Transcript Highlights:

• This bill reaffirms our commitment to making school safer for students and educators by providing additional
• the classroom instruction to cover these mandated safety costs. resources for career and technical education
• leadership and the legislature's commitment to ensuring the safety of Texas students. students, and educators
• Educators number one priority is ensure school safety and well-being.
• Educators cannot effectively teach and students cannot learn and thrive if they do not feel safe in their

Bills: SB260 , SB263 , SB293 , SJR18

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: school safety, Foundation School Program, education funding, student allotment, Texas education, SB 263, Texas franchise tax, cost of goods sold, COGS, broadcasters, television broadcasting, radio broadcasting, media tax, broadcast license, FCC, 47 C.F.R. Part 73, 47 C.F.R. Part 74, film production, television production, tax deduction

Transcript Highlights:

• And if you look at the Texas Education Code, I have here A12.
• Let's talk education around here. Okay?
• Regional education service centers will appoint educators to the advisory committee for better representation
• Agency. ...Education Agency.
• In education in the last decade or so.

Bills: HB8 , HB12 , SB 3 , HJR1 , SB 11 , SB 16 , SB 14 , HB8 , HB 12 , SB3 , HJR1 , SB11 , SB16 , SB14

Keywords: HB 8, Texas public school accountability, school accountability, public school transparency, STAAR, state assessments, instructionally supportive assessment program, Student Success Tool, Texas Education Agency, TEA, accountability ratings, A-F ratings, through-year assessment, benchmark testing, norm-referenced assessment, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plan, school district performance, campus turnaround

Transcript Highlights:

• I would rather support our education in Arizona than in Michigan or other states.
• It increases money for education, period, end of story. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.
• We've already seen the dismantling of the Department of Education or the downsizing of it.
• prioritize the needs of all students, not just those who already have access to private education.
• The state uses it, meaning that the state can invest more money in education.

Bills: SB1142 , SCR1028

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: scholarships, tax credit, education funding, nonprofit organizations, Arizona Revised Statutes, constitutional amendment, state revenue, tax policy, legislative approval, two-thirds vote, 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the Committee on Higher Education Appropriations.
• We don't want to educate our students into poverty; we want to educate them into high-paying wage jobs
• Youth and education, their education, are our future, and I appreciate Pensacola State's legacy in Northwest
• Secretary of Education on higher education and accreditation.
• Education accreditation.

Bills: S1570 , S1376

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Keywords: missing persons, special needs, autism, search-and-rescue, Florida, voluntary program, funding, genetic counseling, education grants, state universities, faculty recruitment, student financial assistance

Summary: The committee heard and approved two bills before moving to a long confirmation agenda. SB 1570, by Sen. Gates, would restore Project Leo, a previously sunset program that helps locate missing persons with special needs through voluntary tracking devices and coordination between CARD centers and local sheriffs; it was praised as a proven tool for families and first responders and was reported favorably. CS/SB 1376, by Sen. Burgess, would create grants to support genetic counseling education and help address Florida’s shortage of genetic counselors; testimony noted the state’s limited supply of licensed counselors and the need to expand clinical training, and the bill also passed favorably. The committee then considered a block of reappointments to university and college boards of trustees, including institutions such as UWF, Broward College, Chipola College, FIU, Pasco-Hernando, Polk State, St. Petersburg, Valencia, FAMU, FAU, UCF, FSU, New College, UNF, USF, and others. No one requested separate votes on the reappointments, and the block was confirmed unanimously for recommendation to the next committee. A series of new appointees then appeared and largely emphasized workforce training, nursing, military support, and local economic development at their institutions. Witnesses included appointees to Pensacola State, Polk State, St. Petersburg College, UNF, FIU, UWF, Valencia, the College of the Florida Keys, and others; several highlighted strong NCLEX pass rates, dual enrollment, and partnerships with employers or military communities. One nominee, Florida Poly reappointment Ilya Shapiro, faced pointed questioning from Sen. Bracey Davis about past comments regarding race and the Supreme Court; he said his remarks were about hiring criteria, not a specific justice, and reiterated opposition to race- or sex-based selection. The committee also briefly struggled to reach Sherry Young by phone before hearing her testimony for Chipola College, where she said she wanted to give back as an alumna and nurse practitioner. Most new appointees were recommended for confirmation in a block, while Thomas Zachary Smith of UWF was pulled for separate consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, we're going to take up tab one, Senate Bill 1376, on grants for genetic counseling education
• The bill would establish an education grant program to support students pursuing a career in genetics
• So now we are really promoting the education of them and making sure that we increase the numbers.

