Transcript Highlights:

• , nationally recognized accrediting bodies.
• So we encourage the BRN to review its current accreditation standards and provide clear justification
• , nationally recognized accrediting body.
• Currently, the BRN requires extensive documents. nationally recognized accrediting body.
• California is home to 19 CAPTI-accredited physical therapy programs and 27 CAPTI-accredited physical

Summary: The joint Assembly and Senate Business and Professions sunset oversight hearing focused first on the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), with opening remarks emphasizing legislative oversight, consumer protection, workforce access, and the need to evaluate whether licensing boards are efficient and effective. BRN leaders reported progress since the last review, including faster licensing timelines, streamlined enforcement, improved consumer satisfaction, expanded nursing program enrollment, and new statewide data collection on faculty. Committee members then questioned the board about nurse practitioner scope and supervision, international licensure, English proficiency, online nursing education and clinical placements, military and veteran pathways, workforce shortages, diversity in nursing, the LVN-to-RN 30-unit option, and the role of the board’s RN executive officer. The board explained California’s tiered APRN system, the NCLEX and national certification requirements, the 500-hour direct patient care clinical requirement, and its use of nursing education consultants and board-approved programs to oversee schools and placements. Members also discussed retention problems, especially for new graduates, and the board said shortages are often driven by burnout, lack of support, and employers’ reduced use of new-grad training programs. Public comment largely centered on proposed BRN sunset issues affecting advanced practice nursing, education oversight, and workforce development. Nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, and nurse anesthesiology groups generally supported the BRN sunset report but asked for clearer implementation of AB 890, support for APRN-to-RN delegation authority, streamlined renewals for nurse midwives, and protection of the current population-focus model. The California Medical Association raised concerns about out-of-state nurse practitioners practicing independently without California transition-to-practice requirements, specialty delegation, ratios, and data collection. Higher education representatives from UC, CSU, private nonprofit colleges, and nursing associations urged the board to reduce duplicative documentation, modernize clinical placement rules, improve parity between in-state and out-of-state programs, and address bottlenecks in securing clinical sites. An online nursing school argued that California should create a pathway for distance-learning programs so students can complete clinicals in-state rather than traveling out of state. Several speakers also highlighted the need to expand access for rural and underserved communities, support diverse and nontraditional students, and preserve affordable pathways into nursing.

Transcript Highlights:

• reporting to modify reporting Item 17 is request to delete writer excuse me 30 36, which is crime laboratory
• One is item 18, it's revised rider 37 crime laboratory services to remove. to remove language requiring

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and was chair of our accrediting commission for my discipline.
• But I am concerned how this would impact their accreditation moving forward.
• And you may think, oh, we don't need to worry about accreditation.
• institution or in an accredited degree program.
• And that degree needs to be from an accredited institution.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• bodies and was chair of our accrediting commission for my discipline.
• But I am concerned how this would impact their accreditation moving forward.
• And you may think, oh, we don't need to worry about accreditation.
• institution or an accredited degree program.
• And that degree needs to be from an accredited institution.

Summary: The committee spent most of the meeting discussing a proposed overhaul of Missouri’s higher education funding model, centered on shifting core funding toward an FTE-based formula. The chair and vice chair argued the current system is outdated and inequitable, saying the new approach would better align state dollars with student enrollment and workforce outcomes. Several members supported the need for change but raised concerns about the speed of implementation, the lack of advance consultation with universities, and the possibility that some institutions could face severe budget cuts, accreditation problems, or even closure. Community college representatives were noted as unanimously opposing the recommendation, and members repeatedly asked for clarification on whether graduate programs would be counted at 9, 12, or 15 credit hours, with no definitive answer provided during the meeting. Testimony and comments focused heavily on the consequences for specific institutions and programs. Some members warned that the proposal could hurt schools with expensive programs such as nursing, engineering, doctoral study, research, and specialized missions, while others argued that institutions should be rewarded for producing graduates who are in demand in the workforce. Truman State, Harris-Stowe, Missouri State, and several community colleges were discussed as examples of schools that could either gain or lose substantially under the model. The chair and vice chair said the proposal was not intended to force consolidation, but several members said the size of the cuts could indirectly lead to consolidation or closure and would require a phase-in to avoid harming students. After the higher education discussion, the committee moved through other budget items. The chair described cuts and restorations in several areas, including removing easement funding at the Department of Revenue, adding hearing officers for the State Tax Commission, restoring some MODOT requests, and shifting interest earnings from I-70 and I-44 project funds back to general revenue. Members also asked about Bartle Hall funding, a Bolivar road project, and new language restricting personal-service spending unless appropriations explicitly allow it. No formal votes were taken in the portion provided; the chair indicated the committee would continue moving through the budget items and follow up on unresolved questions with the department.

