Transcript Highlights:

• is to be a waiver... ...the waiver provision, but within that, if there is to be a waiver for any hardship
• it ultimately grants authority for the waivers.
• Yeah, line 4 is talking only about waivers, not for the other rules.
• it ultimately grants authority for the waivers.
• Yeah, line 4 is talking only about waivers, not for the other rules.

Bills: SB234 , SB210 , SB243 , SB244 , SM16 , HB8 , SB234 , SB210 , SB243 , SB244 , SM16 , HB8

Committees: Senate Senate Education , Senate House Education

Keywords: foster children, school transportation, education funding, public education, child welfare, New Mexico Highlands University, soccer field, women's sports, infrastructure improvement, funding allocation, student athletes, appropriation, New Mexico State University, nutrition, travel support, funding, education, university support, financial assistance, parenting students

Transcript Highlights:

• More importantly, many of these tuition agreements have a requirement that the sending school district
• contracts and tuition agreements.
• contracts and tuition agreements.
• contracts and tuition agreements.
• contracts and tuition agreements.

Summary: The committee first took up HB 662, which would require discussion of abortion procedures and the viewing of certain videos in public school health education. Members argued the bill went too far by naming specific videos and involving the Attorney General in enforcement, and they said curriculum decisions should be left to educators. The committee voted ITL on HB 662 by a unanimous 18-0. The committee then considered HCR 6, a resolution calling for the removal of the superintendent of District 67. Members said the resolution targeted an individual and that the underlying dispute was already in court, so the matter should be left to the legal process. The motion to ITL passed 18-0. Next, HR 9, urging the Department of Education to emphasize STEM education, received broad support as a nonpartisan statement of priorities, and it also passed 18-0. HB 440, concerning educator licensing and shortages in Career and Technical Education, was amended to clarify that the bill applies to initial licensure only. After discussion about whether the amendment was necessary, the committee adopted Amendment 0188 unanimously and then voted OTPA on the bill as amended, 18-0. HB 222, which repealed the requirement for an MOU between charter schools and districts on services for students with disabilities, drew testimony that districts already provide substantial oversight through IEP processes and that the MOU requirement was burdensome and largely unenforced; the committee voted OTP 18-0. The committee then took up HB 719, which would repeal the right of first refusal for charter schools to purchase or lease unused district facilities. Supporters said the existing law had not generated complaints and could impede charter expansion, while opponents said the issue had not proven to be a problem and local control should be preserved. The committee voted ITL 17-1, with one member opposed and no minority report. The chair then postponed HB 184, a study committee bill on school start times, because it was scheduled for the next day, and the committee moved into a work session on bullying-related bills, discussing HB 108, HB 384, and HB 673 without taking final action in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Will they cut community college funding and university funding and make tuition more expensive for our
• because the unemployment rate recession and we need waivers because the unemployment rate is so high
• thousands of Arizonans who need SNAP but don't qualify under the current system DES could seek a waiver
• and make sure that hundreds of thousands of Arizonans don't uh seek a waiver and make sure that hundreds
• HB 4101, DES SNAP waiver. Health and Human Services. HB 4104, appropriation in Arizona Arts Trust.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> That transportation money which we put in there, that $9 million for tuition and transportation
• </c><00:47:31.920><c> and</c> in there that $9 million for tuition and in there that $9 million for tuition
• </c><01:54:42.719><c> of</c><01:54:43.119><c> the</c> &gt;&gt; Um are you saying a waiver of the &gt;
• &gt; Um are you saying a waiver of the requirements<01:54:43.840><c> of</c><01:54:44.080><c> IDEIDA?
• Until you have that, it would be foolhardy, for one thing, to go forward with a request for a waiver,

