Transcript Highlights:

• I believe I saw Superintendent Hill here with the banking group.
• Thank you for being here, Superintendent; we appreciate you. Is that the correct title?
• I used to serve with Superintendent Hill down in the House, and he was my seatmate when I first got here
• So, uh, yeah, you Superintendent of the Board of Education in the Shelby County school system.
• Thank you, Superintendent Hill, for being here. Thank you, Scott Leam, for being here as well.

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And they’re within the context of trying to work out their new superintendent.
• Any other questions for Superintendent Jones?
• I am currently on the superintendent emergency draft on the superintendent emergency draft rules for
• Um, superintendent.
• Charles Oski, Superintendent, Johnson County School District Number One.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Holbert, Interim Superintendent Fremont Holbert, Interim Superintendent Fremont 38.
• Well, thank you, Superintendent Smith. Well, thank you, Superintendent Smith.
• Like I talked to a superintendent superintendent superintendent um,<01:56:07.000> saying,<01:56
• Superintendent >> Permission to speak? Mr. Superintendent Bertram. Bertram. Bertram.
• >> Permission Superintendent Smith. >> Permission Superintendent Smith.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I also would like to thank our superintendent of public instruction.
• Welcome, Superintendent. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and members of the committee.
• Derek Lennox on behalf of the California County Superintendents, pleased to support.
• Superintendent. Thank you, Senator, for your great leadership.
• Jeff Baca, representing the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, in support.

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard a series of bills focused largely on school safety, immigrant student protections, Holocaust and genocide education, civic engagement, and workforce pathways. SB 631 would expand the charter school revolving loan fund by increasing loan amounts and broadening eligibility, including for charter schools affected by natural disasters; it drew support from the Treasurer’s Office and the California Charter Schools Association and was advanced on a 4-0 vote, with the bill held on call. SB 472 would reinforce Holocaust, slavery, and genocide education requirements and create or expand teacher training and grants; it received strong support from survivors, educators, and Jewish organizations and passed 6-0, with several members asking to be added as coauthors. The committee also took up a package of immigration-related school bills. SB 48 would bar school officials from allowing immigration enforcement access to campuses without a judicial warrant and protect student records; it was backed by Superintendent Tony Thurmond, teachers, school districts, and many advocacy groups, and passed 5-0 to the Judiciary Committee. SB 98 would require K-12 schools and higher education institutions to notify campus communities when immigration enforcement is present; it also drew broad support from student groups, colleges, and education organizations and passed 3-0 to Higher Education, with the bill held on call. Both measures were presented as responses to recent immigration enforcement activity near schools and the chilling effect on attendance and student well-being. Other measures advanced included SB 848, which would strengthen protections against employee sexual misconduct in schools by updating safety plans, training, reporting, and misconduct tracking; it was supported by education groups and a survivor who described grooming at her high school, and passed 6-0 to Public Safety. SB 638 would create a statewide coordinating entity for education and workforce programs and support career pathways, with testimony emphasizing the need to align fragmented funding and improve access for underserved communities; it passed 7-0 to Higher Education. SB 316, on high school voter registration and pre-registration, passed 8-0 to Elections after testimony from students and civic engagement advocates, and SB 334, which would add sexual harassment prevention content and a Sexual Harassment Safety Week to school curriculum, was presented with support from student advocates and AAUW, with no opposition noted in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, I just wanted to say thank you to, uh, Superintendent Luck and his staff at Roswell.
• Uh, starting my 5th year as superintendent, about to roll into my 29th year of education.
• Thank you, Superintendent. I was just wondering, does it also have Lucy Hall?
• Um, so Superintendent, what is your vacancy rate?
• Superintendent. Any other final comments? No, sir. Just a quick clarification.

Transcript Highlights:

• And thank you, Superintendent.
• And thank you,<00:48:10.880> Superintendent.
• Um, there's a lot you, Superintendent.
• He thanked the superintendent and Chair Mohler.
• He thanked Superintendent Evans.