Transcript Highlights:

• It revises the accreditation... ...and responsible management of reserve funds.
• or a fifth-year review, removes the requirement that institutions seek accreditation specifically from
• a regional accrediting agency, expands resident tuition protection to individuals and their dependent
• It revises the accreditation... ...first-time-in-college Pell Grant students system-wide.
• It's accredited, national accredited standard curriculum. It's clinical and classroom training.

Bills: S1062, S1718, S7038

Keywords: speech education, debate, high school, Florida Debate Initiative, civics, competitive teams, student participation, educational advancement, educator preparation, certification, professional development, temporary certificate, military service, collaboration, teaching effectiveness, education, Florida College System, tuition waivers, vocational rehabilitation, state universities

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met to consider several education bills and the proposed fiscal year 2026-2027 Department of Education budget. The committee first took up CS/SB 1062 on speech and debate, which would formalize Florida’s Speech and Debate Week, strengthen the partnership between the Department of Education and the Florida Debate Initiative, require annual public reporting, and support statewide speech and debate programming. The bill drew extensive supportive testimony from students, alumni, and advocates who said debate improved civic engagement, literacy, confidence, and school performance, while also noting the need for equitable access and funding for travel and competition. The committee adopted a delete-everything amendment and then reported the bill favorably as amended by a unanimous vote of members present. The committee then heard SB 1718 on educator preparation and certification, which expands access to educator preparation coursework, broadens eligibility for temporary certification for some formerly certified professionals, and allows prior subject-area exam results to satisfy requirements. Public testimony largely supported easing barriers for experienced educators while emphasizing that certification changes are only a partial solution to teacher shortages and should be paired with better pay, retention, and professional respect. The bill was reported favorably. Next, the committee considered SB 7038 on education, which included a wide range of higher education and workforce-related changes, including a tuition waiver for Florida State Guard members, residency clarifications, oversight changes for blind services and vocational rehabilitation providers, licensure updates for private colleges, dual enrollment and assessment revisions, scholarship and funding changes, and reserve-fund requirements. An amendment restored the Classical Learning Test as a qualifying option for a grandparent tuition waiver, adjusted a Pell Grant performance metric, changed accreditation timing, and made other technical revisions. A dental education stakeholder raised concerns that one provision could disrupt long-standing exemptions for dental assisting programs, and the Florida Dental Association said it was working with the sponsor to avoid unintended impacts. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as amended. The final major item was a high-level review of the proposed pre-K-12 budget, totaling $34.9 billion with local funds. Highlights included $30 billion for public schools and K-12 scholarships, a $50 increase in the base student allocation, a 1.64% increase in total funds per FTE, $4.5 billion for family empowerment scholarships as a separate FEFP categorical, $25 million for districts facing future enrollment declines, $65.3 million to help districts with current-year enrollment losses, $432.8 million for VPK, and $30.4 million for regional education consortia. Senators asked about reductions or flat funding in some allocations, teacher pay, declining enrollment support, Schools of Hope funding, and support for non-teaching school staff. Public testimony on the budget focused heavily on concerns about charter and voucher funding, especially the $6 million for Schools of Hope, with speakers urging more investment in traditional public schools, teacher compensation, and school infrastructure. The committee concluded the meeting by adjournment after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's been some concern that the accreditation process for testing facilities will not smoothly line
• when the testing facility makes certain demonstrations that they are in the process of achieving accreditation
• There's been some concern that<00:03:05.360><c> the</c><00:03:05.680><c> accreditation</c><00:03:06.560
• ><c> process</c><00:03:07.040><c> for</c> that the accreditation process for that the accreditation process
• The remainder of those accreditation.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• When we look at accreditation status, when I present to you today related to accreditation status, I'm
• Accreditation status of the are in programs.
• And then lastly looking our student retention rate by accreditation status.
• Again, when I'm when I'm reporting to you accreditation status, these are only the are in programs.
• So here again, looking just at the complex are and are accredited programs tend to perform higher than

