Transcript Highlights:

• the 400 families now uh in the program. the 400 families now uh in the program.
• fully programs do.
• Uh programs must fully programs do.
• schoolwide programs. schoolwide programs.
• school mapping programs.

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call – 0:00:04 Approval of Minutes – 0:03:57 United Way of Southern Kentucky –0:04:30 Preschool Education – 0:36:46 School Safety Updates – 1:01:41 Kentucky Association of School Superintendents – 1:41:47 Educational Cooperatives – 1:55:18 Adjournment – 2:07:37, 958, all

Summary: The committee opened its sixth meeting of the 2025 Interim Joint Committee on Education, confirmed a quorum, recorded attendance votes, and approved the minutes. Chair Lewis reminded presenters to keep remarks brief because of the full agenda and limited time. The first presentation was from United Way of Southern Kentucky, with Anne Puckett, Craig Browning, and Warren County Schools Superintendent Rob Clayton introducing a regional early childhood initiative. The presenters argued that kindergarten readiness and early childhood support are critical to later academic and life outcomes. They cited research and statistics about brain development in the first five years, the effects of unprepared kindergarten entry, and links between low literacy, school discipline, dropout rates, and incarceration. They said their region’s readiness scores fell during COVID and after a tornado, and that the most effective response was in-home parent education to help families support children from birth to age five. They described the model as voluntary, community-based, and not requiring new buildings, and said similar programs have been successful in Missouri. The group said it had already raised more than $1 million in private donations and committed three years of funding for four additional staff, expanding service in Allen, Logan, and Warren counties. They requested $600,000 per year for the next two-year budget cycle to add 12 more educators, serve about 360 families and 660 additional children, and build evidence for a possible statewide model. Members generally expressed support for the concept, with Representative Tipton and Representative Jackson discussing a prior home-based preschool pilot and the importance of starting early. Representative Calloway questioned whether increased family chaos and government involvement justified the approach; presenters responded that the program uses community educators, not a government-run organization, and is aimed at helping overwhelmed families. Representative Stalker asked about eligibility and early intervention, and presenters said the program serves children from birth to age five and can help identify needs early enough to connect families with services such as First Steps.

Transcript Highlights:

• in administering the Medicaid program. in administering the Medicaid program.
• They could do work program participation for not less than 80 hours in a month, including any program
• They could do work program participation for not less than 80 hours in a month, including any program
• They could do work program participation for not less than 80 hours in a month, including any program
• on our accuracy and program integrity. on our accuracy and program integrity.

Bills: HR1

Keywords: January 6 insurrection, pardon, law enforcement, violent crimes, public safety, justice system, political accountability, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll go through each program.
• Veteran mental health program.
• We have a grant program.
• We have a women veterans program. This program focuses on the state.
• We have a grant program. That grant program awards over $40 million a year to not.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs heard a briefing from the Texas Veterans Commission on its major programs and outreach efforts. TVC described its claims assistance, health care advocacy, education oversight, employment services, entrepreneurship support, mental health and suicide prevention work, women veterans services, grant funding for nonprofits and local governments, and support for veteran treatment courts. The agency also highlighted its communications strategy, including media outreach, events, newsletters, social media, and the Texas Veterans State Benefits Booklet, and noted that less than 58% of veterans were aware of TVC in the latest needs assessment. A committee member asked about performance metrics, and TVC said each appropriation has associated measures and that it could provide recent results. The committee then took up Senate Bill 651, which would allow a county veterans service office in a large county to report either directly to commissioners court or to a designated county executive official. Senator West explained the bill as a cleanup of current practice, and Dallas County testified in support, saying the change would streamline internal management. No opposition was heard, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 897 would reduce the non-state matching requirement for the Texas Veterans and Family Alliance grant program in larger counties from 100 percent to 75 percent in the committee substitute, rather than the 50 percent reduction in the filed version. Supporters from MetroCare and Emergence Health Network said the lower match would help sustain and expand veteran mental health services, citing increased demand and program growth. The bill was left pending after testimony. The committee also adopted its rules. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 1814, which would create an interagency database to collect and coordinate contact information for transitioning veterans so agencies could proactively connect them with services. Senator Hancock said the goal was to better use information already being collected, though he noted the bill had a significant fiscal note. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1818, which would create a temporary six-month licensing and certification process for military members and spouses assigned to Texas while they wait for letters of good standing from other states. VFW testified in support, emphasizing the importance of employment for military families. Both bills were left pending, and the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• > technical<00:07:58.800> education CT program is for technical education CT program is
• <00:08:08.560> are would uh would under this program are would uh would under this program
• Education Assistance Program and GAP. Uh Education Assistance Program and GAP.
• to this particular program.
• <00:34:23.119> Does the talent recruitment program. Does the talent recruitment program.

