Bills: HB1325, HB1655, HB3312, HB5526, SB13, SB57, SB207, HB441, HB591, HB5019, SB27, SB843, SB 13, SB 27, SB 57

Keywords: student transfer, public servants, education code, peace officer, servicemember, judicial officer, school security, volunteer program, retired law enforcement, veterans, public safety, school safety, criminal background check, school libraries, library advisory councils, parental rights, library materials, educational content, challenging materials, emergency operations plan

Transcript Highlights:

• Over school districts have not consistently interpreted this statute as requiring excused absences for
• I'm here to today in strong support of SB 207, which would allow students temporary excused absences
• Under SB 207, students will be granted excused absences for attending mental health-related appointments
• On their behalf, I ask that the House pass this bill so that mental health absences are recognized as
• Currently, Section 25.08, Section 8.7 of the Education Code states that temporary student absences due

Bills: SB 13, SB 27, SB 57, HB1325, HB1655, HB3312, HB5526, SB13, SB57, SB207, HB441, HB591, HB5019, SB27, SB843

Keywords: lobbying, public funds, political subdivision, local government, county association, municipal lobbying, registered lobbyist, Texas Legislature, taxpayer lawsuit, injunctive relief, attorney's fees, government finance, county dues, state association of counties, sheriffs association, law enforcement officers, legislative advocacy, bill tracking, legislative alerts, Government Code Chapter 556

Bills: HB2894, HB3418, HB3415, HB3413, HB3414, HB3416, HB3417, HB3419, HB3420, HB1739, HB1752, HB1979, HB2941, HB2992, HB3075, HB3086, HB3177, HB3269, HB3278, HB3279, HB3497, HB3644, HB4432, HB3720, HB3849, HB3882, HB3919, HB3941, HB4118, HB4141, HB4268, HB4342, HB4428, HB4429, HB4434

Keywords: HB2894, Oklahoma Rural Jobs Act, rural jobs, rural investment, tax credit, capital investment tax credit, state tax credits, economic development, rural fund, rural investor, qualified investment, eligible business, Department of Commerce, rural business, investment certification, tax liability, credit cap, workforce development, small business finance, rural development

Bills: HB2894, HB3418, HB3415, HB3413, HB3414, HB3416, HB3417, HB3419, HB3420, HB1739, HB1752, HB1979, HB2941, HB2992, HB3075, HB3086, HB3177, HB3269, HB3278, HB3279, HB3497, HB3644, HB4432, HB3720, HB3849, HB3882, HB3919, HB3941, HB4118, HB4141, HB4268, HB4342, HB4428, HB4429, HB4434

Keywords: HB2894, Oklahoma Rural Jobs Act, rural jobs, rural investment, tax credit, capital investment tax credit, state tax credits, economic development, rural fund, rural investor, qualified investment, eligible business, Department of Commerce, rural business, investment certification, tax liability, credit cap, workforce development, small business finance, rural development

