Video & Transcript : 'screening assessments' :
Page 327 of 500
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- , but it's for $170,000 for the sex offender assessment.
- So a program assessment and oversight area that we added to that.
- So beyond that, we implemented the Ohio Risk Assessment Tool, which is an assessment tool that helps
- We're working through getting those assessed.
- Those Ohio assessments, you'll be doing those when people enter the system? Yes.
Committee:
All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee Jun 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The cumulative impact will reduce employer assessments by 20 to 25% while maintaining the less... ...
- This is the AI Deployment and Workforce Development Assessment bill.
- We're here in support of AB 2545, which will commission the report to assess how AI...
- There's no nurses evaluating that AI's assessment, right? It's the AI's assessment.
- It's the AI's assessment.
Summary:
The committee heard extensive testimony on AB 1729, which would update California state telework policy. The author and many unionized state workers argued that telework has improved productivity, reduced emissions and commuting costs, saved the state money on office space, and should be governed by written, evidence-based departmental policies rather than blanket return-to-office mandates. Supporters emphasized flexibility, morale, and the need for transparency through a public dashboard. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill was later moved on a 2-1 vote, with the item placed on call.
Members also heard AB 805, which would create a Career Apprenticeship Bridge Program to connect high school career technical education with registered apprenticeships. The author and supporters said the bill implements recommendations from the California Youth Apprenticeship Model report and would expand earn-and-learn pathways, especially for youth facing barriers. The bill passed the committee 3-0 and was placed on call.
Two workers’ compensation and labor-relations bills drew sharp opposition. AB 1576 would reform the Subsequent Injury Benefit Trust Fund; supporters said it would reduce litigation and employer assessments, while opponents argued it did not go far enough and preferred the administration’s trailer bill. AB 1582 would make it an unfair labor practice for UC or other higher education employers to disregard arbitration decisions on contracting out; supporters said it would protect arbitration outcomes for service workers, while UC argued it would interfere with bargaining agreements and threaten patient and student services. Both bills were moved on 2-1 votes and placed on call.
After quorum was established, the committee also advanced AB 1630, allowing union representatives to invite bargaining-unit members to observe meet-and-confer sessions remotely; AB 2650, a CalSavers cleanup bill to improve retirement savings access and administration; AB 2054, expanding paid family leave eligibility for relatives of military service members on domestic duty; AB 2157, making permanent the Displaced Oil and Gas Workers Fund pilot program; and AB 1838, requiring bidders on local public works projects to disclose recent wage-and-hour violations. AB 1630 and AB 2157 were both placed on call after divided votes, while AB 2650 and AB 2054 passed 2-1 and 3-0 respectively, and AB 1838 was placed on call after a 1-1 vote. The transcript ends as the committee begins AB 2682, which would conform the appeal process for transportation network company driver unionization law.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Instead, I'll pay an assessment in lieu of taxation, and that payment in lieu then goes to the city,
- After the consolidation, it would be equitable at 11 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.
- After the consolidation, their assessment would be $27.23.
- Of that amount, their SLID assessment was previously $2.52.
- How long is an LPV good for once it's been assessed? How long is that?
Committee:
Senate Senate Finance Committee of Reference
Summary:
The committee approved the February 2, 2026 minutes and held Senate Bill 1090. It then took up SB 1503, which would require pension fiduciaries and proxy advisory firms to base voting and advice solely on economic interests, prohibit ESG or ideological considerations except in limited circumstances, and authorize attorney general enforcement. The sponsor said the bill was meant to protect investors and align with federal action; supporters argued proxy advisors lack transparency and can influence votes against shareholders’ financial interests. Arizona retirement system representatives said they were neutral but warned the bill would add major operational costs, create reporting burdens, increase litigation risk, and could narrow the market for proxy advisory services. The committee passed SB 1503 on a 4-3 vote.
The committee then considered SB 1293, which would bar GPLET abatements from applying to school-district revenue during the eight-year abatement period. Supporters said the bill would protect school funding and reduce the state aid backfill tied to GPLET projects, while opponents from Phoenix, Mesa, and economic development groups said GPLET is a key redevelopment tool that helps finance downtown and blighted-area projects and that the bill would weaken future investment. The committee adopted the amendment and passed SB 1293 on a 4-3 vote. It also heard and passed SB 1414, which gives insurers 30 days to review and respond to third-party settlement demands; insurers supported the bill as a reasonable commercial timeframe, while trial lawyers opposed it as too slow and urged a 15-day standard, with members indicating they expected a possible friendly amendment.
