Video & Transcript : 'teaching standards' :
Page 248 of 500
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- more schools, especially in our rural areas and our underserved areas, that will be able to treat and teach
- And very, very importantly, in order to teach a student with autism, to assist in the therapy of a student
- more schools, especially in our rural areas and our underserved areas, that will be able to treat and teach
- And very, very importantly, in order to teach a student with autism, to assist in the a student with
- or a daycare setting for our children who have autism, so that they know how to best handle, best teach
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the pledge, doctor-of-the-day recognition, and a series of introductions honoring visitors and groups in the galleries, including Moffitt Cancer Center, students from Lakeland Christian School, space industry guests, Kappa Alpha Psi, the Florida Association of Licensed Investigators, and others. Senators also made announcements about local delegations visiting the Capitol and a session wellness competition.
The chamber then took up CS/CS/SB 112, relating to children with developmental disabilities. Senator Harrell presented the bill as a major autism-focused measure that would expand screening and referral grants, extend Early Steps services through age four with a federal waiver, designate the University of Florida Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment as a statewide hub for research and coordination, create grants for autism-focused summer programs and charter school models, and establish a microcredential for workers who serve children with autism. Senators Davis, Jones, Osgood, Duma, Wright, and others supported the bill while raising concerns about provider shortages, Medicaid managed care coverage, the need for better recruitment incentives, and the importance of research into causes and treatments. Harrell responded that services would be covered under new contracts, Medicaid would provide coverage, the University of Florida would develop the online credential with a stipend incentive, and the bill was a first step in a broader effort that should also address adults on the spectrum.
The Senate passed CS/CS/SB 112 unanimously, 38-0, and then adopted a motion to immediately certify the bill to the House. The chamber also adopted Senate Resolution 1856 by publication, honoring the life and legacy of Senator Geraldine Thompson, with 38 co-introducers recorded. In addition, SB 1324 by Senator Simon was withdrawn from further consideration, and the Senate adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 3/17/26
Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Transcript Highlights:
- environment where everyone can follow the proceedings today, we ask all attendees to maintain a high standard
- That's why it is important to teach kids how to read and count from early ages because these are the
- /c><01:04:15.039><c> not</c> This becomes a nightmare for teachers everywhere as the children they teach
- Unclear standards make it difficult to determine whether this law applies.
- But there has been some really great work done around digital curriculum that's been looking at teaching
Keywords:
foreclosure, mortgage, redemption period, homestead, Minnesota Statutes, automated license plate reader, ALPR, license plate recognition, vehicle surveillance, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, BCA, data privacy, government data practices, law enforcement data, surveillance technology, location data, vehicle tracking, warrant requirement, probable cause, exigent circumstances
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee Jun 8th, 2026
Business, Professions and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- There is no standardized training required for APCs, and there is no standardized training required for
- , moved to support on this bill, acknowledged in a white paper that the current standard for what is
- We also saw a substantial gray area and felt that we needed to develop more clear, objective standards
- That is not a standard. That is a moving target.
- Under current law, cannabis edibles must be delineated into standard serving sizes so that consumers
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Commerce Mar 17th, 2026
Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- There's some standards of purity that are well known, 99.95% pure or whatever.
- I mean, there are industry standard type protections, but are you protected?”
- , I mean, who sets that standard?
- “Is who, I mean, who sets that standard?
- Do we want to set a standard? Well, I'm just curious as to that.
Summary:
The House Committee on Commerce met on March 17, 2026, adopted its rules again because they had not been properly posted, and voluntarily deferred several bills before taking up the day’s agenda. The committee then moved through a series of commerce and financial services measures, with members repeatedly noting the bills had been worked on jointly by authors and stakeholders. HB 489, on transfer-on-death securities, was amended to make the transfer requirements mandatory and to remove a liability limitation for registering entities, then reported favorable. HB 545, which narrowed a consumer-loan bill to origination fees only, was amended and reported favorable. HB 555, expanding protections for eligible adults from financial exploitation, was amended with technical changes and an amendment from Rep. Boyd, then reported favorable after testimony from bankers and advocates describing scams targeting seniors and the need for delayed transactions, trusted contacts, and training. HB 797, creating the Bayou Gold Program, was amended to clarify electronic payment platforms and reported favorable after questions about state involvement, insurance, and consumer protections. HB 952, modernizing the consumer loan framework, was amended to a three-tier rate structure and to add ability-to-repay and disaster-relief provisions, then reported favorable.
