Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will call the names of the members voting remotely.
• members voting remotely. members voting remotely. >> Bliss. >> Bliss.
• work there, the talk the folks who learn work there, the talk the folks who learn there, there,
• <01:41:31.960> And<01:41:32.040> with institutions where they learn.
• And with institutions where they learn. And with that,<01:41:32.360> Mr.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up House File 4252, the higher education finance and policy bill, which the author described as a bipartisan agreement. Representative Wolgamott highlighted a $1.5 million appropriation to Minnesota State to create an identification verification system to combat “ghost students,” a one-time $5,000 appropriation for trees at Bemidji State University, and other noncontroversial recommendations from the Office of Higher Education. He urged support for the bill and noted that amendments would be considered. The main debate centered on an amendment by Representative Rarick to change how University of Minnesota regents are selected if the legislature fails to elect them. Rarick argued the amendment would keep the governor from appointing regents outside the legislative vetting process and prevent “pay-to-play” or donor influence, citing recent gubernatorial appointments and campaign contributions. Representative Kotter offered a secondary amendment to require that any fallback appointees meet RCAC eligibility criteria and to bar candidates who had recently contributed to legislative caucuses or leadership; supporters said it would reduce the appearance of pay-to-play while preserving the RCAC process. Opponents of the secondary amendment, including Representatives Robbins and others, argued it did not address the real concern because it did not restrict contributions to the governor and would weaken the legislature’s role in regent selection. Supporters of the secondary amendment said it was a more objective, statute-based approach and raised separation-of-powers concerns with the underlying amendment. After debate, the secondary amendment failed on a 67-67 tie and was not adopted. The House then continued discussion on the underlying Rarick amendment, with members divided over legislative authority, gubernatorial appointment power, and the influence of campaign donations.

Transcript Highlights:

• As we look at how workers learn today, it's very different than how people were learning 10, 15, 20 years
• I did speak to a subset of this group back last fall remotely.
• That's going to bring people from all over the world to learn what we've learned from our innovation
• And happy to continue to share those lessons learned and opportunities.
• And I didn't learn any different until we went out to Vandenberg Air Base.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, please be quiet so we can hear the names of members being called remotely.
• The clerk will call the name of the member participating remotely. Momanyi-Hiltsley.
• The clerk will call the name of the member participating remotely. Momanyi-Hiltsley.
• The clerk will call the name of the member participating remotely. Momanyi-Hiltsley.
• The chief clerk will call the name of the member voting remotely. Momanyi-Hiltsley.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• of both floor and committee purposes, each caucus leader may excuse their own members and approve remote
• of both floor and committee purposes, each caucus leader may excuse their own members and approve remote
• of both floor and committee purposes, each caucus leader may excuse their own members and approve remote
• <00:09:19.760> participation members and approve remote participation members and approve
• remote participation do<00:09:20.959> any<00:09:21.079> of<00:09:21.279> those<00

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House DFL leaders announced that they had reached a power-sharing agreement with Republicans to organize the Minnesota House and begin the session. They said the deal seats Rep. Brad Tabke, sends election contests to the Ethics Committee, requires 68 votes to create a vacancy, and provides for Republican committee chairs while moving to co-chairs and equal membership once the chamber is tied. They also said the agreement includes limits on the speakership, shared control of rules and conference committees, and a GOP chair for the Oversight Committee; members were to be present in the chamber that day to establish a quorum, with committees starting work Monday. Leaders framed the agreement as protecting the will of voters in Shakopee and statewide, and said Democrats had denied quorum to stop what they described as an attempted Republican power grab. They said the deal was essentially the same as an earlier offer, including conceding the speakership, and thanked negotiators from both parties. In response to questions, they said the breakthrough came after the Minnesota Supreme Court’s quorum ruling and that Republicans had not been ready to seat Tabke or share power before then. During the question-and-answer portion, leaders described the agreement as constraining the speaker’s powers, requiring bipartisan support for bills leaving committee and for floor action, and limiting unilateral procedural control. They said the arrangement would force both sides to be present and negotiate, with no bill reaching the floor without bipartisan cooperation. They also said the House would proceed that afternoon with the election of Speaker Lisa Demuth, followed by implementation of the power-sharing agreement, and that they expected the session to move forward under the new framework.