Keywords: NH House of Representatives Committee Streaming, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQHnyO93Vng, 2026-06-14T02:39:09+00:00, 2.2.23, Data collected via generic collector engine, http://gencourt.state.nh.us/house/calendars_journals/ 0:00 House Session – February 1, 2024 9:39 Call the House to Order 9:41 Adjourn from the Late Session 9:55 Prayer – Reverend Bob Stewart 12:51 Pledge of Allegiance 13:16 National Anthem by Tasha Lawson 15:01 Leaves of Absence 15:33 Introduction of Guests 16:20 Communication – Welcome Rep. Sean Durkin and Rep. Michael Murphy 17:17 Memorial Remarks for Hon. Suzanne Smith 23:25 Motion to place Memorial Remarks in Permanent Journal 23:38 Bill Removed from Consent Calendar: CACR 20, HR 20, HB 1447-FN 24:24 Adoption of Consent Calendar 25:26 Motion to Suspend House Rules 26:54 HB 1199-FN-A 27:11 Motion to Table (DIV) 30:46 HB 1588-FN 31:23 HB 1598-FN-A 32:57 HB 1237-FN 33:29 ITL (DIV) 42:21 FA 0345h 43:20 OTPA 44:06 Motion to Reconsider HB 396 (DIV) 49:26 HB 1372-FN (RC) 53:36 HB 1068 53:55 OTP (RC) 1:01:55 ITL 1:02:33 HB 1520-FN-A 1:02:48 OTP (DIV) 1:15:40 ITL 1:16:57 CACR 23 1:17:11 OTP (RC) 1:37:51 HB 1002 (RC) 2:15:09 Announcements 2:16:49 Lunch Recess until 1:30 pm 3:45:49 HB 1005-FN 3:47:08 HB 1248 -FN 3:47:26 Motion to Indefinitely Postpone (RC) 3:50:19 HB 1230 (DIV) 4:03:19 HB 1398 4:03:50 HB 1499 4:05:08 CACR 13 4:05:34 FA 0385h (RC) 4:18:50 OTP (RC) 4:21:06 Motion to place debate on CACR 13 in Permanent Journal 4:21:25 HB 1179-FN 4:22:27 HB 1338 (RC) 4:33:15 HR 21 (DIV) 4:41:46 HB 1391-FN (DIV) 5:02:35CACR 20 5:03:07 Motion to Indefinitely Postpone (DIV) 5:08:43 HR 20 (RC) 5:15:18 HB 1447-FN (DIV) 5:27:04 Third Reading 5:27:40 Announcements 5:30:36 Unanimous Consent – Rep. William Boyd 5:33:39 Motion to Print Remarks of Rep. Boyd in Permanent Journal 5:33:48 Recess to Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 10:00 a.m., 928, house, all, 2.2.40, 2.1.47

Keywords: NH House of Representatives Committee Streaming, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHKZjSMGYKo, 2026-06-14T02:39:02+00:00, 2.2.23, Data collected via generic collector engine, http://gencourt.state.nh.us/house/calendars_journals/ 0:00 House Session – April 21, 2022 4:56 Adjourn from the Session of April 21,2022 5:10 Prayer – Reverend Bob Stewart 8:07 Pledge of Allegiance 8:31 National Anthem – Piccola Opera Youth Chorus of Manchester 10:54 Leaves of Absence 11:43 Introduction of Guests 12:57 Memorial Resolution – Rep. Katherine Rogers 26:15 House Resolution #23 27:28 Tartan Day Program 42:36 Bill removed from Consent Calendar: SB 376-FN, SB 394-FN 43:01 Consent Calendar Adopted 44:34 SB 458-FN 1:21:27 SB 291 1:33:26 SB 306-FN 1:46:54 SB 401-FN 2:02:34 SB 456-FN-A 2:03:31 SB 381-FN-A 2:04:29 SB 420-FN-A-L 2:08:51 Motion to remove HB 172 from the Table 2:14:07 Motion to remove HB 1506-FN from the Table 2:18:53 SB 242 2:29:13 SB 365 2:32:56 SB 418-FN 2:54:45 SB 425-FN 2:55:45 SB 427-FN 2:59:28 Announcements 2:59:47 Lunch Recess until 1:00 pm 4:06:56 SB 267-FN-A 4:08:28 SB 438-FN-L 4:33:38 SB 403-FN-A 4:50:38 SB 407-FN 4:58:37 SB 416-FN 5:02:55 SB 430-FN-A 5:16:11 SB 444-FN 5:17:06 SB 459-FN 5:38:12 SB 278-FN 5:39:06 SB 346-FN-A 5:42:25 SB 240 5:58:09 SB 241 6:11:29 SB 442-FN 6:26:32 Motion to Print Debate on SB 240 in the Permanent Journal 6:26:45 Motion to Print Debate on SB 241 in the Permanent Journal 6:27:20 SB 376-FN 6:36:22 SB 394-FN 6:37:11 Third Reading Motion 6:37:54 Announcements 6:39:21 Unanimous Consent – Rep. Espitia 6:40:12 Unanimous Consent – Rep. Belanger 6:41:40 Unanimous Consent – Rep. Ammon 6:52:00 Unanimous Consent – Rep. Perez 6:56:20 House in Recess until the Call of the Chair, 928, house, all, 2.2.40, 2.1.47

