Video & Transcript : 'teaching standards' :
Page 304 of 500
VT
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- They began to teach us... ...when you and emergency services folks are dispatched.
- They began to teach us... ...to teach us about de-escalation and having more empathy for individuals
- They're teaching us to have a softer approach.
Summary:
The Committee on Children and Families met in executive session first and approved two measures by roll call vote. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2610, relating to the Missouri State Legal Expense Fund, was amended to cap the fund for that bill at $1 million and then voted do pass by a 17-0 vote. The committee also adopted a substitute combining House Bills 1839, 29, 21, and 3015, described as age verification legislation, and voted the combined House Committee Substitute do pass by a 17-0 vote.
The committee then held a lengthy public hearing on House Bill 1840, which would create a statewide Purple Alert system for missing persons with developmental disabilities. Representative Sherry Gallick and numerous supporters testified that the bill would fill a gap between Amber and Silver Alerts and help law enforcement and the public respond faster when vulnerable individuals wander or go missing. Family members, advocates, service providers, and first responders described personal tragedies involving autistic children and adults, emphasized the risks of water, traffic, exposure, and exploitation, and said specialized training for responders was important. No one testified in opposition.
After a brief recess, the committee heard House Bill 2170, which would update Missouri child passenger restraint laws to require rear-facing seats for children under age three and tighten other child restraint requirements. The sponsor and supporters from MoDOT, pediatric, medical, and emergency physician groups said the bill would codify best practices and improve child safety, while committee members raised questions about enforcement, exceptions for larger children, and the cost of fines and car seats. The hearing ended with no opposition testimony and no final vote taken on HB 1840 or HB 2170 during the transcript.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Systems, Plant It Forward, and the Texas Agriability Program's Battleground to Breaking Ground, where I teach
- I teach my students a simple rule in agriculture. Cost avoidance is the first way to make money in.
- Institutions to be teaching our students that will move into agriculture, uh, these facts.
- We're starting to teach them the, the process of regenerative agriculture and how to build a business
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Systems, Plant It Forward, and the Texas Agribility Program's Battleground or Breaking Ground. where I teach
- I teach my students a simple rule in agriculture. avoidance is the first way to make money and act.
- gone and trained ourselves understand this, but we need the higher education institution. to be teaching
- We're starting. to teach them the process of regenerative agriculture and how to build a business plan
Keywords:
nursing education, clinical sites, health facilities, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, legislative study, healthcare training, tuition, financial assistance, higher education, public institutions, student support, nonresident students, Texas Education Code, resident tuition, scholarships, regenerative agriculture, grants, sustainable farming, soil health, bioremediation
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Mar 18th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- Where do you teach? St. Thomas University, the Benjamin Crump School of Law. Oh, okay.
- Where do you teach? St. Thomas University, the Benjamin Crump School of Law. Oh, okay.
- So very excited to continue to support this community past my time at education teaching here at Pasco
- to have been the original, And every part of the design is a learning tool for the students and a teaching
Summary:
The committee first heard CS/SB 270, which would extend Bright Futures eligibility by 12 months for certain students whose parent was serving overseas in public service and then retired, giving military and diplomatic families more time to return to Florida without losing scholarship eligibility. Senator Burgess also explained a late-filed amendment to set the bill’s effective implementation for the 2025-26 school year, and the committee adopted the amendment without objection. The bill received supportive testimony, including from Senator Smith, and was reported favorably by a roll call vote.
The remainder of the meeting focused on confirmation hearings for appointees to state college boards of trustees, with the chair emphasizing a new process of hearing from each nominee individually rather than taking a blanket vote. Nominees from Tallahassee State College, St. Johns River State College, South Florida State College, Broward College, State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota, Palm Beach State College, Pasco-Hernando State College, and Valencia College described their backgrounds and priorities, which largely centered on workforce development, nursing and health sciences, dual enrollment, fiscal responsibility, student retention, and partnerships with local employers and communities. Several nominees highlighted their own educational or professional ties to the colleges, and some noted the importance of serving rural or military-connected communities.
