Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Representative Ron Kresha, the co-chair for education finance.
• This works to create a safe educational learning environment for all students.
• education policy have listened to different ideas.
• So, we're the education committee. Those bills have been heard.
• It happened in education policy.

Summary: House Education Finance and Policy leaders discussed House File 3493, a school safety package presented as a bipartisan, common-sense effort to protect students in public, non-public, tribal, and charter schools. Rep. Brian Lawrence said the bill would provide more school safety funding, more student mental health support, local anonymous threat reporting options, safe school plans, and student discipline reforms. Chair Peggy Bennett and Rep. Ben Bakeberg emphasized that the proposal was intended to be flexible, practical, and responsive to local needs rather than a one-size-fits-all mandate. Several questions focused on whether the package would include gun restrictions, but the authors said the committee was focused on education-related tools it could control and on areas of agreement. They repeatedly said they were not willing to advance a package that left any students out, including those in non-public or tribal schools. Bennett said schools should be able to opt into anonymous threat reporting systems rather than being mandated, arguing schools are already overmandated and that good ideas will be adopted voluntarily. Members also discussed funding, including a proposed $50 million shift from Northern Lights money and the overall size of the appropriation, which was described as still unsettled but roughly $52 million a year in the latest figures. The speakers said the package was being moved during committee deadlines and that they wanted to act quickly on the areas where there was agreement. They expressed frustration that no Democratic counterproposal had been brought forward and said they hoped to pass a school safety package that could keep all kids safe.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have adult education as one of our SNAP Employment and Training providers.
• They provide adult education services to our Arkansans.
• They provide adult education services to our Kansans.
• So it's going to be about just educating as much as possible. That.
• want to do for people who make sure everybody has an education and training.

Committee: All ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The subcommittee first recognized the Arkansas Community Colleges Leadership Institute and received a brief DHS update on the Living Choices Assisted Living Waiver reimbursement process, including that the new cost-reporting period began in January and provider/contractor calls are underway. The main presentation then focused on SNAP and TANF, with DHS describing federal changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill that tighten SNAP work requirements for adults ages 18 to 64 without certain exemptions, remove some prior exemptions, and add new federal definitions for Native American populations. DHS also reviewed SNAP Employment and Training providers, their service areas, projected budgets, participant characteristics, and outcomes, noting that the program is currently voluntary but will shift toward mandatory participation for those subject to the new rules. Members asked detailed questions about how mandatory participation will be implemented, how referrals will be made, what other training options exist, how verification of work, volunteering, disability, and exemptions will be handled, and whether DHS has enough funding and provider capacity. DHS said it will conduct verbal and written notices during eligibility interviews, make direct referrals to providers, use six-month recertifications and documentation from employers or volunteer organizations, and apply sanctions for noncompliance after determining whether a good cause exists. Members also requested additional data, including age breakdowns of at-risk SNAP recipients, provider-level outcomes and costs, and information on other training programs such as WIOA. The committee then moved to Medicaid community engagement requirements for ARHOME, which DHS said are also required by the same federal law and must be implemented by January 1, 2027. DHS said it is preparing policy, system changes, communications, and a customer-service/outbound verification vendor, and plans a soft launch beginning in July to help clients understand what would be required if the rule were already in effect. Members raised concerns about timing, local versus central decision-making, and how clients in rural areas will be notified and assisted. The meeting concluded with broader discussion of the committee’s workforce-development goals, the recently released Alliance for Opportunity audit, and interest in continuing the contract with that group to help guide future reforms.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it has a near-constant presence in all of our educational systems, and kids are on all kinds of educational
• Jonathan Lackland, ACT Education Corp., and we respectfully oppose. Thank you very much.
• ACT Education Corp., and we respectfully oppose. Thank you very much.
• Because right now, family education rights and Privacy Act has that protection.
• So this bill is saying that in the education context, where you have to use this educational technology

