Transcript Highlights:

• So, you know, we had a six-year decline of 230 drivers.
• <00:21:35.679> Uh decline of 230 minus 230 drivers. Uh decline of 230 minus 230 drivers.
• potentially using fall 2026 enrollment potentially using fall 2026 enrollment data<01:35:18.960>
• >> Because you're looking at enrollment, right?
• <01:44:57.119> count beginning of official enrollment count beginning of official enrollment

Bills: SB2024, SB896, SB2613, SB494, SB2391, SB2125, SB2614, SB2615, SB3262, SB3325, SB3118

Keywords: charter schools, public-private partnership, school facilities, education funding, community need, education, capital improvement, reporting, transparency, technical expertise, public school land transfer, Department of Education, DOE, land conveyance, fee simple title, tax map key, TMK, Act 307, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, Act 139

Transcript Highlights:

• As I stated just a moment ago, costs continue to increase, and despite a decline in Medicaid enrollment
• Now, that is in the context that enrollment for Medicaid has gone down. So what does that mean?
• Whether it's to impacts from enrollment or the state-directed payment, that's its own.
• We're spending way more, and there are fewer people who are actually in Medicaid enrollment.
• ...and which funding sources or program cuts would be first in line if federal aid declines.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then I think the last is just repeat maltreatment and as Rachel said, those numbers have declined
• ever so slightly but have declined.
• As shown on page 8 in chart 5, most students today are enrolled either with small or with very large
• If you'll turn to page 10, chart 7 shows enrollment versus slots since fiscal year 19.
• We've taken out the ones that are noted here that are dually enrolled.

Transcript Highlights:

• After a decade of declining enrollments in Minnesota, to have a robust workforce and a strong state economy
• After a decade of declining enrollments in Minnesota, to have a robust workforce and a strong state economy
• After a decade of declining<01:08:39.359> enrollments<01:08:39.920> in<01:08:40.239>
• Minnesota,<01:08:41.600> to declining enrollments in Minnesota, to declining enrollments
• > full-time enrolled in full-time enrolled full-time enrolled in full-time enrolled full-time in<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so now those members of the tribes that are enrolled in Medicaid get reimbursed 100%.
• Um, that's that's an enrolled member.
• Um, so they either an enrolled member.
• let them know that you're an enrolled let them know that you're an enrolled member<02:36:13.680>
• So, we have a—you know, it really depends on whether the individual is an enrolled member or not.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Does she see he declined?
• Does she see he declined?
• Does she see he declined?
• This is just our enrollment trend.
• We have over 69,000 enrolled below.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Health and Family Services committee heard an informational presentation on Kentucky personal care homes from representatives of the Kentucky Association of Healthcare Facilities, Management Systems of Kentucky, and Elder Care Partners. Witnesses described personal care homes as a lower-cost, 24/7 residential option for adults, often with serious mental illness, who do not meet nursing home criteria but need structured supervision, medication assistance, meals, and daily support. They said the homes are regulated by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, are not Medicaid-funded, and are supported largely through state supplementation payments and residents’ SSI income. The presenters argued that the current reimbursement rate of about $50.70 per day is no longer sufficient to cover staffing, food, insurance, utilities, maintenance, and other costs, and said the sector has shrunk significantly over time. They cited figures showing a decline from 64 to 34 homes serving the seriously mentally ill since 2002, with 30 closures over 23 years, and said the loss of beds contributes to homelessness, hospital overcrowding, and longer psychiatric stays. They also gave examples of residents who had spent many months in hospitals before being successfully placed in personal care homes, which they said can prevent more costly institutional care. Committee members asked about staffing credentials, fraud controls, referral processes, and how reimbursement works in other states. The presenters said Kentucky does not require licensed or certified staff in these facilities, though some homes use certified medication technicians or an LPN, and they described a county case-manager-based assessment process used to set individualized rates in other states such as Minnesota. Members expressed support for the work but emphasized the need for documentation of savings and budget offsets. The presenters said they are seeking an incremental reimbursement increase over two years, roughly 25% to 50% in the first year and another 50% after that, and urged the committee to support the homes to prevent further closures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Completion, dual-enrollment opportunities, and transfer pathways are limited due to access to college
• Across the nation, Black male participation in higher education has been declining for decades.
• Across the nation, Black male participation in higher education has been declining for decades, reflecting
• Black enrollment has declined over 22% nationally. Even at HBCUs, it is 25%.
• Research consistently demonstrates that CCEP students earn higher grades, enroll in college, and complete

