Transcript Highlights:

• Even with the incredibly high rates of homelessness in the community college system, only 12 out of the
• We know already that there are high rates of housing insecurity and high rates of homelessness, and so
• These are the highest rates of these basic needs challenges experienced by any group.
• As an educational leader, I have witnessed... ...college completion rates in our state.
• But then we have a sort of low take-up rate amongst our graduate students.”

Summary: The committee first adopted its 2025-26 rules on a 7-0 roll call, then approved three consent items—AB 88, AB 240, and AB 313—on a due-pass motion to Appropriations. The hearing then moved to AB 648, which would give community college districts the same zoning authority as the UC and CSU systems to build student and staff housing on property they own or lease. The author and supporters argued the bill would help address severe housing insecurity and homelessness among community college students, while opponents and some members raised concerns about local control, zoning exemptions, and the impact on nearby communities. AB 648 passed the committee on a 5-2 vote and was sent to the Local Government Committee. The committee next heard AB 466, which would require California Community Colleges and CSU campuses to provide organ and tissue donor registry information during student orientation, and request UC campuses to do the same. Supporters shared personal stories about transplants and donation, saying college orientation is a good opportunity to increase registrations. Some members worried about information overload during orientation and suggested campuses have flexibility in how they present the material, but the bill advanced on a unanimous 7-0 vote to Appropriations. AB 326 followed, proposing campus-by-campus external audits of the CSU every three years and public release of the audits. The author, faculty supporters, and a student argued that systemwide audits do not provide enough transparency about how money is spent at individual campuses, citing examples of financial mismanagement and fee increases. CSU opposed the bill, saying it already conducts annual consolidated external audits and that campus-level audits would add cost without added benefit. After extensive discussion about transparency, audit scope, and implementation, the bill passed 6-1 to Appropriations. The committee then took up AB 335, which would create a California Black-Serving Institution Grant Program to support Black student success and broader underserved student services; supporters emphasized persistent equity gaps and low completion rates, while an opponent argued the bill needed to be carefully amended to comply with Proposition 209 and equal protection requirements. The transcript ends during that item’s discussion, before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have growth rates over 6% now. Phil, don't we already do that now?
• They have growth rates<00:04:05.439> over<00:04:05.680> 6%<00:04:06.239> now.
• <00:04:06.720> Phil,<00:04:07.280> don't<00:04:07.439> we rates over 6% now.
• Phil, don't we rates over 6% now.
• Hawaii has no existing rates.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees on Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Economic Development and Tourism heard three measures. HB 450, which would transfer the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, drew support from DBEDT, the State Foundation, the Hawaii Arts Alliance, DAGs, and individuals. Members asked about the bill’s purpose and the relationship between arts administration and international/cultural considerations. The committees voted to pass HB 450 with amendments, including a housekeeping change allowing specific legislative direction in narrow cases; the measure was adopted with unanimous or near-unanimous votes. HB 437, relating to out-of-state offices, received testimony in support from DBEDT and representatives of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce and another individual. The discussion focused on whether an overseas office in the Philippines was the best use of funds, given existing offices and trade relationships in places like Beijing and Taiwan. Members questioned the return on investment, fiscal priorities, and whether DBEDT had a broader strategic plan for selecting markets. The committees ultimately passed HB 437 with a Senate Draft 1 and technical amendments, with some members voting with reservations. HB 1391, relating to trade and creating a Hawaii-Ireland trade commission, also advanced after a lengthy discussion. DBEDT said it offered comments rather than a firm recommendation and explained that the bill appeared intended to build economic ties with Europe through Ireland, but members questioned why a commission was needed, how it would be structured, and whether similar efforts should focus on other countries. DBEDT said it would provide reports on sister-state relationships and office performance, and noted that trade initiatives would likely require private-sector participation. The committees passed HB 1391 with amendments and reservations from some members.