Transcript Highlights:

• The next slide, we wanted to look at subgroups who we're enrolling in the Quitline.
• Enrolling beyond that, we wanted to look at some subgroups to see who was enrolling, and we found that
• We also know, as we've seen even in the enrollment numbers of those.
• These in-school hours cover a total enrolled student population of almost 81,000.
• On slide 15, looking at the MCO quitline enrollments.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's important to note that adult treatment court participants declined by 33%.
• are declining.
• That everyone always talks about is enrollment.
• Enrollment, of course, is declining because we no longer have the requirements that were under the public
• health emergency (PHE) to keep people enrolled.

Transcript Highlights:

• The suppliers that used to rely on other global partners, they're declining.
• Um the big number for they're declining.
• Farms are in decline and under pressure everywhere. So I'm going to turn it over now to Deputy.
• So despite<00:18:58.080> the<00:18:58.320> decline<00:18:58.640> in<00:18:58.880
• despite the decline in farms, I think we're<00:18:59.919> seeing<00:19:00.160> largecale

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is not the end, and there is never ever enough money despite the declining enrollment across this
• <00:20:27.200> enrollment<00:20:27.919> across<00:20:28.400> this the declining
• enrollment across this the declining enrollment across this state.<00:20:29.120> Mr.
• And again, we're talking about an enrollment that has been decreasing for well over 10 years now, and
• , asking with the decreased enrollment, asking with the decreased enrollment, why<00:26:16.960>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So a declining supply being the key factor here, >> implications. What does this mean?
• When we look at student enrollment and the number of faculty by the types of programs AR Aetn programs
• You can see that we did have again a decline, but so did the nation around the time of COVID.
• Even though we've aired that national trend of the decline, our gap widened, which was concerning and
• It's allowed the technical colleges to begin to expand enrollment.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They don't have to enroll in that lottery.
• They don't have to enroll in that lottery.
• <00:10:27.400> So,<00:10:27.520> we have to enroll in that lottery.
• So, we have to enroll in that lottery.
• This notable decline in crossbow.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• the last few years, the Jackson Public Schools have closed more than 20 school buildings due to declining
• enrollment.
• buildings<00:04:40.960> uh<00:04:41.040> due<00:04:41.280> to<00:04:41.520> declining
• buildings uh due to declining buildings uh due to declining enrollment.<00:04:42.800> Uh<
• Uh this was a hard decision, enrollment.

Keywords: Education - Room 216, 29 January, 2026; 9:30 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee took up several education-related bills. Senate Bill 2281, a repealer bill extending to July 1, 2029, would allow career and technical education grants to school districts to be used for additional purposes already in statute, including purchasing equipment for programs leading to qualifying industry standards. The bill was explained briefly, no questions were raised, and it was approved by voice vote. The committee then considered Senate Bill 2485, a department-requested bill dealing with charter school qualifications. It would clarify that charter schools are exempt from certain requirements if the program did not receive Department of Education grant funding, while adding some requirements back to the authorizer board. The bill was adopted without objection. Senate Bill 2494, also explained by Senator McMahon, would codify bulk purchasing authority for the state's regional education service agencies. An amendment was adopted to replace references to “RESA” and “ESA” with the full statutory terms for consistency, and the bill passed as amended. Finally, Senate Bill 2515, sponsored by Senator Blount, addressed state law governing the sale of closed school buildings, especially in light of Jackson Public Schools closing more than 20 buildings due to declining enrollment. The bill would reduce the effect of reverter clauses that can discourage buyers and would set deadlines for charter schools’ first right of refusal on closed school properties: interest must be expressed within six months and a lease or purchase completed within 12 months unless extended by agreement. An amendment reflecting those changes was adopted, a question was raised about whether the bill affected buildings on 16-section land, and the sponsor said it would not change land ownership. The committee then voted to do pass the bill as amended, and the meeting ended with notice of one more meeting planned for Tuesday and a motion for a rising report.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're also providing $25 million to assist districts that have a decline in student enrollment during
• We're also providing 25 million to assist districts that have a decline in student enrollment during
• enrollment.
• Looking at the declining enrollment supplement for the districts, and I know the number is $65.3 million
• And we were talking about the enrollment stabilization program.