Summary: The commission met to approve the May 18, 2026 minutes and then focused on how SB 57’s special education cost study should inform HB 1099, which creates a separate study committee on residential placements and related education costs. Members discussed sending the commission’s minutes and findings to that new committee, noting the short timeline for its work and the need to be specific about unresolved issues so the new group does not duplicate the same questions. A major topic was the cost and responsibility for students placed at Spalding and similar residential programs, especially transportation and whether costs are paid through the Department of Education’s episode-of-treatment (EOT) fund, local districts, DHS, or Medicaid. Staff explained that for students with disabilities, EOT funds cover special education and transportation costs tied to the placement, while students without disabilities are handled through DHS care-management and best-interest meetings. Members raised concerns about whether some students at Spalding are receiving no schooling, whether transportation costs are substantial, and whether Medicaid reimbursement could offset some expenses. The commission also discussed confusion over district responsibility when students placed in residential programs attend school in another district, using Winnisquam as an example. Several members said the receiving district was not notified that DHHS-approved programs could bring in additional students and costs, and they suggested DHHS or its care-management entity should notify both the district of residence and the receiving district when a program is approved. The group agreed this notification issue, along with transportation funding, privacy concerns in Medicaid-to-schools billing, and the distinction between special education placements, EOT placements, and other voluntary residential placements, should be passed to the HB 1099 study committee for further work.

Transcript Highlights:

• The appropriations for student tuition relief on line 110, sexual assault reporting policies on line
• And so even a significant tuition increase does still mean they're affordable.
• By increasing tuition.
• And so even a significant tuition increase does still mean they're affordable.
• </c> pay tuition to non-public schools. pay tuition to non-public schools.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• We worked on a study about grad workers' salary, health care, and tuition throughout the state of New
• pay to GeoBlue and all grad workers are forced to budget their health alongside groceries, rent, tuition
• I heard from DD waiver folks.
• Now again, we've boxed these students in, and I can understand a DD waiver or a special ed child.

Bills: SB106 , SB171 , SB179

Committee: House House Education

Keywords: graduate scholarship, higher education funding, New Mexico, appropriation, financial aid, education, documentary, historical figure, Padre Antonio Jose Martinez, Northern New Mexico State School, SB179, Senate Bill 179, UNM, University of New Mexico, medical Spanish, Spanish-language curriculum, health sciences, health professions education, language access, bilingual healthcare

Transcript Highlights:

• However, students can authorize parent access through FERPA waivers, and we can communicate during health
• Supporting basic needs: part of the Shelton Promise, along with making sure that their tuition is covered
• Students face many challenges with limited federal loans, increasing tuition costs, and continuing basic
• have brought an unsanitized perspective—student opinions—into spaces where decisions are made about tuition
• costs at public institutions of higher education to be paid with appropriated state funds rather than tuition

Bills: SB6325 , SGA9302 , SGA9286 , SGA9289 , SGA9290 , SGA9292 , SGA9293 , SGA9309 , SGA9310 , SGA9311 , SGA9312

Committee: Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development

Keywords: higher education, student procedures, academic policies, enrollment processes, educational standards

Transcript Highlights:

• However, students can authorize parent access through FERPA waivers, and we can communicate during health
• Supporting basic needs: part of the Shelton Promise, along with making sure that their tuition is covered
• Students face many challenges with limited federal loans, increasing tuition costs, and continuing basic
• have brought an unsanitized perspective—student opinions—into spaces where decisions are made about tuition
• costs at public institutions of higher education to be paid with appropriated state funds rather than tuition