Bills: HB1675, HB3242, HB1739, HB3320, HB3047, HB4434, HJR1089, HB4432, HB3718, HB3705, SR43, HB1933, HB4248, SB1847, SB1778, HJR1086, HB3001, HB3002, HB3003, HB3004, HB3005, HB3007, HB3008, HB1590, HB1242, HB3818, HB4305, HB1979, HB1225, HB3931, HB4454, HB3849, HB1746, HB3720, HB4275, HB4300, HB3586, HB2268, HB3755, HB4117, HB4294, HB3650, HB4298, HB3270, HB3145, HB3056

Keywords: emergency management, severe weather, youth camp, summer camp, overnight camp, day camp, outdoor education, adventure camp, wilderness program, campground safety, tornado preparedness, flooding, flash flood, high winds, hail, lightning, extreme heat, extreme cold, wildfire smoke, evacuation plan

Bills: HB14, HB 106, HB146, HB267, HB274, HB 1127, HB1359, HB1393, HB1584, HB1640, HB1710, HB2152, HCR101, HJR8, HR51, HB106, HB146, HB267, HB274, HJR8, HR51

Keywords: nuclear energy, advanced reactors, energy security, grant programs, Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, HB 106, oil and gas, Railroad Commission of Texas, overhead electrical lines, electrical distribution system, power line maintenance, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas lease, well operator, energy safety, utility infrastructure, regulatory compliance, cleanup fund, oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund

Keywords: NH House of Representatives Committee Streaming, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkzxTQVw0WQ, 2026-06-14T02:39:05+00:00, 2.2.23, Data collected via generic collector engine, http://gencourt.state.nh.us/house/calendars_journals/ 0:00 House Session – March 9, 2023 4:35 Adjourn from the Late Session 4:46 Prayer – Reverend Bob Stewart 7:25 Pledge of Allegiance 7:49 National Anthem by Kelley Wardell 10:09 Leaves of Absence 10:39 Introduction of Guests 11:24 Communication – Rep. Grassie 12:04 HR 17 – Revenue Estimates 18:12 Motion to Table HR 17 18:32 Bill Removed from Consent Calendar – HB 294 18:59 Consent Calendar Adopted 19:28 HB 31-FN (RC) 28:40 HB 32-FN (RC) 43:10 HB 59-FN (RC) 53:30 HB 78 (RC) 1:00:49 HB 106-FN (RC) 1:20:31 Motion to Reconsider HB 498 (RC) 1:26:16 HB 216-FN (DIV) 1:49:41 HB 624-FN (RC) 2:03:38 HB 367-FN-L (RC) 2:13:25 Motion to Reconsider HB 367 (RC) 2:16:17 Unanimous Consent – Rep. Weyler 2:20:55 Motion to Print Rep. Weyler’s Remarks in Permanent Journal 2:21:10 Lunch Recess 3:33:20 HB 380 3:40:23 OTP (RC) 3:43:50 Move ITL 3:44:01 Motion to Table (DIV) 3:46:53 ITL 3:47:24 HB 440-FN (RC) 3:58:17 HB 464-FN (RC) 4:14:41 Motion to Reconsider HB 464-FN (DIV) 4:16:49 Motion to Reconsider HB 440-FN (DIV) 4:18:40 Motion to Reconsider HB 380 4:20:46 HB 112 4:21:35 Am 0252h (DIV) 4:25:01 OTP (RC) 4:33:20 Move ITL 4:33:50 HB 117 (RC) 4:46:51 HB 401 4:47:10 OTP (RC) 4:54:38 Move ITL 4:55:09 HB 469-FN 4:55:23 OTP (RC) 5:04:34 Move ITL 5:05:26 HB 567 5:05:39 Am 0429h 5:06:01 OTP (RC) 5:16:40 Move ITL (DIV) 5:19:22 HB 647-FN 5:19:56 Motion to Table (DIV) - TABLED 5:22:52 HB 51 (RC) 5:35:01 HB 90 5:35:16 OTP (RC) 5:44:13 Move ITL 5:44:27 Motion to Table (DIV) 5:47:06 ITL 5:47:34 HB 154 6:00:14 Motion to Table (DIV) 6:03:23 OTP (RC) 6:07:15 Motion to Reconsider (DIV) 6:09:21 HB 177 (RC) 6:21:37 HB 467-FN (RC) 6:36:08 Motion to Reconsider (DIV) 6:38:31 HB 477 6:39:01 ITL (RC) 6:46:31 OTP (DIV) 6:48:01 HB 485 6:48:42 Motion to Table (DIV) - TABLED 6:52:01 HB 92 6:52:15 Am 0747h (RC) 7:02:12 Motion to Table (DIV) 7:05:26 OTP (RC) 7:11:57 ITL 7:12:35 HB 161 7:12:48 OTP (DIV) 7:24:16 ITL 7:24:46 HB 251 7:25:18 Am 0548h (DIV) 7:28:01 OTPA (RC) 7:37:26 HB 281 (RC) 7:52:03 HB 298 7:52:19 Motion to Table (DIV) - TABLED 7:57:37 HB 372 7:57:57 OTP (RC) 8:09:04 ITL 8:09:30 HCR 5 (RC) 8:23:01 HB 294 8:23:21 Motion to Table - TABLED 8:23:59 Third Reading 8:24:51 Announcements 8:27:14 Unanimous Consent: Rep. Almy 8:29:05 Unanimous Consent: Rep. Alissandra Murray 8:29:41 Unanimous Consent: Rep. Sweeney 8:30:47 Motion to Print Rep. Sweeney’s Remarks in Permanent Journal 8:30:53 Recess until Thursday, March 16, 2023 at 9:00 am, 928, house, all, 2.2.40, 2.1.47

