Video & Transcript : 'stem education' :
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WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs Interim Topics Meeting, March 4, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Little submitted a uh, topic for mainly looks like education.
- Little submitted a topic for mainly looks like education.
- So, I'll mainly looks like education.
- If safety education for these CMVs.
- </c><00:42:12.360><c> for</c> industry go back to and education for industry go back to and education
Summary:
The committee opened by taking roll for the Joint Transportation, Highways, and Military Affairs Committee and noting that 20 topics had been submitted for discussion, including one late addition. Members were asked to number the topics for reference, and the chair explained that each presenter should give a brief overview before the committee returned to the dais for questions and possible ranking or action. No votes were taken during the portion provided.
The first topic was a request from the Associated General Contractors of Wyoming to have TRIP, a third-party transportation research organization, present a report on Wyoming’s highway system. The report is intended to identify transportation needs and 25 priority projects, and the committee generally supported hearing the report and methodology directly from TRIP. The next topic combined two similar railroad safety proposals. Representative Chestek described a bill addressing train length, wayside detectors, and track inspections, citing the East Palestine derailment and concerns about reduced inspection frequency. Committee members raised questions about federal preemption and enforcement authority; Chestek said states can be more protective of safety where federal rules leave gaps, and WYDOT said it would need additional expertise and staffing to administer such a program. No public testimony was offered on the railroad topic.
The committee then heard two proposals from the Wyoming Military Department. One would study Tricare subsidies for mental health providers by comparing Tricare reimbursement rates with other insurers, gathering de-identified data on eligible members and provider participation, and then returning to the committee with findings before any legislative recommendation. Members discussed whether the issue might fit better in Labor, Health, and Social Services, but the military department said it believed the committee had a strong connection to the topic. The second military topic would study Service Group Life Insurance for state active duty, comparing state and federal death benefits for Guard members to identify any shortfalls. The committee also briefly discussed a VSO program review raised by Representative Neff, focusing on the number of veterans service officers and retention, but no action was taken in the excerpt.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- PBS educational story right now. Congratulations, Senator. Mr.
- It affects their education, employment, their relationships, and their dignity.
- Mostly special education students. For 20 years, I took my students to the state fair.
- It had to be all the educational buildings.
- The Education Committee will meet Monday in Room 311 at 9 o'clock.
Summary:
The Senate convened for an Indian Day/Native American Day session featuring prayers, drum and color guard presentations, and extensive recognition of tribal leaders, students, royalty, and community advocates from across New Mexico and neighboring tribal nations. Senators used the morning to introduce guests and speak about Native sovereignty, language preservation, education, water access, economic development, and the importance of tribal-state relationships. Several speakers highlighted personal and family ties to Native communities, while others emphasized ongoing work on issues such as clean water for Navajo communities, Native youth leadership, and missing and murdered Indigenous women and relatives.
A major non-ceremonial item was the reading of Senate Executive Messages from the governor authorizing consideration of Senate Bills 306, 309, 312, and 313. Those bills would, respectively, change licensure rules for certain institutions, alter lottery tuition fund deposit requirements, and repeal or revise provisions related to safety helmets and child restraint devices in negligence and damages law. The Senate also received committee reports advancing House Bill 34, Senate Bills 204, 241, 77, 152, 190, and 143, along with confirmations for Elaine Luna and Grace Margaret Herrera to the New Mexico Highlands University Board of Regents. The Rules Committee also reported on the governor’s appointment of Don Walters as child advocate for the Office of the Child Advocate.
The chamber also adopted a Senate resolution recognizing February 6, 2026, as New Mexico Speech, Language, and Hearing Association Day, with Senator Pope speaking in support of audiologists and speech-language pathologists. Throughout the session, members repeatedly acknowledged the prior night’s Senate-House basketball game, which raised more than $26,000 for cancer, and used the occasion to thank participants and guests. No roll-call votes were recorded in the transcript beyond voice votes adopting the committee reports and the unanimous-consent actions on floor procedures and guest access.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Health Services (1-9-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- The EIPA is for education only.