Bills: S1062, S1718, S7038

Keywords: speech education, debate, high school, Florida Debate Initiative, civics, competitive teams, student participation, educational advancement, educator preparation, certification, professional development, temporary certificate, military service, collaboration, teaching effectiveness, education, Florida College System, tuition waivers, vocational rehabilitation, state universities

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met to consider several education bills and the proposed fiscal year 2026-2027 Department of Education budget. The committee first took up CS/SB 1062 on speech and debate, which would formalize Florida’s Speech and Debate Week, strengthen the partnership between the Department of Education and the Florida Debate Initiative, require annual public reporting, and support statewide speech and debate programming. The bill drew extensive supportive testimony from students, alumni, and advocates who said debate improved civic engagement, literacy, confidence, and school performance, while also noting the need for equitable access and funding for travel and competition. The committee adopted a delete-everything amendment and then reported the bill favorably as amended by a unanimous vote of members present. The committee then heard SB 1718 on educator preparation and certification, which expands access to educator preparation coursework, broadens eligibility for temporary certification for some formerly certified professionals, and allows prior subject-area exam results to satisfy requirements. Public testimony largely supported easing barriers for experienced educators while emphasizing that certification changes are only a partial solution to teacher shortages and should be paired with better pay, retention, and professional respect. The bill was reported favorably. Next, the committee considered SB 7038 on education, which included a wide range of higher education and workforce-related changes, including a tuition waiver for Florida State Guard members, residency clarifications, oversight changes for blind services and vocational rehabilitation providers, licensure updates for private colleges, dual enrollment and assessment revisions, scholarship and funding changes, and reserve-fund requirements. An amendment restored the Classical Learning Test as a qualifying option for a grandparent tuition waiver, adjusted a Pell Grant performance metric, changed accreditation timing, and made other technical revisions. A dental education stakeholder raised concerns that one provision could disrupt long-standing exemptions for dental assisting programs, and the Florida Dental Association said it was working with the sponsor to avoid unintended impacts. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as amended. The final major item was a high-level review of the proposed pre-K-12 budget, totaling $34.9 billion with local funds. Highlights included $30 billion for public schools and K-12 scholarships, a $50 increase in the base student allocation, a 1.64% increase in total funds per FTE, $4.5 billion for family empowerment scholarships as a separate FEFP categorical, $25 million for districts facing future enrollment declines, $65.3 million to help districts with current-year enrollment losses, $432.8 million for VPK, and $30.4 million for regional education consortia. Senators asked about reductions or flat funding in some allocations, teacher pay, declining enrollment support, Schools of Hope funding, and support for non-teaching school staff. Public testimony on the budget focused heavily on concerns about charter and voucher funding, especially the $6 million for Schools of Hope, with speakers urging more investment in traditional public schools, teacher compensation, and school infrastructure. The committee concluded the meeting by adjournment after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it is for co-admissions and co-enrollment.
• Not to the degree that we're having co-admissions and co-enrollments. enrollment.
• rates and to fund enrollment growth.
• Since 2010, our system-wide enrollment... enrollment is up 32% for about 23,000 students, which is like
• They come, you know, they get- ready to enroll, they're not even enrolling yet and all of a sudden they

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• are suffering from major enrollment declines.
• On enrollment, we have been tracking enrollment.
• In contrast to declining enrollment trends nationwide, we've been steadily growing enrollment across
• Enrollment continues to climb, with approximately 69,000 new students enrolled this fall, including a
• We've seen the declining enrollment for a few years now, and looking at what happened with Humboldt and

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But that is due to sunset in 2030 for current enrolled students.
• But that is due to sunset in 2030 for current enrolled students.
• But that is due to sunset in 2030 for current enrolled students.
• But that is due to sunset in 2030 for current enrolled students.
• But that is due to sunset in 2030 for current enrolled students.

