Transcript Highlights:

• billion in the calendar year in which that increment area is established, the estimated taxable assessed
• billion in the calendar year in which that increment area is established, the estimated taxable assessed
• billion in the calendar year in which that increment area is established, the estimated taxable assessed
• billion in the calendar year in which that increment area is established, the estimated taxable assessed
• transportation program by counties must be done in coordination with affected tribal governments to assess

Bills: SB6132

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: indebtedness limits, inland port districts, federal funding, infrastructure improvements, economic development, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First, it requires that a water supply assessment be done before approval.
• This would require a water supply assessment for every data center that wants to be built.
• I would first note that when you do a water supply assessment, a city is not bound by that.
• This is let's do a water needs assessment on the front end of it.
• And can that be accounted for in either water supply assessments or the ongoing use?

Summary: The committee hearing covered a long agenda of local government and housing-related bills, with the chair repeatedly noting the committee was operating without a quorum for much of the meeting. Several measures were heard with no opposition, including AB 2639 on Merced County flood control coordination, AB 1788 on allowing best-value contracting for general law cities and the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments, AB 2058 on reducing duplicative permitting and inspection costs for factory-built housing, AB 2576 on clarifying historic resource protections in a housing law, AB 2568 on increasing the compensation cap for water district board members, AB 2224 on updating county recorder fees and requiring electronic recording, AB 2469 on water-supply review and cost responsibility for data centers, and AB 2397 on requiring local governments to justify denials of certain housing-finance decisions. Most of these bills were presented as targeted fixes to improve efficiency, reduce delays, or modernize outdated statutes, and the authors generally requested aye votes and noted committee amendments where applicable. The most extended debate centered on AB 1751, which would streamline approval of qualifying townhome projects while setting a $28 hourly minimum wage floor for construction workers on covered private projects. Supporters argued the bill would expand homeownership opportunities, raise wages for largely non-union residential workers, and preserve existing prevailing wage law while adding enforcement tools and developer liability. Opponents, including several building trades and labor organizations, argued it would undercut prevailing wage standards, create a race to the bottom, and potentially affect wage-setting more broadly. Committee members asked detailed questions about land-use barriers, the relationship to prevailing wage, and whether the bill would affect unionized work; the author and supporters responded that it applies narrowly to private for-sale townhome projects and does not alter prevailing wage requirements. AB 2469 also drew a substantive split. Supporters said data centers should be required to provide water-supply assessments before approval, pay for infrastructure they trigger, and account for impacts on overdrafted groundwater basins and local ratepayers. Opponents from the Chamber of Commerce, Data Center Coalition, counties, and tech groups argued existing law already covers water planning, that the bill imposes unique and burdensome requirements on one industry, and that some reporting provisions could raise security concerns. The author responded that the bill is about front-end planning and local accountability, not daily reporting, and emphasized the hyperlocal strain data centers can place on small water systems. No final votes were taken during the hearing because the committee lacked a quorum, though members repeatedly indicated support or intent to vote aye once a quorum was present.

Transcript Highlights:

• The annual coverage assessment is... The annual coverage assessment is...
• The annual coverage assessment is not a charge on the policyholder, but an assessment on the health carriers
• So the underlying policy is an assessment per member per month on the Washington health plans.
• We heard that assessment, the first half of that assessment, in Assembly days, and the testimony was
• And then they will complete a 20-year needs assessment outlook.

Bills: HB2720 , HB2073 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5831 , SB6244 , SB6044 , SB5109 , SB5877 , SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification

Summary: The House first took up Substitute Senate Bill 6225, a transportation bond measure. Supporters said it was needed to fund preservation and maintenance of Washington’s transportation system, including road upkeep and emergency repairs, while opponents argued the state had already addressed current needs through a recent unanimous budget and existing bond authority. The bill passed final passage 59-38, meeting the required three-fifths vote. The House then considered Gross Substitute Senate Bill 6260, an education budget-related bill with many floor amendments focused on transition to kindergarten, alternative learning experience (ALE) funding, local effort assistance (LEA), educational service district reserves, superintendent pay, MSOC funding, and collective bargaining limits. Most proposed amendments were rejected, though Amendment 2654 on TK priorities was adopted. After the committee amendment as amended was adopted, the bill advanced to third reading and then passed 50-47. Supporters described it as a necessary budget reduction and risk-management measure; opponents argued it cut K-12 funding too deeply, especially in rural and property-poor districts, and would worsen inequities and invite litigation. The House also concurred in Senate amendments and passed several other bills. House Bill 1796, about school construction financing and capital levy use, passed 95-2. Second Substitute House Bill 2105, dealing with immigrant worker protections, passed 58-38. Engrossed House Bill 2211, on food sourcing for a health-related program, passed unanimously. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2225, regulating companion chatbots and child safety, passed 74-21. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2247, related to animal care, passed unanimously. Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2418, streamlining permitting timelines to support housing affordability, also passed unanimously. The House then moved on to additional Senate-concurred bills, beginning with Second Substitute House Bill 1906.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> egregious, they were all assessed egregious, they were all assessed $17,000. $17,000. $17,000.
• that they can assess on individual properties.
• have assessments that they can<00:37:54.120><c> assess</c><00:37:54.560><c> on</c><00:37:54.760><c>
• </c><00:37:56.520><c> And</c> can assess on individual properties.
• And can assess on individual properties.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS THAT LOWER THE STAKES OF STUDENTS IN THE ALGEBRA ONE IN GRADE 10 ELA ASSESSMENT
• ACCESS TO OPTIONS USED FOR FOURTH-GRADE PROMOTION, PROVIDES SCHOOL DISTRICTS FLEXIBILITY IN THEIR ASSESSMENT
• CALENDARS AND REQUIRES DISTRICTS TO NOTE STATE VERSUS DISTRICT ASSESSMENTS.
• STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES WHOSE IEP INDICATES PARTICIPATION IN A STATEWIDE ASSESSMENT PROGRAM WERE NOT
• AND TURNING THE 10TH GRADE ELA ASSESSMENT INTO A PORTION OF THE CLASS GRADE, 30% OF THE CLASS RATE BECAUSE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• sections 15-701, 15-741, 15-742, and 15-174 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, relating to school assessment
• President, the Committee on Education, under consideration of House Bill 2032, relating to state assessment
• Bill 2032, an act amending sections 15-701.03, 15-7401, 15-742, and 15-743, relating to school assessment
• It was relating to school assessment accountability. Third reading: House Bill 2032.
• House Bill 233, an act amending section 17-41, relating to school assessment accountability.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Idaho Safety Assessment Center Coalition. Any comments? Any comment? Representative Gallabese.
• And also in the proposal, the way it was written, I was real impressed because it covered the assessment
• Okay, Idaho Safe Teen Assessment Centers. I'd entertain a motion. Mr.
• And they do their best to try to make an assessment or a good guess every year.
• Best to try to make an assessment or a good guess every year as to how much they're going to need for