One nominee, John Aloko for Pasco-Hernando State College, was not present because he was attending a conference in Hawaii and was deferred to a later hearing. After hearing all other nominees, the committee voted to recommend confirmation of the remaining appointees in a block vote, covering Tabs 2 through 22 except Tab 8, and the motion passed. Two members later asked to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on earlier items.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- During my time at ASU, I've served as a teaching assistant for 12 engineering courses, as an elected
- My experience working as a teaching assistant and a mentor to students taught me a lot about what goals
Summary:
The Senate Education Committee met, approved the March 25, 2026 minutes, and considered two executive nominations. First, the committee heard testimony from Aidan Kane Vaux, nominated as a student regent for the Arizona Board of Regents. Vaux described his background as an ASU biomedical engineering graduate student and researcher, his teaching and mentoring experience, and his interest in representing students. Senators asked about how his engineering training would inform board service, student concerns about tuition and cost transparency, expanding STEM and health care education, mental health resources, and improving educational access in rural Arizona. Vaux said he would bring a problem-solving, data-driven perspective and emphasized affordability, student support, rural outreach, and broader access to research and health-related opportunities. The committee voted 6-0, with one member not voting, to recommend his confirmation to the full Senate.
The committee then heard from Andrea Marasota Snow, nominated to the Arizona State Board for Private Post-Secondary Education. Snow said she serves as Chief Legal and Government Affairs Officer at Pima Medical Institute and would use her legal and regulatory experience to help the board with licensing, complaint review, compliance, and student protections. She emphasized balancing institutional growth with oversight and protecting students through the Student Tuition Recovery Fund and other safeguards. The committee voted 6-0, with one member not voting, to recommend her confirmation to the full Senate.
Before adjourning, members thanked staff and nominees, and the chair noted Senator Diaz’s birthday. The committee then adjourned.
AZ
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 2 Feb 3rd, 2026
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Teach us to think... We make our requests known through prayer and with thanksgiving.
- Teach us to think about the honorable, the righteous, the pure, and lovely.
Bills:
HB3725, HB3260, HB3660, HB3369, HB3370, HB2937, HB3419, HB3264, HB3266, HB3267, HB3268, HB3310, HB4311, HB3841, HB3024, HB3075
Keywords:
labor, e-verification, immigration, employers, employment eligibility, Department of Labor, penalties, funeral licensing, continuing education, Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association, professional development, licensing requirements, HB3660, natural organic reduction, human composting, soil reduction, green burial, funeral services, cremation, burial permit
Summary:
The House convened with a roll call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then proceeded through routine opening business. The speaker outlined the day’s order of business and the clerk noted measures considered read for the second time and referred accordingly. A large group of 14 pages was introduced, with members recognizing their academic, athletic, and extracurricular achievements and future college plans.
Most of the remaining time was spent on announcements and introductions. Members highlighted committee meetings, including Insurance Committee being canceled for the week, Judicial Criminal, GenGov, Admin Rules, Public Health, and Energy-related scheduling reminders. Other announcements included a blood drive to replace canceled donor drives after snow, National School Counselor Week recognition, an Oklahoma Academy event, an OSBI Citizens Academy, and a request for members to meet with committee chairs about assigned bills.
There was no substantive floor debate or vote on legislation in the transcript. The only formal action recorded was a motion by the floor leader to adjourn, and the House adjourned until Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
TX
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session - part 2 Apr 30th, 2025
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- One is pedestrian safety training, which teaches how to properly cross a road.
