Transcript Highlights:

• credit and uh dual enrollment. credit and uh dual enrollment.
• We're dual enrollment uh at at Carter G.
• with<00:13:28.800> Kentucky dual enrollment connected with Kentucky dual enrollment connected
• Our total enrollment is 302.
• >> We currently have 302 enrolled. Okay. >> We currently have 302 enrolled. Okay.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the September meeting minutes, and heard presentations from Carter G. Woodson Academy in Lexington and related school programs in Fayette County Public Schools. School leaders described the academy as an all-male public school option focused on culture, belonging, and opportunity, with a mission to educate, empower, and equip young men academically, socially, and morally. They emphasized culturally responsive instruction, restorative practices, mentorship, brotherhood circles, and access to advanced coursework, dual enrollment, and career pathways. Student speakers highlighted school culture, leadership opportunities, and clubs such as SGA, Beta Club, FFA, and the Bow Tie Club, along with service and community engagement. Presenters said the academy began in 2012, is housed with Frederick Douglass High School, uses an application and lottery process, and can serve up to about 350 students but is intentionally kept near 300 because of space. They reported 302 enrolled students, about 38 seniors, a 100% graduation rate, 95% average attendance, 100% postsecondary success, and $1.8 million in scholarship offers last year. They also shared demographic and achievement data, noting growth in MAP scores, strengths in reading and writing, and math as an ongoing focus area. The school said 90% of high school scholars are taking at least one dual credit class this year, and some students have earned opportunities at selective programs such as Gatton Academy and Craft Academy. Committee members praised the school’s results and asked about enrollment, funding, and whether the model could be replicated statewide. School leaders said the program is fully funded through Fayette County Public Schools, could be replicated with committed staff and training, and that teachers receive preparation through the Gearing Institute to better understand how boys learn. They also noted that Fayette County has other specialized programs, including girls’ academies and other options for underrepresented students. Members expressed interest in long-term tracking of graduates, and the school said it is preparing to study outcomes as the first graduating class approaches its 10-year anniversary.

Transcript Highlights:

