Transcript Highlights:

• This bill very simply changes the date on an in-state testing requirement from January 1, 2026, to May
• However, the testing market in Minnesota is still developing, leaving limited access to some in-state
• c> this some in-state testing options at this some in-state testing options at this time.<00:02:45.840
• Honestly, I would like to see it not have a deadline at all and let's just allow out-of-state testing
• feds<00:04:12.640> have<00:04:13.120> uh of state testing, but the feds have uh of

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So if those are out there, police officers could get them and send them to the state license testing
• It enables the use of the new state reference lab for testing, and it has the reverse trigger language
• We sent those 55 different products to three different marijuana state-licensed testing labs here in
• We sent those 55 different products to three different marijuana state licensed testing labs here in
• Out of all those products that we got from all over the state, 29% of those products tested positive

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The tests that genetic types of tests.
• additional tests. additional tests.
• testing across the board.
• There is no appropriation to the state; no appropriation needed from the state.
• of this state. of this state.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We provide the tracking for backflow testing, as well as carry out the backflow testing.
• There are separate testing and licensing requirements for that test.
• And the test that you went through was more difficult than the certification test that folks do?
• and double-payment for testing.
• or the testing requirement.

Bills: HB5208, SB863, SB1243, SB1624, SB1965, SB2660, SB2702, SB2885

Keywords: water filtration, public drinking water, health and safety, well maintenance, water quality, Edwards Aquifer, water conservation, reclaimed water, aquifer storage, environmental protection, public utility agency, dissolution, local government, regulatory framework, municipal authority, Texas Water Bank, Texas Water Trust, water rights, water banking, instream flow

Transcript Highlights:

• States.
• There is no incentive in Florida's law like there is in other states to get students to sit for the test
• There is no incentive in Florida's law like there is in other states to get students to sit for the test
• to do what other states do.
• And the last thing, in terms of recommendation on time to test, is this: there are lots of states that

Summary: The Careers and Workforce Subcommittee heard three bills. HB 919 on nursing education programs would tighten accountability for nursing schools with low NCLEX pass rates by shortening the probation period, requiring remediation plans, mandating free remediation for students who fail, and requiring tuition reimbursement for programs with very low pass rates. The sponsor argued Florida’s nursing pass rates are unacceptably low and that stronger consequences are needed; opponents warned the bill could shut down programs, worsen the nursing shortage, and unfairly target private schools, while supporters said it would protect students and improve outcomes. After debate, the bill was reported favorably by a vote of 18-0. The committee then heard PCS for HB 1261, the “Smart Living Act,” a student-driven proposal from Jefferson High School in Hillsborough County to expand personal financial literacy and practical life-skills instruction in high school. Students and school officials testified that the bill would better prepare graduates for adulthood by covering topics such as budgeting, credit, loans, FAFSA, resumes, interviews, and basic household skills. Members praised the students’ work and the bill’s practical focus, and the PCS was reported favorably 18-0. Finally, the committee considered HB 809, which would exempt school social workers from educator certification requirements for general and subject-area knowledge. Supporters from Lee and Broward counties said the current testing requirement is unrelated to social work, creates financial and recruitment barriers, and has contributed to staffing shortages. Members from both parties supported the measure as a simple way to remove an obstacle to hiring and retaining school social workers. HB 809 was also reported favorably by a vote of 18-0, and the meeting adjourned after all agenda items were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• So these states in 2024 tested between 90 and 100% of high school graduates for the 2024 school year.
• And across these two tests, Arkansas's averages sat just lower than the average of these SREB states.
• And across these two tests, Arkansas's percentage sat lower than the average of these SREB states as
• And across these two tests, Arkansas's averages set just lower than the average of these SREB states.
• And across these two tests, Arkansas's percentage set lower than the average of these SREC states as