Bills: HB517, HB520, HB233, HB354, HB517, HB520, HB233, HB354

Keywords: underground damage prevention, one-call notification system, utility locating, excavation safety, dig safe, call before you dig, 811, utility lines, underground utilities, pipeline safety, gas pipeline, electric utility, telecommunications, water utility, wastewater, cable television, locate request, premark, tolerance zone, positive response

Transcript Highlights:

• Civic Excellence and Engagement Program. Civic Excellence and Engagement Program.
• special program special program >> with<00:33:59.840> special<00:34:00.159> program
• They're not to these programs.
• and programs as things are changing. and programs as things are changing.
• program? program?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill establishes two new children's initiatives programs, Bay County and Pompano.
• This bill establishes two new children's initiative programs, Bay County and Pompano.
• to all eligible adults when they enroll in a waiver program.
• And so first and foremost, codification of this program is paramount at this point.
• So it's really a cost savings for the state as far as SNAP and other programs.

Bills: S0006, S0036, S0560, S0778, S0844, S0864, S1002, S1016, S1022, S1030, S1630

Keywords: child welfare, negligence, settlement, injury compensation, Department of Children and Families, nursing title, advanced practice registered nurse, advertising, professional standards, disciplinary action, psychotropic medication, community-based care, liability insurance, forensic services, defendants, mental health, judicial system, defense, legal definitions, sickle cell disease

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services heard and advanced a series of health, child welfare, aging, disability, and public records bills. CS/SB 1002, on child welfare and parental substance abuse, was described as clarifying that acute or chronic parental drug abuse can constitute harm or neglect when it creates an ongoing risk to a child; it passed after limited questions and supportive testimony from Florida Smart Justice Alliance. CS/SB 1630, a broad aging and long-term care modernization bill, would streamline eligibility screenings, allow temporary DOEA services during emergencies or lead agency failures, tighten oversight of area agencies on aging, permanently establish the Florida Alzheimer’s Care Center of Excellence, and expand guardianship training and enforcement tools; it drew support from AARP, area agencies, and the Alzheimer’s Association and was reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 1022 to add Bay County and Pompano to the Florida Children’s Initiatives, and CS/SB 1030, via strike-all amendment, to streamline regulation of substance abuse and behavioral health providers and clarify background screening and privacy rules. Several bills focused on health care practice and patient access. CS/SB 36, with an amendment, allows nurses with doctoral degrees to use appropriate titles while requiring clear identification as nurses and making misuse grounds for discipline; nursing organizations supported it and it passed. CS/SB 844 requires physicians and nurses to complete a one-time, board-approved continuing education course on sickle cell disease care management, with multiple patients and advocates testifying about delayed care, bias, and the need for better provider education; the bill was reported favorably after an amendment aligning it with the House version. CS/SB 560 streamlines procedures for psychotropic medication for children in DCF custody by reducing duplicative reports, clarifying evaluator qualifications, limiting repeated background checks, and simplifying consent documentation; an amendment removed postsecondary education language, and the bill passed. The committee also approved a public records exemption bill for a uterine fibroids research database (CS/SB 864). The committee also advanced measures affecting disability services and forensic care. SB 6, a claims bill, would pay $3.8 million to a trust for a child who suffered severe abuse-related injuries after DCF involvement; it passed without opposition. SB 778 updates the definition of forensic clients so certain individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism found incompetent to proceed can be housed in the same secure forensic setting, reducing duplicative staffing and space needs; it was reported favorably. CS/SB 1016 codifies the Working People with Disabilities Program, allowing eligible developmentally disabled adults to work while retaining Medicaid waiver benefits and requiring notice to enrollees; advocates described the bill as essential to employment and independence, and it passed. Throughout the meeting, most bills received supportive public testimony, few questions, and unanimous or near-unanimous favorable votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• programs were identified for closure or consolidation.
• Those programs enrolled 152 students at the time.
• program, a biostatistical core.
• Obviously, you have a terrific program here.
• Obviously, you have a terrific program here.

