Transcript Highlights:

• having to come out of pocket, because I've seen thousands of teachers do that.
• I would hope that teachers, nor coaches, have to go into their pocket.
• I am always prepared. So my drill weekend is actually coming up, and I need to get ready.
• Always prepared. Mr. Chair, may I follow up? Follow up. Thank you.
• Always prepared. Mr. Chair, may I follow up? Follow up. Thank you.

Committee: Senate Education Pre-K - 12

Summary: The Senate Education Pre-K-12 Committee considered and reported favorably several bills. SB 1036, as amended, addressed the shortage of school counselors by clarifying certification requirements; SB 1136, as amended by a delete-all amendment, authorized non-invasive dental screenings in schools as part of preventive dental programs with parent notice and exemption procedures; and SB 920 proposed applied algebra courses tied to technical skills and career pathways while still requiring students to pass the Algebra I end-of-course exam. Each of these bills was supported in committee and passed favorably. The committee also approved SB 178, as amended, to allow coaches to provide good-faith support to student-athletes, such as food, transportation, and recovery services, with reporting requirements and a $15,000 annual cap per team; members discussed the need for guardrails to prevent recruiting abuse and noted possible expansion beyond FHSAA. SB 1216, on educator compensation, would give districts more flexibility to use compensation tools beyond the current rigid framework, and it was reported favorably with support from members citing retention and inflation concerns. The committee also adopted SPB 7022, which reenacts and extends a public records exemption for certain examination and assessment instruments to 2031 and expands coverage to district school boards and public schools. Later, SB 464 was reported favorably to require all school districts to formally observe Veterans Day as a school holiday. Members debated whether schools should be closed or could instead hold programs or professional development, but the bill advanced with support emphasizing consistency and honoring veterans. Finally, SB 538, as amended, established standardized participation rules for extracurricular activities across public, private, virtual, and home education students, addressed participation fees and multiple-school participation, and allowed districts to determine coaches’ compensation. The committee adjourned after recording an additional favorable vote on SB 1036 by Senator Osgood.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill seeks to strengthen employee screening for school teachers to help identify teachers with a
• Enrollment in teacher preparation programs A teacher shortage is an unfortunate, persistent reality.
• Enrollment in teacher preparation programs is half of what it was during the peak in 2004, and the number
• teachers and the reality that teachers are human and sometimes have unexpectedly take time off from
• started to take hold, at least temporarily, where between the teacher and the student and the teacher

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair is preparing to close.
• Chair is preparing to close. Senator Logan. Senator Devers. Chair is preparing to close.
• Chair is preparing to close.
• Chair is preparing to close.
• Chair is preparing to close.

Bills: SB1238 , SB1277 , SB1304 , SB1378 , SB1423 , SB1484 , SB1501 , SR32 , SB1502 , SB1721 , SB1735 , SB1832 , SB1847 , SB1859 , SB1876 , SB2170 , SB2182

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, prayer, pledges, and a series of guest introductions recognizing doctors, nurses, psychologists, interns, students, civic groups, and special honorees, including a tribute to Senator Paul Rosino’s military service and a citation for 2025 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Melissa Yvonne. The chamber also adopted Senate Resolution 32 recognizing March 9 as Bob Wills Day at the Capitol, with remarks from Carolyn Wills and musical guests from the Texas Playboys. The Senate then took up and passed a long list of bills. SB 1238 made domestic assault and battery in the presence of a minor a felony on the first offense and passed 42-3 after questions about sentencing impacts and equity concerns. SB 1277 codified weekly work-search actions and passed 46-0. SB 1304 clarified alcohol sample serving sizes and passed 30-15, with one senator recorded as not voting. SB 1378 created the Olympics and Oklahoma revolving fund and passed 46-0 as an emergency measure. SB 1423 repealed the Hospital Advisory Council and passed 39-7. SB 1484 expanded sudden unexplained infant death investigations and passed 46-0. Later measures included SB 1501, which clarified medical marijuana grow remediation and notice requirements, passing 41-5 amid concerns about pending renewals and law-enforcement notification; SB 1502, repealing the Alzheimer’s Disclosure Act Advisory Council, passing 46-0; SB 1721, extending the Oklahoma Advisory Council on Indian Education and passing 40-6 as an emergency; SB 1735, a CareerTech/SDE accreditation cleanup bill, passing 46-0 as an emergency; SB 1832, reauthorizing veterans’ tax checkoffs, passing 46-0 as an emergency; SB 1847, allowing certain Medicaid waiver recipients in assisted living to age in place, passing 34-10 as an emergency; SB 1859, creating an OSBI cybercrime and financial fraud division, passing 37-8 despite concerns about duplication with another agency; SB 1876, modernizing service of process for foreign insurers, passing 45-0; SB 2170, requiring supervised visitation after DHS findings of child sexual abuse, passing 45-0; and SB 2182, creating civil remedies for unauthorized disclosure of intimate images, passing 44-0. The Senate concluded with announcements about the Bible Reading Marathon and an upcoming Ireland-related economic development event, then adjourned until Tuesday, March 10 at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• and additional $500 teacher bonus.
• The goal here is to help address our teacher shortage in also help improve our teacher prep programs.
• And we want that obviously our teachers to come out of their training to be the best prepared to engage
• The language prohibits teacher preparation programs from distorting significant historical events while
• preparation legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• that you will have to have in preparation this year and the next year.
• And a lot of times the people around them are just not prepared to respond.
• And in moments like these, preparation isn't optional; it's essential.
• Two other teachers on the track performed CPR, not performing Two other teachers on the track performed
• They need to be with teachers. They need to be with other students.

