Video & Transcript Research : 'award program'

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MS

Mississippi 2026 Regular Session

MS Senate Floor - 11 March, 2026; 10:00 AM

Mississippi Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • for the entire program year. for the entire program year.
  • House Bill 939: Mississippi Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP), extend repeal on volunteer firefighters
  • award program created by Department of Insurance.
  • The so programs and for CTE programs.
  • House Bill 1067, Rural Health Transportation Program Transformation Program.
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with an invocation by Reverend Anthony Phillips, and dispensed with the reading of the journal and committee reports. The chamber also recognized several guests in the galleries, including family members of senators, medical professionals for Early Childhood Day, and advocates and local officials. After introductions, the Senate moved into the calendar and began considering bills and motions. Among the measures taken up, the Senate passed House Bill 1393 to create the Mississippi Energy Infrastructure Fund, with the sponsor explaining it would allow MDA to support energy projects and require compliance with state procurement laws. The Senate also passed House Bill 420, which provides a full homestead ad valorem tax exemption for honorably discharged veterans age 85 or older and allows an unremarried surviving spouse to keep the exemption; senators asked about eligibility, age limits, and safeguards against improper exemptions. Another bill passed was House Bill 1941 on the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund, which would allow funding through bonds or other means in addition to direct appropriation and raise the DFA processing cap from 2% to 3%; several senators raised concerns about state debt and the funding mechanism. The Senate concurred in Senate Bill 2906, which gives the Secretary of State additional time to establish minimum cybersecurity standards for county election systems. It also adopted motions to table reconsideration on several House bills, including House Bill 908 on absentee ballot receipt dates, House Bill 525 on mandatory minimum penalties for sexual battery, and House Bill 538 on sanctuary policies and immigration enforcement. The chamber voted to reconsider and then again pass House Bill 1613, described as a bill on aggravated trafficking weight and pill counts that also included a chemical abortion ban, after some senators who were absent earlier asked to go on record. For House Bill 2409, dealing with a comprehensive mitigation program for retrofitting insurable homes, the Senate voted not to concur and invited conference. The Senate also passed and retained numerous other items as it worked through the calendar.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Floor Session 5/15/25 - Part 2

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The recipient of the award designates a $10,000 donation from Copic, and as this year's award winner,
  • <00:01:21.119> This<00:01:21.360> award humanitarian award recipient.
  • This award humanitarian award recipient.
  • The recipient of the award community.
  • And as this year's award winner, Copic.
Keywords: 1183, house
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session May 22nd, 2026

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • It was awarded a housing award by Quirk-Silva because I've now established my own housing ward.
  • In the ensuing proceeding, the PUC adopted the community renewable energy program, but unfortunately
  • this decision contains serious flaws that ultimately rendered the program unworkable and will lead to
  • AB 1813 makes needed changes to the community renewable energy program to ensure that California has
  • a robust community renewable program that expands access to solar to all Californians while providing
Keywords: 988, house, all
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Finance Jan 29th, 2026 at 02:15 pm

Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • And we hope very soon to be in a stage C of that program. It's a very tough program.
  • This includes canceled grants, decreases in program budgets, program suspensions, project delays, project
  • programs.
  • Leverage the great programs that we have and the ability to innovate with programs that may be needed
  • in the nursing program.
Keywords: 996, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Education Committee Apr 30th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • We have two California Distinguished School awards, and I oppose.
  • So if the programs and services, if the child is on an IEP and they're receiving some special programming
  • They used similar programs and they...
  • They used similar programs, and they trained a lot of teachers.
  • It's the state that has been pushing these programs.
Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard AB 84, a charter school accountability measure focused on non-classroom-based charter schools and fraud prevention. The author and supporters said the bill was intended to respond to the A3 charter fraud case and related scandals by strengthening audits, transparency, authorizer oversight, and funding determination rules, while ensuring public education dollars are used for public education. Supporters included FCMAT, CSEA, CTA, and CSBA, who argued the bill would improve oversight and protect taxpayers. Opponents, including the California Charter Schools Association, Green Dot, many charter parents, educators, and charter operators, said the bill was too broad, would impose major new costs and bureaucracy on all charter schools, and could reduce options for families, especially those using flexible, homeschool, or special-needs charter programs. After extensive testimony and committee discussion, the bill passed on a 5-1 vote and was sent to Appropriations, with the item left open for additional votes. The committee then approved a consent calendar of 11 education bills, including AB 542, AB 563, AB 731, AB 753, AB 784, AB 964, AB 988, AB 1034, AB 1233, AB 1255, and AB 1381, all moving to Appropriations. The consent calendar passed unanimously. Later, the committee heard AB 1454, a literacy and reading instruction bill authored by Assembly Members Rubio and Revis. The bill would require the state to create professional development resources for evidence-based literacy instruction, update English language arts and English language development instructional materials, and revise administrator preparation standards to include literacy training. The authors and a broad coalition of supporters, including CTA, EdVoice, Families in Schools, Decoding Dyslexia, school administrators, and parent advocates, described the measure as a compromise aimed at improving reading outcomes and addressing California’s literacy crisis. There was no opposition testimony at the hearing, and members voiced strong support for the bill and its collaborative approach.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Texas Supreme Court Investiture May 7th, 2026