- The EIPA is for education only.
- The EIPA is for education only.
- The EIPA is for education only.
- The EIPA is for education only.
Keywords:
00:00 Call to Order/Roll Call
00:16 Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations
25:49 Discussion of Hospital Rate Improvement Plan
58:50 Adjournment, 958, all
Summary:
The committee began by reviewing a large slate of administrative regulations and explaining that it does not approve regulations but can find them deficient and send them back for further work. Members then asked questions on several items, including EMS reciprocity, dental hygienist licensure, and interpreter licensure. The EMS board explained that reciprocity would extend to applicants from any state, not just contiguous states, because the underlying statute had been amended. On the dental regulation, staff said the changes mainly clarified licensure requirements, reinstatement fees, and that dental hygienists administering local anesthetic must do so under direct dentist supervision.
The most extended discussion involved the Board of Interpreters for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The board chair said the main concern was that the EIPA is an educational specialty assessment, not a nationally recognized certification, yet the regulation would allow it to support full licensure. Members discussed whether that could let educational interpreters work outside their intended scope and whether a separate educational license or statutory change would be more appropriate. The board said it did not think the regulation could be fixed further at this point and suggested a statute could create a narrower educational interpreter license. After discussion, the committee voted to defer both related interpreter regulations, 201 KAR 39:030 and the companion regulation, for further work.
The committee then took up two community mental health regulations, 907 KAR 1:044 and 907 KAR 5:005, which had been found deficient in Administrative Regulations. Department for Medicaid Services staff said the rules would expand and rename the mental health associate role as a behavioral health associate, making the role available in many more facilities, but would also require additional coursework or progress toward licensure. Some members and providers raised access-to-care concerns, especially for rural areas and unlicensed staff already working in the field. Staff said the proposal had been revised through work with CMHCs and licensing boards, but the committee ultimately voted to defer both regulations as well.
After finishing the regulation review, the committee heard a presentation from the Kentucky Hospital Association on the ATRIP hospital rate improvement program. Hospital representatives said ATRIP is a Medicaid state-directed payment program funded through a provider tax and federal matching dollars, allowing hospitals to receive payments tied to quality measures. They reported improvements including lower Medicaid readmissions, high sepsis screening rates, reduced infections and opioid prescribing, expanded postpartum depression and suicide screening, and training for more than 1,000 people. They said the program has helped hospitals invest in staffing and quality improvement and warned that without it, many hospitals would face severe financial strain.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
EDUCATION- HOUSE EARLY CHILDHOOD SUBCOMMITTEE Jun 17th, 2026
EDUCATION- HOUSE EARLY CHILDHOOD SUBCOMMITTEE
Transcript Highlights:
- , non-college-educated women all across the board.
- Ashland Abney, Education Division Director for the Office of Early Childhood.
- And then some questions around some awards that came out from the Office of Educational Policy.
- Adams with special education and Matt Soule and let me look at those funds, there's always a need.
- Adams with special education and Matt Soule and let me look at those funds, there's always a need.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Senate in Special Session E May 12th, 2026
Florida Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 2514E makes various changes to education statutes to conform with the pre-K-12 education
- Senate Bill 2516E, a bill to be entitled an act relating to higher education.
- Senate Bill 2516E makes various changes to the education statutes to conform to the higher education
- House Bill 5601E, a bill to be entitled an act relating to higher education.
- House Bill 5601E, a bill to be entitled an act relating to higher education.
Summary:
The Senate convened in special session for budget conference work, opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and moments of silence honoring Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy Mateer and former Senator Bill Posey. The Secretary read the joint proclamation calling the special session, which was limited to the budget, implementing bill, collective bargaining/state employee issues, retirement, DMS, law enforcement radio system, health, higher education, K-12 education, government administration, correctional facilities financing, judges, documentary stamp tax distributions, petroleum cleanup programs, fuel taxes, and taxation. Chair Hooper outlined the process for moving Senate and House budget conforming bills into conference posture, noting that conference meetings would be on one-hour notice.
