Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, I'm looking at the education areas that come from various funding.
• Would you speak to the State Department of Education or pre-K through 12 schools?
• Any additional general funds to higher education to support broad needs, right?
• So in the Regions for Higher Education, you're seeing $15.7 million...
• Well, this senator right here is carrying that legislation, by the way.

Bills: SB1177

Committee: Senate Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget

Keywords: education funding, mental health services, public safety, housing, state budget

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee met to consider Senate Bill 1177, the general appropriation bill. The chair and budget authors explained that the proposal was built to balance the budget using a mix of general revenue, cash sweeps, and other fund transfers, including money from unclaimed property, revenue stabilization, and other statutory funds. Members also discussed a proposed $35 million OWRB revolving loan fund tied to ARPA interest and a $200 million transfer from the Revenue Stabilization Fund to the Taxpayer Endowment Trust Fund as part of a long-term savings strategy. A number of agency-specific items drew questions. Members reviewed the OPEB employer contribution reduction, rent coverage for state agencies, child care and Head Start funding, Department of Corrections revenue from ICE-related agreements, sheriff grant funding, and education funding, including about $99 million in additional formula funding, a $2,000 teacher pay raise, and reading-related appropriations such as Strong Readers and Just Right Reader. The committee also discussed mental health funding, including a $30 million consent decree line, a proposed privatization of CCBHC services with an estimated $10 million savings, and related reduction-in-force costs. Other topics included Attorney General transfers and litigation funding, higher education allocations, Langston University extension funding, historical society requests that were not funded, and a biosolids pilot program. During debate, supporters argued the bill fulfilled the constitutional duty to pass a balanced budget and highlighted increases for education, health care, and water infrastructure. Opponents criticized the use of one-time cash, tax cuts, and what they described as special-project spending, while raising concerns about transparency and underfunded services such as child care and transportation. After debate, the committee voted 18-5 to pass Senate Bill 1177.

Transcript Highlights:

• We increased their funding when it comes to FBA, but also in what we're going to compensate their educating
• It includes about $11 to $12 million for education instruction pay raises.
• And so from that perspective, that money is under the direction of this legislative body.
• And so from that perspective, that money is under the direction of this legislative body. ...is under
• the direction of this legislative body.

Bills: SB1177

Committee: House Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget

Keywords: education funding, mental health services, public safety, housing, state budget

Summary: The Joint Appropriations and Budget Committee took up Senate Bill 1177, the main budget bill, and first adopted the committee substitute as the working version. Chairman Caldwell presented the bill as the measure funding state government and answered a series of questions about major budget items, including CareerTech funding, child care, school security, teacher pay raises, the state plane purchase, Medicaid, mental health, veterans’ homes, and higher education projects. He said CareerTech received increased funding, child care funding was increased by roughly $12 million over last year, school security funding was continued at $50 million, and teacher pay raises were included through a mechanism that would raise the state minimum by $2,000. He also explained the $3 million state plane item as a restructuring of state aviation assets, and said the budget did not cut law enforcement funding tied to 287(g) agreements.

Bills: HB2207

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Keywords: braille, disability access, education funding, state corrections, inclusion, 1182, all

Bills: HB6 , HB120 , HB210

Committee: Senate Education K-16

Keywords: higher education, LGBTQ studies, DEI studies, program prohibition, educational policy

Keywords: House Caucus of the Whole on Education, 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In my career, I have been a special education teacher, a vocational coordinator, and an educational diagnostician
• coordinator, and an educational diagnostician.
• The time is now for legislators, The time is now for legislators to match the commitment of educators
• equitable special education system.
• equitable special education system.