• While they are largely the same, the Senate language adds a definition of priority registrations, which
• to students enrolled for 12 given to students enrolled for 12 credits<00:08:15.840> or<00:08:
• verification system to combat enrollment verification system to combat enrollment fraud.<00:21:16.159
• um around student uh parent priority um around student uh parent priority registration<00:36:06.560
• Is there any enrollment fraud.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The conference committee received a nonpartisan walkthrough of the House and Senate side-by-side for higher education-related legislation, with staff identifying Senate-only, House-only, identical, and technical-difference provisions. Topics included paid blood donation leave for Minnesota State employees, a revised higher education attainment goal, athletic fee restrictions, developmental course disclosures, American Indian Scholars Program eligibility, protections and definitions for pregnant and parenting students, online program management contracts, student aid reporting, work-study and dual training grants, private and out-of-state postsecondary education regulation, private career school licensing and data privacy, college savings plan changes, and several University of Minnesota-related provisions. House-only items also included an unemployment insurance aid adjustment, a $1.5 million ongoing appropriation for an identity verification system to combat enrollment fraud, and $5,000 for Bemidji State University reforestation; Senate-only items included Board of Regents appointment language, limits on for-profit control of medical school curriculum, and reporting on for-profit funding in medical education. After the walkthrough, the committee moved to adopt the same and similar provisions and direct staff to make technical corrections. A senator asked about proposed adjustments to the pregnant and parenting student language, and the chair said amendments would be considered after adopting the same and similar provisions. The motion to adopt prevailed. During public testimony, Sydney Spre of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees supported the Senate’s paid blood donation leave language, saying it would create parity for Minnesota State employees and encourage blood and plasma donation. Commissioner Dennis Olsen of the Office of Higher Education thanked the committee for adopting most of the agency’s proposed language and said he was available to help clarify remaining differences. In response to questions, he explained the Senate’s higher education attainment goal proposal, saying it would extend and broaden the existing goal, raise the target from 70% to 75%, expand the age range, and use additional metrics and partner agencies; he also said the overall attainment rate had been 63.5 under the prior goal. The transcript ends as the commissioner was being asked whether the proposal would require additional appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so my first question is simple: what's the priority, rate relief or green energy?
• Interconnection reform has long been a priority of NAIOP.
• This bill is a Mass Power Forward priority.
• The current language requires all net-metered systems to enroll in the SMART program.
• that they need detailed information about utility priorities and gas pipe plans.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on H. 4144, the Governor’s Energy Affordability, Independence, and Innovation Act, with the administration arguing the bill would lower bills in the short and long term while expanding clean energy supply and innovation. The Governor and Secretary said the bill would reduce or restructure charges on customer bills, reform Mass Save, expand securitization as a financing tool, speed interconnection, create energy-ready zones, strengthen consumer protections in competitive supply, and allow broader state procurement of energy resources. They said the package could save consumers billions over time and would help address high energy costs, especially during extreme heat and winter spikes. Committee members pressed the administration on several provisions, especially securitization, asking whether the bill requires an apples-to-apples comparison of total costs over time, including interest and lost tax revenue, versus paying through rates. Administration witnesses said DPU review and public comment would be required and said they would work to clarify the language if needed. Members also questioned the bill’s solar and procurement provisions, including reduced net metering compensation for some large facilities, the scope of all-resource procurements, and whether hydro, solar, and nuclear would be included; the administration said those resources were contemplated and that procurement would still be reviewed by DPU. Other questions focused on the short-term relief from bill changes, the treatment of low- and moderate-income discounts, and whether the bill’s heat pump and Mass Save reforms would help customers who cannot afford upfront costs. Several witnesses and committee members discussed Mass Save reforms, including securitization of program costs, on-bill financing, pre-approval of rebates, and shifting program administration away from gas utilities. Administration witnesses said the changes were intended to reduce volatility, lower administrative costs, and better align costs with long-term savings. Questions also touched on geothermal permitting, municipal participation in offshore wind procurement, and the proposed repeal of the ballot requirement for nuclear power, which the administration defended as preserving future options under heavy review. No votes were taken during the hearing portion described. Supportive testimony came from labor, environmental, business, planning, and development groups. The AFL-CIO, NECA, and the Environmental League of Massachusetts backed the bill, emphasizing lower bills, job creation, labor standards, just transition protections, and cleaner energy. NAIOP, the Massachusetts Business Roundtable, and MAPC supported provisions on energy-ready zones, interconnection reform, microgrids, extreme-heat shutoff protections, and Mass Save improvements. A HEET representative praised the bill’s use of securitization, geothermal, and utility financing tools but urged guardrails and workforce protections. Overall, testimony was broadly favorable, with most witnesses calling for refinements rather than opposing the bill outright.

Transcript Highlights:

• So just want to... ...that enrollment, but they would still be eligible for full-scope Medi-Cal.
• A budget is really nothing more than a statement of priorities.
• The entire budget is a statement of priorities.
• That is a statement of priority.
• It is a priority, but I think it was very clear.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• concerns and priorities. concerns and priorities. this<00:41:44.480> um<00:41:44.960>
• That leaves just to stay enrolled.
• It is a powerful in college enrollment.
• So many fosters enrolled that the funding ran out.
• top priorities. top priorities. Thanks,<01:31:24.239> Madam<01:31:24.560> Chair.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 2312 and first adopted the DE1 amendment, after which the amended bill was discussed. Nonpartisan fiscal staff walked through the spreadsheet and explained the bill’s higher education budget changes, including increases for state grants and tribal college assistance, unchanged funding for several existing programs, and reductions or eliminations for items such as state work study, summer academic enrichment, student loan counseling, concurrent enrollment, and the student parent support initiative. Staff also noted transfers to special revenue funds, the cancellation and reappropriation of ALS research funding, and a new licensing/registration revenue item. The committee was told the bill met the committee’s zero target overall, with a net general fund change of zero relative to the February forecast, while also adding some non-general fund expenditures for program licensing and registration. Members asked several questions about the transfers and specific line items, including whether any new special revenue accounts were being created, the foster care wraparound services line, and the treatment of the University of Minnesota and Centric Care partnership. Staff explained that the transfers generally did not create new accounts, that some items were not in the base, and that the U of M/Centric Care partnership was a one-time appropriation in the prior bill but was now being built into the base at a different amount. The University of Minnesota section also included new or continued funding for medical school development, health training restoration, emergency assistance grants, ALS research, and a weather resiliency program, while the Mayo Foundation section eliminated funding for Mayo Medical School and the Mayo family medicine residency program. The policy portion of the DE1 was then introduced. It included a maximum tuition and fee amount for state grants, direct appropriation of emergency assistance grants to Minnesota State, a juvenile justice appropriation for Metropolitan State University, and the ALS research reappropriation to the University of Minnesota. It also contained repealers for unfunded programs, including a delayed repealer for the student parent support initiative. In the higher education policy article, the bill would allow Minnesota State to offer applied doctoral degrees in cybersecurity, make technical changes to hunger-free campus and sexual misconduct procedures, extend pregnant and parenting student protections to private institutions, allow OHE to retain up to 10% of certain competitive grants for administration, consolidate reports, change the state grant formula so negative FAFSA contributions count as zero, and reduce the state grant lifetime credit cap from 180 to 120 credits. The Northstar Promise provisions would limit tuition and fees to resident rates and require MnState, and request the University of Minnesota, to ensure eligible students receive the benefit.

