Transcript Highlights:

• teachers impact roughly 2800 students teachers impact roughly 2800 students every<00:27:09.120><
• working in a community to help students working in a community to help students reach<00:38:04.240
• So option 8 um impact impact students.
• more workstations in schools, students more workstations in schools, students and<00:48:07.440><
• <00:49:49.200> their job training allowing students their job training allowing students their

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee met without a quorum and did not approve minutes, but heard testimony on budget line items for Data Seam and Teach for America. Andrew McNeel of Kentucky Free and representatives from the Commonwealth Policy Center argued that both programs rely heavily on recurring taxpayer support and should be re-evaluated. McNeel cited a 2020 Office of Policy and Audit examination of Data Seam, saying the program had received more than $30 million in state support since 2006, including $3.5 million in the current budget, and that the audit raised concerns about administrative overhead, alleged threats to districts, and the use of line-item language to justify sole-source contracting. He recommended suspending Data Seam funding this biennium, directing a new special audit, and requiring reimbursement of audit costs. The witnesses also urged the committee to withhold funding for Teach for America, saying the organization’s materials and history showed a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion that they opposed. They pointed to past statements, leadership titles, and program language as evidence that DEI concepts remained embedded in the organization, and suggested any funding should be redirected directly to school districts instead. Mike Harmon and Richard Nelson echoed those concerns, while also saying long-running programs should be periodically reviewed for efficiency. Teach for America Appalachia representatives then testified in support of the program. Executive director C.D. Morton described the organization as a teacher-preparation and leadership-development program serving rural eastern Kentucky, saying it had recruited and supported more than 325 teachers since 2011, with about 30 current core members in several counties and roughly 2,800 students impacted daily. He said the program helps fill hard-to-staff vacancies, that about 80% of teachers stay for a third year, and that many alumni remain in education. In response to questions from Representative Bojanowski about retention and cost, Morton said more than 60% of alumni are still in education, but he could not give a precise classroom-teacher retention number beyond the program’s broader alumni data.

Transcript Highlights:

• Universal free school meals for all of our students.
• The number of students requiring services has increased, and the acuity of the need of those students
• Transportation of all types of students, regional schools, homeless students, vocational school transportation
• The Student Opportunity Act requires it to be reviewed every 10 years.
• Thank you all for the four of the students.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate took up a long series of FY26 budget amendments during debate on the Ways and Means budget bill. Early on, an amendment on debt service and the Debt Affordability Committee was rejected. A major education amendment offered by Senator Lewis and supported by Senator Comerford was then adopted; it directs DESE to begin a public process, with $200,000 in funding, to review and recommend updates to the Chapter 70 municipal contribution formula and related school funding structures as the Student Opportunity Act nears full implementation. Senators argued that school districts across the Commonwealth are under severe fiscal strain, citing rising special education, transportation, health insurance, and Proposition 2 1/2 pressures, and that the current formulas are increasingly out of alignment with local needs. The chamber also considered and voted on many other amendments, with several adopted and several rejected. Adopted amendments included measures on public payroll transparency, regional EMS, a small business group purchasing cooperative pilot, simplifying Medicaid eligibility determinations, and early education background checks. Rejected amendments included proposals on first-time homebuyer savings accounts, population change studies, competitiveness studies, emergency contract reform, natural gas cost containment, a $200 per pupil aid increase, regional school reimbursement increases, a Foundation Budget Review Commission-related study, special education service studies, welfare benefit audits, short-term capital gains, and an MBTA sustainability plan. Senator Durant also spoke in support of Amendment 766, which would create a crumbling concrete assistance fund for homeowners affected by pyrrhotite, with tax-exempt aid, federal funding applications, audits, and a stakeholder working group. Near the end of debate, Senator D. DiDomenico praised the Shannon Grant program for gang violence prevention, and the Senate adopted a final corrective amendment containing technical fixes and local earmarks. The bill was then ordered to a third reading and, after a roll call on engrossment, passed to be engrossed by a vote of 38-2. The Senate also approved a motion to adjourn to the following Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. and recessed in memory of Yaron Lashinsky, Sarah Lynn Milgram, and Leslie A. Feeney.