Summary: The Assembly Judiciary Committee heard several bills focused on public safety, privacy, animal welfare, and elder protection. AB 634 by Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez would ban the manufacture, distribution, and sale of tianeptine, described as “gas station heroin,” with supporters citing addiction and hospitalization risks and noting the bill had been narrowed to civil penalties and research exceptions. AB 1159 by Senator Addis would expand student data privacy protections to higher education and limit how ed tech companies use student information, including a narrow private right of action; supporters emphasized student privacy and opponents warned it could chill innovation and create litigation risk. AB 1382 by Assemblymember Castillo would prohibit the sale of genetically modified animals for cosmetic purposes, with supporters pointing to animal welfare and shelter overpopulation concerns and opponents seeking a narrower exemption for glowfish and other already regulated aquatic species. The committee also heard AB 871, which would strengthen reporting and training requirements for financial institutions responding to suspected elder financial abuse and scams, including reporting to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center and encouraging rapid client reporting. Supporters said the bill could help recover funds and improve pattern detection across jurisdictions, while one member raised concerns about duplication with existing suspicious activity reporting and bank procedures. In discussion, members generally supported the bill but noted the need to refine it; the author said it was intended as a practical step to improve existing processes. All four bills were moved out of committee with do pass recommendations, with AB 634, AB 1159, AB 1382, and AB 871 each passing on recorded votes after discussion and amendments. The committee also adopted consent calendar items and ended with a recognition of Republican caucus judiciary consultant Daryl Thomas, who is retiring after more than 20 years of service.

Transcript Highlights:

• We found that other organizations provide the public with access to resources on privacy education.
• We welcome and have worked with higher education institutions, and our trainings are available to be
• “We currently do not provide specific sort of one-law, like a FERPA education or a Gramm-Leach-Bliley
• Yes, I believe you're referring to the boater safety education card.
• And our education coordinator for the last 11 years, Derek Van Dyck, would tell you that education works

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee met on September 17, 2025, in hybrid format. After roll call, the committee initially lacked a quorum and deferred approval of the July 15 minutes until Representative Berg arrived; the minutes were then adopted. Members also discussed the proposed 2026 JLARC meeting schedule, including possible changes to address crowded July meetings and the annual tax exemption review workload. Staff presented the annual lodging tax expenditures report, noting that 213 municipalities received distributions in 2024, with 91% reporting compliance, $114 million awarded for more than 1,700 activities, and no independent verification of the self-reported data. Several members questioned the value and usefulness of the report, and the executive committee indicated it may recommend removing the statutory reporting requirement. The committee then heard the preliminary performance audit of the Office of Privacy and Data Protection, which found the office meets its statutory responsibilities and has high user satisfaction, but recommended updating the statute to better match the office’s current capacity and focus and improving performance measures to reflect long-term privacy outcomes rather than outputs. Members asked about FERPA and other federal privacy laws, and OPDP staff said they provide general privacy training and consultation but not law-specific training unless requested. The committee adopted the final report on Washington State recreational boating programs without recommendation, after staff reported that boating revenues support both general government and boating activities and that no participating agencies submitted formal comments. Members asked about boater safety education and possible overlap among the six agencies involved; Parks staff said education has reached more than 500,000 boaters and that fatalities and incidents have declined. The committee also reviewed planned study questions for a JLARC review of Labor and Industries’ enforcement of farm worker laws, with members raising scope questions about the term “farm worker” versus “agricultural worker,” and for DNR’s Eastern Washington sustainable harvest calculation, which JLARC will review as DNR completes its recalculation. Finally, staff outlined the 2026 tax preference performance reviews covering seven preferences, and members asked about racial equity, environmental impacts, disclosure of beneficiary savings, and how the reviews will measure effectiveness; the meeting adjourned before noon.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, our third main topic is education.
• You'll see under education again a variety of issues of keeping culturally relevant education in the
• So item C, education, and it's gonna be the annual reports. So we'll, uh, anybody on education?
• legislative Education Study Committee, um.
• Any other on education?