The committee also considered two economic development bills from Rep. Owen. HB 672 would encourage brick manufacturing in Louisiana; after an amendment changed LED’s role from directing a priority industry to allowing support through existing programs and guidance, the bill was reported favorable. Testimony emphasized Louisiana’s clay deposits, limited in-state brick production, and potential benefits for housing costs and jobs. HB 670, on wood pellet manufacturing, received a similar amendment limiting LED to support and guidance rather than mandates, and was also reported favorable. A consultant testified that a proposed North Louisiana pellet facility could generate significant payroll, local spending, and revenue from timber that is currently underused, while LED described the sector as part of the state’s agribusiness and energy strategy and discussed global demand, carbon footprint requirements, and the role of CCUS in attracting large projects. The discussion on HB 670 continued at the end of the transcript, with members probing how the industry works and how Louisiana could benefit from it.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- It's also standard practice nationwide for wrongful convictions, and it's long overdue.
- Scripture teaches us in Micah 6:8 that we are required to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly.
- It will require robust enterprise architecture standards as well. That is key.
- Doing some IT work myself, I know that establishing those state standards that all our agencies must
- There is a ton of standards and caps attorney's fees at 25% of recovered funds.
Keywords:
firefighter disability, law enforcement disability, correctional officer disability, correctional probation officer, presumptive disability, workers' compensation, line of duty presumption, heart disease presumption, hypertension presumption, tuberculosis presumption, public safety employees, first responders, physical examination, preemployment exam, medical specialist, Medicare reimbursement, employing agency, Florida Statutes 112.18, Florida Statutes 943.13, occupational disease
Summary:
The committee heard and advanced several bills, beginning with SB 694 on compensation for the descendants of the Groveland Four. Senator Bracey Davis described the wrongful accusations, convictions, deaths, and long-term harm to the families, and an amendment added a $4 million appropriation and updated the recipient for Ernest Thomas’s family. Multiple family members, advocates, clergy, and supporters testified in favor, emphasizing the decades-long delay in justice and the need for accountability and repair. Senators from both parties spoke in support, and the committee reported the bill favorably after a roll call vote.
The committee then approved SB 330 on disability provisions for firefighters, law enforcement, and correctional officers; SB 474 on military affairs leave and related benefits; and SB 96 on the Veterans Dental Care Grant Program. SB 96 drew the most discussion, with Senator Sharief explaining that the bill raises eligibility to 400% of the federal poverty level and moves $500,000 in recurring funding to the General Appropriations Act. Senator Wright and Senator Harrell raised concerns about whether expanding eligibility could worsen the existing waitlist, while supporters argued the change would help more veterans access needed dental care. The bill was ultimately reported favorably.
The committee also passed SB 7018 on child welfare, making the Step Into Success pilot program permanent and statewide, adjusting visitor/background-check rules for foster homes, and creating a best-practices program through the Florida Institute for Child Welfare. SB 480 on information technology was reported favorably after amendments creating a central IT governance structure under the Governor’s office, adding vendor performance metrics and a preferred vendor list, and restoring criminal justice information security provisions. SB 1066 on the Ocklawaha River and Rodman Dam also advanced after extensive testimony from supporters and historians about partial restoration, recreation, and economic benefits; the sponsor said he would continue working through permitting questions before floor consideration.
