Transcript Highlights:

• CREATE  A HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT IN SCHOOLS WERE KIDS OF MINORITY FAITH 142 WILL NOT FEEL SAFE TO LEARN
• Cursive writing isn't just a skill; it is a link to our heritage and a tool for lifelong learning.
• Cursive writing also helps with the early diagnosis of learning disabilities, including dyslexia and
• Trabulsy: Like anything, as a former teacher, you know this: we have foundational learning.
• So what we learn and practice and are taught and tested on in second grade will be much different than

Summary: The Education and Employment Committee met with a quorum and considered four measures. HB 409, which would require K-12 schools to observe Veterans Day, was presented briefly with no public testimony or debate and passed 18-0. The committee then took up HJR 583, a proposed constitutional amendment to codify religious liberty and expression in schools. Supporters argued it would strengthen existing protections and give voters the final say, while opponents from parent, atheist, interfaith, and church groups warned it could privilege dominant faiths, create coercion or confusion in schools, and reduce flexibility for districts. After extended debate, the resolution passed 18-1, with Rep. Harris voting no. The committee next heard CS/HB 453, which would allow students to substitute participation in Special Olympics for a PE credit and marching band for PE and arts credit under certain conditions. The sponsor and supporters said the bill recognizes the physical demands of these activities and would benefit students with disabilities and band students; school district and PTA representatives waived in support. The bill passed unanimously, 19-0. Finally, HB 127, requiring cursive writing instruction in grades 2 through 5, was presented as a literacy and heritage measure. Supporters said it would help students read historical documents and strengthen handwriting skills, while questions focused on grading, retention, and applicability to charter schools. It passed 17-0. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• be<03:27:57.200> excited<03:27:57.680> about<03:27:58.080> learning, to learn
• , to be excited about learning, to learn, to be excited about learning, I<03:27:59.040> think<
• :54:19.359> and<03:54:19.600> depression learning treats trauma and depression learning
• So I have behavior and he learned.
• because that's what I learned because that's what I learned about<05:47:22.798> crime<05:

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This trip they're taking reflects that mission by helping them connect what they learned in the classroom
• historic Route 66, celebrating its 100th birthday, and visited the Oklahoma State History Museum to learn
• They will then go to the Wichita Mountains, where they will visit Fort Sill, explore Medicine Bluff, learn
• for children who have already been retained or have had Less than two years of English language learning
• , a child who has incredible doors and opportunities open to them because they have learned to read.

Bills: HB1675, HB3242, HB1739, HB3320, HB3047, HB4434, HJR1089, HB4432, HB3718, HB3705, SR43, HB1933, HB4248, SB1847, SB1778, HJR1086, HB3001, HB3002, HB3003, HB3004, HB3005, HB3007, HB3008, HB1590, HB1242, HB3818, HB4305, HB1979, HB1225, HB3931, HB4454, HB3849, HB1746, HB3720, HB4275, HB4300, HB3586, HB2268, HB3755, HB4117, HB4294, HB3650, HB4298, HB3270, HB3145, HB3056

Keywords: emergency management, severe weather, youth camp, summer camp, overnight camp, day camp, outdoor education, adventure camp, wilderness program, campground safety, tornado preparedness, flooding, flash flood, high winds, hail, lightning, extreme heat, extreme cold, wildfire smoke, evacuation plan

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, one of the things I have learned, although I'm short on this job, four months on this job, I have
• learned that our job is not to re-sentence the offender.
• Um one of the things<00:08:43.840> I<00:08:43.960> have<00:08:44.200> learned,<00
• learned, although I'm short<00:08:47.040> on<00:08:47.280> this<00:08:47.520> job,<
• that um our job is not to I have learned that um our job is not to re-sentence<00:08:55.080> the<