Keywords: special education, funding, equity, advocacy, Texas Legislature, SB568, HB2, disabilities

Summary: This was a press conference calling on the Texas Legislature to increase and reform funding for special education, with speakers arguing that the current system leaves a roughly $1.7 billion gap and forces districts to stretch general education dollars to cover mandated services. Sabrina Gonzalez Ocedo of The Arc of Texas opened by framing the issue as one of equity and self-determination for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and noted support for legislative efforts including Senate Bill 568 and House Bill 2. She also thanked a coalition of advocacy groups and legislators involved in special education funding work. Representative Steve Toth spoke in favor of investing surplus dollars in special education, citing high rates of functional illiteracy and dyslexia among prison populations and saying earlier intervention could change life outcomes. Amy Litzinger described how accommodations and assistive technology helped her succeed in school and urged continued investment so other students can access similar supports. Sarah Harden, a parent and disability advocate, shared her daughter’s positive experience in a well-supported district but warned that many Texas districts cannot provide comparable services because of funding shortages and that families are increasingly worried about cuts. Rachel Hull, a special education director, said well-resourced special education is transformational and outlined the need for individualized services, therapies, vocational training, and college readiness supports. Jean Mayer, a school trustee, said districts are struggling to meet state and federal requirements because funding does not match actual costs, pointing to staffing shortages and the need for parent engagement and professional development. The speakers repeatedly urged lawmakers to fully fund Senate Bill 568 and broader special education reforms this session; no votes were taken, as this was an advocacy event rather than a committee hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• our members of the Senate and the legislature, our state leaders, that we may be wise in how we legislate

Bills: SJR36 , SB1 , SJR36 , SB1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, 1185, senate, all

Bills: SB241

Keywords: child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department, ECECD, child care facilities, licensed child care, registered child care, copayments, waitlist, subsidy, federal poverty level

Bills: SB241

Keywords: child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department, ECECD, child care facilities, licensed child care, registered child care, copayments, waitlist, subsidy, federal poverty level

Bills: SB241

Keywords: child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department, ECECD, child care facilities, licensed child care, registered child care, copayments, waitlist, subsidy, federal poverty level

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul Federation of Educators. Educators. Educators.
• </c><01:26:33.920><c> our</c> educators that you are educating our educators that you are educating our
• We educate all children. I'm an educator, and that's what we do.
• So we educate Republicans. We educate Democrats. We educate independents. It doesn't matter to us.
• So we educate Republicans. We educate Democrats. We educate independents. It doesn't matter to us.

Bills: HF3435 , HF3409

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: school access, school site, school district, charter school, federal agents, DHS, Department of Homeland Security, ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, CBP, Customs and Border Protection, USCIS, immigration enforcement, judicial warrant, student privacy, school safety, sanctuary schools, warrant requirement, federal warrant, school grounds

Transcript Highlights:

• the Las Cruces Police Department Chief Jeremy Story. ...support the legislation.
• Legislative Provided in the statute.
• Legislative intent should not be derived from this type of legislature.
• Governor Legislative Message Number 1. Seeing no objection. Governor Legislative Message Number 1.
• Governor Legislative Message Number 1.

Bills: SB241

Keywords: child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department, ECECD, child care facilities, licensed child care, registered child care, copayments, waitlist, subsidy, federal poverty level