Bills: HF2354, HF3407, HF4359, HF4192, HF3356, HF3695, HF1597, HF3155, HF3871, HF4437, HF4446, HF3990

Keywords: medical assistance, fraud prevention, subpoena authority, criminal penalties, consumer protection, ghost guns, unserialized firearms, 3D-printed guns, 3D printer firearms, CNC milling, home-built firearms, firearm serialization, serial numbers, unfinished frame, unfinished receiver, ghost gun ban, gun control, firearm design files, CAD files, digital gun blueprints

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:08:56.959> and administrators, our superintendent and administrators, our superintendent
• not have superintendent or principles. not have superintendent or principles.
• who represents the superintendent. who represents the superintendent.
• And we heard from our principals and our superintendents.
• They don't want the superintendents.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Glenn Hill, and I'm the proud superintendent of Paint Creek ISD.
• Donald Hesseman, Superintendent, CFO from West Hardin CCISD, I'm testifying on the bill.
• Brandon Edo, proud superintendent of Cushing ISD, East Texas.
• I'm the proud superintendent for Bartlett Independent School District.
• I've been the proud superintendent for six years.

Bills: HB2

Keywords: disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace, medical examiner, county judge, sheriff, mayor, emergency coordinator, emergency manager license, volunteer management system, volunteer registration, criminal history check, background check, Texas Division of Emergency Management

Summary: The committee continued public testimony on House Bill 2, which would make major changes to public school funding, teacher pay, special education, early learning, school safety, and related programs. Many superintendents and education advocates supported the bill’s overall direction but urged changes, especially a larger basic allotment and more flexible funding for rural and small districts. Witnesses from Paint Creek, West Hardin, Cushing, Blooming Grove, Mildred, Buffalo, Plano, and rural school groups said the bill’s targeted raises and new requirements would not fully cover inflation, TRS/Medicare costs, transportation, insurance, or support staff salaries, and several asked the committee to restore the House version’s higher basic allotment and small-school allotment. Charter school representatives supported the facilities funding changes and said charter schools need state help because they cannot levy taxes, while also noting the funding gap with ISDs. Fine arts advocates asked the committee to restore the fine arts allotment, arguing arts improve engagement, attendance, and academic outcomes, especially in rural and at-risk communities. Early learning and special education witnesses supported parts of the bill but raised concerns about pre-K restrictions, disability-related pre-K access, and the need to preserve or clarify special education provisions and mental health oversight language. Several witnesses praised the teacher pay raise, teacher incentive allotment expansion, and teacher preparation investments, saying they would help recruit and retain educators and improve student outcomes. Others, including counselors and support staff advocates, argued the bill should also include raises for counselors, nurses, librarians, bus drivers, custodians, aides, and other non-teaching employees who keep schools running. One witness from the Texas Counseling Association opposed the substitute because it removed a counselor pay provision, warning of counselor shortages and inequities. A parent and special education advocate said the bill’s structure creates too many strings attached and asked for a larger basic allotment instead of more targeted funding. Another witness from Mental Health America urged keeping the collaborative task force on public school mental health services through 2031, and a disability rights advocate said the committee substitute appears to omit some special education items that were in the House version. The committee also briefly took up House Bill 6, a school discipline bill. After questions about automatic mandatory expulsion for vape possession and concerns about younger students, the committee adopted the substitute and voted to report HB 6 favorably to the full Senate by a 9-1 vote, with Senator Menendez voting no and Senators West and Menendez expressing reservations but supporting further discussion. After that vote, testimony on HB 2 resumed. Senators used the hearing to ask about the bill’s cost, the difference between the basic allotment and the bill’s targeted funding buckets, and whether the permanent teacher pay increase shifts pressure off districts. The bill’s supporters emphasized that it represents an historic, roughly $8 billion investment and that many of the new funding streams are intended to be permanent or to address specific district needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• If a school district continues to be out of compliance for 18 months, the superintendent is prohibited
• The superintendent is prohibited from receiving performance-based pay, and the school district governing
• It places previous superintendent responsibilities instead under the jurisdiction of the school district
• It removes various responsibilities from the county school superintendent, school districts, the superintendent
• It places previous superintendent responsibilities instead under the jurisdiction of the school district

