Transcript Highlights:

• In addition to that, we have structured treatment programs within TDCJ for substance use.
• Any given year you have roughly 70,000 plus individuals that are going through some type of structure
• In addition to the technical training program We offer literacy programs, high school diploma programs
• know, in terms of their educational, they come to us generally with a. grade equivalency level in literacy
• We also have open and structured recreation.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I vote for it, but we've got to give some structure to this.
• Kentucky Comprehensive Literacy. >> Okay.
• Literacy. Literacy.
• literacy.
• children to increase literacy.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the April 13 minutes and then turned to a large agenda of contracts. Chairman Douglas said there were 52 contracts totaling about $369.3 million, and noted that most vendors were registered with the Secretary of State except for item 118 on the routine personal services green list and item 19 involving Morehead State University and Kentucky State University. The committee voted to defer item 118 to the June 26 meeting and later also deferred the Kentucky State University contract on the deferred list to the June 26 meeting. The main discussion centered on a deferred personal services contract for the Kentucky Board of Optometric Examiners, involving outside legal counsel. Senator Meredith raised concerns about KRS 320 and whether the board had authority to hire outside counsel when the statute says the Attorney General shall provide legal services to the board. Dr. Mary Beth Morris, the board president, and Christopher Thacker of the Attorney General’s office testified after being sworn in. Thacker explained that the statute and related law allow both Attorney General assistance and independent counsel, and argued that outside counsel is appropriate for day-to-day legal work because it avoids conflicts, especially on open records issues, regulatory advice, and disciplinary hearings. Senator Meredith said he agreed with approving the contract but questioned how the board had reached this point and whether the current statutes reflect modern practice. He raised concerns about transparency and accountability, referencing a prior advisory opinion involving the board’s handling of exam requirements during COVID and saying the board should have consulted the Attorney General before acting. Thacker responded that the Attorney General’s office serves the Commonwealth as a whole, not as counsel to one board, and that the board’s use of outside counsel is a reasonable and economical arrangement. The exchange ended with Meredith suggesting that broader legislative action may be needed to clarify reporting relationships and oversight for the board.

Transcript Highlights:

• the feedback we got in the two different Girl State programs and the Institute thing was financial literacy
• the feedback we got in the two different Girl State programs and the Institute thing was financial literacy
• And are they the only financial literacy program written into special language?
• respective alternative pathways to be held to the same standards as traditional ones, and states should structure
• the teacher licensure plan, which is designed to ensure that educators without a license have a structured