Summary: The Senate began by outlining the day’s agenda, then received several House messages, including the House’s request for concurrence on Senate Bill 151 and notice that the House had concurred in Senate amendments to House Bills 2, 3, and 70. The Senate also received enrolled bills SB 64 and SB 101, and later adopted committee reports on House Bill 120 and SB 64. The chamber then took up concurrence on SB 151, a tax package that the House amended to remove the gross receipts tax provision for medical supplies, add a 1% salary increase for state employees, higher education, and public schools, extend a high-wage job tax credit, and add sunsets. Senator Hamblen supported concurrence as a friendly amendment, while Senator Cervantes argued the House changes transformed the bill into an unconstitutional appropriations measure and urged a conference committee. The Senate nevertheless concurred, 22-14. On third reading, the Senate passed House Bill 61, which increases the penalty for aggravated battery on a peace officer from a third-degree to a second-degree felony to align with other sentencing provisions. Supporters, including Senator Cervantes, cited consistency in the criminal code and noted the Sentencing Commission’s endorsement; the bill passed 37-0. The Senate also passed House Joint Memorial 3, directing the Environment Department to convene stakeholders and report on implementation of the PFAS Protection Act, despite a brief exchange over whether the memorial could be read as expanding authority under the existing PFAS law; it passed 22-13. The chamber then passed several memorials: Senate Memorial 20, amended to include youth and family voices and legislative appointees in a statewide youth violence summit, passed 35-0; Senate Memorial 21, calling for a study of a statewide overdose prevention program, passed 35-0; Senate Memorial 22, which asks the Legislative Finance Committee to convene a working group on domestic violence funding and CYFD-related funding flows, passed; and Senate Memorial 27, urging expansion of the Radiation Exposure Act to compensate New Mexicans affected by atomic testing and uranium mining, passed 34-0. At the end of the session, the Senate received a governor’s message authorizing consideration of SB 74 on cockfighting penalties, followed by a playful Senate response message. The body also agreed to move House Joint Memorial 2 from Rules to the President’s table and then recessed until 8:30 a.m. the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• and elementary education.
• quality education.
• Chair, members of the committee, I'll just add that this is a Legislative Education Study Committee endorsed
• A Legislative Education Study Committee endorsed bill. Thank you so much. Senator, anything else?
• Athletics at higher education.

Bills: HB30 , HB120 , HJR1 , SB210 , SB306

Committee: Senate Senate Education

Keywords: teacher residency, Teacher Residency Act, public schools, teacher preparation, educator pipeline, teacher recruitment, teacher retention, student teachers, apprenticeship, co-teaching, mentor teachers, residency stipend, teacher salary, level one teacher, charter schools, school districts, New Mexico education, teacher workforce, principal stipend, cohort model

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Education.
• education as a civil rights education issue and not a luxury program.
• They are going to be getting both their gifted education and their disability education.
• There's really no change. both their gifted education and their disability education.
• House Memorial 43 requests the Legislative Education Study Committee and the Public Education Department

Bills: HB30 , HB120 , HJR1 , SB210 , SB306

Committee: House House Education

Keywords: teacher residency, Teacher Residency Act, public schools, teacher preparation, educator pipeline, teacher recruitment, teacher retention, student teachers, apprenticeship, co-teaching, mentor teachers, residency stipend, teacher salary, level one teacher, charter schools, school districts, New Mexico education, teacher workforce, principal stipend, cohort model

Transcript Highlights:

• We stand in strong support of this legislation.
• and elementary education.
• Chair, members of the committee, I'll just add that this is a Legislative Education Study Committee endorsed
• Chair, members of the committee, I'll just add that this is a legislative education study committee endorsed
• A Legislative Education Study Committee endorsed bill. Thank you so much. Senator, anything else?

Bills: HB30 , HB120 , HJR1 , SB210 , SB306

Committee: Senate House Education

Keywords: teacher residency, Teacher Residency Act, public schools, teacher preparation, educator pipeline, teacher recruitment, teacher retention, student teachers, apprenticeship, co-teaching, mentor teachers, residency stipend, teacher salary, level one teacher, charter schools, school districts, New Mexico education, teacher workforce, principal stipend, cohort model