Summary: The committee first approved the January 29, 2006 minutes, then moved into discussion and recommendations on several Idaho Millennium Fund-related requests. Members repeatedly emphasized that funding should align with the committee’s prevention-focused mission, especially youth substance abuse prevention, and several members raised concerns about the lack of clear performance measures, oversight, and long-term “home” agencies for some programs. There was also discussion about whether some proposals were more like childcare or system-support efforts than direct prevention, and whether future committees should be bound by multi-year commitments. The committee recommended funding for the Idaho Children’s Trust Fund ($692,240 one-time), the Idaho Safety Assessment Center Coalition ($1 million one-time through the Department of Juvenile Corrections), the Idaho Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers ($3 million one-time through the Idaho Council on Domestic Violence and Victim Assistance), the Up River Youth Leadership Council recovery center ($150,000 ongoing through Health and Welfare), and a statewide drug awareness media campaign ($5 million one-time through the Office of Drug Policy). Most of these motions included direction that appropriation language should address distribution, oversight, and reporting criteria, and members discussed the need for a state agency to oversee each program. The Children’s Bridge request for $3.5 million one-time was discussed but the motion died for lack of a second. The committee also debated the governor’s recommendation to appropriate $25 million one-time from the Millennium Fund to the Department of Health and Welfare, Division of Medicaid, to mitigate the impact of the updated Medicaid forecast on the general fund. Some members objected that Millennium Fund dollars should not be used for Medicaid, while others supported the transfer as a one-time budget-balancing measure given the state’s fiscal pressures. The motion ultimately passed, with a request that any unused funds be paid back if possible. The meeting ended after a brief question about whether the ongoing portion of the recovery center funding required a separate motion, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we also have some hesitancy around moving to commercial assessment.
• So it's changing agricultural assessment to commercial for solar.
• Right now, the solar arrays, the land is assessed at an agricultural rate.
• And how is that going to affect, you know, assessments, and how is that going to affect taxes?
• If not, it would go central assessment.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House Utilities Committee resumed hearing on House Bills 2402 and 2816, which address utility-scale solar development. The chair asked witnesses to keep comments to informational purposes, and testimony focused on setbacks, taxation, land conversion caps, county authority, decommissioning, and impacts on neighboring landowners and rural communities. Several witnesses said they supported solar in limited settings such as rooftops or industrial sites, but opposed or wanted changes to the bills’ treatment of agricultural land, especially the proposed 4% cap on cropland conversion and the 500-foot setback from homes. Testimony from landowners and farm groups emphasized concerns about property rights, viewshed impacts, fire risk, drainage and floodplain issues, and the loss of agricultural tax base and local economic activity. They argued the proposed $2,500 per megawatt tax was too low and suggested higher rates, with some recommending $6,000 per megawatt or more, along with decommissioning requirements and stronger county-level protections. A Renew Missouri representative supported much of the bill but preferred a smaller setback and raised constitutional concerns about changing solar land from agricultural to commercial assessment. Other witnesses, including a county commissioner, described local regulations already in place in some counties and asked for clearer statewide standards. Industry and utility representatives said the legislation was generally workable but needed further discussion on setbacks and property tax treatment. Clean Grid Alliance and related witnesses argued that tax comparisons with other states should account for total tax burden, not just nameplate taxes, and said higher taxes would raise electricity costs for consumers. Ameren Missouri said it was acceptable with most provisions, but cautioned against overly aggressive real-property assessments and noted its current and planned solar buildout. The hearing ended without a vote; the committee adjourned after taking testimony on both bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not saying that if an ag property is actually ag, it should get the assessment that they should get
• Not saying that if an Ag property is actually Ag, it should get the assessment, and if an ag property
• is actually ag, it should get the assessment that they, you know, should get.
• So currently, yes, the department can make an assessment and make a decision to charge a penalty or not
• It allows the Department of Water Resources to assess and collect a penalty of $150 from any person who

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The caucus began with introductions from pages and interns, followed by a procedural reminder on consent calendars and how bills can be pulled for floor debate or amendment. Members were told that third-read consent bills bypass caucus debate, while caucus consent bills may have committee amendments adopted together unless pulled. The meeting then moved into Minority Caucus Calendar No. 2. A large number of bills were briefly presented, with several members pulling measures from consent or voicing opposition. Topics included appropriations and federal monies accounting (HB 2148), a Buffalo Soldiers memorial (HB 2062), school library funding restrictions (HB 2008), prayer at school governing body meetings (HB 2110), school safety center administration (HB 2142), parental rights and social transitioning disclosures (HB 2249), insurer assessments (HB 2091), agricultural property classification and inspection rules (HB 2104 and HB 2105), firefighter workers’ compensation definitions (HB 2138), truth-in-taxation bond notices (HB 2289), late tax filing penalties (HB 2016), engineering and professional licensing reciprocity (HB 2122), felony murder involving an unborn child (HB 2043), body concealment and mutilation penalties (HB 2044), domestic violence order-of-protection service rules (HB 2048), mandatory reporting of partial-birth abortions (HB 2074), unlawful flight sentencing enhancements (HB 2108), weapons trafficking and fentanyl sentencing changes (HB 2131 and HB 2132), drive-by shooting forfeiture rules (HB 2045), probation review notice changes (HB 2046), venue changes for cases involving court employees (HB 2126), and child support for pre-born children (HB 2144). Members repeatedly criticized several abortion-related bills, the library bill, and the tax and agriculture measures as harmful, unnecessary, or unfunded mandates. The latter part of the meeting focused on water and election legislation. Water bills included snowpack augmentation funding (HB 2024), water conservation grant disclosures (HB 2029), removal of education/research as an eligible water grant use (HB 2030), stormwater recharge mapping with an appropriation (HB 253), cesspool remediation assistance (HB 2096), groundwater pumping limits in INAs (HB 2097), Colorado River litigation funding (HB 2116), and natural resource conservation board changes (HB 2117). Election-related items included moving the primary date earlier and changing signature cure timelines and observer rules (HB 2022), a memorial urging designation of the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization (HCM 2001), a memorial urging review of CAIR for terrorist designation (HCM 2002), and a constitutional amendment on citizenship, voter ID, foreign contributions, and early voting limits (HCR 2001). Members raised concerns about voter access, anti-Muslim rhetoric, and the practical effects of the election changes. The caucus concluded with birthday acknowledgments and an announcement for Muslim Day at the Capitol before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Not saying that if an ag property is actually ag, it should get the assessment that they should get.
• Not saying that if an Ag property is actually Ag, it should get the assessment, and if an ag property
• is actually ag, it should get the assessment that they, you know, should get.
• Aguilar, Madam Chair, the department can make an assessment and make a decision to charge a penalty or
• The department can make an assessment and make a decision to charge a penalty or not.