Transcript Highlights:

• . students. students.
• wonderful, wonderful Maryland students. wonderful, wonderful Maryland students.
• day as a former student as well as<00:10:55.120> teacher.
• Matthew Glazer from Carroll County, a student at Gerstell Academy.
• student at Linggonor High School. student at Linggonor High School.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Monday, February 2, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate was called to order on February 2, 2026, with a quorum present. The session opened with an invocation by Rabbi Andrew Bush of Baltimore Hebrew Congregation, who reflected on Tu Bishvat, the 200th anniversary of Maryland’s 1826 legislation granting Jews the right to hold office, and broader lessons about language, imperfect solutions, persistence, and acting for others. His prayer was journalized without objection. The chamber also heard brief remarks recognizing his interfaith work and the significance of Tu Bishvat as an ecological holiday. The Senate then honored Maryland History Day participants and awardees. Students from several schools were introduced and congratulated as finalists in the 2025 National History Day competition, and the chamber adopted a resolution recognizing them. The Senate also recognized Lindsay Matthews of Eastern Middle School as the 2025 Maryland History Day Middle School Teacher of the Year and Sam Mowski of Loyola Blakefield as the 2025 National History Day High School Teacher of the Year, with resolutions adopted for both. Additional introductions included the doctor of the day, several Senate pages, and a personal recognition of Jasmine Miller, a Baltimore Polytechnic student and the niece of a senator. On the legislative calendar, the clerk read Senate Bill 444, Senator Kramer’s bill on certificate of need for intermediate healthcare facilities finance, and a bond initiative for Charles Mount Elementary School sponsored by Senator Sing. These items were ordered to the appropriate committees/subcommittee. No committee reports or substantive floor votes were taken beyond the ceremonial resolutions. The Senate also announced upcoming caucus meetings, reminded members to pay protocol dues, confirmed a quorum of 40 members, and adjourned until Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• It does not target by students.
• um he would provide for the students. um he would provide for the students.
• the students needs academically. the students needs academically.
• And we're talking about one student in this school and maybe two students in that school and no students
• students in that school and no students students in that school and no students in<03:45:44.720>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:24:02.679> uh<00:24:02.880> at 53,000 students uh at 53,000 students uh at 1868
• concert um they've prepared my students concert um they've prepared my students for<00:27:23.159
• Well, we open this up to all students, not just students at St. Michael-Albertville.
• students not just students<01:00:11.240> at<01:00:11.400> St<01:00:11.599> Michael<
• and members of vo's 8 I've both students and members of vo's 8 I've had<01:00:33.680> students

Bills: HF1679, HF1019, HF2321, HF1740, HF2278

Keywords: public television, funding, grants, arts and culture, Minnesota, Minnesota Public Radio, arts education, cultural heritage, community engagement, public radio, community radio, educational grants, community cable, public access, programming funding, civic engagement, ethnic media, public access television, Minnesota Humanities Center, funding appropriation

Transcript Highlights:

• The LAO report recently said that roughly 7% of UC students and 11% of CSU students face housing instability
• One in four students face instability in housing.
• Student Homes Coalition and the University of California Student Association, who we will hear from
• Brett Burnt, UCLA Student Homes, in support. Thank you. Good morning.
• As you stated, this is about students. It's a very student-centered bill.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If 51 percent of the 6,500 students were undocumented, that is about 3,315 students.
• The students are already enrolled.
• It is the vast majority of students.
• How can we do this to the students?
• UCF has 310 students right now.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It states that student housing and student family housing built on land owned by tax-exempt higher education
• student success.
• , mostly UNM students, but CNM students as well.
• I think that student housing is really important.
• So they'd be passed on to the students proportionally.

Transcript Highlights:

• Research, support for our students, and patient care.
• Those research impacts will be felt by UC students as well.
• Regarding support for our students.
• That support our students of color.
• Pacific Islander students or black students, those programs are continuing to be provided.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is allowing a student to fulfill that graduation requirement...
• are participating and are ELL students.
• to public school students—there was not any disparity along the way.
• They want that quality time with their students.
• So, this provides these students with access to religious education.

