Video & Transcript Research : 'standardized testing'
Page 209 of 500
NV
Transcript Highlights:
- from making bad choices with, you know, a lot key, they can't turn the ignition until they pass the test
- are required, but this has shown over the years to be inefficient and not in line with national standards
- evaluations to two will result in better use of evaluator time and bring Nevada in line with national standards
- evaluations to two will result in better use of evaluator time and bring Nevada in line with national standards
- evaluations to two will result in better use of evaluator time and bring Nevada in line with national standards
Keywords:
elderly, vulnerable persons, criminal penalties, theft, civil penalties, criminal justice reform, traffic stops, law enforcement, data recording, public safety, racial profiling, SB323, Nevada, Department of Corrections, offenders, inmates, incarcerated people, prison phone calls, free phone calls, family communication
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Education Pre-K - 12 Mar 31st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- CERTIFICATE PATHWAYS, THE EFFECTIVENESS OF APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS ANALYZING CURRENT CERTIFICATION STANDARDS
- YOUR BILL, THE AMENDMENT EVERYTHING NOW TALKS ABOUT A STANDARD MONITORING TOOL.
- THE INTENT EVERYBODY USE IT BUT IT WASN'T CLEAR SO WE ARE MAKING IT CLEAR OUR INTENT WAS TO USE STANDARD
- SUBJECT AREA KNOWLEDGE AND ALLEVIATES THE BURDENS PROCESS OF PREPARING FOR AND TAKING THE APPLICATION TEST
- I THINK HE DOESN'T REPRESENT OUR STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE HER EDUCATION AND WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO OVERALL
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill really enhances IT efficiency and modernization by requiring standardization and oversight
- It standardizes the authorized use of funds among scholarships.
- It standardizes the authorized use of funds among scholarships.
- It standardizes the authorized use of funds among scholarships.
- We're putting in certain standards.
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several gallery introductions before taking up Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, on mental health. Senator Bradley explained that the bill is intended to divert clinically appropriate defendants with mental illness from jail to treatment, create pretrial mental health diversion programs, expand grant uses for mental health and substance abuse reinvestment, require evaluations and treatment follow-up in certain probation and prison settings, add Hillsborough County to a forensic hospital diversion pilot, and establish a Florida Behavioral Health Data Repository. Senators from both parties spoke in support, emphasizing treatment over incarceration, public safety, and the Murphy family’s role in the bill. The Senate passed the bill 37-0 and then recorded 37 co-sponsors.
The chamber then moved into presentations on SB 2500, the 2025-26 General Appropriations Act. Chair Hooper said the Senate budget totals $117.4 billion, reduces overall spending from the prior year, maintains reserves, keeps employee health contributions level, and includes major investments in water quality, transportation, education infrastructure, and nearly $1 billion in education capital outlay. Committee chairs outlined their portions of the budget, including increased funding for K-12 schools and scholarships, higher education workforce programs, Medicaid and health services, corrections and courts, transportation and housing, and environmental restoration such as Everglades and water quality projects.
Members then asked extensive questions, especially about education funding, school choice, AP/IB and accelerated programs, the Family Empowerment Scholarship, and the FEFP calculations. Senator Burgess repeatedly explained that scholarship funding is being moved “below the line” to improve tracking and that the Senate position is to preserve funding while giving districts more flexibility. Senators also questioned the APD wait list for disability services, opioid settlement spending, arts funding, the My Safe Florida Home condo pilot, and proposed IT and agency restructuring. Several chairs said some issues would be resolved in conference, and no final vote on the budget was taken in the portion provided.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Resources, Recreation and Development (01/14/2026)
Resources, Recreation and Development
Transcript Highlights:
- The air test and the final air test to make sure that the air is good for reoccupancy after the abatement
- And so, OSHA competence was one standard, but the state didn't recognize that standard because it was
- until tested and proven to be negative. until tested and proven to be negative.
- <04:17:00.080>
in referenced that uh the ACR standard in referenced that uh the ACR standard - initiative forest management standard. initiative forest management standard.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Taxation and Revenue Feb 13th, 2026 at 08:35 am
House Taxation & Revenue
Transcript Highlights:
- Terry, Representative Lundstrom here, is the MRA based on CDBG standards for slum and blight? Mr.
