Video & Transcript : 'school construction assistance program' :
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LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Transportation, Highways and Public Works Mar 30th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So E&D, construction, or O&M.
- There are schools—three schools. Rep.
- Moore: There are schools, three schools, there are funeral homes.
- are released from school.
- Priority Program.
Summary:
The committee met on March 30 and first took up House Resolution 1, which approves the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority’s annual State Integrated Coastal Protection Plan for fiscal years 2026-2027. CPRA leaders described the plan as a roughly $1.54 billion coastal investment, with most funds directed to construction and project implementation. They outlined funding sources including GOMESA, BP settlement dollars, state surplus, and new coastal sediment revenues, and reviewed major work across the coast such as marsh creation, barrier island restoration, levees, pump stations, shoreline protection, and nonstructural flood mitigation. Members asked about specific regional concerns, including the Sabine River area, the Chafalaya Basin, Bayou Sorrel, and tidal flooding in inland parishes. The committee heard public support cards and then reported H.R. 1 favorably without objection.
The committee then considered House Bill 838, as substituted, dealing with vehicle inspection stickers and related inspection requirements. The bill would repeal inspection requirements for assembled vehicles, adjust inspection rules for commercial and student transportation vehicles, allow out-of-state inspections in some cases, and move toward a QR-code-based system tied to the vehicle identification number. OMV officials said the QR code would contain only the VIN and would be used by law enforcement through existing or upgraded ticketing systems, with the change taking effect January 1, 2027. Members asked about privacy, local law enforcement compatibility, unsafe vehicles, and the annual fee structure. The committee adopted the substitute and reported the bill favorably via substitute.
Next, the committee heard House Bill 888, also with amendments, on temporary dealer plates and temporary registration plates. Supporters said the bill cleans up last session’s temporary tag law, increases security features for print-on-demand plates, clarifies placement rules for dealer tags, extends certain temporary tag periods from five to ten days, and delays fee changes until the electronic issuance system is implemented. A question was raised about whether the new plates would be readable by license plate recognition cameras, and the sponsor said that would be checked with State Police. The committee adopted the amendment set and reported the bill favorably as amended.
The committee also advanced House Bill 885, which authorizes electronic titles, electronic lien recordation, and electronic signatures for motor vehicle transactions. The sponsor and industry witnesses said the bill is intended to modernize vehicle sales, reduce duplicate paper signatures, and make the process more secure and efficient, while preserving anti-fraud protections and allowing the OMV to set rules. Members asked whether the process would be mandatory, how fraud would be handled, and how identity would be verified; the sponsor said the system would become mandatory for participating commercial entities once implemented, with security standards and good-faith protections. The committee reported the bill favorably via substitute.
Finally, the committee approved House Bill 723, as amended, allowing certain two- and three-wheeled motorcycles and mopeds to proceed through a red light when sensors fail to detect them. The sponsor framed it as a safety measure to avoid riders being stranded at malfunctioning signals and to reduce rear-end collision risk. The committee also took up House Bill 882 on outdoor advertising, which would increase spacing between billboards on state highways from 150 feet to 1,000 feet, with an amendment preserving certain nonconforming signs rebuilt after acts of God. Supporters said the change would reduce billboard clutter and improve aesthetics, while opponents argued it would hurt smaller billboard owners, shift power to larger companies, and override local control. The committee adopted the amendments and continued debate on the bill, with testimony focused on its economic and local-government impacts.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> flood Hazard mitigation grant program flood Hazard mitigation grant program this<00:09:27.680><c
- program.
- program.
- And to Assistant Commissioner Kudelka, back to the capital assets program, I'm just going to want a little
- </c><01:08:19.239><c> that</c> assistance program are they doing that assistance program are they doing
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Education Funding (04/15/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><01:21:10.320><c> are</c> school because it is the programs are school because it is the programs
- school that gets the place in the CTE program?
- </c> in a CTE program at the high school in a CTE program at the high school level.<02:04:19.520><c>
- So, not every school district program.
- Breakfast is served at the majority of the schools in the national school lunch program.
