Video & Transcript : 'Texas State Library' :
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 3/20/25
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> and many more have traveled this state and many more have traveled this state throughout<00:01:51.240
- </c> costs and operational pressures State costs and operational pressures State funding<00:08:18.360
- Thank you so much. to date State funding has provided to date State funding has provided minnesotans<
- </c> every dollar that comes from the state every dollar that comes from the state Min<00:33:40.880><
- </c><00:46:41.760><c> right</c> local library has a seed library right local library has a seed library
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 052 Mar 7th, 2026
Colorado Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> Westminster for State Personnel Board. Westminster for State Personnel Board.
- These Coloradoatans are calling state.
- Their work makes our community stronger and our state better.
- The members of the Colorado State Senate and Colorado State House of Representatives convene on the 75th
- This visionary work prepares Libraries.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Ways & Means Jan 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- There's about $10 million in the library... ...about $10 million from the library archives account.
- many other states.
- One of the reasons TTK has grown over the state is because educators across our state are recognizing
- in the state.
- state does.
Summary:
The Senate Ways and Means Committee heard an overview from OFM Director Katie Chapman See on Governor Ferguson’s 2026 supplemental budget proposal. She said the budget was built in response to higher caseloads and inflation, a roughly $390 million revenue forecast drop, new federal costs tied to H.R. 1, and a relatively small ending fund balance. The proposal would increase near general fund spending by about $1.1 billion and solve an estimated $2.3 billion two-year gap through about $800 million in reductions, revenue shifts and tax preference changes, use of other funds, and about $1 billion from the budget stabilization account. She also noted the budget is balanced over two years but not fully over four years under the state’s outlook rules.
Chapman See highlighted reductions in Working Connections Child Care, including a soft cap on enrollment and holding subsidy rates at the 75th percentile, delays to long-term care and developmental disability-related changes, and across-the-board reductions to higher education and administrative spending. She also described investments in wildfire suppression and preparedness, affordability programs like utility rebates and home energy assistance, housing-related planning and permitting support, One Washington IT replacement, behavioral health workforce programs, and continued support for some K-12 initiatives such as ninth grade success and homeless student stability. In response to questions, she said some proposed cuts were based on the governor’s subjective judgment about what was critically necessary, that current child care enrollees would not be cut off immediately, and that the budget would maintain services for about 500 highest-acuity Medicaid clients who lost eligibility under federal changes.
Public testimony was largely critical of the proposed cuts in K-12, early learning, and higher education. School officials, educators, nurses, and advocacy groups opposed reductions to Transition to Kindergarten, Local Effort Assistance, Running Start, MSOC, school leadership and support grants, and higher education funding, arguing the cuts would worsen existing funding gaps and harm student outcomes. Several witnesses supported restoring or maintaining funding for ninth grade success, Treehouse’s foster youth graduation program, homeless student stability, and Science on Wheels. In early learning, child care providers and advocates opposed the Working Connections cap and subsidy-rate reduction, warning it would reduce access and destabilize providers. In higher education, campus leaders and labor representatives opposed across-the-board cuts and fund shifts, while some institutions and advocates supported targeted investments such as behavioral health workforce programs and DigiPen aid restoration. In human services, Planned Parenthood advocates praised restored abortion access funding and Medicaid reimbursements. The committee took no votes or final action in the transcript provided.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Legislative Session Day 15 (1-28-26)
Kentucky House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 290 should pass, an act relating to county law libraries.
- </c> act relating to county law libraries. act relating to county law libraries.
- Speaker. >> Member state.
- To the members of the state government committee.
- Clerk. pathway through the United States pathway through the United States Department<00:31:04.799><c
Keywords:
Convene 00:00
Senate Message 05:11
Report of Committees 06:05
Orders of the Day/HB 320 07:52
HB 366 14:55
HB 389 17:22
HB 56 22:10
Motions, Petitions, and Communications 25:47
Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 29:20
Petition of Impeachment Filed 31:24
Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 32:03
ConC/Rules Report 36:31
Floor Amendments 37:29
Adjournment 37:47, 958, all
Summary:
The House convened with prayer and the pledge, recorded 96 members present, excused absences, and approved the journal from January 27, 2026. The Senate clerk announced passage of Senate Bills 17 and 181 and requested concurrence. Committee reports advanced a number of bills on health insurance, judiciary, local government, and transportation topics, including measures on pharmacist reimbursements, hearing aid coverage, feeding and eating disorders, grooming a minor, local government liability, water fluoridation, cigar bars, chickens on residential property, highway pavement markings, motor vehicle titles, and pedestrian issues; all favorable reports were treated as first readings and placed on the calendar.
