head it in a good
• worked on multiple projects for various programs, but now I'm currently running an instructional materials
• You can learn what you need to about that on that page.
• You can learn a little bit more about that here. I won't talk too much about that.

Transcript Highlights:

• very happy to see that those materials very happy to see that those materials are<01:12:56.080><
• It was very informative; I learned a lot there.
• So question for you learned a lot there.
• <02:09:00.000> So<02:09:00.239> I for me. steep learning curve.
• So I for me. steep learning curve.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Stable Token Study Commission held its first regular meeting, welcomed all remaining appointed members, and completed brief introductions from legislators and agency designees. The chair outlined the commission’s plan to use the first part of the enabling legislation as a “level-setting” discussion, focusing this meeting on the basics of blockchain, the current landscape for stablecoins and tokenized real-world assets, and leaving blockchain-based trust for a later meeting. No votes were taken. The main presentation came from Deanna Bario Zales of the Global Blockchain Business Council, who described stablecoins as increasingly converging toward fiat-backed or asset-backed models, with algorithmic designs viewed more cautiously. She said stablecoins are being used for payments, remittances, DeFi activity, cross-border transfers, retail use in high-inflation markets, and treasury functions, while noting risks such as peg instability, reserve transparency, counterparty and network risk, and possible capital flight from weaker banking systems. She cited growth in supply, wallet activity, and transfer volume, and said U.S.-pegged stablecoins dominate the market, with USDT and USDC leading. Zales also discussed tokenized real-world assets, describing them as digital representations of physical assets that can enable fractional ownership, liquidity, and faster settlement. She said the market is growing quickly, with institutional participation from firms such as BlackRock and Franklin Templeton, and projected continued expansion. She closed with an overview of regulatory developments, emphasizing the new U.S. stablecoin framework under the Genius Act, the proposed Clarity Act, OCC guidance, and similar regimes in the EU, UK, UAE, Singapore, Japan, and elsewhere, all of which she said are shaping compliance requirements and market development.

Transcript Highlights:

• You should have a full list of that with you in the material being handed out.
• You should have a full list of that with you in the material being handed out.
• What I learned was that most offenders.
• I also learned more about priors.
• I also learned that interlock installed.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Like, everybody should just be learning when they're in school.
• , grow, and thrive. ...to learn, grow, and thrive.
• And possibly save a life learning how to administer naloxone.
• To control my fears, I learned CPR and how to use an AED.
• Let's make sure everyone is learning it.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held a public hearing on a large slate of bills, with the chairs emphasizing time limits, written testimony, and grouping similar measures together. Early testimony focused on opioid use disorder education in schools (S.382), with Senator Keenan arguing that students should be taught about the risks of substance use disorder and naloxone use as part of health curricula. Representative DeCost also briefly introduced H.551, a narrow bill concerning parent rights for children in third grade and younger. Several bills were then closed without testimony, including measures on type 1 diabetes informational materials and other diabetes-related proposals. A major portion of the hearing centered on school health and emergency response bills. Supporters of H.652/S.342 on diabetes management in schools described inconsistent district practices and urged clearer standards so students can receive care in classrooms rather than being sent out of instruction. Bills on epinephrine access and seizure disorders drew extensive testimony: advocates for stock epinephrine in schools argued that unassigned epinephrine can save lives and should be funded in a cost-neutral way, while a pediatrician opposed one version as an unfunded mandate. For seizure-safe schools (S.422/H.635), students, parents, educators, and advocates described missed or delayed responses to seizures, stigma, and the need for staff training, seizure action plans, and emergency medication protocols. A separate bill, H.645, allowing anti-seizure medication on school buses, was supported by a parent and student who said current law forces costly and restrictive transportation arrangements. The committee also heard testimony on youth skin health bills (S.334/H.600/H.619), which would let students carry and apply sunscreen at school and camp without a physician’s note. Supporters from melanoma prevention, dermatology, and industry groups said the bills would remove unnecessary barriers and promote sun-safe habits, while one witness cautioned about drafting details and unintended consequences. The hearing then moved to CPR/AED education for graduation (S.456), where Senator Tarr, a student advocate, and the Red Cross all supported requiring hands-on CPR certification for high school students. Finally, the committee took testimony on healthy school lunches (H.539/S.401): supporters from the Healthy School Lunch Coalition and school food directors backed stronger nutrition standards and a standing advisory council, while Consumer Brands Association witnesses opposed the bill as too vague and potentially disruptive. A nutrition scientist also warned about unintended restrictions on medically necessary or innovative foods. The chairs closed the hearing on the healthy lunch bills and then opened testimony on universal school meals for virtual schools (H.700), with Superintendent Patrick Latuka supporting access for students in Commonwealth virtual schools who currently receive no meal support.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to share just a couple stories because I think I quickly learned coming into this building the
• And that's something that we all ought to learn from, and I think I've learned from because we're not
• to learn from and I think I've learned to learn from and I think I've learned from<00:15:29.680>
• If you haven't seen the Civil Beat article today, check it out and learn about the impact the recent
• article today, check it out and learn article today, check it out and learn about<00:27:16.480><