Summary:
The committee first heard Senate Bill 292, which would authorize a governor’s warrant to cover special education aid shortfalls from the education trust fund, and from the general fund if needed, so local school districts would not have to absorb prorated costs or raise local property taxes. Senator Lang said the bill was prompted by a prior $15 million special education funding shortfall caused by higher-than-expected catastrophic aid claims, including more qualifying students and the recent increase in the special education age limit to 22. He emphasized that the bill is intended to ensure the state meets its funding commitment and avoid shifting costs to towns.
Members asked about how the bill interacts with House Bill 742 and House Bill 773, including whether the language should be merged or whether the state should fund 100% versus an 80% floor. Lang said he was open to improving the bill and to adding a study committee or performance audit on special education costs, but maintained that the state should not push costs to local taxpayers when it has available funds. The hearing on SB 292 was then closed, with no vote taken.
The committee then opened Senate Bill 98, which would extend for five more years a tax credit program for donations to regional career and technical education centers. Senator Waters said the program has been successful in building partnerships between CTE centers and employers, especially through equipment donations that support training and apprenticeships. He cited examples including automotive, marine trades, and advanced manufacturing programs, and said the five-year extension would let lawmakers continue to review whether the incentive is working as intended.
Several members questioned whether the credit is effectively a 100% subsidy and how the cap works. Waters and another member explained that the underlying program has an aggregate cap of $500,000 and that credits are prorated if requests exceed that amount; they also said the donations are primarily equipment, not cash. Some members raised concerns about whether businesses could also claim other tax deductions or credits, but the sponsor said the existing structure has been in place for years and has been revisited periodically. No vote was taken during the hearing excerpt provided.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine certain pending nominations. Apr 29th, 2025 at 08:30 am
Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel
Transcript Highlights:
- Papano has been nominated to be the Assistant Secretary of Defense. Mr.
- I also served as military assistant for Assistant Secretary of Defense, charged with both strategic nuclear
- And this program is essential to bolstering deterrence in the region.
- Just for the record, are you familiar with the WPS program General Kaine?
- And that could start everywhere from, you know, looking at programs.
Keywords:
defense industrial base, small business, workforce development, acquisition processes, national security, cybersecurity, critical minerals
Summary:
The meeting of the committee revolved around critical discussions on enhancing the defense industrial base, focusing on small business engagement and the importance of streamlined processes in defense contracting. There was a significant emphasis on the need for more investment in the defense manufacturing sector, particularly in the face of competition from countries like China. Some members expressed frustration over the treatment of small businesses, citing barriers that prevent these innovative companies from effectively participating in defense contracts. The need for a workforce capable of meeting the common challenges posed by evolving technologies and geopolitical threats was also highlighted throughout the meeting.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- 00:02:26.920><c> listed</c><00:02:27.239><c> as</c><00:02:27.440><c> support</c><00:02:28.000><c> assist
- know it is it's listed as support assist know it is opposition<00:02:30.000><c> oh</c><00:02:30.160>
- </c> biders for public works construction biders for public works construction projects<00:11:35.920>
- Next up, Senate Bill 74, relating to state construction projects.
- </c> executive director of the school executive director of the school facilities<00:30:05.320><c> Authority
Summary:
The committee met for joint decision-making on several measures related to elections, telework, procurement, hiring, public records, and public meetings. On Senate Bill 444, testimony was largely opposed or in comment, and the chairs said the bill raised real issues that needed more time; they deferred it for the year. Senate Bill 1091 on telework and space allocation drew support and discussion about DAGS’ role versus the Department of Human Resources; the committee agreed to amend it in a Senate Draft 1 to remove reference to OE, add a DAGS management analyst position, change “positions” to “allocations,” limit the assessment to executive branch departments in DAGS-managed or DAGS-leased facilities, and add a defective date, then passed it with amendments. Senate Bill 1057 on apprenticeship-related bid incentives received mixed testimony, including support from labor and opposition from some contractor groups, and was passed as a Senate Draft 1 with technical amendments and a defective date. Senate Bill 1065 on skills-based hiring, which would bar bachelor’s degree requirements for most state jobs with exemptions, had support from the Comptroller and outside groups and was passed with technical amendments and a defective date.