Transcript Highlights:

• Voting on SB 30, the chair's recommendation is to pass unamended, noting the excused absences of Senators
• of senators G and Chang are absences of senators G and Chang are there<00:01:31.520> any<00:01
• The chair's recommendation is to pass unamended, noting the excused absence of Senator Gabbard.
• Chair's recommendation is to pass unamended, noting the excused absence of Senator Gabbard.
• <00:10:44.560> of amendments noting to excuse absence of amendments noting to excuse absence

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held a decision-making-only agenda and voted on a series of bills, mostly following the chair’s recommendations. Measures passed unamended included SB 1202 on allowing campaign funds for child care and dependent care costs, SB 30 requiring all moped drivers to wear helmets, SB 55 requiring state administrative rules to be posted in a digitally accessible and searchable format, SB 106 on pedestrian conduct more than 200 feet from a crosswalk, SB 344 requiring helmets for skateboard users under 16, SB 849 increasing penalties for harming native species, SB 1337 clarifying Stadium Authority quorum rules, and SB 268 reducing the size of island burial councils and removing certain membership requirements. SB 1511, which prohibits vessels longer than 75 feet from entering Honay Bay, was also adopted, though the transcript includes some inconsistent wording about whether it was amended. Several bills were approved with amendments. SB 1048 on solicitation of funds from the public was amended to remove a ministerial exception and to require certain charitable organizations and fundraising platforms to file written contracts with the Department before commencing solicitations. SB 109 was amended so that, in specified circumstances, the ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi version of a law would be binding when the law was originally drafted in English, translated into Hawaiian, and later amended. SB 66 on county building permits was amended to add a bad date, April 23, 2057. SB 1312, deferred to the 10 o’clock agenda, clarified that “profits from prostitution” includes money or property received from prostitution proceeds even if characterized as reimbursement or debt repayment; it was also passed with amendments. The committee also adopted a recommendation to pass SB 55 and other measures with the noted excused absences of Senator Gabbard and, at times, other members. Throughout the meeting, no major opposition was recorded beyond one member voting no or with reservations on some bills, and the chair repeatedly announced that the recommendations had been adopted. The meeting concluded after the 10 o’clock agenda, with notice that the committee would meet upstairs for later agendas with WHAM.