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long list of House bills that had returned from the Senate with amendments, with members repeatedly noting that sponsors intended to concur on most items. Topics included public health and vaccination rules (HB 2086, HB 2248), state investment in gold and silver (HB 2140), property records and voter-registration privacy (HB 2327), municipal and county regulation of business property and development fees (HB 2460, HB 2946, HB 2999), legislative subpoenas (HB 2745), cold plunge regulation (HB 2439), nursing-facility complaint timelines and licensed health aide rules (HB 2195, HB 2189), court-ordered treatment review (HB 2923), Access/Medicaid reimbursement and prior authorization for diagnostic services (HB 2932), inmate mental health study committee language (HB 2673), prenatal development instruction in schools (HB 2830), public records requests by legislators (HB 4056), parents’ rights and social transitioning in schools (HB 2249), school district financial compliance and facilities contracting (HB 2481, HB 2482), Native American language proficiency for graduation (HB 2895), advanced math auto-enrollment (HB 2423), special education and military-family procedures (HB 2621), AI rules for state agencies (HB 2592), eviction record sealing (HB 2244), tax filing penalties (HB 2016), shade structures in HOAs (HB 2342), homelessness-related community restitution (HB 2028), medical records timelines (HB 2557), PFAS firefighting foam restrictions (HB 2641), family-court expert testimony and prisoner transition services (HB 2662, HB 2440), address confidentiality protections (HB 2594), guardianship notice attestation (HB 2661), utilities for high-load customers (HB 2756), and nuclear-ready community planning (HB 2456). The committee also briefly moved to Caucus Calendar 19 for additional bills on mobile food vendors, school board training, out-of-state travel and meeting transparency, and a medical-intervention nondiscrimination bill. Several bills drew substantive discussion or criticism. Members debated HB 2932 at length, with staff explaining that Access said the bill would have a high fiscal impact because it would require reimbursement for non-contracted lab services and eliminate prior authorization for a broad range of diagnostic services, potentially increasing costs substantially. HB 2249 also prompted concern from members who argued it could force teachers to out students and create civil liability for using preferred pronouns or failing to notify parents about social transitioning. HB 2830 was criticized as requiring prenatal-development instruction while barring discussion of sexual activity or reproduction. HB 2028, which allows community restitution instead of a $20 probation assessment for people who are indigent and experiencing homelessness, was questioned as potentially punitive. HB 2481 was discussed as a way to help, rather than punish, small rural school districts struggling with financial-record compliance. The caucus also noted that several of the measures were sponsored by Democrats, which was highlighted as notable during the meeting. No formal votes were taken in the transcript. The caucus chair repeatedly asked for questions, and in most cases there were none, after which the sponsor was understood to intend concurrence with the Senate amendments. The meeting ended with adjournment after the caucus moved through the remaining calendar items.

Transcript Highlights:

• She said superintendents, in particular, have brought it up as a first issue, and that the superintendent
• literally hundreds of superintendents literally hundreds of superintendents and<00:41:51.119>
• La, who I admire greatly, and the other superintendents who are here, what do you want us to do?
• greatly and the other superintendents greatly and the other superintendents who<01:08:24.319>
• <01:09:54.640> law make it better so to superintendent law make it better so to superintendent

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The office shall consult with the committee of school district superintendents and charter school head
• And the amendment that you just voted on requires that there are quarterly meetings with superintendents
• Chairman, superintendents have strong opinions about special education, apparently. and really demanded
• So putting in this quarterly meeting ensures that there is dialogue between the superintendents, the
• They have so many meetings with the districts, go to the superintendents, or go to the instructional