- then in addition for fourth and eighth graders, we have the addition of bicycle safety, including teaching
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Health and Human Services Oversight REVISED: SB640, SB1502 and SB1562 - Added Apr 13th, 2026 at 03:00 pm
Health and Human Services Oversight
Bills:
SB206, SB640, SB667, SB1344, SB1380, SB1423, SB1425, SB1436, SB1484, SB1500, SB1502, SB1503, SB1557, SB1562, SB1572, SB1644, SB1645, SB1794, SB1796, SB1806, SB1849, SB1984, SB2007, SB2074
Keywords:
SB206, emergency medical services, EMS, ambulance, 911 response, emergency response, essential services, federal funding, grant funding, public health, health care facility, municipality, county, ambulance service district, tribal entity, public entity, contract ambulance service, Oklahoma, 63 O.S. 2021 Section 1-2502, emergency clause
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Health and Human Services Oversight REVISED: SB640, SB1502 and SB1562 - Added Apr 13th, 2026
Health and Human Services Oversight
Bills:
SB206, SB640, SB667, SB1344, SB1380, SB1423, SB1425, SB1436, SB1484, SB1500, SB1502, SB1503, SB1557, SB1562, SB1572, SB1644, SB1645, SB1794, SB1796, SB1806, SB1849, SB1984, SB2007, SB2074
Keywords:
SB206, emergency medical services, EMS, ambulance, 911 response, emergency response, essential services, federal funding, grant funding, public health, health care facility, municipality, county, ambulance service district, tribal entity, public entity, contract ambulance service, Oklahoma, 63 O.S. 2021 Section 1-2502, emergency clause
Summary:
The committee opened with prayer and then took up a series of health and human services bills, most of them moving forward on do-pass motions. Senate Bill 1645 would set audit procedures for Medicaid providers, with discussion focused on protecting providers from penalties for scrivener’s or typographical errors while still holding them accountable for fraud or failure to provide services. Senate Bills 1796 and 1806 addressed foster care, including a 72-hour cap on informal care and extending foster care to age 21 for youth continuing their education. Senate Bills 1423, 1425, and 1502 all repealed outdated advisory councils or programs that were no longer active or needed. SB 206, as amended, expanded licensed ambulance services as essential services to help them access more federal funding, and SB 500 sought to prevent pharmacy benefit managers from delaying payments to pharmacists. These measures were reported out with unanimous or near-unanimous votes.
The committee also heard Senate Bill 1503, which would allow certain nonprofit pregnancy-support organizations without an Oklahoma physical address to apply for Choosing Childbirth grants. Members questioned whether state dollars could go to out-of-state personnel and how telehealth and reporting requirements would work. The bill was laid over for further amendment work. Senate Bill 1557 would place certified behavioral analysts under the State Board of Examiners of Psychology, and members raised questions about how it might interact with a separate bill affecting board authority; it passed after discussion. Senate Bill 1894 gave the podiatry board authority over continuing education, and SB 1984 was a cleanup bill for the Board of Osteopathic Medicine, including authority over certain licensure and telemedicine-related review issues; both passed after questions about scope and reciprocity.
Later, the committee considered several pharmacy and insurance-related bills. SB 1344 created an insulin access and affordability program to partner with manufacturers of low-cost biosimilar insulin, and SB 1380 required Medicaid eligibility checks against death records, with an amendment discussed to protect long-term care facilities from retroactive nonpayment when eligibility is delayed. SB 1572 would commission a feasibility study on dissolving the Department of Mental Health and temporarily allow the Health Care Authority commissioner to oversee both agencies. SB 2007 required PBMs to reimburse pharmacists at actual acquisition cost when reimbursement falls below cost, with escalating fines for noncompliance. SB 2074 would impose a mandatory dispensing fee tied to the Medicaid rate; it drew extensive debate over whether costs would be shifted to employers, employees, or the state, and over the impact on pharmacy closures and rural access. The committee ultimately reported the bills out, with SB 2074 passing after lengthy discussion and a final vote.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 34 Apr 2nd, 2026 at 09:30 am
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Bills:
SJR39, SJR47, SB227, SB1942, SB1627, SB625, SB1716, SB1303, SB2180, SB504, SB1209, SB1448, SB1597, SB1679, SB2182, SB2112, SB2170, SB2084, SB1496, SB1595, SB1655, SB1876, SB1621, SB1944, SB1266, SB2072, SB2104, SB1769, SB1827
Keywords:
property valuation, tax limit, homestead, income threshold, elderly, constitutional amendment, voter ID, elections, Oklahoma, proof of identity, gross production tax, ad valorem tax, property exemption, Oklahoma Tax Commission, oil and gas production, regulatory impact, economic implications, dental insurance, health care, medical necessity
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 34 Apr 2nd, 2026
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Bills:
SJR39, SJR47, SB227, SB1942, SB1627, SB625, SB1716, SB1303, SB2180, SB504, SB1209, SB1448, SB1597, SB1679, SB2182, SB2112, SB2170, SB2084, SB1496, SB1595, SB1655, SB1876, SB1621, SB1944, SB1266, SB2072, SB2104, SB1769, SB1827
Keywords:
property valuation, tax limit, homestead, income threshold, elderly, constitutional amendment, voter ID, elections, Oklahoma, proof of identity, gross production tax, ad valorem tax, property exemption, Oklahoma Tax Commission, oil and gas production, regulatory impact, economic implications, dental insurance, health care, medical necessity
Summary:
The House convened, the roll was called, and the chamber proceeded with the day’s order of business, including an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several floor presentations and announcements. The chaplain delivered a Holy Week message centered on Easter, resurrection, and overcoming fear, followed by the Pledge and a series of recognitions for guests and birthdays.