The Senate then took up and passed a series of Senate conforming bills and House companion bills, generally by unanimous 32-0 votes, with delete-all amendments used to place Senate language onto House bills or to clear bills for conference. Measures addressed fuel taxes, the state agency law enforcement radio system, judges, pre-K through 12 education, retirement, higher education, health care, government administration, correctional facilities financing and capital improvements, documentary stamp tax distributions, petroleum cleanup programs, state employees/collective bargaining, and the implementing bill for the 2026-27 budget. Senators repeatedly moved that, when the House version was not passed as received, the Senate request conference or accede to the House’s request for conference.
The General Appropriations Bill was handled by substituting House Bill 5001E for Senate Bill 2500E, amending it with Senate substance, and passing it 32-0 before requesting conference. House Bill 7031E on taxation was also amended and debated; Senator Berman used the debate to urge consideration of suspending the motor fuel tax for summer relief, but the bill ultimately passed and the Senate requested conference after failing to pass the House version as received. The session ended with a motion to waive rules for publishing the Special Order Calendar for the remainder of the special session, followed by adjournment upon the call of the President for committee meetings and other Senate business.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Health Mar 23rd, 2026
Joint Committee on Public Health
Transcript Highlights:
- We are held to rigorous standards, education, accountability, and patient safety.
- to our nurses who are all seeking education.
- So part of it is to try to get education into the nursing curriculum, and my goal someday is to have
- Including educational materials, connection to registered dietitians and medical experts, and practical
- Aesthetics is a niche medical specialty not covered in traditional medical education, and advanced or
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Public Health
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Public Health heard testimony on four bills: H. 5013 and S. 2928, which would establish a three-year celiac disease screening pilot program for children during routine cholesterol/lipid screening around ages 8 to 12; H. 5087, regulating the operation of medical spas; and H. 5115, establishing statewide food truck regulations, though the hearing focused almost entirely on the celiac and medical spa bills. Committee chairs outlined three-minute testimony limits and noted members present in person and online.
Supporters of the celiac screening bills, including Rep. Badger, Sen. Lovely, patients, clinicians, and researchers, described long delays in diagnosis, the lack of a cure beyond a gluten-free diet, and the potential for early screening to prevent years of damage, missed school and work, and long-term complications. Testifiers said celiac disease is common but frequently undiagnosed, that a simple blood test can identify many cases, and that a pilot would help assess feasibility, cost, accuracy, and family acceptance. Several witnesses emphasized that the proposal includes education and support for families after diagnosis, and some cited international screening efforts, especially in Italy, as evidence that population screening can work.
Testimony on H. 5087 was largely opposed by medical spa owners, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and a plastic surgeon. Witnesses argued the bill is outdated, duplicative of existing Massachusetts licensing and public health rules, and inconsistent with current scopes of practice and team-based care. They said the proposal could restrict access, burden small and women-owned practices, and fail to address the real issues of training, compliance, and patient safety. Some said they support regulation in principle but want the bill revised to reflect current law and modern practice. Committee members asked a few clarifying questions, including about celiac testing methods and the relationship between the medical spa bill and current state law, but no votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
Senate in Session Mar 11th, 2026 at 08:02 pm
West Virginia Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Bill 4768 relating to updating definitions to incorporate federal law changes to qualified higher education
- Your Committee on Education has had under consideration Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill
- 5537, repealing obsolete and outdated sections of the Education Code, and has amended the same, and
- Your Committee on Education has had under consideration Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill
- Your Committee on Education will meet tomorrow morning at 10:30 a.m. in Room 451M.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services Feb 25th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- We believe the Board of Nursing should establish and enforce education standards that all nursing programs
- We support oversight that ensures nursing educators possess necessary qualifications, experience and
- Proper faculty to student ratio, adequate clinical training, and up-to-date educational resources which
- are key components of high nursing education.