Bills: SB48, SB64, SB100

Keywords: State Fairgrounds District, fairgrounds bonds, public financing, bond authorization, gross receipts tax, gaming tax, tax-backed bonds, infrastructure funding, Albuquerque fairgrounds, State Fair Tid, economic development, municipal bonds, revenue pledge, capital projects, New Mexico finance, special education, office of special education, deputy secretary, public education department, IEP

Transcript Highlights:

• He was superintendent in Rankin County schools, assistant superintendent in Rankin County schools, principal
• He was uh<00:18:07.840> superintendent<00:18:09.200> uh<00:18:09.280> in<00:18:09.440
• > ranking<00:18:09.760> county uh superintendent uh in ranking county uh superintendent
• uh in ranking county school,<00:18:10.240> assistant<00:18:10.640> superintendent<00:18
• :11.120> in school, assistant superintendent in school, assistant superintendent in ranking<00

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 13 January, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened, the clerk called the roll, and a quorum was declared. The chamber then heard an invocation by Reverend Curtis Strong of Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church, followed by the pledge of allegiance led by Senator Thomas. The Senate approved motions to dispense with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and the titles of bills and resolutions. Several guests were introduced, including members of the Convention of the States in Mississippi, a Yazoo County delegation celebrating Yazoo Day at the Capitol, the doctor of the day, Dr. Pete Ara of Pascagoula, former senator and BEAM director Sally Doty, the Mississippi Worker Center for Human Rights and City University of New York group, and a group of junior pages. The main floor action was a resolution honoring Dr. Charles Mlen, commissioner of the Southwestern Athletic Conference and newly appointed NCAA board of governors member, for his financial and athletic impact and for elevating the national image of the SWAC. Senator Norwood presented the resolution and Dr. Mlen addressed the Senate, speaking about his Mississippi roots and thanking the chamber for the recognition. The Senate also recognized additional Yazoo County visitors and other guests in the gallery. Members then made a series of announcements about upcoming committee meetings and events, including the legislative prayer breakfast, a Visit Jackson reception, budget hearings, an air task force meeting, and tourism committee business. Several senators asked that the Senate adjourn in memory of individuals including Shelton McCay, Delmo Payne, Mayor Dale Barry, Cynthia Patterson Bond, Boyce Davis, and Nona Living Plazo. The Senate ultimately adopted Senator Blackwell’s motion to stand in recess until 5:00 p.m., with the journal to reflect adjournment until 10:00 a.m. the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sean Guard Harold, the assistant superintendent of the Seminole County School District.
• I'm here on behalf of our superintendent, Superintendent Cornegee, who was unable to be here.
• I've here on behalf of our superintendent, Superintendent Cornegee, she was unable to be here.
• In 2021, Superintendent Cornegee met with our high school principals.
• One of the things that our superintendent does every Sunday, she puts out a Super Sunday.