Representative Rosecrants presented a citation recognizing April 2 as World Autism Day and Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month, with members from the Autism Foundation of Oklahoma present in the gallery. The House also welcomed students from MacArthur Middle School, Leadership Guthrie, and the Tuttle High School football team, which was recognized for winning the 2025 Class 4A state championship. Additional announcements noted the Artemis mission’s progress, committee meeting schedules, and other personal and district updates from members.
No bills were debated or voted on in the portion provided. The only formal action taken at the end of the meeting was a motion to adjourn, which was adopted without objection, and the House adjourned until Monday, April 6, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- maintained to within 60 seconds of the official time as determined by the National Institute for Standards
- Without uniform standards, outcomes vary. Public safety and appropriate rehabilitation are at risk.
- That standard already exists. What this bill adds is not encouragement of involvement.
- History teaches us something very clear.
- The sweeping definitions and vague standards invite arbitrary enforcement.
Bills:
SB1067, SB1234, SB1285, SB1295, SB1392, SB1413, SB1436, SB1470, SB1476, SB1489, SB1512, SB1535, SB1540, SB1556, SB1568, SB1569, SB1570, SB1573, SB1585, SB1609, SB1627, SB1634, SB1635, SB1644, SB1647, SB1648, SB1650, SB1653, SB1654, SB1655, SB1656, SB1657, SB1658, SB1661, SB1662, SB1664, SB1666, SB1667, SB1669, SB1709, SB1720, SB1723, SB1725, SB1743, SB1746, SB1748, SB1755, SB1786, SB1820, SB1822, SB1829, SCR1027, SCR1040, SCR1048
Keywords:
tax lien, property tax lien, real property tax lien, foreclosure, right of redemption, redeem, excess proceeds, county abatement lien, abatement lien, lien priority, assessment lien, easement, county treasurer, certificate of purchase, tax delinquency, delinquent property taxes, property owner equity, judgment foreclosure, title report, Arizona Revised Statutes
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Labor and Industrial Apr 28th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It turns fraud into a gotcha standard.
- The strict standard applies only to injured workers.
- different than the federal standard.
- ... ...from even being hired and not through federal standards.
- Pharmacists answer to their licensing standards.
Summary:
The committee first voluntarily deferred House Bills 460 and 561, then took up House Bill 1101 on workers’ compensation. The sponsor said the bill would define maximum medical improvement, adjust fraud provisions, shorten temporary total disability and supplemental earnings benefit periods, and revise vocational rehabilitation rules; an amendment removed proposed age-based termination language for benefits. Business groups including LABI supported the bill as a way to reduce Louisiana’s comparatively high indemnity costs and align the state with regional norms, while injured-worker advocates and attorneys strongly opposed it, arguing it would cut benefits, shift medical and disability decisions away from treating physicians and judges, broaden fraud too far, and potentially push costs onto public programs. After debate, the committee voted to report HB 1101 with amendments.
House Bill 282 was voluntarily deferred. House Bill 293, which would add sexual orientation and gender identity to Louisiana employment discrimination protections, drew generally supportive testimony from the sponsor and supporters, with some members raising questions about religious exemptions and federal law. The committee ultimately voted against reporting HB 293 favorably. House Bill 390, providing unpaid leave protections for domestic abuse survivors at larger employers, was presented as a tool for survivors, but the committee split 6-6 on a motion to report it favorably; the tie resulted in the bill being voluntarily deferred.
