Transcript Highlights:

• We do accept any written testimony, which we attach to the agenda and we'll read aloud, so maybe that's
• The parties involved are not only the pole owners, but also up to five or six pole attachers.
• Pole owners pay for it, and we provide free access to all the attachers to utilize it, and they can also
• Poll owners pay for it, and we provide free access to all the attaches to utilize it, and they can also

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused on Governor Healey and Lt. Gov. Driscoll’s Municipal Empowerment Act, with administration officials and municipal leaders broadly supporting the bill as a package of tools to help cities and towns manage rising costs, staffing shortages, and service demands. The administration highlighted procurement reforms, including raising Chapter 30B advertising thresholds, clarifying cooperative purchasing, and removing the Commbuys notice requirement; permanent authority to amortize emergency-related deficits over three years; expanded authority and enforcement for removing double poles; continued flexibility for hybrid and remote public meetings; regionalization options such as regional boards of assessors and intermunicipal agreements; cybersecurity reporting to EOTSS; and several local revenue options and other municipal finance changes. They said the bill was shaped by listening sessions with municipal officials and was intended to increase flexibility, efficiency, and stability without imposing broad mandates. Committee members asked about regionalization, cybersecurity costs, Commbuys, hybrid meetings, and double poles. Administration witnesses said cybersecurity reporting would help the state target resources and that existing Community Compact and capital grant programs, including IT and municipal fiber funding, could support local needs; they said EOTSS would absorb reporting within existing resources. On procurement, they said the Commbuys notice change would be optional and that other public notice methods would remain available. On hybrid meetings, they emphasized flexibility for different types of boards and the burdens a one-size-fits-all mandate could create for small towns and volunteer boards. On double poles, they said the bill’s main change from last session was to give utilities more time and improve the removal process while keeping enforcement mechanisms aimed at speeding removal rather than raising revenue. The Massachusetts Municipal Association, MAPC, the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, and multiple mayors and town managers testified in support. They described the bill as a practical modernization measure that would help local governments operate more efficiently and respond to fiscal pressure. Witnesses from Northampton, Lynn, Gardner, Cambridge, Franklin, North Andover, Manchester-by-the-Sea, and Ashland praised the hybrid meeting provisions, procurement changes, regional service-sharing, and emergency deficit amortization. Several also urged adoption of local revenue tools, including meals and lodging tax options and other local fees, as ways to preserve services and staffing. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• But the fact of the matter is, with the restrictions that are attached to it currently and the amount
• of funding that's attached to it, I don't think it's going to change many programs or many colleges
• But the fact of the matter is with the restrictions that are attached to it currently and the amount
• of funding that's attached to it, I don't think it's going to change many programs or many colleges or

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But the fact of the matter is, with the restrictions that are attached to it currently and the amount
• of funding that's attached to it, I don't think it's going to change many programs or many colleges
• But the fact of the matter is with the restrictions that are attached to it currently and the amount
• of funding that's attached to it, I don't think it's going to change many programs or many colleges or