The committee also took up several procurement and accountability measures. Senate Bill 92 on emergency medical response/defibrillators was deferred indefinitely because a pilot project is already underway in the Capitol building and the committee wants to use that information before expanding. Senate Bill 1175 on a past-performance procurement database was amended to add general fund appropriations and committee-report language about funding needs, then passed. Senate Bill 1587 on retainage was heavily amended to define total project budget, revise retainage language, leave key percentage and day limits blank for further review, limit application to contracts executed after January 1, 2026, and add a defective date; it passed as amended. Senate Bill 1543 on government accountability was amended to incorporate procurement officer changes and add language ensuring inherent government functions are not delegated to contractors, then passed. Senate Bill 1255 on government records was amended to clarify that records used in performing a government function are public records subject to UIPA, add contractor recordkeeping/access requirements, protect certain confidential contract information, and add a defective date; it passed.
Additional measures were either deferred or advanced with amendments. Senate Bill 1513 on appropriations was deferred to a time certain on February 11. Senate Bill 1616 on care centers was converted into a feasibility study and passed with a defective date. Senate Bill 74 on state construction projects was deferred indefinitely due to concerns it could slow projects and duplicate another measure. Senate Bill 125 on state organizations and administrations was amended to codify Administrative Directive 19-02, with a note about a possible title issue, and passed. Senate Bill 786 on government records was deferred to February 11 for further amendment work. Senate Bill 1611 on government positions was amended by removing section two and passed. Senate Bill 1637 was deferred for the year after testimony indicated the action could already be done. Senate Bill 1651 on public meetings was amended to require board packets by the third business day before a meeting, remove the word “full,” and adjust notice language, then passed. Senate Bill 1617 on public meetings was deferred because the Office of Information Practices reported no complaints. Senate Bill 1253 on boards and commissions was deferred indefinitely due to no testimony. Senate Bill 1031 on advisory referendums was deferred to February 11 for possible amendments. Senate Bill 1306 on a procurement automation special fund was amended to align procurement statutes and add the School Facilities Authority executive director as a chief procurement officer, then passed.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- And of course, this art sounds of the Heritage Council program.
- Construction began in 2023 and is 75% complete.
- The construction has already begun using hidden easements.
- Carter will discuss the construction of the dam.
- This construction is on public land because we have a right-of-way.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Agriculture and Water Management Committee Mar 31st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Moving on into the low-carbon fuels program. Thank you.
- Moving on into the low-carbon fuels program.
- The cost share program runs under me.
- Again, as it relates to the cost of construction, constructing said outlets, you can see here the total
- The year Munich-Starkweather ended in basketball, we only had 12 high school boys in the two schools
Summary:
The committee opened its third interim meeting with roll call, approved the November 13, 2025 minutes, and the chair reviewed prior committee work, including a denied request for a fertilizer-capacity study and a planned later discussion of the Union Pacific/Norfolk Southern merger issue. Commissioner Doug Goring then presented Department of Agriculture updates on uncrewed aerial systems grants to detect noxious weeds, the state’s irrigation potential, the low-carbon fuels program for ethanol plants, the Environmental Impact Mitigation Fund, model zoning ordinances for animal feeding operations, and fertilizer production and supply in North Dakota. Members asked about funding sources, fertilizer storage and availability, natural gas and water needs for future fertilizer plants, and how the model zoning website would help counties and townships apply setback and odor tools.
A substantial portion of the meeting focused on the Department of Water Resources’ economic analysis tool for water conveyance and flood-related projects. Dr. Dwayne Poole explained that the department is proposing changes to better account for end-of-useful-life conditions and updated hydrologic data, while still limiting the model to direct, demonstrable costs and benefits. He said the goal is to make the analysis more realistic and consistent without changing statute, and he provided examples of how project benefits could change as drains age or as rainfall and flood data evolve. Committee members and water-user representatives generally supported continued work on the proposal, while raising concerns about downstream impacts, closed-basin projects, and whether the changes would meaningfully affect project approvals.
The committee then heard from John Paskowski, state engineer, on Devil’s Lake, the West End and East End outlets, and the Tolna Coulee control structure. He reviewed lake history, outlet capacities, sulfate and downstream flow limits, and explained that the control structure is intended to prevent a catastrophic uncontrolled release by slowing erosion and head cutting. Members asked about water quality trends, the length of the downstream flow constraint, and whether the Tolna Coulee area had been studied for possible natural overflow or silt buildup. The discussion emphasized ongoing flooding concerns, mitigation for affected landowners, and the need to balance outlet operations with downstream water quality and infrastructure protection.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Assembly Education Committee and Senate Education Committee Jan 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- If school administrations do choose to implement the program, they will still have autonomy over how
- The first phase of this program would be a recommendation of four school districts to administer it to
- However, at my current high school, Wheatland Union High School, we had programs that supported and addressed
- I would have seen the school understand and implement programs that supported these students.