The House then took up and passed House Bill 320 on human trafficking, with the sponsor explaining it would equalize penalties for promoting human trafficking with those for trafficking itself and increase the penalty when the victim is under 18. A member asked whether the bill included additional funding for cyber enforcement; the sponsor replied it was not an appropriation and would not require new funding, though prior budgets had increased support for anti-trafficking efforts. The House adopted a title amendment changing the bill’s title to combating human trafficking. The chamber also passed House Bill 366, which clarifies that materials portraying a sexual performance by a minor include computer-generated images and requires 85% service of the sentence before probation or parole; the sponsor said it was supported by law enforcement and prosecutors.
House Bill 389 on reading and writing in schools also passed as amended by House Committee Substitute 1. The sponsor said it would require annual updates to the state dyslexia toolkit, expand professional development and coaching, require local school boards to develop processes for universal screening and diagnostic tools, and add dyslexia instruction to teacher preparation programs; the substitute added conformity with IDEA and revised the instructional language. Members spoke in support of early dyslexia detection and one member noted the bill updated prior legislation associated with former Rep. Bam Carney. House Bill 56, an omnibus Department of Agriculture bill, then passed; it addressed amusement ride inspections, grain warehousing penalties, egg handler licensing renewal timing, exemptions for small producers, and repealed obsolete tobacco and egg marketing board provisions. All three bills passed by roll call with 95 or 94 votes in favor and none opposed, and clinchers were applied.
During announcements, members noted upcoming committee meetings and events, including a suits-and-sneakers day and cancer-related breakfast, caucus meetings, and committee meetings. New bills and resolutions were introduced, including measures on local occupational license fees, early learning and child care, tuition waivers, an adult workforce diploma pilot, motor vehicle usage tax, contract procurement, Fish and Wildlife Resources, adoption, veterans’ benefits, Cabinet for Health and Family Services operations, organ donation safety, hate crimes, prescription drugs, and resolutions on the Kentucky-Japan partnership and veterans’ benefits accreditation. The clerk also reported a petition of impeachment filed against Judge Julie Goodman. The House then referred a group of bills to committees, reported floor amendments for House Bills 321 and 416, and adjourned until 2:00 p.m. Thursday, January 29, 2026.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 29th, 2026 at 01:49 pm
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- We'll see it on the technical fix, but $10 million and other state funds for the State Investment Council
- Chair, Representative Silva, Secretary of State also Representative Silva, Secretary of State also has
- It's a great comprehensive library, and if it weren't for rural library funding, they wouldn't be able
- It's about the Secretary of State.
- The Secretary of State has become a key component in assuring safe, fair elections within the state of
NH
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/18/2026 - Senate Health and Human Services
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- In the state of Arizona and outside the state of Arizona who would travel here for these treatments.
- Who is the state to violate those parental rights?
- We did a cross-map analysis between where the state opportunities to close loopholes in our state.
- It is reasonable for the state to decline subsidy.
- That has drawn both state and federal scrutiny.
Bills:
SB1014, SB1094, SB1146, SB1177, SB1192, SB1194, SB1214, SB1372, SB1390, SB1398, SB1399, SB1494, SB1557, SB1561, SB1564, SB1602, SB1603, SB1621, SB1628, SB1629, SB1713, SB1752, SB1776, SB1813, SB1814, SB1821
Keywords:
gender transition, gender detransition, health insurance, medical procedures, insurance claims, official documents, Arizona law, gender reassignment, civil liability, minors, medical consent, detransition, dependent children, foster care, periodic review, court hearings, child welfare, public funds, prohibition, Arizona legislation
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> leaders by the people of the free state. leaders by the people of the free state.
- </c> focus of state government. focus of state government.
- </c> we are just but one little state. we are just but one little state.
- </c> sector emissions across Reggie states. sector emissions across Reggie states.