Summary: The Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee heard two work sessions focused on student access and retention, then held public hearings on gubernatorial appointments before taking executive action. Washington Student Achievement Council staff presented the Washington Completes FAFSA campaign, created by Executive Order 2508, describing its advisory board, outreach strategy, dashboard tracking, and progress toward goals of 46,000 FAFSA/WASFA completions and improved equity in completion rates. They also highlighted broader college access tools such as trainings, printed materials, completion events, Otterbot texting support, and the new “Changing the Narrative” report and College Toolkit, which emphasize multiple postsecondary pathways, relatable messengers, and short video content. The committee then heard from the Council of Presidents and Central Washington University and Evergreen State College on student support services. Presenters discussed retention data, FERPA-related limits on parent communication, and the impact of budget cuts on advising, tutoring, wellness, and other services. Evergreen described the Shelton Promise program, including recruitment, summer bridge, basic-needs supports, peer mentoring, texting outreach, and early retention results showing 52 of 53 students continuing. Central Washington outlined its learner access and support plan, including required advising, University 101, early academic alerts, peer mentoring embedded in coursework, the Students First Center, and a Paying for College Guide, while noting that budget reductions have limited some support offerings. In the public hearing, the committee considered Latasha Wortham’s appointment to the Tacoma Community College Board of Trustees and a panel of student appointees to various boards and councils, including Evergreen, Washington Student Achievement Council, the Workforce Education Investment Accountability and Oversight Board, Washington State University, Eastern Washington University, Edmonds College, and Western Washington University. Testimony emphasized first-generation and immigrant backgrounds, student advocacy, basic needs, and the importance of student voice in governance. In executive session, the committee adopted a substitute and gave Senate Bill 6325 a due pass recommendation to Ways and Means; the bill would shift certain higher education cost increases from tuition to state funds over time and direct a WSIPP study on essential student services. The committee also recommended confirmation for the listed gubernatorial appointments.

Transcript Highlights:

• I applied for the waiver program for my parents.
• Will you support the increase of 750 waiver slots?
• But these 750 waiver slots will be a... ...outlier.
• The Community Choices Waiver... ...also tells us that these waiver services are cost effective.
• He is currently on the LA now waiver.

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:24.640><c> expenses</c><00:03:26.000><c> such</c><00:03:26.239><c> as</c><00:03:26.640><c> tuition
• </c><00:03:27.440><c> and</c> qualifying expenses such as tuition and qualifying expenses such as tuition
• Do you have a waiver or an extension request? Has that ever gone to the department?
• </c><00:57:12.559><c> Has</c> a waiver or an extension request?
• Has a waiver or an extension request?

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Summary: The committee first heard HB 1334, which would remove the Education Freedom Account scholarship organization’s authority to approve “any other educational expense” under the EFA statute. The prime sponsor, Representative Porchelli, said the bill would narrow the law to the specifically listed qualifying expenses, avoid broad interpretation, and shift any questions to the Department of Education or the legislative oversight committee. In response to questions, she said she did not think the open-ended category had been needed and that the statute already clearly lists allowable expenses. A representative of the Children’s Scholarship Fund testified in opposition, saying the category is used rarely but is important for unusual cases, especially students with special needs, and that removing it could create unintended consequences. After testimony, the chair closed the hearing on HB 1334. The committee then heard HB 1513, which would move several EFA reporting and oversight requirements from administrative rules and the contract with the Children’s Scholarship Fund into statute. Representative Porchelli said the bill would consolidate existing requirements on timely responses to oversight requests, publication of expense reports by category and provider, and transmission of eligibility and enrollment data to the Department of Education. She described the bill as mostly a clarification and transparency measure rather than a substantive policy change. Members asked about the meaning of “timely access,” the 45-day deadline, whether the contract already covered these duties, and whether the scholarship organization had ever failed to comply. The Children’s Scholarship Fund said it had generally met the 45-day deadline, had not knowingly refused information requests, and that the quarterly reporting requirement could add cost; the sponsor said the DOE had provided guidance and was neutral. The hearing on HB 1513 was then closed. Finally, the committee heard HB 1256, which would repeal the state librarian’s authority to award scholarships for graduate library school attendance at American Library Association-accredited schools. Representative Drago said the law was unnecessary because the state does not currently have a state librarian, scholarships are not typically granted by statute, and he objected to the ALA accreditation requirement and what he described as the association’s political advocacy. In questions, he clarified that the bill targets the accreditation requirement rather than a specific school and said he did not think the state should direct taxpayer-funded scholarships toward ALA-accredited programs. A member raised First Amendment concerns, but the sponsor said the issue was not speech itself, only the use of taxpayer dollars and state law to support that direction. The transcript cuts off before any vote or final action on HB 1256.