Summary: The committee first approved the May 18 meeting minutes and then received a presentation from Legislative Audit on Arkansas Department of Education grant distributions. Auditors explained that the fiscal year 2025 report summarizes $4.6 billion in grants from state, federal, and miscellaneous sources, across school districts, charter schools, education cooperatives, and other entities, and that the report only shows amounts distributed, not how recipients ultimately used the money. Members asked about specific recipients and programs, including ClassWallet, Economics Arkansas, and CDC surveillance funding; department staff clarified that the Economics Arkansas grant is written into special language and that the CDC-related funding supports student surveys used by state agencies. Questions also focused on bonus and incentive programs such as master principal and National Board Certified teacher bonuses, with department staff saying the bonuses are generally tied to completion of the program or certification rather than classroom performance, though they would follow up on details. The committee then heard a Bureau of Legislative Research update on Consumer Price Index projections from Moody’s Analytics and S&P Global. Dr. Carlos Silva explained the difference between CPI-U and core CPI and said the estimates show inflation slowing over the forecast period, with some near-term variation between the two data providers. Members asked about the historical accuracy of prior projections, and he said the forecasts generally tend to move toward about 2 percent over time, though recent shocks have caused earlier estimates to understate actual inflation. The bulk of the meeting was devoted to the final adequacy report on teacher recruitment, retention, and salaries. BLR staff reviewed Arkansas teacher demographics, shortage areas, educator preparation pipelines, licensure exceptions, survey results from teachers and principals, and teacher support programs. They reported that Arkansas had about 32,800 teachers and 473,000 students in 2025, with an average of 11.9 years of experience and a slight increase in National Board Certified teachers. The report found shortages in multiple subject areas, especially special education, math, science, foreign language, and social studies, and identified 65 districts as high-need geographically. Survey results showed school leadership as the strongest positive factor in recruitment and retention, while workload and salary were the biggest negatives; 30 percent of responding teachers said they were considering leaving the profession. The committee also reviewed teacher salary data showing a statewide average salary of $60,254 in 2025, Arkansas ranking 45th nationally by NEA methodology, and a long-term inflation-adjusted decline in district salaries, though LEARNS Act increases improved the trend. Members asked for additional follow-up information on survey methodology, alternative licensure costs, coursework, incentives for ESL and special education endorsements, exit data, and how salary comparisons are calculated.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 671, establishing a kindergarten literacy right-in-this program, and open it to discussion.
• doing A needs assessment for literacy doing A needs assessment for literacy we're<00:17:31.679><
• plan that hasn't been done in literacy plan that hasn't been done in many<00:17:36.640> many<
• of reading and how to teach literacy of reading and how to teach literacy particularly<00:19:16.840
• Living up to those national standards of a program for literacy.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Division 2 work session first took up HB 506, a bill dealing with the return of seized firearms. Members discussed how the measure would shift background-check processing for firearm returns through the Department of Safety, while the physical firearms would still remain with local police unless State Police had taken custody. The department said the bill would change which cases come to it, and members clarified that the bill concerns the background-check decision rather than possession of the firearms. The committee then voted OTP on HB 506 FN by a 7-0 roll call. The committee next discussed HB 671, establishing a kindergarten literacy readiness program. Department of Education staff explained that the bill grew out of a COVID-era Waterford contract that provided home-based early literacy support for families using federal relief funds, at a cost of about $600,000 per year, but that the program ended when those funds expired. Members raised concerns that the bill’s $1 appropriation was not realistic, that the prior program lacked sufficient outcome data, and that the references to ESSA tier-one benchmarks were unclear. The department said it was conducting a broader literacy needs assessment and updating the state literacy plan, including data from the zero-to-five range, K-5, and dyslexia-related work. Waterford representatives described the program as an early-literacy, pre-K readiness service for children ages zero to five, originally designed to work in homes with computers and internet provided where needed, and later expanded in some settings such as daycares and pre-K classrooms. They said the program used assessments at the beginning and end, had served hundreds of children, and was intended to support family engagement and kindergarten readiness. Despite that testimony, members remained concerned about funding and the lack of clear results, and one member moved to retain the bill for more information. The discussion ended with the bill retained rather than advanced.

Transcript Highlights:

• He added that research shows social studies improves literacy, that students are more likely to attend
• He said research shows social studies improves literacy more than even additional reading instruction
• He said research shows social studies improves literacy more than even additional reading instruction
• He said research shows social studies improves literacy more than even additional reading instruction
• He said research shows social studies improves literacy more than even additional reading instruction

Bills: HF29, HF921, HF922, HF1048, HF1049

Keywords: railroad, infrastructure, transportation funding, environmental remediation, capital investment, HF921, tax increment financing, TIF, excess tax increment, school district aid, levy adjustment, property tax levy, education finance, Minnesota education aid, decertification, local government finance, school funding formula, state aid reduction, referendum equalization aid, debt service equalization

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we're excited to see what that does for our literacy scores.
• <00:47:04.000> Kids safety, consistency, and structure.
• Kids safety, consistency, and structure.
• <01:25:29.440> over absenteeism, mental health literacy over absenteeism, mental health literacy
• Educators are working hard to address literacy gaps and chronic absenteeism.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• President, on the personal financial literacy and making that a part of graduation requirements, could
• Rigorous enough course and in your personal financial literacy, you are doing high-level math.
• It was a mandate that all students had to take the personal financial literacy course.
• For students to understand personal financial literacy.
• Previously, you were able to meet the personal financial literacy requirement in eighth grade.