- I would have seen the school understand and implement programs that supported these students.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Oct 7th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Counter Drug program, as well as our you challenge programs in support of our Florida citizens.
- It's been difficult in the schools and that's where we really like to recruit in the schools about.
- Again, the schools and we're trying to get some legislation to help us get back in some of the schools
- that really don't want us in the schools.
- We have some great programs like the G program that we're helped with. So those programs help us.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 4 on State Administration and General Government May 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you. ...construction lending experience and capability to take on this program.
- This is the model that all of our existing down payment assistance programs follow, because CalHFA cannot
- and housing programs that may... ...common across a number of existing programs and housing programs
- So I believe that... ...through the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program.
- Programs.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Banking and Finance Committee Apr 23rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I also run the Housing Rights Legal Clinic at the University of San Diego Law School.
- That $4 billion does not go toward building homes, repairing roads, or opening schools.
- Housing construction costs continue to rise.
- We also remain concerned with the use of funds for technical assistance.
- I've tried to put a number of programs under the I-Bank, and, you know, I think important programs both
Summary:
The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee met and first approved the consent calendar, which included AB 2028, AB 2425, and committee bill AB 2795, all sent to the Committee on Appropriations. The committee also noted that AB 2558 and AB 2746 had been pulled from the agenda. The chair reviewed hearing procedures, including acceptance of written testimony and rules against disruptive conduct.
The committee then heard AB 2116, which would require registration and basic conduct standards for certain small-business financing providers, including merchant cash advance companies, and prohibit confessions of judgment and power-of-attorney provisions before default. Supporters argued the bill would close an oversight gap and improve transparency for small businesses; a small business owner testified that a purported 13% loan turned out to have a 235% APR. Opponents said the bill mixed consumer and commercial regulation and could restrict access to capital, though they supported banning confessions of judgment. The bill passed on a roll call vote and was sent to Appropriations.
AB 2243, by Assembly Member Haney, proposed creating a state bank commission to study whether California should establish a state bank or other public financing tools. Supporters said a public banking model could reduce borrowing costs, keep more public money in-state, and better finance housing, infrastructure, and other public priorities; opponents from banking groups raised concerns about taxpayer exposure, deposit guarantees, and the use of public funds and existing lending structures. The bill passed and was sent to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 2350, which would set guardrails on rent-now-pay-later products for rental housing; supporters said these products can lead to high fees, debt, and eviction risk, while industry groups opposed the bill unless amended. AB 2350 passed as amended and was sent to Appropriations. At the end of the meeting, the committee completed roll calls for absent members and adjourned.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- On the highway side, we manage a seven-year construction program with the design, construction oversight
- Last year, the payout in our construction program was over a billion dollars.
- It was only just a few years ago that our construction program was right around a $300 million mark,
- I love the Skip the Trip program.
- high school, their high school, basically, in Caldwell.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- **Greg Owens.** The recommendations include $165.2 million in transfers from the foundation school program
- some of the high schools have some first-rate career programs.
- Colleges in our high school programs now?
- **Collin Brock.** Item 7 identifies the funding changes tied to the decreasing capital construction assistance
- Resident Training Program, the State Physician Education Loan Repayment Assistant Program, and the Family
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate - Conservation Feb 12th, 2026 at 09:03 am
Senate Conservation
Transcript Highlights:
- They are employers, sponsors of school programs, supporters of community events, and one of the few sources
- They are employers, sponsors of school programs, supporters of community events, and one of the few sources
- We also actively support local schools, ...million in annual payroll.
- I am the president of the Rural Communities Assistance Partnership.
- Okay, so for construction, what was the amount? And I'm sorry?
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Senate in Special Session C Feb 13th, 2025
Florida Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill appropriates $250 million for the grant program.
- This bill also replaces the existing unauthorized alien transport program with a new program where transport
- So that is why the bill is constructed this way.