Bills: HF1458, HF2063, HF2164, HF1377, HF927, HF1059, HF1910, HF2232

Keywords: CPA, certified public accountant, public accounting, accountancy, licensure, license mobility, substantial equivalency, interstate practice, out-of-state accountant, NASBA, Uniform CPA Examination, board of accountancy, attest services, audit, tax preparation, financial advisory, consulting, accounting education, master's degree, bachelor's degree

Transcript Highlights:

• Does this also take into account declining membership?
• If, in fact, a district is seeing declining membership, would they, in fact, also be held harmless?
• For one year based upon this legislation, if a school district or a charter school sees a decline in
• They do have a decline in membership.
• have smaller enrollment, because you have smaller classes coming in at kindergarten, and bigger enrollment

Transcript Highlights:

• The 150 semester hour requirement, and what the research shows is that this has led to a 15% decline
• Now, a significant barrier to enrollment in accounting programs, which I see every day as an educator
• Now, a significant barrier to enrollment in accounting programs, which I see every day as an educator
• Our internship program is crucial for building our talent pipeline at CLA, but we're seeing a decline
• Our internship program is crucial for building our talent pipeline at CLA, but we're seeing a decline

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and the working efforts of these types of programs that help boost enrollment.
• Next up is dual enrollment. I'd like to elevate dual enrollment as an important CTE strategy.
• If you are not well aware, our population is declining. So, again, it's declining.
• Dual enrollment expansion: We have many articulation agreements.
• Each year, we have an average enrollment of 180 students.

Summary: The hearing opened the Select Committee on Effective Postsecondary Career, Technical Education, and Workforce Development Programs at Santa Ana College, with Assemblymember Mike Fong emphasizing the need for affordable, accelerated pathways into high-demand careers and noting his bill AB 1098 creating the California Interagency Education Council. Chancellor Marvin Martinez welcomed the committee and urged changes to AB 927 to remove the “duplication” barrier for community college bachelor’s degrees, arguing that applied baccalaureate programs can lead to high-wage jobs and expand access for low- and middle-income students. The first panel focused on statewide workforce trends and policy. California Community Colleges Vice Chancellor Anthony Cordova highlighted credit for prior learning, Strong Workforce funding, dual enrollment, and apprenticeship growth, asking the Legislature to restore and increase Strong Workforce funding and expand applied baccalaureate degrees. LAEDC’s Josep Bilayo described regional labor market data showing growth in health care, education, construction, bioscience, and clean energy, while stressing the need for employer-led, data-driven programs, wraparound supports, and flexible funding. Andrew Gonzalez of the Building and Construction Trades Council argued that registered apprenticeship must be paid, combine classroom and on-the-job training, and end in a portable credential; he also promoted apprenticeship readiness programs, community workforce agreements, and stronger exposure to trades starting in K-12. Eric Morrison Smith of the Alliance for Boys and Men of Color discussed the California Opportunity Youth Apprenticeship Grant Program and related youth apprenticeship recommendations, including bridge programs, intermediary infrastructure, reduced employer barriers, and better coordination of state funding. A later panel highlighted Santa Ana College’s fire technology and firefighting academy programs. President Annabelle Neri and Vice President Jeffrey Lamb said the college is one of the state’s largest fire training providers, with strong partnerships with local fire agencies, law enforcement, and the U.S. Forest Service, and with high job placement and six-figure starting salaries for some graduates. They also described related certificates, advanced officer training, wellness services, and workforce preparation such as mock interviews and sponsorships. Throughout the hearing, members and panelists repeatedly stressed the importance of aligning education with labor market demand, expanding apprenticeships and work-based learning, and using regional collaboration to connect students to living-wage careers.