Transcript Highlights:

• Or four, the student's absences reach or exceed 10% of the student's instructional days.
• It's not, there's not that... ...counties may be 40 to 50 absences.
• Of actual absences, yes. Okay, so I mean...
• You know, if somebody has an educational experience, that's an excused absence.
• It could be 40 or 50 absences, the current definition.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from its prior meeting and then took up House Bill 5537, a bill to repeal several obsolete or outdated code sections. Counsel explained that the bill would remove provisions related to professional development, a behavioral interventionist pilot program, county lists of facilities for child daycare, and high school graduation rates, with a proposed amendment adding another outdated education code section from 1923. The committee adopted the amendment and reported HB 5537 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass as amended. The committee then considered House Bill 4656, which would shift truancy policy toward chronic absenteeism and earlier intervention. Counsel said the committee substitute would replace punitive status-offense treatment with wraparound services, student support specialists, and a new child-in-need-of-supervision process, while also ending compulsory attendance at age 18 and removing criminal penalties for 18-year-olds. Members questioned how the new thresholds would work, including the role of attendance directors, prosecutors, judges, and the Department of Human Services, and whether the bill would change current diversion funding or court authority. Witnesses from Fayette County, Greenbrier County, and Taylor County largely opposed the bill or urged caution. The Fayette County attendance director said current truancy procedures, including school-based probation and court involvement, help secure family participation and services, and warned that removing the status offense would weaken enforcement. A Greenbrier County probation officer said diversion programs are effective and that court involvement often leads to needed services. A Taylor County juvenile prosecutor said status-offense jurisdiction gives courts meaningful leverage and flexibility, and asked that counties be allowed to keep existing approaches that work locally. After testimony, the committee voted to report HB 4656 to the full Senate without recommendation and with a recommendation that it be re-referred to the Committee on Education, then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:03:38.000> are<00:03:38.239> defined absence is Def how absences are defined absence
• Chronic absenteeism includes excused absences, unexcused absences, and suspensions.
• Chronic absenteeism includes excused absences, unexcused absences, and suspensions.
• Chronic absenteeism includes excused absences, unexcused absences, and suspensions.
• Chronic absenteeism includes excused absences, unexcused absences, and suspensions.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Or four, the student's absences reach or exceed 10% of the student's instructional days.
• Of actual absences, yes. Okay, so I mean...
• You know, if somebody has an educational experience, that's an excused absence.
• That's an excused absence.
• It could be 40 or 50 absences, the current definition.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The committee met, established a quorum, and approved the minutes from the prior meeting. It then took up House Bill 5537, a repeal bill that removes several obsolete code sections related to professional development, a behavioral interventionist pilot program, child daycare facility lists, and high school graduation rates, and also adds another outdated section to the repeal list. After adopting the committee amendment, the committee voted to report HB 5537 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass as amended. The committee then spent most of its time on House Bill 4656, which would replace the current truancy status-offense framework with a chronic absenteeism and child-in-need-of-supervision model. Counsel explained that the bill shifts the focus toward earlier, preventative intervention, including wraparound services, student support specialists, and a new definition of chronic absenteeism tied to failed interventions, lack of meaningful contact, grade-level impact, or absences reaching 10% of instructional days. Senators questioned how the new process would work, how it would affect court authority, prosecutors, juvenile drug courts, and whether it would change the role of schools and DHHS. Witnesses from Fayette, Greenbrier, and Taylor counties testified. School attendance and juvenile justice officials generally said the current truancy process and court involvement help secure family participation and services, and they warned that removing the status offense could weaken enforcement and reduce the ability to compel participation in interventions. They described existing diversion programs, improvement periods, and court-supervised services as effective tools, with Greenbrier reporting that most diversions do not result in petitions. The committee ultimately voted to report HB 4656 to the full Senate without recommendation and with a further recommendation that it be re-referred to the Committee on Education. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• > absence.
• . absences. absences.
• , a full-day absence, or an exempt absence.
• , a full-day absence, or an exempt absence.
• or excused absences.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• , and unexcused absence.
• Representative Booth, so I want to ask about the excused absence definition.
• Under medical absence, would menstrual... ...under medical absence, would menstrual diagnosis, like endometriosis
• In other school districts, they allow 20 parent notes for excused absences.
• those absences accordingly.