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• or the state lawsuit against the manufacturer of PCBs yields a settlement that can be applied to testing
• or the state lawsuit against the manufacturer of PCBs yields a settlement that can be applied to testing
• for those state construction dollars. for those state construction dollars.
• action levels. >> Uh, however, what this anticipates is that the state would pay for any future testing
• remediation reimbured by the state. remediation reimbured by the state. Right. Right. Right.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House took up several Senate proposals of amendment and, by voice vote, concurred in each. On House Bill 928, technical corrections to fish and wildlife statutes, the House suspended the rules, heard a section-by-section explanation of changes to hunting violation points, license expiration dates, license fees, and Champion Lands reporting, and then concurred after both the committee and Ways and Means reported favorable straw polls of 11-0. On House Bill 915, the extended producer responsibility program for beverage containers, the House also suspended the rules and heard a detailed summary of Senate changes affecting handling fees, redemption requirements, PRO administration, collection-site standards, reporting, and effective dates; Environment reported a favorable straw poll and Ways and Means noted a modest fiscal impact from higher liquor bottle handling fees, after which the House concurred. The House then took up Senate Bill 328 on housing and common interest communities. The General and Housing Committee explained the Senate’s further amendments, including changes to the treasurer’s housing credit facility, consultation requirements, VHIP funding provisions, municipal housing planning, duplex and accessory dwelling unit rules, temporary multi-unit provisions, downtown and village center benefits, and common-interest-community reporting on vegetable gardens. Appropriations and Environment both reported no additional fiscal concerns and favorable straw polls, and the House concurred in the Senate proposal of amendment. Finally, the House considered House Bill 542 on PCB testing in Vermont schools. The Senate strike-all amendment would extend the testing deadline to 2035, create a future special fund for testing and remediation, require PCB testing before major renovation projects using state construction dollars, and direct ANR to report on remaining costs and funding options. After questions about how the amendment would affect schools that had already tested or completed remediation, Education explained that existing remediation reimbursements would continue and that the amendment mainly delays the mandate and sets up a future funding mechanism. The House concurred, then recessed until 5:20 p.m. to prepare for additional Senate bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Office of Education to develop the end-of-year test. ...all of the funding to the State Office of Education
• state tests, like hours in the classroom?
• And our experience in administering the state end-of-year test is they typically go longer, but even
• in the test itself, when you go longer, you run into test fatigue, right?
• This just simply tests to the standards. And it's not an additional test.

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• THE FLORIDA PALM PROJECT AS HAS BEEN STATED AS A MULTIYEAR PROJECT TO REPLACE THE STATE ACCOUNTING SYSTEM
• THEY ARE CURRENTLY BEING TESTED.
• THAT TESTING IS ALSO ONGOING.
• WE STARTED TESTING WITH THE SYSTEMS READY TO START TESTING IN AUGUST OF THIS YEAR.
• AGENCIES WITH USER ACCEPTANCE TESTING AND WITH STATE AGENCY INTEGRATIONS TO FLORIDA PAUL SO WE HAVE

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so we provide the tracking for the backflow testing, um, as well as backflow testing.
• There are separate set of testing and licensing requirements for that test.
• And the test that you went through was more difficult than the certification test that the, the backflow
• and double payment for testing.
• They're trained to test it.

Bills: HB 5208, SB 863, SB 1243, SB 1624, SB 1965, SB 2660, SB 2702, SB 2885

Keywords: water filtration, public drinking water, health and safety, well maintenance, water quality, Edwards Aquifer, water conservation, reclaimed water, aquifer storage, environmental protection, public utility agency, dissolution, local government, regulatory framework, municipal authority, Texas Water Bank, Texas Water Trust, water rights, water banking, instream flow

Transcript Highlights:

• These are questions that can appear on future state assessments and classrooms all across the state.
• Field testing, $130,000. There was one that really blew my mind: scoring, test scoring.
• And every state has one or another.
• other states.
• Or a state board.

Keywords: 970, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . state. state.
• They test on their own, but they wouldn't test on ours.
• , you could have an from out of state, you could have an additional<01:19:12.560> test<01:19:13.760
• have from other states, but most states have from other states, but most states have different<01
• They have to take a test. endorsement. They have to take a test.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and consent calendar, then took up several rule items. For Department of Safety rule 2611, DMV leadership explained the rule had been under development since January but needed to be updated to reflect a new statutory change and to align the rule with RSA 266. Members discussed narrowing the rule to road-safety items rather than automobile inspection provisions, and the department said it would issue a new public notice and hold another hearing. The committee voted to grant a waiver and postpone the item until the October 15, 2026 meeting. The Board of Active Puncture Licensing item 26-47 was postponed one month at the agency’s request so it could incorporate OS feedback, with no waiver needed. The Insurance Department’s claim settlement rule 25-234 and related item 26-78 drew more extensive discussion over waiver language. Committee members objected that the proposed language gave the commissioner broad discretion to set waiver periods without clear criteria, while agency counsel argued the rule already contained standards and that the language allowed temporary waivers. After discussion about consistency, permanency, and the need for clearer documentation, the committee voted to postpone 25-234 with a waiver and to postpone 26-78. Finally, the committee considered Health and Human Services rule 2690, which sets SNAP certification periods for a pilot demonstration authorized by SB 499. Staff explained that federal changes now require the age threshold for the 36-month certification period to be 65 instead of 60, and that the agency had been directed to make the change by August 12. Agency staff said the rule needed to be updated to match federal direction, and members generally agreed. The committee discussed whether the federal citation was sufficient and whether the rule should reference the law change directly, but no final objection was raised in the portion shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• testing system for the adequacy definition, but also corresponds to the State Accountability Act.
• own testing mechanisms problems. frankly and so i think it would be interesting every state obviously
• So these states in 2024 tested between 90 and 100% of high school graduates for the 24 school year.
• And across these two tests, Arkansas's averages sat just lower than the average of these SREB states.
• And across these two tests, Arkansas's percentage sat lower than the average of these SREB states as