Transcript Highlights:

• enrollment.
• Although we've had declining enrollment in New Hampshire over the years, career and tech education enrollment
• So that's just important to show that, you know, as student enrollments have continued to decline, career
• Um, one of the reasons why our enrollment has been down The reasons why our enrollment has been down
• But, um, that should return our enrollment levels.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing reconvened with testimony from several agencies on their capital budget requests. The Department of Environmental Services requested a little over $38 million, with major emphasis on dam repairs and design work for aging state-owned dams, including a $5.25 million match for possible FEMA BRIC funding at Pawtuckaway/Tuckaway and other projects such as Milton Three Ponds, Murphy Dam, and Lakeport Gates. DES also requested funding for state revolving loan fund matches, a Superfund match for the Savage Well site, IT and air-monitoring upgrades, and a new $750,000 cybersecurity request for water and wastewater systems. Committee members asked about FEMA eligibility, the distinction between design and construction money, and the timing and risk of banking funds if federal grants do not materialize. The University System of New Hampshire requested $20 million in state support, primarily $15 million for a major Diamond Library renovation at UNH to create a student support hub and reduce/repurpose collection space, plus $2.5 million each for deferred maintenance at Plymouth State and Keene State. The Community College System requested about $16.6 million across seven projects, led by critical maintenance, campus safety/security upgrades, IT infrastructure, parking and site improvements, HVAC replacement at White Mountains Community College in Littleton, a building management/energy system, and modernization of NHTI’s dental clinic and radiology spaces. The Department of Education requested $29.5 million, including a $4.9 million internal management platform to replace paper-based and siloed systems, plus career and technical education capital projects; Milford’s CTE project was described as being revised after repeated failed bond votes, while ConVal said its revised project would focus on modernizing existing CTE space and adding a security vestibule. Fish and Game requested $1.075 million for three facilities: Sewall Falls in Concord, the Lancaster Armory, and the Bunker Lane Barn in Durham, focusing on structural repairs, security, reconfiguration, and in one case replacement of a failing barn with a new 40-by-60 building. The department also said hatchery work is ongoing but that it is taking a cautious approach because of the planned New Hampton Hatchery and future capital needs. The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources requested $9.26 million for eight projects, including campground electrical upgrades at Ellacoya and Lake Francis, White Lake water system replacement, Mount Washington fuel tank and safety work, Odiorne Point visitor center work funded through parks revenue, roofing and parking lot repairs, Fox Forest office safety upgrades, and historic site repairs at White Island and Fort Constitution. Members asked about revenue-based capital, the stability of the parks fund, and flexibility in choosing projects as bids come in. The Department of Transportation began its presentation at the end of the transcript, but its detailed requests were not yet discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a large decline, but we also have an estimated decline as we step down on income tax rates.
• , but uh, but we also have an decline, but uh, but we also have an estimated<00:08:54.080> decline
• and so that so we expected some declines and so that so we expected some declines in<00:10:30.959
• of 11% withholding only decline 4%. of 11% withholding only decline 4%.
• So that basically followed along: the rate declined that much, the revenues declined that much.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 FY 2025 Budget Close Out 00:02:55 Impressions of H.R. – 119th Congress 00:28:15 SNAP Payment Error Rates 00:37:05, 958, all