Bills: SB6222 , SB6263 , SB6118 , SB6261 , SB6320

Committee: Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education

Keywords: public education, technology access, surplus hardware, digital divide, student resources, school district, public bidding, bid limits, procurement, public works, construction contracts, competitive bidding, lowest responsible bidder, small works roster, quotations, school purchasing, Washington-grown food, local food, inmate work programs, Department of Corrections

Transcript Highlights:

• I am very much a teacher person. Like teachers are better than computers, right?
• I firmly believe in teacher, individual teacher.
• And we as teachers, we as teachers of teachers need to understand that so that we can help those children
• As you gather, what is the consensus about what has to be changed or added to teacher preparation programs
• Teacher preparation enrollment numbers, are they going up?

Transcript Highlights:

• by teacher.
• by teacher.
• by teacher. teacher. teacher.
• Three registered teacher teachers.
• > registered</c> opportunity of teacher registered opportunity of teacher registered teacher<01:20:09.760

Bills: HF3650 , HF2238

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: student career pathways, education framework, experiential learning, employer engagement, career technical education, HF2238, Minnesota, workforce development, construction trades, youth skills training, youth apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, construction training, career and technical education, CTE, child labor laws, minor labor, labor exemption, workforce pipeline, skilled trades

Transcript Highlights:

• The intention, Representative Edmonston, is that if a decision is made where the teacher or teacher feels
• like, The decision is made where the teacher or teacher feels like they need someone else to try to
• My wife was a kindergarten teacher, currently as a pre-K teacher.
• teacher preparation program requirements to include instruction in evidence-based literacy practices
• I can't speak for every teacher, but the ones that I'm still in contact with are elementary teachers

Committee: House Education

Summary: The House Education Committee met on March 18, 2026, with 11 members present and adopted prior meeting minutes without objection. The committee first heard HB 649 by Rep. Brass, which would create a statewide common application portal for dual enrollment. Supporters from the Pelican Institute and the Board of Regents said the bill would simplify enrollment, reduce paperwork for counselors and families, and improve awareness of dual enrollment options. Members asked about nonparticipation by institutions and access for nontraditional students; the bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee then took up HB 807 by Rep. Brass, which would establish the Workforce Instructor Capacity Investment Program within LCTCS to help recruit and retain instructors for high-demand workforce programs. Testimony from River Parishes Community College, Dow, and the Louisiana Chemical Association described instructor shortages as a bottleneck for training workers for major industrial projects, and said employer-sharing models and apprenticeships have been successful. An amendment expanded eligibility to include LSU Eunice and Southern University at Shreveport, and the committee adopted the amendments. After debate about whether the state needed a new fund versus using existing systems, the bill was reported favorably by a 13-1 roll call vote. Next, the committee heard HB 285 by Chairman Bacala, which authorizes school boards to cooperate with banks and credit unions to operate branches in high schools as part of financial literacy programs. Bacala said the bill clarifies statutory authority, and an amendment added banks to the original credit union language. Members discussed ethics, exclusivity, student access, and whether the branches could market products; supporters from LABI and financial industry groups said the programs improve hands-on financial education. The bill was reported with amendments without objection. The committee also considered HB 28 by Rep. Owen, which adds a BESE-level appeal for certain teacher certification applicants affected by administrative or contractor errors. Owen described a case in which applicants paid for certification programs but were denied because of a mentor-signature issue, and said the amendment would require BESE or its designee to act within 30 days. Department of Education staff said the Teacher Certification Appeals Council had already granted extensions rather than outright denials in the affected cases, but the committee advanced the bill after a 9-4 roll call vote. Finally, the committee began HB 268 by Rep. Carver, which would strengthen career exposure requirements for students by tying activities more closely to high-wage, high-demand jobs and adding an annual exposure requirement in K-5; testimony emphasized early workforce awareness, and discussion focused on keeping the requirements manageable for schools.