Summary: The Senate Education Committee began with announcements about likely upcoming meetings and a reminder that public testimony could be limited if bills drew large crowds. Members also introduced student shadows and briefly recognized them. The committee then took up House Bill 30, which would revise the Teacher Residency Act to strengthen teacher recruitment and retention by tying resident stipends more closely to minimum level-one teacher salaries, increasing support for residents who already hold bachelor’s degrees, and giving residents more flexibility to complete their service in any public school rather than only the sponsoring district. The sponsor and supporters from educator preparation programs, unions, and advocacy groups said the bill would make residency programs more sustainable, help rural districts, and improve teacher preparation. The bill received support from the Public Education Department and several education organizations, and the committee voted due pass. The committee next heard House Bill 120, as amended, which would clarify and limit the use of restraint and seclusion in schools. The sponsor explained that the bill came from a task force and is intended to clarify existing law rather than create a new mandate, with clearer definitions, stronger documentation, family notification, and limits on dangerous practices such as prone, mechanical, or chemical restraint. Supporters included PED, the special education ombuds office, disability rights advocates, teachers’ unions, parents, and civil rights groups, who emphasized student safety, trauma prevention, and better training for staff. One opposition witness from the school superintendents’ association argued the bill could add burdens and that more time was needed to implement current law. Committee members raised concerns about protecting teachers and aides during violent incidents; sponsors responded that the bill is meant to give staff clearer guidance and emergency-response tools, not replace disciplinary procedures. The committee voted due pass. House Joint Resolution 1, a constitutional amendment to create nominating commissions for university regents, was then presented. The sponsor said the goal is to reduce purely political appointments by having nonpartisan commissions recommend regent candidates, while also changing how student regents are selected so students have a direct voice rather than the university president choosing the student regent. AFT New Mexico supported the measure, citing concerns about donor or insider appointments and backing student representation. Committee members questioned how many commissions would be created, who would appoint their members, and how many names would be sent to the governor; the sponsor said those details would be set later in enabling legislation. The committee approved the resolution on a due pass vote, sending it onward in the process. The committee also quickly passed Senate Bill 306, which would align state higher education accreditation language with federal terminology by removing the distinction between regionally and non-regionally accredited institutions and changing reporting and fee requirements for smaller private institutions. Finally, Senate Bill 210, an appropriation for athletic and related facilities at New Mexico Highlands University, drew the most debate. Supporters said the university’s athletic facilities are outdated and inadequate, especially for women’s soccer and track, and that the project would help student-athletes and Title IX compliance. Committee members questioned the $80 million request, noting that only $3 million was currently in the budget for the three Division II schools and expressing concern about priorities amid other education funding needs. The sponsor and university president said the project could be phased and that private fundraising is also being pursued. Despite reservations and some no votes, the committee ultimately voted due pass. The chair closed by reminding members to plan on meeting Monday at 9 a.m. and said the committee was adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Education.
• Education started in 2023.
• They are going to be getting both their gifted education and their disability education.
• House Memorial 43 requests the Legislative Education Study Committee and the Public Education Department
• to conduct... ...the Legislative Education Study Committee and the Public Education Department to conduct

Bills: HB30 , HB120 , HJR1 , SB210 , SB306

Committee: House House Education

Keywords: teacher residency, Teacher Residency Act, public schools, teacher preparation, educator pipeline, teacher recruitment, teacher retention, student teachers, apprenticeship, co-teaching, mentor teachers, residency stipend, teacher salary, level one teacher, charter schools, school districts, New Mexico education, teacher workforce, principal stipend, cohort model