Summary: The caucus meeting began with introductions from pages and interns, followed by a procedural reminder from Rhonda about caucus consent and third-read consent calendars. She explained that bills coming out of rules can be placed on consent if they are not amended, and that pulling a bill from consent means members should be prepared to speak to it on the floor. The meeting then moved through a long Minority Caucus calendar of bills, with staff giving brief descriptions and members frequently noting bills for no further comment, pulling several from consent, or stating opposition. The bills discussed covered a wide range of topics, including appropriations and federal monies (HB 2148), a Buffalo Soldiers memorial (HB 2062), school library funding restrictions (HB 2008), prayer at public school governing body meetings (HB 2110), school safety administration (HB 2142), parental rights and social transitioning notifications (HB 2249), insurer assessments (HB 2091), agricultural property classification and inspection rules (HB 2104 and HB 2105), firefighters’ workers’ compensation status (HB 2138), truth-in-taxation bond notices (HB 2289), tax filing penalties (HB 2016), engineer and architect reciprocity (HB 2122), felony murder involving an unborn child (HB 2043), body concealment and related felony classifications (HB 2044), domestic violence order-of-protection service rules (HB 2048), mandatory reporting for partial-birth abortions (HB 2074), unlawful flight sentencing enhancements (HB 2108), weapons trafficking penalties (HB 2131), fentanyl sentencing thresholds (HB 2132), drive-by shooting definitions and forfeiture (HB 2045), probation review notices for sex offender hearings (HB 2046), venue changes in superior court when judicial employees are parties (HB 2126), and child support for pre-born children (HB 2144). Water-related bills included snowpack augmentation funding (HB 2024), WIFA grant disclosures (HB 2029), removing water conservation education as an eligible use (HB 2030), stormwater recharge mapping with an appropriation (HB 253), cesspool remediation assistance (HB 2096), groundwater pumping limits in INAs (HB 2097), Colorado River litigation funding (HB 2116), and natural resource board changes and education funding (HB 2117). Election-related measures included moving the primary date and adjusting cure periods and observer rules (HB 2022), and a proposed constitutional amendment on citizenship, ID, foreign contributions, early voting, and mail voting (HCR 2001). The committee also heard two memorials urging federal terrorist designations for the Muslim Brotherhood and CARE (HCM 2001 and HCM 2002). Members and staff offered substantive objections to many bills, often arguing they were anti-student, anti-abortion, overly punitive, unfunded mandates, or unfair tax policy. Several bills were pulled from consent for further discussion, including HB 2008, HB 2110, HB 2142, HB 2249, HB 2043, HB 2074, HB 2108, and HB 2144. Supportive remarks were also made for some measures, such as the cesspool remediation bill, which was noted as having unanimous support, while other bills were flagged for stakeholder meetings or future amendments. The meeting ended with announcements recognizing members’ birthdays and noting Muslim Day at the Capitol, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, feedlots with 1,000 animal units or more must submit an environmental assessment worksheet
• which, according to the MPCA, is a brief document designed to lay out a project's basic facts and assess
• We would require the people of that city to pay property taxes and assessments in order to build it.
• We would require the people of that city to pay property taxes and assessments in order to build it.
• </c><00:31:53.200><c> on</c> to pay property taxes and assessments on to pay property taxes and assessments

