Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, there's a disproportionate impact on students from lower-income backgrounds and students
• And then you can see that breakout for free or reduced-price lunch students and then minority student
• Similarly, with free or reduced-price lunch students and minority students, it was generally highest
• There's a less clear pattern for average salaries based on the percentage of minority students or students
• There's a less clear pattern for average salaries based on the percentage of minority students or students

Summary: The committee first approved the May 18 meeting minutes and then received a presentation from Legislative Audit on Arkansas Department of Education grant distributions. Auditors explained that the fiscal year 2025 report summarizes $4.6 billion in grants from state, federal, and miscellaneous sources, across school districts, charter schools, education cooperatives, and other entities, and that the report only shows amounts distributed, not how recipients ultimately used the money. Members asked about specific recipients and programs, including ClassWallet, Economics Arkansas, and CDC surveillance funding; department staff clarified that the Economics Arkansas grant is written into special language and that the CDC-related funding supports student surveys used by state agencies. Questions also focused on bonus and incentive programs such as master principal and National Board Certified teacher bonuses, with department staff saying the bonuses are generally tied to completion of the program or certification rather than classroom performance, though they would follow up on details. The committee then heard a Bureau of Legislative Research update on Consumer Price Index projections from Moody’s Analytics and S&P Global. Dr. Carlos Silva explained the difference between CPI-U and core CPI and said the estimates show inflation slowing over the forecast period, with some near-term variation between the two data providers. Members asked about the historical accuracy of prior projections, and he said the forecasts generally tend to move toward about 2 percent over time, though recent shocks have caused earlier estimates to understate actual inflation. The bulk of the meeting was devoted to the final adequacy report on teacher recruitment, retention, and salaries. BLR staff reviewed Arkansas teacher demographics, shortage areas, educator preparation pipelines, licensure exceptions, survey results from teachers and principals, and teacher support programs. They reported that Arkansas had about 32,800 teachers and 473,000 students in 2025, with an average of 11.9 years of experience and a slight increase in National Board Certified teachers. The report found shortages in multiple subject areas, especially special education, math, science, foreign language, and social studies, and identified 65 districts as high-need geographically. Survey results showed school leadership as the strongest positive factor in recruitment and retention, while workload and salary were the biggest negatives; 30 percent of responding teachers said they were considering leaving the profession. The committee also reviewed teacher salary data showing a statewide average salary of $60,254 in 2025, Arkansas ranking 45th nationally by NEA methodology, and a long-term inflation-adjusted decline in district salaries, though LEARNS Act increases improved the trend. Members asked for additional follow-up information on survey methodology, alternative licensure costs, coursework, incentives for ESL and special education endorsements, exit data, and how salary comparisons are calculated.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senators share their plans to help students succeed. That's all coming up.
• Senators share their plans to help students succeed. That's all coming up.
• </c><00:10:33.680><c> data</c> as they're protecting student data as they're protecting student data
• </c> Senator test results show that students Senator test results show that students have<00:16:05.120
• </c> the parents or guardians or students the parents or guardians or students themselves<00:26:03.559

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This test is only for students, American students who didn't go to a New Hampshire high school after
• </c> gets in between a student gets in between a student and<01:05:34.559><c> their</c><01:05:34.880>
• </c> metriculated students could have had. metriculated students could have had.
• Many supporters say homeschool students do better than traditionally educated students.
• Thank you madam to our students.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> every 250 students. every 250 students.
• </c> those students. those students.
• </c> associated with these students. associated with these students.
• </c><00:43:23.119><c> And</c> students to each teacher. And students to each teacher.
• It's all the students in the state because there are so many students that you can't guess.