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:21:49.640> for<00:21:49.919> consistency reimbursement of rates for consistency
• reimbursement of rates for consistency with<00:21:50.880> new<00:21:51.159> federal<00
• :21:51.880> 1915c<00:21:52.880> waiver<00:21:53.360> rates With new federal 1915
• It depends on the rates that they pay per for the bond, correct? Right.
• It depends on the rates that they pay per for the bond, correct? Right.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the minutes, and then reviewed a long agenda of administrative regulations, most of which were advanced with staff-suggested amendments and no objection. Early items included the Kentucky Public Pension Authority’s 105 KAR 1:451, which updates reporting language and adds the contractor wizard for certain employers, and a large package of Board of Veterinary Examiners regulations that revise fees, facility and AHP registration requirements, continuing education, liability, and practice rules. The Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology’s compact-related regulation and the Board of Licensed Professional Counselors’ complaint and compact rules were also reviewed and approved with amendments, along with fish and wildlife rules affecting elk hunting, youth deer season length, bear-dog approvals, and foxhound enclosure permits. The committee also approved transportation, education, workplace standards, horse racing, and several health and human services regulations, including Medicaid waiver reimbursement updates and a child care regulation that sends certain large claims to the Office of Inspector General for review. Several agencies briefly explained their regulations when members asked questions. Fish and Wildlife said the elk population is strong and the baiting change is intended to support harvest monitoring and fair chase, while the longer youth deer season was meant to give young hunters more opportunity. The Department of Community-Based Services said the $10,000 and $5,000 claim thresholds were meant to clarify rare cases involving possible fraud or unresolved recoupment issues. The Department of Financial Institutions’ 808 KAR 5:305 drew the most discussion: it would allow certain state-chartered credit unions with a low-income designation to participate in federal programs, including limited non-member deposits and supplemental capital, but the regulation was deferred again amid continued discussions. The Kentucky Bankers Association testified against the credit union regulation, arguing that allowing non-member deposits conflicts with existing statute limiting credit union deposits to members and other credit unions, and that an administrative regulation cannot override that statutory restriction. Committee members heard the agency’s explanation that the proposal is intended to help underserved communities and that the non-member deposit authority would be limited, but no final action was taken because the item was deferred. The meeting otherwise concluded with the remaining regulations being called, discussed briefly, and approved or advanced without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:48:19.359> and<00:48:20.640> it's multiply them by the rate and it's multiply them
• Newcastle has a local education tax rate Newcastle has a local education tax rate of<02:28:00.960
• Most of them were designed at that time to address the high dropout rate.
• <04:39:30.080> So, to address the high dropout rate.
• So, to address the high dropout rate.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Look at the graduation rate. Look at what they're graduating in. Look at the time to the right.
• I get it on the graduation rate. I get that. ...has that information now we can look at.
• I get it on the graduation rate. I get that. But the tuitions don't match.
• the rate.
• That's why our fill rates are increasing when other districts are having to close schools.