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's retroactive in the date of the assessment.
• So the result of this last assessment.
• They're assessment will already be good.
• So you don't see that that assessment.
• </c> to what assessment. to what assessment.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 700 relating to cognitive assessments. First up, we have the Department of Health in support.
• </c> simple and brief cognitive assessment simple and brief cognitive assessment tool<00:37:25.440><c
• tool and statute cognitive assessment tool and statute and<00:38:00.960><c> we're</c><00:38:01.119><
• If they were able to get early diagnosis, I mean, if they have this annual assessment, they could have
• </c><00:43:57.359><c> HB</c> On cognitive assess HB 700.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several health-related bills. HB 72 on pharmacy drew only support, with testimony from the University of Hawaiʻi system, the Board of Pharmacy, pharmacists, and others; no questions were raised. HB 237 on peer support programs also received broad support from the Department of Health, DHS, early learning officials, families, and advocates, with testimony emphasizing the value of peer-to-peer mentoring and support for parents, youth, and people with disabilities; no opposition or questions were noted. HB 250, the prior authorization bill, generated the most discussion. SHPDA supported a revised version focused on reporting prior authorization practices and creating a nonbinding working group to develop automation standards, while PCMA, HMSA, Kaiser Permanente, and others raised concerns about duplicative pharmacy requirements, unintended consequences, and alignment with federal timelines and reporting. Several medical groups and individual patients supported the measure, describing delays and burdens caused by prior authorization. A committee member asked whether the bill’s working group differed from a similar group in Senate Bill 1449, and the witness said it was intended to be the same. HB 303 on health care preceptors was supported by the Department of Health, University of Hawaiʻi, nursing and health care organizations, and the Hawaii Pharmacists Association, which asked that pharmacists’ residency programs be specifically tied to national accreditation standards. HB 341, relating to issuance of SPURS to assist the Hawaii Island Community Health Association, drew support from the health center and related groups. HB 692 on Preschool Open Doors received extensive support from early learning, education, family, labor, and community organizations; testimony stressed the shortage of child care and preschool slots, especially on Kauai, and the need to expand access for families. Committee members asked about adding family child care providers and about licensing/certification barriers, and DHS said the bill was focused on current licensed child care facilities and that certification issues were a separate, broader problem. HB 700 on cognitive assessments also drew strong support, with the Department of Health, the Executive Office on Aging, disability advocates, the Alzheimer’s Association, caregivers, and others urging use of a validated cognitive assessment tool during annual wellness visits and asking that the age 65 threshold be removed; some witnesses supported keeping the data-collection portion as a pilot and emphasized early detection and reporting.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> were assessing. were assessing.
• We see um assessment.
• </c><00:04:21.400><c> their</c> work with families to assess their work with families to assess their
• </c> If youth were being kind of assessed If youth were being kind of assessed fines<00:05:14.960><c>
• So, assessed, but not being collected.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I know that in 2023 we passed some laws here for early intervention screening for dyslexia.
• It depends on the assessment that's done on the student and what they will need.
• He said he does not agree with the sponsor's assessment.
• </c><02:03:50.320><c> Um,</c><02:03:51.760><c> you</c> assessment given by the sponsor.
• Um, you assessment given by the sponsor.

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• DURING HIS ELEVATION UP TO 110% OF THE PREVIOUS HOMESTEAD SQUARE FOOTAGE WITHOUT INCREASING THE ASSESSED
• HOMESTEAD PROPERTY MAY BE INCREASED UP TO 2000 FT.² AND DURING HIS ELEVATION WITHOUT INCREASING ASSESSED
• PORTIONS EXCEEDING 110% OR 2000 FT.² WILL BE ASSESSED AT JUST VALUE RAN AFTER THE ELEVATION THE CHANGE
• IN ASSESSED VALUE IS SUBJECT TO SAVE OUR HOMES LIMITATIONS AND FINALLY PROPERTY APPRAISERS MAY REQUIRE
• OWNERS TO PROVIDE ELEVATION CERTIFICATES OR OTHER DOCUMENTATION TO SUBSTANTIATE ELIGIBILITY FOR THIS ASSESSMENT