Keywords: Meeting start 00:00:09 Roll call 00:00:24 Election of Co-Chairs 00:01:11 Office of Education Accountability Annual Report 00:04:41 Office of Education Accountability District Data Profiles, School Year 2024 00:23:50 Update from the Education Professional Standards Board 00:58:19 Adjournment 01:08:00, 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee opened its first meeting with roll call and procedural business, including elections of co-chairs. The House elected Representative Truett as House co-chair, and the Senate elected Senator Denine as Senate co-chair. After the organizational votes, the committee heard the Office of Educational Accountability’s annual report, beginning with Brian Jones and Deborah Nelson describing OEA’s investigations and research divisions and recent staffing turnover. On the investigations side, OEA said it handled complaints only when submitted in writing and generally opened cases only when it had enough facts to evaluate. Jones reported complaint volume declined from 805 in 2023 to 738 in 2024, with 325 in the first half of the current year. He outlined the kinds of matters OEA investigates, including school-based council issues, open meetings, board eligibility, nepotism, conflicts of interest, certification, activity funds, and surplus property, while noting that routine personnel matters, bullying, child interviews, and cases tied to litigation are generally handled locally or referred elsewhere. He also said OEA refers special education, assessment/testing, discrimination, and serious misconduct matters to the appropriate agencies, and that he did not see a need for statutory changes to improve OEA’s work, though he said cases should move more quickly. The research division presentation focused on OEA’s district data profiles and annual research agenda. Nelson explained that OEA reviews KDE-reported data and underlying datasets to verify accuracy, analyze trends, and produce reports for the General Assembly. She highlighted 2024 publications on district governance models and student achievement, and said this year’s agenda includes district data profiles, student discipline analysis, and a review of early childhood regional training centers. She also noted OEA received an NCSL notable document award for its 2023 staffing shortages report, its 10th such award. Sabrina Smith then walked through the district data profiles, which compile demographic, staffing, finance, and performance data for all 171 districts, plus statewide and comparative data. She noted changes in the report format, the continued availability of an online interactive version, and several trends: adjusted average daily attendance declined statewide from 2015 to 2024; the counselor-to-student ratio has improved but has not yet reached the statutory goal of one counselor per 250 students; the share of teachers moving from rank three to rank two has declined; special education identification has risen from 13% to 16%; and starting teacher salaries vary widely by district, with Kentucky’s average starting salary around $40,000 ranking near the bottom compared with surrounding states and the nation. Members asked about the history of the research division and whether the paper copies of the district profiles would continue, and staff said the printed versions would continue unless legislators asked otherwise.

Transcript Highlights:

• As long as a student is pre-registered at 16 or 17, they can serve in the precinct.
• As long as a student is pre-registered at 16 or 17, they can serve in the precinct.
• As long as a student is pre-registered at 16 or 17, they can serve in the precinct.
• As long as a student is pre-registered at 16 or 17, they can serve in the precinct.
• I know many, many students who do.

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several education-related measures. CS/SB 1062 on speech and debate, sponsored by Senator Brodeur, was amended with a delete-all and rewritten to create a Speech and Debate Hall of Fame, designate Florida Speech and Debate Week, authorize a teacher endorsement and FLVS institute, direct statewide coursework and credentials, and require annual district reporting. Supporters, including parents, the Florida Debate Initiative, and school representatives, praised the bill’s funding and statewide expansion of debate opportunities. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. The committee also heard and reported favorably SB 1718 on educator preparation and certification, which aims to reduce administrative delays for initial certification and reinstatement while maintaining standards; an Orange County school administrator suggested adding language to allow educators to bank professional learning hours. SB 1646 on educational facilities was presented as revising the funding formula and priorities for school capital projects, with added attention to safety, maintenance, and planning, and it was reported favorably. CS/SB 564 on student volunteers at polling locations was amended to clarify that pre-registered or registered high school students may volunteer at polling places and count the hours toward graduation or postsecondary financial aid; election officials and civic groups supported the bill, and it was reported favorably. SB 1340 on coordinated screening and progress monitoring was also reported favorably. It requires school districts to screen students for characteristics of dyslexia and dyscalculia, place identified students on support plans, and use evidence-based interventions, with the sponsor emphasizing early identification and intervention. The committee then recommended confirmation of Laila Collins to the State Board of Education, and the meeting concluded after a birthday recognition and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to just call them older students.
• the University of Washington and later the student lobbyist and the president of the Washington Student
• And I think there's a lot of students like that.
• scholarships for our local students.
• or less serve as peer-to-peer educators for fellow students.