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met to hear several education-related measures. It reported favorably, without objection, on House Bill 1215, which would transfer certain removed historical statues and monuments to the Office of State Parks, prohibit re-erection in the parish where they were removed, and require interpretive signage. The committee also advanced House Bill 682, which creates a school guardian program for honorably discharged veterans employed or contracted by local school systems or charter schools; testimony emphasized that guardians would be unarmed, trained, and used for mentoring and school safety. House Bill 1079, giving enrollment preferences in charter schools to children in early childhood programs, military families, foster children, and children in custody disputes, was also reported favorably, as was House Concurrent Resolution 81, directing the Department of Education to study options for districts facing declining enrollment. The committee then took up House Bill 1084, which would allow public postsecondary institutions to raise tuition and mandatory fees by up to 15 percent annually, with higher increases requiring Board of Supervisors approval. The bill drew extended debate over affordability, TOPS, student retention, and whether universities should have more autonomy to set prices. Members raised concerns about fee burdens on families and whether the state should first study the issue; supporters argued the bill would increase transparency and let institutions respond to funding needs and market conditions. Senator Mazzell offered an amendment lowering the cap from 15 percent to 10 percent, and the committee adopted the amendment before reporting the bill favorably as amended. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 342, which would shift the burden of proof in special education due process hearings from parents to local education agencies. The author and parents testified that the current system places an unfair burden on families of children with disabilities, who often lack access to records and legal resources, and that schools already control the documentation and should have to show compliance with IEP obligations. Jefferson Parish school officials opposed the bill, arguing it would increase legal costs, require more staff and attorney time, and potentially lead to more hearings; they also questioned the fiscal note. The Legislative Fiscal Office said the fiscal impact was indeterminable, and the committee continued hearing testimony from parents and school representatives as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• recommended next steps for legislative decisions, forms development by the Tax Department, and how rates
• <00:05:09.160> in taxing second homes at a higher rate in taxing second homes at a higher
• rate in the<00:05:09.360> future.
• Department, forms development by the Tax Department, and<00:05:19.800> how<00:05:20.040> rates
• can be set in a future and how rates can be set in a future state. state. state.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The caucus of the whole received an update from Representative Kornheiser on House Bill 955, focusing on the Ways and Means amendment and how it aligns with Act 73 and the House Education Committee’s broader education transformation work. She said the amendment was assembled from separate pieces developed earlier in the session and covers three main areas: planned property tax updates, steps needed for the future education finance system and foundation formula, and policy changes to support collaborative education service agencies and district mergers. She emphasized that the bill is aimed at the future state of the system, with many provisions tied to later effective dates and pending reports. Kornheiser described the property tax provisions as further defining the new non-homestead/second-home classification so the Tax Department can continue form development and data collection before rates are set, and she said the bill also advances regional assessment districts and a more regular reappraisal cycle. On education finance, she said the amendment adds school construction and school debt provisions, reserve guidance, pre-K funding study language, special education funding protections, and transportation-related follow-up work so those pieces can fit the foundation formula. She also framed the bill as reducing cost drivers in the system, citing health care savings, reference-based pricing, mental health coordination, special education scale, deferred maintenance, and larger-scale school organization. During questions, members asked about merger support funding, transportation timelines, private equity ownership of school transportation, tuition restrictions for approved independent and public schools, and the timing and finality of the second-home tax definitions. Staff explained that merger support would be reimbursed through AOE for committee expenses and would not count against excess spending thresholds, that transportation and other grant categories will be addressed in future reports and decisions, and that the transportation study does not explicitly name private equity but could encompass staffing and cost issues. They also confirmed that the tuition-related provisions apply to approved independent, in-state public, and out-of-state public schools receiving tuition, but only when the foundation formula takes effect. No votes were taken during the caucus; the update was informational, with the bill noted as having been referred to Appropriations and expected to come up for action later in the week.