Transcript Highlights:

• We got to meet every teacher in the...
• The chair is preparing to close. Declare the vote. Eighty-four aye, zero nay.
• The chair is preparing to close. Declare the vote. Sixty aye, seventeen nay.
• The Chair is preparing to close. The Chair is preparing to close. West, Tammy, aye. Marty, aye.
• The Chair is preparing to close. Hays, aye. Duel, aye. Aye. Duel, aye.

Bills: SB1365 , SB2139 , SB1595 , SB1303 , SB2180 , SB2072 , SB1772 , SB1209 , SB137 , SB1944 , SB372 , SB1636 , SB1256 , SB1827 , SB2104 , SB1226 , SB1876 , SB1966 , SB80 , SB1148 , SB1147 , SB1149 , SB1161 , SB1162 , SB1164 , SB1159 , SB1165 , SB1174 , SB1156 , SB1158 , SB1163 , SB1175 , SB1176 , SB1166 , SB1167 , SB1157 , SB1146 , SB1481 , SB1144 , SB1145 , SCR20

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several gallery introductions, including the Oklahoma Elks Lodge Association, Guthrie Day visitors, students from Sanger Ridge Elementary and Stillwater, and multiple honored guests and athletic teams. The chamber also heard a farewell speech from Representative Dale Kerbs reflecting on his 10 years in the House, his committee work, staff, family, and major policy changes during his tenure. A concurrent resolution recognizing the YMCA on its 175th anniversary was also adopted. The bulk of the meeting focused on a series of Senate bills carrying joint committee reports, many of them appropriations or retirement-related measures. The House passed bills providing COLAs or related benefit changes for judicial retirees (SB 1148), firefighters (SB 1147), police retirees (SB 1146), public employees (SB 1145), and teachers (SB 1144), along with a one-time stipend for a small group of retired police and firefighters who missed prior increases (SB 1149). Members asked questions about pension solvency, tiered COLA structures, and whether any bills reduced state contributions; the sponsors generally said the systems were stable or that future legislatures would retain oversight. The House also passed limits bills for the Health Care Authority (SB 1161), State Department of Health (SB 1162), Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (SB 1164), Department of Human Services (SB 1163), Public Safety (SB 1165), Agriculture (SB 1166), and the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (SB 1175 and SB 1176). Several other measures were approved with little or no debate, including appropriations for remediation assistance (SB 1159), a Pardon and Parole Board pay increase (SB 1156), funding for the Office of Juvenile Affairs to ensure juveniles receive prescribed medication (SB 1158), a new OSBI cybercrimes and fraud unit (SB 1157), and OMES provisions for Pay for Success and a public contract-spending database (SB 1167). The House also passed a school bill adding 20 minutes of recess for K-5 students, with members joking about recess for legislators as well. Most bills passed with strong bipartisan margins, and several emergency clauses were adopted by the required two-thirds vote. The House then recalled HB 1933 from engrossing and enrolling and adjourned until Monday, April 20, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've seen thousands of teachers do that.
• I am always prepared.
• Always prepared. Mr. Chair, may I follow up?” “Follow up. Thank you.
• put in place in order for the teachers to get properly aligned and prepared for the next month or the
• put in place in order for the teachers to get properly aligned and prepared for the next month or the