- Jan Bellamy: According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, naturopaths' education and training
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bills 1288, 1289, 1290, and 1291 will all be referred to the Education Committee.
- House Bill 624 by Education Committee, an act relating to education, to revise provisions regarding virtual
- House Bill 624 by Education Committee, an act relating to education, to revise provisions regarding virtual
- Former Superintendent of Education Tom Luna will open this service with a prayer.
- In the Senate, Senate Bill 1317 by the Education Committee, an act relating to education, to provide
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- of radiology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine and is deeply committed to medical education
- ; HB 4041, K-3 education.
- Please proceed. the Department of Education members you've heard the third reading of House bill 2395
- her professional life to education, serving as a teacher and a counselor who believed deeply in the
- She was a strong advocate for school desegregation and worked tirelessly to expand educational access
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
House Chamber - Wed May 6, 2026, 9:00AM HST - Day 57
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:14:07.680><c> And</c> fierce advocate for education. And fierce advocate for education.
- </c> education chair as if they were my own. education chair as if they were my own.
- </c><02:11:50.239><c> workforce</c> standards controls educator workforce standards controls educator
- </c> educators that are alleging harassment. educators that are alleging harassment.
- </c> harassment for our educational workers. harassment for our educational workers.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary (11-6-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- educational educational counseling<00:26:39.919><c> and</c><00:26:40.240><c> community-based</c><00:
- We're building a new educational facility.
- </c> those those, uh, you know, educational those those, uh, you know, educational opportunity<01:27:
- With Kentucky Adult Education, we have a really good partnership with them.
- With Kentucky Adult Education, we have a really good partnership with them.
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:00:00
Roll Call: 00:00:09
State of the Judiciary: 00:02:33
The Corrections - KCTCS Reentry Program: 00:49:44
Update on 2022 RS SB 90: 01:27:49, 958, all
Summary:
The Interim Joint Committee on the Judiciary met on November 6, 2025, approved the minutes, and welcomed guests including Kentucky Specialty Courts manager Elizabeth Nichols and Boyle/Mercer Family Court Judge Bruce Petri. The committee then heard the Chief Justice of Kentucky, Deborah Lambert, deliver her state of the judiciary address, focused largely on judicial branch funding, facilities, technology, and specialty court programs.
Chief Justice Lambert said the branch is facing a projected $14.3 million shortfall for fiscal year 2026 and asked lawmakers for supplemental support, access to reserve funds, and higher base appropriations to cover inflation and nondiscretionary costs. She also requested a 15% across-the-board pay increase for judicial branch employees, citing salary gaps with other state workers and declining judicial compensation relative to national averages. She emphasized that the branch has received a clean FY 2025 audit and said the requests were intended to sustain current operations rather than expand them.
A major portion of her remarks covered court technology and facilities. She described the move to Chamberlain during Capitol renovations, the purchase of that building as a cost-saving measure, and the need to fund courtroom audio/video systems and a new statewide case management system. She also discussed courthouse maintenance, flood damage, mold issues, security system upgrades, and the $47 million asset preservation fund created last session, while asking for additional local facilities funding and one-time disaster-related support. Lambert highlighted specialty court and statewide program results, including foster care review boards, family recovery courts, court designated worker programs, drug and mental health courts, and the Judicial Commission on Mental Health. She thanked legislators for prior bills and support, including House Bill 1, Senate Bill 26, and the CES law, and said 2026 recommendations will focus on civil commitment reforms under KRS 202C.
During questions, Senator Wheeler asked whether some courthouses are being overbuilt; Lambert said most facilities are inadequate, though some may be larger than needed, and that future needs and population changes must be considered. She also noted that virtual hearings and technology have improved efficiency. No votes or formal committee actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving the presentation.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill was put together with our State Board of Education, our State Department of Education, teachers
- In the House of Representatives, House Bill 815, by the Education Committee, an act relating to education
- In the House of Representatives, House Bill 849, by the Education Committee, an act relating to education
- Donaldson is a longtime educator. His Ph.D. is not in money. It is in education administration.
