Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Jolene Kenney, Executive Director of Mentor Washington.
• Mentor Washington.
• They teach concepts beyond our curriculum or teacher knowledge.
• And then I became her teacher. And then I became her friend.
• And then I became her teacher, and then I became her friend.

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee held a public hearing on proposed substitute House Bill 2289, the House operating budget. Budget staff Mary Monroe gave a detailed overview of the proposal’s near general fund outlook, reserve levels, major revenue assumptions, and major spending and savings items. She highlighted assumed revenue from capital gains and a proposed “millionaires tax,” a transfer from the budget stabilization account, administrative reductions across agencies, and several major policy shifts, including changes affecting Working Connections Child Care, K-12 education, higher education, long-term care, behavioral health, wildfire response, and state employee compensation. Members then asked questions, including about the higher education building account/operating fee swap and its interaction with the capital budget and Climate Commitment Act funds. The committee also announced amendment deadlines for the budget process. The bulk of the meeting was public testimony, with many speakers generally supporting or opposing specific parts of the budget. Supportive testimony praised funding for wildfire prevention, public health, reproductive health, civil legal aid, the Poison Center, some higher education institutions, and certain disability and child welfare services. Many speakers urged restoration or protection of funding for K-12 education, especially transition to kindergarten, local effort assistance, bus depreciation, and Running Start; others opposed cuts to child care, early learning, public defense, long-term care, adult day and home care services, occupational/physical/speech therapy for Medicaid patients, and community and technical colleges. Several local government, health, and nonprofit representatives also asked the committee to preserve public works, homelessness, energy assistance, environmental justice, and recovery/diversion programs, while some business and public safety groups sought continued funding for organized retail crime prevention and related initiatives. No votes were taken during the hearing. The committee recessed briefly and later resumed with virtual testimony, where additional witnesses repeated concerns about education cuts, long-term care, health care access, disability services, dispute resolution, early childhood programs, and the need for ongoing or increased funding in those areas.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first thing I noticed I was a professor at UNM because I had student teachers there.
• Speaker, did you know, that all teachers in New Mexico were supposed to know Spanish, be bilingual in
• And they have Spanish-speaking teachers, Mr. Speaker.
• I can tell you and share the stories of how long it takes even to get my teachers license.
• However, it could also be for teachers, as we heard previously, who can form a large part of immigrants

Bills: HB111 , HB103 , HB109 , HB128 , HJM2 , HJM3 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50 , HB49 , HB60 , HB108 , HB120 , HB124 , HB145 , HB154 , HB158 , HB164 , HB180 , HB291 , HJR6 , HJR7 , HR1 , HJM1 , HM13 , HM47

Keywords: water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, did you know, that all teachers in New Mexico were supposed to know Spanish, be bilingual in
• And they have Spanish-speaking teachers, Mr. Speaker.
• And they work with the children to where their first... ...speaking teachers, Mr. Speaker.
• However, it could also be for teachers, as we heard previously, who can form a large part of immigrants
• . ...who come to the United States, who immigrate to the United States, who are doctors, nurses, teachers

Bills: HB111 , HB103 , HB109 , HB128 , HJM2 , HJM3 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50 , HB49 , HB60 , HB108 , HB120 , HB124 , HB145 , HB154 , HB158 , HB164 , HB180 , HB291 , HJR6 , HJR7 , HR1 , HJM1 , HM13 , HM47