Next, the committee heard SB 1633, which would create an Arizona income tax subtraction for capital gains from the sale of a primary residence, after five years of occupancy. Opponents argued it would mainly benefit wealthy homeowners and could cost the state tens of millions annually, while the sponsor said it could help homeowners move without facing large tax bills and improve housing turnover. The committee passed the bill 4-2. It also adopted an amendment to SB 1429, which would have expanded Arizona Commerce Authority board ex officio membership, then held the bill for further consideration. Finally, the committee passed SB 1536, allowing temporary consolidation of street light improvement districts, and heard SB 1724, which clarifies when property splits or consolidations trigger limited property value recalculation, with county assessors supporting the measure as an anti-gaming reform.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
November 5, 2025 - 08:30 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- So I would actually submit these lands are going to have more assessment data than they currently have
- All of your financing institutions are going to require, at a minimum, a Phase I assessment.
- to make that declaration to a municipality, and you wouldn't have to complete an environmental assessment
- to make that declaration to a municipality, and you wouldn't have to complete an environmental assessment
- that you are unaware of the environmental circumstances, you have just ignored lots of surveys and assessments
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee met with a quorum present and took up a single bill, HB 167, dealing with former phosphate-mined land. Chair McClure explained that the bill revises a strict liability provision if the current property owner records the prior phosphate-mining use with the county or municipality and the Department of Health completes a survey. Members asked about whether the lands would be treated as hazardous or Brownfield properties, how the bill would affect disclosure and recorded notice, and whether it would apply to pending litigation. McClure said the bill is intended to create more public assessment data and that the language requires the conditions to be met at the time of litigation, though he was open to further clarifying language if needed.
During debate, Ranking Member Gottlieb said he would support the bill because Florida is a buyer-beware state and the recording requirement plus the Department of Health study should provide purchasers with needed information. Representative Joseph also supported the bill, citing the transparency and recording provisions, while noting he still wanted clarification on pending litigation. In closing, McClure said the bill reflects a middle ground after prior discussions and noted that environmental assessments are typically part of transactions involving these properties.
The committee then voted unanimously to report HB 167 favorably, with 21 ayes and no nays. The meeting adjourned after the bill passed and no further business remained.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/03/2026 - House Democratic Caucus Calendar #3
Transcript Highlights:
- of the statewide assessment.
- Several years ago, everyone went statewide to online assessment, with the exception of special needs
- These are supposed to be standardized assessments.
- These are supposed to be standardized assessments.
- Come find me or our property tax assessing expert with Cruz if you have any questions.
Summary:
The caucus reviewed a long list of bills and resolutions, with members frequently asking to pull measures from consent and noting party-line or unanimous votes. Topics included medical and vaccination restrictions (HB 2248, HB 2086), state investment and conflict-of-interest rules for the treasurer (HB 2303), budget and reporting requirements (HB 2688, HB 2015), procurement limits involving China-linked companies (HB 2170, HB 2134), homelessness administration (HB 2533), traffic and transportation measures (HB 2109, HB 2574, HB 2210), school testing and education policy (HB 2032, HB 2033, HB 2075, HB 2266, HB 2395, HCR 2003), and several health-care bills involving lactation services, gender-transition care for minors, abortion-related restrictions, and hospital immigration-status reporting (HB 2072, HB 2085, HB 2364, HB 2689, HB 2796). Members also discussed water policy, including desalination, groundwater transport, and water-use limits (HB 2052, HB 2056, HB 2098, HB 2758, HB 2328), as well as food and agriculture measures such as SNAP restrictions, cultivated-cell food labeling and bans, and the Beef Council extension (HB 2396, HB 2762, HB 2791, HB 2155). Several members criticized bills as unconstitutional, costly, or harmful to affordability, while sponsors described them as clarifications, consumer protections, or administrative fixes.