Summary: The committee first established a quorum, approved the July minutes, and recognized Jennifer Hayes of the Department of State Budget Director for her retirement and long service. Secretary Hicks then presented a review of fiscal year 2025 closeout for the general fund and road fund, explaining that the general fund ended with a $313 million surplus and the road fund with a $61 million surplus. He attributed the general fund result to strong corporate income and LLC tax receipts, investment income, and lower-than-budgeted spending, while noting that individual income tax and sales tax underperformed estimates. He also described how the general fund surplus was allocated, with $62 million used for necessary government expenses and $251 million deposited into the budget reserve trust fund, which remained at historically strong levels. For the road fund, he said the surplus would be deposited into the Department of Highways construction account, and he highlighted record motor vehicle usage tax receipts despite lower motor fuels tax revenue due to a rate decline. Members asked questions about the pass-through entity tax, delayed filing deadlines, THC beverage sales, and income tax collection from undocumented workers. Hicks said the pass-through entity tax remains difficult to model because of timing issues and the first year’s unusual filing pattern, and that staff are still working with the Department of Revenue and other states to improve forecasting. He said the delayed filing deadline likely would not require a major restatement and that any related receipts would still be counted in fiscal 2026. On THC beverages, he said the issue would be considered in the next forecasting cycle. On the undocumented-worker question, he said withholding may capture some of the revenue but referred broader collection efforts to the Department of Revenue. The committee then shifted to an overview of the federal reconciliation act’s potential impact on the next biennial budget, with Hicks and Commissioner Lisa Dennis focusing on Medicaid and SNAP. Hicks said the Congressional Budget Office estimated roughly $900 billion in federal savings over 10 years, driven in part by work or community engagement requirements for the Medicaid expansion population and limits on state-directed payments. He emphasized that CMS still must issue regulations to define how the state-directed payment reductions will be calculated, making the exact fiscal impact uncertain. He referred members to a prior Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board presentation for more detail, and the discussion remained informational with no votes or formal actions taken on the federal changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Enrollment is expected to continue to decline with more new work requirements for able-bodied adults
• The number of students that are being served continues to decline year over year. there's another decline
• Predictive modeling As well as targeted outreach can increase enrollment.
• This includes increasing enrollment of out-of-school youth in workforce programs.
• in enrollment that many of Our districts face.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:26:05.360> in<01:26:05.440> direct families to enroll in direct families to enroll
• Weaving in declining enrollment factors on top of hold harmless policies complicates and moves this formula
• Weaving in declining enrollment<01:34:24.240> factors<01:34:24.680> on<01:34:24.800>
• top<01:34:25.080> of<01:34:25.160> hold enrollment factors on top of hold enrollment
• > persistence<01:36:06.640> in college enrollment and persistence in college enrollment

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• is a demographics page of enrollment is a demographics page of enrollment data<00:46:25.760>
• is as far forward as we're looking currently, is 23,700, which is an additional 12% decline in enrollment
• <00:48:32.319> we<00:48:32.480> are decline in enrollment from where we are decline
• We project that enrollment will decline at a rate of 1.5% per year.
• We project that enrollment will decline<01:00:30.240> at<01:00:30.480> a<01:00:30.640><

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the language changed in statute, while schools are required to offer these courses, if no students enroll
• So with that almost 10% decline, is it safe to say that that's a reflection on that year before, correct
• it's safe to say that that's a reflection on So with that almost 10% decline, it's safe to say that
• Students enrolled in public schools are also required to take the statewide assessment unless they meet
• So the average percentage of teachers with a master's degree is highest in the A schools and declines

Summary: The committee received a lengthy Bureau of Legislative Research presentation on Arkansas academic standards, accountability systems, and adequacy requirements. Staff reviewed how state curriculum and standards have evolved from the 1997 Public Education Act through the 2003 Quality Education Act and the 2017 Educational Support and Accountability Act, including required coursework, standards for accreditation, career and technical education, graduation requirements, and recent additions such as computer science, personal finance, firearm safety, and fetal growth and development instruction. Members asked for a chart comparing the major laws and repeals over time, and staff agreed to provide one. The presentation then turned to federal ESSA requirements and Arkansas’s state accountability system. Staff explained Arkansas’s long-term goals for proficiency, English learner progress, and graduation rates, and reported 2025 ATLAS proficiency results, which remained below the 80% goal across student groups. They also reviewed English learner progress, graduation rates, school support and improvement, and equitable access to educators. Data showed gaps by subgroup and by school poverty/minority concentration, with Title I and high-poverty schools more likely to have emergency/provisional teachers and less experienced staff. Members questioned the lack of recent data for some ESSA measures, including equity labs and school index calculations, and asked staff to follow up with the Department of Education. The committee also discussed NAEP results, ACT scores, and teacher quality measures under the state accountability act. Arkansas’s NAEP performance remained below national averages in fourth- and eighth-grade reading and math, and ACT composite scores and benchmark attainment were also reviewed. Members asked for additional information on historical highs and lows, the number of assessments students take by grade, dropout data, and comparisons with other states. No formal votes were taken; the main action was agreement to request additional information from DESE and to schedule department follow-up at a future meeting.