Transcript Highlights:

• One Grand Junction Regional Center, waiver services, $12,470,538.
• <01:52:16.239><c> services</c><01:52:16.639><c> 5212,470,538</c> waiver services 5212,470,538 waiver
• Services, PBLO Regional Center, PBLO Regional Center Waiver Services.
• Regional Center Waiver Services.
• State employee tuition reimbursement, 3,360,166. Training services, 61,200.

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas Grants, the Texas Educational Opportunity Grants, and Tuition Equalization Grant. Next slide.
• The Tuition Equalization Grant was established in 1971.
• Texas State can save as much as $19,000 in tuition and fees over their college career.
• Free tuition, yeah. Correct. Yes, that's right. Okay. Yeah.
• not raised tuition in eight years, and UNT Dallas has only raised tuition once. in 10 years.

Committee: House Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• We've also seen that tuition costs have spiraled and access to financial aid, which I believe somebody
• From one versus the other, and it's not just a matter of the tuition; it's the kind of training that
• Department of Justice has filed a complaint against California for providing in-state tuition, despite
• In combination with also the potential elimination of the ACA waivers, which we didn't talk about.
• I finished paying my student loans maybe five years ago, and in two years I will have to pay full tuition

Summary: The Select Committee on Latina Inequities met at Los Angeles Mission College in Sylmar, hosted by Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez and joined by Assemblymember Mia Bonta. Rodriguez opened by framing the committee’s work around the economic status of Latinas and the effects of federal policies on the economy and social safety net, while the college president welcomed the committee and described campus services for undocumented and housing-insecure students. Rodriguez also emphasized the local impact of immigration enforcement in the San Fernando Valley and said the hearing would focus on Latinas’ economic conditions, immigration enforcement impacts on the workforce and safety, and H.R. 1’s effects on the safety net. The first panel featured HOPE’s Maria Morales and Dr. Elsa Macias, who presented findings from HOPE’s National Economic Status of Latinas report. They said Latinas are a major and growing part of California’s population and workforce, but face persistent inequities, including a large wage gap, higher unemployment, high uninsured rates, student debt, and affordability pressures around child care, housing, and education. They also discussed entrepreneurship, noting both the growth of Latina-owned businesses and barriers such as limited access to capital, technical assistance, and retirement and health coverage. In response to committee questions, they said higher education can still offer a strong return on investment, but only if students can complete degrees without being overwhelmed by debt and care costs; they also pointed to policy solutions such as SB 642, mentorship, financial literacy, CalSavers access, and support for community development financial institutions. The second panel focused on immigration enforcement and Latina safety in the workforce. Luis Nolasco of the ACLU described arrests tied to apparent ethnicity and Spanish-speaking, the chilling effect on families, and the loss of wages, school attendance, and mobility. Dr. Amada Armenta said immigration enforcement harms California’s economy, public health, and mixed-status families, and noted that undocumented workers are concentrated in agriculture, construction, and child care. SEIU’s Jen Baca Beltran said raids and school-based enforcement traumatize children and families and highlighted the need for Know Your Rights trainings. Megan Ortiz of IDEPSCA described repeated Border Patrol raids on day labor centers, injuries to staff, and the need to protect worker centers, domestic workers, and street vendors. Inclusive Action’s Shannon Camacho said raids have forced many informal workers to stop working, prompted emergency cash assistance and rent relief efforts, and strengthened advocacy for vendor protections and CDFI support. CHIRLA’s Jeanette Zanipatine said the rapid response network has expanded, documented widespread arrests and detention conditions, and is providing direct support and legal referrals; committee members asked about detention, maternal health, and what the state can do, and panelists urged stronger oversight, more legal representation, and protections for pregnant and detained people.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also authorizes waiver of specified educator certification requirements, The bill also authorizes
• waiver of specified educator certification requirements based on participation in teacher preparation
• This waiver is only valid for 12 months after the date employment begins.
• Just to follow up question, because, you know, you talked about this being a waiver...
• Because, you know, you talked about this being a waiver.