Later, the committee approved SB 1216 on educator compensation, which gives districts more flexibility on cost-of-living adjustments, advanced degrees, and performance pay caps, and SB 1120 on water management district oversight and reporting. The committee also reported favorably SB 1366 on sovereign immunity and claims against government, which would raise damages caps, index them to CPI, shorten claim deadlines, and cap attorney fees at 25%. That bill drew testimony from hospitals, cities, counties, school districts, and others, with some supporting the Senate’s compromise approach and others raising concerns about impacts on self-insured law enforcement agencies and attorney incentives. The meeting concluded with the favorable report on the bill after debate continued over those issues.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
UMN Regent Candidate Forum - 02/04/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Adam, you know, if you look at the University's mission, there are three parts to it: teaching, research
- research and public parts to it teaching research and public service<00:04:52.080><c> and</c><00:04:
- </c> University you know to research teach University you know to research teach and<00:15:57.720><c>
- I teach my own classes as a grad instructor, and I TA graduate and undergrad students.
- I teach my own classes as a grad instructor, and I TA graduate and undergrad students.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Public Works and Highways (03/18/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Let's move on to Police Standards and Training Council.
- Let's move on to Police Standards and Training Council.
- Let's move on to Police Standards and Training Council.
- Let's move on to Police Standards and Training Council.
- standards standards um<04:21:01.560><c> Academy</c><04:21:02.560><c> but</c><04:21:02.720><c> they've
Summary:
The committee held a public hearing and work session on House Bill 25/25A, the capital improvements budget. Representative David Mills introduced HB 25A, which makes appropriations for capital improvements for the biennium and extends certain lapses from prior appropriations, noting it is based on Governor Ayotte’s budget. The hearing then focused on requests to add or restore funding for several projects, including community college capital needs, Veterans Home ADA and safety upgrades, career and technical education renovations in Milford, and airport infrastructure funding.
Shannon Reed of the Community College System of New Hampshire asked for an additional $2.6 million for IT infrastructure, critical maintenance, and energy management systems, citing failing boilers, roof work, cybersecurity needs, and a recent costly water damage incident at Lakes Region Community College. John Graham, representing the New Hampshire Veterans Home, requested $1.5 million for ADA compliance and safety improvements such as floor replacement and wider doors, saying the work would help the home before an upcoming VA inspection and protect federal funding. Lance Whitehead testified for Milford CTE, asking the committee to keep $9.9 million in the budget for a scaled-down renovation; members discussed the town’s failed vote, the need for local matching funds, and the possibility of another vote next year. Tim Thompson of Concord and Margaret Burns of NHMA urged restoration of airport matching funds, arguing that about $3.6 million in state money would leverage roughly $62 million to $65 million in federal FAA funds for safety and infrastructure projects. Trisha Lambert and Andrew Pomroy of the Bureau of Aeronautics and airport management association explained the airport program, the 12 federally funded airports, and how projects are selected through airport master plans and a capital improvement program.
After public testimony, the committee closed the hearing on HB 25A. In the work session that followed, staff distributed supporting documents, including cost breakdowns and comparison sheets. The chair indicated the committee would work from the governor’s $143 million capital budget as a baseline and proposed reducing it by about $10 million, largely by removing the Milford CTE item because both towns had voted it down and would not have another vote for a year. The chair said the goal was to bring the overall budget to about $133 million and then repurpose the remaining funds through straw polls and further committee action.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs (01/16/2025)
Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Federally, like Mississippi, I think their match rate on standard Medicaid is 82%.
- If they are in the standard population, they will give only 50% back.
- </c> this time around I really want to teach this time around I really want to teach division<01:21:31.159
- </c> the department to provide standardized the department to provide standardized methods<01:35:08.719
- </c><01:35:24.840><c> and</c> desired outcomes and the standards and desired outcomes and the standards
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
Senate in Session Mar 13th, 2026 at 10:19 am
West Virginia Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- What lesson am I teaching my son or my daughter who played softball?
- And so what's that teach a kid?
- And so what's that teach a kid?
- And that's what it teaches.