Transcript Highlights:

• And as I learned from last time, I hope nobody got like a prepared meal caucus meeting or something that
• And as I learned from last time, I hope nobody got like a prepared meal caucus meeting or something that
• .<02:16:18.639> And<02:16:19.679> with<02:16:20.000> that, remotely.
• And with that, remotely.
• as increasing access to remote as increasing access to remote testimony. testimony. testimony.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the corrected journal, and heard several announcements about upcoming committee meetings, events at the Capitol, and recognitions, including Music Therapy Day, Black History Month activities, adoptable puppies, and a Colorado Agricultural Forum. Members also celebrated Representative Story’s birthday and recognized the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) for its long-running support of arts, culture, science access, and economic impact in Colorado. The House adopted Senate Joint Resolution 12, designating February 20, 2026, as Colorado FFA Day, by a vote of 64-1 with one excused. The chamber then moved to special orders for several bills. The first major bill considered was House Bill 1017, which would prohibit insurers from receiving criminal restitution unless they are direct victims. Sponsors argued the bill prioritizes human victims, prevents restitution from becoming an unpayable burden on low-income defendants, and clarifies the law in response to court concerns and stakeholder feedback. Opponents argued it would shift costs to taxpayers and policyholders and could increase civil litigation and insurance premiums. An amendment, L005, was adopted to clarify the bill’s scope, and the bill then passed as amended. The House also took up House Bill 114, concerning minimum lot size and local land-use rules. An amendment, L002, was offered to prohibit certain local lot frontage, setback, open-space, or coverage requirements that would effectively prevent construction of a single-family home on a 2,000-square-foot residential lot. Supporters framed the measure as protecting housing access, while opponents argued it would override local land-use decision-making and public hearing processes. The transcript ends during debate on a substitute motion related to the amendment, before final action on House Bill 114 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• The instructional model itself, it’s in person and it’s blended learning.
• The instructional model itself is in person and blended learning.
• I’m like, oh, you know, what are you learning? And the kid shushes me.
• We are looking at learning gains.
• Kids are learning, they're growing, and they're achieving.

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Eric Hall on the Florida Scholars Academy, a new unified education model for youth in residential commitment programs. He explained that the academy replaced the prior decentralized district-run system with a contracted model through Florida Virtual School, allowing individualized blended learning, real-time progress monitoring, expanded special education services, and a broader course catalog including dual enrollment, CTE, GED testing, and postsecondary pathways through the Florida Youth College partnership with Tallahassee State College. Hall said the department is using data to focus on academic achievement, workforce credentials, and peer-group change as strategies to reduce recidivism, and reported early results including 60 diplomas or GEDs, a 5.5% teacher vacancy rate, and progress-monitoring gains for most students. Hall also reviewed implementation of House Bill 1181 on swift accountability and juvenile justice reforms. He said the law strengthened pre-arrest delinquency citation use, raised the target for eligible citations to 70%, required written justification for releasing youth charged with certain felony firearm offenses, and directed the department to develop a firearm-offending curriculum focused on avoidance and consequences. He described a new statewide graduated sanctions matrix for probation technical violations, intended to provide quicker and more consistent responses without overburdening courts. He said early data showed reductions in weapons/firearm offenses and auto theft, and that the department had conducted circuit-level outreach to law enforcement, courts, and providers to support implementation. Members asked about the number of unauthorized alien children in detention or residential care, teacher vacancies and whether instruction continues when staff are absent, screen-time and supervision concerns with laptops, and whether students are reentering local schools with improved academic performance. Hall said he did not have data on immigration status, that FLVS and classroom staff provide continuity when teachers are absent, that devices are checked in and out and security has been tightened, and that the department is still early in implementation but is hearing positive anecdotal feedback from parents. Vice Chair Smith asked for more detail on the firearm curriculum, and Hall offered to provide it. The committee took no formal votes and adjourned after no public testimony was offered.