Bills: HJR1088, HJR1090, HJR1091, HB1370, SB2154, HJR1092, HJR1093, HJR1095, HJR1099, HJR1100, HB3021, SB893, SB206, SB248, SB259, SB423, SB563, SB604, SB633, HJR1077, SB667, SB1224, SB1257, SB1264, SB1319, SB1360, SB1437, SB1531, SB1543, SB1806, HB3004, SB1572, HB4342, SB1618, SB2, SB237, SB1632, SB1687, SB1726, SB1859, SB1894, SB1461, HB4432, SB1948, SB1589, SJR52, SR46, HCR1030, SB2071, SB2182, SB1451, HJR1088, HJR1090, HJR1091, HJR1092, HJR1093, HJR1095, HJR1096, HJR1099, HJR1100, SB2185, SB893, HB3021, SR46, SB206, SB237, SB248, SB259, SB423, SB563, SB604, SB625, SB633, SB667, SB1224, SB1257, SB1264, SB1319, SB1360, SB1378, SB1437, SB1531, SB1543, SB1572, SB1618, SB1632, SB1687, SB1726, SB1806, SB1859, SB1894, SB1948, SB2071, SJR52, HB1370, HJR1077, SB2, SB1451, SB2182, HCR1030

Keywords: education rules, administrative rules, joint resolution, Oklahoma State Department of Education, higher education, State Regents for Higher Education, Teachers' Retirement System, charter schools, Statewide Charter School Board, career and technology education, CTE, OEQA, rule approval, legislative oversight, permanent rules, school governance, teacher retirement, education agencies, Oklahoma Register, Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry

Transcript Highlights:

• I guess my other question would be: is there currently a structure?
• I guess my other question would be: is there currently a structure for credit unions to be able to exempt
• I think the structure of the bill comes into play here because the bill says it is a merchant's choice
• I think the structure of the bill comes into play here because the bill says it is a merchant's choice
• But what is the fee structure? Are they going to receive fees for doing this?

Summary: The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee heard several bills, beginning with AB 407, which would expand the California Pollution Control Financing Authority. The author said the measure would increase flexibility and access to resources, and the bill was approved 7-0 and sent to the Committee on Local Government. The committee also adopted the consent calendar, which included AB 76, by a 7-0 vote. A lengthy portion of the meeting focused on AB 1065, which would prohibit swipe fees on the sales tax portion of credit card transactions. Supporters, including small business owners, restaurant and grocery representatives, and a payments-policy expert, argued the bill would reduce costs for merchants and consumers and rein in dominant card networks. Opponents, including banks, credit unions, and payment industry groups, argued the bill is likely preempted by federal law, would be difficult to implement, and could disproportionately affect community banks and credit unions. After extensive questioning about preemption, fraud, implementation, and consumer impacts, the committee rejected the bill on a 6-0 vote, but then granted reconsideration by a 7-1 vote. The committee then heard AB 1365, which would create the Cal Account Program, a zero-fee, zero-penalty state banking account for unbanked and underbanked Californians. Supporters said the program would help low-income households, survivors of abuse, and others facing barriers to traditional banking, while opponents from community banks and credit unions argued existing low-cost accounts and the Bank On program already address the need and raised concerns about cost, feasibility, and duplication. The bill advanced on a 6-0 vote and later received enough votes on the reopened roll to move forward to the Committee on Labor and Employment. The committee also approved AB 1052, which would create a legal framework for digital assets and address unclaimed digital property and restrictions on public officials issuing or promoting digital assets, and AB 1180, which would create a pilot program for paying state fees with digital financial assets and require a report on broader adoption. Both bills passed with broad support after brief testimony and discussion. Final roll calls later confirmed AB 1052 and AB 1180, along with AB 407 and AB 1365, were moved out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• human services, the budget includes funding to continue implementing the foster care tiered rate structure
• This bill provides $480 million one-time Proposition 98 General Fund to support literacy instruction
• the English Language Arts, English Language Development framework for all students, including for literacy
• Coaches at high-need schools, evidence-based professional learning and literacy for elementary school
• This bill will set up a minimum wage structure that will allow employers to punish workers—workers that

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• while the Texas Constitution is not easy . . . to change, but it is more capable of change, to fix structural
• So we have created our local rules. but you're talking about more perhaps the logistical structure of
• career and skills trade consideration for students is that we also support them with. financial literacy
• And I definitely tell them if they pay attention in finance or literacy classes. and they enter the careers
• Submitted a bill for to require financial literacy in all of our high school. Yes, sir. Good idea.