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Justice Deborah Hankinson, the court held an all-day hearing on the need for stronger legal aid programs
  • However, he most recently received the George Sutherland Award, which recognizes recently received the
  • George Sutherland Award, which recognizes a public servant for public service, character, and dedication
  • And that was after Chief Justice Roberts presented her with a Rehnquist Award for Judicial Excellence
Summary: The Supreme Court of Texas held a ceremonial investiture for two new justices, James Sullivan and Kyle Hawkins. Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock opened the session with welcoming remarks and led the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the National Anthem sung by Trooper Alena Gallardo. The event included an invocation by Father Dean Wilhelm, emphasizing the importance of justice and the rule of law. Governor Greg Abbott praised the new justices, highlighting their qualifications and the significance of their appointments to the court. Justice Samuel Alito administered the oath of office to Justice Hawkins, while Judge Thomas Griffith administered the oath to Justice Sullivan. Both justices expressed gratitude for their appointments and acknowledged the support of their families, mentors, and colleagues. The ceremony also honored former justices Jeff Boyd and Nathan Hecht, with heartfelt tributes reflecting on their contributions to the court and the legal community in Texas. The event concluded with a benediction by Reverend Greg Davidson, encouraging the justices to work diligently and honorably in their new roles.
AR

Arkansas 2026 Regular Session

ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ALC) Jan 16th, 2026

ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ALC)

Transcript Highlights:
  • Ford, with the school readiness program. It accomplished a lot.
  • Ford, with the school readiness program. It accomplished a lot.
  • This is a brand-new program.
  • These funds support the program, I understand.
  • It is to be the program management office for the rural health transformation program itself.
Summary: The Arkansas Legislative Council meeting began with approval of the December 2025 minutes and a presentation from the Bureau of Legislative Research on the December revenue report. Dr. Carlos Silva said gross collections were about $4.02 billion, up slightly from the prior year, and net available for distribution was also above last year but down modestly from the previous month because of higher-than-expected corporate income tax refunds. Members asked about corporate tax trends, tariffs, and inflation, and Silva said it was too early to call the corporate decline a trend and that tariff effects would likely show up mainly in sales tax collections. The council then adopted several subcommittee reports, including the Executive Committee Subcommittee, Administrative Rules, Hospital/Medicaid/Developmental Disabilities, Occupational Licensing Review, PEER, Review, State Insurance Program Oversight, and Personnel. The PEER report drew the most debate because of a Department of Agriculture grant tied to Perry County and Central Arkansas Water; members discussed whether removing the Perry County portion would affect the grant’s competitiveness, and the report was ultimately adopted with the item included. The Review Subcommittee also heard questions about a BDO contract for the rural health transformation program, with DFA explaining that the contractor would manage the program while state agencies would make funding decisions consistent with the state’s application. A major portion of the meeting focused on the Education Freedom Account appropriation tied to LEARNS. Senators and representatives debated whether the program helps families or diverts money from public schools, with supporters arguing it funds students and choice and opponents arguing it is costly, vulnerable to fraud, and harms public school funding. Department of Education officials said roughly 28,000 private school students and 17,500 homeschool students were participating, that EFA students must submit standardized tests annually, and that the requested $32 million was to cover existing participants. After multiple substitute motions and extended debate, the body rejected a motion to strip out the $32 million and then adopted the report and related motions. The meeting ended after routine approvals of additional agency items and adjournment.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