Summary: The Pre-K through 12 Budget Subcommittee met during Budget Week and first considered three member bills. House Bill 1111, by Rep. Valdes, would eliminate the option for students to leave high school with a certificate of completion instead of a standard diploma. Valdes said the bill was inspired by students who met credit requirements but could not pass a required assessment, and argued the certificate does not provide access to college, trade school, or military service. The bill passed unanimously, 15-0. CS for House Bill 127, by Rep. Kendall, would support students with disabilities by using existing Florida Department of Education curriculum to create micro-credentials and coordinating with the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities and OSHA on workplace safety. Goodwill, the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Florida PTA, and others supported the bill, which also passed unanimously, 15-0. House Bill 1367, by Rep. Booth, addressed chronic absenteeism by requiring statewide definitions and more uniform attendance reporting, along with rules for excused and unexcused absences and early identification of chronically absent students. Testimony emphasized inconsistent district policies and the need for clearer data and interventions. The bill passed 13-0, with some members noting concerns about implementation details and future rulemaking. The committee then took up PCB-P-PKB-2501, the proposed conforming bill for the fiscal year 2025-2026 Pre-K through 12 budget. The chair said the bill was designed to align statutes with budget and scholarship funding procedures, especially around the Florida Education Finance Program and scholarship payments. The PCB would require Florida student ID numbers for scholarship students, standardize cross-checking against FTE survey data, set quarterly payment dates, and use one data source for both reporting and withholding scholarship-related FFP amounts. It also would reduce certain add-on weights by 50%, remove the budget stabilization program, and repeal the educational enrollment stabilization program. Several members raised concerns that the add-on weight reductions could hurt career and technical education, AICE, IB, and CAPE programs, while the sponsor argued the data showed too much spending in an “other” category and that the reductions were aimed at aligning funding with actual program costs. Public testimony was mixed: some supported tighter accountability and clearer payment rules, while others warned against undermining expensive career-readiness programs. The PCB passed 11-2. After the conforming bill, the chair presented the proposed fiscal year 2025-2026 Pre-K through 12 budget, totaling just under $21 billion, about $400 million below the current year. She said the budget reflects a need to slow spending growth and includes $20 million for New Worlds Scholarship Accounts, $7 million for security grants at Jewish day schools and preschools, $14 million for public school transportation stipends, an overall FEFP increase of about $747.7 million, $100 million for teacher salary increases, and increases in the base student allocation and funds per student. The committee did not vote on the budget recommendation at this meeting; it was distributed for review and will move to the Budget Committee next week.

Transcript Highlights:

• For excused absences or quorum is present.
• Excused absences.
• One, impeding absence.
• So, it has to rise to the level of an impeding absence, which first of all must be an unexcused absence
• Okay, and can you define an excused absence?

Bills: SB 8, SB 1, SB 2, SB 5, SB 10, HB27, HB7, HB17, HB1, SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, HB20, HB18, HB7, HB17, HB1, HB20, HB18, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, SB1, SR85, SR87, SB8, SB5, SB2, SB10, HB27

Keywords: sex designation, restroom access, civil penalties, private civil right of action, women's privacy, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, abortion, healthcare, jurisdiction, civil action, qui tam

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:08.800> all coding and Counting absences all coding and Counting absences all districts
• students with five or more absences students with five or more absences receive<00:12:54.680>
• We want to communicate with families what our excused absence and unexcused absence is, and then follow
• Notification for absences and tardies is a big part of it too.
• <00:55:06.480> we tardy and when it becomes an absence we tardy and when it becomes an absence