Keywords: Texas Water Fund, water management, infrastructure funding, local governments, workforce development, community colleges, educational programs, sustainability

Summary: The meeting focused on several crucial issues, including the Texas Water Fund and its implications for development in the state. Various members highlighted the critical need for effective management of water resources, discussing the role of the Water Development Board and their strategies for outreach to local governments. The committee engaged in a thorough examination of funding projects and the sustainable financing necessary for communities facing challenges in meeting their infrastructure needs. Additionally, there was notable discussion regarding promoting workforce development and the alignment of educational programs with the demands of the job market as indicated by recent trends in community colleges.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's good for our financial economic structures where we all live.
• So, the way we were structured was there was four games for home next year in our conference.
• We've uh I will we've literacy world.
• <01:08:53.600> and young people on financial literacy and young people on financial literacy
• I think, but they do financial literacy.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:00:28 Kentucky Recovery Vocational: Workforce Reimagined 00:01:31 Update on College Athletics and 25RS SB 3 00:24:39 Goodwill Kentucky Excel Center 01:09:53, 958, all

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from Kentucky Recovery Vocational Workforce and Re-entry Incorporated, led by Executive Director Jerick D'vor, on its vocational training model for people in recovery and formerly incarcerated individuals. He said the nonprofit operates in Russell Springs and serves students from across Kentucky, offering manufacturing and welding training tied to recovery services through Spark Recovery. D'vor emphasized that the program combines treatment, soft-skills coaching, job placement, and continued support after employment, arguing that training should begin around 90 days into recovery rather than earlier. He reported strong outcomes, including 292 students served, 259 certificates earned, and 250 job placements, with many participants placed in manufacturing jobs and 17 welders trained and placed through the new welding academy. Members praised the program but asked about funding, retention, and employability barriers. D'vor said the pilot was supported by opioid abatement grant funding, and the program now relies mainly on donor contributions and Spark Recovery’s investment in clients, with possible future support from additional opioid abatement funds or 1915(i) mechanisms. He said participants are not charged tuition and that the organization provides soft-skills training and job coaches. In response to questions about long-term outcomes, he said the program does not yet have a full alumni tracking system but is exploring technology options and continues to provide post-employment support for 90 days. After approving the committee minutes, members received an update on college athletics and Senate Bill 3 from University of Louisville Athletic Director Josh Heird and University of Kentucky Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart. They said Kentucky’s NIL framework and reporting requirements are working reasonably well and praised the state for not trying to create a competitive advantage in the evolving college sports environment. Heird reported that 521 student-athletes have signed up for NILGO and about 240 deals have been approved through the system, while noting the need to ensure NIL agreements are legitimate marketplace deals rather than artificial payments. The discussion also touched on the House settlement, the $600 approval threshold, and broader federal changes affecting college athletics.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now that we've covered the basic structure of Florida CT system, let's look at the types of post-secondary
• Innovation and Opportunity Act for adult Education, family literacy with approximately 34 million dollars
• And that includes rgd preparation, English language instruction, foundational literacy.

Transcript Highlights:

• process, unsure whether their maps, their methods of elections, or their voter-approved governance structures
• We cannot let LEP status become the new literacy test. I repeat.
• We cannot let LEP status become the new literacy test.
• I repeat, we cannot let LEP status become the new literacy test. And if you could wrap up, please.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Spaces include a community computer room, learning resource center, computer literacy programs, youth
• We remain committed to securing additional resources to complete future phases, including park structures
• We remain committed to securing additional resources to complete future phases, including park structures
• We remain committed to securing additional resources to complete future phases, including park structures
• We remain committed to securing additional resources to complete future phases, including park structures

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Hawaiian Affairs heard several Department of Hawaiian Home Lands measures. SB 2635 would appropriate funds for DHHL land development, land purchases, and mortgage or rental subsidies to address the wait list; DHHL and five supporters testified in favor, and the committee later recommended passage with amendments, including a date defect, with the measure adopted as amended. SB 2924 would authorize funding for a capital improvement project for the Kaneili Community Hall, access road, and parking lot; DHHL stood on testimony in support, Randall Ao and another online testifier spoke in favor, and the committee later amended the bill to shift the funding structure from general obligation bonds to general funds before passing it. SB 3127 would raise the state liability cap for DHHL-related borrowing and guaranteed loans from $100 million to $500 million; DHHL testified, no other testimony was offered, and the committee passed it with amendments, including a date defect. The committee also heard SB 3248, which establishes labor requirements for Aleha Products. No testifier from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Board was present, and there was no additional testimony or questions during the hearing. During decision-making, the chair noted there was both support and some opposition but recommended passage with amendments, including a date defect, and the committee adopted the recommendation unanimously. The meeting concluded after all three decision-making votes were completed and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, structure for this is there's no slides, it's just a facilitated conversation.
• Um, I've got prepared questions for them aligned with committee priorities around literacy, math, um,