November 18, 2025 - 01:00 PM

Transcript Highlights:
  • funds to stand up their own tutoring programs.
  • And so with the our practice and program evaluation.
  • We make those awards and we lean on the district's 2.
  • So I think it like a program level for a school. They decide.
  • This is an extensive program is, as we see.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Finance (01/23/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • can explain more about the the programs can explain more about the the programs and<01:12:14.080
  • To date, the program has awarded more than $700,000 in grants, with an additional $330,000 allocated
  • youth-specific housing programs.
  • youth-specific housing programs.
  • <02:24:09.600> Programs youth specific Housing Programs youth specific Housing Programs um
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The Finance Committee held a hearing on several bills and announced at the outset that no votes would be taken because the measures would go to divisions later. The first major bill, HB 197, would require the state to pay 7.5% of political subdivision employer pension contributions for teachers, police officers, and firefighters. Representative Mike Edgar, the prime sponsor, argued the state had repeatedly reduced and then eliminated its promised share of retirement costs, shifting the burden to municipalities and property taxpayers. He said the bill would partially restore that commitment and provide relief to local governments, businesses, and taxpayers. Several witnesses testified in support of HB 197, including Representative John Cluder, Bradford selectman Marlene Fryer, the New Hampshire Municipal Association’s Margaret Burns, and Epping representative Mark Fone. Supporters said the bill would help with property tax pressure, school budgets, and municipal hiring, and they emphasized that much of the retirement cost reflects unfunded liability decisions made at the state level rather than by local governments. Committee members questioned whether the bill would change local incentives to control costs and how it would affect hiring and compensation. Burns said the state contribution would function as property tax relief because it offsets existing municipal expenses, and she noted the state is already on a long-term schedule to pay down the retirement system’s unfunded liability. After closing the hearing on HB 197, the committee opened a hearing on HB 97, introduced by Representative Tom Buco. He said the bill would continue funding for delayed and deferred wastewater projects and help municipalities finance expensive wastewater infrastructure, which he tied to housing development and local debt planning. No action or votes were taken on either bill during the hearing.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Criminal Justice Dec 9th, 2025

Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:
  • And then the second part of the bill modernizes Florida's address confidentiality program.
  • We have this program right now.
  • talked about before, what we are trying to do is increase participation in the address confidentiality program
  • updates the penalty up to $500 if the nuisance activity is not abated within a year, allows for the award
  • then she... penalty up to $500 if the nuisance activity is not abated within a year, allows for the award
Summary: The Senate Criminal Justice Committee met with a quorum present and took up several bills, beginning with SB 350 on public records for crime victims. Senator Graal explained that the bill clarifies victim privacy protections under the Florida Constitution and extends temporary confidentiality to the identity of an officer involved in a use-of-force incident for 72 hours, with a possible 60-day extension by written agency findings. Supporters including Marcy’s Law representatives and the Florida PBA said the measure protects victims and officers while preserving public access, and the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee then heard SB 296 and SB 298, both by Senator Berman. SB 296, as amended, directs a feasibility study for a secure web-based silent alert system for domestic violence victims and expands Florida’s address confidentiality program to dating violence victims. SB 298 similarly extends address confidentiality protections to dating violence victims. Both bills received supportive testimony from advocates, including survivors and organizations such as Florida NOW and the Alliance for Safety and Justice, and both were reported favorably. Members also approved SB 398, which replaces references to “child pornography” in Florida statutes with “child sexual abuse material,” and SB 168, which expands public nuisance law to include gambling houses and increases enforcement tools such as penalties, attorney fees, and foreclosure on unpaid fees. SB 54, as amended, was also reported favorably; the amendment broadened the bill’s scope from “mass shooter” to “violent offender,” clarified medical examiner duties, and added reporting requirements related to toxicology and psychotropic substances. The most debated measure was SB 156, the Jason Raynor Act, which would revise resistance-to-arrest provisions and add an automatic life sentence for manslaughter committed against a law enforcement officer. Law enforcement groups supported the bill, but the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and some senators raised concerns about removing judicial discretion and eliminating language about unlawful arrests. After debate, the committee reported SB 156 favorably, with Vice Chair Smith voting no. Several other members later asked to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on multiple bills before adjournment.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Crime and Public Safety Apr 21st, 2026