The committee then heard House Bill 456, which would expand workers’ compensation petition requirements and allow employers or payers broader access to file disputed claims and seek discovery. Supporters argued employers currently lack a practical way to obtain records and challenge claims without first cutting off benefits, while opponents said the bill would revive a rejected 2012 approach, increase litigation, and undermine the no-fault workers’ compensation bargain. The discussion centered on whether the bill would preserve benefits while allowing discovery or instead encourage more disputes and penalties. The transcript ends with testimony still underway on HB 456, with no final vote shown.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- them to build their curriculum and, you know, even finding students of his that can help, you know, teach
- program, so we hope that's something that will happen as we move forward. his that can help you know teach
- even his that can help you know teach even there<00:13:24.760><c> um</c><00:13:25.440><c> but</c><00
- I love teaching, love doing research, but I went through the tenure process.
- love doing research but I love teaching love doing research but in<00:21:20.679><c> uh</c><00:21:20.799
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism heard confirmations for two Hawaii Technology Development Corporation board nominees, Jaclyn Ka and Gregory Oara. Testimony for both was overwhelmingly in support. Supporters for Ka emphasized her Kauaʻi roots, work in workforce development and digital equity, and ability to connect schools, industry, and community needs. In her own remarks, Ka said she wants to bring resources to Kauaʻi and the neighbor islands, strengthen local workforce pathways, and use the HTDC board to help local residents access technology jobs and training.
Members questioned Ka about how to reduce reliance on mainland hires for jobs at PMRF and other technology employers, how to better align training with local needs, and how to connect Kauaʻi schools, community college programs, and creative media/digital technology efforts. Ka described KDB’s role in building islandwide digital media and drone clubs, professional development for teachers, and partnerships intended to create a pipeline from school to workforce. She also said the legislature can help mainly by listening and staying informed about local needs.
For Oara, supporters highlighted his engineering and semiconductor background, his experience in academia, industry, and startups, and his potential to help HTDC with technology commercialization, IP, and exportable services. Oara said he wants HTDC to better support early-stage companies, improve coordination among universities, government, and the private sector, and create a directory of technical skill sets to connect startups with needed expertise. He also discussed AI, saying Hawaii can contribute by developing smaller, locally relevant models rather than only relying on large-scale data-center infrastructure. The hearing focused on these nominations and testimony; no vote or final committee action was stated in the transcript.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - 04/16/26
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- are all covered by the American Red Cross as far as the instruction and the way it's laid out, the teaching
- c><01:01:44.160><c> mechanisms,</c><01:01:45.560><c> and</c><01:01:46.400><c> uh</c> out, uh the teaching
- mechanisms, and uh out, uh the teaching mechanisms, and uh so so so uh<01:01:48.400><c> that's</c><01
- <c> clear</c><01:48:17.040><c> policy</c> far clear policy far clear policy to<01:48:18.600><c> standardize
- how it is administered at to standardize how it is administered at the<01:48:21.120><c> local</c><01
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary (9-18-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- I just have to ask under the current federal standard, is there a historical analog from the time of
- 19:21.919><c> the</c><00:19:22.640><c> current</c><00:19:22.960><c> federal</c><00:19:23.360><c> standard
- ,</c> ask under the current federal standard, ask under the current federal standard, is<00:19:24.720
- They were fortunate enough to find it and stop it, and he's no longer teaching.
- </c> and stop it and he's no longer teaching. and stop it and he's no longer teaching.
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:00:00
Roll Call: 00:00:07
26RS BR 8 - AN ACT relating to machine gun conversion devices: 00:01:33
Department of Public Advocacy Update: 00:51:33
26RS BR 126 - AN ACT relating to boating under the influence: 01:23:46
26RS BR 60 - AN ACT relating to grooming: 01:33:23, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum, approved the August 29 minutes, and then heard testimony on a bill relating to machine gun conversion devices, often described as Glock switches or auto sears. Representative Jason Nemis presented the bill with Louisville police Chief Paul Humphrey and Lt. Drew Fox, arguing the measure would mirror existing federal law, make possession of these devices unlawful under Kentucky law, and give state and local law enforcement authority to seize and prosecute them without relying solely on federal agencies. They said the devices are small aftermarket or 3D-printed parts that convert semi-automatic pistols into fully automatic weapons and emphasized that the bill would not affect lawful gun ownership.