Summary: The Careers and Workforce Subcommittee heard a panel discussion focused on how Florida schools and colleges are exposing students to in-demand careers in manufacturing, semiconductors, transportation, and related fields, and how they are building pathways from middle school through postsecondary training. Panelists from Seminole County Public Schools, Lake Technical College/Lake County Schools, and St. Petersburg College described their career academies, dual enrollment options, industry certifications, and partnerships with employers, local governments, and state colleges. They emphasized early career awareness, counseling, and parent outreach as key to helping students understand technical education as a viable and prestigious path. Seminole County highlighted 51 career and professional education academies and new offerings in agricultural biotechnology, global finance, firefighting, and planned aerospace engineering. Lake County described Lake Technical College’s programs, strong completion and placement outcomes, and three partnerships: a flexible-day high school/workforce model at Lincoln Park Education Center, the Lake Works pathway collaboration with Lake Sumter State College, and a Transportation Innovation Hub with the City of Tavares that trains students on municipal vehicles and serves multiple local governments. St. Petersburg College discussed its manufacturing and engineering technology programs, including semiconductor processing, mechatronics, soldering, and clean-room training, along with new grant-funded expansion at its Midtown campus. Members asked about wages, the semiconductor workforce, how to change perceptions of technical education, how parents are engaged, and how Bright Futures CAPE and Gold Seal scholarships are communicated. Witnesses said school counselors, CTE teachers, parent nights, and district communications are used to promote these options, and that many students can earn strong wages through short-term certifications or two-year degrees. Lake Technical College also raised concerns about workforce funding not keeping pace with teacher pay increases and inflation, noting that funding covers only about 80% of what it earns and tuition has remained unchanged for 18 years. The meeting ended with members praising the programs, and the subcommittee adjourned without any vote or formal action beyond rising and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• managers, we had school superintendents. managers, we had school superintendents.
• > County<01:07:31.599> School superintendent, Sharon County School superintendent, Sharon
• <01:13:39.280> at I'm the lowest paid superintendent at I'm the lowest paid superintendent
• that that is decided by superintendent that that is decided by superintendent and<01:19:14.640><
• That was our superintendent. I'm heard. That was our superintendent. I'm Bo<01:25:21.600> Fton.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What's the role of having principal as opposed to superintendent?
• Um and we know that superintendent.
• the superintendent can designate that building-level principal to take a look at it.
• do with the language is superintendent do with the language is superintendent or<00:21:07.760>
• <00:33:21.760> their the designate superintendent their the designate superintendent their

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So basically, my understanding—my superintendent, Dr.
• My understanding—my superintendent, Dr.
• I am the superintendent of Hancock District. I appreciate the opportunity to testify this morning.
• My name is Carol Learned Miller, and I'm the proud superintendent of the Warwick School District.
• So it went unnoticed until Superintendent Rebecca from Hancock started to look into this.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held a hearing on two late-file bills: H. 4867, concerning school choice, and H. 4927, concerning access to applied behavior analysis (ABA). For H. 4867, testimony focused on a DESE interpretation of M.G.L. c. 76, §12B(k) that would require small elementary-only districts with school choice students to pay secondary tuition when those students continue into high school. Superintendents, school committee members, parents, teachers, and a representative argued this creates large fiscal shortfalls for rural districts such as Hancock, Warwick, Richmond, and Worthington, which do not operate high schools and already rely on tuition agreements for their own resident students. Witnesses said the current interpretation has led some districts to stop accepting school choice students, reducing class sizes and limiting educational opportunities; they urged an exemption or amendment so these districts could continue school choice without assuming high school tuition obligations for nonresident students. Committee members asked about the number of affected districts, how the arrangement worked before 2023, and whether alternative statutory language might solve the issue more broadly. Representative Barrett described the bill as a simple fix to an unenforced provision that had only recently been raised by DESE, and the hearing later included testimony from both district officials and families supporting the bill. The committee closed testimony on H. 4867 and H. 4927 and then adjourned. H. 4927 drew testimony from educators, an ABA provider, and a parent of a child with autism in support of protecting in-school ABA access. Witnesses said the bill would clarify that qualified ABA providers, including BCBAs and RBTs under supervision, may deliver services in schools while allowing districts to maintain neutral safety and operational rules. They argued that inconsistent access to ABA can undermine districts’ obligations under IDEA, including free appropriate public education and placement in the least restrictive environment, and that school-based ABA can reduce removals from class, improve student progress, and support families. A parent testified that her young son needs ABA to function in school and that promised supports had been delayed or not delivered, while another witness said the bill would help ensure accountability and consistent services for students with autism.