Keywords: water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance

Summary: The House opened with a series of ceremonial recognitions, including Bernalillo County Day, Pecos Elementary, Las Vegas, New Mexico Highlands University, the New Mexico International School, and the Sun Country golf organizations. Members and guests offered brief remarks praising county staff, educators, university programs, and local public service, and several caucus and committee announcements were made. The House also received a gubernatorial message authorizing consideration of House Bill 303, which was then removed from Rules, ordered printed, and referred to the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee. The chamber then adopted a long slate of committee reports, moving multiple bills and memorials forward, including House Bills 294, 298, 38, 127, 151, 165, 47, 63, 64, 184, 200, 309, 311, 329, 310, and memorials 20 and 51. Most reports were adopted without objection, and several measures were advanced with committee substitutes or amended versions. The House then proceeded to third reading on selected bills. On final passage, House Bill 128 passed 61-1. The bill updates presumptive workers’ compensation coverage for full-time firefighters with occupational cancers and other illnesses, and debate focused on the exclusion of volunteer firefighters, the evidentiary burden for exposure claims, and whether the bill should be expanded later. House Bill 109, dealing with the Water Project Fund and allowing the New Mexico Finance Authority to award funds without legislative authorization through December 2029, passed 61-0. House Bill 158, requiring accountability and evaluation plans for agencies receiving growth funds, passed 63-0. House Bill 49, increasing the penalty for serious violent felons who possess firearms or destructive devices to a second-degree felony, was debated extensively over sentencing discretion and the distinction between serious violent and nonviolent felons; the transcript cuts off before the final vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Principal turnover exceeds teacher turnover in our state.
• Principal turnover exceeds teacher turnover in our state.
• We see entire teams of teachers supporting ninth-grade students in high-failure classes.
• We see entire teams of teachers supporting ninth grade students in high failure classes.
• My name is Jolene Kenney, Executive Director of Mentor Washington.

Bills: SB5998

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: fiscal appropriations, budget, state funding, financial management, operating expenses, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And third, we're not telling teachers how to teach.
• We heard from student after student, and we heard from teacher after teacher who told us about the power
• My teachers, Ms. Starr, Ms. Snell, Ms. Larker, and Ms.
• This bill gives our students and teachers the education...
• teachers, and one in particular is a fifth grade special education teacher, and she said, thank God you

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House took up several procedural orders early in the session, including extending the reporting deadline for the Housing Committee on H.4655 and suspending Joint Rule 12 for a petition seeking to rescind prior Article 5 constitutional convention applications. It then advanced three Ways and Means bills on education-related topics: personal financial literacy education (H.4670), expanded access to the state seal of biliteracy (H.4671), and teacher preparation and student literacy (H.4672), each moving through amendment adoption and third reading or engrossment procedures. A major portion of the meeting focused on H.4670, which would require personal financial literacy instruction in middle and high school and establish a financial literacy trust fund for curriculum and teacher training. Members spoke in support, emphasizing budgeting, credit, student loans, and long-term financial planning, and the bill passed to be engrossed by a 154-0 roll call. H.4671, which broadens access to the seal of biliteracy for students in public and private schools, also drew support and passed to be engrossed 155-0. The most extensive debate centered on H.4672, a literacy bill requiring evidence-based reading instruction, DESE-approved curricula or approved local alternatives, screening and progress monitoring, professional development, and related implementation measures. Members described concerns about declining reading scores and argued for a shift away from three-cueing toward phonics-based, science-of-reading approaches. Several amendments were considered: a proposal to change intervention language from “significantly” to “at risk of falling behind” failed, while amendments adding funding language, stakeholder collaboration, and other implementation details were adopted. One amendment clarifying that pictures may be used as a supplement in literacy curricula was also adopted, and the bill ultimately passed to be engrossed 155-0. The House also observed moments of silence for former Judge Leslie Harris, former Representative Mark Carron, and former Representative Dennis Rosa, and adjourned to meet the next day at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that doesn't mean teachers are doing a terrible job.
• Ongoing PD for teachers.
• the teachers that I trained is, um, do you wanna be a 30 years.
• Teacher with 3 years of experience or a teacher with 1 year doing it 30 times, our students change, our
• So, what is mentoring, mentoring is gone, and some at some point we need to work it back in, and you

Transcript Highlights:

• My mother was a teacher for 35-plus years.
• Judge Harris was a giant in our community, a mentor, a fellow Roxburian, and a steady guiding presence
• He served as a mentor to countless students and young alumni.
• He coached and mentored countless students, lawyers, and judges throughout the country with their law
• From that day forward, he became not just a mentor, but a steadfast presence and force in my life.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a late-file hearing on several bills, with testimony limited to three minutes per individual or set time limits for panels. Chairs Michael Day and Lydia Edwards outlined hearing rules, written testimony procedures, and confidentiality protections before moving through the agenda. The committee heard testimony on bills including H.4876, H.5111, H.4783, H.4826, H.5116, H.5244, S.2975, and S.2976. On H.4876, supporters described it as the “Overcomers Law,” aimed at strengthening supports for survivors of abuse by limiting abusers’ legal standing after death, requiring survivor notification of an abuser’s death, expanding coercive control definitions, improving privacy protections, and creating education and resource programs. On H.5111, the Attorney General’s Office and legislative sponsors backed changes to strengthen Massachusetts antitrust enforcement, including broader jurisdiction over multi-state conduct, higher penalties, clearer treatment of invitations to conspire, labor-market protections, housing-related changes, and a longer statute of limitations. The committee also heard support for H.4783, which would reaffirm the rights of people experiencing homelessness and push back against criminalization of homelessness, and for H.4826, which would update condominium law to give owners more rights and nonjudicial dispute-resolution options. A large portion of the hearing focused on H.5116, which would rename the Dorchester Division of the Boston Municipal Court the Judge Leslie E. Harris Courthouse. Representative Worrell, the Harris family, senators, prosecutors, lawyers, educators, and community advocates testified in strong support, describing Judge Harris’s legacy of fairness, mentorship, community service, and support for young people and Black legal professionals. The committee also heard testimony on S.2975, which would prohibit civil immigration arrests in courthouses to protect access to justice, and S.2976, which would create a state cause of action for constitutional violations by federal officers. Finally, H.5244 was supported as a repeal of an archaic criminal statute that advocates said has been used to punish pregnancy loss and should be removed from the books. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded after all registered testimony was heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• 2019, and the grants have gone to stipends for mentoring teachers and induction programming and supporting
• 2019, and the grants have gone to stipends for mentoring teachers and induction programming and supporting
• 2019, and the grants have gone to stipends for mentoring teachers and induction programming and supporting
• <00:42:37.520><c> teachers</c><00:42:38.520><c> and</c><00:42:38.760><c> induction</c> mentoring teachers
• and induction mentoring teachers and induction programming<00:42:40.040><c> and</c><00:42:40.240><c>

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• school teachers.
• school teachers.
• Like I said, we know everybody's name, all the teachers, even teachers that haven't had my kids.
• Consistency in teachers and students in the seats.
• Consistency in teachers and students in the seats.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I had a great mentor. Mr. Dick Anderson was my mentor. He did a great job.
• And I know that that's more mentoring... ...just kind of to work through.
• And I know that that's more mentoring, but I think if you mentor as a group, there's a lot of questions
• And maybe we can get them to the point where they can actually be the teachers a little bit during those
• Actually be the teachers a little bit during those first few weeks when they're not really going to be

Summary: The Legislative Procedures and Arrangements Committee met with a quorum and approved the minutes from the previous meeting. The committee first considered and adopted a Joint Rule 211 change clarifying the deadline and statutory references for bill drafts involving health insurance mandates, after discussion that the process is still somewhat cumbersome but improved by the clarification. The committee then reviewed a revised draft addressing confidentiality protections for certain legislators and candidates, but members expressed concerns about the breadth, enforceability, and transparency implications of the proposal, and the committee chose not to advance it at this time. The committee received an informational update on the new NCSL Legislator Security Fund. Staff explained that North Dakota is applying for the grant, which could provide about $200 per legislator for home security or related safety expenses, subject to Emergency Commission approval and reimbursement procedures. Members asked about eligible expenses, administrative burden, and whether new legislators would be covered; staff said guidance would be provided if funding is approved. The committee also approved the 2027 timing for the State of the Judiciary, tribal-state relationship message, and State of the State address on January 5, and set the Commerce Department and agricultural commodity reports for January 13 and 14, respectively, as required by statute. A major portion of the meeting focused on legislative staffing and organizational planning. The committee approved a recommendation for 36 Senate staff positions and 41 House staff positions, along with a 3% compensation increase for session staff. Discussion centered on replacing some procedural clerk duties with permanent policy analyst staff, retaining quality assurance roles for now, and adding or repurposing positions in IT, program evaluation, legal, and administration. Members also discussed expanding program evaluation capacity and the need for clearer oversight of new programs, with staff noting upcoming training and model-sharing with other states. Finally, the committee reviewed a proposed new legislator orientation day on November 30 and broader organizational session training changes, including mock committee and floor sessions, security training, and more robust budget/appropriations instruction, but took no final action on the agenda items and adjourned after completing the budget-related recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm sure that people would shout out all sorts of folks. coaches, teachers, mentors, all sorts of people
• Indeterminate teachers, AD? You don't?
• Whether it be a police officer, whether it be a teacher, experiences pain.
• We've had kids get into a fight, a school resource officer, a teacher.
• So this is coming from a teacher perspective?