- House Bill 920 is an addition to the Health Education Program budget under the State Board of Education
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum present, approved the prior day’s journal, and then moved through routine orders including committee reports, gubernatorial appointments, messages from the governor, and messages from the House. Several bills were introduced and referred to committees, including appropriations measures for the Department of Health and Welfare, a firearms preemption bill, and House measures on taxation, Medicaid, dentistry, and the National Guard. The Senate also received and filed various enrolled bills and confirmations, and advanced multiple measures to later orders for consideration.
The chamber then took up a long series of third-reading bills. Among the major policy items discussed were Senate Bill 1412, creating the Idaho Student Safety and Educator Disclosure Act; House Bill 789, approving the Coeur d’Alene Tribe water rights settlement; House Bill 570, expanding reckless driving provisions for school and construction zones; House Bill 654, expanding the definition of police dogs to include electronic storage detection dogs; House Bill 681, removing statutes of limitation for certain child sex offenses; House Bill 575, requiring the state controller to publish asset forfeiture information; House Bill 736, lowering the threshold for ballot name rotation; House Bill 793, redirecting beer tax revenue to replace lost Alcohol Beverage Control funding; House Bill 798 and 799, repealing outdated state treasurer and alcohol code provisions; House Bill 665, revising Appaloosa specialty plate funding; and House Bill 667, ending non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses in Idaho. The Senate also debated housing and tax measures, including House Bill 707 on land division for financing accessory dwelling units, House Bill 722 on utility property tax reporting, House Bill 792 on occasional sales and yard sales, and House Bill 800 on manufactured home siting.
Other bills addressed education, insurance, and health care. House Bill 815 corrected a transportation support funding issue for a charter school; House Bill 849 revised the career ladder for CTE instructors and pupil services staff; House Bill 562 increased notice periods for insurance cancellations and nonrenewals; House Bill 825 changed funding for the Idaho Heritage Trust and specialty plates; House Bill 788 created a preceptor-based prior authorization exemption for Medicaid providers; House Bill 785 established a school discipline framework for inappropriate online behavior; and House Bill 846 clarified student enrollment counts. Debate on these measures focused on consumer protection, workforce shortages, school safety, housing supply, and administrative cleanup. Most bills passed on voice or roll-call votes, with the Senate approving many measures by wide margins, though House Bill 849 passed narrowly and House Bill 788 passed with a closer vote. Several bills were returned to the House after Senate passage, and titles were approved without correction.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- for community colleges, the Office of the State Board of Education, the State Board of Education, the
- Education, Idaho for Special Programs, the Department of Education, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
- House Bill 883 by the Education Committee, an act relating to education, amending Chapter 10, Title 33
- Houseville 883 by Education Committee and Act. providing an effective date House bill 883 by Education
- We're going to have not only educators, but industry.
Summary:
The House convened with roll call, prayer, the Pledge, and approval of the journal, then received gubernatorial and Senate messages and a series of committee reports. Committee actions included printing, referral, or placement on calendars for numerous measures, including budget bills, education, tax, health, and code-cleanup legislation. The House also introduced a large slate of new bills and resolutions, many of them referred to committees for printing or further consideration.
On the floor, the House passed several bills and resolutions, often after brief explanations and little or no debate. Measures approved included House Bills 773, 775, 787, 790, 758, 798, 799, 831, and 863; House Resolution 26; Senate Bills 1261, 1232 as amended, 1226, 1239, 1240, 1291, 1273, 1274, 1275, 1276, and 1363; and Senate Concurrent Resolutions 116, 117, and 118. Topics ranged from code cleanup and deregulation to bankruptcy exemptions, podiatry board consolidation, daycare licensing, elections and polling locations, Medicaid budget reductions, guardianship and conservatorship reform, DNA collection for certain misdemeanors, sex offender residency rules near daycares, AI policy in K-12 education, and a maintenance budget for natural resources.
