Transcript Highlights:

• </c> education fund. education fund.
• the House um increased special education the House um increased special education per<01:04:53.119><c
• </c> the general fund, education trust fund. the general fund, education trust fund.
• The next two sections are relative to the Excellence in Higher Education Endowment Trust Fund, also known
• The next two sections are relative to the Excellence in Higher Education Endowment Trust Fund, also known

Summary: The committee of conference for HB 1 and HB 2 reviewed the side-by-side budget comparison and began working through agreed and disputed items. Members first confirmed that grayed-out items were already settled and discussed a process for making later technical and intent changes, especially to true up abolished positions after additional decisions were made. They then moved through several budget sections, including judicial branch reductions, retirement systems, the Department of Justice, the Human Rights Commission, liquor enforcement, corrections, and the Department of Information Technology. Several items were agreed to or treated as settled package items, including the judicial branch position, the Department of Justice reduction, the Human Rights Commission item being held until related HB 2 language is finalized, the Housing Appeals Board being moved into the Board of Tax and Land Appeals, and the Office of Child Advocate. The committee also agreed to update the House bill language as needed based on HB 2 decisions, and to keep certain IT support rows in place unless related boards and commissions are eliminated. The effective date remained July 1, 2025, with no change. The main unresolved discussion centered on the retirement systems budget, where the Senate defended a large increase for deferred IT security and investment-function improvements, while the House argued the increase was too large and favored a back-of-the-budget cut. The Senate said the funds would support strategic IT and investment changes and would remain in the trust if cut, while the House emphasized the size of the increase and suggested a compromise. The committee ultimately retained the Senate position on retirement systems for the moment and said it would return to the issue later. On corrections and liquor enforcement, the committee described a negotiated back-of-the-budget cut structure, including a $10 million cut for corrections with some restoration of POS offices and administrative aides, and a liquor enforcement cut that was treated as part of a broader package. The Department of Safety item related to commercial enforcement and motor vehicle inspections was held for later discussion. The meeting ended with several items agreed, several held for coordination with HB 2, and some major budget questions still open.

Transcript Highlights:

• [Music] The Higher Education Committee will come to order.
• We make sure it's protected before it goes to the higher education institutions.
• </c><00:38:08.800><c> education</c> before it goes to the higher education before it goes to the higher
• But the largest cost is to the Office of Higher Education.
• </c> costs estimated for the Office of Higher costs estimated for the Office of Higher Education,<00:

Summary: The committee first took up a series of “same and similar” provisions between the House and Senate higher education bills and adopted them one by one, with brief explanations from members and staff. The items included a cybersecurity addition for a doctoral degree program, Northstar Promise definitions and eligibility limits, self-loan provisions on institution eligibility and data disclosure, and dual training language requiring certificates, diplomas, or degrees to come from accredited postsecondary institutions. The committee also adopted an amendment to the private career school provisions that clarified exempt institutions remain within the act, and removed certain limited-license and renewal fees for institutions participating in dual training grants or the eligible training provider list. Each of these motions prevailed by voice vote. The committee then moved into policy differences between the House and Senate bills, beginning with emergency grants and hunger-free campus grants. Members discussed shifting funding from OHE-administered competitive grants to direct appropriations for the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State, while the Senate retained competitive grant access for private and tribal colleges and added reporting requirements. OHE Commissioner Dennis Olson said the added reporting would be an extra administrative task but raised no significant concerns. Testifiers from the University of Minnesota, Minnesota State, and the private college sector supported faster, more direct funding and described the grants as important for emergency housing, transportation, food insecurity, and other student basic needs. A LeadMN representative also supported the changes, saying campus staff and students wanted funds delivered more quickly. The committee also discussed direct admissions on R31. The Senate proposal would require public and charter high schools to participate in the direct admissions program by the 2029-2030 school year. Assistant Commissioner Wendy Robinson said OHE supports statewide expansion and that the program has improved FAFSA completion, college enrollment, and student retention in Minnesota. Members noted the bill had bipartisan support and heard from advocates such as Ed Allies and Students United. No votes were taken on the policy-difference items during this portion of the meeting, and the chair said further discussion of state grant and sexual misconduct policy differences would be held at a later hearing with additional OHE staff present.