- Chair, Representative, no, they are not necessarily based on those standards.
- Based on those standards, it's a broad definition in the statute.
- We did look at some of those standards that are federal, and then we added some that are local as well
- But when bills come up that have a fiscal impact, we are held to a standard that we cannot pass those
Keywords:
general obligation bonds, GO bonds, capital projects, bond election, property tax levy, state debt, state finance, capital outlay, senior centers, senior citizen facilities, aging services, long-term services, libraries, library acquisitions, broadband for libraries, higher education, university capital projects, community colleges, tribal schools, special schools
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Decentralizing aviation fleet maintenance is not in alignment with industry standards and is highly discouraged
- And I think it's an alignment, obviously, as you just heard, with federal standards.
- What kind of effect does that have on the individual with regard to evidentiary standards or anything
- Punishment also, you know, it’s something that we use to have a place on our judgments, on the standard
- It was a long layout, and I couldn’t repeat it on a test right now, so understandable.
Keywords:
overweight vehicle, vehicle weight limits, hazardous materials, hazmat, cargo tank, fuel transport, trucking, commercial vehicle, Transportation Code, criminal penalty, second-degree felony, loading violation, truck weight, axle weight, gross weight, public safety, commercial carrier, Texas, commercial truck, truck route
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Border Security heard several bills related to border security, law enforcement databases, DPS aviation maintenance, and transportation motor fuels. SB 2199, after brief invited testimony from the Texas Trucking Association and DPS, was left pending at first and later reported favorably to the full Senate on a 4-1 vote. SB 2332, relating to aircraft owned and operated by the Department of Public Safety, was laid out by Senator Parker, with DPS and TechSOT witnesses explaining that it would centralize DPS aircraft maintenance under DPS, align state law with FAA responsibility rules, and potentially reduce costs and downtime; it was later reported favorably on a 5-0 vote and placed on the local and uncontested calendar. SB 2949, relating to the regulation of transportation motor fuels, was also adopted as a committee substitute and reported favorably on a 4-1 vote, with a member noting continued interest in refining port-of-entry transloading issues.
The committee spent the most time on SB 2201, which would revise Texas intelligence database criteria for criminal street gangs and foreign terrorist organizations. Senator Birdwell described the bill as adding safeguards such as requiring officer identification on submissions, setting retention and validation rules, and updating criteria to reflect technology and social media use. Invited witnesses from the district attorney’s office, DPS, and the Texas Anti-Gang Center generally supported the bill and said it would improve reliability and accountability. Public testimony included support from the Texas Public Policy Foundation and opposition from the Texas Civil Rights Project and the ACLU of Texas, which argued the bill’s language on implied or demonstrated self-admission and other criteria was vague, overly broad, and could lead to erroneous inclusion in the database and downstream consequences. After debate, SB 2201 was reported favorably to the full Senate on a 4-1 vote, with Senator Eckhardt voting no.
During questioning on SB 2201, members discussed how gang-database entries are used in investigations and prosecutions, the meaning of “family member,” the scope of self-admission, and how “previously documented areas” would be identified in practice. Opponents raised concerns about due process, First and Fourth Amendment issues, racial profiling, and possible federal consequences if state database information is shared. Supporters emphasized that the database is a law-enforcement tool for identifying organized criminal activity and that the committee substitute adds training, audits, and accountability measures. The committee then completed its business and recessed subject to the call of the chair.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Apr 7th, 2025
Pensions, Investments & Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- . ...documentation forms were, quote, "true and accurate," without clearly defining the detailed standard
- auditors to access pseudonymized customer information was identified as conflicting with established standards
- . ...professional standards and has been appropriately removed.
- We have vaccinations; we don't have test station audit requirements for this activity as of today.
- I mean, we're hearing about the debts resulting from domestic violence, but this applies to just standard
Keywords:
HB 3803, Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 712, perpetual care cemetery, perpetual care trust fund, cemetery regulation, financial confidentiality, confidential records, regulatory examination, Texas Department of Banking, commissioner disclosure, interagency information sharing, state agency enforcement, federal agency disclosure, trust fund oversight, burial services, cemetery trust, consumer protection, state banks, Texas Finance Code
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- committee, except for the chair has a county or a part of a county, uh, that's required emissions testing
- Lastly, the bill would establish a public list of companies that are compliant with these standards that
- the great state of Texas, thereby bolstering efforts to keep the region in compliance with federal standards
- I mean, it's just standard contracts law.