Summary: The meeting focused on Arkansas’s proposed workforce system overhaul, including a combined WIOA/Perkins state plan and a package of federal waiver requests intended to consolidate workforce governance, reduce administrative costs, and redirect more funding to training and supportive services. Commerce officials said the plan would replace the current structure of 10 local workforce boards and more than 200 board members with a single statewide board and one administrative entity, while keeping local offices open and using regional business councils to preserve employer and local input. They said the state has already reduced Commerce headcount and operating costs, and that the changes would improve coordination with higher education, adult education, vocational rehabilitation, DHS, and Arkansas Industry Connect. Much of the discussion centered on the waiver package, especially the proposal to make the state board function as the local board, allow more flexible movement of funds across regions, eliminate the WIOA “last dollar” requirement for training and supportive services, create affiliate sites instead of requiring every area to maintain a comprehensive center, and relax the 14 youth program element requirement. Officials said the State Board of Workforce Development approved the waiver package 11-3 before it was submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor, and that implementation would begin only after federal approval and a closeout process, likely taking up to a year. They also described plans to streamline referrals and data sharing, expand mobile and virtual services, and use a more centralized model to improve customer service and employer engagement. Members raised repeated concerns about rural representation, local control, board composition, and whether jobs and relationships would be lost if local boards were eliminated. Commerce officials responded that local offices would remain open, some current staff could be rehired by the state, and regional business councils would help ensure local employer voice. Several members also questioned how the funding was being used, citing audit findings that only about $1.8 million to $1.9 million of roughly $14 million to $15 million in federal workforce funds had gone to training and supportive services. Officials said the reorganization could increase annual training spending to roughly $6 million to $7 million by reducing overhead, one-stop operator contracts, and board administration. The committee also discussed how the changes might support workforce training facilities, apprenticeships, child care and transportation assistance, and employer-driven training in fields such as manufacturing, health care, technology, and welding. The Division of Higher Education also briefed members on Workforce Pell. Officials explained that the new federal program would extend Pell eligibility to short-term programs, but only within narrow limits, such as 150 to 599 clock hours and 8 to 15 weeks of instruction, with additional completion and employment benchmarks. They said Arkansas is working with colleges and universities to identify programs that fit the criteria and that the governor has designated the Division of Higher Education to lead implementation. No votes were taken by the committee during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, it seems like the attached amendment is an appropriate technical fix to address this issue.
• it<00:26:21.840> seems<00:26:22.200> like<00:26:22.440> the<00:26:22.560> attached
• <00:26:23.040> amendment<00:26:23.560> is it seems like the attached amendment is it
• seems like the attached amendment is an<00:26:23.840> appropriate<00:26:24.560> technical<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• something is not happy path is if someone entered their name as Mike instead of Michael or if they are attached
• <00:12:10.960> if<00:12:11.160> they<00:12:11.440> are<00:12:12.120> attached
• <00:12:12.600> to<00:12:12.720> a or um if they are attached to a or um if they are
• attached to a different<00:12:13.120> case.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and, you know, there's a certain set of strings that come attached to whatever that funding is.
• <00:13:17.760> come,<00:13:18.360> you<00:13:18.440> know,<00:13:18.560> attached
• <00:13:19.120> to that they come, you know, attached to that they come, you know, attached

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard gubernatorial nominations for the Advisory Committee on Pesticides and the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity. For GM 615, Matthew Liam was nominated to the Advisory Committee on Pesticides. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, CGAPS, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau testified in strong support, citing his landscape industry leadership, pesticide training background, and prior service. Members asked about his experience in Australia and his approach to restricted-use pesticides; he said he avoided using restricted-use pesticides in his landscaping business but applied related safety and recordkeeping practices. Testimony was unanimous in support, with no opposition or comments. For GM 616, N. Young was nominated to the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Support testimony from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemen's Council highlighted his experience with Lanai agriculture, Sensei, the Food Basket, Pacific Gateway Center, Kamehameha Schools, and institutional purchasing. In response to questions, he discussed balancing public and private funding, the need for adequate capitalization of agricultural projects, and using financial tools to help farmers and accelerate agricultural income streams. He also said the board should focus on making agricultural land productive and strengthening food security. The nomination drew strong support, with no opposition or comments. For GM 617, Jason Moniz was nominated to the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemen's Council supported him, emphasizing his decades of veterinary and animal disease control experience, ranching background, and knowledge of biosecurity, leases, and livestock issues. Moniz said his priorities would be preserving agricultural land and water resources, improving biosecurity, supporting farmers and ranchers, and increasing food production in Hawaii. He also said he would be willing to speak up for agriculture and not let the department be sidelined. The nomination received 29 written and oral supports, with no opposition or comments.

Transcript Highlights:

• from multiple angles, thinking about what can we do that's happening during the school day, that's attached
• 45.360> that's happening during the school day that's happening during the school day that's attached
• 00:32:47.279> and<00:32:47.519> how<00:32:47.679> do<00:32:47.840> we attached
• to the standards and how do we attached to the standards and how do we best<00:32:48.240> equip

Bills: HB187, HB98, HB360, HB394, HB398, HB388, HB187, HB98, HB360, HB394, HB398, HB388

Keywords: school safety, emergency response, training, public safety, Alyssa's Law, law enforcement, scholarship, tuition assistance, dependent education, Alabama, blackout license plate, HB360, Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday, sales tax holiday, firearms, guns, ammunition, bullets, primers, gun accessories

Transcript Highlights:

• But I believe that the law enforcement standards board is just attached to the Attorney General's.
• <00:23:50.159> just enforcement standard board is just enforcement standard board is just attached
• attached attached >> to<00:23:51.520> the<00:23:51.760> attorney<00:23:52.159>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing of the Senate Committees on Labor and Technology and Public Safety and Military Affairs considered three bills. SB 2141 would reclassify certain Department of Law Enforcement leadership and employees as Class A members for retirement purposes and adjust retirement benefit calculations. DLE supported the bill, saying it would address retirement classification without enhancing benefits, while the Employees’ Retirement System said it had no formal board position but wanted key provisions preserved. The Deputy Attorney General raised a potential title/subject issue and warned the bill could be vulnerable to challenge because the reclassification, contribution changes, and benefit calculations are in separate statutory sections. After questions about the number of affected employees and possible amendments, the committees deferred the bill. SB 2593 would exempt certain Law Enforcement Standards Board positions from civil service and collective bargaining. The board’s administrator said the positions would handle sensitive and confidential information and require specialized experience, and the board chair’s representative said the bill was important to meet certification deadlines. Opposition testimony from HGA argued exempt employees are at-will and suggested civil service protections should remain, with any staffing issues handled through reclassification or other personnel tools. Committee members questioned whether the positions could instead be civil service but excluded from bargaining, and staff explained the distinction between civil service exemption and collective bargaining exclusion. The committees ultimately recommended passing SB 2593 with amendments, including a deferred effective date of January 1, 2077, and the recommendation was adopted. SB 2824 would create a bribery-related reporting duty for public servants. Supporters, including Indivisible Hawaii, said it would establish a clear duty to report known or suspected bribery and strengthen public trust. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, saying it would criminalize an affirmative duty to report another person’s misconduct. After limited discussion, both committees voted to pass SB 2824 with amendments, including a deferred effective date of July 1, 2050, and the recommendation was adopted. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> That was attached to the one on the website, too. >> Yeah.
• >> That<00:53:30.800> was<00:53:30.960> attached<00:53:31.280> to<00:53:31.359
• <00:53:31.520> one<00:53:31.680> on<00:53:31.839> the >> That was attached
• to the one on the >> That was attached to the one on the website<00:53:32.319> too.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• these programs is to promote child and maternal health, help parents build strong parent-child attachments
• We have $330 million of federal grant awards attached to these projects, which means that there is a
• But then there's also cost escalation and match requirements attached to those projects.
• Attached to that was a list of construction projects that cost 500 million. 500 million.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• they've developed some really great relationships and the ecosystem that I think we can continue to attach
• we can uh the ecosystem that I think we can uh continue<00:35:31.520> to<00:35:31.760> attach
• /c><00:35:33.040> um<00:35:33.200> prominently<00:35:33.680> the continue to attach
• to um prominently the continue to attach to um prominently the national<00:35:34.800> advanced

Keywords: The live stream for this meeting was prematurely interrupted. The full version will be uploaded in the next few days., 958, all

Summary: The committee heard an update from Kentucky’s three major commercial airports: Lexington Blue Grass Airport, Louisville Regional Airport Authority (SDF and Bowman Field), and CVG. Lexington’s Eric Franco described post-COVID growth that has already exceeded pre-pandemic activity, along with a master plan focused on the whole airport, expanded surface parking, relocation of the air traffic control tower, and a major terminal project estimated at $500 million to $700 million. He emphasized the airport’s role in serving both passenger and corporate aviation across central Kentucky and thanked the legislature for prior funding, including $5 million for parking. Louisville’s Dan Mann reported record passenger growth, expanded nonstop service, and especially strong cargo activity driven by UPS, noting SDF is now among the busiest cargo airports in North America and Bowman Field remains the state’s busiest general aviation airport. He highlighted major infrastructure needs, including airfield and terminal work, parking expansion, and a planned federal inspection service facility to support international flights around events like the Kentucky Derby.

Transcript Highlights:

• This establishes a commercial harbors emergency evacuation working group attached to the Department of
• harbors emergency evacuation<01:47:08.239> working<01:47:08.560> group<01:47:08.800> attached
• <01:47:09.119> to<01:47:09.280> the evacuation working group attached to the evacuation
• working group attached to the Department<01:47:09.600> of<01:47:09.760> Transportation.