Summary: The Select Committee on the Status of Boys and Men of Color held its second hearing, focused on cradle-to-college-and-career pipelines and education. Members opened with remarks emphasizing bipartisan support, the need to address opportunity gaps, and the committee’s prior hearing in Los Angeles, which helped generate legislation. The chair framed the day around school safety and discipline, community schools, and college/career pathways, and noted that public comment would be included at the end. In the first panel, witnesses described persistent disparities in school discipline and policing, even as suspension rates have declined statewide. Dr. David Turner cited reductions in suspensions tied to reforms such as bans on willful defiance suspensions, but warned that Black and Native boys remain disproportionately suspended and that “ghost suspensions” and police referrals still push students out of class. Other advocates called for stronger accountability, more restorative and culturally rooted practices, and greater investment in community-based supports. Members asked about the role of state and local policy, rural versus urban differences, and how to measure which interventions work best. The second panel centered on community schools. Advocates from Californians for Justice, Reclaim Our Schools LA, MILE, and the Sierra Health Foundation argued for the governor’s proposed $1 billion ongoing investment in the California Community Schools Partnership Act. They said community schools improve attendance, reduce suspensions, strengthen belonging, and create shared decision-making with families and students. Panelists described the role of community school coordinators, the importance of authentic partnerships, and the need to track informal discipline practices. Committee members pressed for a plain explanation of community schools and heard that the model is intended to be a high-return equity strategy that can save the state money over time. The final panel addressed college and career pathways. Speakers from the California Faculty Association, UC Student Association, Brotherhood Crusade, A Men, and Improve Your Tomorrow highlighted barriers facing Black, Latino, Native, and other boys and men of color in higher education, including financial aid gaps, weak transfer pathways, underinvestment in student support, and low campus belonging. They urged continued funding for community schools, expanded dual enrollment and ELOP access, and support for mentorship and culturally responsive programs. Public commenters echoed support for community schools and youth investment, including calls to redirect prison spending toward education and prevention. The chair closed by thanking the panelists, reflecting on his own school struggles and the role of mentorship, and adjourned the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• How prepared is your decline further.
• Something to flatten out and decline.
• <01:42:11.920> rather based on a child's enrollment rather based on a child's enrollment rather
• obtain address information for enrolles. obtain address information for enrolles.
• Enrolles have to We do that already.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Employees' Retirement System employers, like other state agencies, and all eligible employees must be enrolled
• Until 2011, the Higher Education Retirement Plan law required that all new employees be enrolled in the
• The retirement plan law required that all new employees be enrolled in the HIRP plan rather than PERS
• We see declining rates for all plans except for State Patrol on the bottom there.
• But generally declining rates, which has been the trend for the last few biennia.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to enroll uh they will be able to enroll to enroll uh they will be able to enroll as<00:16:37.639
• so what is your enrollment like campus so what is your enrollment like on<00:27:47.679> in<00
• <00:28:03.120> on<00:28:03.240> our increase enrollment on our increase enrollment
• What is your enrollment projection?
• enrollment, right?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The hearing covered Senate Bill 426, which would create an early learning apprenticeship grant program. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive from the City and County of Honolulu, the Department of Human Services, the Executive Office on Early Learning, the University of Hawaiʻi College of Education, the Attorney General’s office, the Early Childhood Action Strategy, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, the University of Hawaiʻi’s early childhood educator project, and a Zoom testifier who described the importance of investing in high-quality early childhood education. Committee discussion focused on the program’s estimated cost, with figures of about $14.5 million in 2025-26 and $15 million in 2026-27, and on whether the program would require ongoing base-budget funding. The committee recommended technical, non-substantive amendments, including a statewide-concern amendment and a deferred effective date, and both committees adopted the recommendation by vote. The committees then heard Senate Bill 1622, which would appropriate funds to establish the Aloha Intelligence Institute within the University of Hawaiʻi to support statewide artificial intelligence initiatives. University