Summary: The committee received a lengthy Bureau of Legislative Research presentation on Arkansas academic standards, accountability systems, and adequacy requirements. Staff reviewed how state curriculum and standards have evolved from the 1997 Public Education Act through the 2003 Quality Education Act and the 2017 Educational Support and Accountability Act, including required coursework, standards for accreditation, career and technical education, graduation requirements, and recent additions such as computer science, personal finance, firearm safety, and fetal growth and development instruction. Members asked for a chart comparing the major laws and repeals over time, and staff agreed to provide one. The presentation then turned to federal ESSA requirements and Arkansas’s state accountability system. Staff explained Arkansas’s long-term goals for proficiency, English learner progress, and graduation rates, and reported 2025 ATLAS proficiency results, which remained below the 80% goal across student groups. They also reviewed English learner progress, graduation rates, school support and improvement, and equitable access to educators. Data showed gaps by subgroup and by school poverty/minority concentration, with Title I and high-poverty schools more likely to have emergency/provisional teachers and less experienced staff. Members questioned the lack of recent data for some ESSA measures, including equity labs and school index calculations, and asked staff to follow up with the Department of Education. The committee also discussed NAEP results, ACT scores, and teacher quality measures under the state accountability act. Arkansas’s NAEP performance remained below national averages in fourth- and eighth-grade reading and math, and ACT composite scores and benchmark attainment were also reviewed. Members asked for additional information on historical highs and lows, the number of assessments students take by grade, dropout data, and comparisons with other states. No formal votes were taken; the main action was agreement to request additional information from DESE and to schedule department follow-up at a future meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Earlier testing means fewer years of suffering.
• Earlier testing means fewer years of suffering.
• For example, in 2013, To Massachusetts state law.
• But no one ever tested me for celiac disease.
• Physicians don't usually test them.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health heard testimony on four bills: H. 5013 and S. 2928, which would establish a three-year celiac disease screening pilot program for children during routine cholesterol/lipid screening at ages 8 to 12; H. 5087, regulating medical spas; and H. 5115, establishing statewide food truck regulations, though the transcript focused almost entirely on the celiac and medical spa bills. For the celiac proposal, Rep. Badger and Sen. Lovely described long diagnostic delays, the lack of a cure, and the potential for a simple blood test to identify children earlier and reduce long-term harm. Multiple patients, clinicians, and researchers supported the pilot, saying celiac is frequently missed because symptoms vary widely or are absent, and that early detection could prevent malnutrition, growth problems, osteoporosis, and other complications. Testifiers also emphasized that the bill would study feasibility, accuracy, cost, and acceptability, and would include family education and support resources if diagnoses are made through the program. Several experts and advocates backed the celiac screening pilot, including a pediatric gastroenterologist from Italy who described successful national screening efforts there, a Celiac Disease Foundation representative, pediatric gastroenterologists from Massachusetts and Colorado, a pediatric dietitian, and a parent whose child was diagnosed after severe malnutrition. They argued that routine screening alongside existing pediatric bloodwork could identify many undiagnosed children and improve health equity, since celiac disease is often overlooked in people of color and lower-income patients. Committee members asked about how the screening would work, and witnesses explained it could begin with a blood test, followed by confirmatory endoscopy if needed. No vote was taken in the hearing. On H. 5087, witnesses from the medical aesthetics industry largely opposed the bill as written, saying it was outdated, redundant with existing Massachusetts licensing and board oversight, and too restrictive for nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other licensed providers. Testifiers, including a retired lobbyist, a nurse practitioner, a PA, a plastic surgeon, and a clinic owner, said the bill could reduce access, raise costs, and push care into less regulated settings, while not addressing the real issues of training, compliance, and patient safety. Committee members pressed for more specific feedback on what provisions were unnecessary or duplicative, and witnesses said they had submitted position papers and written testimony identifying conflicts with current law. The hearing ended with the chair noting that all oral and written testimony would be reviewed before any decisions are made.

Transcript Highlights:

• Public schools in states with school choice see improvement in test scores at faster rates.
• There's also the unfortunate reality that more than half the kids in the state aren't testing at grade
• Florida requires the students to take a test, and it's reported to the state.
• A norm-referenced test is comparing this student's learning to all students in the United States.
• A norm-referenced test is comparing this student's learning to all students in the United States.