Keywords: Corrections - Room 210, 24 March, 2026; 10:30 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee met to consider the confirmation of Donna Rogers Perkins of Brandon, Mississippi, to the State Parole Board, effective November 17, 2025. Early in the meeting, members exchanged remarks about Chairman Barnett’s recovery and noted that the committee could continue operating under the current provision until next year, when any needed statutory changes could be addressed. Ms. Perkins testified that she has 19 years of experience with the Department of Public Safety, where she maintained law enforcement records, vetted officers from other jurisdictions, and worked with the Attorney General’s Office and State Auditor’s Office on investigations. Members raised and resolved a question about whether she was still employed elsewhere; Perkins explained she had adjusted her last day of employment to avoid a conflict, and the committee indicated the issue had been rectified. A Rankin County supporter also spoke in her favor, saying her public safety background would make her effective on the board. Members questioned Perkins about the role of the parole board and whether she understood the need to balance public safety with reducing incarceration costs. Perkins said the board does not re-sentence offenders, but determines whether they are fit to return to society, and that she would carefully review background, psychological evaluations, and behavior while incarcerated. One member asked about statutory training requirements, and Perkins said she was scheduled to attend training for newly appointed parole board members in June. The committee then voted to advise and consent to the appointment, and the motion passed. A subsequent motion to advise and report was also made and approved, and Perkins was congratulated and thanked for her service.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we are grateful for your dedication to keeping our schools and kids safe. shores of learning where
• that our schools fear feel as secure as they once did. did is essential, not only for effective learning
• Educators cannot effectively teach and students cannot learn and thrive if they do not feel safe in their
• Our students cannot learn if they are not well.
• Texas must also take effective action on gun violence as students cannot learn if they feel unsafe or

Bills: SB260, SB263, SB293, SJR18

Keywords: school safety, Foundation School Program, education funding, student allotment, Texas education, SB 263, Texas franchise tax, cost of goods sold, COGS, broadcasters, television broadcasting, radio broadcasting, media tax, broadcast license, FCC, 47 C.F.R. Part 73, 47 C.F.R. Part 74, film production, television production, tax deduction

Transcript Highlights:

• Historically, schools were sanctuaries of learning where safety was a given.
• , ensuring that our schools, feel as secure as they once did is essential not only for effective learning
• Educators cannot effectively teach and students cannot learn and thrive if they do not feel safe in their
• Our students cannot learn if they are not well.
• Texas must also take effective action on gun violence as students cannot learn if they feel unsafe or

Transcript Highlights:

• Our children's learning House file 34 35 was amended in committee and is modeled off of the previous
• It's also where where I learned about the concept of location that we are called for good.
• And secondly, we learned that the shooter spent a tremendous amount of time researching this.
• in an environment that is safe and secure and allows them to learn.
• environment that is safe and secure and allows them to learn.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• 37.520> Pope<00:18:37.919> Francis learned this morning that Pope Francis learned this
• <01:00:10.240> to ways many of us are still learning to ways many of us are still learning
• We probably all know what you learn first is what sticks with you.
• And I learned there that that was the grace by which she operated.
• You can learn about the blueberry muffin gang. maybe 500 blueberry muffins there.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• But yeah, it’s important that I think people learn and understand and build.
• And so I learned about our roles.
• And I've come to learn that it got mailed to Kim Gordon's law firm.
• And so when I learned about AEJG's dashboard, that was very new to me.
• I didn't know a lot of things that I've learned recently.