Transcript Highlights:

• School enrollment<01:39:24.800> goes<01:39:25.040> like enrollment goes like enrollment
• So, we've had to make priorities, and I'll explain to you those priorities.
• Uh, as you know, this priorities.
• were priorities.
• And our priorities were priorities.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting was a House budget briefing focused on the overall state budget and the first of three divisions. The presenter reviewed the size and structure of the budget, noting that the state had eliminated the interest and dividends tax and still balanced the budget. He explained the major spending categories in the general fund and total budget, emphasizing that health and human services and education remain the largest areas, while transportation is largely self-funded. He also walked through the revenue picture, including business taxes, insurance taxes, court fees, communications taxes, and Medicaid recoveries, and said the remaining interest and dividends tax revenue reflected late payments from prior assessments. Members asked about the size of the tax cut from eliminating the interest and dividends tax, federal funding stability, and why Medicaid was being reduced if federal support was expected to remain steady. The response was that the lost revenue would have been about $200 million absent repeal, and that the budget gap was addressed through many small cuts across departments. On federal funds, the presenter said most aid is tied to multi-year grants and that core programs such as Medicare and Medicaid were expected to remain relatively stable, though some federal reductions could occur. He also said some agency reductions came from eliminating long-vacant, funded positions and from expected lapses. The discussion then moved into Division One, which covers smaller and miscellaneous agencies. The division made cuts to the governor’s office, eliminated a temporary position at the Governor’s Commission on Disability, reduced Department of Information Technology spending through a back-of-budget cut, and found savings in Administrative Services. It also delayed maintenance at the Sununu Youth Services Center, stopped advertising for paid family medical leave, changed retiree health insurance funding, and consolidated several personnel-related boards into one. The division eliminated the Commission on Aging and the Office of the Child Advocate, made a temporary special education advocate position permanent, reduced the Secretary of State’s budget, kept municipal rooms-and-meals distributions flat, and made changes to the retirement system, including $55 million to improve Group 2 retirement benefits and a new retirement structure for future state hires. The judicial branch was also asked to find savings and received two additional judges because of expected caseload increases from other eliminations.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you can see, our enrollment has significantly increased over the past few years.
• I know where I’m from, it’s very important to dual enrollment because those kids don’t have a lot of
• It's very important dual enrollment because those kids don't have a lot of opportunity.
• And that's because it's one of the priorities of the USDA.
• And that was a big priority out of the top five.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development met to approve the October 3, 2024 interim minutes and then took up two resolutions. HCR 205, by Representative Kerner, urged USDA to use its Commodity Procurement Program to purchase domestic Louisiana shrimp. Supporters said shrimpers are facing very low prices, full cold storage, and an urgent need for federal purchases to stabilize the market and help local processors and fishermen. Commissioner Mike Strain explained that USDA commodity purchases can support schools, nursing homes, and food banks, and members discussed the need for cold storage, marketing, and better promotion of local seafood. The resolution was reported favorably without objection. The committee also considered HCR 188, which memorializes Congress to oppose any federal farm bill language that could negatively affect the use of hunting dogs; members said the provision had raised concerns about field trials, scent hounds, and hunting practices, and the resolution was also reported favorably without objection. The committee then received a presentation from Southern University Ag Center and College of Agriculture leadership, led by interim president and chancellor Orlando McMeans and Executive Vice Chancellor Calvin Walker. They outlined the center’s research, teaching, and extension work, including medicinal cannabis research, beef cattle and smart ranching, viticulture, aquaculture, precision agriculture, food and nutrition, and support for small farmers and K-12 dual enrollment. They highlighted scholarship and enrollment programs, including USDA-supported 1890 scholars and JAG Stars, as well as partnerships with LSU and USDA. They also described major facility projects, including a high-tech meat processing facility, research labs, a vineyard, and a proposed 1,300-bed disaster shelter/mega shelter at the experiment station. Members asked questions about meat-cutting and processing training, cattle genetics, and the shelter’s use when not needed for disasters. Southern officials said the new processing facility is intended to support training and workforce development, and that the shelter could also be used for events such as weddings, graduations, and agricultural activities. The committee expressed appreciation for the presentation and the work of the Ag Center. Representative Broussard then moved to adjourn, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:48.920> folks ended we started re-enrolling folks ended we started re-enrolling folks
• loss drugs and the higher enrollment loss drugs and the higher enrollment we're<00:20:05.720>
• <00:25:33.399> in um all imds were required to enroll in um all imds were required to enroll
• time at the first that the enrollment time at the first that the enrollment was was was available
• <00:29:30.399> list um up to the top of the priority list um up to the top of the priority