Transcript Highlights:

• in the PNAS, excuse me, that is Publication National Academy of Sciences, that statistically faster rates
• don't um found that<00:29:58.320> statistically<00:29:58.880> faster<00:29:59.279> rates
• faster rates of skin repopulation<00:30:00.640> were<00:30:00.880> observed<00:30:01.279
• rate than say bacteria and antibiotics. rate than say bacteria and antibiotics.
• needing services and or benefits from their employer due to limited crematory capacities and rising rates

Bills: HB161, HB146, HB289, HB290, HB31, HB146, HB289, HB290, HB31

Keywords: consumer protection, app store, age verification, parental consent, data protection, minors, HB146, ivermectin, pharmacist, standing order, prescription drug, non-patient-specific order, dispensing, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, licensed health care provider, pharmacy board, medical licensure, disciplinary action, drug access

Transcript Highlights:

• We know that the retention rate is high. It is one of the most effective programs, FSP.
• youth development and workforce development at Safe Passages in Oakland, based on a 100% graduation rate
• , 90% reduction in truancy, and a 0% recidivism rate.
• 27 and ongoing due to a projected increase in Lanterman-Petris-Short patient census and negotiated rate
• And it would be at the rate that the Governor— What was the rate that the Governor said?

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health held an informational hearing on the Governor’s May Revision, focusing first on the Commission on Behavioral Health, then EMSA, and then the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). The Department of Finance said the state faces a third consecutive deficit and that the May Revision includes difficult trade-offs, including proposed eliminations or reversions of some behavioral health and public health funds. The LAO echoed concern about the structural deficit and said it was still awaiting some budget details before offering a full analysis. For the Commission on Behavioral Health, Finance proposed eliminating $20 million in Mental Health Wellness Act funds, arguing the money would help offset General Fund costs and noting future Proposition 1 innovation funding. The commission strongly opposed the cut, saying it would eliminate or delay launch-ready grants for early childhood supports, full-service partnerships, and peer respite, and would eventually end ongoing grant programming. Several advocates and commissioners testified that the funds support underserved communities and that Proposition 1 is not a substitute for the existing programs. The chair asked Finance to look for alternatives, but no vote was taken. EMSA presented mostly technical budget adjustments: increased authority for the California Poison Control System, a correction to EMSIS funding, and a reappropriation for enterprise services and data management. CDPH then reviewed a broader set of May Revision proposals, including reversions from the California Reducing Disparities Project, workforce development, STD prevention, hepatitis C prevention, hospice, and extreme heat funding, as well as a new generative AI pilot for health facility survey reporting. Members raised concerns about cuts to CRDP and gender health equity programs, especially because many grants are mid-contract and serve underserved communities; CDPH said the reversions were part of solving the deficit and that CRDP had been successful, while also clarifying that abortion.ca.gov would not be eliminated. Public comment was overwhelmingly opposed to the CRDP and related cuts, with many speakers describing the programs as life-saving and cost-effective. No formal votes or actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• living communities we work with, and importantly, those communities cannot charge families higher rates
• living communities we work with, and importantly, those communities cannot charge families higher rates
• living communities we work with, and importantly, those communities cannot charge families higher rates
• invested in to compete with the freestanding, they're actually delivering care at a more affordable rate
• I think if you think about how this will lower costs and forces us to negotiate rates with payers, this

Bills: SB227, SB269, SB407, SB463, SB527, SB547, SB1283, SB1380, SB1383, SB1511, SB1640, SB1784, SB2069

Keywords: school funding, education reform, state budget, property taxes, equity in education, healthcare policy, vaccines, exemptions, religious beliefs, public health, workplace violence, healthcare facilities, definition expansion, safety regulations, health and safety code, health insurance, anesthesia, pediatric dental services, coverage, medical necessity

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services met with several members initially absent, then later established a quorum. The committee heard multiple bills, with most testimony focusing on access to care, insurance practices, senior safety, and health care worker protections. Several bills were laid out with committee substitutes, and public testimony was limited to two minutes per witness. Most bills were left pending after testimony, with no final votes taken in the portion provided. Senate Bill 2069 would create a work group to study the feasibility of a statewide acute psychiatric bed registry; the substitute shifts appointment authority to the Health and Human Services Commissioner and extends reporting and sunset dates. Senate Bill 463 would expand workplace violence protections to additional hospice, home and community support, intermediate care, and state-supported living center settings. Senate Bill 1283 would require background checks and transparency measures for senior retirement communities after testimony about the Dallas-area serial killings of elderly residents. Senate Bill 1784 would require 60 days’ written notice before medical debt is sent to collections. Senate Bill 527 would require medical insurance coverage for general anesthesia for medically necessary pediatric dental procedures for children under 13 with qualifying conditions; pediatric dentists testified that denials delay needed care. A major portion of the meeting centered on prior authorization. Senate Bill 1380 would eliminate prior authorization for a broad list of services, including emergency, primary, mental health, substance use, chemotherapy, preventive, pediatric hospice, and certain chronic-condition care. Physicians and hospice advocates supported the bill, describing delays, administrative burden, and patient harm, while health plans opposed blanket exemptions and argued prior authorization helps prevent unnecessary care and control costs. Relatedly, Senate Bill 547 would require insurers to report gold-card prior authorization exemptions to TDI and create a centralized database and annual report; TMA supported better tracking, while health plans warned of duplicative reporting and administrative cost. Senate Bill 407 would require health care facilities to honor conscience- and religion-based vaccine exemptions for employees, with testimony from a physician and vaccine-choice advocate supporting the bill. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1383, which would regulate senior living referral agencies, allow more flexible compensation structures, and add disclosure and consumer protections; an out-of-state referral company and A Place for Mom supported it. Senate Bill 1511 would allow freestanding emergency centers to provide outpatient services in addition to emergency care, with consumer protections such as estimates, limits on facility fees, and restrictions on balance billing. The chair repeatedly announced that bills were being left pending after testimony, and no final committee action or recorded votes were taken in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• million for HCMC and an uncompensated care pool of $30 million for other distressed hospitals and a rating
• <00:02:54.560> a for other distressed hospitals and a for other distressed hospitals and a rating
• increase<00:02:55.480> ongoing<00:02:56.280> for<00:02:56.440> critical rating
• increase ongoing for critical rating increase ongoing for critical access<00:02:57.280> hospitals
• But we also have to think about if we don't have a health care provider tax at the rate that we like