Bills: S1376 , S1570

Committee: Senate Education Postsecondary

Keywords: genetic counseling, education grants, state universities, faculty recruitment, student financial assistance, missing persons, special needs, autism, search-and-rescue, Florida, voluntary program, funding

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and first considered SB 1376, which would create an education grant program to help address Florida’s shortage of genetic counselors by supporting students in genetics programs at state universities. Senator Burgess described genetic counselors’ roles in oncology, prenatal care, rare diseases, and other clinical settings, and noted Florida’s limited number of licensed counselors. The committee adopted an amendment requiring graduate programs to be accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling and to show sufficient clinical training capacity. Members spoke in support, and CS/SB 1376 was reported favorably by roll call vote. After a brief recess, the committee took up SB 1570, which would revive Project Leo, a prior Florida program that helped locate missing persons with special needs who are at high risk of wandering or elopement. President Gates explained that the bill would allow participating CARD centers to work with local sheriff’s offices to provide voluntary tracking devices and included $1 million in nonrecurring funding. Senators Berman and Harrell supported the measure, citing the dangers of wandering, especially for individuals with developmental disabilities or autism, and the importance of preventing drownings and other tragedies. The bill was reported favorably by roll call vote. No other business was raised, no senators requested to be recorded on the bills, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Education Postsecondary will now come to order. Secretary, please call the roll.
• It's called the Line Fund, and the line is Linking Industry to Nursing Education.
• This fund was created to incentivize collaboration between nursing education programs and health care
• What the bill will do is expand the Line Fund eligibility to include health science education programs
• We're just asking for flexibility for our nursing education programs as well as career technical programs

Bills: S0194 , S1246

Committee: Senate Education Postsecondary

Keywords: Charlie Kirk, remembrance, free speech, civic engagement, youth leadership, nursing shortage, health care, education funding, workforce development, LINE Fund, monetary contributions, nonmonetary contributions

Summary: The Committee on Education Postsecondary met with a quorum and first considered SB 1246, which would expand Florida’s Line Fund for health service workforce shortages. Senator Davis explained that the bill would broaden eligibility beyond nursing to include health science education programs and students, allow matching funds from private contributions, and permit use of funds for scholarships, faculty recruitment, equipment, simulation centers, and facility renovations. Senator Harrell asked for more specificity about which professions would qualify, and Davis said the bill was intended to add flexibility but could be made more concrete. Several witnesses supported the bill, and the committee reported SB 1246 favorably without additional funding being requested. The committee then took up SB 194, which would designate October 14 as Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance. Senator Martin said the bill would recognize Kirk’s influence on civic engagement, youth leadership, and constitutional education without creating a state holiday. The bill drew both support and opposition from public speakers, with supporters emphasizing Kirk’s advocacy for free speech and unborn children, and opponents arguing that his public statements on race, civil rights, and Black leaders made him an inappropriate figure for state honor. Members also debated whether statute was the right vehicle for such recognition and whether the bill could encourage future requests for similar commemorations. A late-filed amendment by Senator Jones would have added George Floyd to the remembrance language, framing the issue as selective remembrance and pointing to Floyd’s death as another national reckoning. Senator Martin opposed the amendment as unfriendly, and it failed on a roll call vote. The committee then debated SB 194 at length, with supporters describing Kirk as a defender of open debate and opponents saying the bill would legitimize divisive rhetoric. The committee ultimately reported SB 194 favorably, with Senators Berman, Harrell, and Jones voting no, Senator Rodriguez and Chair Simon voting yes, and Chair Calatayud casting the deciding favorable vote. The committee then adjourned after a motion to record Tab 2 in the affirmative was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• do think that this is something we need to instill so that when they are parents, they will value education
• . ...they will value education.
• At the appropriate time, I do have an amendment that's in your packet that we have worked on with educators