Bills: SGA9314 , SGA9282 , SGA9288 , SGA9296 , SGA9232 , SGA9233 , SGA9235 , SGA9236 , SGA9237

Committee: Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We encourage schools to educate students on these important topics.
• As a teacher for students with disabilities for many years, this is vital.
• that are struggling, we help all the students in the class.
• I think it's important that we teach human biology to our students.
• And we feel that that would definitely build respect for the sanctity of life in students.

Summary: The Pre-K Through 12 Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and considered four bills. CS/HB 1403, by Rep. Yeager, would allow child care facilities to participate in the school guardian program and clarify school perimeter and door security requirements. An amendment clarifying that private security companies would pay for training was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably 11-0. CS/HB 447, the Evan B. Hartzell Act by Rep. Salzman, would provide guidance for schools that choose to teach disability history and awareness during the first two weeks of October, including age-appropriate instruction by grade band. The bill received supportive testimony from advocates and was reported favorably 11-0. CS/HB 257, by Reps. Chambliss and Tramont, would expand on a prior pilot program to allow video cameras in certain self-contained classrooms serving nonverbal students and others with significant disabilities, as a safeguard against abuse and to improve accountability. The bill drew strong support from parents and disability advocates describing abuse concerns, and it was reported favorably 13-0. CS/HB 1255, by Vice Chair Trabulsy, was a broad education bill addressing teacher shortages, scholarship program screening, health and math instruction, corporal punishment policy, and restrictions on spending public funds on organizations tied to discrimination or political/social activism. A major focus of debate was the bill’s human embryologic development instruction and related video language, with supporters calling it science-based and opponents warning it could be medically inaccurate or ideological. After the sponsor said she would amend some language, including removing ABCTE-related text and clarifying the video language, the bill was reported favorably 12-1. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Schools and students.
• We want to keep students simple.
• </c> students to our not just the students students to our not just the students but<00:09:02.959><c>
• The students being but to our customers.
• for these students that aren't there?

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Zayo Group 00:00:50 Committee Report to LRC 00:18:12, 958, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony from Michael McCurley, president of Zo Education and a senior vice president with Zo Group, about the company’s role in providing broadband and managed network services to Kentucky schools. He said Zo Education serves all Kentucky K-12 public school districts in partnership with the Kentucky Department of Education, offering more bandwidth at lower cost than the prior provider and also providing cybersecurity and network protection. He emphasized that reliable connectivity is essential for instruction, testing, remote coursework, and school administration. McCurley also addressed the ongoing contract dispute involving the Kentucky Communications Network Authority and Open Fiber Silicom, saying Zo Education is not a party to the litigation but is concerned about possible disruption to schools and students. In response to committee questions, he said the company incurred unexpected costs when it had to reroute connections and build alternate network paths, including one school move that cost more than $50,000 to serve a site generating under $2,000 per month. He said outages and incidents are more frequent when Kentucky Wired access is unavailable, and that Zo could not have bid at its current price without access to Kentucky Wired. Committee members discussed the broader implications of the dispute and the state’s broadband structure. Senator Williams said the committee’s priority is avoiding disruption to students and noted concerns about infrastructure purchases and upgrades tied to the network, saying he had not seen clear contractual support for some of the expenditures. He also referenced a future audit and said the committee should preserve options and taxpayer funds. The committee then reviewed its report to LRC, including changes related to infrastructure purchases and water asset management technology, and agreed to submit the report without a committee vote. The chair announced the next meeting would be in January, with no December meeting scheduled, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• For each student.
• We need to support our students.
• The fidelity of the program is crucial to the success of students.
• Anytime we identify more students, we have more needs for funding.
• This is a missed opportunity and a disservice to both educators and students.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:21:12.600><c> loan</c> student loan student loan forgiveness<00:21:14.960><c> to</c><00:21:15.840
• </c> students or alleviate their student students or alleviate their student loans<00:52:15.359><c> there
• </c> eligible well says high school students eligible well says high school students attending<00:52:
• </c> rules and then um track track students rules and then um track track students and<00:57:16.520><
• there was about 210,000 students then there was about 210,000 students students<04:00:44.199><c> in<