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Education Finance Committee met on January 28, 2025, to receive updates on chronic absenteeism work funded in the 2024 education finance bill. The chair introduced presentations from districts in the student attendance pilot program—Minneapolis, Columbia Heights, Chisago, and Rochester—and noted that the committee would also hear the student attendance and truancy legislative study group report and later a bill from Senator Weber. The chair also thanked educational assistants and paraprofessionals for their work in schools. Minneapolis Public Schools described common attendance challenges across pilot districts, including inconsistent attendance coding, weak family communication, difficulty identifying interventions, and uneven responses to absences. The district said pilot districts want statewide definitions for absences, tardies, and exempt codes, as well as better internal dashboards and clearer procedures. Minneapolis also highlighted strategies such as attendance teams at each school, quarterly postcards to families after five or more absences, Promise Fellows, home visits, multilingual communication through TalkingPoints, and a morning nurse line to help parents decide whether a child should stay home. The district said its main attendance goal is to raise consistent attendance from 68 percent to 80 percent by 2026. In response to committee questions, Minneapolis said its main post-COVID absenteeism reason has been illness or medical issues, followed by transportation problems, and that it does not penalize students for transportation-related absences. The district said it counts secondary absences when students miss more than three periods in a day, with truancy beginning after seven such absences, while elementary students are counted absent for the full day. Members also asked about whether reduced truancy referrals reflected more attendance or diversionary supports; the district said its approach is to focus on understanding root causes and providing support rather than quickly referring students to truancy processes. The district reported improved communication, greater parent awareness, and fewer truancy referrals so far, and said the attendance team model should be sustainable because it uses existing staff with clearer direction.

Transcript Highlights:

• So far this school year, Missy's had a few absences from school.
• In your data, is there a separation or delineation between unexcused absences and excused absences?
• look very different than those of an unexcused absence.
• We send those home to parents in their native language at the seventh absence, as well as the 10th absence
• Now, he doesn’t flag as an absence, but that’s an absence from class.