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• I am an early childhood education professional from San Jose.
• I am an early childhood education professional from San Jose.
• I work at the Santa Clara County Office of Education.
• We know that education, equality, education, is the foundation for a successful life.
• Sadly, in public education, we don't have adequate choice.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation met under suspense-file procedures, with the chair explaining limits on testimony, position letters, and that bills with fiscal impacts of $150,000 or more would generally be sent to suspense rather than voted on immediately. Several bills were pulled from hearing, and a consent calendar of committee bills later passed 4-0. AB 761 by Addis, the only item initially slated for a vote, was ultimately held over to the next hearing. The committee heard testimony on a series of tax-related proposals. AB 232 would create catastrophe savings accounts for homeowners to save pre-tax money for wildfire, flood, or earthquake-related expenses; it drew support from the Department of Insurance and the California Bankers Association, but was sent to suspense. AB 1443 would exempt tips from state income tax for five years and was supported by the California Restaurant Association and a restaurant owner, but also went to suspense. AB 1435 would provide relief to businesses and property owners facing cleanup and security costs from unauthorized encampments and illegal dumping; it received broad support from business, real estate, trucking, retail, and local government representatives, and was referred to suspense. The committee also heard AB 1428, which would create a California Affordable Child Care Fund financed by a 0.5% tax on income above $10 million; child care workers and SEIU-backed witnesses supported it, while taxpayer and business groups opposed it as harmful to competitiveness and affordability. AB 691 proposed a tax credit for adopting shelter pets and covering veterinary costs, AB 1219 proposed a middle- and low-income personal income tax cut, AB 1354 proposed a credit for increased homeowners insurance premiums, AB 19 proposed an education savings account/voucher-style program, and AB 567 proposed insurance rate stabilization and related tax/fund changes; each drew testimony for and against where present, but all were referred to suspense. The meeting ended with the committee adjourning after the held-over AB 761 item was postponed.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am an early childhood education professional from San Jose. I am a mother, a former teen parent.
• I work at the Santa Clara County Office of Education.
• We know that education is the foundation for a successful life.
• Sadly, in public education, we don't have adequate choice.
• We call them education savings accounts. We call them school vouchers.

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Summary: The Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee met with several bills, first reviewing housekeeping rules, announcing that AB 317 and AB 480 had been pulled, and noting that most other measures would go to suspense. The committee established a quorum and then heard AB 232, which would create catastrophe savings accounts for homeowners to save pre-tax dollars for wildfire, flood, or earthquake preparedness and recovery costs. Support came from the Department of Insurance and the California Bankers Association, with no opposition testimony, but the bill was referred to suspense. The committee then approved a consent calendar of four bills by a 4-0 vote. It next heard AB 1443 to exclude tips from state income tax for five years; AB 1435 to help small businesses and property owners recover cleanup costs from unauthorized encampments and illegal dumping; AB 1428 to create a child care fund financed by a new tax on income above $10 million; AB 691 to provide a tax credit for adopting shelter pets and paying related veterinary costs; AB 1219 to cut personal income taxes for middle- and low-income taxpayers; AB 1354 to offer a tax credit for increased residential insurance premiums; AB 19 to establish education savings accounts for school choice; and AB 567 to provide insurance rate stabilization and suspend certain insurance taxes when premiums rise sharply. Each of these bills drew testimony from authors and supporters, with some opposition on the tax and insurance measures, and each was referred to the suspense file. Throughout the hearing, committee members generally acknowledged the policy goals of the bills while noting fiscal concerns and the need for further discussion. AB 761, the only item slated for an immediate vote, was ultimately pulled by the author and held over to the next hearing. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Jim, you are an education expert, correct?
• But we love the education here.
• But education, absolutely. I have a business here.
• Let's talk about local education.
• Its education spending fell so much the state ruled it unconstitutional to stop the educational cuts.

Bills: H5006 , H5007

Committee: Joint Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions

Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on two proposed ballot initiatives: one to reduce the state personal income tax rate from 5% to 4% over three years, and another to revise the state tax collection cap law (62F) so the cap would be based on the prior year’s actual collections plus wage-and-salary growth and would include surtax revenue. Committee chairs outlined the hearing process and noted that the measures would need additional signatures to qualify for the 2026 ballot if not enacted by the legislature. The committee’s expert witness, Doug Howgate of the Massachusetts Taxpayer Foundation, said the income tax proposal would lower the base rate in stages beginning in 2027 and would ultimately reduce state income tax collections by about $5.4 billion annually when fully implemented. He estimated savings would vary by income level, from a few hundred dollars for lower- and middle-income households to about $10,700 for taxpayers at the surtax threshold. He argued the proposal would improve tax competitiveness but would also require major budget adjustments, likely including reserve use, spending cuts, and possibly new revenue measures; he cited prior downturns and said the state’s rainy day fund is stronger than in past recessions, though spending growth and health care costs remain concerns. On the 62F proposal, he said rebasing the cap to prior-year collections would make refunds more likely, with modeled refunds totaling about $7.9 billion without the surtax and $10.1 billion with it over the last decade, and warned it could reduce stabilization fund deposits and constrain recovery after recessions. Proponents of both petitions, including representatives from Taxpayers for an Affordable Massachusetts, NFIB, Pioneer Institute, and the Mass Opportunity Alliance, argued that Massachusetts faces an affordability and competitiveness crisis and that lower taxes would help families, small businesses, job creation, and outmigration. They said the income tax cut would put about $1,300 a year back into the hands of average families, help pass-through businesses reinvest, and improve the state’s ability to compete with lower-tax states such as North Carolina. Their economist, Rebecca Paxton, presented a model projecting average annual revenue losses of about $680 million during the phase-in and a total net income tax revenue impact of $2 billion to $2.2 billion, while saying long-term revenue growth would be stronger after implementation. The hearing ended with committee questions and a brief dispute over a planned voter testimonial video, which the chairs said was not appropriate for the hearing at that point.