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard HB 659, which would establish the New Hampshire College Graduate Retention Incentive Program. A Department of Revenue Administration analyst explained technical issues in the bill, focusing on whether the incentive is intended to operate as a rebate or a tax credit, how it would be administered, and how it would interact with the business enterprise tax and business profits tax. She said the bill’s language was unclear on the administering agency, effective tax years, caps, and carry-forward treatment, and noted that reducing BET can also reduce the BET credit against BPT, though not on a one-for-one basis. Committee members asked follow-up questions about the BET/BPT interaction, administrative costs, and whether the Department of Business and Economic Affairs would need additional staffing. Andrew Horn then testified in support, saying the bill is meant to address the large number of New Hampshire college graduates who leave the state after graduation by encouraging them to stay and by incentivizing businesses to hire them. The chair closed the hearing on HB 659 after no further public testimony. The committee then took up HB 770, a bill to establish a program allowing New Hampshire high school students to earn tuition credits at state higher education institutions through community service. Representative Schultz described the bill as a “triple play” intended to increase volunteerism, expand service and internship opportunities for students, and make college more affordable. Ryan Casey, a junior at Bishop Brady High School, testified that the proposal would help students reduce future loan debt while benefiting communities and encouraging young people to attend college in New Hampshire. Committee members asked about eligibility, including why private and preparatory school students were excluded, whether public school students would qualify, whether mandatory service hours would count, and how the bill’s references to education and business eligibility should be read. Schultz said the exclusion of private and prep schools was intended because public school students are more clearly New Hampshire residents, and she noted that mandatory school service hours had been excluded in revisions. The Department of Education then testified that the program would require significant administration, estimating at least three full-time staff, software or tracking systems, and rulemaking to oversee volunteer sites, schools, student eligibility, and tuition credit distribution. No vote was taken in the excerpt, and the hearing remained in testimony phase.

Transcript Highlights:

• So then that brings us down to, I don't know, 20-ish students, 20 to 22 students.
• students students it<00:14:59.360><c> the</c><00:14:59.480><c> other</c><00:14:59.680><c> thing</c><
• </c> adequate placement s for these students adequate placement s for these students to<00:15:13.639>
• </c> um many of the out of state students um many of the out of state students that<00:18:28.200><c>
• </c> part of it is accepting local students part of it is accepting local students who<00:19:26.720><