- They need construction workers.
- to assist state and local law enforcement agencies.
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the pledge, and a moment of silence honoring former Senator and Judge Thomas Gallen. The chamber then moved to special order items focused on immigration and related enforcement measures. Senate Memorial 6C, urging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to provide guidance and training for 287(g) agreements, passed by voice vote.
The Senate then took up Senate Bill 4C, an immigration measure that would impose a mandatory death penalty for unauthorized aliens convicted of capital felonies and create state crimes for illegal entry and re-entry. Senators Pizzo, Polsky, and Sharief raised concerns about constitutional issues, plea bargaining, trial and penalty-phase procedures, prosecutorial discretion, and the effect on victims’ families. Supporters, including Senators Fine and Gruters, argued the bill was a strong deterrent and a response to serious crimes committed by undocumented immigrants. The bill passed 25-11.
The chamber next debated Senate Bill 2C, a broader immigration enforcement package. The bill would create a State Board of Immigration Enforcement, expand local-federal cooperation, fund detention and enforcement efforts, strengthen pretrial detention rules for unauthorized aliens, and end in-state tuition waivers for undocumented students. Senators Davis and Pizzo questioned enforcement mechanics, jurisdiction, bond procedures, and whether local agencies were actually mandated to participate; supporters said the bill was designed to maximize cooperation with federal authorities and the Trump administration. A late-filed amendment by Senator Pizzo to preserve tuition waivers for current students failed 14-22, and a second amendment was withdrawn after discussion. Debate then continued on the bill, with opponents arguing it was costly, federal in nature, and harmful to Dreamers and other students, while supporters said it was necessary to crack down on illegal immigration and align state policy with federal enforcement priorities.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Feb 3rd, 2025
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- And we've expanded our case manager program.
- This program apparently is a self-funded program. They make enough money to fund themselves.
- Anyone who's participating in that program...
- RISE is a program under Courts and Corrections.
- Is it under you, the RISE program? Mr.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Budget Section Commerce and Legal Service Division Mar 18th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Program, or LIHEAP.
- programs.
- I had mentioned a little bit ago the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which is commonly referred
- That's a program that assists low-income families.
- Department of Energy's low-income weatherization assistance program works to increase the energy efficiency
Summary:
The Budget Section’s Commerce and Legal Services division met to review the Department of Commerce base budget and current program activities for the 2027-29 biennium. Legislative Council staff first walked through a new “blue sheet” summary explaining what is included in Commerce’s base budget, with emphasis on salaries, operating costs, and especially grant authority funded largely by federal dollars. Members asked about how grant funding is coordinated across agencies, and staff noted that some programs, such as LIHEAP and UAS-related work, involve interagency collaboration and federal budget authority that may not match exact cash received.
Commerce Commissioner Chris Schilke then presented on grant administration, the department’s transparency page, and several grant programs, including Destination Development and Automate ND. Members questioned how many entities apply for grants, what criteria are used, whether return on investment is tracked, and how long grant awards take to reach recipients. A lengthy exchange followed over whether Commerce must follow state procurement law or instead administer grants using its own “best practices” process; the commissioner said the department’s approach was based on legal guidance and competitive grantmaking, while some legislators argued the process should more closely reflect legislative intent.
The department also highlighted the North Dakota Development Fund, child care loans, and workforce initiatives. Commerce described Development Fund investments, including examples of successful projects and a child care loan program that has supported 43 active businesses serving 3,754 children. Staff also outlined a new non-primary-sector lending framework and said a workforce and housing sub-cabinet are working on more coordinated statewide strategies. Workforce Director Katie Ralston Howell presented a broad workforce-system assessment, a new shared vision, and task forces focused on simplifying entry, improving warm handoffs, and building a public dashboard of shared metrics; members discussed higher education alignment, career pathways, and the need for better handoffs from schools to employers. No formal votes were taken, and the meeting ended with plans to continue these budget discussions in June, including the Attorney General budget.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee Mar 11th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The LIHTC program, Joe Cerna farmworker housing grant, and CalHome program are the leading resources
- It is critical to adequately fund the CalHome and CERNA programs to keep these programs vibrant.
- And the difference between CalHome and other down payment assistance programs is important to understand
- programs such as...