Summary: The committee met at NDSU and approved the April 9 minutes. The main purpose of the meeting was an informational presentation from NDSU President David Stewart and university leaders on the university’s priorities, including enrollment, student success, research, commercialization, and use of New Horizons funding. Stewart emphasized a “One NDSU” approach, thanked legislators for past support, and said the university will focus on recruitment and retention, a new strategic plan, and growing research and tech transfer while serving North Dakota’s workforce needs. University leaders said NDSU is using tuition waivers more strategically and will work to reduce them over time through scholarship optimization. Provost Sherry Vale described academic portfolio reviews, program closures or consolidations, strategic hiring, and workload policies aimed at aligning resources with demand. They also highlighted student outcomes, including high completion rates, strong employment placement, and NDSU’s role in producing a large share of the state’s engineers, nurses, and agriculture graduates. Several students testified about how NDSU’s mentoring, internships, research, and support services helped them succeed. The committee also heard from partners on New Horizons-related collaborations: Gateway to Science described K-12 STEM outreach in rural and tribal areas, and Sanford Research discussed joint research efforts, including COBRE-related work, obesity and GLP-1 studies, and a joint biostatistics hire. Later speakers highlighted Governor’s School and NDSU’s research and commercialization efforts, including growth in research expenditures and invention disclosures. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• So can the author address whether this particular program, how it intersects with the HFFI program, the
• federal program?
• So if the fair program through HFFI were to be...
• Many of the farm-to-school programs, many of the grant programs that CDFA has had don't have those individual
• So how do we create the program?

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Agriculture heard three bills. SB 18 by Senator Rubio would create a Food Desert Elimination Grant Program at CDFA to help open or improve grocery stores in food desert communities. Supporters said it would improve access to healthy food, create jobs, and help underserved neighborhoods; opponents argued it could favor large chains, lacked community input and accountability, and should better prioritize tribal, BIPOC-owned, and community-led retail. Committee members raised concerns about population thresholds, community engagement, and long-term commitments, and the author said the bill could be strengthened with guardrails. SB 18 passed 7-0 and was sent to Appropriations. SB 312 by Senator Umberg would require out-of-state shippers of dogs to electronically submit health certificates to CDFA and make them available to buyers and enforcement agencies, aiming to improve consumer protection and traceability in the puppy import pipeline. Supporters from animal welfare and humane organizations said the bill would help stop sick or misrepresented puppies from entering California and give investigators a central record. Members asked about privacy and enforcement, and the author indicated amendments could address consumer privacy concerns. The bill passed unanimously and was sent to Appropriations. SB 493 by Senator Becker would change how compensation is set for secretary managers of district agricultural associations and fairgrounds, shifting salary-setting authority to CDFA and requiring periodic salary surveys. Supporters said fairgrounds are critical emergency-response and community facilities and that the bill would help recruit and retain qualified leaders with fairer pay. Some members expressed concern about local control and appointment delays, but clarified the bill only addressed salary, not appointments. SB 493 also passed unanimously and was sent to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• or immigration, also put these other programs in jeopardy.
• or immigration, also put these other programs in jeopardy.
• in 2024 alone domestic violence programs in 2024 alone domestic violence programs served<00:10:05.120
• We know that culturally specific and rural programs will be especially hard hit.
• Programs have already started to make changes.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You also work with estuary local programs.
• Item number five. recovery programs.
• Our GoTexan program, our marketing program, again, is very successful. Thank to you.
• Our food and nutrition, we operate 12 of the federal nutrition programs plus the state programs. including
• Also, we have a Young Farmer Startup Program that the state funds, and we have the STAR Program, which

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• fiscal estimate we have for the program fiscal estimate we have for the program and<00:10:38.760
• the program the program uh<00:20:59.200> we<00:20:59.280> think<00:20:59.400> it's
• is an enterprise program, so the money that's collected is kind of like the unemployment program or
• for most programs and most entitlement<01:34:40.639> programs<01:34:41.639> the<01:34:
• would be in place until the program would be in place until the program actually<01:36:23.159>