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: A Minnesota Senate leader discussed the end-of-session budget deal and said the Senate had passed a comprehensive budget that addresses several recent crises and federal policy changes. He highlighted funding to respond to gun violence, Metro Surge, and the effects of a federal Republican budget bill, saying the package includes retroactive medical assistance coverage, support to keep SNAP functioning, $10 million for food banks and shelves, rental assistance, and aid for counties and property taxpayers. He also said the Senate secured $205 million for HCMC, a $30 million uncompensated care pool for other distressed hospitals, and a $500 million health care stabilization reserve, along with a one-year license tab fee reduction and a $1.2 billion bonding bill. He said some priorities were left out or rejected in negotiations, including small business relief, low-income rent, energy assistance, rural EMS stabilization, a manufactured home bill of rights, a social media platform data collection tax, and proposals to block private equity from nursing homes and single-family homes. He also said the House Speaker had promised but not brought a gun vote to the floor, and he expressed disappointment that immigration-related action and some gun control measures did not advance further. He defended the rental assistance as available to Minnesotans regardless of documentation status and said it was not tied only to Operation Metro Surge. The leader also addressed concerns about payment withholding and program integrity in human services, saying the goal was to fight fraud without cutting services. He said hospitals seeking access to the stabilization reserve would need to show distress and financial need, and that both the governor and a legislative advisory committee would have to approve. He closed by saying the process had been difficult and too much negotiation had moved into backroom settings, but that the chambers were working toward an orderly conclusion and that he expected the remaining bills to be finalized and sent to the governor.

Transcript Highlights:

• The average inflation rate of 2.52 per year between 2004 and today produced a cumulative price increase
• Other practical examples, I heard mentioned the appeal rate in regards to JP court.
• Bernard Parish, and our appeal system, our appeal rate is extremely low.
• And our appeal system, our appeal rate is extremely low.
• there are things we can change on this bill to... ...can't speak for other parishes, but the appeal rate

Bills: HR2, HR37, HR61, HCR11, HCR64, HB89, HB183, HB341, HB371, HB451, HB480, HB520, HB541, HB579, HB597, HB816, HB1004, HB1064, HB1165, SB44

Keywords: transparency, accountability, Justice Department, FBI, Jeffrey Epstein, victim protection, investigation, public trust, HR37, House Resolution 37, Honduras veterans, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, military medal, veteran recognition, Congress memorialization, U.S. veterans, foreign deployment, 1981 to 1992, military service awards, combat support

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and took up a long agenda of judiciary-related bills and resolutions. It first considered HB 1165, which was substantially rewritten by substitute to create the City Courts of Marksville and Bunkie and expand their jurisdiction parishwide in Avoyelles Parish, including small claims and certain misdemeanor, civil, and juvenile matters. Supporters, including judges, said the change would improve access to justice and better use existing courts; the district attorney opposed it, arguing it would not help the criminal docket and raised constitutional, staffing, and election concerns. After questions about voting districts, appeals, and minority vote dilution, the substitute was reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably HB 1064, creating a domestic violence intervention court pilot program in the 19th JDC, and HB 341, clarifying that law-enforcement officer interrogations under the bill of rights are administrative rather than criminal matters; both drew supportive testimony from court, advocacy, and law-enforcement representatives. The committee then approved HCR 64, as amended, to study behavioral health courts and expand the study to Ouachita, East Baton Rouge, and Orleans parishes, with a report due by January 1, 2027. It also reported favorably HB 579, which strengthens the sexual assault survivor bill of rights and related protections, with testimony emphasizing survivor services and access to funding. HB 1004, which would have raised the jurisdictional limit for justice of the peace courts from $5,000 to $7,500, drew substantial opposition from city court judges and others who warned of unintended consequences, including inconsistent procedures, possible attorney-representation requirements for entities, and more appeals; after debate the bill failed on a roll call vote, 5 yeas to 11 nays. Later, the committee reported favorably HB 451, allowing the Alcohol and Tobacco Control commissioner to send hearing notices electronically and removing the 30-day mailing constraint; HB 541, as a substitute, allowing in-state microdistillers producing under 100 gallons to obtain a permit for a $100 fee; HB 183, prohibiting courthouse cellphone bans in areas where fines, fees, or court costs are paid, though it faced concerns about legislative authority over local courthouses and ultimately failed on a 7-8 vote; SB 44, requiring agency approval for firearms and ammunition carried by tactical medical professionals; HR 37, memorializing Congress to award the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal to veterans who served in Honduras from 1981 to 1992; and HB 89, requiring the Third Judicial District DA’s office to pay health insurance premiums for eligible retired employees from its own funds. Several other items were voluntarily deferred, and the meeting ended after the committee completed its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Approximately 10 to 11 percent of Arkansans over the age of 19 do not have a high school diploma or GED, a rate
• This refers to the uniform rate of tax, or URT, and this is the first 25 mills of millage money that's
• But the matrix calculates a per-student funding rate based on the cost of personnel and other resources
• Additionally, in the 2027 school year upcoming, The health insurance contribution rate noted here, as
• line, will no longer be calculated as part of the overall per-student, per-pupil foundation funding rate

Summary: The House and Senate Education Committee first approved minutes from February 2 and 3, then took up an interim study proposal on adult education and the Excel Center model. Representatives from Goodwill Industries of Arkansas, the Excel Center network, and the University of Notre Dame’s Lab for Economic Opportunities testified that roughly 300,000 Arkansans over age 19 lack a high school diploma or GED, and argued that the Excel Center provides a supported diploma pathway for adults who struggle with GED testing. Witnesses highlighted wraparound services such as free child care, transportation assistance, tutoring, life coaching, and career services, and cited outcomes including high retention, growing enrollment, and research showing higher employment and earnings and lower criminal justice involvement for graduates. Committee members raised questions about the state’s role, existing adult education programs, and how the study would be structured; the motion to adopt the ISP passed, though there was some procedural disagreement about when questions should have been taken. The committee then heard a detailed adequacy funding overview from BLR staff Katie Walden and Adrian Beck on Arkansas K-12 education finance. They reviewed national funding principles and explained Arkansas’s system, including state and local revenue sources, the Public School Fund, the Educational Excellence Trust Fund, the Educational Adequacy Fund, and the Facilities Partnership Program. Staff said K-12 state and local revenues totaled $6.6 billion in 2025, with foundation funding making up the largest share of district and charter funding, followed by additional, categorical, and supplemental funds. They also explained the matrix-based foundation formula, the role of the uniform rate of tax, and how categorical and supplemental funds support areas such as alternative learning, English learners, special education high-cost cases, teacher salary equalization, declining enrollment, and student growth. Members asked several follow-up questions about how specific funding categories are defined and used, including student support staff, instructional aides, special education high-cost occurrences, ALE funding, teacher salary equalization, and the inclusion of Excel Center amounts in state-local funding totals. Staff said some of those details would be addressed in a later presentation and offered to provide additional records, including district lists and historical information. The meeting ended after the funding overview, with no additional votes or actions beyond the ISP adoption and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Approximately 10 to 11 percent of Arkansans over the age of 19 do not have a high school diploma or GED, a rate
• This refers to the uniform rate of tax, or URT.
• But the matrix calculates a per-student funding rate based on the cost of personnel and other resources
• But the matrix calculates a per student funding rate based on the cost of personnel and other resources
• Additionally, in the 2027 school year upcoming, the health insurance contribution rate noted here as