- In December 2000, EPA set model year standards to transition and phase in. 2007 was the first year when
Bills:
HB205
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 3/11/26
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:00:54.079>
fire <00:00:54.239>table test fire table test fire table shows<00:00:56.079 - And it's all a balancing test.
- And it's all a balancing test.
- What we're trying to do balancing test.
- Uh as the next test is about being here.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (01/15/2026)
Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- This means that a consumer's private data could be exposed to the security standards of a company or
- of a company to the security standards of a company or<01:01:24.960>
website <01:01:25.280> - The first one is Union Standard ultra thin lubricated male latex condoms.
- Those have been tested at 25 parts per million and 68 parts per million.
- World time test 229." "What?
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
01/20/2026 - Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology
Appropriations, Transportation and Technology
Transcript Highlights:
- In terms of forecasting state revenues, you'll see we use the standard process that you're all familiar
- Chairman, was that of the 3%, 2% is the standard inflation.
- Moving on into the projected ending balances, this is our standard chart.
- So let's put that to the test.
- And I know there's been a lot of test flights and there's prototypes underway, but I'm just a little
Keywords:
roadable aircraft, registration, vehicle title, license plates, aviation safety, corrections oversight, funding, state budget, criminal justice, reform, appropriation, Department of Transportation, right turn lane, traffic improvement, infrastructure funding, transportation funding, authorization, road improvements, intersection safety, transportation
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Commerce and Economic Development Feb 9th, 2026 at 06:32 pm
House Commerce & Economic Development Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- And at some point, you have to apply that kind of standard.
- And at some point, you have to apply that kind of standard.
- I think that the standard of profanity, you know what you see it.
- I think that the standard of profanity, you know when you see it.
- I wish we had a standard that we could really hang our hat on.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
PSM-WLA, PSM Public Hearings 02-04-2026
Public Safety and Military Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- U monitoring,<00:19:07.440>
testing, <00:19:07.919>and <00:19:08.320>other <00:19 - :08.559>
sorts <00:19:08.799>of monitoring, testing, and other sorts of monitoring, testing - It would be the monitoring and testing of existing wells. >> That was okay. Sounds good.
- It would be the monitoring<00:31:45.840>
and <00:31:46.159>testing <00:31:46.559>of< - /c><00:31:46.799>
existing monitoring and testing of existing monitoring and testing of existing
Summary:
The joint committees heard testimony on several measures. SB 2723, which would designate April 27 as State Sheriff’s Day, was supported by the Department of Law Enforcement and a long-serving sheriff, who described the historical roots of Hawaii’s sheriffs in the Kingdom of Hawaii and said the bill would recognize that legacy. HGA submitted written comments, and there was no opposition or vote taken on the measure during the excerpt.
The committees then heard SB 17 on wildfire mitigation. The Public Utilities Commission, DLNR, the State Fire Council, OPSD, the Attorney General’s office, and Kamehameha Schools all testified, mostly in support of the bill’s intent but with suggested amendments. Several witnesses said the bill should better define the working group’s structure, staffing, and funding, and the Attorney General noted constitutional concerns about placing the group outside a principal department and pointed out possible overlap with Acts 302 and 303 from the prior year. Committee members questioned whether SB 17 duplicated earlier wildfire legislation, and witnesses generally said it did not directly conflict but overlapped with existing efforts.
On SB 2358, which would require reimbursement for search-and-rescue costs when people leave trails and enter closed areas, the State Fire Council and the Hawaii SAR Alliance testified in opposition or caution, arguing that reimbursement could deter people from calling for help and that Hawaii’s SAR system still has structural and administrative gaps. A committee member asked whether other jurisdictions had used similar measures without discouraging rescues; the Fire Council said Kauai has a similar law but it has not resulted in invoices being sent. No action was taken in the excerpt.