representatives described the proposal as the product of campus-wide input and outlined five pillars: governance and policy, outreach and engagement, research and development, workforce development, and AI tools for key sectors such as health care, creative industries, manufacturing, data science, astronomy, and climate change. Members questioned staffing distribution, tuition, enrollment timing, housing, campus placement, and whether positions would be permanent or temporary; the university said it planned about 10 positions across campuses, would start with internal resources, and would house the effort under the Vice President for Research and Innovation initially. The committees recommended an SD1 with the appropriation amounts blanked out, a July 31, 2050 effective date, and committee-report language on housing and West Oʻahu, and the higher education and labor/technology committees adopted the amended recommendation. Finally, the Higher Education Committee took up Senate Bill 1488, a housekeeping measure to consolidate existing University of Hawaiʻi conference center statutes into a single revolving fund structure, and Senate Bill 636, which would fund retention and internship coordinator positions and broader enrollment management efforts at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. SB 1488 drew university support and no opposition. SB 636 prompted substantial questioning about Hilo’s declining enrollment, current retention rate of 72.8 percent, and the scope of the request, which includes not only two named positions but also about $432,000 for enrollment management initiatives such as data analysis, IT support, and other student services. Hilo said it is targeting 3 to 5 percent annual enrollment growth and that the positions would support recruitment, retention, internships, and data-driven enrollment strategy. The committee pressed for a clearer broader plan, but the discussion in the transcript ended before a final vote on SB 636 was shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Community colleges also, we have seen enrollment growth in community colleges.
• Community colleges also, we have seen enrollment growth in community colleges.
• California's incarcerated population has declined significantly, and responsible stewardship of public
• Also, as co-chair of the Select Committee on CalFresh Enrollment and Nutrition, I would like to thank
• Many revenues would decline significantly.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee met to consider the 2026 Budget Act, which leaders said was the negotiated compromise with the Senate and was expected to move to the floor that evening. Opening remarks emphasized that the plan balances the budget over two years, reduces the structural deficit, and builds reserves, while also protecting core services in the face of federal cuts. Jason Sisney outlined the legislative budget framework and the likely floor bills, including AB 109, SB 110, SB 122, and SB 125. Department of Finance representative Eric Khali said the administration appreciated the two-year balanced approach and supported the modification in SB 122, while noting the package uses additional revenues and new spending to soften or reject some proposed cuts. Most of the discussion focused on major spending areas. Members and subcommittee chairs highlighted protections and additions for health care and human services, including rejecting the proposed Medi-Cal asset limit change, delaying premium increases, restoring clinic and dental funding, supporting distressed hospitals and county indigent care, and expanding county eligibility staffing to handle H.R. 1-related workload. Education members described record or expanded support for TK-12 schools, child care, special education, community colleges, teacher recruitment, and higher education, including a change to extend Cal Grant eligibility to age 30 for some community college students. Housing and homelessness funding was increased for HAP, multifamily housing, and the low-income housing tax credit, while public safety members pointed to investments in victims’ services, restorative justice, and prison closure savings. Several members also raised concerns or priorities tied to the budget deal. Some praised the package as a moral document that protects vulnerable Californians, immigrant communities, LGBTQ residents, seniors, and people with disabilities. Others noted unresolved issues, including the MCO tax’s impact on districts, the need for more support for local journalism, arts, biotech R&D incentives, transit and GGRF-related concerns, and the need for continued work on Prop. 98 and long-term fiscal resilience. The vice chair cautioned that despite the current progress, the state remains vulnerable to revenue volatility and warned that the budget should build more resilience against a possible downturn. No formal vote was taken in the portion provided, but the committee was preparing the budget package for floor action and final negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• But the fertility rate has declined there as well.
• We enroll more than 21,000 students.
• LSCO is an open enrollment two-year state college.
• , we expect another full enrollment this semester.
• With over 700,000 students currently enrolled, Enrolled, community colleges are the state's largest sector