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Higher Education heard Senate Bill 101, which would require University of Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine graduates who paid in-state tuition to serve as physicians in Hawaiʻi for at least two years after residency or fellowship, beginning with the class of 2029. The Deputy Attorney General said the bill addressed a matter of statewide concern. JABSOM Dean Sam Shoemaker testified in opposition, arguing the school already uses scholarships, loan repayment, and other incentives, and that the strongest predictor of where physicians practice is where they complete residency; he said the school is working to expand residency slots, neighbor-island training, and class size. Supporters argued the state faces a severe physician shortage and should do more to ensure publicly subsidized students remain in Hawaiʻi. The committee ultimately recommended passage with amendments, including a statewide concern statement, and deferred the measure to July 31, 2025; the vote was adopted. The committee then heard Senate Bill 19, which creates funds to establish a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program on Maui. University of Hawaiʻi and nursing workforce representatives testified in support, saying there is ample capacity on Maui and strong demand for higher nursing education. Members discussed the broader nursing pathway, including existing associate and bachelor’s programs at UH campuses and the need to improve access for Maui and nearby communities. The measure was moved to decision-making and adopted with amendments and a deferred date. Senate Bill 637, appropriating funds for various University of Hawaiʻi nursing programs, also received support from UH nursing leaders, who said the funding would support the final phase of the West Oʻahu-Manoa collaboration and an online RN-to-BS program. The Hawaiʻi State Center for Nursing said its research showed capacity and demand for these programs. The committee recommended amendments to blank out appropriation amounts for the committee report and deferred the measure, then adopted it. The committee also adopted Senate Bill 741, which establishes an external audit committee within the UH Board of Regents, and deferred or amended several other measures, including a wastewater technology pilot program, a coconut rhinoceros beetle response program, and a climate-resilient development appropriation.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is my pleasure to have a group of middle school students from Weatherford Middle School.
• I've got 29 students and three teachers here, 7th and 8th graders from Weatherford.
• Members, today is International Student Recognition Day, and I bring you greetings from a few of the
• Beyond economics, international students enrich our educational environment.
• Day, and we have met our As International Student Recognition Day, we have our students in the Northern

Summary: The House convened, completed the roll call, prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and recognitions, including guests from a South African refugee program, Weatherford Middle School students, international students, and the 2025 Aviation State Teacher of the Year, Sam Madewell. Representative Ranson also presented remarks for International Student Recognition Day, highlighting the economic and cultural contributions of international students in Oklahoma. The chamber then took up House Bill 4329 on dental insurance claims, with Pro Tem Moore arguing it would restore fairness by preventing insurers from controlling prices for services they do not cover; the bill drew questions about free-market effects, rural dentistry, and premiums, but Moore said it should not raise costs and noted similar laws in other states. HB 4329 passed 91-5. The House also passed House Bill 2730, which ties the interest rate on taxpayer underpayments to market rates rather than a fixed statutory rate, after brief questions about how the rate would fluctuate; it passed 87-11. House Bill 3465, extending the sunset on the emission tax credit program from July 1, 2027 to July 1, 2029, passed 82-16. House Bill 4426, extending the sunset on the strategic industrial development enhancement sales tax credit from December 31, 2027 to December 31, 2032, passed 76-20. During announcements, members noted upcoming committee meetings, a rural caucus with OSU President Hess, a devotional, and a lunch event tied to International Student Recognition Day. The House then recessed until the next day, Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• They will have their student ID.
• It also affects students who often rely on student IDs that this bill begins to restrict in multiple
• Students have been used to have the ability to use their student ID from a state college or university
• We had the student ID issue.
• Yes, we want our students to be safe.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Presently, we do mini clinics for the students, and we also do clinics for the students and we also do
• Thank you. about over maybe 1,200 students over the about over maybe 1,200 students over the last<00:
• Then, you know, the students, how we would funnel the students, get them to, you know, spend their time
• and students' interests?
• </c> that and and I can see with a student that and and I can see with a student being<00:48:45.880><