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The program is funded primarily through assessments on physicians, hospitals, and sometimes, when needed
• And the administrative assessments, as the representative just pointed out, haven't been increased in
• Or you can increase the assessments for the providers who get immunity as a consequence of this statute
• These assessments haven't increased in 40 years, and the benefit that these providers get as a consequence
• We're giving the authority to assess casualty insurance companies.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and heard four bills. HB 1311, relating to legal tender, ratified DFS/OFR rules to implement last year’s gold-and-silver legal tender law, repealed a prior repeal provision, and clarified the definition of custodian for electronically transferable gold and silver. The sponsor said the bill was a technical follow-up to ensure the law could take effect; members asked about the need for the bill, consumer awareness, and banking industry input. A technical amendment was adopted, and the bill passed favorably. HB 1343 would create an optional high school elective on property and casualty insurance that could satisfy pre-licensure education for a 440 insurance license after graduation. The sponsor said it would help students enter the insurance workforce or gain consumer literacy. An amendment directing DOE and DFS to develop the curriculum was adopted. Testimony from insurance groups and others supported the bill, and members spoke in favor of the workforce benefits. The bill passed favorably. HB 1291 addressed the Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association (NICA), aiming to strengthen its long-term solvency by creating clearer triggers for funding remedies and expanding covered services. Public testimony focused heavily on families affected by birth injuries, with a parent and NICA board member describing the lifelong care needs of medically fragile children and the importance of stable funding. Members expressed sympathy and support, and the sponsor said the bill increases access to reserve funds, authorizes casualty insurer assessments, and preserves benefits. The bill passed favorably. HB 271 would cap bail bond rates at 6.5 percent for foreign and alien bail bond insurers as well as domestic insurers, to create a more even competitive and tax treatment across carriers. The sponsor explained that out-of-state corporations had an advantage under current reporting and premium rules. There was no public testimony or debate, and the bill passed favorably. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 94, a conference report, relates to the siting of data centers, site assessment, and a high-energy
• Senate Bill 94, a conference report, relates to the siting of data centers, site assessment, and a high-energy
• Senate Bill 190, which is a conference report directing the Department of Education to assess the impact
• It revises the provisions governing the assessment of civil penalties against manufacturers and sellers
• No civil penalties shall be assessed if the violation is corrected within the cure period and the product

Keywords: March 14, 2026 - Regular Session Part 3, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These assessments are the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress, or CAASPP, and the
• English Language Proficiency Assessments for California, or ELPAC.
• assessment to identify students with disabilities.
• methods of assessment to identify students with disabilities.
• years' assessment data.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But as of right now, they're assessed after the first year.
• Again, those start at third assessments.
• The blue represents assessment.
• </c><00:25:58.320><c> it's</c> show the the chart the assessment it's show the the chart the assessment
• </c><00:56:24.240><c> and</c> um accountability, assessment and um accountability, assessment and accountability

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity met in September 2025, established a quorum, introduced new member Larry Forester, and approved the minutes from the August 26 meeting. The main presentation came from Warren County Public Schools Superintendent Rob Clayton and Assistant Superintendent Sarah Johnson, who discussed the district’s work serving English language learners and multilingual students, including immigrant and refugee families. They said Warren County now serves roughly 5,500 multilingual students out of about 19,000 total, representing about 92 languages and 90 countries, with 57 certified multilingual teachers, a GO Center, migrant and refugee advocates, and the state’s first international high school. The presenters emphasized that the district welcomes immigrant families and that students and parents generally value public education, but they described major challenges tied to accountability and funding. They explained that multilingual students are tested after one year in the system, even though many need more time to become proficient in English and grade-level standards, and they argued that current graduation-rate rules can unfairly penalize schools when transient students enroll briefly and then leave. They also said the cost of serving this population has risen sharply, with special revenue and especially general-fund spending increasing substantially over the past decade, prompting the district to reallocate resources from EL teacher assistants toward translation technology and additional certified staff. Committee members asked questions about how long-term multilingual students compare with the general student body and whether the district’s data show similar graduation outcomes. Clayton said he did not have the specific comparison data at hand but believed students who stay K-12 generally reach proficiency. He and Johnson asked legislators to consider giving students more time before accountability measures apply and to shift some graduation accountability from individual schools to the district level for highly transient populations, while still maintaining accountability. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken beyond approval of the minutes.