Bills: HB31 , HB3360

Committee: House S/C on Juvenile Justice

Keywords: juvenile justice, community supervision, felony offenses, treatment of children, juvenile facilities, chemical dispensing device, solitary confinement, rehabilitation, criminal proceedings, delinquency, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• teacher education.
• So what actually works in teacher preparation and what helps teachers stay?
• teachers and that they stayed far less than your average new teacher.
• Teacher residencies work for students, for teachers, ...to space teacher preparation works, teacher residencies
• classroom teachers.

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• teacher education.
• So what actually works in teacher preparation and what helps teachers stay?
• teachers and that they stayed far less than your average new teacher.
• Teacher residencies work for students, for teachers, ...teacher preparation works.
• classroom teachers.

Committee: House House Education Committee of Reference

Summary: The Committee on Education first heard a presentation from Dr. Victoria Dyson Homer on the Arizona Teacher Residency Program. She argued that Arizona faces a teacher retention and certification crisis, with high attrition and many uncertified or underprepared teachers, and said research shows practice-based residencies improve retention, teacher confidence, and student outcomes. She described the Arizona Teacher Residency as a year-long, cohort-based, district-partnered program with mentoring, coursework, and induction support, and said its early data show very high retention and positive student and teacher feedback. Committee members asked about how the program differs from traditional student teaching, salary schedules, and whether residency graduates outperform traditional preparation pathways; the presentation was generally well received. The committee then took up SCR 1006, a ballot referral dealing with school restroom and locker room accommodations and pronoun/name use for students. The sponsor framed it as a parental rights and student safety measure, while opponents from education, legal, and advocacy backgrounds argued it was discriminatory, unnecessary, and harmful to transgender and non-binary students. After public testimony and member debate, the committee approved SCR 1006 on a 7-5 vote. Members then considered SB 1126, which would require schools to provide certain student records and information to Department of Child Safety caseworkers and prohibit schools from blocking staff from speaking with DCS during abuse or neglect investigations. DCS testified neutral, saying the bill would help clarify information sharing and support child safety; the committee passed the bill 10-0 with two members present. Finally, the committee heard SB 1210, which would require certain out-of-state private postsecondary institutions offering fully online programs to Arizona residents to register with the state board unless they participate in a reciprocity agreement, and to comply with student tuition recovery fund requirements if they collect prepaid tuition. Supporters said the bill closes a regulatory loophole and protects students and the state’s oversight of online providers. The committee approved SB 1210 on an 11-1 vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And oftentimes we talk about teachers.
• ,</c> community, if you know some teachers, community, if you know some teachers, you've<00:08:24.639
• </c><00:08:26.080><c> mention</c> you've heard a lot of teachers mention you've heard a lot of teachers
• Chair, if I could add teacher. Mr.
• </c> speaking that your wife is not a teacher speaking that your wife is not a teacher at<00:37:34.400