- </c> State Board of Ed, or the State State Board of Ed, or the State Superintendent<00:48:44.960><c>
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Republican Leaders Media Availability Mar 3rd, 2026 at 09:15 am
Transcript Highlights:
- Also, on the bills like I guess... ...state budget.
- "To almost restrict them from coming in the state.
- "To almost restrict them from coming in the state.
- "To almost restrict them from coming in the state.
- The state treasurer has concerns about the plans to tap the state emergency savings account for the supplemental
Summary:
Senate and House Republican leaders held a media availability in Olympia as the 2026 session entered its final full week, focusing heavily on affordability, taxes, and the state operating budget. Senators Braun and Gildon, along with House Republicans Connors and Abbarno, criticized the House and Senate budget proposals as spending billions more than forecast revenue, relying on one-time money, the rainy day fund, and what they called unrealistic assumptions. They argued the budgets would worsen a future deficit and said Democrats were prioritizing special interests over fiscal restraint.
A major topic was the proposed income tax on high earners, which Republicans said would likely expand over time and drive businesses and wealthy residents out of Washington. They also discussed other tax proposals they said would hurt affordability, including changes affecting data centers, nicotine products, prescription drug warehousing, retail bags, and bottles. House Republicans said they were working with some Democrats to oppose the income tax and urged the governor to veto it if it reaches his desk. They also said the budget process has excluded Republican input and relied on closed-door negotiations.
Republicans also raised several policy issues they said were stalled or killed this session, including juvenile rehabilitation reform, child endangerment and fatality reporting, tort reform, and housing and energy policy. They criticized the House for not advancing measures they said would help with child safety, juvenile justice, housing supply, and energy diversity, and they opposed a data center tax/clawback bill they said could discourage investment and jobs, especially in rural communities. In response to questions, Braun said he planned to raise the income tax, the budget, juvenile rehabilitation, child endangerment, and tort reform in an upcoming meeting with the governor. No votes were taken during the availability.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Procedure and Arrangements Apr 22nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- He said the second document was a state capital security overview listing all the states in a table and
- Six of those states have since repealed their term limits, leaving 16 states currently operating under
- There are no two state legislatures are the same, but we did look to other states with term limits as
- library.
- from out of state.
Summary:
The Legislative Procedure and Arrangements Committee met with a quorum, approved the prior minutes, and then took up a draft bill to make legislators’ and candidates’ residential addresses confidential in public records. Legislative Council and the Secretary of State explained the proposal was prompted by security concerns and would protect residential addresses while still allowing election officials to verify residency and keep candidate names and offices public. Members raised concerns about unintended consequences, transparency, and how the change would affect rural districts and residency enforcement. The Secretary of State suggested an amendment to end the confidentiality when a candidate’s term ends, and the committee agreed to hold the bill over for further discussion at the next meeting.
The committee also reviewed follow-up materials on legislator security and best practices, including advice on situational awareness, internet hygiene, varying routines, and reporting threats, along with NCSL materials comparing capitol security practices in other states. Members discussed a recent security incident and the need to keep alert contact information current, and staff said they would continue working with the Highway Patrol on legislative-specific notifications.
The bulk of the meeting was devoted to Garrity Consulting’s final report on mitigating the effects of legislative term limits. The consultants summarized survey, focus group, and stakeholder input showing concerns about loss of institutional knowledge, leadership turnover, onboarding demands, and workload pressures, while also noting public support for term limits and annual sessions. Recommendations included considering annual sessions or shifting biennial sessions to even-numbered years, restructuring organizational session and interim committee work, creating office hours and more structured orientation and mentorship, expanding ongoing training and staff support, improving public communication and virtual testimony rules, and addressing barriers to service such as employer support and travel costs. Members discussed the tension between making the legislature more effective and preserving a citizen-legislature model, and the report was received as a roadmap for future implementation rather than immediate action.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Governmental Oversight and Accountability Jan 26th, 2026
Governmental Oversight and Accountability
Transcript Highlights:
- They also have to comply with state and federal laws.
- Senator, can you talk about the compelling state interest for this bill? Yes, I can.
- There's almost 900,000 Jewish people that live within our state.
- Instead, the bill allows a state agency to manage its fleet vehicle.
- Instead, the bill allows a state agency to manage its fleet vehicle, subject to appropriation and state
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> of this state or the United States. of this state or the United States.