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Approximately 10 to 11 percent of Arkansans over the age of 19 do not have a high school diploma or GED, a rate
• This refers to the uniform rate of tax, or URT, and this is the first 25 mills of millage money that's
• But the matrix calculates a per-student funding rate based on the cost of personnel and other resources
• Additionally, in the upcoming 27 school year, the health insurance contribution rate noted here as the
• line will no longer be calculated as part of the overall per-student, per-pupil foundation funding rate

Summary: The House and Senate Education Committee first approved minutes from February 2 and 3, then heard an interim study proposal on Arkansas adult education and the Excel Center model, presented by Goodwill Industries of Arkansas and the University of Notre Dame’s Lab for Economic Opportunities. Witnesses argued that about 300,000 Arkansas adults lack a high school diploma or GED and described the Excel Center as a diploma-granting public charter option for adults 19 and older, with wraparound supports such as child care, transportation, tutoring, life coaching, and career services. They said the Arkansas campuses are not state-funded, highlighted growth in enrollment and graduation outcomes, and cited research showing improved employment, earnings, and reduced criminal justice involvement for graduates. Committee members discussed the role of Goodwill’s nonprofit mission, the need for multiple adult education pathways, and the relationship between adult education challenges and broader state efforts such as LEARNS and ACCESS. The committee then debated the interim study proposal procedure, including whether questions should have been taken before the vote. The motion to adopt the ISP passed, and members noted that the study would broadly examine adult education, GED testing, high school diplomas, charter schools, in-person adult education, and funding allocation. Several members asked for follow-up information on current adult education funding, the availability of Excel Centers, and the criminal justice study results. After that, staff from the Bureau of Legislative Research gave a detailed adequacy funding overview for Arkansas K-12 education. They reviewed national funding principles and then explained Arkansas’s revenue streams and distribution system, including general revenue, the Educational Excellence Trust Fund, the Educational Adequacy Fund, local property-tax revenues, and facilities partnership funding. They also walked through the state’s foundation formula, categorical aid, supplemental aid, and additional funding, including the per-student matrix amount of $7,771 for 2025 and how funds are allocated to districts and charters. Members asked about student support staff, special education high-cost occurrences, ALE funding, teacher salary equalization, and the Excel Center’s treatment in funding totals; staff said some of those questions would be addressed in a later spending presentation. The meeting ended after the committee was told the department was present mainly to answer questions and no further business remained.

Transcript Highlights:

• You can see that our attrition rate in ’25 was 14.5%—teachers who are just leaving the profession.
• And compared to the national average of 8%, we actually have the highest attrition rate in the nation
• So these folks are leaving at very high rates, and teacher residency graduates are staying longer than
• program are still teaching in their partner districts in years two and three, so much higher retention rate
• They can predict it simply based on their own experiences with a very high rate of consistency.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Construction costs are up, and interest rates are high.
• But how much does it cost the state in our funded vacancies and our retention rates?
• And I look at agency budgets, and I see the funded vacancy rate, which means it is hard to fill state
• If there's capacity in gross receipts tax rates, local governments can increase those.
• If there's capacity in property tax rates, local governments can Increase those.

Bills: SB240

Keywords: capital outlay, capital projects, severance tax bonds, general fund appropriations, supplemental severance tax bonds, UNM School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, infrastructure, state buildings, courts, schools, higher education, road improvements, water and wastewater, tribal infrastructure, tribal projects, public safety, housing, emergency services, bonding

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Yarborough said he did not know the answer about commission rates, but would research it and
• Senator Yarborough said he did not know the answer about the commission rate either, but was happy to
• Senator Polsky then asked whether he would be open to capping the commission rate at the same level as
• Senator Yarborough said he would consider capping the commission rate, but wanted to research and get
• Senator Yarborough said he would consider capping the commission rate, but wanted to research the first