Keywords: Conference Notices: AGR 2:30 PM:, 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we have a lot of good commissioners with a lot of experience, and I’ve tried to attach myself to
• and<00:10:37.120> I've<00:10:38.000> tried<00:10:38.279> to<00:10:38.480> attach
• ><00:10:38.920> myself<00:10:39.320> to<00:10:39.519> them and I've tried to attach
• myself to them and I've tried to attach myself to them and<00:10:39.920> and<00:10:40.040>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Hawaiian Affairs heard Governor’s Message 590, the nomination of Archie Kappa Kappa Kappa to the Hawaiian Homes Commission, and received extensive testimony in support from Department of Hawaiian Home Lands staff, labor representatives, and community members. Supporters emphasized his leadership during the Maui wildfire response, his cultural standing, his long community service, and his experience with the Polynesian Voyaging Society. In his own remarks, Kappa described his background as a lifelong Lahaina resident, former lifeguard supervisor, and community organizer, and said he would prioritize commission duties while balancing his voyaging commitments. Members questioned Kappa about attendance, his understanding of the Hawaiian Homes Commission’s responsibilities, and his views on commercialization and revenue generation. He said commission meetings would be his priority, acknowledged he could not guarantee attendance at every meeting, and explained that commercialization meant using commercial properties and leases to generate revenue for Hawaiian Homes communities. He also said he supported using land assets to reduce reliance on legislative appropriations. A senator raised Act 279 and the need to focus spending on reducing the waitlist; Kappa said the act was complex and that he did not yet know enough to speak confidently beyond what he had read. The committee did not vote on the nomination in the portion provided and said it would return to voting later. The committee then took up Governor’s Message 591, the nomination of Lawrence Luua to the Hawaiian Homes Commission. Testimony described his background in banking, military service, Maui County planning, and long involvement with Molokaʻi homestead matters. Luua told the committee he had lived the challenges of homestead life, including housing and road issues, and said he wanted to continue the work of Prince Kūhiō by helping Native Hawaiians return to and live on the land. In response to questions, he said he began attending DHHL meetings regularly in July 2024, discussed concerns about county road obligations versus homestead responsibilities, and said he had struggled with Act 279 because he was concerned about moving funds away from other projects even though he supported its goal of reducing the waitlist. The committee then moved on to the next governor’s message and testimony for another nominee, with a SHPD representative briefly introducing the background of that nominee, but no action was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you let me know, so are there any work requirements attached to this at all or, yeah, any work requirements
• and trying to figure out what makes better sense and how we move the bill forward with amendments attached
• years ago when we got into mitigation to allow us to re-nail roof sheeting that hadn't been properly attached
• And by the way, if we do move, there's a fee attached to it.

Summary: The subcommittee heard and approved four bills focused on reducing or modernizing professional regulation. HB 6015, by Rep. Oliver, repeals the word “reusable” from the wine keg statute to allow businesses more flexibility in container materials; members joked about the possibility of a Home Depot bucket, and the bill passed 16-0. HB 339, by Rep. Abbott, creates an alternative temporary licensure pathway for surveyors and mappers based on employer recommendation and exam passage, but members raised concerns about qualifications, liability, and oversight; Abbott said he was open to amendments, and the bill passed 14-1 with Rep. Overdorf dissenting. HB 139, by Rep. Lopez, allows pawnbrokers to use digital transaction forms instead of only printed forms; a technical amendment added readability and placement requirements for digital forms, and the bill passed unanimously. HB 195, by Rep. Chambliss, lets the Department of Corrections coordinate with DBPR boards so inmates who complete licensure-related classes can receive credit toward professional licensure; supporters framed it as a second-chance and workforce bill, an amendment clarified that DBPR handles professions without boards, and the bill passed favorably 15-0. The committee then received a presentation from DBPR Secretary Melanie Griffin on the department’s role overseeing more than 1.7 million businesses and professionals across over 30 fields. She highlighted enforcement and complaint data, including more than 24,000 inspections and complaints handled in the last fiscal year, a preference for education and voluntary compliance over formal discipline, and the department’s alternative dispute resolution program, which returned $2.7 million to consumers and saved $270,000 in costs. Griffin also reviewed recent deregulatory and efficiency efforts, including endorsement/reciprocity reforms, fee waivers, reduced processing times, and shorter call wait times, and said DBPR is continuing to look for ways to cut red tape while protecting public safety. Members questioned Griffin about permitting, continuing education, complaint processing, board vacancies, fraud in cosmetology and construction, coordination with other agencies, and whether schools can block students from taking state exams over unpaid tuition. DBPR staff said complaints are generally processed within 60 days, schools cannot bar graduates from taking the exam because of tuition debt, and the department works with other agencies when issues cross jurisdictional lines. The panel discussion that followed featured industry representatives from landscape architecture, building/code administration, pools, roofing, construction, HVAC/electrical, and hospitality, who generally supported reducing local permitting burdens, standardizing requirements, improving reciprocity and training pathways, and using technology and clearer scopes of work to make licensure and inspections more efficient.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we're going to amend the measure to disqualify any state department or attached agency from claiming
• /c><00:07:42.840> or disqualify any state department or disqualify any state department or attach
• 43.360> agency<00:07:43.759> from<00:07:43.919> claiming<00:07:44.280> the attach
• agency from claiming the attach agency from claiming the lowincome<00:07:45.000> tax<00:07:45.639