- values, teach what it means to play on a team, to have teamwork, to teach about putting somebody else
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- It's also standard practice nationwide for wrongful convictions, and it's long overdue.
- Scripture teaches us in Micah 6:8 that we are required to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly.
- It will require robust enterprise architecture standards as well. That is key.
- Doing some IT work myself, I know that establishing those state standards that all our agencies must
- Standards and caps attorney's fees at 25% of recovered funds.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- acted upon, then they file a complaint to CMS or the National Department of Labor to go through the standard
- A standardized orientation and mentor program would address these gaps by ensuring novice school nurses
- It will bring together key stakeholders to develop standardized, evidence-based orientation programs
- Across our state, there is no standardized school nursing orientation program.
- Across our state, there is no standardized school nursing orientation program.
Bills:
SB57, SB405, HB62, HB193, HB203, HB222, HB246, HB420, HB475, HB486, HB574, HB584, HB815, HB949, HB1092, HB1214
Keywords:
SB 57, Act 735, Act 463, nutrition, public health, food additives, artificial colors, banned chemicals, ingredient labeling, food labeling, FDA, food and beverage regulation, consumer disclosure, school nutrition, Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 40, Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 17, food manufacturers, food retailers, compliance, effective date delay
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- Within every 12 months is the standard? Correct.
- for mental health courts, similar to the standards already used in treatment courts.
- Those standards define staffing, program expectations, and best practices.
- There was an NDI to formalize that work and put standards and best practices in place.
- We have different standards for that. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Feb 23rd, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- For those of you who might not know what Montessori is, it's a method for teaching that's been around
- The Montessori teaching profession, like the traditional teaching profession, faces shortages and credentialing
- That's the basis of the teaching message.
- And when he was 20, he accepted a teaching assignment in the Philippines, which had just recently been
- Filipinos whatever we and the United States wanted to teach them.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the corrected journals, and then took up gubernatorial appointments. The chamber confirmed four reappointments to the Seismic Safety Commission: Deborah Garns, David Rabbit, Cindy Silva, and Vincent Wells. Each appointment was presented by Senator Grove, supported by colleagues, and approved by roll call votes; the first three were confirmed 37-0 after calls were lifted, and Wells was also confirmed 37-0.
The Senate then adopted Senate Resolution 69, designating February as Montessori Month. Senator Niello described Montessori education’s history, California ties, and current teacher shortage and credentialing issues, while several members spoke in support. The resolution passed unanimously, 37-0, and the gallery included Montessori educators and students from the California Montessori Project.
The major floor action was Senate Concurrent Resolution 122 honoring Black History Month and the centennial of Black history observances. Senator Weber Pearson and many colleagues from both parties spoke about Black history as American history, the legacy of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, and the need to protect truthful education and civil rights. After extensive remarks and a presentation of Black History Month “Unsung Hero” honorees in the gallery, the resolution was adopted unanimously, 37-0.
The Senate also adjourned in memory of San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Sergeant Grant Ward and Reverend Jesse Lewis Jackson. Multiple senators offered tributes to Ward’s service, leadership, and family, and to Jackson’s civil rights legacy, coalition-building, and influence on voting rights, economic justice, and public service. The body announced its next session for Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 9 a.m., and then adjourned.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Feb 23rd, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- For those of you who might not know what Montessori is, it's a method for teaching that's been around
- The Montessori teaching profession, like the traditional teaching profession, faces shortages and credentialing
- That's the basis of the teaching message.
- And when he was 20, he accepted a teaching assignment in the Philippines, which had just recently been
- Filipinos whatever we and the United States wanted to teach them.
Summary:
The Senate opened with a quorum, prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of corrected journals, and a brief recognition of guests. The body then considered four gubernatorial appointments to the Seismic Safety Commission: Deborah Garns, David Rabbit, Cindy Silva, and Vincent Wells. Senators spoke in support of the appointees, especially highlighting Garns’ leadership during the Rio Dell earthquake response and the commission experience of the others. All four confirmations were approved unanimously, with 37 ayes and 0 noes each.