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would note that this PCS adds the accreditation.
• There's two of them nationwide that currently accredit our colleges of education.
• in this bill: either the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation or the Association for
• So I'm looking at CAEP, and they accredit most of the university's public and private here already.
• If those are the two accreditation entities available for all higher ed out there, then if their accreditation

Bills: HB2987, HB3026, HB3076, HB3288, HB3315, HB3467, HB3711, HB3885, HB4427, HB4359, HB4363

Keywords: education, academic standards, subject matter standards, State Board of Education, legislative review, joint resolution, curriculum, school standards, Oklahoma Administrative Code, education oversight, common education, curriculum standards, state education policy, rulemaking, legislative veto, kindergarten, military families, education policy, school districts, international military dependents

Summary: The Education Oversight committee heard and advanced several bills, with most receiving due pass recommendations by voice vote. HB 4359, by Speaker Pro Tem Moore, would move the annual testing window to the last three weeks of the school year; members asked about district scheduling and possible cost impacts, but the bill passed 10-0. HB 4363 updated outdated statutory references tied to OSU’s early development and also passed unanimously. HB 3467 would extend school-teacher maternity leave protections to include adoption of newborn children, and it passed without opposition. HB 2987 would change how academic standards are handled if the legislature takes no action within 30 legislative days, deeming them disapproved rather than approved; supporters said it preserves legislative oversight, while concerns were raised about leaving outdated standards in place, but it passed. HB 376, as amended, would create a new alternative teacher certification pathway through third-party certifiers; debate centered on whether easier pathways would weaken traditional teacher-prep programs or help fill vacancies, and it passed after extended discussion. The committee also advanced HB 4427, which adds guardrails to the adjunct teacher program by limiting adjuncts in core subjects in grades K-4 and requiring them to work toward certification. HB 3026 would let children of U.S. military allies stationed in Oklahoma start kindergarten according to their home-country timelines, and it passed. HB 3288 would restore physical education emphasis in schools, and HB 3315 would direct a feasibility study on 90-hour bachelor’s degree programs; both moved forward. HB 3711 would require schools to post the percentage of spending devoted to instructional expenditures on their websites and bond applications, with the sponsor declining to extend the same requirement to private schools receiving public tax-credit dollars. HB 3885 drew the most debate. It would establish suspension and expulsion standards for students who physically attack teachers or school employees, with supporters arguing it gives administrators clearer authority to protect staff and students and opponents warning it could conflict with existing protections for students with disabilities and create legal risk. The sponsor said the bill is intended to address intentional violence and allow case-by-case judgment, while critics cited prior civil-rights concerns over disproportionate discipline. Despite the objections, the bill passed on a due pass recommendation. The committee adjourned after announcing it would meet again Wednesday at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• THE PUBLIC SCHOOL AND THE ACCREDITED SCHOOL ARE NOT COVERED AND THE REASON IS THIS, BACK IN 2010 THE
• THE ACCREDITED SCHOOLS INCLUDES PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THOSE ARE EXEMPT.
• ACCREDITED SCHOOLS SLASH PRIVATE SCHOOLS CORRECT? YES OR NO?
• TIME TO BECOME ACCREDITED AND THEN A PROGRAM AFTER. >> Senator Davis: MR.
• THERE ARE PRIVATE BUT SOME ARE ACTUALLY ACCREDITED. I'LL GET THE NUMBER TO YOU.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hospitals might hire accrediting organizations to do inspections for CMS certification.
• In certain cases, an inspection by an accrediting organization may be used in lieu of a DOH inspection
• Hospitals may hire accrediting organizations to do inspections for CMS certification.
• So things like a CMS certification or an accreditation inspection. The study that J.
• by an approved accrediting body.