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The hearing resumed on day two of the Legislative Ethics Board fact-finding matter involving Representative Tara Simmons. After opening remarks and confirmation that board members had not engaged in outside research or ex parte communications, Simmons’s counsel moved to dismiss two allegations at the close of the board staff’s case: that Simmons pressured the Administrative Office of the Courts to alter a contract in favor of her employer, and that she improperly combined a legislative proviso for AEJG with a personal donation to the organization. Board staff opposed the motion, arguing the evidence showed Simmons’s legislative and private conduct were intertwined and that the board had enough evidence to require a defense. After deliberation, the board denied the motion to dismiss and proceeded to hear defense testimony. The first defense witness, Sharon Navas, testified that she met Simmons through advocacy work, later hired her at the Equity and Education Coalition (EEC), and maintained written employment policies intended to separate Simmons’s legislative role from her work for EEC. Navas said Simmons was never compensated for lobbying or legislative acts, that EEC paid her from unrestricted funds, and that Simmons did not work on the AEJG dashboard project or participate in the contract dispute with Anthony Powers and Chris Stanley. Navas described the proviso request and later contract issues as separate from Simmons’s legislative duties, and said she continued to pay invoices while the project was being completed. Simmons then testified about her background, legislative career, disability accommodations, and extensive efforts to seek ethics advice before taking outside employment or pursuing provisos. She said she repeatedly consulted House ethics counsel and reviewed prior board decisions to ensure her outside work and legislative actions were separated. Simmons described her relationship with Anthony Powers, the dashboard project, the proviso process, and her understanding that the work was distinct from her legislative role. The hearing paused for lunch after part of Simmons’s direct examination, with testimony set to continue after the break.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's what we're learning at least in the pilots, et cetera.
• We formed a Lessons Learned Committee where we invited Sonoma County law, fire, and...
• But we're learning so much from the three of you in terms of...
• How, without a lot of funds, can you maximize, and what are you learning?
• We should have lessons learned next year and what should we do?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So just a lesson learned, and we got that cleaned up and learned some things from that.
• So just a lesson learned, and we got that cleaned up and learned some things from that moving forward
• The rigor is at college learning.
• This is what I was surprised to learn.
• This is what I was surprised to learn.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• name is Bobby Burnham, and I serve as the Assistant Commissioner for the Office of Teaching and Learning
• Commissioner for the Office of Teaching and Learning at the Department of Education.
• began professional learning registration began in<00:21:45.880> December.
• experiencing poverty and learning experiencing poverty and learning English<00:45:40.960> who
• Um, being that I've been here 14 months, I'm still learning.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> I think I've learned. >> Good afternoon, Senator Gray and members of the committee.
• Um, in the elementary level, students may not be able to write a persuasive essay, but they can learn
• And I share this with you because at the high school digital learning portfolios was something we're
• , you know, they can learn about, you know, argumentative<01:24:19.280> points,<01:24:19.600><
• progress throughout learning the trades. progress throughout learning the trades.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh if learning through play experience.
• It is just a grand opportunity to learn.
• It is just a grand opportunity to learn.
• It is just a grand opportunity to learn.
• During my time there, I was able to learn the basics of flight and aviation altogether by learning under

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Economic Development and Tourism met to hear presentations on a proposed downtown Lexington Arts Center. Visit Lex opened by framing the projects as regional economic development efforts that could support tourism, quality of life, and workforce attraction and retention. NextStage Development Corp. and ATG Entertainment then described a proposed $120 million project featuring a 2,500-seat performing arts center and a 20,000-square-foot visual arts gallery, with plans for up to 180 events a year, over 300,000 annual visitors, and an opening target of 2029. The presenters said the project would be funded through a $30 million state request, $30 million from ATG Entertainment, and $60 million raised by the nonprofit through philanthropy and other financing sources. They cited a feasibility study by Sound Diplomacy and compared the proposal to the Durham Performing Arts Center, arguing that similar venues have driven downtown revitalization, tourism, and economic activity in other cities. They also said the venue would include community access, school partnerships, subsidized tickets, and revenue returned to the nonprofit for grants and arts programming. Members asked about the total cost, the funding mix, whether the city of Lexington would contribute, and the building’s design. The presenters said they are in contact with city officials and are seeking city support, but have not yet hired an architect or begun conceptual design. They said the design process will involve community input and should fit Lexington’s historic downtown character. Representative Whitten asked whether the project would compete with Louisville; the presenters responded that their market analysis suggests the venue would serve audiences from Lexington, eastern Kentucky, and surrounding areas who are unlikely to travel to Louisville or Cincinnati, making the project complementary rather than competitive.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the 4-H program, they learn about chores.
• They learn they have to take care of those animals before you can take care of yourself.
• In the 4-H program, they learn about chores.
• They learn they have to take care of those animals before you can take care of yourself.
• They learn in 4-H teaches them to be strong leaders in all parts of their life, across our state and

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:17:36.320> using is prevention through learning using is prevention through learning using
• <00:19:50.799> This and adapt based on what we learn.
• This and adapt based on what we learn.
• The state of learn how to file claims.
• <00:58:15.599> firsthand during that time I learned firsthand during that time I learned firsthand