Keywords: This meeting will take place upon Recess of the Senate Chambers. There is not an exact time for this meeting therefore a placeholder time for the live stream has been set for 12:30PM est., 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Education met with a quorum and took up several education bills near the end of session. House Bill 342, which would require a financial literacy course for Kentucky high school students, was presented by Rep. Michael Meredith and student advocate Patrick Reovi. Meredith explained that a committee substitute addressed Kentucky Department of Education concerns by making the course a required elective anywhere in high school rather than limiting it to junior or senior year, and by retaining flexibility on credit options. Reovi testified in support, arguing that many students lack basic financial knowledge and should graduate prepared to handle budgeting, credit, debt, and student loans. The substitute was adopted, and HB 342 passed the committee 10-0. The committee then heard House Bill 480, a teacher workload and bureaucracy reduction measure. Rep. Shane Baker described the bill as the product of a working group with educators and administrators and said it was intended to reduce redundant requirements and let teachers focus more on students. He said the bill would lengthen the evaluation cycle from every three years to every five, streamline professional development requirements, update continuous school improvement plan filing rules, and limit new reporting mandates. A committee substitute removed the CSIP provisions after discussion with KDE, and members noted concerns about implementation and federal funding implications for mentor training language. The substitute was adopted and HB 480 passed unanimously. House Bill 190, relating to advanced education opportunities, was presented by Rep. Robert Duvall. He said the bill would require districts to adopt policies on advanced coursework and accelerated learning for grades 4 through 12, with local flexibility. He also explained that the House committee substitute changed several provisions from mandatory to permissive, including automatic enrollment for students scoring distinguished and parent opt-out language. The bill passed unanimously. House Bill 430, on school bus safety training, was presented by Reps. Mike Clines and Emily Callaway, who said it would reduce regulations, improve bus safety, and fix regulatory issues arising from prior legislation allowing nine-passenger vans for school transportation. A committee substitute was adopted, the bill passed unanimously, and a title amendment was also adopted. Finally, the committee began hearing House Bill 208 on technology and public schools. Rep. Josh Bray, Rep. James Tipton, and Nick Spencer of the Family Foundation of Kentucky supported a policy requiring districts to prohibit student cell phone use during instructional time, with exceptions for disabilities, teacher-directed educational use, or incentives. They argued the bill would improve academic performance, reduce bullying and mental health problems, and limit social media access during school. The transcript cuts off during testimony on HB 208, before any committee action on the bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• She is a lifelong teacher in Tucson Unified School District, and she was my department chair when I first
• She taught me how to be a PE teacher.
• kindness, and authenticity, Representative Grijalva treated all people with dignity and respect, mentored
• generations of leaders, and served. ...and respect, mentored generations of leaders, and served as a
• He was a mentor, a guiding voice, and a dear friend whose example shaped my own path in public service

Summary: The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the Journal, and recognized Dr. Heidi Teval as Doctor of the Day. Members then offered several points of personal privilege, including tributes to former Representative Noel Campbell, introductions of guests, and observances tied to Muslim Day at the Capitol, Food Bank Day, and Holocaust Remembrance Day. The chamber also heard remarks from Holocaust survivors and community members, and the House later adopted a proclamation recognizing International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The main legislative action was House Concurrent Resolution 2045, honoring the life and public service of former Congressman Raul Grijalva. The resolution detailed his career in education, county government, and Congress, and highlighted his work on public lands, tribal sovereignty, environmental protection, public education, and social justice. The House unanimously adopted the resolution and stood for a moment of respectful silence, then received the Grijalva family in the chamber. Additional floor business included referral changes for HB 2351 and HB 2573, the first reading of several bills, and the second reading of a larger slate of measures covering water, land, energy, agriculture, public safety, immigration, and other topics. No substantive debate or votes on those bills occurred during this session. The House also announced upcoming committee meetings and adjourned until 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• She is a lifelong teacher in Tucson Unified School District, and she was my department chair when I first
• She taught me how to be a PE teacher, and we may not be on the same side of the aisle in politics, but
• kindness, and authenticity, Representative Grijalva treated all people with dignity and respect, mentored
• generations of leaders, and served. ...and respect, mentored generations of leaders, and served as a
• He was a mentor, a guiding voice, and a dear friend whose example shaped my own path in public service