A notable portion of the debate centered on Senate Concurrent Resolutions 117 and 118 concerning water projects and cloud seeding. Supporters argued these projects are essential to Idaho agriculture, aquifer recharge, and water supply, while opponents raised concerns about insufficient independent data, environmental and health effects, transparency, and public consent. Despite those objections, both resolutions passed. The House also heard announcements recognizing visitors, upcoming committee meetings, and the Idaho Vandals’ athletic success, and it recessed with plans to return later in the day.
VT
Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session - 2026-02-20 - 11:30AM
Vermont Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> council who are a part of the education council who are a part of the education system. system.
- Education and or their design Education and or their design on<00:34:55.839><c> the</c><00:34:56.079>
- So folks in education will be consider.
- >> Senator from Bennington. >> Senate Education Committee will meet at 1:15.
- >> Senate Education Committee will meet at 1:15.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget Human Services Subcommittee REVISED: Correction- Rm 5S2 Jan 20th, 2026 at 08:30 am
A&B Human Services Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- Educated. Okay, there we go. So we, Kevin, has passed out a packet.
- Some of these services do take time, education, whatever the case is.
- There are others that are only focused on education.
- doing right now, today, having the budget hearing, educating members, educating the public is paramount
- So, are you receiving any support from a department of Education.
Committee:
House A&B Human Services Subcommittee
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- The Committee on Education Pre-K through 12 will now come to order.
- Education Policy Research Center.
- And that's available from the US Education Policy Research Center for reference.
- So we do a lot of learning walks in education.
- to do, and that's focusing on educating the children and almost customizing their education to meet
Committee:
Senate Education Pre-K - 12
Summary:
The committee met to discuss student attendance and chronic absenteeism in Florida K-12 schools, with Chair Simon outlining the state’s attendance requirements and intervention process, including school contact after unexcused absences, child study team review, district superintendent referral, DJJ family services referral, truancy petitions, and possible parental prosecution and driver’s license consequences. Dr. Chris Curran of the University of Florida presented statewide data showing chronic absenteeism has risen sharply since the pandemic, with Florida at about 31.4% in 2023–24, and noted that absenteeism varies by district, school level, demographics, and urbanicity. He emphasized that causes are multifaceted—ranging from transportation, mental health, housing instability, safety concerns, and family circumstances—and said effective responses include early warning systems, text or phone outreach, multi-tiered interventions, mentoring programs like Check & Connect, and community partnerships. He also cautioned that punitive responses alone are often less effective than addressing root causes and keeping students engaged academically even when they miss school.
Collier County Superintendent Leslie Ricciardelli described her district’s attendance efforts as a priority supported by attendance specialists, social workers, mental health staff, home visits, attendance contracts, and extensive parent communication. She said Collier’s chronic absenteeism rate was about 9% in 2023–24 and attributed success to consistent monitoring, family outreach, and community support, while stressing that students must be physically present to learn. She also argued that many absences are tied to barriers such as clothing, transportation, childcare, or family mental health, and that districts need resources to address those issues. Dr. Rachel Dawes added that Collier uses multilingual brochures, attendance awareness campaigns, vacation-planning guidance, door tags, automated calls and letters, and a truancy flow chart, with truancy court used as a last resort.
Volusia County Executive Director Mike McAuliffe described a districtwide overhaul that included an attendance matters campaign, automated notices sent early and often, same-day and period-by-period notifications, a data dashboard, and tiered supports through MTSS. He said Volusia reduced chronic absenteeism from 34% in 2023–24 to a projected 29% and reported a first-quarter rate of about 20% in the current year. He highlighted community partnerships, including AdventHealth support for washers and dryers, bikes for students with transportation barriers, and monetary recognition for schools that reduce absenteeism. In response to questions, both district leaders emphasized that funding, staffing, and consistent follow-through are essential, and that attendance work is most effective when paired with family engagement, data monitoring, and practical supports rather than punishment alone.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Human Services Committee Jan 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- to local educational agencies.