The caucus also considered a number of bills affecting labor, property, and consumer issues, including unemployment eligibility changes, mobile home park submetering fees, appraisal management company rules, digital goods seller requirements, property tax clarifications, and protections for minors in online content creation (HB 2690, HB 2459, HB 2501, HB 2010, HB 2120, HB 2192, HB 2261, HB 2279). Other measures addressed sexual extortion penalties, name-change procedures for sex offenders, and restrictions on abortion-inducing drugs and gender-transition procedures for minors (HB 2666, HB 2223, HB 2364, HB 2085). Members repeatedly raised concerns about federal preemption, constitutional issues, implementation costs, and unintended consequences, and several sponsors or members indicated they were working on amendments or stakeholder discussions.
At the end of the meeting, the caucus also heard memorials and resolutions, including a proposal to limit voting centers and precinct voting, and memorials urging withdrawal from the United Nations and defunding the IMF (HCR 2016, HM 2001, HM 2004). The meeting concluded with caucus announcements, including an affordability-themed award recognizing Rep. Betty Villegas, a Black History Month sign-up request, and reminders about upcoming affordability and Latino Caucus events. No final floor votes were taken in the transcript, but multiple bills were pulled from consent or noted for opposition.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the posture of the United States European Command and United States Africa Command in review of the Defense Authorization Request for fiscal year 2026 and the Future Years Defense Program; to be immediately followed by a closed he Apr 3rd, 2025 at 08:30 am
Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel
Transcript Highlights:
- Yes, well, give us your assessment now, first of all, of what we have learned, what our military has
- Could you give the committee a brief assessment of the battlefield?
- State what's your assessment of the threats that all those terrorists on the African continent pose and
- How do you assess the situation in the Mediterranean and Russia's access to the Mediterranean since the
- That is my assessment, Chairman. Who are the, what nationality are the pilots of those F-16s?
Summary:
The committee convened to discuss various bills and hear testimonies related to legislative matters, including public concerns and implications surrounding the proposed legislation. Notably, the members engaged in a vigorous debate over SB4, where several representatives shared differing viewpoints on its impact on local communities and the environment. Public testimonies were heard, with advocates arguing for the bill's potential benefits, while opponents raised significant concerns regarding the fiscal implications and land use. Following these discussions, the committee moved to vote on HB2214, which passed without issue, illustrating the bipartisan support for certain initiatives tied to public welfare.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Education Study Apr 30th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- In addition, Our area division is working with stakeholders to locally develop assessment items that
- PED also continues to support the process of the upcoming Student Needs Assessment, which is actually
- The Students Need Assessment process happens once every three years, and it's really the foundational
- If this individual passes their assessment this year they'll have 12 certified tribal members to teach
- We just passed changes to how we do math Education both in training of teachers and how we assess how
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Special Committee on Property Tax Reform Feb 24th, 2026
Special Committee on Property Tax Reform
Transcript Highlights:
- In the assessment world, January 1st is the assessment date.
- You get a full year, and it's before you even assess it the next year.
- He assessed those 10 cows on January 1st.
- He's liable for taxes for the He assessed those 10 cows on January 1st.
- You have to have an assessment date.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Revenue and Taxation REVISED Feb 9th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Revenue and Taxation
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 2143 updates how Oklahoma counties assess properties for ad valorem taxes.
- We have seen changes in properties that are being assessed over the last couple of years, marijuana being
- How do you answer those critics who would be concerned about privacy and assessment that you know we've
- Depending on how the county is assessing at that time, they realize that they may come back and have
- Are you talking about for assessment? So I'm assuming that this would be for-profit owners.
Bills:
SB1280 , SB1392 , SB1393 , SB1395 , SB1400 , SB1405 , SB1832 , SB1839 , SB1989 , SB2001 , SB2143
Committee:
Senate Revenue and Taxation
Keywords:
excise tax, oil tax, natural gas tax, state revenue, Oklahoma Corporation Commission, income tax, tax credit, aerospace sector, employment, economic development, adaptive reuse, affordable housing, urban renewal, economic impact, program, housing, revitalization, urban development, income tax credit, manufacturing
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/03/2026 - Senate Natural Resources
Senate Natural Resources Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- director of ADWR while granting the director prescribed powers to issue cease and desist orders, assess
- Just for background, the purpose of the supply and demand assessments is not regulatory in any fashion
- These assessments are not groundwater flow models with finer geographic results.
- Instead, these supply and demand assessments... Measurements, other measurements.