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a follow-up question: what percentage do you think is enrolled for English as a second language
• > so<00:14:47.079> it<00:14:47.199> is<00:14:47.320> a<00:14:47.519> priority
• <00:14:48.040> I communities and so it is a priority I communities and so it is a priority
• <00:15:33.759> the of mouth and we're exceeding the of mouth and we're exceeding the enrollment
• targets so the the word is enrollment targets so the the word is out<00:15:36.399> in<00:15:36.519

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• , provider enrollment, provider enrollment, creating<00:09:54.800> unique<00:09:55.440>
• However, before, the priority was to protect criminal investigations.
• > and<01:35:06.560> it provider enrollment requirements and it provider enrollment requirements
• the provider enrollment requirements. the provider enrollment requirements.
• requirements that are needed to enroll requirements that are needed to enroll right<01:42:51.679

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And we have some historic enrollment information in your packets.
• We and to be at 10,000 students enrolled.
• One is cyber works began in 2014 as a career transition program with priority enrollment for veterans
• This is a very high priority and will continue to do this.
• But then within within one year, students are enrolled.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:30:10.880> but students that were already enrolled but students that were already enrolled
• Awards have done for enrollment Awards have done for enrollment commissioner<00:30:20.720> olon
• uh you know new undergraduate enrollment uh you know new undergraduate enrollment are<00:30:44.080
• Drive some you know some enrollment Drive some you know some enrollment choices<00:31:46.600>
• <00:32:43.679> in would look like for our enrollment in would look like for our enrollment

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• May she enrolled in the school of Hope?
• But there's there's no prohibition for other students enrolling as well. Correct?
• Because enrollment is the vacancy rate is over 50%.
• They're not given priority within the lottery process.
• Those schools not and enroll because the teacher is a bad, the schools bad.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a pre-K project with the GSF of 19,259 square feet with an enrollment of 114.
• Um, with their enrollment and the fact that their enrollment has increased over time.
• The enrollment is 300.
• Uh, with an enrollment of 752 students, uh, the construction began in February of 2024.
• It's important as we come through that those, uh, priorities get onto the list.