Summary: The Careers and Workforce Subcommittee met with a quorum and took up four bills. The first, HB 875 on educator preparation, would align teacher-prep programs under a uniform core curriculum, create a competency-based coaching program (CERT), standardize mentor and clinical educator requirements, allow certain certification waivers, and establish a Florida Institute of Teaching Excellence at Miami-Dade College subject to appropriation. Debate focused heavily on language in the bill related to systemic racism, identity politics, privilege, and historical distortion, with supporters saying the bill is about pedagogy and opponents warning it could limit discussion of important historical and social topics. The committee adopted a strike-all amendment and then reported the bill favorably, 12-4. The committee then considered PCS for HB 541 on minimum wage requirements, which would allow employees to knowingly and voluntarily waive the state minimum wage for up to 12 months in certain structured work-based training settings. Supporters argued it would expand access to training and career pathways for inexperienced workers and help address labor shortages, while opponents said it could depress wages, invite coercion, and conflict with the state constitution’s minimum wage provisions. Public testimony included opposition from workers and labor groups and support from NFIB. The bill was reported favorably, 12-4. Next, PCS for HB 681 on apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship program funding was presented as a transparency and accountability measure to improve funding reporting and address bargaining issues between education agencies and program providers. Support came from industry groups and the ranking member, and the bill was reported favorably without opposition, 16-0. Finally, PCS for HB 1105 on education and Bright Futures would broaden Gold Seal Vocational eligibility, align CTE diploma requirements with Bright Futures, add AP Capstone as an automatic qualifier, and remove barriers for certain military and public service families. The committee supported the bill, which was reported favorably, 15-0. The meeting ended after a correction to the record on one public comment card and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've got House. 4-10 community programs, various waiver, Senate.
• We go to page 46, Hab Center Waivers, I've got Senate, and 10555, I've got a compromise.
• And that is our other handout, right, where we were talking about these 50 additional waiver slots for
• They could go to anything else in the budget to offset the cost of private school tuition for kids.
• If they're getting a state appropriation, then they can't increase tuition.

Committee: House Conference Committee on Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• And I, you know, I mean, they already get free tuition.
• And I, you know, I mean, they already get free tuition.
• This isn't even DD waiver. This isn't even a DD waiver.
• Line 32, to continue the capacity building for the Criminal Justice Medicaid Waiver Initiative.
• The waiver was approved. They haven’t stopped it.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill creates a personal needs allowance for Medi-Cal members in the assisted living waiver and CalAIM
• Medi-Cal benefits, offering an alternative to permanent institutionalization like the assisted living waiver
• those that are mentioned in this bill who participate in Medi-Cal programs like the assisted living waiver
• the gaps that financial aid packages leave in a student's full cost of attendance, including non-tuition

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Human Services heard several homelessness, public benefits, and aging-related bills. SB 748 would expand Encampment Resolution Funding to support safe parking sites for people living in cars or RVs, require quarterly reporting from HCD on outcomes, and direct LAO evaluation; supporters said it would help local governments reduce RV encampments while connecting people to housing and services. SB 290 would repeal the CalWORKs immunization sanction that reduces aid when parents cannot provide acceptable proof of a child’s vaccination; supporters argued the penalty unfairly harms families already in poverty and can worsen instability, while no opposition testified. SB 606 would define “functional zero” for overall and unsheltered homelessness and require local jurisdictions to plan for and report on the housing and interim shelter needed to reach that goal; supporters said it would add accountability and focus on reducing unsheltered homelessness, and one group moved from opposition to neutral after amendments. SB 433 would create an income-based room-and-board cap and personal needs allowance for all Medi-Cal assisted living participants in residential care facilities for the elderly, not just SSI recipients; supporters said it would prevent eviction and homelessness among low-income seniors and people with disabilities, and facility groups withdrew opposition or moved to neutral after amendments. SB 761 would require students applying for Cal Grants to be notified that they may be eligible for CalFresh and given information on how to apply; supporters said it would address widespread student food insecurity and low enrollment among eligible students. The committee accepted amendments on the bills, and all of the measures discussed were reported out on 7-0 or similar unanimous votes to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, with the consent calendar also approved unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first is continued investment in the Advantage Waiver program.
• that it will serve the second Advantage Waiver request, the third overall.
• And so it would add, you know, twenty-five to the fifty-seven on the advantage waiver.
• And then if we're For the AIR RAID, they had a couple of questions on the Advantage Waiver.
• The Advantage Waiver runs on five-year cycles.

Committee: House Appropriations and Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• THE ADULT PATHWAYS WAIVER KNOWN AS THE ACTUALLY I'M SORRY THE ADULT PATHWAYS WAIVER IN THE BILL WE ACTUALLY
• HAD A WAIVER YEARS AGO CALLED FSI WAIVER REFERRED TO AS A LITTLE WAIVER AND IT WAS KIND OF THE SAME
• BLUE FOR WAIVER, READ FOR WAITLIST.
• BUT ONCE YOU GET ON THE WAIVER IT WORKS.
• DROPPING COMPARED TO THE ONE WAIVER SUPPORT COORDINATOR TO EVERY 43 PEOPLE ON THE WAIVER.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, I wanted to ask you—so lately the tuition special fund that takes all the students' tuition has come
• </c> think that your that uh student tuition think that your that uh student tuition fund<00:37:31.920
• </c><00:39:39.440><c> to</c> so if we're not increasing tuition to so if we're not increasing tuition
• </c><00:41:05.079><c> funds</c> did that come out of the tuition funds did that come out of the tuition
• Okay, so it was sort of like a waiver of tuition for four years?

Summary: The Committee on Higher Education met on March 11 and began with House Bill 442, which would appropriate funds to the University of Hawaiʻi system for nursing programs. University of Hawaiʻi representatives testified in strong support, and several additional supporters submitted testimony. Members asked about a similar Senate measure, and the witness confirmed the university supported that bill as well. No opposition or vote was recorded on HB 442 during the excerpt. The committee then heard House Bill 1169, a housekeeping measure concerning the University of Hawaiʻi Conference Center revolving fund. Testimony explained that the bill would consolidate existing Conference Center statutes into one centralized fund statute and allow campuses to use the fund more broadly. Members raised no questions, and no vote was taken in the excerpt. House Bill 185, which would establish a plant-based building materials working group, drew the most discussion. The Department of Agriculture said it supported the intent but wanted baseline research before a larger working group was formed. Supporters argued the measure could help develop a homegrown industry using bamboo, hemp, and other plant materials, create green jobs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Several members questioned whether a formal working group was necessary and whether the work could be done without new legislation. The University of Hawaiʻi later estimated the bill’s requested work would cost about $150,000 over two years to analyze crop options and report findings. The final measure discussed in the excerpt was House Bill 1320, which requires the University of Hawaiʻi to collect, analyze, and publicly report graduate outcome data and develop a Graduate Outcomes Dashboard. University officials said they already use some data sources but lack a dedicated data-visualization specialist and need additional capacity to consolidate and present the information. Members questioned the need for new positions and funding, arguing the university should use existing resources and that students already have many ways to explore careers. Supporters responded that the dashboard would help students and the state better understand postgraduate outcomes, workforce needs, and program value. No final action or vote was shown in the excerpt.