- And as we heard, it requires the Department of Water Resources to conduct additional assessments with
Summary:
The Natural Resources Committee approved the minutes from January 20 and January 27, 2026, and then heard several bills dealing with water policy, environmental regulation, wildlife management, and cosmetics testing. SB 1278 would ban intentional solar radiation management activities in Arizona and bar public entities and recipients of public funds from supporting such technologies; supporters argued it was needed to stop geoengineering, while opponents said it would block research and distract from real pollution problems. The committee voted 5-2 to give SB 1278 a do pass recommendation.
The committee then considered SB 1279, which updates Arizona’s weather modification/cloud seeding permitting process by adding ADWR and ADEQ review, public notice and meetings, and a licensing database. A nine-page amendment shifted complaint enforcement to ADWR, added cease-and-desist and fine authority, and changed rulemaking timelines; the amendment was adopted, and the bill passed 5-2. Testimony was mixed: supporters emphasized transparency and safety, Salt River Project was neutral after stakeholder work, and ADEQ said it was neutral but warned it lacked standards, resources, and time to develop the required chemical limits and rules.
SB 1005, which would prohibit the sale of cosmetics developed with animal testing beginning in 2027, received a do pass recommendation 4-2 after supporters cited cruelty concerns and the availability of non-animal testing methods. SB 1202, requiring ADWR to include outline data in five-year groundwater supply-and-demand assessments, also passed 4-2 despite agency concerns that the bill would require extensive hydrologic modeling, significant resources, and could produce misleading conclusions about available water. SB 1280, barring state transport or use of public resources to move Mexican gray wolf pups into Arizona, passed 4-2 after testimony split between conservation advocates, who said it would hinder recovery, and supporters concerned about livestock impacts; Game and Fish was neutral. Finally, SB 1287, with a conforming amendment, passed 5-1 to extend a groundwater-use provision for irrigation grandfathered rights from initial AMAs to subsequent AMAs, which ADWR said would reduce burden and create parity across management areas.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs (Part II) Apr 14th, 2025
Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- These penalties may be assessed against a violator via litigation and have been capped at $10,000 per
- If any groundwater districts have ever assessed a $10,000 a day penalty on anyone.
- I believe the penalty they assessed was $5 per 1,000 gallons, not $10,000 per day.
- And we're not giving groundwater conservation districts the authority to assess these penalties.
- Voting authority to impose assessments: Senate Bill 1169. There was a committee substitute.
Bills:
SB1169 , SB1285 , SB1583 , SB1611 , SB1898 , SB1976 , SB2160 , SB2161 , SB2658 , SB2661 , SB2662 , SB2692 , SB1055 , SB1359 , SB2660
Committee:
Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Keywords:
water service, sewer service, public utility, joint operation, infrastructure, municipality, compliance, SB 1285, bats, bat protection, wildlife protection, Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Parks and Wildlife Code Section 63.101, hunting bats, bat possession, bat sales, bat trade, pest control, licensed pest control professional, animal control officer
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- to allow the legislature to exclude improvements to real property to mitigate flood damage from assessed
- during its elevation up to 110% of the previous homestead square footage without increasing the assessed
- during its elevation up to 110% of the previous homestead square footage without increasing the assessed
- square feet may be increased up to 2,000 square feet during its elevation without increasing the assessed
- Portions of property exceeding 110% or 2,000 square feet will be assessed at just value.
Committee:
Senate Finance and Tax
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Finance and Tax met and first considered CS for SB 1290, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles agency package. The bill would align Florida law with IFTA and federal motor carrier rules, raise the crash-reporting damage threshold from $500 to $2,000, define “economically disadvantaged area,” update registration and email-notice procedures, and revise the definition of tank vehicles. An amendment was adopted to allow nonprofits to perform VIN inspections under an MOU and to create a DV-embossed specialty plate option for eligible disabled veterans. The bill, as amended, was reported favorably. The committee then passed SB 1292, which exempts certain email addresses collected by DHSMV for notification purposes from public records disclosure.
The committee also considered two flood-resiliency measures by Senator DeSantis/DeSigley. SJR 174 would amend the Florida Constitution to allow the Legislature to exclude from assessed value improvements made to mitigate flood damage, with the proposed amendment to appear on the 2026 ballot. SB 176 provided the implementing details, including eligibility tied to flood-risk areas or prior flood damage, square-footage limits for rebuilt or elevated homesteads, and documentation requirements for property appraisers. Members asked about how rebuilding and square-footage caps would work, and the sponsor explained the intent was to encourage elevation and resiliency without allowing major expansion. A technical amendment was adopted to SB 176, and both measures were reported favorably.