Transcript Highlights:

• To put it in context of education, half of all California children live in immigrant families.
• I'm Kimberly Wu, and I'm a community organizer for Services, Immigrant Rights and Education Network,
• But because commercials are so mobile, that spending can leave just as quickly as it arrives.
• In 2017, after spending 28 years in the... ...not always require years of experience.
• California's early care and education system.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation heard several bills, most of them referred to the suspense file because of their fiscal impact. AB 2465 and AB 1675 would deny state grants, loans, tax credits, or other benefits to companies doing business with ICE or related immigration-enforcement agencies; both drew strong support from immigrant-rights, labor, and community groups, and opposition from CalChamber and industry groups that argued the bills were overly broad and could affect unrelated federal contracts. AB 1633 would impose a 50% gross receipts tax on for-profit private immigration detention facilities, with supporters saying it would hold companies accountable for dangerous conditions and opponents warning it was punitive and could disrupt detention operations. The committee also heard AB 2089, which would streamline the welfare property tax exemption process for affordable housing, and AB 2250, a cleanup bill to clarify hemp enforcement laws; both were supported by affected industry and advocacy groups, while county assessors and tax collectors opposed AB 2089 unless amended over workload and implementation concerns. AB 2172, which would allow counties to use a single-member assessment appeals commissioner for complex property tax appeals, was the only bill taken up for a vote during the meeting. Supporters, including Los Angeles County Assessor Jeffrey Prang, said the change would reduce a large backlog and speed resolution of appeals; the committee adopted amendments and passed the bill 4-0 to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 2319, creating a proposed post-production tax credit to keep film and television post-production work in California, with support from labor and industry representatives who said jobs and spending were leaving the state; the author said the bill still needed work on labor standards and the annual credit cap. Finally, AB 2403 was presented to create a commercial production tax credit to keep commercial shoots in California. The author and supporters said commercial production has declined sharply in the state and that other states are winning work through targeted incentives, while labor-backed witnesses argued the bill would protect middle-class jobs and local spending. The transcript ends during the presentation of AB 2403, before any vote or final action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a nonprofit organization, its mission has remained clear and unwavering: to expand access to higher
• And whereas Colorado institutions of higher education have long offered defined contribution plans with
• <00:33:56.240><c> education</c><00:33:56.760><c> have</c><00:33:56.960><c> long</c><00:33:57.280><c>
• offered</c> higher education have long offered higher education have long offered defined<00:33:58.000
• This consistent spending markets.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the House of Representatives, House Bill 883 by the Education Committee.
• Department of Education. The U.S.
• and to really advance education all across this country.
• and to really advance education all across this country.
• Department of Education.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the committee substitute for SB 2891 is a priority. number one for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
• We don't know necessarily how many we have. educate.
• So, as Victoria mentioned, instead of all of our different associations... coming and trying to educate
• First, the committee substitute aligns the definitions of direct care in the spending ratio.
• If you do that, you can spend the money any way you are because you are ranked.

Bills: SB128 , SB640 , SB672 , SB904 , SB1141 , SB1263 , SB1525 , SB1528 , SB2041 , SB2306 , SB2308 , SB2357 , SB2446 , SB2695 , SB2857 , SB2891 , SB2583