Bills: HB2540, HB2113

Keywords: emergency medical services, EMT recertification, healthcare, first responders, public health, radiologic technologists, diagnostic imaging, healthcare regulation, professional supervision, state licensing, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Item 17 is request to delete rider, excuse me, 36, which is crime laboratory cost containment, um, which
• Uh, the last one is item 18 is to revised writer 37, Crime Laboratory Services to remove, uh, to remove

Transcript Highlights:

• When the accredited investor framework was being debated, accredited investors were thought to be those
• </c><04:49:32.320><c> investor</c> definition of accredited investor definition of accredited investor
• </c> example, should be deemed accredited example, should be deemed accredited without<04:54:12.958><
• I urge my of accredited investor.
• </c> expand the definition of an accredited expand the definition of an accredited investor<04:56:30.958

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, June 23, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Accreditation is only in its early stage.
• Subject of instruction, accreditation is only in its early stages of implementation, and we're hopeful
• I think a couple of weeks ago I sat before you and said that school accreditation will not only align
• And through the school accreditation, we'll be able to balance that support, giving them feedback on
• We work a lot with UNM, CNN, and then for accreditation purposes, and we, or to get them licensed.

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation on strategic resource management in public education. LESC staff and PED officials argued that New Mexico has increased school funding, but local budgeting and planning remain fragmented and overly compliance-driven. They described long-term pressures including declining enrollment, rising special education costs, falling cash balances, changes in federal funding, and leadership turnover, and said schools need more intentional multi-year planning tied to student outcomes. They also outlined the many disconnected planning requirements schools must complete, compared New Mexico’s current approach with Ohio’s three-year budget forecasting model, and recommended continuing multi-year appropriations, adding $2.5 million for state grants in the unified application, and directing LESC, LFC, and PED to develop a long-term financial planning proposal. PED said it is working to reduce administrative burden through school accreditation, a unified application for federal and state funds, and internal alignment of guidance and coaching, with pilot schools reporting time savings and better alignment. Members raised concerns about four-day school weeks, the burden on small districts, the need for outcomes and return on investment, and whether the state should move toward a two-year or three-year planning cycle; staff clarified that the proposal was to streamline or eliminate redundant requirements, not add another layer. The committee then received an update on the Educator Fellows program. PED described it as a Grow Your Own pipeline that employs candidates as supplemental educational assistants while they work toward licensure, providing salary, benefits, paid leave, mentoring, and coursework support. Officials said the program helps address teacher shortages, improves student-to-teacher ratios, increases workforce diversity, and supports the Martinez-Yazzie action plan. They reported 370 current fellows across 86 LEAs and about 180 schools, with many fellows being people of color, first-generation college students, or second-career educators; roughly 85 are expected to become certified this year. A local HR director from Belen testified that the program has been especially valuable in small communities, where fellows are already rooted in the community and several have moved into teaching roles. Members asked about high school recruitment, tuition, retirement and benefits, the relationship to the Higher Education Department’s Grow Your Own scholarship, and the role of university partners. PED said fellows choose among accredited higher education partners, the program is separate from the scholarship but complementary, and the state is also building an apprenticeship model and seeking to expand the program to more LEAs, though some districts are on a waiting list because of funding and local match requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then on top of that, awarding it only towards certain accredited schools or certain accredited schools
• </c> award scholarships to um ALA accredited award scholarships to um ALA accredited schools.<03:03:56.479
• </c> it only towards certain accredited it only towards certain accredited school<03:04:40.640><c> or
• or certain accredited schools school or certain accredited schools with<03:04:43.040><c> affiliation
• accredited by the ALA.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.000><c> status</c> The school district accreditation status The school district accreditation status
• or if they had lost their accreditation, they would also lose state funding?
• or if they had lost their accreditation, they would also lose state funding?
• We did not want to risk losing our accreditation because we know how important accredited schools are
• We did not want to risk losing our accreditation because we know how important accredited schools are

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• accreditation.
• accreditation.
• accreditation.
• accreditation.
• accreditation.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But again, the benefit of this is that it is an engaging learning living laboratory.
• And again, those geo-eco nodes are going to serve as a living laboratory for our students and the greater
• And again, those geo-eco nodes are going to serve as a living laboratory for our students and the greater

