Transcript Highlights:

• We manage three special schools, state special schools: two schools that serve deaf students and one
• California has 1,000 local K-12 school districts, 10,000 K-12 schools, and 1,300 charter schools.
• higher fixed schools.
• to small school.
• to small school.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• by a school district.
• districts or those schools that, particularly those charter schools that do not go through a school
• And those schools are obviously no different than the other schools.
• charter school.
• schools.

Committee: Senate Finance and Tax

Summary: The Finance and Tax Committee met with a quorum and considered two Senate proposed bills. The first, SPB 7046, was the Senate tax package. It included changes to Live Local property tax exemptions, charter school distributions from voter-approved property tax levies, limits on special assessments for RV parks, revisions to fiscally constrained county funding and eligibility, a permanent sales tax exemption for small propane tanks, a hunting/fishing/camping sales tax holiday, restrictions on governmental net zero policies, and new voting thresholds for certain local millage actions. Staff estimated the bill would reduce general revenue by about $77 million in FY 2026-27 and about $50 million recurring. An amendment making the charter-school distribution change prospective starting July 1, 2026, was adopted. A late-filed amendment by Senator Gaetz on disability tax exemptions was withdrawn for lack of a fiscal analysis. The charter school provision drew the most debate. Senator Jones and Senator Bernard raised concerns that expanding eligibility to charter schools authorized through alternate authorizers could reduce funding available to traditional neighborhood public schools and that the effective date did not give districts enough time to plan. Senator Avila argued the change corrected an omission from earlier legislation and ensured public schools, including charter schools, were treated equally. Several speakers supported the fiscally constrained county provisions, while the Florida Association of Counties urged grandfathering for counties that could currently opt out of the Live Local exemption and asked the committee to review language on millage thresholds and net zero provisions. SPB 7046 was ultimately reported favorably as a committee bill by a roll call vote. The committee then took up SPB 7048, which updates Florida’s conformity to the Internal Revenue Code as of January 1, 2026, and partially decouples from federal changes in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The bill addresses federal changes to bonus depreciation, Section 179 expensing, research and experimental expenses, business meals, and business interest deductions, with some provisions phased in or adjusted over time. The Florida Chamber testified in support of continued conformity but expressed concerns about administrative burdens and the bill’s partial decoupling structure. After brief debate, the bill was reported favorably as a committee bill by roll call vote, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• at their school sites.
• We have those at every school.
• schools or career industries.
• The thing that's going to fix schools is people. That's what's going to fix schools.
• with the people who are there in school and the Activities that they have there in school.

Transcript Highlights:

• In Fruitland School District, for the 2024-25 school year, Fruitland School District will spend over
• In Fruitland School District, for the 2024-25 school year, Fruitland School District will spend over
• Each school is...
• Meridian Tech Charter School was built in 1999 with the West Ada School District.
• They're talking about legislation, what's good for schools, what's not good for schools.

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The Senate Education Committee began by approving a change to the agenda and then approved the minutes from a prior meeting. It then took up House Joint Memorial 11, which urges Idaho’s congressional delegation to fully fund the federal IDEA commitment for special education. Senator Burtenshaw argued that Congress promised up to 40% of national average per-pupil spending but has never met that threshold, leaving Idaho districts to cover large shortfalls through local funds and levies. A representative from Fruitland School District testified in support, describing a nearly $790,000 local gap and saying the memorial would send a unified message to federal lawmakers. Senator Zito opposed the memorial, saying the federal government has failed to meet its commitment for decades and that Idaho should stop relying on federal promises, though he emphasized his support for special-needs students. The committee voted to send H.J.M. 11 to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation, with Senator Zito requesting to be recorded as voting no. The committee next considered RS 33-392, a proposal to create regional service centers so school districts and charter schools can share specialized services that are difficult or costly to provide independently, especially in rural areas. Burtenshaw said the measure would help districts share staff such as speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, school psychologists, and business managers, with no new ongoing funding required beyond a one-time $1 million startup amount already reflected in the governor’s budget. The committee voted to send the proposal forward for a full hearing. The remainder of the meeting was devoted to informational presentations. Jason Sevy, president of the Idaho School Board Association and chair of the Marsing School Board, described Marsing’s community schools model, which partners with nonprofits and service providers to address food insecurity, health needs, mental health, and attendance barriers. He said the model improved student engagement and attendance and asked policymakers to remove funding barriers so districts can use resources more flexibly. The committee then heard from Meridian Technical Charter High School leaders and students, who described the school’s career-and-technical education model, internships, high graduation rates, industry credentials, and student leadership opportunities. Students said the school helped them find career direction and build confidence, and the school leader discussed possible expansion through hybrid models and the need for continued advocacy for school programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is the measure that proposes that all school districts and all private schools and all charter schools
• and other tribal schools.
• When a school chooses to operate the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, they
• provision, or CEP, schools.
• We have some schools.

Committee: Joint Legislative Management

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have three kids in the public schools, Morland School District and Campbell Union High School District
• We are trying to keep students safe in school as a former school board trustee in a suburban school district
• And I do think that our schools need tools to do that, our school boards and our school districts need
• of the school board.
• a school board member.

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee held a special hearing on AB 715, with the authors presenting the bill as a response to rising anti-Semitism in K-12 schools. The authors said the measure is intended to strengthen protections for Jewish students, improve district accountability, expand the uniform complaint process, clarify protections related to religion and nationality, and create a state-level anti-Semitism coordinator. They emphasized that the bill was developed through collaboration with the Black, Latino, AAPI, and Jewish caucuses and argued it is meant to protect all students from hate while preserving legitimate classroom discussion. The hearing included extensive public testimony. Supporters, including students, parents, rabbis, Jewish organizations, and some educators, described harassment, biased curriculum, delayed or ineffective school responses, and fear among Jewish students and families. They urged the committee to act to make schools safer and more responsive. Opponents, including teachers, ethnic studies advocates, civil liberties groups, Palestinian rights advocates, and some Jewish parents, argued the bill was rushed, vague, and could chill academic freedom, censor discussion of Palestine and Israel, and expand complaints against teachers and school districts. Several witnesses said existing complaint and anti-discrimination systems already address these issues. Committee members then questioned the authors and witnesses about implementation, definitions, and possible effects on curriculum and school boards. The authors said the bill is still intent language and that details would be refined in further negotiations with stakeholders. Representatives from the California School Boards Association and California Teachers Association raised concerns about the new language and possible unintended consequences, while ACLU California Action said it had concerns but wanted to keep working on the bill. The transcript does not show a final vote or action taken on AB 715 during this hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• MEMBERS, LET'S TAKE UP TAB 2, SENATE BILL 296 ON MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL START TIMES BY SENATOR
• THIS STRIKE ALL AMENDMENT REMOVES THE STATEWIDE MANDATE FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL TO START AT
• THE SEMINOLE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS WAIVES THEIR TIME AND SUPPORT, MARTIN BLACK SCHOOL DISTRICT WAIVES
• , SCHEDULES, MANY EMPLOYEES WORK IN A PARTICULAR SCHOOL BASED ON THE TIME THE SCHOOL STARTS THAT SO THAT
• IF THEY ARE IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL THEY SHOULD GO TO BED AT SEVEN, MIDDLE SCHOOL THEY SHOULD GO TO BED

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:29:20.480><c> Kamayi</c> School, Kyua Elementary School, Kamayi School, Kyua Elementary School
• High Ka, Kapa High School, uh Cao High School,<00:29:30.559><c> Kauna</c> School, Kauna School, Kauna
• Kao High School. Kihei Charter School. Kohala Middle School. Koa Elementary School.
• La Lehua High School, Le Lihikai Elementary School, Mililani High School, Wanalua Middle School.
• Nanakuli High School, Bajala Elementary School, Hukulani Elementary School, Huhala Elementary School,

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In Fruitland School District, for the 2024-25 school year, Fruitland School District will spend over
• In Fruitland School District, for the 2024-25 school year, Fruitland School District will spend over
• My kids go to school in Marsing.
• Meridian Tech Charter School was built in 1999 with the West Ada School District.
• They're talking about legislation, what's good for schools, what's not good for schools.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• schools serving grades K through 12.
• How are we doing in our schools?
• I know we have some high schools, or some school districts, that have a zero-fail policy.
• I know we have some high schools, or some school districts, that have a zero-fail policy.
• districts, charter schools, and virtual schools.

Summary: The committee received a detailed JFAC presentation on the K-12 public school support budget from Legislative Services analyst Kellan McGurkin, followed by testimony from Superintendent Debbie Critchfield. McGurkin reviewed how Idaho’s school funding formula works, including support units, staff allowance, career ladder salary funding, discretionary funding, health insurance, transportation, facilities, and the Public Education Stabilization Fund. He explained the FY 2026 revised budget, including a reduction in projected support units and an ongoing $22.3 million general fund rescission, and then walked through the FY 2027 request and the Governor’s recommendation. Major FY 2027 items included health insurance adjustments, transportation growth, federal fund authority, and proposed one-time special education initiatives: a $5 million high-needs fund and a $1 million regional service model, both tied to interest or transfers from other funds. The Governor also recommended eliminating or reducing some items, including virtual school-related payments and a reduction to Idaho Digital Learning Academy funding, which would lower the general fund request compared with the agency proposal. Critchfield framed the budget around enrollment trends, shifting student populations, and the need for flexibility in how districts use existing dollars. She highlighted gains in literacy, graduation rates, dual credit and career technical participation, and said the department wants more categorical flexibility for professional development, technology, and digital content funds so districts can redirect unused money to higher priorities such as literacy or special education. She also described the Idaho Career Ready Students grant as having created 170 new programs and said remaining funds are obligated. On special education, she said costs are growing faster than current funding and argued for a bridge solution while broader funding issues are addressed; she also said the department is pursuing a regional service-center model to help rural districts share hard-to-fill specialists. Critchfield additionally outlined planned federal waivers on assessments and flexibility, and said the state is seeking more control over education decisions. Committee members focused heavily on funding mechanics, especially whether career ladder and health insurance money is distributed per teacher or through support units, how discretionary funds are used, why insurance amounts in the budget book differed from current projections, and whether districts can use leftover health insurance dollars for other purposes. Members also questioned the proposed special education funding, the use of interest earnings from dedicated funds to support the general fund, the size and use of school contingency balances, and whether the state should revisit the funding formula itself. No votes were taken during this portion of the meeting; the discussion remained in presentation and questioning, with several follow-up requests for data and clarification.

Transcript Highlights:

• The receiving school is the open enrollment school. Thank you very much.
• sending school keeps the 20%.
• is an open enrollment school.
• The receiving school is the open enrollment school. Thank you very much.
• The receiving school is the open enrollment school. Thank you very much.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up HB 112, which would require students in the University and Community College systems to pass the U.S. citizenship civics naturalization test. A motion was made to retain the bill, and the committee voted unanimously to retain it, resulting in no report. HB 510, dealing with due process rights for students, student organizations, and faculty in higher education disciplinary proceedings, was passed over for a later meeting so the University and Community College systems could meet with the committee. The committee then discussed HB 659, creating a college graduate retention incentive program, but retained it without further debate after noting the prime sponsor was unavailable. HB 770, concerning tuition credits for community service, was also held for later in the day because an amendment was expected. The most extensive discussion centered on HB 583, which would have the state participate in Medicaid direct certification for free and reduced-price school meals. Supporters argued it would identify more eligible students, reduce paperwork, improve accuracy in school funding formulas, and bring in additional federal child care scholarship money; opponents argued it would significantly affect school funding calculations and should be delayed. The committee rejected the amendment by a 10-8 vote and then voted 10-8 to retain the bill, with a majority report and minority report to follow. HB 646, requiring school districts to establish an online application for free and reduced-price meal participation, was also debated. One member said many districts already do this voluntarily and that the bill was unnecessary; another proposed an amendment to convert the mandate into a grant program to offset startup costs, but the committee proceeded on the underlying motion and voted 10-8 to retain the bill, with a majority report and a minority OTP report. HB 665, concerning eligibility for the free school meals program, was then retained by an 11-3 vote. Finally, the committee began work on HB 703, which would prohibit school districts from denying meals to students with unpaid balances and appropriate funds for that purpose. An amendment was explained that would remove state payment of district meal debt and instead require district policies against shaming or bullying students and allow voluntary donations to reduce debt. After discussion, a motion was made to ITL the bill, with the sponsor saying constituents opposed subsidizing the program and wanted districts to retain collection tools; further debate was underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Turning to the bill before you this afternoon, beginning no later than the 2031 school year, school district
• That was the Vader School District.
• Eatonville School Board.
• Pickens, teacher in the Port Angeles School District and school board president of the Sequim School
• He was a big school. We’re a very small school, very efficient.

Summary: The House Education Committee heard public testimony on three bills focused on school district finances and education ombuds confidentiality. House Bill 2593, an OSPI request, would require school districts to maintain minimum general fund balances beginning in the 2031 school year, with OSPI calculating district-specific amounts and adopting rules. It would also require monthly financial reporting starting in 2028-29 and allow OSPI to withhold apportionment for late reporting or require repayment plans if districts fall below the minimum. Supporters, including OSPI and the prime sponsor, said the bill is intended to prevent districts from reaching binding financial conditions and to provide earlier intervention; opponents from WASDA, rural districts, and school boards argued it would reduce local control, create cash-flow problems, and impose rigid limits that do not fit different district circumstances. Several witnesses also raised concerns about the proposed maximum fund balance and the impact on districts with enrollment volatility, federal impact aid, or special project savings needs. The committee also heard House Bill 2551, which would let school districts with estimated ending fund balances at or below 3% of revenues seek OSPI approval to sell real property before entering binding financial conditions, with proceeds used to restore solvency rather than being deposited into capital or debt service funds. The prime sponsor and Tacoma School District testified that the bill would give districts flexibility to avoid deeper fiscal distress, while OSPI said it supported the concept but suggested a higher threshold and broader minimum fund balance policy. Testimony in opposition or concern focused on the risk of selling appreciating assets, the possibility of one-time sales being used to solve ongoing budget problems, and the need for stronger state funding rather than asset liquidation. The committee also heard House Bill 2440, which would make identifying information in Office of Education Ombuds complaint records confidential, allow limited disclosure by consent or under legislative or gubernatorial subpoena, and require release of a complainant’s own records with redactions; the bill was supported by the ombuds office and its sponsor as a way to protect complainants and encourage reporting. No votes or executive actions were taken. The committee closed the public hearings after hearing testimony and recorded sign-ins, and the chair noted that the bills could be eligible for executive action beginning the following Monday.

Transcript Highlights:

• There was a school shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia.
• This current year, eight of those schools dropped off, so we have 20 schools.
• This current year, eight of those schools dropped off, so we have 20 schools.
• This current year, eight of those schools dropped off, so we have 20 schools.
• This current year, eight of those schools dropped off, so we have 20 schools.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Primary and Secondary Education Committee met and first took up House Bill 14, which would establish Alyssa’s Law in Kentucky public schools. The bill, as amended by committee substitute, would allow districts to implement wearable panic alert systems for school staff beginning in the 2025-26 school year. Sponsor Rep. Kevin Jackson and supporters described the system as a silent badge/button that can alert school offices, 911, first responders, and other personnel, with different button sequences for different emergencies. Testimony from Lori Alade, Alyssa’s mother and founder of Make Our Schools Safe, emphasized that “time equals life” and said the technology can help in active threats, medical emergencies, weather events, and other urgent situations. Students from St. Margaret Mary’s Kentucky Youth Assembly also supported the bill, citing the Georgia school shooting response as an example of how such systems can save lives. Members asked about vendor neutrality, costs, training, and whether the system could be used off campus; sponsors said the bill is intended to be vendor neutral, estimated statewide costs ranged from about $2 million to $6 million, training would be provided before the school year, and they would follow up on the off-campus question. The committee approved HB 14 with the committee substitute attached. The committee then reconsidered and approved House Bill 48, a cleanup measure related to school reporting requirements. The substitute was described as addressing department concerns about eliminating certain reporting forms while preserving district flexibility and reducing burdensome reporting. It would allow schools to maintain or use alternative reporting methods, provide KDE a timeline and guidelines for reporting on Cognia software used for CPS and C-dips, and require a written report to the LRC describing reporting requirements imposed on public schools and districts, with items not reapproved by the legislature sunsetting in 2026. The bill passed the committee with the committee substitute attached. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 190, as amended by committee substitute, which would shift the measure from a planning-and-action bill to a planning-only bill for advanced coursework and codify some gifted-student regulations. Rep. Duvall and Dr. Julia Link Roberts of WKU said the bill is intended to expand opportunities for high-potential students by requiring districts to set policies on advanced coursework or accelerated learning options for grades 4 through 12. The substitute changes the standard from “proficient” to “distinguished,” allows districts flexibility in how they implement the policies, and may require automatic enrollment for students scoring distinguished, with opt-out provisions and a principal exception if coursework conflicts with career pathways or CTE access. Members discussed how the proposal differs from current advanced programs, the broader inclusion of students, and district variation in available opportunities. No final vote on HB 190 was included in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• They can happen after school. They can happen outside of the school calendar.
• for school leaders.
• Those schools have...
• school year.
• the size of a school?

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're a non-high school district, so we can't actually have the high school students.
• Do you know the statistics on Christian school, homeschooling versus public school?
• School meals or AP advanced placement opportunities or a college in high school.
• We have five elementary schools that are neighborhood elementary schools.
• We have a comprehensive middle school, a comprehensive high school, and then a learning option school

Summary: The committee met to hear an overview of Washington’s alternative learning experience (ALE) programs and then an update on artificial intelligence in schools. OSPI’s Anissa Sherritt explained that ALE is a course-level funding designation for instruction that occurs partly or wholly away from the traditional seat-time model, with online, site-based, and remote course types. She emphasized that ALE is still basic education, subject to the same public school requirements, and that OSPI provides technical assistance, annual reporting review, and program reviews. Representatives from several programs described different models: Washington Virtual Academy (a large online ALE operated through Omak School District and partnered with for-profit Stride), Columbia Virtual Academy in Valley School District (a district-run, nonprofit online/remote program), Pearl in Quilcene (a K-8 remote parent partnership program), and River Home Link in Battleground (a site-based hybrid program). They discussed student supports, special education, enrichment, family choice, transportation, and how they measure outcomes. Members asked for follow-up information on funding, demographics, racial and ethnic data, multilingual learners, and post-graduation outcomes, and OSPI agreed to provide additional data where available. The committee then heard from OSPI and several districts about AI guidance and implementation. OSPI’s Holly Ryan Calloway described the agency’s human-centered AI framework, three guidance documents for schools, statewide professional learning, an AI innovation summit, and new AI literacy and informatics course frameworks and CIP codes. Quincy School District described a multi-year effort to integrate AI by centering student needs, creating district policy and classroom guidance, and training teachers to use AI responsibly while building an AI readiness plan from elementary through high school. Peninsula School District described its AI action research team, teacher professional learning, and classroom uses of generative AI to support science instruction, communication, and prompt engineering, while stressing that AI should enhance rather than replace learning. Members raised questions about privacy, energy and water use, prompt engineering, workforce and university connections, and the need for clear standards and ongoing educator training. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• school snacks program.
• I see the school breakfast program and the school lunch program, but I was not familiar with the after-school
• Doesn't say school lunch, says school Doesn't say school lunch, says school nutrition.
• School Lunch Program.
• Our cafeteria between the middle school and the high school.

Committee: Joint Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is the grade school talking with the middle school, and the middle school talking with the high school
• schools if the schools epinephrine is in schools if the schools act<01:07:33.280><c> on</c><01:07:33.440
• </c> schools were actually Protestant schools schools were actually Protestant schools and<02:05:09.040
• </c> school educator. school educator.
• <c> schools,</c><02:33:10.720><c> public,</c> schools choices in schools, public, schools choices in

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The school district.
• as a school nurse.
• um Middle School small Middle School um Middle School setting<02:12:18.000><c> and</c><02:12:18.119>
• </c><02:18:22.719><c> uh</c><02:18:22.920><c> uh</c> school year called school year uh uh school year
• /c> doctor at my school to be my school doctor at my school to be my school nurse<02:22:17.160><c> and

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ayelet Aron mother of four from Cupertino School District in Fairmont High School.
• I have three kids in the public schools, Moreland School District and Campbell Union High School District
• I'm a retired school teacher.
• favor of the school board.
• School boards ultimately are in charge of what happens in the school district.

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• school every day.
• school.
• Schools, and Farmington Public Schools.
• </c><01:27:04.320><c> do</c> schools don't do it a lot of schools do schools don't do it a lot of schools
• </c> on your uh school um your school records on your uh school um your school records your<01:37:19.440

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all