Bills: S7022 , S0178 , S0430 , S0464 , S0538 , S0920 , S1036 , S1136 , S1216

Committee: Senate Education Pre-K - 12

Summary: The Education Pre-K through 12 Committee considered and reported favorably several bills. SB 1036 on school counselors was amended to clarify certification exemptions and passed, with support focused on addressing counselor shortages and student mental health needs. SB 1136 on dental screenings for K-12 students was converted by delete-all amendment to place the screening definition in the School Health Services Act and to require written parent notice and exemption procedures; it passed with support from PTA and other advocates. SB 920 on mathematics education passed after discussion of applied algebra courses tied to career pathways, while preserving Algebra I standards, end-of-course testing, graduation requirements, and university admission eligibility. SB 178 on athletics and public K-12 schools also passed after amendment adding a $15,000 annual cap on coach-provided personal support per team and discussion of guardrails to prevent recruiting abuses; members emphasized the role coaches play in supporting students. SB 1216 on public school personnel compensation passed with broad support for giving districts more flexibility on pay, cost-of-living adjustments, and advanced degree compensation. The committee also approved SPB 7022, a public records exemption bill extending protections for examination and assessment instruments to 2031 and clarifying coverage for district and school materials. SB 464 on observance of Veterans Day in K-12 schools passed after debate over whether schools should be closed or use the day for programs, with supporters arguing for statewide consistency and honoring veterans. Finally, SB 538 on physical education passed after a delete-all amendment establishing standardized extracurricular participation rules for public, private, virtual, and home education students, addressing coach compensation at the district level, and clarifying participation limits across schools. The committee recessed briefly for Senator Avila’s arrival, postponed SB 430, and adjourned after recording one additional favorable vote on SB 1036.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also allows our educator prep programs to prepare our pre-service teachers by training them on the
• It also allows our educator prep programs to prepare our pre-service teachers by training them on the
• to prepare them for life after high school.
• We feel it in teacher preparation.
• We're training teachers, and teachers are part of that training through the RECs.

Bills: HB30 , HB120 , HJR1 , SB210 , SB306

Committee: House House Education

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 64, which would codify the existing Office of Special Education within the Public Education Department, create a deputy secretary position, and formalize responsibilities for enforcing special education law, monitoring disability protections, and supporting a statewide online IEP system. The sponsor and PED officials said the bill would provide continuity, improve compliance with IDEA, help students who move between schools, and keep gifted education unchanged in its current curriculum-and-instruction placement. An amendment requiring quarterly consultation with superintendents and charter school leaders was also described as a way to improve collaboration and continuous improvement. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive from educators, disability advocates, parents, superintendents, unions, and charter school representatives, who said the bill would improve accountability, transparency, and services for students with disabilities. One parent testified in opposition to the gifted-education language, warning that removing gifted students from the special education umbrella could weaken protections and services. Committee members asked about cost, the office’s current structure, the role of 504 plans, and how the bill would affect military and foster students; PED said the office is already staffed and funded primarily through federal IDEA dollars and that 504 enforcement remains separate, though the office may monitor related protections. The committee then voted do pass. The committee next heard House Bill 256, which would require schools to include cardiac emergency response procedures for athletic activities and ensure AEDs are clearly marked and accessible at those events. Supporters, including the American Heart Association, nurses, and school leaders, emphasized that AEDs and trained staff can dramatically improve survival in sudden cardiac arrest cases. Questions focused on how many AEDs schools would need, whether schools already have them, and how the bill would affect middle school athletics and budgets; the sponsor said schools would determine the best placement, with at least one AED available for athletic events. The committee voted do pass. Finally, the committee heard House Memorial 43, which asks LESC and PED to study how New Mexico and other states measure school performance, including the use of the Lexile reading framework. Superintendents argued that Lexile provides a more consistent, apples-to-apples comparison than some state accountability measures and could better reflect student growth. There was no opposition, members asked about possible study costs, and the memorial passed on a do pass motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• And poor teacher, by the way...
• We must do everything we can to strengthen the teacher preparation process, providing financial incentives
• including a high cost of preparation and the Result of systemic barriers, including a high cost of preparation
• prepared to meet our students' needs today.
• , and the faculty who prepare them.