- state in the state federal violations in state in the state in<01:27:19.840><c> the</c><01:27:20.000
- :02.960><c> southern</c><03:11:03.279><c> states,</c> states, you know, the southern states, states,
- /c> I practiced in a state, Texas, um in a I practiced in a state, Texas, um in a hospital<03:36:11.200
- </c> other state. other state.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- The issue was brought before me from multiple teachers throughout the state, including some of my own
- So whether it's during cafeteria or library... ...occur during recess.
- Lindsay Turner, who's at Boise State.
- I just think using recess as a punishment is not the best policy for the state.
- Again, Debbie Critchfield, State Superintendent.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- Those include the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education appropriations, the State Library, State
- The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education appropriations, the State Library, State Aid, as well
- Walden, we're going to the State Library. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
- The next public school fund budget for your review today is for the Arkansas State Library.
- The next public school fund budget for your review today is for the Arkansas State Library.
Summary:
The committee heard budget presentations and took executive recommendations on several Department of Human Services divisions, including Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services; Children and Family Services; County Operations; Developmental Disability Services; and Medical Services, with most divisions showing little or no significant change in total appropriations. Staff and agency witnesses repeatedly explained that many large appropriations are maintained for flexibility, federal matching requirements, or contingency needs, even when actual spending is much lower than the authorized amount. Members also raised concerns about staffing vacancies, long-vacant budgeted positions, and the use of excess appropriation authority across DHS.
In Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health, members questioned federal funding levels for mental health and substance abuse grants, the status of senior centers and Meals on Wheels, the Medicaid tobacco settlement program, community alcohol safety grants, and the veterans mental health grant. Agency officials said federal block grants are largely committed, that senior center funding had been delayed by shutdown timing but was now back on track, that the tobacco settlement program had been moved internally within DHS, and that the veterans mental health appropriation remains unfunded. Senators also criticized the adequacy of support for seniors and asked for more detail on how transportation, meal services, and local contributions are funded.
In Children and Family Services, members asked about rising appropriation levels, foster care and adoption subsidies, professional fees, the number of children in foster care, and the Children’s Trust Fund. DHS said increases reflect added flexibility for residential treatment, adoption subsidies, and prevention services, while the foster care population has remained fairly steady at about 3,400 children. The Children’s Trust Fund was described as supporting primary prevention programs such as Baby and Me and community schools, and members asked whether it could be administratively combined with other efforts. Questions also covered TANF subgrants, with DHS explaining that it had reduced outside subgrants after discovering over-obligation and was rebuilding reserves.
In County Operations, members focused on the summer EBT program, SNAP employment and training, the farmer’s market program, and the state’s TANF reserve position. DHS said summer EBT is still being funded through temporary appropriations because it is a newer program, SNAP employment and training is largely federally funded and may expand under a pending policy change, and TANF reserves were drawn down after prior over-obligation but are now being stabilized. In Developmental Disability Services, members asked about vacancies, human development center staffing, facility construction funds, and the Booneville work program, and DHS said the program has reopened and staffing recruitment continues. In Medical Services, members asked about FMAP, the Our Kids B CHIP program, school-based Medicaid reimbursements, nursing home distress funds, and several large appropriation lines that far exceed actual spending; DHS said these are maintained for claims payment, nursing home receivership contingencies, and other flexibility needs. Each division reviewed was adopted by executive recommendation after questions concluded.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Education Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Education
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm State Senator Jason Lewis. I'm State Senator Jason Lewis.
- Between, if you look at it, it's either 43 or 44 states have updated their state laws over the last decade
- We need the state help. Our community is built around getting this aid from the state.
- States with regard to recovery from the pandemic, and yet we're one of two states that had the most to
- This is insane in a state like Massachusetts.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Education opened a hybrid public hearing on a large slate of bills related to school buildings, school finance, technology, data privacy, safety, and related education issues. Chairs Jason Lewis and Ken Gordon outlined procedures for the hearing, including two-minute testimony limits and the plan to group similar bills together. Several bills drew no testimony and were closed without further discussion, while others drew extensive testimony from legislators, school officials, parents, advocates, and educators.
A major theme was school safety and student well-being. Lori Al-Hadeth testified in support of bills on alert systems in public schools, describing the loss of her daughter in the Parkland shooting and urging adoption of Alyssa’s Law-style panic alert technology. Representative Gallagher and disability advocates also supported a bill authorizing, but not requiring, airway clearance devices in schools, arguing they could save lives in choking emergencies and provide an option for people who cannot use the Heimlich maneuver. Another bill on reducing cafeteria waste drew support from a legislator and a Lexington sustainability official, who said installing dishwashers during construction would reduce waste and long-term costs.
Much of the hearing focused on Chapter 70 school funding and the inflation cap. Senator Pavel Payano, Senator Sal DiDomenico, Representative Senna, and multiple local officials and school committee members from Bridgewater, Chelsea, Groton-Dunstable, and other districts argued that the 4.5% cap on inflation adjustments has left schools underfunded during years of high inflation, forcing layoffs, larger class sizes, and cuts to programs and student supports. They urged bills to eliminate the cap, restore lost funding, increase the Commonwealth’s share of the foundation budget, or create commissions to study reforms. Testimony also highlighted the impact on special education, English learners, and low-income students, with Chelsea witnesses saying the cap has cost their district about $7 million annually.
School construction and MSBA reform were the other major topic. AIA Massachusetts, Boston Public Schools, Lynn officials, and AFT Massachusetts described aging facilities, overcrowding, deferred maintenance, and the difficulty of financing new schools under current reimbursement rules. Boston officials said the district has many pre-World War II buildings and has only built a handful of new schools in decades, while Lynn leaders said reimbursement rates have fallen well below the statutory 80% because of caps and ineligible costs. Witnesses urged modernization of the MSBA program, higher reimbursement rates, and more resources for school construction. The committee also heard support for a bill to study the adequacy and equity of the school building program, and chairs indicated some bills would be closed after no one signed up to testify.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance Jun 26th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- just by ourselves as a state.
- We're a Dominion state.
- state government, and I'm sure Secretary of State.
- In all different states.
- to state.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation Mar 5th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- There are places in the state where we have good data, and there are places in the state where we don't
- by the state water board.
- One of those examples is the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and the Clean Water State Revolving
- state has statewide reports.
- to less state regulation.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee Nov 12th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I stated I am Senator Dr.
- There is a very interesting effort coming together across the state of Texas, which is centralizing a
- When you were talking about the state of journalism here in the United States, which then trickles down
- And we often take a look and see what’s possible state by state.
- We look at what’s working in And see what’s possible state by state.
Summary:
The hearing focused on the impact of the federal rescission of Corporation for Public Broadcasting funding on California public media, with Assemblymember Chris Ward and Senator Akilah Weber Pierson framing public media as essential civic infrastructure for education, local news, arts, emergency alerts, and underserved communities. Local officials from San Diego and La Mesa voiced support, emphasizing public media’s role in trusted information, children’s programming, and community arts access.
Panelists from PBS SoCal, KCRW, Rebuild Local News, NPR, KPBS, Radio Bilingüe, and KVPR described significant budget losses, layoffs, reduced programming, and threats to rural and specialized services. They highlighted impacts on children’s educational content, local journalism, arts coverage, science and documentary production, and emergency alert systems. Several speakers noted that smaller stations in rural or low-broadband areas are especially vulnerable, while larger stations are also cutting staff and delaying projects. They also discussed possible responses such as shared services, cost reductions, philanthropy, and state support, while warning that one-time bridge funding is not a long-term fix.
Committee members asked about operational changes, alternative revenue sources, the role of state programs, and whether public pressure could restore federal funding. Witnesses said the loss is already being felt, that restoration appears unlikely in the near term, and that any state support should be structured to protect editorial independence and provide stable, timely funding. The hearing concluded with a shift to labor and production testimony and then to station-specific testimony from KPBS, Radio Bilingüe, and KVPR, followed by public comment.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Finance Feb 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Why would I want to leave the best state in the nation, the state I helped build?
- Why would I want to leave the best state in the nation, the state I helped build?
- The imbalance of our state is.
- In our state, there is in our state, Outcomes.
- Washington State has the opportunity to even out the tax inequalities in our state.