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The subcommittee opened its first meeting of the session with member introductions and a statement from the chair that veterans issues would remain distinct and receive separate attention. The first item was an update on the Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum at Camp Ripley from Executive Director Randall Dietrich. He said the museum has operated for nearly 50 years, has outgrown its current space, and is building a new 40,000-square-foot facility with $32 million in state support plus several million more in private funding. He described construction progress, planned exhibits including restored military artifacts and the USS Ward gun, and said the museum is scheduled to open on September 12. In response to Senator Kunish, Dietrich said the museum is actively incorporating stories and flags representing women, tribal nations, and other underrepresented groups, including 11 tribal flags at the entrance, and is working to integrate those stories throughout the galleries rather than isolating them. The committee then received an update from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs on the veterans suicide prevention plan from Rachel Johnson, Veterans Committee Health Director, with John Kelly later answering questions on department impacts. Johnson said the plan is a coordinated statewide framework built with legislative support, expanding regional coordinators, veteran health navigators, data analytics, and community partnerships, including a suicide mortality review pilot in Hennepin County. She said Minnesota loses about 100 veterans a year to suicide, that firearms remain the primary mechanism, and that prevention must address community connection, economic stability, and access to care, not just clinical treatment. She also said the plan aligns with state and federal strategies and is intended as a living roadmap. In response to questions, Johnson said the department is exploring data-sharing policy issues, has not seen a direct financial impact from federal VA staffing changes, and is tracking federal proposals affecting VA advisory groups. She also said 988 data is available in general but more Minnesota-specific data on the veteran option is still being gathered. Members asked follow-up questions about trends in veteran suicide, the role of families in identifying warning signs, and the Hennepin County mortality review pilot. Johnson said the annual number has remained around 100 for about 15 years, with a dip in 2024 and a return to that level in 2025, and that the Hennepin County pilot was chosen because it offers a manageable geography and existing coalition work, with an initial review expected by May or June. The final item began a presentation from the Minnesota Association of County Veteran Service Officers. Legislative chair Larry Fonder said the group’s priorities are protecting veterans from fraud and modernizing the property tax benefit for disabled veterans, but the presentation would focus on educating the committee about the role, training, certification, and accountability of county veteran service officers. President Tom Anderson, the Winona County VSO and a Navy veteran, began describing his background and office staffing when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• school children each year and learning school children each year and learning about<00:19:40.320
• I learned about how government works in a democracy.
• I learned about how government program.
• I learned how to works in a democracy.
• > some<01:11:42.800> lessons, that process, learned some lessons, that process, learned

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As we look at how workers learn today, it's very different than how people were learning 10, 15, 20 years
• So there is an effort now in the industry to try to learn. Models.
• That's going to bring people from all over the world to learn what we've learned from our innovation
• And happy to continue to share those lessons learned and opportunities.
• And I didn't learn any different until we went out to Vandenberg Air Base.

Summary: The Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee met to hear a series of presentations on the economics, financing, workforce, and community impacts of advanced nuclear deployment in North Dakota. William Bridge of Nucleon Energy presented the committee’s economic impacts and private-sector financing report, estimating construction and operating job impacts, local spending, and state/local tax effects for hypothetical SMR projects. He said the report assumes first-of-a-kind costs are still high, used a $6 million per megawatt nth-of-a-kind proxy, and estimated peak construction workforces of about 500 for a 200-MW plant and 1,000 for a larger facility, with roughly 100 operating jobs for a 200-MW plant. Committee members questioned security costs, capital cost assumptions, water and transmission siting constraints, and whether the model included fuel and waste; Bridge said the report included initial fuel in capital cost and that waste disposal is funded through existing federal mechanisms. Lori Brady of the Nuclear Energy Institute then outlined national nuclear workforce needs and NEI’s strategic workforce planning efforts. She described declining labor-force participation, retirements, and the need for a much larger future workforce, and said NEI has organized recommendations around career awareness, pipelines, training and qualification, policy support, retention, and nontraditional recruitment. She highlighted tools such as the Nuclear Works career website, the Nuclear Energy Academic Roadmap, the new federal Energy and Natural Resources career cluster, and the Nuclear Uniform Curriculum Program for community colleges. Members asked about AI, timing for training relative to plant development, and whether advanced manufacturing would reduce staffing needs; Brady said AI is not expected to replace workers and that training timelines depend on the specific project and staffing plan. The committee also heard from Gary Yaco, mayor of Red Wing, Minnesota, who described Prairie Island’s role in his community. He said the plant provides a large share of local property tax revenue, supports well-paid jobs, contributes to emergency preparedness funding and training, and is broadly supported by the city despite periodic protests and public concerns. He emphasized the plant’s security, regular drills with local and federal responders, and the absence of problems with dry cask storage. Later, Benton Arnett of NEI discussed the current financing landscape for advanced nuclear, explaining how tax credits, federal loan support, off-take agreements, and new business models are helping projects move forward. He said early projects face high upfront costs and long lead-time procurement, but that investor confidence is improving as federal policy and regulatory streamlining continue. The committee asked about waste funding, comparisons with natural gas, the effect of political shifts on investor confidence, and whether the market will narrow to a few winning technologies; Arnett said the industry is still sorting that out, but expects clearer winners in the late 2020s and early 2030s. The meeting concluded with an introductory presentation from Julie Kazeraki of DOE’s Office of Energy Dominance Financing, who said the office is focused on accelerating nuclear deployment through financing support.