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• So we weren't here last Thursday, but I did want to spend a moment today to recognize Arizona Crime Victims
• SB 1839, 2026–2027 higher education appropriation; transportation, technology.
• SB 1841, 2026–2027 K–12 education appropriation; transportation, technology.
• SB 1839, 2026–2027 higher education appropriation; transportation, technology.
• SB 1841, 2026–2027 K–12 education appropriation; transportation, technology.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then recorded attendance at 23 present, 0 absent, and 7 excused. The journal for April 21, 2026, was approved without objection. The chamber then adopted a legislative proclamation recognizing April 19–25, 2026, as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Arizona, honoring victims, survivors, and service providers. Senator Bolick spoke in support of the proclamation, tying it to Domestic Violence Awareness Month and highlighting work with victim advocates and survivors, including Amberley’s Place, Janice’s Women’s Center, and Kaylee Kozak. She referenced prior legislation such as SB 1211, which allows lifetime no-contact injunctions for certain domestic violence victims, and described broader efforts to strengthen protections and avoid retraumatizing survivors. She then moved to reconsider the Senate’s prior failure to pass HB 2950 on third reading, and the motion was adopted. The Senate also received a large package of new budget-related bills, SB 1831 through SB 1846, covering general appropriations, state budget implementation, capital outlay, commerce, criminal justice, environment, healthcare, higher education, human services, K–12 education, local government, state properties, revenue, tax and taxation, and transportation. These bills were referred to the Committee on Appropriations, Transportation, and Technology, and the Senate suspended the five-day committee agenda rule so the committee could hear them on April 28, 2026. Committee announcements noted that the Senate and House Appropriations committees would meet the next day at 10 a.m. in House Hearing Room 1, and the Senate adjourned until April 28, 2026, at 1:15 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Assembly Higher Education Committee meeting is now called to order.
• Transitioning to higher education, whether from a K-12 school or as an adult returning to the education
• history just to receive support in higher education.
• We're not part of the discussions around higher education.
• Assembly Higher Education meeting.

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard a long policy agenda focused largely on student access, equity, and institutional oversight. Bills discussed included AB 2236 on common course numbering and streamlined articulation across the community colleges, CSU, and UC; AB 2422 on protections when financial aid is delayed; AB 1669 on medical and mental health leaves of absence; AB 1713 on accepting IEPs and 504 plans as proof of disability for accommodations; AB 2766 on priority housing and related supports for foster youth and students experiencing homelessness; AB 2212 on tech-facilitated sexual harassment and AI-generated intimate images; AB 2504 on a pilot to upskill creative-industry workers for AI-related changes; AB 1734 on preserving and expanding California food insecurity data collection; and AB 2771, the sunset bill for the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education. The committee also took up a consent calendar of three bills earlier in the hearing. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from student groups, advocacy organizations, and system representatives, with many speakers describing personal experiences with transfer confusion, delayed aid, mental health crises, disability documentation barriers, housing instability, and online sexual harm. AB 2236 drew support from community college, CSU, UC student associations, and college-opportunity advocates, while the CSU Academic Senate registered opposition. AB 2771 drew a notable exchange over the cost and scope of the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education, with Vice Chair DeMaio opposing the extension on fiscal and bureaucracy grounds; the author responded that the bureau is fee-funded and that its fees had not been raised in years. AB 1734 also prompted skepticism from DeMaio about the survey’s cost, methodology, and whether the work should be competitively bid, though supporters argued the existing California Health Interview Survey infrastructure was the most efficient way to preserve critical food insecurity data after federal cuts. The committee voted to advance the measures it heard, generally on party-line or near-party-line votes, with several bills held open for additional members to add on. AB 2236, AB 2422, AB 1669, AB 1713, AB 1734, AB 2766, and AB 2212 all received do-pass recommendations and were re-referred to the appropriate policy or fiscal committees. AB 2771 was also moved forward to the Committee on Business and Professions after debate over the bureau’s reauthorization and fee structure. The hearing ended with the committee beginning consideration of AB 2504, the AI-related workforce upskilling pilot for creative industries.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:52:15.040><c> parah</c> preschool special education parah preschool special education parah educator
• </c> education at UCLA. education at UCLA.
• Many of the ones we educate. We people. Many of the ones we educate.
• </c> spending to make it work." spending to make it work."
• </c> interest rates are higher. interest rates are higher.

Bills: HB5587

Keywords: geothermal, environmental policy, federal drilling permit, energy production, state regulations, land use

Transcript Highlights:

• We also provide budget options and are able to do research on spending and revenue, on enacted spending
• We also provide budget options and are able to do research on spending and revenue, on enacted spending
• We also provide budget options and are able to do research on spending and revenue, on enacted spending
• We also provide budget options and are able to do research on spending and revenue, on enacted spending
• Spending on goods is slightly declining, where more spending on services is taking place.