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, uncertainty at the Department of Education means critical arts education grants are also on the
• Similarly, right, in the education system, libraries are an essential part of the education system, but
• We also have a very robust education program.
• It was the Landmarks public education program.
• These can include things like, as the Senator was mentioning, education, arts and education in the schools

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on how recent federal actions are affecting arts, culture, humanities, libraries, museums, and the creative economy in California. Chair Ben Allen and Vice Chair Chris Ward opened by describing the hearing as a response to proposed and ongoing federal cuts to the NEA, NEH, IMLS, and public broadcasting, as well as grant terminations and leadership changes at cultural institutions. Several members emphasized the economic and civic importance of the arts, while one Republican member argued for greater ideological diversity in the arts and noted the loss of music programs in small schools. Testimony from Aaron Harky of Americans for the Arts and Jolie Fisher of SAG-AFTRA described the impact of federal policy on grants, jobs, and production. Harky said executive orders and the FY 2026 budget proposal threaten arts agencies and arts education, and that rescinded grants are causing hiring freezes, shutdowns, and losses for small organizations, especially in rural and underserved communities. Fisher focused on runaway film and television production, outdated tax rules, and the need for federal incentives, intellectual property protections, and action on AI and digital replicas. Members also discussed bipartisan support, the role of business and tourism partners, and the need to include more diverse voices in arts advocacy. The second panel featured Rick Noguchi of California Humanities, Greg Lucas of the State Library, and Danielle Purcell of the California Arts Council. Noguchi said NEH funding was cut immediately, putting California Humanities’ grantmaking and documentary programs at risk and prompting consideration of litigation and possible state support. Lucas reported that IMLS funding for California libraries was briefly canceled but partly restored, though a budget gap remains. Purcell said the California Arts Council is still awaiting federal award language for state partnership funds, but NEA grant terminations and the proposed elimination of federal cultural agencies create major uncertainty; she also said the council is assessing the damage and tracking impacts on grantees. Members asked about measuring outcomes, AI’s threat to creative work, documentary funding losses, and possible state and national strategies to protect cultural institutions and jobs.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Committee on Education K-16 will come to order. The clerk will call the roll.
• Members, the bill relates to the creation of a temporary educator certificate for educators certified
• Another school district charged with a regional education service.
• How's that good policy in public education?
• So very different than an education business or business entity.

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Transcript Highlights:

• When will we make the necessary investment in public education, which educates over 90% of Arizona students
• What is the... ...in public education, which educates over 90% of Arizona students.
• Education and appropriations.
• HB 2312, patriotic youth groups, education.
• H.C.R. 2011, higher education expenditure, education. HCR 2011, higher education expenditure.

Summary: The House convened, approved the journal, recognized the Doctor of the Day, and welcomed several guest groups, including JAG students and students from Heila Ben High School. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider HB 2153, the annual tax conformity bill, which was described by supporters as aligning Arizona tax law with recent federal changes and providing relief through no tax on tips and overtime, a larger child tax credit, a new child care expense deduction, and a deduction for certain retirement income. Opponents argued the measure would primarily benefit wealthy individuals and corporations, reduce state revenue, and leave some seniors out because the retirement-income deduction is tied to retirement accounts. Members also discussed the Department of Revenue’s already-issued tax forms and the need for certainty for filers. After extended debate, the Committee of the Whole gave HB 2153 a do pass recommendation by a vote of 31-26, and the House adopted the report and sent the bill to engrossing. The House then took up the Senate mirror bill, SB 1106, substituted for HB 2153, and after floor explanations of vote, passed it 31-27 with 2 not voting. Supporters said the bill would help working families, seniors, and small businesses and prevent filing confusion, while opponents repeated concerns about cost, fairness, and impacts on public services. The bill was transmitted to the Senate. Following the tax vote, members made several announcements, including birthday wishes and a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and committee chairs announced upcoming cancellations. The House then recessed and reconvened for first reading and referral of a long list of new bills covering topics such as elections, health care, education, transportation, public safety, taxation, housing, and appropriations. The session ended with a motion to adjourn until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The educational specifications component will identify the spaces they need to deliver their educational
• I mentioned educational... Specifications earlier define the educational program of the school.
• Special education base needs to be reconsidered.
• Special education spaces are used for full inclusion and pullouts, physical education, gym, locker rooms
• Full inclusion, special education, and pullouts, physical education, gym, locker rooms, media arts, library