Transcript Highlights:

• The chief clerk will call the names of the members voting remotely.
• The clerk will call the names of the members voting remotely. Baker votes no. McDonald votes no.
• members voting remotely. members voting remotely.
• The clerk will call the names of the members voting remotely. Baker votes no.
• we've just learn to accept these things. we've just learn to accept these things.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up Senate File 856, which would create an Office of the Inspector General to combat fraud in state public programs. Representative Norris described the bill as the product of a long bipartisan, bicameral working group and emphasized the office’s independence, five-year term, Senate confirmation, removal-for-cause protections, authority to investigate entities receiving public funds, prevention-focused duties, and required public and annual reporting. Representative Anderson PE also thanked the bipartisan authors and staff, saying the bill was the result of extensive negotiations and should move forward without reopening the agreement. Members then considered several amendments. Norris offered a technical cleanup amendment, A44, to clarify language about embedding employees at the Department of Education, distinguish civil and criminal investigative authority, and update law-enforcement terminology; it was adopted. Anderson PE then offered and secured adoption of a technical amendment, A45, to correct a drafting error. Representative Cleorne offered A37 to add prepayment review procedures for all agencies, but it failed on a roll call, 65-67. Cleorne also offered A38 to appropriate $15 million for OIG modernization and data-sharing improvements, but withdrew it after noting it would be out of order. A39, which would have renamed the proposed law enforcement unit from an anti-fraud and waste bureau to an anti-fraud and enforcement unit, failed on a roll call, 66-67, after debate over whether “waste” should be included in the title and scope. During debate on the naming amendment, supporters argued the title should better reflect law-enforcement work and avoid implying the office was a “waste” agency, while opponents said the existing language reflected the bipartisan working-group agreement and that changing it could jeopardize the bill’s progress. Representative West cited inspector general standards that include waste among their duties, and Representative Pinto questioned the substantive basis for opposing the change. Later, Representative Mhler offered A41 to eliminate the future law-enforcement agency entirely, arguing it would be duplicative and unfunded; the transcript cuts off before the vote on that amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• joining us remotely? joining us remotely?
• They follow them around, they learn, you know, what they're doing.
• They follow them around, they learn, you know, what they're doing.
• They follow them around, they learn, you know, what they're doing.
• They follow them around, they learn, you know, what they're doing.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:17:34.360> and to use to help its students learn and to use to help its students learn
• . learning. learning.
• around aviation, they have learned around aviation, they have learned reading,<02:14:24.480>
• > they reading, they have learned physics, they reading, they have learned physics, they have<
• <02:14:26.560> learned have learned math, they have learned have learned math, they have learned

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It was amazing, learning at the state level.
• I served for six years, the final two as chair, and felt I did make contributions and learned a great
• It was something that I thought I could do well, and I learned so much over the six years I was there
• I do certainly see the advantage to telemedicine, especially in remote areas and underserved areas, of
• I do certainly see the advantage to telemedicine, especially in remote areas and underserved areas, of

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I work remotely from my home office in Norman, Oklahoma.
• You know, virtually or remotely as needed.
• What was Your what was your lessons learned? What was what was your success rates?
• Anything else on what we need to learn before our next meeting?
• Any other big things we need to discuss or learn before the next meeting?

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I wouldn't really have an answer on how many people attend remotely because I would say I attend remotely
• I wouldn't really have an remotely.
• students away from learning? students away from learning?
• This takes a lot of time away from learning. This takes a lot of time away from learning.
• people work remote for us. people work remote for us.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got the written, believe it or not, we learned how to read somewhere along the lines, so use the
• We've got the written, believe it or not, we learned how to read somewhere along the lines, so use the
• We've got the written, believe it or not, we learned how to read somewhere along the lines, so use the
• Sure, because, like on Hawaii County, we allow for remote testimonies.
• <00:22:48.279> testimonies Ireland we allow for remote testimonies Ireland we allow for remote

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee opened its first hearing of 2025 and announced that all measures heard that day would be deferred to the next committee hearing for decision-making on Thursday, January 30. The agenda centered largely on procurement and government-operations bills, with testimony generally split between state agencies and local governments. On procurement measures, SB 254 and SB 383 would raise small-purchase thresholds; the State Procurement Office opposed both, while county officials, the City and County of Honolulu, the state librarian, and others supported them. SB 382, which would bar disclosure of a competing offeror’s proposal or evaluation score, and SB 462, which would require performance incentive contracts to specify pricing bases, goals, and formulas, drew mostly written comments and some support from agencies such as the Department of Transportation and Department of Education. SB 615, which would treat certain large change orders as new contracts, received opposition from the Comptroller and engineering interests. The committee also heard several bills on vacancies, appointments, and legislative oversight. SB 5 on state legislative vacancies had one supporting testifier, while SB 300 on deadlines for filling certain Senate vacancies drew opposition from several individuals and support from one late testifier. SB 1081, which would create a legislative budget office to provide fiscal analysis and reports on bills, received broad support from advocacy groups, civic organizations, and individuals. SB 711, requiring Senate advice and consent for certain executive-branch appointments, drew written opposition from the Governor’s Office and support from one individual. SB 375, establishing a select commission on government restructuring, had one written supporter. SB 418, which would require the Attorney General’s office to review a portion of administrative rules each year, prompted extended discussion about outdated rules, the difficulty of repealing or amending rules, and whether the bill should be refined; the AG’s office indicated the process is burdensome and could be streamlined. The committee then took up transparency and access measures. SB 55, requiring agency rules to be posted online in a digitally accessible format, received support from several advocacy and civic groups and written comment from the Lieutenant Governor’s Office. SB 870 would direct the comptroller to identify state office buildings that could provide equitable telecom access for remote participation in hearings, especially for residents with disabilities; the Comptroller supported the concept, and members discussed using libraries, DAGS facilities, county facilities, and other public buildings, with concerns raised about staffing, bandwidth, and competing public use. SB 270, a sunshine-law measure allowing board members to attend informational meetings and presentations, drew opposition from the Public First Law Center, which argued it would create a broad loophole and should be narrowed to existing county-council provisions. SB 45, concerning neighborhood board meetings and third-party presentations, prompted discussion about whether it actually addressed neighborhood boards’ Sunshine Law concerns; the committee was told it was not the right vehicle for that issue. SB 406, which would cap copying fees for government records at 5 cents per page with exceptions, drew support from media and transparency groups but opposition from DAGS, which said its actual per-page cost is much higher; members discussed possible electronic-copy alternatives and asked for more cost information before the next hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And what we've learned is, you know, the traditional economic development pipeline for rural communities
• is you know uh the the we've learned is you know uh the the traditional<00:29:45.039> economic
• gonna work itself out and as he stated the population is changing, people are working from home, remote
• <00:33:09.039> So<00:33:09.200> this remote work and other things.
• So this remote work and other things.

Bills: HB517, HB520, HB233, HB354, HB517, HB520, HB233, HB354

Keywords: underground damage prevention, one-call notification system, utility locating, excavation safety, dig safe, call before you dig, 811, utility lines, underground utilities, pipeline safety, gas pipeline, electric utility, telecommunications, water utility, wastewater, cable television, locate request, premark, tolerance zone, positive response