Transcript Highlights:

• With non-enrolled families.
• Now it grows with enrollment.
• Now it grows with enrollment.
• Enrollment declines when performance declines, and funding declines when enrollment declines.
• So, 27% enrollment loss. Out of 400 of our students. So, 27% enrollment loss.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I mean, I have his top four priorities that with number one. I think that is the top priority.
• His top and put him in priority order.
• So essentially the top priority wanted.
• mean, I have his top four priorities mean, I have his top four priorities that<01:05:03.119>
• <01:07:04.319> So, enrolles to help pay for this? So, enrolles to help pay for this?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• enrollment boundary requirements.
• We cannot enroll—if we cannot enroll out-of-state students or out-of-district students statewide, our
• became enrolled...
• Enrollment growth units.
• They also got enrollment growth that year, but because there was so much enrollment decline...

Bills: HB2, SB204, SB241, HB34

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, higher education, research funding, federal funding, New Mexico, appropriation, University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:09:27.319> has<01:09:27.400> a single managed care plan and enrol has a single
• <01:09:33.279> would pharmacy and nemt benefits enroles would pharmacy and nemt benefits enroles
• in Managed Care be improved we enrolled in Managed Care be improved we should<01:09:54.159> focus
• <01:09:54.480> on<01:09:54.679> enrolling<01:09:55.120> care<01:09:55.600>
• > and should focus on enrolling care and should focus on enrolling care and member<01:09:56.000><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I oversee all postsecondary planning, scholarship advising, dual enrollment, AP coordination, standardized
• I oversee all postsecondary planning, scholarship advising, dual enrollment, AP coordination, standardized
• in dual enrollment.
• We just went through a student success workshop, and as we have our priorities, our priority number one
• Giving back to my community and to my university is a priority for me, and we'd be so grateful to serve

Bills: S1694

Keywords: technology education, digital literacy, artificial intelligence, computer science, high school graduation

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met with a quorum present and first took up CS for SB 1694, which would require technology-integrated postsecondary general education core courses to include digital literacy and competency instruction, including use of artificial intelligence tools, and encourage high school computer science courses with AI content to teach how AI systems use data, their benefits and limitations, and responsible use in academic and personal contexts. The bill drew support from several speakers who emphasized the need for students to understand AI’s capabilities, limitations, ethics, and risks, while one speaker raised concerns about overreliance on AI and the loss of skills. Senator Davis said the bill was a good step toward preparing the future workforce and suggested earlier instruction might be worth considering later. The bill was reported favorably, and Senator Leek asked to be recorded in the affirmative. The committee then heard a long series of confirmation presentations for trustees at multiple Florida colleges and universities, including Tallahassee State College, USF, UNF, Palm Beach State College, the College of the Florida Keys, Hillsborough College, Miami-Dade College, Florida A&M University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International University, New College of Florida, Florida Polytechnic University, and the University of Florida. The appointees generally emphasized student success, workforce alignment, fiscal responsibility, access and affordability, and institutional growth; several members and senators offered supportive comments, with some asking about specific issues such as Tallahassee State’s NCLEX passage rates and the need for continued improvement. One appointee’s attendance was delayed or skipped for later consideration, but the committee ultimately took a block vote and reported the confirmations favorably to the Ethics and Elections Committee. Finally, Chair Harrell gave a brief overview of the higher education budget, describing a total of $11.9 billion and highlighting increases for workforce education, Florida College System operating funds, workforce development capitalization, the Rural Incentive for Professional Educators program, the USF Center for Nursing, preeminent research universities, UCF’s community school grant program, UF’s Lassinger Center on Learning, the Florida Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment, and campus security through a postsecondary guardian program. Senator Davis asked about a transfer related to the workforce development capitalization and incentive grant fund, and the chair explained it was a transfer of an existing program with new funds being added. There was no public comment on the budget, and the meeting adjourned after Senator Leek requested to be recorded in the affirmative on SB 1694.

Transcript Highlights:

• earlier about having an A letter grade under the A to F letter grade system and also verifiable enrollment
• Their leadership aligns programs and priorities with Arizona's priorities and strengthens regional collaboration
• The top institutions for WRGP enrollment are the University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University
• original program back in 1951, and it helped students pursue careers in 10 health care fields by enrolling
• school safety risk areas made school safety improvements. ...and their priority school safety risk areas

Keywords: 1182, all