Committee: House Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> the Kentucky Department of Education, the Kentucky Department of Education, KDE,<00:47:05.760><
• </c><01:30:58.240><c> agency</c> portion of local education agency portion of local education agency
• </c><01:34:17.280><c> goals</c> needs of students and education goals needs of students and education
• It provides that education systems.
• </c> years as largely, you know, education years as largely, you know, education bills,<01:41:02.800>

Committee: Joint Appropriations & Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• It's distance education.
• <00:09:55.680><c> program</c> education program education program users<00:09:57.959><c> but</c><00:09
• </c> with ASD receiving special education with ASD receiving special education services<00:32:21.679>
• </c> immersive uh Community um education immersive uh Community um education experience<00:59:20.119>
• </c><01:43:16.639><c> Family</c> mission at hennipin is to educate Family mission at hennipin is to educate

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• C is a letter from Education, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education.
• E is a letter from the Department of Education, Arkansas Educational Television Commission.
• E is a letter from the Department of Education, Arkansas Educational Television Commission.
• B is a letter from the Division of Higher Education.
• B is a letter from the Division of Higher Education.

Committee: All ALC-PEER

Summary: The committee reviewed a large slate of appropriation, transfer, and continuation requests across multiple sections. In Section B, members considered temporary FY27 appropriations for agencies including Health, DHS, Education, Treasury, Public Safety, State Police, Emergency Management, Aeronautics, Military, Economic Development, Game and Fish, and others, covering items such as maternal health outreach, LIHEAP overpayment returns, Wynne High School tornado rebuilding, senior food services, cybersecurity, crime victim claims, airport grants, conservation incentives, and emergency tower maintenance. Questions focused on the DHS senior services carry-forward and Treasury custodial banking fees tied to lower balances after COVID funds were spent down. All Section B items were approved. The committee then approved continuation requests, ARPA reallocations, and federal grant-related items in Sections B2, C1A, D1, D2, D3, E1, E2, E3, F1A, G1, H1A, I1A, J1/J2, K1/K2/K3, L1/L2, M1/M2, N1/N2, O1A, and P1A. These included university nursing and workforce programs, environmental and recycling grants, highway safety and emergency management grants, a transfer to the Merit Teacher Incentive Program, restricted reserve transfers for military, agriculture, UAPB, Game and Fish, and AETN, and various cash-fund and budget classification transfers. Several members asked for more detail on the State Police highway safety grant, VOCA victim compensation funding, the NSGP nonprofit security grant, and the Office of State Technology’s E-Rate-related transfer; agency officials explained the uses and noted that some funding levels depend on federal awards and collections. A notable discussion occurred on the Department of Commerce reallocation, which shifts 68 positions and $3 million among divisions to support an organizational realignment and avoid shortfalls. The committee also reviewed a state central services deduction request to keep the rate at 2%, a DHS overtime request for child protection caseloads, and a year-end adjustments request authorizing up to $1 million in temporary actions to close FY26 books without disrupting payroll or vendor payments. Most items were approved or, in some sections, simply reviewed without objection. The meeting adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is really a clarity bill on educational equivalency in licensure.
• This is really a clarity bill on educational equivalency in licensure.
• Homeschool diplomas to satisfy education requirements for licensure.
• at home, according to the National Home Education Research Institute.
• This would only deal with the education portion of the requirement.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• supporting, and enhancing the vitality of general aviation, aerospace, aircraft manufacturing, educational
• HB 2621, veterans scholarships; HB 2628, public school special education; HB 2630, ballot delivery; HB
• savings accounts, has found positive... ...programs, including charter schools and education savings
• quality by fostering competition and responsiveness across educational providers.
• And whereas Arizona's experience with choice-based education demonstrates that many choice schools exceed

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and recognition of Dr. Pamela Murphy as Doctor of the Day. Members also introduced a number of guests, including Deacon Ernie Gonzalez, local Prescott officials, Arizona Game and Fish commissioners, and advocates from the Alzheimer’s Association. A proclamation was read designating January 26, 2026, as Arizona Aviation Day, with remarks highlighting the aviation industry’s economic impact and the presence of airport and aviation representatives in the gallery. The clerk then read a long list of bills that had been first read or referred for printing, and a second-reading calendar covering measures on water and energy, education, elections, taxes, housing, veterans, public safety, and other topics. No floor votes on those bills were taken during this segment. Representative Gress also read a resolution recognizing National School Choice Week and praising Arizona’s school choice programs, including charters and ESAs. Much of the remainder of the session consisted of members’ personal privilege remarks responding to violence and immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota and elsewhere. Speakers from both parties and several senators and representatives condemned ICE tactics, described constituent fear and family separations, and called for constitutional rights, due process, and accountability. Representative Sandoval requested and the House observed a moment of respectful silence in memory of Alex Pretty and Renee Good. The House then received committee and caucus announcements and adjourned until 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, January 27, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, in FY17, a low of 53 million to education.
• So, the lottery puts money into what's called the Oklahoma Lottery Education Trust Fund, and then the
• Constitutionally, the money can only be used on education.
• People love that the money gets to education.
• Um, hnteration aquatic education, trapping related education, archery in the schools, scholastic shooting

Committee: House A&B Select Agencies Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm honored to welcome members of of Texas as we recognize Education and Sharing Day.
• Niersen believed that education should be more about just academics.
• April 9th as Education and Sharing Day. Thank you very much for coming to your Texas Senate.
• In particular, thank you for reminding us how important education and sharing is.
• Board of Education as a foundation, Mr.

Bills: SJR3 , SB5 , SJR36 , SJR3 , SB616 , SB565 , SB384 , SB5 , SB21 , SB72 , SB140 , SB262 , SB370 , SB372 , SB495 , SB627 , SB703 , SB764 , SB842 , SB971 , SB790 , SB767 , SB480 , SB1066

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's call the Higher Ed Education Funding Review Committee to order, and we'll start by taking the roll
• So I just talked briefly about the State Board of Higher Education policies.
• I'm just trying to figure out, this is an education issue. It's higher education; it's dual credit.
• But no... ...hearing it since it came with Commerce because it's education, but no.
• For the record, Commissioner Brent Sanford of Higher Education.

Summary: The committee met to review updates on low-completion academic programs, dual credit funding, and a draft higher education funding formula bill. Lisa Johnson of the University System explained the State Board of Higher Education’s proposed policy on low-completion programs, which would review associate through doctoral programs with fewer than 10 undergraduate or fewer than 5 graduate completions over a rolling five-year period. She said campuses already know which programs are low-performing, many terminations have involved programs with no students, and faculty are often reassigned rather than laid off. Members asked about online programs, the basis for the 10/5 thresholds, reactivation of inactive programs, and whether state priorities include workforce needs and legislative direction. The committee also discussed that some programs, such as sonography or foreign languages, may continue because of workforce or regional needs, and that the board’s policy is still moving through the approval process. The committee then heard a Commerce Department update on a $750,000 workforce development grant for tribally controlled colleges under SB 2018. Kerry Kraft reported that Turtle Mountain Community College was the only applicant and that it is using the grant to develop dual credit and workforce pathways in areas such as cybersecurity, medical assisting, welding, solar energy, public safety, and health care. Members asked why other tribal colleges did not apply, how many students are participating, and whether the program belongs in the Commerce budget or higher education budget. Kraft said the project is still in development, with no current enrollments yet, but the college has a goal of 210 students and has historically met a 75% completion rate or better. A major portion of the meeting focused on dual credit funding. Senator Sickler summarized the Institutions Committee’s work on quality, access, and cost, noting that most high school dual credit instructors now meet credentialing requirements and that access varies by region and school district preference. He presented cost data showing variation among campuses and discussed a possible single funding rate for subsidized dual credit, using a lower base rate as a model. Members questioned the direct and indirect cost calculations, whether dual credit is already funded through the formula, and whether a separate dual credit rate would require removing those credits from the general funding formula to avoid double payment. The committee then turned to a draft funding formula bill, with staff explaining technical corrections, a change to make UND and NDSU align with the other institutions’ undergraduate rates, a four-year average for research funding, and other revisions. Members discussed the overall fiscal impact, with staff estimating the proposal would increase funding compared with the current formula, and the committee also raised concerns about how dual credit, Tier 1 funding, and certificate programs should be treated in the formula. No final vote was taken, and the committee recessed to allow staff to refine the numbers and additional comparisons.