Crime and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • program.
  • program.
  • Junior volunteer firefighter program. You can even start those now at 14.
  • Sometimes it starts with a million dollars, then two, then five, then ten, and those programs grow, as
  • Another thing we do is that we have a residency program for the fire department to help recruitment.
Summary: The committee first met in executive session and voted House Bill 2808 do pass by a roll call vote of 9 yes, 4 no, and 1 present. The hearing then moved to House Bills 1808 and 3435, companion measures dubbed Grace’s Law, which would create a narrow social host liability cause of action for knowingly providing alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person age 21 or older when that conduct leads to injury, death, or property damage. The sponsors said the bills are intended to close a gap in Missouri law and encourage safer decisions at private gatherings, while supporters, including the mother of the crash victim Grace and a MADD representative, described the fatal drunk-driving crash that prompted the legislation and argued that similar laws in other states reduce impaired driving. Committee members raised questions about scope, personal responsibility, and whether the bill could reach casual gatherings or other substances; no vote was taken on the bills in the transcript. The committee then heard House Bills 3439 and 3480, which would amend the Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Act to include volunteer firefighters in the tuition assistance program for public safety personnel and their dependents. The sponsors said volunteer firefighters in rural communities do the same dangerous work as career responders and need recruitment and retention incentives, while opponents’ concerns focused on fiscal cost, fairness, and whether volunteers should receive the same benefit as full-time employees. Supporters from the Hardin Fire Protection District, Boone County Fire Protection District, the Fire Service Alliance, and the Missouri Chamber of Commerce said volunteer departments are essential in rural Missouri, that the benefit would help recruit and retain personnel, and that the program is subject to appropriation and prioritization. Members also discussed possible alternatives such as tuition waivers at public institutions and the practical challenges of defining and tracking volunteer service. No committee action was reported on these bills.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Mar 20th, 2025

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • He served in the capital office as part of the UC Sacramento program.
  • This bill ignores the fundamental purpose of inmate labor programs.
  • Who have chosen to participate in the Advanced Via Individual Determination or AVID program.
  • Bridge Arts Luminary Award.
  • the program.
Keywords: 988, house, all
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • that may be awarded for a paddle ticket. that may be awarded for a paddle ticket.
  • reinsurance program. reinsurance program.
  • ,<00:35:11.520> um way that we operate the program, um way that we operate the program, um
  • So, we can seek a waiver without authorization for the program if the program doesn't go through or if
  • <00:47:52.600> as be a little weedy, but the program as be a little weedy, but the program
Keywords: 918, senate, all
Summary: The committee met to walk through nonpartisan side-by-side comparisons of House File 4188, focusing on differences between House and Senate language across consumer protection, insurance, financial services, health, and technical provisions. Staff highlighted numerous Senate-only items, including rules for financial providers communicating through trusted contacts, virtual currency requirements for banks and credit unions, a prohibition on virtual currency kiosks beginning in 2026, mortgage servicing and student loan servicing changes, the Rental Home Marketplace Guarantees Act, insurance and travel-related provisions, scrap metal licensing changes, protections related to minors accessing chatbots and AI companions, and several technical or conforming repealers. Staff also noted that some provisions were identical or substantially similar between the chambers, including mortgage originator standards, student loan borrower protections, securities-related changes, unclaimed property provisions, and technical updates in the bill’s miscellaneous articles. The Senate-only health-related articles were also summarized, including repeal of the prescription drug affordability advisory council, technical changes to the reinsurance program, and a series of health insurance provisions on enrollment-growth notices, limits on officer and director salary increases under certain capital conditions, guaranteed issue rights for certain Medicare supplement enrollees, data-sharing between Commerce and Health, restrictions on using artificial intelligence alone to deny claims, reimbursement for clinical trainees, home care nursing coverage, and PBM transparency. The Senate’s telecommunications article was described as largely technical and conforming, with repeals of obsolete statutes. Staff also noted that some standalone bills had already passed and would be removed from the comparison report. Public testimony followed. Thomas Elness of AARP Minnesota supported inclusion of the cryptocurrency kiosk bill, expressed support for guaranteed issue protections for a narrow group of consumers affected by discontinued plans, and urged adoption of changes to the consumer protection restitution account, including raising the cap to $10 million per fiscal year. Representative Lee testified that the restitution account proposal should be treated as policy rather than finance because it has a zero fiscal note, and said the House would accept the Senate’s $10 million cap. Robin Rowan, representing the Minnesota Insurance and Financial Services Council and the U.S. Travel Insurance Association, urged adoption of Senate travel insurance language, requested a House-style change to lead-generation recordkeeping language, and supported a Senate provision allowing employers and insurers to coordinate notice to employees when group policies are cancelled. The Department of Commerce then responded to questions, explaining that the prescription drug affordability council would be sunset because the board already has other avenues for public input, that the reinsurance changes were technical and did not alter the prior agreement, and that the abandoned cryptocurrency provisions rely on statutory definitions of inactivity and known examples such as keys stored in safes or deposit boxes.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Ways and Means (03/18/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's not an idle program.
  • , and two competitive grant programs, as well as a newer program.
  • , and two competitive grant programs, as well as a newer program.
  • of funds awarded for these programs<00:37:18.000> but<00:37:18.200> not<00:37:18.440><
  • You break the program.
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 224, which would redirect most money from New Hampshire’s renewable energy fund back to electric ratepayers. The bill sponsor argued the measure would lower energy costs, noting recent utility rate increases and estimating annual savings of roughly $2.5 million to $7.3 million for ratepayers. Supporters said the fund has accumulated money that should be returned to customers rather than used for subsidies, and they emphasized that the state has already rebated similar funds from RGGI for years. Opponents, including Rep. Kat McGee, argued the renewable energy fund is a successful, nonlapsing dedicated fund that supports local clean-energy projects, energy resilience, emissions reductions, and private investment. McGee said the fiscal note overstated the benefit of rebates and understated the loss of investment, claiming the average annual rebate would amount to less than $10 per customer while the program has helped leverage significant private dollars and nearly 10,000 projects. She urged the committee to reject the bill as a poor deal for the state and ratepayers. Committee members questioned the fiscal note, the size of the rebate, whether the bill would set a precedent for other dedicated funds, and whether the program’s incentives amount to picking winners and losers. The Department of Energy testified neutrally, explaining how the renewable energy fund works, including renewable energy credits, alternative compliance payments, and the fund’s use for renewable energy initiatives. No vote was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee 3/24/26 - Part 2

Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • determined that Mike Pider's death was directly related to his 15-year employment as a firefighter and awarded
  • 11.680> and 15-year employment as a firefighter and 15-year employment as a firefighter and awarded
  • Captain<00:04:12.720> Pider's<00:04:13.200> family<00:04:13.439> the awarded
  • Captain Pider's family the awarded Captain Pider's family the public<00:04:14.159> officer<00
  • This was the very first PSO award, and there has only been one award of this kind in recognizing
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • and different issues that our staff and our different programs and work cover.
  • So they are marketed in two different ways just by being in some of our programs.
  • So the Maiden in Oklahoma program is a free marketing program for all producers of almost any product
  • So Shelter Creek is a part of the program.
  • Our award recommendation to OMES yesterday afternoon.
Keywords: 914, all
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Finance Division I (03/10/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • <01:05:51.200> so companies don't offer pension program so companies don't offer pension program
  • Okay, workers’ comp hearings and awards.
  • <03:47:54.239> spend money for this it's it's a program spend money for this it's it's a program
  • 159 we were told that the decal program 159 we were told that the decal program doesn't<03:54:59.880
  • Next program.
Keywords: 1189, house, all
Summary: The committee met to continue work on House Bill 2, with the chair saying the goal was to finish the bill as given by the governor, though additional amendments were expected. Members first discussed the bail section and agreed to hold it for later because a separate House bail bill was expected on Thursday and could have significant county cost impacts. They also generally accepted the proposed reorganization of positions between Fish and Game, DNCR, and the Department of Environmental Services, but noted the need to review effective dates and funding details, including a possible double appropriation of $275,000 for a scientist position already funded in HB 1. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on environmental review and native plant-related sections moving functions from DNCR to DES. Members discussed changing the rulemaking timeline from 180 days to 90 days, and clarifying that “begin” means the public hearing stage. They also reviewed how fee revenue would shift between agencies in HB 1 so the budget impact would be net zero. The committee indicated it would prepare amendments reflecting these changes and revisit them at a later vote. The longest discussion concerned the boathouse provisions. Members debated whether the new definitions and construction standards were appropriate in a budget bill, with one member arguing they should be in a separate bill, while others said the provisions were urgent because of a lawsuit and the lack of clear guardrails. Concerns included the February 20, 2025 effective date, which some thought might be retroactive, the detailed limits on what may be stored in a boathouse, and a fee increase that some felt could discourage homeowners from seeking permits. The committee also questioned whether the fee structure should be tiered for smaller projects and whether permit-by-notification projects should be exempted. No final votes were taken on these sections during the discussion; instead, members agreed to seek legal and policy answers and to return with amendments and public hearing input before voting.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session - Part 3 - 05/16/26

Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Minnesota Clearance Grant Program will award grants to law enforcement to investigate and examine
  • President, the program works. Let's bring this program to all of Minnesota.
  • The Minnesota Clearance Grant Program will award grants to law enforcement to investigate and examine
  • program works.
  • Let's bring this program program works.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • They do training programs on our campus, recruit faculty and staff to our campus.
  • So yes, ma'am, it would represent graduate programs, professional programs and all undergraduate programs
  • And then lastly, just the graduate program portfolio.
  • is always a waiting list for those programs.
  • What is the market rate for a comparable program?
Keywords: 999, senate, all
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • Our staff include those with data programming skills and those knowledgeable about data standards and
  • upgrade and maintain data programming upgrade and maintain data programming necessary<00:17:35.440
  • an NCSL notable document award for its 2023 Kentucky public school staffing shortages report.
  • This was OEA's 10th such award.
  • This was OEA's 10th such award. This was OEA's 10th such award.
Summary: The subcommittee opened its first meeting with roll call and procedural business, including elections of co-chairs. The House elected Representative Truett as House co-chair, and the Senate elected Senator Denine as Senate co-chair. After the organizational votes, the committee heard the Office of Educational Accountability’s annual report, beginning with Brian Jones and Deborah Nelson describing OEA’s investigations and research divisions and recent staffing turnover. On the investigations side, OEA said it handled complaints only when submitted in writing and generally opened cases only when it had enough facts to evaluate. Jones reported complaint volume declined from 805 in 2023 to 738 in 2024, with 325 in the first half of the current year. He outlined the kinds of matters OEA investigates, including school-based council issues, open meetings, board eligibility, nepotism, conflicts of interest, certification, activity funds, and surplus property, while noting that routine personnel matters, bullying, child interviews, and cases tied to litigation are generally handled locally or referred elsewhere. He also said OEA refers special education, assessment/testing, discrimination, and serious misconduct matters to the appropriate agencies, and that he did not see a need for statutory changes to improve OEA’s work, though he said cases should move more quickly. The research division presentation focused on OEA’s district data profiles and annual research agenda. Nelson explained that OEA reviews KDE-reported data and underlying datasets to verify accuracy, analyze trends, and produce reports for the General Assembly. She highlighted 2024 publications on district governance models and student achievement, and said this year’s agenda includes district data profiles, student discipline analysis, and a review of early childhood regional training centers. She also noted OEA received an NCSL notable document award for its 2023 staffing shortages report, its 10th such award. Sabrina Smith then walked through the district data profiles, which compile demographic, staffing, finance, and performance data for all 171 districts, plus statewide and comparative data. She noted changes in the report format, the continued availability of an online interactive version, and several trends: adjusted average daily attendance declined statewide from 2015 to 2024; the counselor-to-student ratio has improved but has not yet reached the statutory goal of one counselor per 250 students; the share of teachers moving from rank three to rank two has declined; special education identification has risen from 13% to 16%; and starting teacher salaries vary widely by district, with Kentucky’s average starting salary around $40,000 ranking near the bottom compared with surrounding states and the nation. Members asked about the history of the research division and whether the paper copies of the district profiles would continue, and staff said the printed versions would continue unless legislators asked otherwise.