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills. SB 624, by Senator Yarborough, would allow batterers intervention programs to offer optional supplemental faith-based activities, with no participant required to take part; supporters said it would expand provider options amid a shortage of certified programs, while opponents raised concerns about government speech and mixing religion with court-ordered programming. After debate, the bill was reported favorably 7-2. The committee also considered CS/SB 834, which repeals a 2022 restriction preventing licensed insurance agents from marketing or selling health care sharing ministries; supporters framed it as restoring choice and free speech, while opponents warned about consumer confusion, commissions, and lack of insurance protections. It was reported favorably 8-2. The committee next approved CS/SB 502, via a strike-all amendment, to give Florida concurrent jurisdiction over certain juvenile offenses on military installations so juveniles can be handled in state juvenile court rather than federal court; the amendment and bill both passed unanimously. CS/SB 52 also passed unanimously after testimony from church leaders and security personnel supporting an exemption from Class D/G licensing for unpaid armed security volunteers at places of worship. Supporters said the bill would clarify legal gray areas and help churches afford security, while members noted the broader concern that houses of worship need armed protection at all. Finally, the committee reported favorably SB 840, which revises last year’s emergency/local planning law by narrowing its application after storms from 100 miles to 50 miles of the storm track and exempting certain water, flood, and state/federal planning matters; local government representatives supported the clarification, and the bill passed 9-0. CS/SB 758, as amended, updated the membership of the Justice Administration Commission to better reflect the entities it oversees, and it also passed 9-0. The meeting ended with a recorded affirmative vote from Senator DeSigley on SB 624.

Transcript Highlights:

• conversation that we want to start with Joe Key and other members of the PSCOC. just to see if there's a rate
• If I could comment on that though, there has been talk about the high turnover rate and it being blamed
• you all again, as we are dealing with the issues of consolidation of our schools due to low birth rates
• It's like we just put all this money in, and graduation rates are still not good.
• our kids' education on the right track for long-term sustainability, and I expect those graduation rates

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Since then, we've grown the team to about 35 folks, and we've had a really exceptional rate of progress
• you mentioned, like the roads, the wear and tear, and the usage, we can charge a standard overhead rate
• for all of our folks that are operating out there, but it's just an overhead rate.
• common-use infrastructure and the things like, you know, roads and things like that... ...overhead rate
• We can increase our own launch rate, et cetera.

Summary: The Committee of Military, Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security heard a series of informational presentations focused on Florida’s aerospace and space ecosystem. Blue Origin described its Florida operations at Rocket Park, Launch Complex 36, and Port Canaveral, highlighting New Glenn and Blue Moon development, recent launch activity, workforce development efforts, and major capital investment in the state. Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper) outlined its low-Earth-orbit broadband network, customer terminals, satellite and gateway architecture, dark-sky mitigation efforts, and Florida investments including a payload processing facility and launch support infrastructure. Starcatcher Industries presented its concept for an orbital energy grid that would beam power to satellites, discussed demonstrations in Florida, customer interest, and plans for a first satellite launch next year. Space Florida President and CEO Rob Long gave a strategic update on the state’s aerospace industry, citing billions in private investment, growth in aerospace establishments and projects, spaceport infrastructure investments, workforce and university partnerships, and the importance of maintaining Florida’s competitiveness against other states. NASA Kennedy Space Center Director Janet Petro then emphasized Artemis II preparations, rising launch demand, aging infrastructure, and the need for stronger state-federal coordination and investment in research, workforce, and common-use infrastructure. She compared Florida’s support structure with Texas and argued that Florida must act to avoid losing aerospace leadership. Members asked questions about mobile and aviation applications for Amazon Leo, dark-sky impacts, satellite counts, Starcatcher’s power transmission losses and storage approach, and NASA’s funding and infrastructure constraints. Petro also discussed limits on commercial investment in common infrastructure under federal rules and suggested that state investment and better alignment among partners could help. No bills were considered and no votes were taken beyond adjournment; the committee concluded by adopting a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• The revenue-sharing rate approximated the state's grocery receipts tax rate at the time and was inclusive
• For the last several years, our top priority as a union has been to reduce the vacancy rate at our state
• Since we started this work around 2020, we haven't seen the statewide vacancy rate drop below 20%, and
• Within our union positions, the vacancy rate is often as high as 33 percent.
• I just checked yesterday, and our vacancy rate at DOH is 33 percent.