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've seen positive results: in just this last year, enrollment in BeWell has broken all records.
• As mentioned previously, during the 2026 open enrollment, 82,403 New Mexicans enrolled in medical coverage
• Can children 14 and over decline placement? Can children 14 and over decline placement?
• Children 14 and over cannot decline placement.
• They can decline behavioral health treatment services. I'm sorry, Madam Chair, representatives.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• From this rate increase from where they were last year, it will gradually decline over a period of time
• The question is whether they can handle that gradual decline of, you know, 10 to 15 percent of their
• Thirty-eight percent of the increase is related to projected enrollment increases.
• We will do open enrollment as we head into the new year.
• So that was the highest our enrollment had ever been—right over a million Medicaid recipients.

Transcript Highlights:

• since 2011, we have seen an enrollment decline in Black students throughout the nation, but also in
• And the concern about enrollment is not just about enrolling our Black students on our campuses; it's
• , since 2011, we have seen an enrollment decline in black students throughout the nation, but also in
• And the concern about enrollment is not just about enrolling our black students on our campuses, it's
• Black student enrollment in higher education declined by 22 percent between 2010 and 2020, and Black

Summary: The committee first adopted its 2025-26 rules on a 7-0 roll call, then approved three consent items—AB 88, AB 240, and AB 313—on a due-pass motion to Appropriations. The hearing then moved to AB 648, which would give community college districts the same zoning authority as the UC and CSU systems to build student and staff housing on property they own or lease. The author and supporters argued the bill would help address severe housing insecurity and homelessness among community college students, while opponents and some members raised concerns about local control, zoning exemptions, and the impact on nearby communities. AB 648 passed the committee on a 5-2 vote and was sent to the Local Government Committee. The committee next heard AB 466, which would require California Community Colleges and CSU campuses to provide organ and tissue donor registry information during student orientation, and request UC campuses to do the same. Supporters shared personal stories about transplants and donation, saying college orientation is a good opportunity to increase registrations. Some members worried about information overload during orientation and suggested campuses have flexibility in how they present the material, but the bill advanced on a unanimous 7-0 vote to Appropriations. AB 326 followed, proposing campus-by-campus external audits of the CSU every three years and public release of the audits. The author, faculty supporters, and a student argued that systemwide audits do not provide enough transparency about how money is spent at individual campuses, citing examples of financial mismanagement and fee increases. CSU opposed the bill, saying it already conducts annual consolidated external audits and that campus-level audits would add cost without added benefit. After extensive discussion about transparency, audit scope, and implementation, the bill passed 6-1 to Appropriations. The committee then took up AB 335, which would create a California Black-Serving Institution Grant Program to support Black student success and broader underserved student services; supporters emphasized persistent equity gaps and low completion rates, while an opponent argued the bill needed to be carefully amended to comply with Proposition 209 and equal protection requirements. The transcript ends during that item’s discussion, before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that because of projections of potential enrollment?
• of those kids that are referred that don't get enrolled.
• We started enrolling providers in.
• We've seen a significant decline in the number of kids in conservatorship.
• So that has gone back up. but it's still below where it was previous to the decline.

Keywords: budget, House Bill 1, public education, healthcare, border security, federal funding, spending limits

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on reviewing the proposed budget for the upcoming biennium, with substantial discussions around House Bill 1 and its implications for public education, healthcare, and border security. The Comptroller presented a revenue overview indicating a total of $194.6 billion available for general purpose spending, which reflects a slight decrease compared to previous years due to fluctuating economic conditions. Members raised questions regarding spending limits and the impact of federal funding on state programs, highlighting concerns about the sustainability of funding in light of potential changes at the federal level.

Transcript Highlights:

• But, as we get them, if we decline a referral, well, whether we accept or decline a referral, as soon
• But, as we get them, if we decline a referral, well, whether we accept or decline a referral, as soon
• But, as we get them, if we decline a referral, well, whether we accept or decline a referral, as soon
• we decline a referral, well, whether we accept<00:20:23.920> or<00:20:24.000> decline<
• If we decline that we notify DHHS.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Districts like mine and other minimum aid, rural or declining enrollment districts are facing elementary
• Our district has seen a steady decline in enrollment over the years, which has resulted in minimal increases
• In fact, the inflation factor won't do anything for rural or declining enrollment schools.
• Since enrolling, he’s blossomed.
• Enrollment decreased by only 1.8%.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Ways and Means Committee held its final public hearing on the FY26 state budget, with chairs and members emphasizing that public testimony would help shape the budget and asking speakers to keep remarks brief. Committee leaders introduced members, explained the hearing process, and repeatedly thanked residents, students, and advocates for participating. No votes were taken during the hearing. Testimony focused heavily on education funding and the Chapter 70 formula. Students from Amherst, Northampton, Gateway Regional, Chester Elementary, and other districts described budget-driven cuts to electives, special education supports, paraprofessionals, counselors, transportation, and building maintenance. They urged higher Chapter 70 aid, increased minimum aid, rural school aid, and a reopening or restructuring of the funding formula, arguing that current formulas leave many districts unable to meet student needs and force local layoffs and overrides. Other speakers urged funding or protection for a range of programs and facilities, including the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute for homicide survivor services, the Museum of African American History, the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and CART/interpreter services, the Access to Counsel housing legal aid program, the Department of Mental Health and Pocasset Mental Health Center, and Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children. One speaker opposed offshore wind-related spending and urged a reset of the state’s energy approach, while another advocated ending the aircraft sales tax exemption. Committee members responded sympathetically to many speakers, asked a few follow-up questions, and several expressed support for maintaining or expanding the programs discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment instead averages that enrollment.
• So it sort of splits the difference between last year's enrollment and this year's enrollment.
• is it the first day of school enrollment?
• Enrollment as of August 15th.
• you could not enroll in a program.

Bills: HB253, HB153, HB255, HB287, HB371, SB151, HB8, SB177

Keywords: distance learning, virtual instruction, public education, student enrollment, school funding, education standards, pandemic education response, low-carbon construction, construction materials, rebate, environmental product declaration, EPD, embodied carbon, carbon intensity, greenhouse gas emissions, decarbonization, industrial incentives, clean manufacturing, cement, concrete

Transcript Highlights:

• He decided toward the end of the week last week, just before the weekend, to announce that he had declined
• Then he decided to decline to come before the committee, and because...
• Then he decided to decline to come before the committee because we were going to give him some opportunities
• In terms of student enrollment, like was mentioned earlier, our spring 2024 enrollment was 13,604 students
• , and preliminary numbers Enrollment was 13,604 students, and preliminary numbers for spring 2025 enrollment

Summary: The committee first took up 127 gubernatorial appointees grouped in blocks and, after brief testimony in favor of several nominees, voted to recommend confirmation of the block nominees to the full Senate. The committee then moved through a series of University of West Florida and other board nominations, hearing from each nominee about their background and priorities, with most emphasizing service, local ties, student success, military partnerships, and university growth. Several nominees also answered questions about governance, faculty hiring, diversity, and the university’s strategic direction. For the University of West Florida Board of Trustees, the committee heard from Paul Bailey, Rebecca Matthews, Rachel Moyah, Ashley Ross, Christopher Young, and Adam Kissel. Bailey stressed his local roots, legal background, and support for UWF’s pre-law program and military connections; Matthews highlighted her education and state-government experience, current role as board chair, enrollment growth, fundraising, and alignment with state directives; Moyah cited her education and school board experience, fiscal discipline, and recent positive financial and enrollment figures; Ross emphasized fundraising, workforce needs, cyber opportunities, and support for the governor’s higher education agenda; and Young focused on business accountability, audit oversight, rural access to education, and expanding military-related opportunities. Each of these nominees was questioned about issues such as diversity, “woke” culture, faculty ideology, and the role of the board, and each was ultimately recommended for confirmation by roll-call vote. Adam Kissel’s nomination drew the most extensive debate and public testimony. Kissel described his background in free speech advocacy, federal education policy, philanthropy, and higher education reform, and said he would support UWF’s growth, free-speech protections, military and veteran engagement, and stronger graduation rates. Senators pressed him on prior writings favoring privatization of public higher education, comments about replacing administrators with AI, his work with the Heritage Foundation and Project 2025, and how his views fit with serving on a public university board; he said his long-term libertarian views did not conflict with his short-term support for UWF receiving more resources. Public testimony was split, with supporters praising his free-speech credentials, military focus, and alignment with the governor’s reforms, while opponents questioned his commitment to public higher education and whether he could be trusted to learn the university from the ground up. After debate, the committee voted to recommend Kissel’s confirmation to the full Senate.