Transcript Highlights:

• our state, for the welfare of our citizens, and for the growth of our economy.
• He's kind of a big deal at FSU. Yeah. He's kind of a big deal at FSU.
• So I look at some of the things we have here as a can of tuna fish.
• So I look at some of the things we have here as a can of tuna fish.
• of Education on how we can have streamlined services, technical assistance provided. ...with the Department

Bills: S0920 , S1036 , S1216

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education

Keywords: mathematics education, career pathways, applied algebra, college readiness, technical education, school counselors, educational standards, certification requirements, evaluation criteria, professional development, public school personnel, salary adjustment, performance salary schedule, cost-of-living adjustment, school administration

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met with a quorum present and first temporarily postponed SB 920 on mathematics education. The committee then took up SB 1216 on public school personnel compensation, sponsored by Senator Rodriguez, which would give districts more flexibility in educator pay by restoring meaningful cost-of-living adjustments for teachers with direct student contact, allowing recognition of relevant advanced degrees, and removing rigid performance-pay caps. Several senators spoke in support, emphasizing teacher retention, compensation, and education as a state investment. The bill was reported favorably on a unanimous roll call vote. After a brief recess, the committee considered CS/SB 1036 on school counselors, sponsored by Senator Calatayud, to address counselor shortages by removing certification barriers tied to classroom teacher requirements. The sponsor and supporting testimony described recruitment and retention problems, high counselor-to-student ratios, and the need for counselors to focus on student academics, mental health, and college/career readiness rather than administrative duties. Public testimony came from students, educators, and school personnel who described limited access to counselors and the impact on student well-being and college planning. Committee members broadly supported the bill while noting that counselors are often overburdened and that additional support personnel, including BRACE advisors, may also need attention in the future. Senators also discussed broader efficiency measures and the need for schools and colleges to improve access to guidance services. CS/SB 1036 was reported favorably by unanimous vote. At the end of the meeting, members recorded their votes on the two bills, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have Shannon Hall, the executive advisor of the Department for Community Based Services, and Rick
• ><c> the</c><00:02:14.520><c> Department</c><00:02:14.959><c> for</c> executive advisor of the Department
• for executive advisor of the Department for Community<00:02:15.480><c> Based</c><00:02:15.760><c> Services
• This was a project that we did in partnership with Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
• This was a project that we did in partnership with Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:26 Approval of Minutes 00:02:27 LIHEAP Presentation and Public Hearing 00:02:42 Conservation Opportunities in Kentucky 00:29:52, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up a public hearing and presentation on the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Shannon Hall of the Department for Community Based Services and Rick Baker of Community Action Kentucky explained that LIHEAP is a 100% federally funded block grant that helps low-income households pay heating and cooling bills, avoid utility disconnects, and support weatherization. They outlined the program’s components, eligibility limits, seasonal application periods, and recent participation figures, including tens of thousands of households served through the summer cooling, fall subsidy, winter crisis, and spring subsidy components. They also described weatherization priorities, the partnership with Kentucky Housing Corporation, and the role of Community Action agencies in administering the program statewide. Members asked about Assurance 16, the balance between need and available funding, summer cooling assistance, weatherization measurement, renter versus homeowner participation, and whether federal changes could affect LIHEAP. Hall and Baker said Assurance 16 supports energy-burden reduction through education, case management, and conservation strategies; that funding has generally been sufficient in recent years but crisis funds have sometimes been exhausted quickly in the past; and that summer assistance is primarily electric utility support. They also said weatherization uses return-on-investment testing and that Kentucky still has a large backlog of homes needing service. On federal funding, they said the recently passed federal bill did not directly cut LIHEAP, but future appropriations could still affect it, and any major reduction could leave a gap the state might need to consider filling. The committee approved the minutes and later approved the LIHEAP finding of fact; no members of the public signed up to testify. After concluding LIHEAP, the committee heard a presentation from Heather Jeff of The Nature Conservancy on conservation opportunities in Kentucky. She described the organization’s voluntary land-protection work and highlighted the Cumberland Forest project, a conservation easement on about 55,000 acres in Bell, Knox, and Leslie counties supported in part by a $3.875 million state appropriation. She also reported on mine-land reforestation, elk habitat work, and the rapid allocation of a $2 million appropriation for the Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund. Jeff emphasized the economic value of conservation for tourism, hunting and fishing, agriculture, forestry, bourbon, and flood protection, and said the group is finalizing a Kentucky conservation needs assessment and related feasibility research.