Bills: HF3

Keywords: legislative auditor, reporting, accountability, state finance, executive agency oversight, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• youth programs.
• :18:00.440> program, >> media program, social media program, >> media program, social
• Relations on two topics, Hale'i Imua program and summer youth programs. Um.
• How much is this program? director. How much is this program?
• for joining the program?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , so whether that's the gas affordability program, Xcel's Power On program, the other many different
• , so whether that's the gas affordability program, Xcel's Power On program, the other many different
• , so whether that's the gas affordability program, Xcel's Power On program, the other many different
• We oversee programs like Power on the Gas Affordability Program.
• <00:40:03.839> like programs um we oversee programs like programs um we oversee programs like

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• assistance program, the housing trust fund program, homework starts with home program, rental assistance
• trust fund program, program, the housing trust fund program, uh,<01:02:23.520> homework<01:02
• assistance program, housing trust fund. assistance program, housing trust fund.
• from some of these programs. from some of these programs.
• construction program. construction program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• US department of agriculture program. So US department of agriculture program.
• school lunch program. school lunch program.
• program? program? >> Correct. >> Correct. >> Correct.
• nutrition program. nutrition program.
• credit scholarship program. credit scholarship program.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• behind the tax credit program.
• behind the tax credit program.
• If we have programs to support them, and this program does that, we use it regularly.
• If we have programs to support them, and this program does that, we use it regularly.
• If we have programs to support them, and this program does that, we use it regularly.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a pilot program.
• I believe programs like this represent important steps.
• In both Oregon and Colorado, regulated psilocybin programs already exist.
• Psilocybin programs already exist.
• and 7.2, where that program evaluation is talked about.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• My last question is concerning the guardian program.
• My last question is concerning the guardian program.
• Let me shift to the Guardian program.
• lot of questions and concerns about what might happen with the Guardian program.
• It's such a popular program.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education received a presentation from the Governor’s Office of Policy and Budget and the Department of Education on the Governor’s fiscal year 2026-27 education budget. Shelby Salmons outlined the overall budget framework, and Commissioner Stasi Kamoutsis highlighted major education investments, including $486 million for VPK, $30.6 billion for K-12 education, a $761.1 million increase in FEFP funding, the highest per-student funding level to date, and $201 million more for teacher pay flexibility. The presentation also emphasized school safety, mental health, civics education, and the Guardian Program, along with continued funding for TEACH, HIPPY, Help Me Grow, and civics debate and literacy initiatives. Members asked about how the mental health allocation would be used, counselor staffing ratios, school closures and whether the department intervenes, oversight of school choice and voucher-funded schools, and the Guardian Program’s pay structure and effectiveness. Senators also raised concerns about the FISH school capacity report, data collection, teacher pay, professional development, AI and tutoring technology, and whether the budget adequately supports mental health services and school safety. The Commissioner said many funding decisions are left to districts, that the department stands ready to assist, and that the Guardian Program has been successful and expanded over time. During public testimony, Pinellas County School Board member Laura Hine said her district spends far more on safety and mental health than it receives in state categorical funding, and urged the committee to consider full-day VPK funding, arguing it has improved third-grade reading outcomes in Pinellas. Senators followed up on district flexibility and local spending choices. The committee took no substantive vote on the budget presentation and adjourned after thanking the department for its recommendations and partnership.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are just a few ways the fee-based program is unsustainable.
• Has a private letter ruling program or not.
• the successful federal program that's been implemented.
• Yeah, it's a 12-month long program.
• This is a program that has been in place since 2007.

Bills: HF2048, HF2360, HF2006, HF950, HF912, HF3140, HF2931

Keywords: individual income tax, retirement contributions, tax corrections, annuity contracts, tax year attribution, tax credit, economic development, community investment, data disclosure, Minnesota regulations, tax increment financing, municipal authority, job creation, transferred increment, public hearing, nonresident employees, income tax exemption, Minnesota taxation, employment duties, tax withholding

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition, we need staff to run the program.
• And this program could probably be best compared to the Hela MOA program in the Department of Labor.
• Helmo is an internship program and of Helmo is an internship program and of course<00:09:36.160> that's
• So that would be judiciary, DOE, and the counties. program. We do ask for an amendment to program.
• Um program for Hawaii for many years.

Keywords: 910, house, all