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard a full agenda of bills, first adopting a consent calendar of 11 measures without individual presentations. The committee then took up AB 1412, which would require California schools to implement or adopt a transferred special education student’s IEP within 30 days for out-of-state transfers and to coordinate more quickly on records. The author and military-family witnesses said the bill would reduce delays for highly mobile students, especially military children; a school administrators group opposed it. The bill received initial support from committee members and was moved on call. The committee also reconsidered AB 281, which would require notice to parents when outside consultants provide sex education instruction; the author accepted amendments removing a copy-right provision, but the bill remained on call after a split vote. The committee heard AB 1005, which would create a statewide drowning-prevention education and swim-lesson voucher framework for underserved communities. The author and supporters described drowning as a preventable public health and equity issue, while the bill was clarified as developing a plan rather than immediately launching a voucher program. It was voted out on a 3-0 roll with the measure placed on call. AB 908, as amended, would add compliance monitoring for existing requirements that schools use LGBTQ-inclusive instructional materials and curriculum under the FAIR Act. Supporters said the bill would improve implementation and student safety; opponents raised concerns about privacy, girls’ sports, and school burdens. The committee approved the bill 5-2 and sent it to Appropriations. The committee then heard AB 1401, which would affirm parents’ access to school records, including unofficial records unless exempt by law. The author argued that parents need clearer access to information held by schools and vendors, while school officials and teachers’ union representatives warned the bill was too vague and could sweep in personal notes, journals, and other sensitive material. The bill failed on a 2-3 vote and was placed on call. Finally, AB 727 would require student ID cards to include the Trevor Project hotline for LGBTQ youth; supporters framed it as a suicide-prevention measure, while opponents argued it conflicted with parental rights and religious beliefs. Committee discussion focused on whether 988 already provides similar access and whether the Trevor Project is an appropriate resource to print on IDs; the hearing continued with the bill still under consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is what we're calling strengthening teacher Preparation and residencies.
• Are they preparing? In what we as teachers need in the classroom.
• And some teachers are trained, and some teachers aren't trained.
• And in that capacity, I worked as a teacher preparer in teacher preparation for art education majors,
• Their goal is to strengthen math... teacher preparation programs to ensure educators feel confident.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are behind their kids, supporting, and they believe in teachers.
• And investing in our teachers, making sure that we are attracting teachers that have a math background
• Microschools emerge from parents and teachers working together.
• I was a public school teacher prior.
• We deliver personal finance curriculum and teacher professional development to 140,000 teachers and 5

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 1067, which would require annual early math screening for K-2 students beginning in 2028-29 to identify learning gaps and connect students to evidence-based support. Senator Weber and supporters, including EdVoice and UC Davis researcher Dr. Charles Wilkes, argued that California’s low math performance and persistent achievement gaps justify early identification and intervention. Opponents, including the California Mathematics Council, county superintendents, and CTA, said the bill could create a new mandate, encourage narrow skill-based instruction, and divert attention from implementing the California Mathematics Framework and investing in teacher training and coaching. Committee members discussed how the screener would work, whether it would identify disabilities or simply flag students needing further evaluation, and cited examples of districts already using early screening tools. No vote was taken because quorum had not yet been established at that point. SB 1110, a child care subsidy administration bill, was presented next. Senator Becker and co-sponsors from the Child Care Resource Center and EveryChild California said the measure would stabilize the child care system as the state moves to enrollment-based funding by clarifying funding for administrative and family-service functions and helping providers maintain staffing, payment timelines, and compliance. There was support from several child care and education organizations and no opposition testimony. The bill was not voted on because the committee still lacked quorum. After recess, the committee heard SB 1374, which would allow public higher education institutions to seek temporary restraining orders on their own behalf when they face credible threats of violence. The CSU Chancellor’s Office and San Diego State police described incidents where threats were directed at campuses broadly rather than specific individuals, leaving institutions without a legal remedy under current law. UC and independent colleges supported the bill, and there was no opposition. The bill was held on call pending quorum. The committee then took up SB 1321, which would direct the State Auditor to review remedial course use and student preparedness at selected UC and CSU campuses. Senator Nila and supporters argued that recent UC San Diego data show severe gaps in incoming students’ math preparation and that the audit would help assess admissions and placement practices; there was no opposition testimony. Members raised concerns about the scope and timing of the audit request, and the bill was held on call. The committee also heard SB 1086 on microschools, which would define microschools in statute and direct model ordinances for local land use regulation. Supporters said microschools are growing but face inconsistent zoning treatment, while some members questioned whether the Legislature had enough information to define the model or direct state guidance without more study. After quorum was established, the committee voted SB 1086 out on a 4-1 vote to the Senate Appropriations Committee, with Senator Perez voting aye, Senator Ochoa Bogh aye, and Senator Cabaldon no; the remaining votes were not fully recorded in the transcript. Finally, SB 1181 was presented as a voluntary pilot program in Central Valley counties to allow schools to share credible safety concerns with regional threat assessment centers. Senator Hurtado and supporters, including the mother of a student killed in a shooting and Corcoran High School students, said the bill would improve early intervention and communication around threats. Members expressed support while also raising privacy and federal-sharing concerns about fusion centers; the bill was discussed but no vote was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• And as a teacher, talking to other teachers, one of the biggest issues and struggles we see is that our
• I had some questions on the teacher evaluations.
• ...to get a social studies teacher?
• Again, I'm putting my teacher hat on here.
• Section 72, Nevada Institute on Teacher and Educator Preparation, a $2 million appropriation in fiscal