Transcript Highlights:

• I love to learn all the time.
• Bob, having been on the early learning board, what were examples that you can share having productive
• that learning board, what were examples that you<00:16:17.600> can<00:16:17.759> share
• board and it was a a new early learning board and it was a a new board<00:16:30.720> because<
• So, I was over here learning. No, stay. Thank you.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education heard several advice-and-consent nominations to the School Facilities Authority. For GM779, Shelley Pa was introduced as a nominee for a term ending June 30, 2029. The Department of Education supported her nomination, citing her large-scale operations and stakeholder-engagement experience. In her testimony, Pa said she retired from community policing, wanted to give back to teachers and students, and believed her strengths were collaboration, listening to community input, and helping balance differing priorities. Committee members questioned her about the construction and infrastructure focus of the board, her lack of direct construction experience, and how she would handle disagreements and budget limits; she responded that she would rely on collaboration, ask questions, and keep decisions centered on students, teachers, and the community while staying within budget. The committee then heard GM777 and GM778 for Robert Davis, with terms ending June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2029. Davis described more than 30 years with the Department of Education, including roles as teacher, coach, counselor, vice principal, principal, and complex area superintendent, and said he had worked on major facilities projects and managed pandemic-era funding. He emphasized communication, transparency, and trust, and explained that his experience on the Early Learning Board helped him understand how to set policy, identify schools for pre-K, and use data and community factors in decision-making. Members asked how he would handle SFA’s growing pains, the need to balance DOE wishes with practical and budgetary limits, and the board’s role when the legislature controls funding; Davis said the board must keep communication open, include the right people, and make sensible decisions that move projects forward without stalling. For GM780, nominee Michael Unbasami was introduced for a term ending June 30, 2029. The Department of Education supported him, highlighting over five decades of public service and experience in facilities management, finance, and legislative affairs. Unbasami said he had recently retired after 31 years as associate vice president for administrative affairs for the community colleges and had extensive experience with facilities planning, construction, renovation, repairs, and working within budgets. He stated that the DOE should be treated as the SFA’s client because it knows student, teacher, and facility needs best, while SFA’s role is to implement construction work and collaborate on priorities. Committee members pressed him on how to balance DOE requests with practical project delivery, especially for teacher housing and other non-classroom needs, and he said the legislature funds the work, SFA must keep projects moving, and the workflow should involve collaboration but also realistic decisions that fit the budget and avoid delays.

Transcript Highlights:

• And they're not learning while this is going on.
• where now, through working with career tech, you can maybe take a welding class where you... are learning
• high-level math and science concepts, but you're not... learning them in theoretical terms inside of
• You will learn principles of flight applied when you're grabbing the stick and yoke of an aircraft.
• You're also meeting your personal financial literacy because you may be learning about the things that

Bills: HB1937, HB2153, HB3674, HB2978, HB3885, HB3671, HB3261, HB3021, HB3029, HB4274, HB3701, HB3076

Keywords: HB1937, Oklahoma schools, student communications, electronic communication, digital communication, parent notification, legal guardian, school personnel, teachers, coaches, administrators, charter schools, public schools, administrative leave, corroborated report, investigation, employee file, discipline, termination, school board