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 64, which would codify the existing Office of Special Education within the Public Education Department, create a deputy secretary position, and formalize responsibilities for enforcing special education law, monitoring disability protections, and supporting a statewide online IEP system. The sponsor and PED officials said the bill would provide continuity, improve compliance with IDEA, help students who move between schools, and keep gifted education unchanged in its current curriculum-and-instruction placement. An amendment requiring quarterly consultation with superintendents and charter school leaders was also described as a way to improve collaboration and continuous improvement. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive from educators, disability advocates, parents, superintendents, unions, and charter school representatives, who said the bill would improve accountability, transparency, and services for students with disabilities. One parent testified in opposition to the gifted-education language, warning that removing gifted students from the special education umbrella could weaken protections and services. Committee members asked about cost, the office’s current structure, the role of 504 plans, and how the bill would affect military and foster students; PED said the office is already staffed and funded primarily through federal IDEA dollars and that 504 enforcement remains separate, though the office may monitor related protections. The committee then voted do pass. The committee next heard House Bill 256, which would require schools to include cardiac emergency response procedures for athletic activities and ensure AEDs are clearly marked and accessible at those events. Supporters, including the American Heart Association, nurses, and school leaders, emphasized that AEDs and trained staff can dramatically improve survival in sudden cardiac arrest cases. Questions focused on how many AEDs schools would need, whether schools already have them, and how the bill would affect middle school athletics and budgets; the sponsor said schools would determine the best placement, with at least one AED available for athletic events. The committee voted do pass. Finally, the committee heard House Memorial 43, which asks LESC and PED to study how New Mexico and other states measure school performance, including the use of the Lexile reading framework. Superintendents argued that Lexile provides a more consistent, apples-to-apples comparison than some state accountability measures and could better reflect student growth. There was no opposition, members asked about possible study costs, and the memorial passed on a do pass motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is our first committee hearing of the 2026 legislative session.
• This would establish a mapping of the arts data for education task force.
• </c><00:31:29.840><c> Uh</c> arts education is the ultimate goal.
• Uh arts education is the ultimate goal.
• </c><00:40:09.200><c> Caucus</c> um of Havi Education Caucus um of Havi Education Caucus as<00:40:12.240

Bills: HB2436 , HB2438 , HB2532 , HB2566

Committee: House Culture & Arts

Keywords: arts integration, fine arts education, public schools, cultural education, student engagement, school coordinators, Hawaii education, Hawaii Cultural Trust, income tax credit, arts funding, cultural preservation, charitable contributions, HB2532, Hawaiian flag, Ka Hae Hawaiʻi, flag display, condominium, condo association, planned community association, cooperative housing corporation

Summary: The committee on Culture and the Arts heard several measures related to arts funding, administration, and access. Testimony was largely supportive across the agenda. For HB 2218 and HB 1815, the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts supported the bills, and members discussed transition timing and administrative support, including the need for an additional year in one measure and a temporary administrative position to help with the transfer. HB 1764, the music accessibility pilot program, drew broad support from the Retail Merchants of Hawaii, Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, Hawaii Public Library System, Hawaii Youth Symphony, and others, with testimony emphasizing library-based music programming, community access, and economic benefits. HB 2117, which would create an arts data mapping task force, also received extensive support, though witnesses suggested narrowing the initial scope, adding representatives from independent and charter schools and neighbor island arts programs, and ensuring adequate funding and a realistic timeline for the work. The committee also heard HB 2436 on arts integration in public schools, HB 2438 on the Hawaii Cultural Trust, and HB 2532 on the Hawaiian flag. HB 2436 and HB 2438 received support from SFCA, while the Cultural Trust bill prompted a lengthy explanation from the chair about how the proposed tax credit would work and amendments to clarify that donations to the trust and to qualifying cultural nonprofits must be made in tandem, with eligible organizations listed and updated annually by SFCA and OHA. HB 2532 drew testimony from Dr. Adam Jansen in support of protecting the Hawaiian flag as a historical and cultural symbol; he said the flag should continue to be used for solidarity, protest, inclusion, and identity. At the decision-making portion, the committee adopted the chair’s recommendations on the measures considered. HB 2118, HB 764, HB 1815, and HB 2117 were passed with amendments, including date deferrals and technical changes; HB 764 also had its appropriation blanked out. HB 2436 was passed with amendments, and HB 2438 was advanced with substantial clarifying amendments to the cultural trust structure. The chair indicated that HB 2117 would include an interim report due in 2027 focused on music and dance, with a final report due in 2029 on arts education more broadly.