Transcript Highlights:

• We already put this into our structure, different ones of argue.
• Because it has bypass the very structure that we have in place. At the same time.
• I fear for my generation literacy.
• Somehow we've managed to band member books about family structures, such as lgb to cop aches, people
• bans books. >> Aaron Hale, you're recognized this country has an embarrassment when it comes to literacy

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition to that, we have structured treatment programs within TDCJ for substance use.
• So, any given year, you have roughly 70,000+ individuals that are going through some type of structured
• In addition to the technical training programs, we offer literacy programs, high school diploma programs
• They come to us generally with a 5th grade equivalency level in literacy, so it is quite important that
• We also have open and structured recreation.

Transcript Highlights:

• So a little bit about our governance structure here are host district services, fiscal agent.
• This instructional need was centered on LA teachers and improving reading scores and literacy.
• It was a research literacy grant.
• We had over 91 structures that were damaged that range from something as small as a pump house or a softball
• They have structure they get home. School may even belong to a regional group that works out a way.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• particularly adding the science of reading to the definitions of things like evidence-based and structured
• of um things like<00:08:49.360> evidence-based<00:08:50.160> and<00:08:50.480> structured
• like evidence-based and structured like evidence-based and structured literacy<00:08:52.000>
• um<00:08:52.080> and<00:08:52.320> clarifying<00:08:52.800> that literacy um
• and clarifying that literacy um and clarifying that districts<00:08:53.680> are<00:08:53.920>

Bills: HF1049

Keywords: school library aid, education finance, school districts, charter schools, funding eligibility, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Our staff structure is two permanent FTEs: myself and our senior operations specialist.
• <01:02:01.440> is<01:02:01.599> two that our staff structure is two that our staff
• structure is two permanent<01:02:02.520> FTE<01:02:03.440> myself<01:02:03.880> and<
• <01:06:09.200> for establishing governance structures for establishing governance structures
• so we want to make sure that we are building the right resources for screenings and for tracking literacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard Senate File 59, authored by Senator Green, which would require counties to locate and restore original public land survey monuments and related boundary markers. Green argued that newer GIS/GPS-based surveys have sometimes shifted long-established property lines, creating disputes for landowners, counties, and state agencies. He described examples involving his own property and constituents, including a case where a neighbor allegedly lost access to a well and septic system after a new survey and another where a landowner was told he was farming school trust land based on a newer plat reference. Testimony in support came from Allan Roger Olen, who said a newer survey changed his family’s property lines and created a dispute over land, a building permit, and ownership of well and septic systems. Senator Green also said county plat books are not legally binding and that the bill is intended to force counties to find original monuments before more disputes arise. Committee members raised concerns from the Association of Minnesota Counties about the bill’s timeline, funding, and requirement that counties employ a land surveyor. Green responded that counties had already been told to hire surveyors in some disputes, acknowledged the funding concerns, and said he would look for funding sources while emphasizing protection of property rights. A committee member who teaches surveying explained that adverse possession is a real legal doctrine in Minnesota and noted that restoring all monuments would cost far more than the $10 million already appropriated, estimating the total need at about $300 million. Phil Reigns of the Minnesota Society of Professional Surveyors testified that the Public Land Survey System underlies Minnesota’s land tenure system, that the original monuments were set mostly between 1850 and 1908, and that surveyors aim to restore them as accurately as possible using historical records and modern tools. He said the work is expensive because many counties lack staff surveyors and must hire consultants. Members discussed whether the bill would create boundary conflicts or authorize counties to alter lines, and Green said his intent was to restore original monuments and avoid litigation. Co-Chair Lang moved that Senate File 59, as amended, be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Judiciary. The motion prevailed on a voice vote. Afterward, the committee began receiving an overview from the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs.