Video & Transcript : 'teaching standards' :
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AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- SB 331, electric utility; energy standard. SB 373, income tax refunds; veterans organizations.
- extremely necessary that parents have access to appropriate information when they want to try to help teach
- Explanation: it simply requires the training to conform with national standards.
- It simply requires the training to conform with national standards. All right.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill updates Arizona's outdated midwifery statutes to reflect the standards that promote safe, clarity
- Clear current scope of practice standards allow midwives to respond appropriately to clinical needs while
- allegation is considered to be wrong unless and until it's proven in a court of law to the applicable standard
- Representative Blackman said this is not a babysitting type of deal; the programs would teach children
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and introductions of the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Jane Peterson, and a University of Arizona presentation featuring meteorites and space-related materials. The chamber also adopted a proclamation honoring Mama Luisa’s Italian restaurant for 70 years of family ownership and service. After routine committee and Senate message announcements, the House moved into third reading and floor action on a large number of bills.
Several bills passed on third reading, including HB 2041 on child neglect, HB 2128, HB 2251 on midwifery, HB 2342 on planned communities/HOAs, HB 2402 on emergency medical services, HB 2403 appropriating money to AHCCCS, HB 2615 on parenting time, HB 2641 on firefighting foam, HB 2673 on incarcerated persons and mental illness, HB 2700 creating a Technology First Study Committee, HB 2951 on subscription cancellation/consumer protections, HB 2991 on minors’ access to technology content, and HB 4070 on human trafficking. Members’ comments reflected support for maternal care, consumer protection, parental controls, public safety, and services for incarcerated people with mental illness, while some members raised concerns about licensing, overbreadth, or unresolved amendments. HB 4018 on county officers failed on a 26-24 vote.
The House then reconsidered and sent HB 4018 back to third reading, but a subsequent motion challenging the chair’s ruling on whether a division had been called failed. The chamber also entered additional Committee of the Whole sessions to amend and recommend passage of HB 2136 and HB 2923, both of which were reported out as amended. In later Committee of the Whole work, the House recommended passage of HB 2188, HB 2239, HB 2437, HB 2445, HB 2502, HB 2620 as amended, HB 2931 as amended, HB 4004, and HB 4064, with some bills retained on the calendar and several measures referred to engrossing. The transcript ended while the House was continuing through consent-calendar and additional Committee of the Whole proceedings.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Jan 21st, 2026 at 12:30 pm
Washington Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- of policing in Washington, and Executive Director Alexander's retirement leaves us a legacy that teaches
- At the Criminal Justice Training Commission, she held herself and others to the high standards of accountability
- has not been updated since 1980, and I think it's time that we update it and bring it to current standards
- And I think it's time that we update it and bring it to current standards.
Keywords:
employment eligibility, firefighters, law enforcement, citizenship, legal authorization, public safety, mortgage lending, fraud, prosecution, financial regulations, consumer protection, broadband, infrastructure, loan assistance, economic development, technology access, criminal offense, fingerprinting, state regulations, SB 5280
Summary:
The Senate opened with ceremonial items, approved the previous day’s journal, and referred committee reports and new introductions. Members then adopted Senate Resolution 8669 recognizing National Blood Donor Month after remarks emphasizing the life-saving need for blood donations and the work of blood coalition partners. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 8667 honoring Monica Alexander for her long public service with the Washington State Patrol and Criminal Justice Training Commission, with multiple senators praising her leadership, reforms, and mentorship.
The chamber then took up a series of gubernatorial appointments to college boards of trustees, confirming Rosa Peralta to the Seattle College District, Stephen Zimmerman to Wenatchee Valley College, and Tara Lear to Walla Walla Community College, each by roll call vote. After caucus, the Senate returned to third reading and considered several bills, including SB 5068 on law enforcement, corrections, and prosecutors; SB 5252 on property tax exemptions for nonprofit public assembly halls and meeting places; SB 5280 on consumer protections for virtual currency kiosks; SB 5124 on patient access and skilled nursing facility discharge coordination; and SB 5436 on interference with access to places of religious worship. Most of these measures were amended and then passed, with SB 5068 and SB 5436 drawing debate over immigration status and protest activity, respectively.
Later, the Senate passed SB 5705, narrowing traffic safety penalties to focus on distracted driving in school zones; ESSB 5594, delaying implementation of biosimilar drug access provisions; SB 5169, expanding out-of-court testimony options for child victims and witnesses; ESSB 5098, expanding weapons restrictions to additional public buildings and outdoor public spaces, despite opposition over firearm preemption and self-defense concerns; SB 5188, allowing rural broadband repair loans; SB 5109, making the mortgage lending fraud prosecution account permanent with a fee increase; SSB 5240, authorizing schools to use available anaphylaxis medication in emergencies; SB 5420, ensuring veterans and uniformed service members access to benefits and opportunities; SB 5467, simplifying surplus property sales by water-sewer districts; SSB 5331, strengthening insurance enforcement and restitution authority; and ESSB 5071, updating child endangerment law to include fentanyl and synthetic opioids, with an amendment adding a parenting-alternative approach for child defendants. The Senate also adopted an amendment to SB 5581 to include public transportation providers in safe-system transportation infrastructure planning and then advanced the bill toward final passage.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Jan 21st, 2026
Washington Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Alexander changed the culture of policing in Washington, and her retirement leaves us a legacy that teaches
- At the Criminal Justice Training Commission, she held herself and others to the high standards of accountability
- has not been updated since 1980, and I think it's time that we update it and bring it to current standards
- . and I think it's time that we update it and bring it to current standards.
Keywords:
employment eligibility, firefighters, law enforcement, citizenship, legal authorization, public safety, mortgage lending, fraud, prosecution, financial regulations, consumer protection, broadband, infrastructure, loan assistance, economic development, technology access, criminal offense, fingerprinting, state regulations, SB 5280
Summary:
The Senate opened with ceremonial business, including the roll call, colors, pledge, and prayer, then approved the previous day’s journal and referred committee reports and new introductions. Members also suspended rules to consider multiple resolutions and bills. Senate Resolution 8669, honoring National Blood Donor Month, was adopted after remarks emphasizing the life-saving importance of blood donation and recognizing the Northwest Blood Coalition, whose members were introduced in the gallery.
The chamber then adopted Senate Resolution 8667 honoring Monica Alexander, executive director of the Criminal Justice Training Commission, with multiple senators praising her career in the State Patrol, her leadership on regional training academies, sexual assault kit reform, and public safety culture. The Senate also confirmed several gubernatorial appointments to college boards, including Rosa Peralta to the Seattle College District Board of Trustees, Stephen A. Zimmerman to Wenatchee Valley College, and Tara Lear to Walla Walla Community College, each by 49-0 roll call votes.
The Senate spent much of the session on third-reading bills, often amending them before final passage. Measures passed included SB 5068 on agencies, firefighters, prosecutors, and limited authority; ESSB 5252 on property tax exemptions for nonprofit public assembly halls; SB 5280 on virtual currency kiosk consumer protections; ESSB 5124 on patient access and skilled nursing facility identification; ESSB 5436 on interference with access to places of worship; SB 5705 on traffic safety penalties in school zones; ESSB 5594 on biosimilar medicines; SSB 5169 on out-of-court testimony for child victims and witnesses; ESSB 5098 on weapons restrictions in certain public buildings and parks; SB 5188 on broadband infrastructure repair loans; SB 5109 on the mortgage lending fraud prosecution account; SSB 5240 on anaphylaxis medications in schools; SB 5420 on veterans’ benefits access; SB 5467 on water-sewer district surplus property sales; SSB 5331 on insurer accountability; ESSB 5071 on endangerment with controlled substances involving fentanyl or synthetic opioids; and ESSB 5581 on safe system/complete streets transportation strategies. Most of these bills passed with broad bipartisan support, though some drew opposition over firearms restrictions, insurance penalties, or transportation costs. Several bills were amended on the floor before final passage, including changes to dates, scope, and technical language, and the session concluded with additional business beginning on SB 5649.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Early Learning & Human Services Jan 20th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Early Learning & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- longitudinal study, commercial coverage for pediatric community health workers, behavioral health teaching
- One of the challenges in Washington is that we lack a standardized trauma-informed system to respond
- One of the challenges in Washington is that we lack a standardized trauma-informed system to respond
- Intermediate care facilities and nursing facilities must meet minimum health and safety standards established
Keywords:
behavioral health, youth support, mental health services, children's health, support services, foster youth, child welfare, education, mental health, dental care, habilitation centers, residential services, healthcare access, patient rights, poverty, task force, legislative, executive, social programs, fatalities
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections Jan 20th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections
Transcript Highlights:
- It is my responsibility to teach my children to stand up for their beliefs.
- Washington has already set a standard for protecting the safety of transgender people, and I think this
- Washington where government-to-government relationships are supported in collaboration with the standard
- Other states like Oregon, Arizona, Montana, and Florida have adopted similar standards while maintaining
Keywords:
SB 6081, Washington privacy, sex designation, gender marker, nonbinary, transgender, vital records, birth certificate, death certificate, fetal death, stillbirth, driver license, ID card, Department of Licensing, public records exemption, confidential records, record sealing, data sharing, government records, privacy
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I've heard from Texas Commission on Jail Standards, in the eight long years that my son has been incarcerated
- and against, but we do have as a resource witness Brandon Wood with the Texas Commission on Jail Standards
- Brandon Wood, Executive Director, Texas Commission on Jail Standards, again, I am And you're testifying
- And I know right now they're not teaching that. in the schools.
Keywords:
false reporting, emergency response, criminal penalties, restitution, public safety, penalties, emergency services, public institutions, false reports, criminal penalty, pretrial hearings, criminal competency, legal process, court timelines, restoration of competency, fines, community service, credit, criminal justice, defendants
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nomination of Lori Chavez-DeRemer, of Oregon, to be Secretary of Labor. - Part 2 of 2 Feb 19th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- And they have been my steadfast defenders, teaching me. Patience and the value of an open mind.
- Department is responsible for combating human trafficking and forced labor under the Fair Labor Standards
- safety in small rural communities Although there may be some Benefits to take a look at the old standards
- I'm just trying to get a sense of your vision for what the standard of life for an American worker is
Keywords:
PRO Act, labor laws, worker rights, unionization, right-to-work, public testimony, political polarization
Summary:
The meeting centered around an in-depth discussion of the PRO Act, with representatives expressing passionate opinions both for and against the legislation. Representative Chavez de Rimmer emphasized the importance of worker freedom, arguing that the PRO Act would infringe upon individual rights by coercing unionization. This perspective was strongly received by members from right-to-work states, who articulated their concerns about the potential erosion of workers' choices and protections. Speaker after speaker conveyed conflicting views on labor laws, indicating a deeply polarized environment surrounding labor issues at the moment.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
January 15, 2025 - 09:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- So goal number one is teaching them to read, working to get their GEDs, and working to get them qualified
- This is where we look at standardization and training for all law enforcement and criminal justice entities
- instance, we have committees that are focused on problem-solving courts, developing best practices and standards
- So we've got to manage our district court of appeal courthouses, make sure the security standards that
Summary:
The Justice Budget Subcommittee met for an introductory overview of the justice budget and the major agencies within it. Chair Maney explained that the committee would hear broad presentations rather than detailed budget questions, and the first panel included the Department of Juvenile Justice, Department of Corrections, Commission on Offender Review, Department of Law Enforcement, Office of the State Courts Administrator, and the Attorney General’s Office. Each agency described its mission, staffing, budget, and major responsibilities, with repeated emphasis on public safety, rehabilitation, staffing shortages, technology needs, and the importance of mental health services and education in reducing recidivism.
Secretary Hall described DJJ’s prevention-to-aftercare continuum, including civil citation, detention, probation, and residential commitment programs, and highlighted reductions in juvenile arrests and commitments. Secretary Dixon said DOC’s biggest issues are staffing, overtime, and inflation, while noting progress in education, reentry, and a low recidivism rate. FDLE Commissioner Glass outlined the agency’s investigative, forensic, intelligence, and protective functions, including work on fentanyl enforcement and crime reporting systems. The State Courts Administrator emphasized the judiciary’s constitutional role, case volume, and challenges in providing interpreters, experts, and technology support. Chief Deputy Attorney General Guard described the office’s litigation, criminal appeals, consumer protection, and opioid recovery work, especially defending state laws and recovering opioid settlement funds.
Members then asked questions about prison conditions, immigration enforcement, court filing fees, crime reporting, staffing ratios, and transnational gangs. Agency leaders responded that they were not aware of ICE contracts in some cases, that FDLE works with immigration authorities and detention facilities under existing authority, and that filing fees are a legislative policy decision. The committee also heard from the Justice Administrative Commission, prosecutors, public defenders, guardian ad litem, regional conflict counsel, and capital collateral regional counsel, who focused on indigent representation, dependency and death penalty cases, and persistent staffing and retention problems. No votes were taken, and the meeting concluded after the presentations and questions.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Both are teachers, so they're in school today teaching, but I know their hearts are here with me and
- We trust the commissioners before us to uphold that standard, to make decisions with integrity, lead
- We trust the commissioners before us to uphold that standard, to make decisions with integrity, lead
- And because of his high standard, I did not get it the first, second, or third time.
- And I am here today supporting him because of the high standard that he’s set. Thank you.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Human Services Dec 5th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- That's a little bit lower than our standard today, which is $1.1 million.
- And that is one of the most challenging to hire, because we're funded 20% below the standard there.
- So it really is a pretty comprehensive population who really are meeting the standards that H.R. 1 is
- It restricts our ability to confer a higher utility standard deduction for households.
- The education program funds about $12 million a year to community organizations to help with teaching
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on the effects of H.R. 1 on Washington’s Medicaid, developmental disability, long-term care, and food assistance systems, followed by a separate discussion of juvenile rehabilitation caseloads and placement capacity. DSHS officials said HR1 could affect home equity rules, immigration-related eligibility, work requirements for some expansion-population enrollees, and provider taxes, while also creating a future opportunity for a new 1915(c) waiver. Advocates and providers warned that any state response that cuts home and community-based services would worsen already thin provider networks, increase waiting lists, push more people into hospitals or out-of-state placements, and strain families and workers. A pediatric behavioral health expert and a supported living provider said Medicaid reimbursement is already too low and further reductions would threaten outpatient, residential, and inpatient services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and severe behavioral needs.
The committee then turned to SNAP and the state food assistance program. DSHS said HR1 would tighten work requirements and exemptions, end some immigrant eligibility for the federal program, eliminate the SNAP education program, raise state administrative costs, and eventually require Washington to share in benefit costs based on its error rate. Officials estimated large numbers of residents could lose or see reduced benefits, with significant added state costs. Anti-hunger advocates, a food bank director, and a SNAP recipient described the program as essential for low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities, and said the changes would increase paperwork, reduce benefits, and worsen food insecurity while also harming local food economies. Testimony emphasized that food banks cannot replace SNAP and that work requirements may be difficult to meet for caregivers, people with disabilities, and those facing child care or transportation barriers.
In the juvenile justice portion, the Caseload Forecast Council presented the JR forecast, which is currently mostly flat through the end of the biennium but expected to grow modestly over the longer term. Members discussed how policy choices, including the 2019 JR-25 law, have increased lengths of stay for adult-sentenced youth in JR, while diversion and other reforms have affected regular JR trends. A court researcher explained the data available to help forecast admissions and noted ongoing efforts to improve data sharing with JR, AOC, and county systems, though staffing and system-lag issues limit how quickly data can be produced. Juvenile court administrators and DCYF officials described the community-based juvenile justice continuum, rising complexity in the JR population, overcrowding at Green Hill and placement constraints at Echo Glen and Harbor Heights, and the need for more flexible community transition and mental health capacity. No votes were taken.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Bluebird Corporation, a leading bus manufacturer, has included three-point lap-shoulder belts as standard
- protocols will scale proportionately to ensure safety, efficiency, and compliance with regulatory standards
- Federal standards or industry practices create unnecessary barriers for businesses transporting ready-mix
- update weight and tire load restrictions for ready-mix concrete trucks, aligning them with federal standards
- The curriculum must teach the dangers associated with violating traffic laws in those areas, which it
Bills:
SB249, SB546, SB744, SB927, SB1227, SB1229, SB1353, SB1365, SB1366, SB1394, SB1464, SB1709, SB1729, SB1733, SB1744, SB1745, SB1746, SB1772, SB1816, SB1841, SB1939
Keywords:
memorial markers, law enforcement, officer memorials, killed in the line of duty, highway signage, school bus, school district, student transportation, child safety, seat belts, three-point seat belt, two-point seat belt, bus retrofit, bus warranty, Texas Education Agency, TEA, transportation code, school activity bus, multifunction school activity bus, school-chartered bus
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Organizational business meeting to consider an original resolution authorizing expenditures by the committee during the 119th Congress; to be immediately followed by hearings to examine the real impacts of debanking in America. Feb 5th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- I believe that our company, clients, and the industry would benefit from the highest regulatory standards
- Chairman, history teaches us that if this time there is no real accountability and no genuine remedy
- and crime, but you testified that Anchorage met the know your customer and anti-money laundering standards
- Yes, I think this is a standard banking procedure. So it's important that we all think about.
- Oh, that seems like an impossible standard. So let's move on, Mr.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> community solar standard in Minnesota. community solar standard in Minnesota.
- </c><00:41:37.920><c> That's</c> standard and community solar law.
- That's standard and community solar law.
- </c> Hortman's 2013 solar energy standard Hortman's 2013 solar energy standard included<00:42:06.400>
- And so, in the same way, in global warming, we have to say, 'What is the gold standard?
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee Mar 24th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- If not, the standard requires a blended discount rate.
- If not, the standard requires a blended discount rate that incorporates the municipal bond rate.
- And once it comes compiled, we have the accounting standards that we have to follow.
- We have the accounting standards that we have to follow.
- Is that standard practice when they have it, when they're sitting on money for a while?
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee Mar 24th, 2026
Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- If not, the standard requires a blended discount rate.
- If not, the standard requires a blended discount rate that incorporates the municipal bond rate.
- And once it comes compiled, we have the accounting standards that we have to follow.
- We have the accounting standards that we have to follow.
- Is that standard practice when they have it, when they're sitting on money for a while?
Summary:
The Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee met to receive a series of audit presentations, beginning with approval of the prior meeting minutes and a review of the state’s annual comprehensive financial report (ACFR) for fiscal year 2025. The State Auditor’s Office and the Office of Management and Budget reported a clean opinion on the state’s financial statements and described continued growth in net position, strong general fund balance, and significant Legacy Fund investment income. Committee members asked about how the report reflects long-term finances and how North Dakota compares with other states, and OMB noted that the ACFR is based on audited actual results rather than budget forecasts.
The committee then heard the North Dakota University System audit, which also received a clean opinion but included four findings: misreporting of Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund construction money, insufficient monitoring of service organizations, improper bank reconciliations at several campuses, and investment/cash recording issues at Bismarck State College. University System officials agreed with the findings and said corrective actions were underway, including internal review of bank reconciliations and greater use of shared services. Members also questioned practices such as campus use of certificates of deposit and whether repeated findings were being adequately addressed.
Additional audits were presented for the State Fair Association, State Auditor’s Office, Workforce Safety and Insurance, Housing Finance Agency, Housing Incentive Fund, Job Service North Dakota, the Retirement and Investment Office, PERS, the Center for Distance Education, the Securities Department, the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents, the Ethics Commission, and the Office of Administrative Hearings. Most received clean opinions with no findings; exceptions included a repeat component-unit issue at the State Fair Foundation, a securities personnel-evaluation finding, and a Housing Finance Agency finding involving a late return of escrow surplus. The committee also discussed broader oversight issues, including the need for independent auditing of the Ethics Commission, possible legislative changes to give the State Auditor more subpoena power and independent legal counsel, and future work on data analytics, cybersecurity reviews, and audit capacity. The meeting recessed for lunch after these discussions.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- James Ramos competed in Standard Division. Pablo St.
- Niswiski, sorry, competed in Standard Division.
- Representative Black: ...a standard of care.
- Senator Broxton set the standard for me of what it means to be a Christ's follower in this role.
- Next year, I'll have had my police standards, Judge Mani, I'm telling my age now, for 40 years.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for Army Sgt. Benjamin Pennington, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum call, and several recognitions, including law enforcement guests, a Spina Bifida Week presentation, and a salute to the 2025 IPSC Handgun World Shoot team. The chamber then adopted the special order report and moved to floor consideration of Senate bills.
Members passed several bills unanimously or near-unanimously after brief debate and, in some cases, floor amendments. CS/SB 590 clarified that changes to the statute of limitations for mandatory reporters of child abuse apply prospectively and passed 111-0. SB 418 required law enforcement autism-interaction training and allowed the blue-envelope program to be offered in electronic or physical form; it passed 111-0. CS/CS/SB 1668 addressed NICA’s actuarial soundness and passed 112-0. CS/SB 1246 expanded the Linking Industry to Nursing Education fund to broader health science programs and passed 112-0. CS/CS/SB 1404 set baseline standards for memory care providers and passed 111-0. CS/CS/SB 1030 revised recovery residence rules, including MAT-related provisions, and passed 168-0. CS/CS/SB 178 changed FHSAA rules so school coaches may use limited personal funds for student welfare with parent consent and passed 112-0. CS/CS/SB 422 barred use of ADS-B data for airport billing and passed 108-2. CS/CS/SB 598 modernized funeral, cemetery, and consumer services licensing and passed 111-0.
The House also considered CS/CS/SB 1134, a controversial bill restricting county and municipal DEI-related official actions and contracting. Sponsor Rep. Black described broad prohibitions with numerous exceptions, while members asked about effects on observances, special events, parade participation, and local economic-vitality offices. Rep. Gant offered an amendment to narrow the bill’s DEI definition by removing vague prongs, arguing the language was ambiguous and could chill local government action; debate on that amendment was underway when the transcript ended. The chamber then moved into farewell remarks, including an extended address from Rep. Eskamani reflecting on her service, family, staff, constituents, and policy priorities, followed by remarks from the Speaker praising her energy and preparation. Rep. Overdorf also delivered farewell remarks highlighting his work on environmental policy, human trafficking, development regulation, property rights, and property taxes, with the Speaker commending his contributions.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee 3/18/25
Higher Education Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> the Inception of rural focused teaching the Inception of rural focused teaching hospitals<00:46:
- Mission so we Mission into the teaching Mission so we are<00:53:40.839><c> working</c><00:53:41.400>
- We don't ever want it to get to a point where we have to choose between the clinical and the teaching
- clinical and the teaching Mission uh and<01:03:23.839><c> that's</c><01:03:24.119><c> why</c><01:03:
- and learning at the there's teaching and learning at the same<01:04:01.640><c> time</c><01:04:02.240
Keywords:
higher education, scholarship, financial aid, state grant, tuition assistance, Pell grants, student retention, education equity, disabled veterans, veterans' dependents, dependent children, college affordability, books and fees, University of Minnesota, public colleges, Office of Higher Education, veterans benefits, military families, permanent disability, 100 percent disability
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Jan 21st, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- This program allows students to co-teach while also completing their degrees, ensuring that employment
- Today, more than 170 Polk State graduates are teaching in nearly 60 public schools in our county.
- So I look at workforce where we can teach truck drivers—200 so far have graduated.
- I mean, I look at everything they have there and how we're teaching these kids there.
- I started out in New York teaching adults how to read and write for a literacy organization.
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to consider a large slate of confirmations and reappointments to boards of trustees for Florida’s colleges, universities, and the Florida Prepaid College Board. Chair Harrell opened by emphasizing the importance of trustee appointments to maintaining Florida’s higher education system, and the committee heard brief testimony from each nominee about their background, ties to the institution, and priorities such as student success, workforce alignment, fiscal stewardship, and community partnerships. Several nominees highlighted personal connections to their schools, including alumni status, family legacy, or prior service on the board, while others emphasized experience in business, law, education, health care, or public service.
Testimony focused heavily on workforce development and institutional growth. Speakers cited nursing, dual enrollment, applied programs, military and veteran support, broadband access, agriculture, law enforcement, and technical training as key areas for colleges to meet regional labor needs. University nominees discussed research expansion, affordability, strategic planning, and partnerships with industry and government, with Florida Atlantic, Florida Polytechnic, the University of West Florida, and the University of South Florida each described as being in periods of growth or transition. Miami-Dade College, Tallahassee State College, Polk State College, and other state colleges were praised for enrollment, economic impact, and job placement outcomes.
The committee also heard from the Florida Prepaid College Board reappointee, who described the program as a long-term promise backed by public trust and reported recent technology and customer-service improvements. After testimony, the committee took up the nominations as a group. One nominee, Drew Weatherford, had withdrawn and was not voted on. The remaining trustees were approved unanimously by roll call and reported favorably to the Ethics and Elections Committee. The meeting then adjourned.
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Jan 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So we have less people to teach or advise. We have bottlenecks in workforce programs.
- have different family objectives and different programmatic objectives, so I'm saying we should not teach
- how am I spending my money where am I going to spend my money what is that return on investment teaching
- As soon as CEI teaches them the right way to put on a welding helmet, they're gone.
- residencies are generally affiliated with a hospital, a community health center, what's called a teaching
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum and heard a series of budget presentations from the Legislative Services Office and agency leaders on higher education and health education programs. Kevin Campbell first reviewed the Office of the State Board of Education budget, noting staffing growth tied to added responsibilities, the end of federal COVID/ARPA funding, a governor-recommended supplemental reversion for the sunsetted Empowering Parents grant, and FY 2027 requests including a Canvas LMS renewal, a risk-manager transfer back to institutions, and a one-time federal AI grant. Jennifer White, OSBE executive director, defended the Canvas contract as a cost-saving centralized arrangement, discussed budget pressure on colleges and universities, and said the board is developing an outcomes-based funding model that would shift emphasis from enrollment to progression, completion, and workforce outcomes while phasing in changes to avoid destabilizing institutions.
Members asked about cuts, tuition, private donations, rainy-day funds, the longitudinal data system, CETL Now usage, and whether programs should be evaluated or eliminated based on outcomes. White said the board is still gathering data and expects at least another year before a workable funding proposal is ready, and she emphasized that unearned funds under the new model would be returned to OSBE for targeted intervention rather than simply removed. The committee also discussed risk-management centralization, with White explaining that moving risk managers back to institutions would improve day-to-day efficiency while OSBE retains enterprise risk oversight.
The committee then turned to health education programs, beginning with Family Medicine Residencies. Campbell outlined the program’s funding and recent growth, and residency leaders said the 3% holdback affected both ISU-based and hospital-affiliated programs but would not force immediate reductions. They stressed the importance of continued legislative support, noted that residency training helps retain physicians in Idaho, and said the programs rely on a mix of state, federal, and patient-care revenue. Members also raised concerns about clinical placement capacity, rural access, and whether federal rural health funds could help support expansion.
Additional presentations covered the Eastern Idaho Medical Residencies and the University of Utah medical program. EIMR leaders said Idaho remains far short of needed psychiatrists, especially child psychiatrists, and that training residents in-state helps keep physicians in Idaho; they also described private hospital support as part of the funding model. For the University of Utah program, Campbell said the state supports both medical students and psychiatry residents, and the program requested funding for three additional child psychiatry residents. Dr. Beth Botz, the training director, attributed rising child psychiatry need to increased stress, social media, COVID-era effects, and broader awareness of mental health issues, and said placing residents in southeast Idaho has already improved access and reduced wait times.