Committee: Assembly Education

Transcript Highlights:

• , and direct teacher preparation programs to adopt those revised standards within two years of their
• Teacher said, 'She's really bright. Don't know what's wrong.
• Teacher said, she's really bright. Don't know what's wrong.
• I hear all the time from middle school teachers who say, 'I'm a subject teacher.
• It does support high-quality instruction, teacher preparation, and teacher development, as well as supporting

Bills: HB1796 , SGA9249 , SGA9269 , SGA9244

Committee: Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education

Keywords: school construction, contract indebtedness, school districts, bonding authority, education funding

Transcript Highlights:

• It's being used by teachers.
• It's going to replace the teachers, it's going to replace administrators, whatever.
• It's going to replace the teachers, it's going to replace administrators, whatever.
• And my concern was that it would never be used to replace a teacher.
• And my concerns was that it would never be used to replace a teacher.

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• They are behind their kids, supporting, and they believe in teachers.
• Now, I was a very, I want to say a very passionate teacher. I'm here...
• Micro-schools emerge from parents and teachers working together.
• I was a public school teacher prior.
• We deliver personal finance curriculum and teacher professional development to 140,000 teachers and 5

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Men Teach, the Teachers of Color and<00:04:44.160><c> Indigenous</c><00:04:44.720><c> Teachers</c><00
• a severe teacher shortage.
• a severe teacher shortage.
• I wasn't a teacher. But but I member. I wasn't a teacher.
• </c> in teacher prep school. in teacher prep school.

Transcript Highlights:

• H. 4217 would finally change this and ensure that teacher preparation programs actually teach the science
• I was an infant teacher, preschool daycare teacher, fresh out of high school, so I knew what the specs
• I was an infant teacher, preschool daycare teacher, fresh out of high school, so I knew what the specs
• Special ed kids have a main teacher.
• Oh, it was the same teacher. Same teacher. Okay.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Education

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held a hearing focused primarily on special education-related bills, with testimony centered on two major themes: transition planning for students aging out of school-based services at age 22, and the fiscal strain special education costs place on districts. Committee members explained hearing procedures, noted the House was in formal session, and periodically stepped out for votes while staff recorded testimony. A separate bill on special education due process was also taken up briefly, along with a bill on special education finance and another on equitable access/data reporting. On House Bill 752 and Senate Bill 313, witnesses from the Arc of Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress, the Developmental Disabilities Council, families, self-advocates, and Senator Comerford described the “Turning 22” transition as a crisis point that often leaves families without adult placements, services, or clear communication. Testimony emphasized earlier planning, more accountability, better data collection, and a commission to improve coordination and residential placement. Several parents and advocates shared personal accounts of traumatic transitions, delayed placements, and the need for plans to begin at least a year before age 22. The committee later closed testimony on these bills after hearing from all signed-up speakers. House Bill 4217, on special education due process, drew support from Representative Sullivan-Almeida, parents, and advocates who argued that the burden of proof should shift from families to school districts. Testimony described costly legal battles, delays, and parents having to become experts in reading instruction or hire advocates and attorneys to secure services. Brody Dwyer, a 10-year-old student with dyslexia, and his mother described how evidence-based instruction helped him after years of struggle. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 546/Senate Bill 317, which would require DESE to publish cross-tabulated data on race, disability, gender, income, and other factors; advocates said this would better expose disparities and help address the school-to-prison pipeline. Finally, on House Bill 691/Senate Bill 430, school leaders, educators, and union representatives testified that special education costs are outpacing district budgets and that increasing circuit breaker reimbursement and creating a commission to study long-term sustainability would help prevent staffing cuts and service reductions. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee repeatedly closed testimony on individual bills as speakers finished and moved through the agenda.