The final measure discussed was SB 2475 on Red Hill remediation funding and reimbursement from the Department of Defense. The Board of Water Supply, DLNR, and other testifiers supported the bill, emphasizing the need for long-term research, monitoring, and cleanup, while also noting the unique groundwater conditions and the importance of keeping the funds focused on Red Hill contamination response. Committee members asked about existing federal and state funding, whether the state had received any direct federal money, and what would happen if reimbursement is not obtained. DLNR said it was still working through the reimbursement mechanism and that some federal funding had gone to the Red Hill registry, but not directly to the state for this purpose.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate - 04/02/25
Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate
Transcript Highlights:
- We are audited to third-party certification standards. We have highly trained loggers like Mr.
- We are audited to third-party certification standards. We have highly trained loggers like Mr.
- They can be potential fire hazards when forests aren't maintained at certain standards.
- aren't maintained at certain standards. aren't maintained at certain standards.
- been tested yet?
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance and Higher Education Dec 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Test one, two, test one. Position one test. Test one, two. Position two. Position two test.
- We're testing every mic now. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
- will have customer service metrics and service delivery metrics to make sure that we maintain the standards
- And also, I believe in your comments, and also on page standard report, you mentioned the network hopes
Summary:
The joint Assembly Higher Education and Budget Subcommittee hearing focused on the future of the California State University system, with opening remarks emphasizing CSU’s major role in California’s economy, workforce, and degree production. Chairs and members said the hearing was intended to inform 2026 budget decisions and to examine three main issues: declining enrollment at some campuses, cost controls and possible consolidation, and oversight of recent state investments at campuses such as Humboldt and Sonoma. The meeting was briefly delayed by microphone and sound problems before reconvening.
The first panel featured CSU Academic Senate Chair Dr. Elizabeth Boyd and Cal State Student Association Vice President Katie Karam. Boyd urged the Legislature to protect academic freedom, strengthen faculty governance, provide stable ongoing funding, end unfunded mandates, support student food and housing security, fund flexible course schedules, improve transfer systems such as ASSIST, avoid over-centralizing academic programs, protect immigrant students, and expand intersegmental collaboration. Karam said students are feeling the effects of budget shortfalls through fewer course sections, reduced advising and services, longer time to degree, and tuition pressure, and she called for transparency, meaningful student involvement in budget decisions, and sustained state investment rather than cuts that harm the student experience.
The second panel covered enrollment management and included CSU Chancellor’s Office and campus administrators from Chico State, Cal State L.A., and San Diego State. Dr. Delcy Perez said CSU Forward and the new systemwide enrollment plan are aimed at expanding access, aligning programs with workforce needs, and increasing resident enrollment; she reported systemwide enrollment gains and strong application numbers, including a direct-admissions pilot that expanded from Riverside to more campuses. Campus representatives described local recruitment and retention strategies, including early outreach to high school students, community college partnerships, guaranteed admission programs, and expanded advising and student support. San Diego State highlighted record enrollment and high demand, while Cal State L.A. described efforts to recover from impaction and rebuild enrollment.
Members pressed CSU officials on the accuracy of enrollment data, the gap between funded targets and actual enrollment, and the system’s reallocation formula. CSU staff explained that campuses below target will see a 5% ongoing reallocation beginning in 2026-27, with one-time reserve funding also being directed to campuses that can grow, and that fiscal health reviews have been completed for 21 of 22 campuses. Legislators also asked about turnaround plans required by the budget act; CSU said those plans are being developed and will be shared in the spring after campus consultation. No formal votes were taken.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives May 27th, 2026
Louisiana House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- , regression testing, and deployment.
- I think we should all be held to the standard.
- We're not asking that they be held to a higher standard.
- or an organization sort of holding you to a standard, that those would have to be held to the standard
- standards.
Bills:
SCR59, SCR70, HR275, HR279, HR282, HR289, HR307, HCR112, SCR61, SCR62, SCR64, SB121, HR310, HR314, HR316, HR317, HR321, HCR117, SCR5, SCR29, SCR33, SCR37, SCR63, SCR30, SCR40, SCR65, HCR3, HCR49, HCR66, HCR67, HB54, HB137, HB321, HB368, HB386, HB414, HB431, HB552, HB555, HB578, HB590, HB593, HB618, HB638, HB670, HB692, HB707, HB708, HB715, HB718, HB732, HB741, HB748, HB776, HB796, HB807, HB822, HB848, HB856, HB887, HB888, HB917, HB921, HB1082, HB1243, HB1246, HB1, HB2, HB42, HB45, HB71, HB79, HB126, HB133, HB159, HB213, HB218, HB222, HB289, HB291, HB312, HB313, HB324, HB352, HB383, HB398, HB403, HB429, HB457, HB459, HB549, HB571, HB579, HB591, HB608, HB616, HB624, HB766, HB769, HB783, HB804, HB864, HB874, HB909, HB951, HB971, HB983, HB1005, HB1017, HB1051, HB1056, HB1126, HB1186, HB1193, HB1223, HB1224, HB1235, HB1249, SB259, SB295, SB312, SB348, SB444, SB485, SB441, SB149, HB359, SB29, SB43, SB78, HB463, HB998, SB197, SB268, SB123, SB276, SB326, SB80, HB901, HR20, HR74, HCR65, HCR71, HCR98, HB284, HB306, HB341, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB603, HB605, HB614, HB625, HB646, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB798, HB911, HB955, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1191, HB1240, HB1255, SB82, SB89, SB97, SB479, HB74, HB119, HB134, HB210, HB258, HB468, HB784, HB870, HB953, HB956, HB1117, HB1236, SB42, SB208, SB217, SB274, SB300, SB341, SB379, SB382, SB387, SB401, SB449, SB487
Keywords:
Major Richard Star Act, veterans, military retirement, disability compensation, VA benefits, combat-wounded, medically retired, military retirees, service members, veterans benefits, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, concurrent receipt, retirement offset, combat-related disability, bipartisan support, memorial resolution, Congressional memorial, Louisiana delegation, Richard Star
Summary:
The House convened with a quorum and opened with prayer by Archbishop Checchio, the pledge, and the national anthem. Members also used personal privilege to recognize visiting officials, university leaders, grocers, Governor’s Fellows, and several special guests and honorees, including Grambling State University for its 125th anniversary, Tiger Athletics, and the Tiger Marching Band, as well as CASA volunteers and advocates. The chamber adopted a number of ceremonial resolutions and made several conference committee appointments and committee discharge motions.
The floor then took up a series of Senate and House resolutions, many of which were adopted without objection or after brief debate. These included resolutions creating or studying task forces on topics such as homeowner catastrophe claims and insurance-related litigation, the Louisiana-Ireland Trade Commission, informed consent laws, fiscal note procedures, K-12 student success pathways, and military funding alignment. Members also adopted resolutions on domestic violence protective-order access, flood risk mapping, seismic activity in North Louisiana, illegal dumping enforcement, toll signage and customer service, and other local or commemorative matters. Several Senate resolutions were temporarily returned to the calendar, while others were adopted by recorded vote, including SCR 29, SCR 33, SCR 37, SCR 63, SCR 30, SCR 65, and SCR 40.
The House then considered Senate Bill 259, which authorizes an online application process for civil protection orders and restraining orders for domestic violence victims; it passed 93-0. Senate Bill 312, dealing with public-sector labor organizations and dues/withdrawal procedures, prompted extended debate focused on whether the bill unfairly singled out teachers’ unions and whether teachers already have the ability to opt out; the bill ultimately passed 60-38. Senate Bill 348, allowing the City of St. George to contract for administrative assistance in motor-vehicle crash response, passed 84-9 after questions about citations, reports, and the role of third parties. Senate Bill 485, concerning St. George’s municipal fiscal authority and insurance premium taxes, passed 91-0 after an amendment removed new public facility charge authority.
The House also debated Senate Bill 197, which would reduce the number of judges on the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal from 12 to 10 based on a workload and population study by the National Center for State Courts. Supporters cited the circuit’s smaller population and lower per-judge workload, while questions focused on the study’s publication and whether it actually recommended a reduction. The transcript ends during that debate, before final disposition is shown.
AK
Alaska 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Legislative Session Jun 19th, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- And what this bill does is create a standard of care model that other health care providers already follow
- This bill allows pharmacists to dispense medication for conditions that have very clear testing guidelines
- save hundreds of dollars per visit for thousands of Alaska families per year just for strep throat tests
Summary:
The Alaska Legislature met in joint session to consider gubernatorial vetoes of five bills. Members first took up House Bill 52 on minors and psychiatric hospitals, with supporters arguing it would improve transparency, family communication, oversight, and reporting around seclusion and restraint in psychiatric facilities. Opponents of the veto cited DOJ findings and media reports about abuses at a North Star facility. The override failed, 36-24, falling short of the 40 votes needed.
The joint session then considered Senate Bill 41 on mental health education. Supporters said it would help develop age-appropriate mental health curriculum and could aid suicide prevention, while critics argued it was mischaracterized and did not impose a state takeover of local schools. The veto override failed, 38-22. Members next considered House Bill 314 on architects, engineers, surveyors, and interior designers, focusing on the AELS Board’s continuation and the need for professional oversight during major infrastructure work. That override passed, 45-15.
The legislature then voted on Senate Bill 21, the Alaska Work and Save Program, which supporters said would expand retirement savings access for workers and small businesses, including an option to direct PFD funds into retirement accounts. The override failed, 39-21. Finally, House Bill 195 on pharmacists and physician assistants was debated as a health care access measure that would let pharmacists provide more services under a standard-of-care model; supporters said it would reduce costs and improve access, while some members raised concerns about scope and abortion-related issues. The veto override passed, 43-17. The joint session then adjourned.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Pensions, Investments & Financial Services May 19th, 2025
Pensions, Investments & Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- do believe it would be prudent for this committee and this larger body to establish one uniform standard
- There's a well-known concept in free market circles known as the yellow book test, and this yellow book
- test challenges policymakers to ask the following: If you can find it in the yellow book... ...Is a
Keywords:
bond election, ballot proposition, debt obligation, municipal bonds, local government finance, property tax, ad valorem tax, school district bonds, county bonds, special taxing district, voter information document, public debt, municipal finance, tax-supported debt, election ballot language, bond transparency, homestead tax impact, capital improvements, general obligation bonds, public bank
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hied Committee Meeting - 2026-04-09
Higher Education Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- But also, the other thing I've learned is that sometimes those placement tests, it doesn't matter how
- people to demonstrate skills and knowledge but the test.
- Because we have a lot of community and technical college programs that aren't based on tests.
- I don't want someone's future to even get into the program to be based on a test.
- on a test. on a test.
Keywords:
higher education, identity verification, enrollment fraud, funding, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, postsecondary education, community college, university, developmental education, remedial education, remediation, corequisite, co-requisite, English composition, college readiness, adult basic education, ABE, student placement, credit-bearing courses, noncredit courses
Summary:
The committee first approved the March 26 minutes after Representative Coulter pointed out and moved a technical correction to add a missing “T” in “Regents.” The committee then took up HF 4698, which Representative Duran said would address enrollment fraud at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities by funding an automated identity-proofing system. Testimony from Chief Information Security Officer Craig Munson described a commercial software system that would verify student identities using a selfie and a state ID image, reduce ghost students and fraud, speed enrollment, and lessen staff time spent on manual investigations.
Members focused heavily on privacy, data retention, and biometric concerns. Representative Cleveland asked what biometric data would be collected, and Munson said it would be limited to a selfie and ID images, not fingerprints or retinal scans. Chair Klippert and others urged stronger Chapter 13 protections and clearer data practices, while Chair Scott asked how long images would be stored; Munson said they should be deleted as soon as identity is validated, with possible revalidation later. Members also raised concerns about racial bias in biometric matching and the need for alternate verification methods. The bill was laid over, and Duran said he would work on the data practices with committee members.
The committee then heard HF 4608, presented by Representative Allen for Representative Koznick, on developmental education reform. Allen said too many students are placed into remedial courses that do not count toward a degree, costing time and money and reducing completion rates. Jane Groatman of the International Institute of Minnesota supported the bill, describing students who spent years in noncredit remedial coursework and arguing for a one-semester cap on remedial classes and clearer notice that such credits do not count toward a degree. Mark Grant of Minnesota State College faculty opposed the bill’s approach, saying it imposed a one-size-fits-all model, could undermine open admissions, and should not limit colleges’ flexibility to meet diverse student needs. The bill was laid over for further consideration.
MN