Bills: HB298, HB342, HB332, HB344

Keywords: athletic classification, public high schools, English language learners, state education policy, athletic associations, religious instruction, elective credit, released time, public education, school policy, educational intervention, State Superintendent, local boards of education, subpoena, accountability, state control, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you're a Chinese student visiting here, you're going to be recruited into a Chinese Students and Scholars
• If you're a Chinese student visiting here, you're going to be recruited into a Chinese Students and Scholars
• Do these students, are they paid by the other countries to be here?
• We want to have more students going to college.
• We expand faculty-to-student ratios.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 399 by Senator Bass, which would create the Louisiana Higher Education Research Security Council to review and potentially block certain gifts, contracts, academic partnerships, and research partnerships involving foreign adversary sources. Bass said the bill is intended to protect university research, intellectual property, and students from foreign influence, and would also require public disclosure of certain foreign-linked arrangements and a plan to eliminate foreign-adversary-linked software. Supporters from State Armor argued Louisiana universities have been vulnerable to Chinese Communist Party influence and intellectual property theft. Representatives from Tulane University and Lenovo raised concerns that the bill could create duplicative review, delay research, raise costs, and sweep in legitimate private or multinational entities; a proposed amendment to exempt entities operating under a CFIUS national security agreement failed 4-8. After debate, the committee moved SB 399 favorably. The committee then considered Senate Bill 310 by Senator Cloud, presented by Representative Carlson, which would require public school and college health centers to display information about pregnancy resources available in Louisiana. Supporters from Louisiana Right to Life said the bill would help connect pregnant students with existing state and private assistance programs, while the ACLU submitted a red card in opposition without speaking. The bill was moved favorably without objection. The committee also advanced House Resolution 171 by Representative Turner, which calls for a study of the workforce-oriented TOPS Tech and M.J. Foster programs, with business and workforce groups supporting the study as a way to measure outcomes and return on investment; it was moved favorably. Next, the committee took up House Bill 1084 by Representative Turner, a tuition autonomy bill for public post-secondary institutions. An amendment was adopted to add a conceptual framework for tuition-setting considerations, but the bill would still remove the existing 10% over two years cap and allow institutions to set tuition more freely. Turner argued universities need more flexibility because state funding has declined and campuses face deferred maintenance and operating pressures. Several members, especially Representative Carlson, warned that higher tuition could reduce access and that the bill did not address broader structural problems in higher education. Despite those concerns, HB 1084 was moved favorably by an 8-3 vote. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 351 by Senator Jackson Andrews, which would let families apply for child care assistance through CCAP once pregnancy is known, rather than waiting until after birth, to help move them up the waiting list. An amendment was adopted to have BESE, rather than the department, handle rulemaking and to allow the House and Senate education committees to approve the implementation process. The bill was then discussed as a way to help parents return to work sooner, and the hearing continued with questions from members.

Transcript Highlights:

• What is your cost per student per year? Mr.
• That's New Mexico resident students.
• The SEG for D level students—that's where deaf and hard of hearing and blind and visually impaired students
• just the students that we serve.
• Oh, and how many students on campus? On campus? Yes, ma'am.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of the student ID cards.
• Our students oppose this unanimously. Our students oppose this unanimously.
• I recognize Senator Murphy. students are. Those same students can students are.
• So the students on campus.
• So the students on campus.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This amendment narrows the eligibility for students to be placed in advanced math to focus only on students
• where, when a student does very well on a test, that it's not already suggested to them.
• And I think it's far better to have the whole team of teachers, parents, and students help the student
• if we simply push students before they're ready, they're not going to get there.
• I think let's let the team of teachers, students, and parents decide what's best for each student.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This amendment narrows the eligibility for students to be placed in advanced math to focus only on students
• This amendment narrows the eligibility for students to be placed in advanced math to focus only on students
• But I don't know of any students or any situations where, when a student does very well on a test, it's
• And I think it's far better to have the whole team of teachers, parents, and students help the student
• I think let's let the team of teachers, students, and parents decide what's best for each student.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, recorded attendance, approved the journal, and received routine communications from the governor and House. The body then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider several House bills, including HB 2369 on photo-enforcement traffic citations, HB 2423 on advanced math course enrollment, HB 2481 on school district financial records, HB 2621 on access to special education in public schools, and HB 2756 on public utilities and high-load factor customers. Each of these bills received amendments and were advanced with do pass recommendations. Members discussed HB 2423 at length, with supporters saying it would better identify high-achieving students for advanced math while critics argued the larger issue was funding and teacher shortages. HB 2756 also drew debate over data centers, utility reporting, and ratepayer impacts, but was amended and advanced. The Committee of the Whole then rose and reported its recommendations, which the Senate adopted. The Senate also adopted a proclamation supporting stronger Arizona and U.S. relations with Taiwan, and welcomed Taiwan’s Director General Jason Poyon Ma. The chamber calendared HB 2192 for additional Committee of the Whole consideration, adopted a Bolick amendment clarifying that telecom and broadband providers are not included in the definition of online hosting platform, and advanced the bill as amended. Later, the Senate took up third-reading votes on multiple measures, including HB 2249, HB 2482, HB 2641, HB 2661, HB 2662, HB 2673, HB 2745, HB 2752, HB 2895, HB 2923, and several House concurrent memorials on foreign ownership, endangered species, and related federal policy. Most passed, though several senators explained no votes on grounds such as budget concerns, policy objections, or opposition to limiting testimony or subpoena enforcement authority. At the end of the session, the Senate also passed HB 2369, HB 2423, HB 2481, HB 2621, HB 2756, HB 2192, and other listed bills by recorded roll call, with final vote totals announced for each. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted, bills were properly assigned, and committee announcements were made for the following Monday. The Senate then adjourned until Monday, April 20, 2026 at 1:15 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• I used to work there for 10 years, and I was a student, former student body president.
• If I could have the Club America students, please stand up.
• These fine students are doing great work and encouraging students to cherish the principles of our founding
• I also want to give a huge shout out to all of the students.
• . ...of inappropriate contact between staff and students.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:28:25.200> And students, that's a real problem. And students, that's a real problem.
• <00:30:08.880> loans their student loans their student loans themselves<00:30:10.960> and
• from public school students.
• students from uh public school students. students from uh public school students.
• . students. students.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And in that sense, tragically, what happened to a student or students at Concord-Carlisle and the response
• and all types of students.
• on these issues and to craft local policies that protect Jewish students and all types of students.
• attack and harass students based on their identity.
• I don't have a fully formed view on this, but we've talked about education for students.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism met to review and discuss draft preliminary recommendations, with the co-chairs explaining that the draft had been released publicly and that the meeting was intended for open discussion and edits rather than a final vote. They emphasized the urgency of addressing antisemitism in Massachusetts, especially in K-12 schools, while noting that the recommendations are preliminary, may be revised, and will be supplemented by further testimony and a final report later. Several members also referenced recent allegations and incidents in local schools as examples of why the commission’s work is needed. Commissioners broadly supported the draft but proposed numerous refinements. Common themes included clarifying the distinction between antisemitic incidents and hate crimes; strengthening reporting systems and privacy protections; adding clearer guidance from DESE and the Attorney General on First Amendment issues, curriculum, and investigations; expanding Holocaust and genocide education; and improving professional development for educators, school committees, and administrators. Several members urged better links to mental health and victim services, more support for the Genocide Education Trust, and stronger language on bystander training, digital literacy, and the role of school committees in addressing bias. There was also discussion of how to frame antisemitism as a distinct form of hate, how to address antisemitism related to Israel and Zionism without restricting legitimate political speech, and how to avoid unfunded mandates for school districts and municipalities. Some commissioners suggested adding timeframes, a centralized reporting or investigative mechanism, and more explicit model policies for schools. The meeting ended with the chairs thanking participants and the public for their input, and the commission then moved to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• Big round of applause for all of the FFA students who are here.
• She said Kaden is one of her favorite students, that he is an amazing young man, a great student, and
• Lada, FFA students from Gadsden, Independent School District.
• He is a student out of our Las Vegas FFA chapter.
• The students come across the state, all across the state.

Bills: HM19

Keywords: New Mexico Aviation and Aerospace Day, aviation, aerospace, space industry, missile programs, Spaceport America, White Sands Missile Range, White Sands Test Facility, Kirtland Air Force Base, drone, unmanned aircraft systems, commercial space transportation, NASA, aircraft, STEM education, research laboratories, Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Laboratory, flight testing, medical evacuation

Transcript Highlights:

• “It was asked, why would we allow families and students to use their dollars for college?
• I would ask, why are we confiscating funds from these students?
• The average per-pupil funding for a typical universal ESA student or a typical military student, for
• The students in public schools are tested constantly, as are the schools.
• So I support the program for special education for students with disabilities.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Appropriations, Transportation and Technology heard HCR 2048, as amended by a strike-everything amendment. The amendment would constitutionally prohibit the state from confiscating scholarship account monies from children of military families who are eligible for education scholarship accounts (ESAs) and can use the funds for tuition and fees at eligible postsecondary institutions. It also would make any later bill or voter-approved measure that violates that prohibition void in its entirety, with no severability, for measures enacted or approved on or after November 1, 2026. Representative Way, the sponsor, said the measure was intended to protect military families from having education funds taken away and argued that military children face unique disruptions because of deployments and frequent moves. Supporters including Matt Beinberg of the Goldwater Institute, Kevin Beasty of the Arizona Christian Education Coalition, Peter Gentala of the Center for Arizona Policy, and Senator Rogers said the amendment was needed to safeguard military families and preserve their ability to use ESA funds flexibly, including for college savings. Opponents, including Senators Alston, Fernandez, Kuby, and Epstein, argued the proposal was unnecessary, overly broad, and an attempt to preempt or invalidate a pending ESA-related citizen initiative. They also raised concerns about ESA accountability, public school funding, and constitutional issues involving voter initiatives and judicial review. After debate, the committee adopted the strike-everything amendment and then voted on HCR 2048 as amended. The final committee vote was 6 ayes, 4 noes, and 1 not voting, giving the measure a do-pass recommendation.