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for allowing us to testify remotely.
• thank you for allowing us<00:14:11.040> to<00:14:11.199> testify<00:14:11.759> remotely
• uh the weather's us to testify remotely uh the weather's kind<00:14:13.360> of<00:14:13.519><
• Thank you for allowing us to testify remotely.
• Kingdom Pathways, President Malan Learning Pathways, and Malan Learning Center are in support.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Education met on January 30 and heard testimony on several bills, beginning with an announcement asking testifiers and members to keep remarks brief because of weather. The vice chair also explained that HB 440, relating to immigration issues in schools and state hospitals, was removed from the agenda because the proposal would not create meaningful legal protections and immigration policy is governed by federal law. The committee then moved through a series of education-related measures, with testimony largely from the Department of Education, the School Facilities Authority, the Attorney General’s office, unions, advocacy groups, and individual testifiers. On HB 330, concerning school impact fees, the School Facilities Authority supported the bill as aligning policy with implementation, while the Tax Foundation of Hawaii said the fee accounts have accumulated large balances, including more than $20 million in impact fee funds and nearly $9 million from predecessor fair-share contributions, and urged that collected money be used rather than left idle. DOE said it would follow up on the balance and why it was not being used. On HB 1188, dealing with workforce housing, DOE and the Charter School Commission offered comments or support, the Attorney General suggested clarifying the phrase “within commuting distance” by using a mileage standard and adding repayment language, and HSTA, HGEA, and others supported the bill, with HSTA saying teachers need housing to be able to live and work in Hawaii. On HB 624 and HB 625, both related to school psychologists, DOE said it would participate in a work group on the pathway bill and supported the incentive program bill; school psychologists and related groups supported the measures, while one testifier said DOE should not lead the work group alone because school psychologists may work in many education settings beyond DOE schools. The committee also heard HB 1314 on youth mental health in schools. DOE described its student support process, universal screening tools, and behavioral health services, saying schools already identify and respond to concerns and that staff are trained to report issues, while the Attorney General warned the bill could expose schools to liability and recommended a broad liability waiver. Testimony was mixed, with several supporters and one opponent. On HB 616, concerning school safety and harassment protections for educational workers, the Attorney General sought clarifying amendments on harassment definitions, temporary restraining order costs, and paid leave, while HSTA, HGEA, and individual teachers strongly supported the bill, describing harassment incidents and arguing for a standardized statewide response. DOE said it already has reporting pathways, visitor codes of conduct, trespass notices, and an ethics hotline, but acknowledged implementation varies by school and that staff can escalate concerns if needed. The committee also began hearing HB 88 on a three-year pilot program for athletic travel, but the transcript cuts off before that bill’s testimony is completed or any votes are taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and our final testifier here, and then we have one remotely, is Alexandria Fitz Simmons.
• then we have one remotely, is Alexandria Fitz<00:23:05.120> Simmon.
• Uh we will now go to our remote Simmons.
• And it's really hard for a kid to learn in school when they haven't eaten the night before.
• And it's really hard for a kid to learn in school when they haven't eaten the night before.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 4893, a school safety and gun violence prevention bill, and first adopted a DE1 amendment before hearing the bill. The author and supporters described the measure as a layered approach to school safety, combining increased funding for student support personnel, required school safety plans, and anonymous threat reporting systems. They cited research from the Violence Prevention Project and other sources arguing that many school shooters are insiders, often show warning signs, and frequently leak plans beforehand, making early intervention and trusted adults in schools important. Members and testifiers also discussed the bill’s firearm storage provisions. Representative Green explained that the bill would require firearms on school property and in vehicles to be unloaded and locked, and would limit or remove principals’ discretion to allow firearms in school buildings, while preserving access for trained school security personnel. Supporters said the bill would improve clarity and safety for schools, while a representative from private schools raised concerns that the language could limit flexibility and create staffing and accountability problems for non-public schools, prompting discussion of possible amendments. Several student and organizational testifiers supported the bill, including students from Edina High School, Education Minnesota, the Minnesota School Counselors Association, and the Children’s Defense Fund Minnesota. They emphasized the impact of gun violence on students’ mental health and learning, the value of anonymous reporting systems, and the need to invest in counselors, social workers, psychologists, and nurses. No final vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided, but the committee did adopt the DE1 amendment and continued discussion of possible changes, including with the BCA and school safety center.

Transcript Highlights:

• you<00:21:41.120> can<00:21:41.280> have<00:21:41.360> a<00:21:41.679> remote
• thing is is that you can have a remote thing is is that you can have a remote mediated<00:21:43.440
• > remote<00:21:43.919> mediation<00:21:44.559> agreement mediated remote mediation
• agreement mediated remote mediation agreement which<00:21:45.200> means<00:21:45.360> you<
• mean I also think, you know, I consider myself a fairly well-educated person, but I'm constantly learning