Keywords: NH House of Representatives Committee Streaming, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWud45ZIilE, 2026-07-02T03:40:12+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, 10:30am HB 701, 928, house, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, this time we've got representatives from the Kentucky Department of Education and SFCC here
• I'm Chay Ritter with the Kentucky Department of Education.
• I'm Chay Ritter with the Kentucky<00:02:36.800><c> Department</c><00:02:37.120><c> of</c><00:02:37.280
• </c> Kentucky Department of Education. Kentucky Department of Education.
• 58:29.440><c> to</c><00:58:29.680><c> basically</c> Department of Energy to basically Department of Energy

Keywords: Meeting start 00:00:00 Discussion of Nickels and School Facility Funding 00:02:13 Economic Development Projects in Elizabethtown and Hopkinsville 00:29:33 Correspondence and Reports Received 01:09:25, 958, all

Summary: The committee received an informational presentation from the Kentucky Department of Education and the School Facilities Construction Commission on school facilities funding. Staff explained the main funding sources used for school construction and renovation, including the mandatory “nickel” property tax levy, growth and equalized growth nickels, the equalized facility funding nickel, the Fort Knox/BRAC-related nickel for Hardin County, and the recallable nickel that districts can adopt locally. They also described the state equalization formula, noting that local construction costs have risen and that state support is formula-driven rather than a dollar-for-dollar match. The SFCC outlined how unmet facility need is calculated through district facility plans, which are developed locally with community, staff, and board input and then reviewed by KDE staff for consistency and reasonableness. The commission said it will update the statewide unmet need report this fall, adopt it in December, and provide the figure to the committee in January 2026. It reported that the statewide unmet facility need was about $7 billion in 2023, with about $951 million in local revenue available, and said its offers of assistance are paid as debt service over eight years. The commission also said the most recent legislative offer of assistance was its smallest since SFCC’s creation in 1985, and requested an additional $60 million for the next biennium. Members asked about how districts use nickel tax levies, who determines facility need, whether the process includes physical inspections, and how bonding capacity affects offers of assistance. Staff said nickel levies are generally adopted with regular tax rates, that facility need is locally developed but reviewed by KDE, and that KDE project managers and district-hired architects review plans on paper rather than through in-person inspections. They also explained that bonding capacity can affect a district’s ability to use or receive assistance. Questions were also raised about federal funds tied to earlier KIX grants and about districts with zero remaining offers of assistance; staff said most grant-funded projects are underway or complete, and that a zero balance means a district has spent its available assistance. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Keywords: NH House of Representatives Committee Streaming, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qpxf7_Owek, 2026-07-02T03:39:49+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Afternoon Follow Up Session, 928, house, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Keywords: NH House of Representatives Committee Streaming, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4Fme6h12j4, 2026-07-02T03:39:46+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, HB 315 (10:00am), 928, house, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Keywords: NH House of Representatives Committee Streaming, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4Fme6h12j4, 2026-06-14T02:39:07+00:00, 2.2.23, Data collected via generic collector engine, HB 315 (10:00am), 928, house, all, 2.2.40, 2.1.47

Keywords: NH House of Representatives Committee Streaming, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoogcXtqyww, 2026-07-02T03:39:46+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, HB 281 (10:00am), 928, house, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Keywords: NH House of Representatives Committee Streaming, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nKl4CWqt0s, 2026-07-02T03:39:46+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, HB 534 (10:00am), 928, house, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Keywords: NH House of Representatives Committee Streaming, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q47JArpS8Z8, 2026-07-02T03:39:36+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Fiscal Years 2024-2025, 928, house, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Keywords: NH House of Representatives Committee Streaming, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjuUxwTXQDs, 2026-07-02T03:39:36+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Fiscal Years 2024-2025, 928, house, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Keywords: NH House of Representatives Committee Streaming, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvfV4vQpVcc, 2026-07-02T03:39:34+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Fiscal Years 2024-2025, 928, house, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Keywords: NH House of Representatives Committee Streaming, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVugyXaoz1M, 2026-07-02T03:39:34+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Fiscal Years 2024-2025, 928, house, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Keywords: NH House of Representatives Committee Streaming, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cTbCChrQps, 2026-07-02T03:39:34+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, HB 1299 HB 1476, 928, house, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Keywords: NH House of Representatives Committee Streaming, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsXC58kIEgo, 2026-07-02T03:39:34+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, HB 1466 HB 1487, 928, house, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the Director of Human. Resources at BKCW Insurance.
• What were the consequences of this? of this act of violence.
• non-profits. in the name of equity and enforced by Department of Education investigations into schools
• Of concern is that more than 60% of Texas.
• I'm working. heard of data that I got through an informed request from the Department of Health.

Bills: HB6 , HB27 , HB 123 , HB210 , HB213 , HB222 , HB610 , HB 1085 , HB1481 , HB6 , HB27 , HB123 , HB210 , HB213 , HB222

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: mental health, telehealth, public schools, discipline management, behavioral interventions, financial literacy, high school education, curriculum requirements, economics, personal finance, HB 123, kindergarten readiness, early literacy, early numeracy, reading screening, math screening, foundational literacy, foundational numeracy, dyslexia screening, reading intervention

Transcript Highlights:

• We often times think about it in terms of...
• is out of control, it doesn't really matter how much... much you know about the science of reading,
• I remember she told me the first week of school, you don't touch any of the teachers. which I was kind
• we had to start on day one of the school year.
• She said don't touch any of the TEEX in the first week of school.

Bills: HB6 , HB27 , HB 123 , HB210 , HB213 , HB222 , HB610 , HB 1085 , HB1481 , HB6 , HB27 , HB123 , HB210 , HB213 , HB222

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: mental health, telehealth, public schools, discipline management, behavioral interventions, financial literacy, high school education, curriculum requirements, economics, personal finance, HB 123, kindergarten readiness, early literacy, early numeracy, reading screening, math screening, foundational literacy, foundational numeracy, dyslexia screening, reading intervention

Transcript Highlights:

• Tuesday, August 12th, pending the receipt of committee reports. Motion by Judith Zaffirini.

Bills: SB8 , SB4 , SB43 , SB1 , SB2 , SB13 , SB6 , SB10 , SB16 , SB8 , SB4 , SB43 , SB1 , SB2 , SB13 , SB6 , SB10 , SB16

Keywords: education, accountability, public school assessment, state law, transparency, intervention, performance ratings, Texas congressional redistricting, U.S. House districts, congressional map, redistricting, gerrymandering, 2020 Census, census tracts, block groups, voting districts, election law, Texas House of Representatives districts, federal congressional districts, 2026 elections

Transcript Highlights:

• The department will also develop a promotional campaign in partnership with local chambers of commerce
• from the Department of Commerce that we have received.
• It will have a minimal impact on the Department of Commerce because they will be able to absorb the cost
• >> So 12 64 is the Department of Commerce Agency bill.
• If if this bill happens by the end of 2025, you'll you will see a cost of the Department of Co cost of

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of them...
• If you didn't have teacher insurance, you can't get it once you retire. So that's all part of that.
• Plus, I don't buy an insurance company. So it's a little of a misnomer, I think.
• of 2%.
• The fire chiefs represent every member of their department.

Committee: House Retirement

Summary: The Retirement Committee met on March 26, 2026, with a quorum present. House Bill 24 was voluntarily deferred at the start of the meeting. The committee then heard House Bill 20, which would have allowed retired teachers to return to work under superintendent discretion while drawing retirement benefits. Representative Bagley argued the bill would help address teacher shortages by letting districts hire experienced certified teachers, while Representative Taylor raised broader concerns about how returning retirees are treated. After discussion, HB 20 was voluntarily deferred. The committee next considered House Bill 25, a technical update to the Teachers’ Retirement System to conform with changes in the Internal Revenue Code, including benefit commencement and surviving spouse election provisions. Catherine Whitney of TRSL said the bill is routine compliance legislation reviewed periodically by the system’s tax attorney. An amendment was adopted, and HB 25 was reported favorably as amended. House Bill 23, a cost-of-living adjustment bill for LASERS retirees, was also amended to raise the benefit cap from $80,000 to $81,201 and then reported favorably as amended. House Bill 42 proposed a phased retirement program for higher education employees in the Teachers’ Retirement System, allowing partial retirement and part-time work with partial benefits. Bacala said it was intended to help retain talent at universities and was based on prior task force recommendations; an amendment was adopted to set the participation framework for universities, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. House Bill 32, a LASERS cleanup bill addressing disability retiree restoration, administrative errors, and benefit calculations, was described by LASERS as technical in nature and was reported favorably. House Bill 13, a State Police Retirement System reamortization bill, was amended to adjust timing and technical provisions and then reported favorably as amended. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 41 on the Firefighters’ Retirement System board makeup. A new amendment package replaced earlier amendments and would eliminate term limits, expand elected active-member seats from two to five, remove chief association appointments, and require vacancies to be filled by election. Supporters described it as a compromise intended to better represent the system’s active members, while the Louisiana Fire Chiefs Association objected that chiefs had been left out of the negotiations and said they provide important budget and governance expertise. Despite the opposition, the committee adopted the amendments and reported HB 41 favorably as amended.