Bills: SB3123, HB1853, HB1961, HB1965, HB1962, HB1959, HB2505, HB2576, HB1801, HB1804, HB1864, HB2319, HB2314, HB2115, HB1854, HB2062, HB1511, HB1535, HB2614, HB2282, HB1870, HB1695, HB1626, HB1643, HB1972, HB1550, HB1974, HB1966, HB1973, HB2545, HB1946, HB1939, HB1721, HB1741, HB1700

Keywords: conditional gifts, private education, scholarships, donor conditions, Hawaii education law, HB1853, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, cognitive impairment, memory care, memory clinic, Hanai Memory Network, Executive Office on Aging, aging services, kupuna, caregiver support, long-term care, elder care, geriatrics, public health

Transcript Highlights:

• Tim is also working on our career connected learning, career and technical education.
• Uh, learning time.
• This is a slight variation on our sort of traditional learning time conversation where we sort of look
• That was a work-based learning.
• This plan includes approaches for mitigating learning loss during absences.

Transcript Highlights:

• changes and very importantly material changes and very importantly maintaining<00:24:10.720> the<
• We did get a little materially change.
• I mean very, very material, substantial cost savings as our members are getting the right medication
• I mean<00:46:25.760> very<00:46:26.160> very<00:46:26.480> material<00:46:27.119
• We will be adding additional materials on our 2026 non-Medicare web page that will go live at the end

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:35 Attendance Roll Call: 00:00:55 Approval of Minutes: 00:02:56 Deferred Compensation Authority Update: 00:03:12 Retiree Health Update - TRS: 00:15:58 Retiree Health Update - KPPA: 00:56:13 Adjournment: 01:20:33, 958, all