Transcript Highlights:

• So thank you and I support my colleague that I have been her vice chair for so many years on the education
• /c><00:14:18.320><c> years</c><00:14:18.560><c> on</c><00:14:18.800><c> the</c><00:14:18.959><c> education
• </c> chair for so many years on the education chair for so many years on the education committee.<00:
• legislative caucus, you know,<00:19:16.000><c> an</c><00:19:16.240><c> attack</c><00:19:16.480><c> on
• </c><00:20:04.559><c> caucus</c> this year the women's legislative caucus this year the women's legislative

Bills: SB2445 , SB2125 , SB2355 , SB2834 , SB3237

Keywords: pedestrian, fines, traffic laws, economic vulnerability, safety, walking, public transportation, teacher licensing, teacher shortage, emergency hire, unlicensed teacher, out-of-field teaching, licensed teachers, charter schools, Department of Education, DOE, Board of Education, licensure requirements, teacher certification, alternative licensure

Transcript Highlights:

• The House Education Committee will come to order. Good afternoon.
• The House Education Committee is at ease for the purpose of caucus.
• It's a way in which I achieved my education.
• It's a way in which I achieved my education.
• It's a way in which I achieved my education.

Bills: HB2007 , HB2360 , HB2369 , HB2432 , HB2440 , HB2534 , HB2557

Committee: House Education

Keywords: competency-based assessment, graduation requirements, education reform, student opportunity, pathway options, albuterol, asthma, inhaler, rescue inhaler, respiratory emergency, school nurse, student medication, self-administration, anaphylaxis, public schools, private schools, charter schools, tribal compact schools, K-12 health, medication policy

Transcript Highlights:

• and Labor Cabinet, Board of Education, Department of Education 701 K5055 with staff suggested amendment
• Education.
• </c><00:04:58.000><c> and</c> Kentucky Department of Education and Kentucky Department of Education and
• </c> State Board of Education. Thank you. State Board of Education. Thank you.
• </c><00:05:12.080><c> labor</c> regulation from the education labor regulation from the education labor

Keywords: 0:16 – CALL TO ORDER 0:20 – ROLL CALL 0:56 – ELECTION OF CO-CHAIRS 1:54 – APPROVAL OF MINUTES 2:10 – OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL 3:28 – PERSONNEL BOARD 4:30 – EDUCATION AND LABOR CABINET, BOARD OF EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION 5:18 – PUBLIC PROTECTION CABINET, OFFICE OF CLAIMS & APPEALS 12:03 – PUBLIC PROTECTION CABINET, DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL 12:54 – CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES, DEPARTMENT FOR MEDICAID SERVICES 14:54 – CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES, DEPARTMENT FOR COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES 31:44 – NEXT MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT/ADJOURNMENT, 958, all

Summary: The Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee met to reorganize its leadership for the new term, renewing Representative Derek Lewis as House co-chair and Senator Steven West as Senate co-chair. The committee then approved the minutes and moved through a series of agency regulations, generally adopting staff-suggested amendments without objection. Among the regulations reviewed were an Attorney General rule changing how a commission reviews and distributes funds and how grant reporting is handled; Personnel Board changes abolishing and renaming certain job classifications and adjusting probationary periods; an Education and Labor Cabinet rule removing references to local board of education members; several Public Protection Cabinet rules covering Board of Claims and Crime Victims’ Compensation procedures; an Alcoholic Beverage Control rule on direct-to-consumer shipping forms; and a Medicaid Services emergency regulation establishing the Kentucky Trauma Hospital Rate Improvement Program for rural hospitals serving many Medicaid patients. The committee also heard that the Board of Claims and Crime Victims’ Compensation regulations included both staff and, in one case, an agency amendment, which were approved. The most extended discussion came on the Department for Community Based Services’ regulation increasing per diem rates for private child-placing therapeutic foster care levels 2 and 3. Committee members questioned the estimated $10 million biennial cost, the source of the funding, and why the cabinet had not yet filed regulations implementing Senate Bill 151 on kinship care. DCBS staff said the rate increase was discretionary and intended to address placement crises for children with high needs, while acknowledging they could not personally explain the budget decisions. A kinship caregiver testified in support of the rate increase but urged the cabinet to also implement SB 151 and expand support for kinship families. The committee expressed frustration over the lack of SB 151 implementation but stated the rate increase itself was appropriate and allowed the regulation to proceed.