Bills: HB332 , HB166 , SB336 , HB447 , HB244

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: education policy, wireless communication devices, internet safety, social media, mental health, gender identity, sexual orientation, public schools, classroom instruction, Alabama, 1136, house, all

Bills: HB159

Committee: Senate State Governmental Affairs

Keywords: U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission, public facilities, space exploration, education programs, bond issuance, Governor involvement, 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• their education at an out-of-state primary school.
• Committee on Education, and I am really, really proud of it.
• We work with both the Texas Education Agency and the Higher Education Coordinating Board to promote plumbing
• We're dividing Article 3 into public education and another for higher education.
• Also, based on our discussion on higher education, the graduate medical education (GME) slots and the

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

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

Transcript Highlights:

• About three days worth of education. Okay. Thank you.
• Aside from the $1 billion-plus they provide public education.
• Workforce Commission and the Higher Education Coordinating Board, and our public education schools, TEA
• their children receive the needs. nurturing and education they deserve.
• I'm the CEO of the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children.

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Good afternoon, Craig Pritzlaff, Director, Office of Education.
• On page 11, item number 11, voter education fees. Recommendations include $265,515.
• New Rider 40, Centennial Parks Conservation Fund and New Rider 41, Appropriation of Voter Education.
• campaign across the state to educate residents about water. issues.
• We had over 75 participants in a public education workshop we had a couple of months ago that was.

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

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

Transcript Highlights:

• veterans, providing disaster relief. preserving the Alamo, safeguarding our coast, funding public education
• been very proactive working with the Veterans Commission and doing quite a bit of outreach work to educate

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

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

Transcript Highlights:

• To fund public education.
• Sixty percent of our special education students are educated in their general education classroom, providing
• education purposes.
• to their educators that match those received by Austin ISD educators.
• education funding.

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, we will conclude our review of higher education.
• and the investment required for that education.
• Aligning law education with contemporary legal education standards is critical, facilitating the development
• Education presents a greater challenge for addressing and dealing with the rigors of higher education
• Higher Education Fund this session.

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. of higher education.
• We do have a lot of online, especially in our College of Education. ...education, but then we also do
• We continue to lead in educational initiatives.
• you doing about educating..."
• Moving to item two on page five, education.

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

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

Transcript Highlights:

• and also the cost of higher education.
• It appears as though that in higher education costs, the deferred maintenance costs in higher education
• I will present the higher education funds together using this two-page packet titled "Higher Education
• It depends on the level of education.
• and other allied health education programs. education processes, which means in the future, we will

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Jessica, trying to educate people on how a person with a brain injury is and how they do things.
• You educate on it.
• Thank you. to say that we educate every day in schools.
• We're educating them, we're trying to save lives, but the next step is...
• I thank you for your time. to educate other students as to the dangers of vaping.

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

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

Transcript Highlights:

• The LIDAs do not consistently educate or guide families on how the system works.
• education funding, civic leader, and mom of a son with severe IDD.
• The LIDAs do not consistently educate or guide families on how the system works.
• That the HCS group home residents were once our high-cost pool special education students.
• DSHS's proposed education, clinical, and community resources are vital to curb this epidemic.

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

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

Transcript Highlights:

• And again, this does not include the institutions of higher education.
• Y'all did not survey higher education, did you? Not the institutions, but we did.
• I think in June of 2024 he said everyone is going to come back on campus. educating, I paraphrase, educating
• All medical medical, not Treatment or education because you talked about educational beds.
• education But there is prevention and treatment.

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

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

Transcript Highlights:

• It's an investment that goes to the heart of, I think, higher education and what we should be doing outside
• It’s an investment that goes to the heart of, I think, higher education and what we should be doing outside
• **Adriana Cruz**: ...higher education institutions and their research programs. And yes, sir.
• **Charlie Smith**: Rider 12, security services to state agencies and institutions of higher education
• The TEC uses those cases as opportunities to educate, not to punish, and in fact, over 90% of the complaints

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

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