After the bills, staff director Azar Khan gave a brief presentation on the latest General Revenue conference results, noting collections were running ahead of forecast and explaining the main forecast adjustments, including increases in sales tax and investment earnings and a reduction in corporate income tax projections. No questions were raised on the presentation. The committee then noted that additional bills were still moving through earlier committees, invited members to follow up with staff, and adjourned without any recorded votes beyond the committee actions on the bills and amendments.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
HB 1218 Conference Committee Apr 15th, 2025 at 11:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- And the purpose of Subsection 3 is to limit it to an assessment drain project.
- And the purpose of Subsection 3 is to limit it to an assessment drain project, but that part of the code
- better determine the benefits received by those utilizing cost share and the ag drainage or the assessed
- And that's where they're going to come up with the assessments.
- Assessments. On one hand, it looks like it's, it plays against it, but it doesn't. Right.
Summary:
The conference committee reconvened on House Bill 1218 and reviewed a revised LC draft combining Senate amendments with portions of House language. The discussion focused on a provision allowing the commission to forgo an economic analysis for assessment drain projects expected to cost less than $1 million, with members debating whether that threshold should remain at $1 million or be lower. Supporters said the $1 million figure is a placeholder tied to existing code and that a study would help determine the proper threshold; opponents argued the economic analysis should not be eliminated and raised concerns about cost estimates being manipulated.
Department of Water Resources Director Rees Haas testified that roughly half of the projects fall under the $1 million mark, and additional project counts since 2019 were cited to show how many projects fell under $3 million, $2 million, and $1 million. Members also discussed the fact that the Water Commission had previously interpreted the threshold differently, which helped prompt the bill. One senator said the study portion was the strongest part of the bill, while another supported the sections that would align the language and preserve the study.
Before the vote, the chair proposed further amendments to Section 3 to shift the study from the State Water Commission to Legislative Management and adjust related reporting language so the study would go through the legislature’s interim water committee process. The committee then voted on the combined amendment package, which passed 4-1, with one nay. The amended version was attached, and the committee adjourned with plans to reschedule another meeting and circulate the revised LC form.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, November 19, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill Threat Assessment Act.
- When the Assad regime Assessment Act.
- </c> Security to conduct a threat assessment Security to conduct a threat assessment posed<02:25:26.319
- <02:25:43.600><c> have</c><02:25:43.760><c> the</c> assessment ensures that we have the assessment ensures
- ,</c> the Trump administration's assessments, the Trump administration's assessments, justification,<
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- goal to help decrease stigma, improve provider and caregiver recognition, and increase routine screenings
- 38.880><c> routine</c> recognition and incre increase routine recognition and incre increase routine screenings
- </c><02:57:41.920><c> I</c> screenings, diagnosis and awareness.
- I screenings, diagnosis and awareness.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee 3/12/26
Higher Education Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Sorry, I've got to check the computer screen now. My apologies. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
- Sorry, I've got to check<00:58:11.680><c> the</c><00:58:11.920><c> computer</c><00:58:12.319><c> screen
- </c><00:58:12.880><c> My</c> check the computer screen now. My check the computer screen now.
Committee:
House Higher Education Finance and Policy
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, July 22, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Clinics thousands of girls and women rely on for things like cancer screenings and contraceptive care
- Clinics thousands of girls and women rely on for things like cancer screenings and contraceptive care
- Clinics thousands of girls and women rely on for things like cancer screenings and contraceptive care
- Clinics thousands of girls and women rely on for things like cancer screenings and contraceptive care
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- So, little small to see on the screen here, but it really shows the comparison of total meals served
- to</c><00:03:58.760><c> see</c><00:03:58.959><c> on</c><00:03:59.120><c> the</c><00:03:59.239><c> screen
- </c><00:03:59.560><c> here</c> little small to see on the screen here little small to see on the screen
Committee:
Senate Education Finance
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Health and Human Services Oversight Committee (05/29/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- And then dive a little bit deeper into what privacy impact assessments are, which you will heard here
- </c> And those privacy impact assessments And those privacy impact assessments have<00:37:53.120><c>
- After we identify those, we go into an assessment.