Transcript Highlights:

• Saying it is the principals, the assistant principals, the superintendents, directors of curriculum,
• But I think on average, voters have no idea that some of their superintendents are making $185,000 a
• are making $185,000 a superintendents are making $185,000 a year.<01:05:54.160> And<01:05:54.280
• , assistant superintendent, principal, assistant principal, special education administrator, curriculum
• , assistant superintendent, principal, assistant principal, special education administrator, curriculum

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The conference committee first discussed HB 1099, which creates a committee to study private business providing special education services and local school district reimbursement. Members explained that the issue is broader than special education alone, involving residential placements, foster care, court-ordered placements, and questions about which entity pays for education and care costs when students are placed in residential facilities. The House proposed an amendment to expand the study to include students placed in residential facilities by school districts as well as those placed through episodes of treatment or court order, and members agreed the existing commission would not resolve the issue before its July 1, 2026 expiration. Representative Coker raised concern about the phrase “but not limited to,” but members said the broader language was needed to capture placements beyond the existing statutory categories. The committee then agreed to accede to the Senate version of HB 1099 with a committee amendment, and the House voted unanimously to adopt amendment 2026-1845H. The bill was placed on the consent calendar, and the meeting adjourned. The transcript also includes a separate conference committee discussion on HB 1807, concerning mandatory reporting to voters. The main dispute was how to present administrator compensation: the House favored total administrative cost, while the Senate initially preferred average administrator salary. Members debated whether voters would be better informed by totals or averages, and whether the bill should define “administrator” more clearly by reference to DOE rules. The committee reached a tentative compromise to add both an average administrator salary graph and a total administrator cost graph, define administrators by reference to ED 501.02(B), scale the graph more precisely, and list the top 10 highest-paid administrators plus any employee earning over $100,000. Both chambers then gave unanimous support to the revised approach, with the understanding that the draft would be finalized and signed later.

Transcript Highlights:

• When I sit on the state board and I listen to superintendents specifically, I remember having a superintendent
• Christina Sarasar with the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools and strong support of Dr.
• Christina Sarasar with the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools and strong support of Dr.
• Lindsay Tornitori on behalf of the California County Superintendents and strong support of Dr.
• Thank you. ...Superintendents and strong support of Dr. Cynthia Glover Woods, Dr.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• they don't keep that superintendent in too long, which is their only employee.
• You have more of a say-so than the superintendent unless he lives in the community or anybody else.
• You have more of a say-so than the superintendent unless he lives in the community or anybody else.
• The superintendent is the only employee of the school board.
• But do school boards come up... ...of the superintendent is a huge thing.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 1002, which would move St. Charles County school board elections and school bond/levy questions from April to the November general election, extend school board terms to four years, and allow candidates to voluntarily list party affiliation. The bill sponsor and several supporters argued that November elections would increase turnout, broaden parent and taxpayer participation, reduce the influence of a small April electorate, and potentially save money. Supporters also said the change could make campaigning more feasible and help voters identify candidates’ general viewpoints. Opponents, including school board members, parents, the Missouri NEA, and the Missouri School Boards’ Association, argued that the bill unnecessarily singles out one county, would politicize school board races, and could bury local education issues on crowded November ballots. They also warned that moving levy and bond questions to November could reduce districts’ flexibility to address urgent needs, and that four-year terms could make recruitment harder and reduce accountability or institutional continuity. Several witnesses said school boards should remain nonpartisan and focused on governance, budgeting, and student needs rather than party labels. Committee members questioned the sponsor and witnesses about why the bill applies only to St. Charles County, whether staggered terms would be lost, and whether partisan labels would help or harm voters. Some members expressed support for the concept as a pilot or model, while others objected to the county-specific approach and the addition of party affiliation. The transcript does not show a final committee vote or other action on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• What we heard from folks, primarily from school district superintendents, and the other thing I would
• through either the bills themselves or even the report, which can be sort of lengthy if you're a superintendent
• In May, tentatively, we've planned to head to Raton, and the superintendent out there is getting ready
• We'll talk to the superintendent there.
• We will do our best As we always do, even in these locations, to invite superintendents from a number