- And the difference between CalHome and other down payment assistance programs is important to understand
Summary:
The committee held an outcomes review hearing on AB 457 and related farmworker and rural housing policy, with members and witnesses discussing whether recent streamlining laws are actually increasing production. Chair Haney, Assembly Members Soria and Pellerin, and others described the purpose of AB 457 and its predecessor bills AB 1783 and AB 3035: to make farmworker housing easier to build through ministerial approval and other reforms. Witnesses emphasized that farmworkers face severe overcrowding, high rents, long commutes, and limited access to housing in both rural and coastal agricultural regions.
The first panel focused on practical barriers and local models. Napa County described its county-owned farmworker centers, which provide nightly lodging, meals, and services, funded by lodger fees, a grower assessment, and state support. Testimony stressed that these centers function as navigation hubs rather than permanent housing, and that stable, inflation-adjusted operating funding, language access, transportation, and local set-asides are critical. United Farm Workers urged that local farmworkers be prioritized over H-2A workers and warned against displacing long-term resident workers. Several witnesses said the biggest barriers remain infrastructure, land costs, local opposition, and insufficient subsidy rather than approval streamlining alone.
The second and third panels addressed AB 457’s implementation and broader state funding issues. Santa Clara County said the bill could help on a county-owned Gilroy site, but financing remains the main obstacle. Self-Help Enterprises said AB 457’s expanded geography and project-size rules may help future sites, but rural projects still struggle with water, sewer, and environmental review costs, and with the state’s Super NOFA process, which tends to favor deeper-income projects that do not match farmworker household incomes. HCD reported that CERNA and other programs have increased farmworker housing production in recent years, but witnesses argued that rural regions still receive too little funding, that infrastructure dollars are too fragmented, and that more rural-specific set-asides, local funding incentives, and predictable allocations are needed. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Assembly Education Committee and Senate Education Committee Jan 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- If school administrations do choose to implement the program, they will still have autonomy over how
- The first phase of this program would be a recommendation of four school districts to administer it to
- However, at my current high school, Wheatland Union High School, we had programs that supported and addressed
- I would have seen the school understand and implement programs that supported these students.
- I would have seen the school understand and implement programs that supported these students.
Summary:
The joint Senate and Assembly Education Committee hearing featured opening remarks from legislators welcoming students from the California Association of Student Councils and SABLE, with members emphasizing student voice and noting that several past student proposals had become law. The hearing then moved through multiple student panels presenting policy ideas, with members responding in a mix of support, technical questions, and cautions about cost, implementation, and tradeoffs in instructional time.
The first panel proposed an annual civic engagement day for grades 7-12 to increase civic literacy and participation through flexible school-based activities. Members asked about costs, flexibility for sixth grade, voter registration, and how the proposal would fit within existing curriculum and standards. The second panel proposed amending Education Code Section 35012 to require at least one student board member in every unified and high school district, with added motioning rights and training on budgeting and LCAPs; members raised concerns about mandate costs, board size, and the scope of motioning authority. The third panel proposed middle school financial literacy instruction, potentially embedded in existing classes like math, with a 10-year phase-in for teacher training and curriculum updates; members questioned whether the state should wait for the already-approved high school financial literacy course to be implemented first.
The fourth panel proposed expanding restorative justice by creating a CDE task force and authorizing PPS-certified staff to use restorative justice materials in discipline processes; members discussed prior legislation, confidentiality in expulsion hearings, and the likely cost of a state task force. The fifth panel proposed short, twice-a-semester mental health and life-skills sessions for grades 7-12, but members expressed skepticism that brief classroom sessions could meaningfully address mental health needs and suggested wellness centers or student-led awareness efforts instead. The hearing then began panel six on AI implementation in classrooms, with students arguing that districts need clearer guidance on AI use and that education must adapt rather than ignore the technology.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 15th, 2026 at 01:32 pm
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- NMSEA is comprised of 88 public school districts, 102 charter schools, 10 higher educational entities
- Director Sandoval, APS is the only school district that is not a part of the program, Madam Chair, Representative
- Support is funded entirely by transfers within the agency, so from different programs to program support
- And so moving on to the next program.
- So that transfer out of the Risk Management Program into Program support is significantly lower in the