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

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Infinity Lab, which is right upstairs in this building, is a cutting-edge laboratory and biotech.
• .. designed for research and creative problem-solving. as assistants, interns, or with other laboratories
• Whether they're trying to build a new laboratory, a manufacturing site, what have you.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• without any regard to levels of exposure, variability, and lab practices or capacity of testing laboratories
• capacity of any regard to levels of exposure, variability, and lab practices, or capacity of testing laboratories
• So this is roughly 10 times higher than the level shown to cause harm to human cells in laboratory studies

Summary: The Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee heard three bills after beginning without a quorum and later establishing one. SB 328 would cap DTSC hazardous waste generation and handling fees for infill housing and master development projects and set response timelines for cleanup reviews. Supporters said the current fee structure has made some housing and remediation projects infeasible, while opponents warned that capping fees for one sector could shift costs to other hazardous waste generators. The committee discussed the need for broader DTSC fee reform, and SB 328 was approved on a 7-0 vote and sent to the Committee on Revenue and Taxation. SB 754 would require manufacturers of disposable menstrual products to test for and disclose concentrations of certain contaminants, with DTSC able to verify results and publish them. Supporters framed the bill as a transparency and public health measure, citing recent studies finding toxic metals in tampons and emphasizing consumer right-to-know. Opponents, including manufacturers and hygiene product groups, argued the bill adds duplicative testing, vague requirements, and public disclosure that could be misinterpreted, and urged amendments. The committee members generally supported the goal of transparency, and the bill passed 5-2 with not voting members, moving to Appropriations. SB 466 would provide temporary legal protections for public water systems that are complying with approved chromium-6 compliance plans while they work toward the new drinking water standard. Supporters from Los Banos, Coachella Valley Water District, and other water agencies said the measure would help avoid costly litigation during a lengthy and expensive compliance period, especially for systems dealing with naturally occurring chromium-6. Committee members raised concerns about limiting recourse for harmed individuals and discussed possible alternative language, but the author said the bill would not affect state enforcement authority. SB 466 passed 7-0 and was sent to the Committee on Judiciary. The committee also adopted a consent calendar of additional measures by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• the state offering instruction beyond the high school level that is a member institution of an accrediting
• as a degree-granting institution for 10 years or more by an accrediting association recognized by WASAC
• , regardless of overall accreditation status, regulatory oversight, and program quality.
• This language has not kept pace with how accreditation works in modern higher education.
• Northeastern is an accredited private nonprofit research institution with all our campuses accredited

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on House Bill 2070, which would create state funding parity for Western Washington University by tying appropriations to a per-student funding ratio. The prime sponsor and Western officials said Western has long been the lowest-funded public four-year institution on a per-student basis, leading to budget cuts, reduced student services, and delayed graduation. Students, faculty, and university leaders testified in support, while some members questioned whether the bill should instead address a broader higher-education funding formula for all institutions. Central Washington University also supported the bill but suggested a broader approach. No vote was taken on HB 2070. The committee then heard House Bill 2671, which would expand eligibility for state financial aid to certain nonprofit out-of-state branch campuses operating in Washington if they meet specified accreditation, duration, and authorization requirements. Rep. Timmons said the bill is intended to help students in an accelerated nursing program at Northeastern University in Seattle access aid and support workforce needs. Northeastern’s dean testified in support, saying the bill would align financial aid law with prior changes to degree-granting statutes and would not increase state spending. The hearing on HB 2671 was then closed. House Bill 2617, dealing with the higher-education “fund split,” drew extensive testimony. The bill would gradually shift more of employee compensation increases and central services costs to state funding, and would require a study of essential student services. The sponsor and many university, faculty, staff, and student witnesses argued that the current funding practice shifts costs to tuition, contributes to layoffs, program cuts, larger classes, and reduced student support, and creates instability across public higher education. Community and technical college representatives also said underfunding COLAs harms operations and students. The committee then moved to executive session on Senate Bill 6258, which would authorize the Washington Medical Commission to create a non-disciplinary pathway for voluntary license relinquishment; the committee approved it 14-0 with a due-pass recommendation, with three members excused.