The Senate next adopted SR 69 designating February as Montessori Month. Senator Niello described Montessori education’s history, California ties, and current teacher shortages, while a group of Montessori educators and students from the California Montessori Project was recognized in the gallery. The Senate then took up SCR 122 honoring Black History Month and the 100th anniversary of Negro History Week. Senator Weber Pearson and many others from both parties spoke about Black history as American history, the legacy of Carter G. Woodson, ongoing civil rights and education issues, and the importance of recognizing Black contributions in public life, culture, and policy. The resolution was adopted unanimously, 37-0.
The remainder of the session focused on Black History Month observances, including the California Legislative Black Caucus’s “Unsung Heroes” honorees, who were introduced and recognized for community service, arts, public safety, health care, and youth support. The Senate also heard several adjournment-in-memory tributes for San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Sergeant Grant Ward, who died after a battle with cancer, and for civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson, with members recalling his advocacy, charisma, and personal impact. The Senate adjourned after announcing its next meeting for February 26, 2026.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Feb 23rd, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- For those of you who might not know what Montessori is, it's a method for teaching that's been around
- The Montessori teaching profession, like the traditional teaching profession, faces shortages and credentialing
- That's the basis of the teaching message.
- And when he was 20, he accepted a teaching assignment in the Philippines, which had just recently been
- Filipinos whatever we and the United States wanted to teach them.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- She was one of the first women to teach at the University level in Afghanistan, and she was in fact at
- Teaching something so complex and emotional requires intentional, informed preparations.
- As one veteran teacher on my team who's been teaching for 53 years, Debbie says, while the history of
- They return to their students ready to teach true. with courage and compassion.
- Many educators want to teach this content, but they do not. feel adequately prepared.
Bills:
SB2972, SB1909, SB2815, SB735, SB2233, SB800, SB1069, SB2683, SB2986, SB2058, SB2310, SB2055, SB1032
Keywords:
expressive activities, freedom of speech, public forum, higher education, protests, student rights, antisemitism, public institutions, disciplinary policy, student organizations, compliance, institutional policy, disciplinary sanctions, diploma designation, institution merger, academic records, student options, Holocaust education, Holocaust Remembrance Week, genocide education
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
House Chamber - Wed Mar 19, 2025, 12:00PM HST - Day 35
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- supported student growth and achievement for 9 years while also coaching sports and serving to help teach
- He began his career teaching elementary and middle school math for 11 years before transitioning into
- c> education</c><00:27:07.200><c> classes</c><00:27:08.159><c> in</c><00:27:08.320><c> 2019</c> to teach
- adult education classes in 2019 to teach adult education classes in 2019 he<00:27:09.279><c> became<
- elementary and middle school teaching elementary and middle school math<00:28:43.559><c> for</c><00:
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 968, Education School Bus Fire Safety Standards, favorable.
- Yeah, that’s the standard practice. They always rely on the postmark.
- </c> Yeah, that's and that's the standard Yeah, that's and that's the standard practice<00:59:49.520>
- Um, what the bill does is it creates two separate standards.
- Have one standard for elections. do it. Have one standard for elections.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- If a professor has been around for 35 years and he still wants to teach but not full time, this bill
- Or a teacher that drives in from Arkansas to Monroe or something like that to teach as a contractor.
- So in this particular case, you're going to have people who are currently teaching who would elect to
- continue to teach for the entire year.
- Speaks to the fact that it has to have a valid teaching certificate and other professional credentials
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Retirement met on May 5 with four members present. HB 41 was deferred until the following week, and the committee approved the April 20, 2026 minutes. The committee then took up several retirement-system bills, many of them negotiated measures involving municipal police, firefighters, teachers, district attorneys, and judges.