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee met in decision-making on a long list of Senate bills and adopted most measures with amendments or unamended, often with members voting aye and some recording reservations. Among the measures acted on were SB 40, SB 411, SB 436, SB 443, SB 447, SB 572, SB 583, SB 739, SB 742, SB 746, SB 816, SB 826, SB 830, SB 841, SB 850, SB 865, SB 952, SB 955, SB 1040, SB 1042, SB 1083, SB 1229, SB 1359, SB 1469, SB 1553, SB 1578, SB 1609, SB 1610, SB 1619, and SB 1641. Common amendments included deferring effective dates to 2050, adding sunset dates, adopting LRB technical changes, and narrowing or clarifying program language. Several bills drew brief discussion on policy details. SB 583 was amended to remove references to selling naming rights, leaving only leasing. SB 739 was discussed for its land exchange provisions and concerns about ceded lands and OHA revenue, but it was still adopted with reservations. SB 830 was amended based on DNR testimony to address reconstruction after disasters, excluding certain coastal hazards. SB 850 added State Council on Developmental Disabilities recommendations to address health disparities for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. SB 952 shifted administration of a pilot program to the Department of Human Services in partnership with the Office of Wellness and Resiliency, and SB 1610 added requirements for utility connections and capped spending on the Ohana Zones/Cales-related program. The committee also heard substantial discussion on SB 442, which concerned returning retirees to state employment. Testimony from the Department of Law Enforcement and the Attorney General focused on whether the bill should allow a shorter waiting period and how it would interact with current 89-day hiring practices, succession planning, and law enforcement retirement rules. After debate, the committee moved to decision-making and adopted amendments to include investigators, expand eligibility to hard-to-fill or succession-planning positions, and set a term limit for returning retirees with director approval for extensions. In a separate joint Ways and Means/Judiciary hearing, SB 716, SB 763, and SB 804 were also advanced with amendments, including organizational placement changes for DLE programs and Attorney General amendments to avoid retroactivity and contract-impairment issues. Several items were deferred, including SB 983, SB 1220, and SB 828.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, House Bill 424 passes with expression of opinion attached. mul representative Payne yes mul representative
• 15.440> sub the same should pass with committee sub the same should pass with committee sub attached
• 46:17.400> sir<00:46:17.559> I'd<00:46:17.680> like<00:46:17.800> to attached
• Mr chair yes sir I'd like to attached Mr chair yes sir I'd like to cast<00:46:18.119> a<00:46