- These grants would fund referrals to housing, basic needs, educational support, and employment readiness
- My name is Eric Dunk, and I'm a legislative representative at the California Department of Education
- speaking on behalf of Superintendent Tony Thurmond, who is At the California Department of Education,
- McLean Rosansky, with the Alameda County Office of Education, testified in support.
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Human Services met for its first bill hearing of the 2026 legislative year and heard two measures. The chair opened with remarks about protecting safety net programs and noted limits on testimony and rules for disruptions. The committee first heard AB 673, by Assembly Member Corey Jackson, which would create the Unaccompanied Youth Support Grant Program to help homeless 16- and 17-year-olds who are not in a parent or guardian’s custody by funding referrals to housing, basic needs, educational support, and employment readiness through five-year competitive grants administered by the Department of Education. The California Department of Education supported the bill, citing the scale of student homelessness and poor outcomes for unaccompanied youth. One public witness testified in support, and there was no opposition. Members discussed budget concerns and the need to prioritize services for vulnerable youth, then moved the bill forward to the Assembly Appropriations Committee on a due pass recommendation.
The committee then heard AB 277, by Assembly Member Rowelleece, which would require background checks for employees providing behavioral health treatment before hiring. The author said current law covers many other categories of workers but not behavioral health employees such as registered behavioral technicians, and argued the bill would better protect children with disabilities who may be more vulnerable to abuse and less able to report it. The author said the bill had been amended in consultation with the committee to preserve employer hiring discretion while adding the background check requirement. There was no public testimony in opposition, and members expressed support. AB 277 was moved on a due pass recommendation to the Assembly Appropriations Committee and later recorded as passing 6-0. AB 673 was also recorded as passing 4-0 after the roll was left open for absent members.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Members of the Senate Committee on Education K-16 will come to order. The clerk will call the roll.
- Grant Program for School District Local Accountability Plans and actions challenging the Texas Education
- Of higher education from foreign adversaries and to the prosecution of the criminal offense of theft
- As a matter of pending business, the bill relates to prohibiting a public institution of higher education
- It's making sure that public institutions of higher education for certain paramedics are covered under
Committee:
Senate Education
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Mar 24th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- SB 994, or driver's license education requirements.
- The bill aims to improve the educational requirements for obtaining both a standard driver's license
- and a learner's driver's license in Florida by enhancing the focus on comprehensive driver education.
- Simply put, Section 1 changes the traffic law and substance abuse education program.
- The change clarifies the traffic law and substance abuse education course requirements.
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development heard four bills. SB 810, as amended, addressed stormwater management and flooding prevention after recent hurricanes by requiring annual inspections of certain municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) and identifying infrastructure vulnerable to blockage, deterioration, failure, or flooding. Senator Burgess said the amendment narrowed the bill, removed a notice requirement to DEM, and was still being refined with stakeholders and counties; Senator Smith asked about prioritizing high-risk systems and DEP’s role. The committee adopted the amendment, heard one opposition appearance from the Florida Stormwater Association, and reported the bill favorably as C.S. for SB 810.
SB 994 by Senator Collins revised driver education requirements. It would require applicants age 18 and older to complete a traffic law and substance abuse education course unless they had previously been licensed or completed a Department of Education driver’s ed course, and it would require learner’s permit applicants to complete a DHSMV-approved classroom driver education course. The bill had one supportive appearance from A BET Florida and was reported favorably without debate.
The committee also approved two transportation facility designation bills. SB 662 designated a portion of West Beaver Street in Duval County as Harry Frisch Street in honor of the Jacksonville businessman and philanthropist, and SB 706 designated a portion of U.S. 92/Gandy Boulevard as the Senator James A. Sebesta Memorial Highway, recognizing Sebesta’s public service and work on transportation issues. Both bills had no opposition or debate and were reported favorably. The committee then adjourned and noted it would meet again Wednesday to take up additional bills and begin budget rollout.