HB 45, by Rep. Bacallat, was amended and reported favorably. It makes changes to the Municipal Police Employees Retirement System, including retention bonuses, recognition of out-of-state police service, benefits for three officers killed in the line of duty before full enrollment, a DROP fix, and more competitive accrual rates. Testimony from the Louisiana Municipal Association, MEPERS, police representatives, and Mayor Helena Marino was strongly supportive, emphasizing that the bill resolves longstanding disputes and litigation. HB 1237, also by Rep. Bacallat, was reported favorably after testimony that it eliminates partial dissolution penalties for municipal police and adjusts related firefighter provisions; witnesses said it was a negotiated fix supported by municipal and fire stakeholders.
HB 42, concerning phased retirement in the Teacher Retirement System, was reported favorably as a permissive framework allowing universities to offer phased retirement options. HB 17, by the District Attorneys’ Retirement System director, was reported favorably to add the Louisiana District Attorneys Association to the definition of employer and require annual reporting on the rehire statute. HB 21, a cleanup bill for the Municipal Employees Retirement System, was also reported favorably. HB 1134, creating a backdrop retirement option for certain judges whose positions are abolished, was amended and reported favorably after LASERS raised questions about early retirement eligibility and the need to bar future judicial candidacy.
HB 24, by Rep. Owen, drew the most discussion. It would allow retired or certified teachers to return to work through contracts with school systems, with a three-year sunset. The sponsor argued it would help keep qualified teachers in classrooms and avoid midyear departures, while TRSL, the Louisiana School Board Association, and committee members raised concerns about fiscal impact, contractor status, workers’ compensation, leave rules, and overlap with a separate bill being worked on by the chairman. After an amendment clarifying the independent-contractor definition was adopted, the committee chose to hold the bill in committee for further work rather than advance it immediately. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- We are a standard regulatory agency that wants to protect consumers, youth, and the environment, but
- Cal/OSHA, the Division of Workers' Compensation, and the Division of Apprenticeship Standards.
- I don't have an issue with, you know, department's labor standard enforcement.
- I can go to labor standards enforcement. I know who they are. I can do that. I can do that.
- And the next time he saw his mother-in-law, he said, Mom, why did you teach your daughter to do that?
Summary:
The Senate Rules Committee approved several non-appearing gubernatorial appointments and routine agenda items by 4-0 votes, including Frank Damrow Jr. to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Appeals Board, Michelle Eddger to the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, and David Galavis to the State Park and Recreation Commission. The committee also approved bill referrals, a rule waiver to allow SB 1447 to be heard after the policy deadline, and floor acknowledgments.
The committee then heard the appointment of Clint Kellam as Director of the Department of Cannabis Control. Members focused heavily on cannabis regulation, especially illicit market activity, consumer education, labeling, and youth protection. Kellam said the department’s goal is to shift consumption from illicit to legal sources, not increase use, and described efforts such as the Real California Cannabis website, the required educational pamphlet for new users, inspections, and package review. Senators raised concerns about attractive-to-children packaging, high-dose beverages, and the need for tighter labeling rules; Kellam said the department is open to legislative changes, is working on an AI tool to help licensees review packaging, and uses recalls, citations, and administrative actions when products violate rules. He also described enforcement efforts against illegal cultivation and retail, including the Unified Cannabis Enforcement Task Force and cooperation with local, state, and federal agencies. The committee voted 4-0 to advance the appointment.
The committee next heard Jennifer Osborne’s appointment as Director of the Department of Industrial Relations. Osborne described her background in state administration and said she aims to remove barriers, improve systems, and support workplace safety, wage enforcement, workers’ compensation, and apprenticeship programs. Senators asked about PAGA enforcement, Cal/OSHA audit findings, backlogs, staffing shortages, and complaint handling. Osborne said DIR’s role in PAGA is limited, but the department is working on Cal/OSHA policy revisions, training, additional investigation staff, centralized intake, IT modernization, and possible use of outside administrative law judges to reduce delays. She also said the department is addressing vacancy and backlog issues through classification changes and new hiring strategies. Public commenters from employer groups and labor organizations spoke in support, and the committee approved the appointment 4-0 for full Senate confirmation.