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Higher Education met on February 6 and began with decision-making items. SB 663, concerning additional positions for the University of Hawaiʻi College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, was deferred again after the chair said the university’s response did not include the requested details on vacant positions, recruitment status, and fill dates. The chair said the committee needed the full information before considering new positions, and the university apologized for treating the request as informal rather than a formal committee inquiry. The committee then discussed SB 672, relating to capital improvement projects for the Y. Manalo Research Station. University representatives said the project had been identified late because of timing and that they were still developing a broader plan for SEAR research facilities. The chair questioned how the project fit within the university’s existing Board of Regents-approved CIP priorities and whether any current priorities should be displaced. The university said it could not unilaterally reprioritize the budget, and the measure was deferred pending better direction on how it fits into the overall plan. For SB 557, which would require the John A. Burns School of Medicine to direct a study on physician and dentist recruitment and retention for Maui, the committee heard strong testimony in support from Maui health care providers and community representatives. Supporters described severe shortages of physicians and dentists, long waits for care, and the need for housing, loan repayment, scholarships, transportation, and telehealth support to retain providers. The university said it was willing to help and suggested the work could be done through existing rural health and AHEC efforts. The bill was kept alive for further work, with the chair encouraging the parties to develop a plan. The committee also heard SB 1107, establishing a medical education position at JABSOM to support ECHO-style mentorship and guidance programs. The university opposed the bill, saying it did not believe the measure addressed a problem that needed fixing and that Hawaiʻi already has five ECHO clinics administered through the Hawaiʻi State Rural Health Association, not JABSOM. The committee then took up SB 1204, concerning integration of the Kakaʻako medical school and cancer center. University leadership asked for time to develop a plan and timeline, possibly with an external consultant, and requested the bill be withdrawn. The chair expressed skepticism, citing long-standing concerns about the cancer center’s finances and planning. Testimony included support from the American Cancer Society and a patient who warned that integration could jeopardize the cancer center’s NCI designation and clinical trials, while a university vice president said the NIH P30 grant does not require the cancer center and medical school to remain separate and that many NCI centers are integrated. No final votes were taken on the measures discussed in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those individuals that do not have any direct instruction with a student or a group of students, zero
• or a group of students.
• So in the bill, as you are looking at it, if a coach has no direct instruction with a student, one student
• or a student?
• any point with students.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and there's only 2,000 students.
• So the school would be getting money per student that is there.
• And so the $600 per student cap is a concern of our school district.
• claim 2,000 students.
• have to cover because they would get to claim those additional students.

Summary: The Pre-K through 12 Budget Subcommittee heard and advanced three bills. CS/HB 1267, by Rep. Boussada, would require school districts to allow Schools of Hope to use vacant or surplus facilities or co-locate in schools with capacity, with non-instructional services handled through a pro rata agreement and a performance-based agreement requiring Schools of Hope to meet expectations within five years. Supporters argued it would better use underfilled public schools and help students in the bottom 10% of schools statewide; opponents raised concerns about local control, funding, and the effect on public schools. The bill passed 13-2. The committee also heard CS/HB 1115, by Rep. Valdes, which would require sharing certain discretionary sales surtax revenues with eligible charter schools based on enrollment, create a standardized charter school monitoring tool, and align Schools of Hope sponsoring-entity rules with charter school processes. Supporters said it would improve consistency and accountability; critics questioned fiscal impacts and district flexibility. That bill passed 13-2. The final bill, CS/HB 1213, by Rep. Alvarez, would create a K-12 School Route Optimization Pilot Program using five counties to test AI-assisted analysis of school bus routes and walking conditions, with the goal of improving child safety for students who currently walk long distances. Members discussed hazardous conditions, possible use of safe-school transportation funds, and the bill’s lack of fiscal impact. Public testimony included support from education and parent groups. The bill passed unanimously, 15-0. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> age K through three students. age K through three students.
• </c> for students the facilities. for students the facilities.
• Today, in 2024, that number was 32,000 students, 3,000 students.
• Today, in 2024, that number was 32,000 students, 3,000 students.
• </c> from the students on whether the student from the students on whether the student complied<04:13

Committee: House Education Funding

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The truth is, most transgender students just want to play sports for the same reason other students do
• I'm a former athlete and college student.
• I am a college student and former student-athlete, and I strongly oppose this bill. Thank you.
• Students who are more likely to drop out of school.
• Hello, I am Lilac Hildreth, a college student and former student-athlete. I oppose this bill.

Committee: House Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They will have their student ID.
• It also affects students who often rely on student IDs that this bill begins to restrict in multiple
• Students have been used to have the ability to use their student ID from a state college or university
• We had the student ID issue.
• Yes, we want our students to be safe.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Students spend more time stressed and tired and bored than inspired.
• The whole system becomes about scores, not students.
• We want to be teaching our students what, how to fail out an exam?
• As you can hear from these students, they don't want more testing.
• That's why it's so important to hear from our students about this.