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because over the years, I've worked with many teachers who had families.
• So I appreciate, I think that helps recruit teachers as well. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• You don't get food at home, and you can have those opportunities to learn and receive mentoring, but
• We're working on stipends for adult mentors as well as youth mentors, and we are trying to put together
• My wife is a Spanish immersion teacher in our local school districts here, and she says, "Well, I get

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm a veteran school teacher.
• the reasons that I'm here today is due to the fact that I had a fantastic high school government teacher
• And she's still a mentor to this day. And so I'm happy to serve on education.
• And she's still a mentor to this day.
• My mother was a teacher for about 40 years. She did private, public, and special needs.

Committee: House Education

Summary: The House Education Committee held an introductory organizational meeting focused on getting acquainted for the new session. Members briefly introduced themselves, described their districts and backgrounds in education, agriculture, public service, and related fields, and expressed general support for public education and the committee’s work. The new page, Ethan Cowell, also introduced himself and described his background in agriculture and plans to study agricultural biotechnology at the University of Idaho. The committee handled a few housekeeping items, including selecting members to approve the minutes and asking proofreaders to meet with the chair and secretary after the meeting. The chair also reminded members to turn off microphones during recesses because the audio is captured by AI. Members were asked to schedule individual 15-minute meetings with the chair and secretary to discuss their goals and priorities for the committee. No bills were heard and no substantive policy votes were taken. Near the end, the chair noted that Representative E. Hart was absent because she was in Washington, D.C., related to a Supreme Court case involving men’s and women’s sports, and said the committee expected to hear the outcome later in the year. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm a veteran school teacher.
• the reasons that I'm here today is due to the fact that I had a fantastic high school government teacher
• And she's still a mentor to this day. And so I'm happy to serve on education.
• And she's still a mentor to this day.
• My mother was a teacher for about 40 years. She did private, public, and special needs.

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to regional teacher training and food access initiatives.
• per cohort to become teachers in special education, STEM, and bilingual education.
• cohorts of urban teachers in three areas of need.
• You have the Golden State Teacher Grant Program, which you funded one time.
• That is the future of teachers in this state, and that's the potential of the Golden State Teacher Grant

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee held an oversight hearing on how federal actions are affecting California higher education, with opening remarks from the chair and members emphasizing the importance of state-federal shared governance and the need to protect access, affordability, and campus diversity. The first panel included leaders from the CSU, University of the Pacific, California Community Colleges, and UC, who described broad impacts from federal grant terminations, changes to student aid, loan limits, visa and immigration policy, and proposed reductions to research support. Testimony focused on the elimination of Grad PLUS loans, caps on Parent PLUS and Pell-related changes, the loss or suspension of hundreds of grants, and the resulting harm to student support services, research, workforce pipelines, food assistance, and health care training. UC and CSU representatives warned of major losses in research funding, indirect cost reimbursement, and student opportunities, while community college leaders highlighted uncertainty around federal grants and the need to maintain services for low-income, first-generation, undocumented, and other vulnerable students. Committee members asked how the state could respond, including through intersegmental partnerships, dual enrollment, transfer pathways, and support for basic needs and nutrition programs. Witnesses said California could help by sustaining financial aid, protecting minority-serving institution programs, and investing in research, housing, and workforce development. Several speakers stressed that federal changes were creating instability for students and campuses, and that the effects would likely be long-lasting, especially in health care, teaching, STEM, and social work pipelines. A second panel then focused on equitable access. The California Student Aid Commission described state efforts such as the $3.9 billion investment in aid programs, the Cal Grant system, the Dream Act, and possible reforms to better serve adult learners, foster youth, undocumented students, and students with dependents. The Los Angeles Community College District reported that federal cuts and policy shifts are discouraging students from applying for aid, threatening TRIO and MSI/HSI-funded services, and reducing support for basic needs, counseling, and workforce programs. The Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities and the CSU Academic Senate echoed concerns about FAFSA confusion, international student restrictions, grant losses, and the erosion of equity-focused programs. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and discussed possible state responses.