Summary:
House Finance held a public hearing on Gross Substitute Senate Bill 6346, a proposal to impose a 9.9% tax beginning in 2028 on Washington taxable income over $1 million for individuals, with related rules for residents, nonresidents, pass-through entities, estimated payments, penalties, credits, and revenue distribution. Staff explained that the bill would also fund several tax changes, including an expanded Working Families Tax Credit, sales tax exemptions for grooming and hygiene products, higher small business B&O credits, an early end to the B&O surcharge on very large businesses, and repeal of most retail services sales tax changes from last session. The fiscal note projected about $2.53 billion in additional state revenue in FY 2029 and $3.21 billion in FY 2030, with local revenue losses and significant Department of Revenue implementation costs. The chair also announced concerns about apparent fraud and duplicate records in the public sign-in system and set testimony rules limiting questions and shortening testimony time as the hearing progressed.
The prime sponsor, Senator Jamie Peterson, said the bill was intended to make Washington’s tax system less regressive and to raise revenue for schools, health care, higher education, and other public needs while reducing the burden on lower- and middle-income residents. Supporters from labor, education, health care, child care, housing, poverty-reduction, and social service organizations argued that the bill would help fund essential services, expand the Working Families Tax Credit, and improve fairness by asking the wealthiest households to contribute more. Several individual supporters, including business owners and workers, said they were willing to pay more and described the need for better-funded schools, health care, child care, and public defense.
Opponents, including former Attorney General Rob McKenna, business groups, construction and real estate representatives, and taxpayer advocates, argued the measure would function as an unconstitutional income tax, would be unstable and likely expanded over time, and would harm small businesses organized as pass-through entities. They said the bill would reduce investment, discourage entrepreneurship, and could drive businesses and high earners out of Washington. Some local government representatives supported the public defense funding but asked for more dedicated revenue and protection against local revenue losses from the bill’s sales tax exemptions. No committee vote or final action was taken during the hearing.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Education Assessment and Accountability Review Subcommittee (10-14-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> and state requirements for RTC's. and state requirements for RTC's.
- </c><00:04:31.360><c> Then</c> state and federal requirements. Then state and federal requirements.
- </c> eligible for state funding. eligible for state funding.
- </c> state from a central location. state from a central location.
- It is state<00:24:42.799><c> requirement.</c> state requirement. state requirement.
Keywords:
Call to Order and Roll Call: 00:22
Office of Education Accountability Report: Early Childhood Regional Training Centers (RTCs): 01:22
Approval of July 14, 2025 Minutes 31:21
Office of Education Accountability: 2025 Study Agenda 32:35
Adjournment: 39:12, 958, all
Summary:
The subcommittee heard an Office of Education Accountability report on Kentucky’s early childhood regional training centers (RTCs). OEA said the centers provide valuable training, consultation, technical assistance, and materials for preschool personnel, especially for children with disabilities and at-risk students, and that the services align with state and federal requirements. However, the report found uneven student and teacher populations across regions, wide variation in per-student funding, some staffing data inaccuracies, and several fiscal oversight concerns, including inconsistent indirect cost rates, a building rental charge that may have been duplicative, and host districts recording RTC expenditures in a way that could blur them with district finances. OEA also said some documentation of progress toward goals was incomplete and that the technology lending library appeared underused. The report recommended stronger KDE oversight, uniform coding and accounting practices, review of budgets and expenditures, and an evaluation of whether the current five-center model remains the most efficient structure; OEA also suggested the General Assembly may wish to revisit KRS 157.318. Members asked about KDE’s response, whether the centers are required by federal law, how the centers operate, and whether changing the model would affect federal funding. OEA said KDE had only discussed the findings informally and had not issued a formal response, the centers are required by state law but not federal law, and changing the model would not jeopardize IDEA preschool funds. The committee accepted the report by motion.
The subcommittee then approved the minutes from its July 14, 2025 meeting after initially delaying action because quorum was not yet present. After that, members turned to the Office of Education Accountability’s proposed 2026 study agenda. OEA said the three proposed topics are the annual district data profiles, facilities funding, and implementation of early literacy statutes. The district profiles would add an appendix showing the number and percentage of students moving to private school or homeschool by district and another appendix noting data-quality issues that affect comparability. OEA explained that district staffing data can undercount contract staff because those employees are not always entered into the system, and members expressed interest in tracking whether prior recommendations were implemented. One senator also raised a separate interest in reviewing whether KDE created and implemented regulations related to KFIX. The discussion remained informational, with no final vote on the study agenda shown in the transcript excerpt.