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 305, which would clarify and expand a healthcare workforce bill to explicitly include physician assistants and dietitians in efforts to address shortages, especially in rural areas. Rep. Fleming said the change was intended to help with Medicaid-related needs such as diabetes care and noted a decline in dietitian internship applications. Rep. Roarx supported the bill, emphasizing the value of dietitians in helping patients make practical nutrition changes. The bill received a unanimous favorable expression, 14-0, and was reported to the House floor. The committee then considered House Bill 427, which would create statewide 60-credit-hour transfer pathways for high-demand bachelor’s degree programs under the Council on Postsecondary Education. Rep. Grossl explained the bill is meant to prevent students from losing major credit when transferring between KCTCS and four-year institutions, using nursing as an example. Questions focused on rigor, dual credit, how high-demand programs would be selected, and the July 1, 2026 implementation date; the sponsor said CPE and faculty would map curricula and align standards. The Kentucky Student Rights Coalition testified in support, saying the bill would help students complete degrees faster and make credits count toward majors. HB 427 also passed unanimously, 14-0, with favorable expression. The committee then took up House Bill 424, as amended by a committee substitute. Rep. Tipton said the substitute removed language allowing up to six-year contracts and instead set up a process for four-year contracts and periodic performance reviews for faculty, including presidents, at public postsecondary institutions. He said the bill is intended to give universities clearer authority to remove underperforming employees and be more efficient with taxpayer dollars. Several faculty witnesses opposed the bill, arguing it would erode tenure protections, create arbitrary performance standards, and harm recruitment, retention, and academic freedom. The committee adopted the substitute and heard testimony, but no final vote on HB 424 is shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• testimony that the director of a department should have the authority to manage personnel within an attached
• authority to manage Personnel uh within authority to manage Personnel uh within an<01:00:30.440> attached
• 31.880> or<01:00:32.079> commission<01:00:33.000> uh<01:00:33.119> so an attached
• uh board or commission uh so an attached uh board or commission uh so we'll<01:00:33.400> be<

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 48.719> did They have to show us what they learned and what their role was, because people attach
• Sometimes, um, people go through and they attach things, and it's like, "Okay, this is great."
• :05.280> and how to how what Minnesota laws are and how to how what Minnesota laws are and attach
• attach evidence that's meaningful. attach evidence that's meaningful.
• things and it's like, "Okay, this attach things and it's like, "Okay, this is<01:34:12.159> great

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's got to be all modified a little bit, um, as to we also are going to be attaching the minutes
• necessarily have to go through and approve them, but I want to make you know sure that we have them attached
• process procedures, and then a little reference as to what we've done at each of the meetings, plus attaching
• process procedures, and then a little reference as to what we've done at each of the meetings, plus attaching
• 46.159> we've Then a little reference as to what we've done at each of the meetings, plus attaching

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The commission met to continue its study of the cost of special education, with the chair emphasizing that the group needs to narrow its focus over the coming year toward specific cost drivers, including the IEP process, Medicaid, charter schools, and EFAs. Members reviewed a draft first report due November 1 and agreed it would be a brief synopsis of prior meetings, with minutes attached. The September 30, 2025 minutes were amended to correct the number of federally funded department staff from 234 to 23, and to revise language about Senator Sullivan’s comments so they reflected concerns about IEP advocates and fees charged to families rather than support for the concept. The amended minutes were then approved unanimously, with abstentions noted for members who were absent. The main presentation focused on how special education costs are handled for students attending charter schools. The DOE representative said there are 804 students with disabilities in charter schools across 88 of the state’s 176 districts, and that the district of residence remains responsible for all services and costs. She explained that students must meet IDEA criteria through district evaluation and parent consent, and that services are determined through individual IEP meetings rather than by a blanket charter-school decision. Members asked how those costs are tracked, whether any students are merely “monitored,” and whether districts separately identify charter-school special education expenses; the answer was that most districts fold those costs into their overall special education budget, though some may break them out as a line item. The discussion then turned to transportation and mileage costs for staff providing services at charter schools. Testimony indicated that districts may use their own staff, contract staff, or contract with a charter school for certified services, and that travel costs are often either built into contracts or absorbed as part of staff time rather than separately reimbursed. Members questioned whether mileage is reimbursed when staff travel to distant charter schools and whether those costs can be isolated in district budgets; the response was that practices vary by district and are not usually broken out by special education function. Several members argued this makes it difficult to determine the true cost of delivering special education, especially given New Hampshire’s model in which the district of residence pays regardless of where the charter school is located. The chair noted the complexity of the system and compared it to the state’s separate tuition and transportation approach for career and technical education centers.

Transcript Highlights:

• point, HHRF would come in and attach after whatever the admitted carrier or licensed carrier is willing
• <00:14:22.800> talk<00:14:22.959> about<00:14:23.120> the<00:14:23.360> attachment
• <00:14:23.920> point where we talk about the attachment point where we talk about the attachment
• <00:14:27.199> after is HHRF would come in and attach after is HHRF would come in and attach
• And so HBIA would be writing an all-other-peril policy that would attach above $10 million and to the

Keywords: 912, senate, all