Bills: SB 2

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the state can, but no other business in the state of California can do that.
• to implement the asset test again, or test?
• I'm with the State Assembly.
• the state.
• the state.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health held the first of several hearings on the Governor’s May Revision for health care, with opening remarks focused on the state’s projected $12 billion deficit, looming federal Medicaid changes, and the potential impact on Medi-Cal, public health, reproductive health, and safety-net providers. Several members criticized the proposal as balancing the budget on vulnerable Californians, while others defended the need for cost containment and questioned the administration’s assumptions. The chair set ground rules for respectful, focused questioning and outlined three topics: the Medi-Cal proposals, Proposition 35, and Proposition 56. DHCS Director Michelle Baas presented the May Revision’s Medi-Cal package, saying the department’s budget totals $200.6 billion overall, including $45.2 billion General Fund, and that the proposals are intended to address rising caseloads, pharmacy costs, and managed care spending. She described proposed changes for adults with unsatisfactory immigration status, including a freeze on new full-scope enrollment for those 19 and older, $100 monthly premiums beginning in 2027, elimination of adult dental and long-term care coverage, removal of PPS/RAP payments to FQHCs and rural health clinics for that population, and a pharmacy rebate aggregator. Other proposals included eliminating certain OTC drug classes, removing GLP-1 coverage for weight loss, prior authorization and step therapy changes, reinstating the Medi-Cal asset test, eliminating acupuncture as an optional benefit, allowing utilization management for hospice, raising the managed care minimum medical loss ratio to 90%, reducing PACE capitation rates toward the midpoint of the actuarial range, eliminating the skilled nursing facility workforce and quality incentive program, and suspending the SNF backup power requirement. The LAO said the revised Medi-Cal spending estimate is about $2.5 billion higher than the Governor’s Budget in the budget year, and that the increase appears driven more by higher per-enrollee costs than by caseload alone. The LAO said the budget solutions are concentrated in a few areas, are largely ongoing, and should be considered in light of federal uncertainty, but suggested the Legislature could explore alternatives such as more targeted income thresholds for the undocumented expansion and simpler asset-test rules. Department of Finance officials said the proposals are difficult but necessary to address a third consecutive deficit and rising Medi-Cal costs. Members then pressed the administration on the methodology and impacts of the proposals, especially the enrollment freeze, premiums, asset test, hospice controls, PACE reductions, and the elimination of benefits and provider payments. No votes or formal actions were taken at this hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• IMMEDIATELY IF YOU ARE TESTED.
• HOW WOULD YOU POSSIBLY TEST FOR THAT AND MAKE SURE QUITE WHAT IS THE TESTING PROCEDURE TO TEST FOR THAT
• FOR CANADA'S TESTING.
• TESTS, COGNITIVE TESTS.
• GUILTY OF SOMETHING AND SAYING TAKE MY BLOOD, TEST IT FOR NYQUIL, TESTED FOR THAT MEDICATION AND I'LL

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there a standardized test? What's the process? Some of them have a standardized test.
• that is okayed by the state.
• that is okayed by the state.
• I think that we can come up with a standardized test that will cover all corners of our state and make
• I think that we can come up with a standardized test that will cover all corners of our state and make

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Medicaid to cover the blood test for this colorectal screening test.
• test has 83% accuracy.
• The purpose of this is that there will be a lot more testing done.
• So with the percentage, let's focus on the blood test. It's 83%.
• What's the timeline that they probably should get tested again for it to show up in the blood test?

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:40:17.119> So actually our uh general state test.
• So actually our uh general state test.
• That's what I think most people tend to think of when they think of state tests.
• Department of Education does not allow states to test more than 1% of their population in that.
• We tend to test around 0.9% of our state population with that particular test.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved corrected minutes from October 6 after members noted and fixed several transcription and spelling errors, including a clarification that a comment about SAU numbers came from former Senator Jim Rubin. The vote to approve the corrected minutes was moved, seconded, and adopted with one abstention. The main presentation came from Chuck Bates of the New Hampshire Association of School Business Officials (ASBO), who described the organization, its certification program, and the role of school business administrators. He explained that ASBO members handle accounting and financial management, facilities, food service, HR, information systems, transportation, and risk management. He also outlined the certification program, which includes 21 courses, most online, plus four in-person workshops unique to New Hampshire, and noted that many members are not certified because the state licensure requirement was removed. Bates then addressed the committee’s interest in SAU consolidation and county-wide restructuring. He said business administrators often manage multiple budgets, attend school board meetings, and serve as a visible point of contact for the community. He argued that consolidation would create operational and financial challenges, including staff and facility relocation, differing accounting systems, lack of a standardized chart of accounts, and uncertain return on investment. He said the biggest obstacle would be local control, especially in small towns that do not want outside decisions affecting school closures, class sizes, or student transportation. Committee members questioned him about the distinction between administrative and academic control, the size of district offices in larger cities, and what might reduce administrative costs; Bates responded that many administrative costs stem from legislation and that consolidation would be difficult to implement without local support.