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee met without a quorum and discussed how to proceed with its family court review work. The chair said preliminary, unofficial reports could be circulated and voted on by email, and noted that next year the work might continue as a full committee rather than a subcommittee. Members also discussed carrying unresolved issues into next year, including the long-standing “one judge, one case” concept. Later, the committee received additional materials from a member who could not attend, including a packet on state-funded transcript requests and background information on how different states structure family court systems. A major presentation focused on improving New Hampshire family court pre-trial and mediation practices. The presenters said current rules give judges broad discretion, which can lead to inconsistent discovery, evidence, and timelines, especially for self-represented parties. They raised concerns about uneven mediator training and oversight, lack of uniform domestic violence screening, and unclear information for families about their rights and how to exit mediation. They recommended standardized pre-trial case management orders, clearer plain-language deadlines, mandatory domestic violence screening, stronger mediator certification and continuing education, a mentorship program, an independent oversight board, and a pilot program in a few counties before any statewide rollout. Members and presenters also discussed existing court forms and practices, including mediation agreements, mediator preparation forms, first appearances, and the use of Zoom for mediation. One participant argued that mediation can work better when parties are better prepared and when cases are not sent too early, and suggested that neutral case evaluation is another useful alternative dispute resolution tool. The discussion also touched on the need for better educational materials for pro se litigants, with one member describing efforts to create a more accessible guide for people going to court. No votes were taken, and the session ended with plans to continue reviewing materials and refine recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Since I do have two remote testifiers who are much more qualified to speak on this than I am, I will
• Of the testifiers that are remote, I don't have your names here, but we have... We have Ms.
• A cultural center would offer a gathering space for intergenerational learning, community events, and
• When our children learn about our natural medicines, learning about food sovereignty will allow our children
• They don't just learn about agriculture; they express their love.

Bills: HF2411, HF2471, HF1440, HF1393, HF1631, HF1259, HF280, HF1281, HF1459

Keywords: cultural heritage, funding, White Earth Nation, tribal community, construction, Delano, sesquicentennial, community events, fall of Saigon, Saigon anniversary, Vietnam War commemoration, Vietnamese Minnesotans, Cambodian Minnesotans, Lao Minnesotans, Southeast Asian refugees, Asian American heritage, cultural heritage fund, Minnesota Humanities Center, Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans, equity funding

Transcript Highlights:

• They offer lifelong opportunities in learning through reading.
• It's never too early or too late to learn about financial literacy.
• It's never too early or too late to learn about financial literacy.
• IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY OR TOO LATE TO LEARN ABOUT FINANCIAL LITERACY.
• I never learned the story while we were going to church together.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, April 20, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're a little bit confused as to why there's such opposition to learning as much as we can about our
• It's a bona fide effort to learn about the habits and thoughts and beliefs of our children.
• the most they unwell we actually learn the most they actually<05:05:37.440> learn<05:05:37.680
• <05:44:18.000> us was in the survey this survey learns us was in the survey this survey learns
• Forefront of providing remote Forefront of providing remote instruction<06:41:40.120> School<

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first noted that House Bill 398, concerning Holocaust and genocide studies, and House Bill 131 had already been handled previously and were off the schedule. It then took up House Bill 740, which would require the Department of Education to maintain permanent records for closed charter schools. After brief discussion about overlap with another charter-school bill that already addressed closure and records, Representative Freeman moved to table the bill. The committee voted 16-0 to table/ITL the bill, and it was placed on the consent calendar. The main discussion centered on House Bill 557, which would require additional information on school budget ballots, including average cost per pupil, enrollment history, and teacher-to-administrator ratios. Members raised concerns that the bill was duplicative of existing law, overly detailed, costly to towns, and potentially electioneering or cumbersome on ballots. Supporters argued it would improve transparency and help voters who do not attend deliberative sessions or use online resources. The committee did not vote on the bill during the discussion; instead, members moved into caucus and later indicated they would hold the bill until Monday for further review. Later, the committee turned to House Bill 699 on special education definitions and considered Amendment 0606H. The sponsor explained the amendment was developed with the Department of Education after hearing testimony and was intended to align state definitions with federal law and incorporate recommendations from a prior audit, including changing “functionally blind pupils” to “students with visual impairments.” Some members supported the changes as responsive to the hearing and audit, while others objected that the amendment was still confusing, had not fully addressed stakeholder concerns, and should wait for a more comprehensive special education audit. The discussion also referenced House Bill 754 and another amendment, but the transcript ends before final action on HB 699 is shown.