The presenters cited rising seizures and public-safety concerns, saying LMPD and Jefferson County seizures increased sharply from 2023 to 2024 and that the average age of possession had dropped. They argued the devices are used offensively, are inaccurate and dangerous, and have been linked to violent crime. Two Alabama legislators, Representatives Philip Ensler and Russell Bedsole, testified in support based on Alabama’s recent enactment of a similar law. They said local police and prosecutors there had been unable to act effectively because the devices were handled mainly by federal authorities, and they described bipartisan support, immediate enactment, and reported confiscations after passage.
Members asked about the bill’s penalty level, the source and manufacture of the devices, the scope of the definition of “conversion device,” and whether the bill could create constitutional problems given ongoing federal litigation over machine gun restrictions. The sponsors said the penalty would be a Class C felony and that the bill was intended to cover only the device attached to the firearm, not tools like 3D printers. They acknowledged that if federal machine gun laws were ultimately struck down, the state law would also be unenforceable. Some members supported the bill as common-sense public safety legislation, while Representative Roberts opposed it on Second Amendment grounds, arguing Kentucky should focus on expanding gun rights rather than adding restrictions already covered by federal law.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Make America Healthy Again Kentucky Task Force (7-10-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- It's going out to schools and libraries and teaching people how to use fresh fruits and vegetables, and
- It's going out to schools and libraries<00:29:16.080><c> and</c><00:29:16.399><c> teaching</c><00:29:
- So there really was no standardization to be able to compare those groups on a fair basis simply because
- So there really was no standardization to be able to compare those groups on a fair basis simply because
- So there really was no standardization to be able to compare those groups on a fair basis simply because
Summary:
The meeting opened with roll call and housekeeping, including moving standing attendees to an overflow room and asking the audience to avoid interruptions. The task force then heard testimony from Allison Adams of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, who presented statewide health trend data showing Kentucky ranked 41st overall and 44th in health outcomes, with especially poor performance on premature death, chronic disease, diabetes, and vaccination rates. She emphasized that Kentucky has the highest rates of residents with multiple chronic conditions, that diabetes remains above the national average, and that childhood immunization rates have worsened. She also highlighted major provider shortages in rural areas, noting that 43 of 120 counties meet shortage criteria and that more than half of primary care providers are concentrated in Fayette and Jefferson counties. Adams urged the task force to focus on prevention, early intervention, access to care, physical activity, and healthier school and community environments, and said the foundation is prepared to share results from its demonstration projects. Task force members asked follow-up questions about the age range for chronic-condition data and whether the diabetes figure reflected type 1 or type 2 diabetes; Adams said the chronic-condition measure spans all ages and that the diabetes figure likely reflects type 2, though she offered to provide the full report. The task force then approved the minutes from the prior meeting.
The committee next turned to SNAP benefits and heard from Lisa Dennis, commissioner of the Department for Community Based Services, and Roger McCann, director of the Division of Family Support. They explained that SNAP is not only a food assistance program but also a public health and family stability tool, arguing that poor diet contributes to chronic disease and that food insecurity is linked to family stress, child welfare involvement, and neglect-related CPS referrals. They cited research showing that more generous SNAP policies are associated with fewer CPS reports, fewer substantiated reports, and fewer foster care placements, and said SNAP helps reduce risk and promote stability across vulnerable populations including children, older adults, people with disabilities, and pregnant women. They also described SNAP-Ed as the nutrition education component that teaches healthy eating, cooking on a budget, and how to use fresh produce, but warned that recent federal legislation eliminates federal funding for SNAP-Ed beginning in federal fiscal year 2026. McCann outlined the remaining SNAP outreach and employment-and-training components, noting that outreach is typically run by nonprofits with a 50% match and that employment and training funds job-skills programs to help recipients move toward better jobs and self-sufficiency. The discussion emphasized that access to nutritious food, education, and job supports are all part of improving health outcomes and reducing food insecurity.