- So, we identify risks assessment.
- </c><00:46:15.880><c> where</c><00:46:16.080><c> we</c> during this assessment where we during this assessment
Summary:
The committee met on May 29 and approved the draft minutes. DHHS Commissioner Weaver then opened the department update by asking Medicaid Director Henry Litman to brief members on federal and state Medicaid changes, and later turned to DHHS Chief Operating Officer David Weathers for an update on data governance. Members also asked that acronyms be spelled out in future materials and requested a follow-up on the federal Medicaid rule once it is published.
Litman reviewed several federal Medicaid provisions tied to HR 1/"OBBA" and related state implementation issues. He said the first major change would be restrictions on certain non-citizens’ Medicaid coverage, affecting about 400 people in New Hampshire, with notices likely 30 to 60 days before the effective date. He also discussed new work requirements/community engagement rules, saying New Hampshire is on track to implement them and will likely need a state plan amendment rather than an 1115 waiver. Other changes included shorter retroactive coverage periods, a new state option for certain community-based services with an estimated $740,000 in implementation support, a freeze and phased-down reduction in the Medicaid enhancement tax beginning in state fiscal year 2029, and limits on directed payments to hospitals after a grandfathering period. He also noted that Medicaid enrollment has fallen from pandemic-era levels, with about 167,000 people covered as of May 1, and that the department is working with CMS on child premiums and other cost-sharing changes approved in HB 2.
Committee members asked how the department could plan for the 2029 changes given the number of elections before then, and Litman said federal rules may be adjusted over time as states and stakeholders raise concerns. He emphasized planning for the worst while hoping for the best, and said rural health care transformation funding would help the state prepare. In the second presentation, Weathers explained that data governance is now embedded in DHHS operations to control access, manage reporting, and respond to risk. He defined it as managing what data is collected, how it is used, who can access it, and what laws apply, and said DHHS has moved from governance as a committee to governance as an operational process. He described privacy impact assessments for new systems going into production, monthly privacy and security training, and ongoing review of access controls and data-sharing rules.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Education Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Joint Committee on Education
Transcript Highlights:
- At today's hearing, we're going to listen to testimony on bills related to governance, assessment, and
- First, CPS opposes any state efforts to create a new version of mandated standardized tests to assess
- Fourth, the state should enable districts to adopt multiple ways to assess graduation competency over
- When she was admitted, they conducted an extensive array of assessments and worked hand in hand with
- The second bill is Senate 379 and Act Relative to Student Assessment Data.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Education
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Education heard testimony on several bills centered on school accountability, receivership, graduation requirements, charter school access, community schools, school libraries, and student voting rights. Much of the discussion focused on the Thrive Act, S. 374, which would end state receivership and change the state’s accountability approach. Supporters, including educators, parents, advocacy groups, and students, argued that receivership has not improved outcomes in districts such as Lawrence, Holyoke, Southbridge, Boston, and the Dever, and that local communities should have more control, with greater emphasis on community schools, wraparound services, and broader measures of school quality. They also supported related bills on community schools and school library standards, and several witnesses backed a bill to expand student representative voting rights on school committees.
Opponents of S. 374, especially charter school leaders, parents, students, and some education advocates, focused on Section 4 of the bill, which would change the charter school net school spending cap in the lowest-performing districts. They argued that the provision would reduce access to charter seats in communities where families are seeking more options, and that schools such as Roxbury Prep, Excel Academy, Brook, Veritas Prep, and Libertas Academy have produced strong results for students, including students of color, low-income students, and students with special needs. Several witnesses said the section would force schools to shrink or close and would remove opportunities for families in districts with long waitlists.
Committee members questioned witnesses on both the effectiveness of receivership and the charter school cap language. Chair Lewis and Chair Gordon emphasized the need for a better accountability system and noted concerns about whether current measures, including MCAS-based designations, accurately reflect school quality. Some witnesses said they had discussed the possibility of removing Section 4 from the Thrive Act and suggested it might be addressed in separate charter reform legislation. No votes were taken during the hearing; testimony was received and the committee later closed testimony on S. 374 and several related bills before moving on to the student voting rights bill, S. 367.