Summary: The committee on Pre-K through 12 Education met to discuss chronic absenteeism, district attendance interventions, and related truancy procedures. Chair Simon reviewed Florida’s attendance laws and escalation process, including school-based interventions, child study team meetings, referrals to the Department of Juvenile Justice, truancy petitions, and possible sanctions for parents and driving privileges. The committee heard first from University of Florida professor Dr. Chris Curran, who presented state and national absenteeism data showing chronic absenteeism has risen sharply since the pandemic, with Florida at about 31.4% in 2023-24. He emphasized that absenteeism has multiple causes, including transportation, mental health, housing instability, safety concerns, and family barriers, and said effective responses include early warning systems, multi-tiered supports, mentoring, and community partnerships rather than relying only on punitive measures. Members questioned Dr. Curran about whether absenteeism is a behavior or barrier issue, whether exclusionary discipline is counted, the need for a uniform definition across districts, and whether more punitive truancy enforcement is effective. He said the issue is usually a mix of barriers and choices, that excused and unexcused absences both matter for chronic absenteeism data, and that root-cause analysis and supportive interventions are generally more productive than punishment alone, though consequences can still play a role. The committee then heard from Collier County Superintendent Leslie Ricciardelli and district staff, who described a highly structured attendance system built around attendance specialists, social workers, mental health staff, home visits, attendance contracts, multilingual outreach, and frequent parent notifications. They said Collier’s chronic absenteeism rate was about 9% in 2023-24 and credited their success to early contact, community partnerships, and a strong district culture around attendance. Volusia County Schools Executive Director Mike McAuliffe described a newer districtwide attendance initiative that uses automated letters, same-day notifications, data dashboards, MTSS tiers, incentives, and community supports such as bikes, washers and dryers, and faith-based partnerships. He reported Volusia reduced chronic absenteeism from 34% in 2023-24 to a projected 29% and said the district is now seeing about 20% in the first quarter of the current year. No formal votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just to give context, during the pandemic, chronic absence went from about 16% pre-pandemic to almost
• But chronic absence tends to have a delayed effect.
• reached such elevated levels, is that when you have a high level of chronic absence... let's say 20%
• They had better or lower kindergarten chronic absence pre and post pandemic.
• We also can ensure that chronic absence is used to prioritize and coordinate existing resources.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• vote I recognizing the excused absence vote I recognizing the excused absence of<00:49:37.119>
• 36.720> of Recognizing the excused absence of Recognizing the excused absence of Representative
• vote I noting the excused absence of vote I noting the excused absence of representative<00:56:48.480
• > of Noting the excused absence of Noting the excused absence of representative<00:57:22.559><
• Noting the excused absence of I.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs held a resolutions hearing on April 1, 2025, and considered a series of measures largely focused on housing, domestic violence, corrections, Native Hawaiian issues, and public safety. Early items included HCR 158 HD1 and HR 153 HD1, which request a Judiciary-led working group to improve landlord-tenant code provisions to increase housing supply; Hawaii Realtors testified in strong support, and there was no opposition. The committee also heard HCR 55 and HR 51 on studying the effectiveness of domestic violence, restraining order, and stalking laws. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office said some requested data may exceed judicial authority but that useful Judiciary data exists, while the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence supported the intent but urged broader, better-funded, survivor-inclusive analysis across all counties and islands. Members asked for clarification on the proposed draft, and the witness emphasized narrowing the scope, including stalking, and extending the timeline. The committee then took up HCR 23 HD1 on the new Oahu Community Correctional Center. The Public Defender supported adding a courtroom but objected to language about transporting released detainees away from residential communities or public spaces as unconstitutional; the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation supported the measure and said one multipurpose courtroom would be sufficient, and that most released inmates are picked up by family or programs, with others transported to a bus depot. HCR 174 HD1/HR 170 HD1, on in-school based learning programs for youth in the juvenile legal system, drew strong support from Debt Free Justice Hawaii, which said the resolution was youth-led and could help replace fees and fines with community service and rehabilitation opportunities. HCR 185, on an audit of proposed mandatory health insurance coverage for Native Hawaiian healing and cultural practices, received comments from Pāpa Lokahi supporting the concept but warning that reimbursement issues are complex, that the community should restart broader conversations, and that the measure should not be rushed or unfunded; members questioned whether the resolution was the right vehicle and whether it could affect ACA implementation. Several Native Hawaiian and community measures were also heard. HCR 147/HR 147, creating a legislative working group on Department of Hawaiian Home Lands funding, had support from DHHL and the Democratic Party of Hawaii. HCR 193 HD1/HR 186 HD1, on transferring Native Hawaiian burial site management to OHA, was strongly supported by OHA, which also proposed adding recognized lineal and cultural descendants to the working group membership; the committee noted multiple supporting testimonies and no opposition on the House draft. HCR 8/HR 8, urging DOJ inclusion of Hawaii in the missing and murdered indigenous persons outreach program, was supported by OHA, which cited a task force report showing Native Hawaiian women and girls make up over 40% of missing persons cases despite being about 10% of the population. HCR 124 HD1/HR 120 HD1 on Hawaiian language resources had no testimony. HCR 180 HD1 on collaborative homelessness response drew comments from the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions and three support testimonies. HCR 72/HR 65 on county ethics standards also drew support only. HCR 100/HR 96 on competency in LGBTQ+ and culturally specific gender identity training received support from the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission and the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission, which stressed the need for training that reflects Native Hawaiian and other Polynesian understandings such as mahu and fa’afafine. The committee continued with additional measures that were mostly noncontroversial. HCR 30/AHR 29 on enforcement against out-of-state vehicles had support from the Department of Transportation. HCR 43 HD1, studying highway patrol and speed cameras, had one opposition testimony. HCR 119 HD1/HR 115 HD1, endorsing Taiwan’s international participation and a U.S.-Taiwan trade agreement, was supported by DBEDT. HCR 62 HD1 and HR 57, on flying the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia flag year-round at the Capitol, had no testimony, though DBEDT supported the related measure. Throughout the hearing, members generally asked few questions, and the transcript reflects testimony, comments, and stated positions rather than any final committee votes or deferred actions.