Summary: The Public Pension Oversight Board received updates from the Kentucky Public Employees Deferred Compensation Authority and the Teachers Retirement System. Chris Biddle reported that deferred compensation assets had grown to about $4.787 billion with roughly 88,000 participants, crediting auto-enrollment, targeted marketing around pay raises, and retiree-focused services. He said the board’s self-directed brokerage account, authorized by last year’s legislation, is being designed around a $40,000 account-balance threshold with up to 25% transferable into the brokerage window, tentatively for July 1 of the coming year. He also described the free financial planning program, which has been used by about 3,300 to 3,500 participants with an 87% return rate, and noted that the plan is currently in a fee holiday; members asked about the fee structure and whether the CFP service is provided through Nationwide, which Biddle confirmed. Board members praised the deferred compensation program’s growth and asked for the legislation referenced by Biddle. He said the plan’s annual fees are capped, with a $1 monthly fee plus other charges up to a $225 cap, for a maximum of $237 per year absent a managed account. He also said the program is seeking unified payroll access to expand participation, especially among teachers, and that prior lineup changes saved about $6 million annually in participant fees. Bo Barnes of TRS then addressed retired teachers’ health insurance, first clarifying a prior question about declining federal contributions to the retirement annuity trust. He explained that federally funded school positions generated contributions that rose from $72 million in 2019 to $109 million in 2022, then fell to $85 million this year, with a projection of $80 million over the next three years; if those dollars do not come from federal sources, they would have to be replaced through the SEEK formula. Barnes then reviewed TRS health coverage, explaining that the statutory contract guarantees access to group coverage but not fixed premium levels, and that TRS administers two retiree plans: KEHP for retirees under 65 or otherwise not Medicare-eligible, and MEHP for retirees 65 and older or Medicare-eligible. Barnes said TRS completed RFPs for the 2026 plan year, retaining Express Scripts for prescription drugs and switching the Medicare Advantage medical provider from UnitedHealthcare to Humana, while keeping plan design, provider access, out-of-pocket costs, and benefits materially unchanged. He noted a modest hearing-aid improvement of $500 per ear beginning in 2026. He also reported that the TRS Board approved the maximum state contribution for KEHP at $1,044.96, up from $930.76, an 18% increase that he said would require about $15 million to $16 million more annually, while the MEHP premium would drop from $210 to $200 per month because of the new contract. Using the 2024 valuation, he said the KEHP increase would slightly reduce the health trust funded ratio from 80.4% to 80.1% and raise unfunded liability from $4.036 billion to $4.051 billion. Barnes closed by reviewing the 2010 shared-responsibility reforms that shifted retiree health costs away from a pay-as-you-go model, including phased employee and district contributions and Commonwealth stabilization funding. No votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• that does not need a disclaimer material that does not need a disclaimer we we we um<01:05:01.520>
• So, um, it would be better if we just picked a font like you did from printed material, eight-point font
• So, um, it would be better if we just picked a font like you did from printed material, eight-point font
• I think hopefully we can work on some more clarity in what that looks like, what would be the material
• So, um, it would be better if we just picked a font like you did from printed material, eight-point font

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's hard for them to get their feet under them and learn all the personalities and learn all the
• And then my last question is professional learning.
• And I think that they would say they love what they're learning, but the implementation of learning it
• We do have professional learning communities.
• Whenever there's other students in that classroom that want to learn, that need to learn, that teacher

Transcript Highlights:

• to move sensitive defense material to move sensitive defense material during<01:23:50.800> a<
• <01:35:28.199> is ever uh one thing that I I've learned is ever uh one thing that I I've learned
• Downstream from this, we’ve learned from the mainstream media in various articles.
• <01:54:40.760> from Downstream from this we've learned from Downstream from this we've learned
• We don't want to scare the youth, but they're learning about science in school.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Let us mourn our nation's loss, celebrate a life well-lived, and learn from his legacy of always putting
• from his legacy of always and learn from his legacy of always putting<00:17:26.000> country<00
• have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to insert extraneous material
• have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to insert extraneous material
• <00:24:22.080> on remarks to insert extraneous material on remarks to insert extraneous material

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• fought for equity and opportunities for underserved communities, making our city a better place to learn
• fought for equity and opportunities for underserved communities, making our city a better place to learn
• immediately with any extraneous material immediately prior<02:49:10.640> to<02:49:10.800>
• From helping young students learn to read to assisting adults with research, library staff provide the
• <06:02:00.798> to From helping young students learn to From helping young students learn to

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm open for any tweaks that we have learned subsequent to that.
• I also wanted to continue trying to interview as many material eyewitnesses as I could.
• What we learned from Richard Eastland and the adults about the group of adults that were standing over
• A lot was learned by him in that role.
• A lot was learned by him in that role.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up, we will take CS for CS for CS HB 7065, childcare, and early learning services by Representative
• Early learning facility. It creates a New York 5. It says Grant program. It adds infant.
• And so all this bill does is ensure that new parents are provided education materials developed with
• And I would hope that as part of this bill and acknowledgement of the importance of early learning on
• And I and then I not learn how to swim until much later in my life. And I grew up in Florida.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Tomkow: Next up, we will take CS for CS for CS HB 7065, Childcare and Early Learning Services by
• McFarland: the Education Foundation to help private dollars go towards school readiness and early learning
• And so all this bill does is ensure that new parents are provided education materials developed with
• And I would hope that as part of this bill and acknowledgement of the importance of early learning on
• And I did not learn how to swim until much later in my life. And I grew up in Florida.