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• Not one of your disputed studies that show the connection between a higher education and greater earning
• Young people who have grown up here and worked hard here, who simply want a chance at a higher education
• Why shouldn't we want children to pursue higher education if that is within their dreams?
• Education is a vital part of that dream.
• The in-state tuition for current college students at Miami-Dade College, FIU, and higher education institutions

Bills: SJR36 , SR8 , SR14 , SR15 , SR17 , HCR54

Transcript Highlights:

• A spending cap says you can only spend so much.
• This gives them the flexibility to spend how they want to spend.
• A spending cap cap and a spending cap.
• They have a spending cap. This is not a spending cap.
• </c> department of education. department of education.

Committee: House Election Law

Transcript Highlights:

• We have 815 educators and we have 90,000 inmates.
• We do from case management planning to substance abuse to education.
• I look forward to being educated about the backstories. Thank you, sir.
• I'm constantly trying to higher as fast as I can.
• . adequately higher attorneys with the skill level they need.

Transcript Highlights:

• He said the allocation authority should be used to spend money from other sources before spending GR
• So our academic education, the Carl Perkins funds go to career and technical education.
• Some programs include adult basic education, technical education, post-secondary academic and career
• The commission approved spending...
• It's a Judiciary, Public Defender, Treasurer, General Assembly, and Department of Higher Education and

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• how we currently allow cities to adopt spending caps.
• </c><00:05:57.880><c> caps</c> cities that currently have spending caps cities that currently have spending
• control on on what we're spending so I'm control on on what we're spending so I'm not<00:11:36.959><c
• <00:18:07.840><c> uh</c><00:18:08.360><c> adequacy</c> Education uh adequacy Education uh adequacy Grant
• They have higher incidents of other problems. So I look up to them.

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Vaughn has contributed significantly to public service in higher education.
• Personally, I've had many discussions with him on the importance of higher education while serving on
• Giles to the Higher Education Coordinating Board, where he served his term until 2000. In 2001, Mr.
• Giles has a passion for higher education, as I mentioned earlier.
• Alvarado talked about my rich history and love for higher education, but I want to thank the governor

Committee: Senate Nominations

Transcript Highlights:

• The Assembly Higher Education meeting is now called to order.
• Transitioning to higher education, whether from a K-12 school or as an adult returning to the education
• Transitioning to higher education, whether from a K-12 school or as an adult returning to the education
• history just to receive support in higher education.
• We're not part of the discussions around higher education.

Committee: House Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• On line 190, we have the Office of Higher Education, and there is $500,000 in fiscal year 26 only for
• On line 190, we have the Office of Higher Education, and there is $500,000 in fiscal year 26 only for
• On line 190, we have the Office of Higher Education, and there is $500,000 in fiscal year 26 only for
• On line 190, we have the Office of Higher Education, and there is $500,000 in fiscal year 26 only for
• On line 190, we have the Office of Higher Education, and there is $500,000 in fiscal year 26 only for

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't want to just educate anymore and have them leave.
• Northeastern has been a global leader in experiential education through our cooperative education, or
• We have seen an influx in institutes of higher education building out experiential learning models where
• So we are at the heart of higher education institutions here in both Boston and across the Commonwealth
• We are at the heart of higher education institutions here in both Boston and across the Commonwealth.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies

Summary: The committee held a hearing on Governor Healey’s economic development proposal, H. 5386, also referred to as the Mass Winds Act, focused on global investment, talent, innovation, housing, and business competitiveness. Governor Healey, Secretary of Economic Development Eric Paley, and Secretary of Administration and Finance Matt Gorzkowicz described the bill as a response to federal uncertainty and global competition, building on the 2024 Mass Leads Act. They highlighted proposed investments in a Global Mass initiative, including a $50 million innovation access fund and $20 million for sites to help international companies locate or expand in Massachusetts, along with support for AI, quantum, robotics, defense innovation, climate tech, downtown revitalization, and creative/cultural economy projects. They also emphasized measures to lower business costs, including reducing the LLC filing fee, expanding the small business energy tax exemption, and streamlining housing and development rules. Committee members questioned the administration about non-compete reform, AI and data-center infrastructure, housing affordability, and whether the bill would help retain workers and companies in Massachusetts. The governor and secretaries argued that the non-compete changes would restore the original compromise by requiring any alternative to garden leave to be negotiated at separation, and they said the bill’s housing and workforce provisions are intended to help young workers stay in the state. They also said Massachusetts is already investing in AI training, an AI hub, and energy-related planning, while acknowledging that data-center growth will require careful attention to water, electricity, and ratepayer impacts. Several witnesses testified on specific sections. Northeastern University supported the internship tax credit, saying experiential learning helps students gain jobs and remain in Massachusetts. The Latino Empowerment Advisory Council supported the waiver of redundant English testing for internationally trained nurses, saying it would speed entry into the workforce without lowering clinical standards. Russell Beck opposed the non-compete changes, arguing they would undermine the 2018 compromise and could reduce other forms of employee compensation. The Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office opposed the LLC fee reduction, citing revenue loss and fraud concerns. Municipal and regional groups, including the MMA and the Metro Mayors Coalition, supported site plan review codification and downtown/arts investments, while urging continued municipal input. The AFL-CIO asked for trigger language to preserve labor protections if federal law changes, and business and industry witnesses generally supported the bill’s competitiveness and global investment provisions. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with written testimony invited after the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides $30,000 in fiscal year 2027 for OSPI to create and distribute promotional and educational
• kids and their getting their education at a bargain is valuable to the state.
• And I think that's what we should focus on until we have extra resources to spend.
• Not only does it assume passage of it, but it also spends a good majority of it.
• We're spending about $2 billion more than we did last year.

Summary: The Senate Ways and Means Committee met in executive session on Senate Bill 5998, the proposed operating budget, and received a staff briefing on 39 proposed amendments. The amendments covered a wide range of issues, including technical corrections; truancy intervention funding; public defense and Blake-related vacatur work; family reading, shellfish program review, cultural resource protection, agritourism, transmission planning, paid leave, developmental disabilities services, nursing home rates, TANF workforce services, food bank language, oral health access, behavioral health partnership access, sexual assault nurse examiner training, Department of Corrections security measures, child welfare staffing, pediatric interim care centers, Working Connections Child Care, range rider funding, Chinese American history month materials, Running Start, retiree health subsidies, school bus contractor costs, local effort assistance, transition to kindergarten, charter school enrichment, arts grants, and a tribal liaison position. Several amendments were withdrawn before action, including the truancy increase, Blake funding, one DD-related amendment, and others. The committee adopted a number of amendments, including the technical corrections packet, reductions or savings-related corrections, the family reading program, shellfish review funding, the transmission-system implementation funding, the oral health foundation, the partnership access line, health technology assessment funding, the governor errata correction, the sexual assault nurse examiner training contract, the DOC canine scheduling language, the child welfare staffing correction, the people transportation language, the TTK-related amendment, and the tribal liaison funding. It rejected several others, including agritourism, paid leave study language, DD waiver expansion, nursing home add-ons, the PIC program, range rider funding, Chinese American history month materials, Running Start restoration, the LEA restoration amendment, and the arts grant restoration. Some amendments were withdrawn after discussion, including the DD waiver and LEA-related proposals. During debate, supporters of various amendments emphasized service needs for vulnerable populations, including people with developmental disabilities, survivors of sexual assault, Medicaid dental access, behavioral health callers, and students in Running Start and TTK. Opponents repeatedly cited budget constraints, the need for a sustainable operating budget, and the view that some issues were better addressed through collective bargaining or future negotiations. The committee then rolled the adopted amendments into a new substitute Senate Bill 5998 and voted to send it to the Rules Committee with a do-pass recommendation, subject to signatures. Several members stated they would vote no on the budget overall, while others supported it as a difficult but necessary compromise. The meeting adjourned after the final vote.