Transcript Highlights:

• I was with a group of superintendents this morning, and they communicated that there have been some challenges
• with the right individuals in districts to make sure that these claims are adjusted, and that superintendents
• Senator Hickey—and I think the primary challenge that I've heard, and I hear a lot of things from superintendents
• So I look at it more as... ...superintendents is around just the communication side of it, so I look

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The State Insurance Programs Oversight Subcommittee met on June 17 and reviewed a series of Employee Benefits Division and Office of Property Risk items. Grant Wallace presented March and April formulary changes, including moving to lower-cost generic and preferred drugs, leaving several new-to-market drugs not covered, and adjusting migraine and diabetes medications; the committee approved those recommendations. The subcommittee also approved a cell and gene therapy policy that excludes automatic coverage for those therapies so they can undergo prior authorization and review, with members emphasizing that the policy was intended to create review, not an absolute denial, and that expedited appeals would remain available. Members spent significant time discussing the UAMS pharmacy benefit consultant amendment. Wallace explained that the contract included both basic services and optional services related to coupon and rebate management and prior authorization support, but the written materials created confusion over the dollar amount. After questions about whether the committee was approving a higher amount than the base contract and whether the optional services duplicated work already being done by Navitus, the committee agreed to review the item with a contingency that any use of the optional services would return to the committee for approval. The committee also reviewed and approved the U.S. Able Mutual/Blue Advantage third-party administrator contract, the CompSack employee assistance program contract, and the proposed 2027 employee and public employee rates, which call for a 9.8% increase for state employees and a 4.9% increase for public school employees. On the property risk side, the committee reviewed permanent rules for the property insurance program, a contingency-fee subrogation contract with Denenberg-Tuffley, and renewals for Sedgwick claims management, Actuarial Advantage, and Stevens Capital Management. Wallace said Sedgwick had faced delays after a major winter storm and other weather events, but performance guarantees and communication expectations were being added; members discussed whether a shorter renewal term would be preferable, but the item was reviewed. The committee also approved the 2026-27 captive insurance program rates, which Wallace said would lower the overall rate by 10% while keeping minimum deductibles unchanged. He noted the program had stabilized after a difficult first year and that the rate structure was now based on a more transparent actuarial foundation. The meeting ended with an update that the UnitedHealthcare rebid was nearing completion and would return in August, and the committee adjourned after approving the remaining items.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would require the State Board of Education or the superintendent of the State Police to determine
• It would require the State Board of Education or the superintendent of the state police to determine
• The bill also specifies that there is nothing to preclude a county board or superintendent from providing
• Finally, the bill provides rulemaking for both the Senate board and the superintendent.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum present and first approved the minutes from the prior meeting. It then reconsidered Committee Substitute for House Bill 5212, noting that an Education Committee amendment had been inadvertently omitted the day before; the vice chairman withdrew the prior motion to report the bill, and the committee returned to the bill with the technical Education Committee amendments pending. The transcript then moved through a long agenda of bills and supplemental appropriations, with the committee generally hearing brief explanations from counsel, occasional member questions, and then voting to adopt amendments and report measures to the full Senate. Among the substantive policy bills, the committee advanced House Bill 4007 on the Industrial Access Road Fund, allowing an additional possible $3 million transfer in a fiscal year, expanding eligible uses, and increasing county/municipal spending limits; House Bill 4765, which raises salaries for state police, teachers, and school service personnel and, via a strike-and-insert amendment, creates a market pay enhancement tied to county and regional income data; House Bill 5162, recodifying tax lien sale procedures and clarifying ownership and government-property tax treatment; House Bill 5382, extending the Neighborhood Investment Tax Credit Program to July 1, 2031; House Bill 5685, authorizing up to $150 million in revenue bonds backed by excess lottery funds for State Culture Center improvements; House Joint Resolution 42, placing a constitutional amendment on the ballot to raise the homestead exemption from $20,000 to $40,000; House Bill 4010, creating an airport hangar grant program and fund; House Bill 4404, increasing from $500 to $5,000 the amount volunteer fire departments may spend on training and fire prevention materials; House Bill 4592, requiring standardized campus safety mapping data for higher education institutions; House Bill 4784, extending and making retroactive a qualified opportunity zone business tax modification; and House Bill 5088, increasing retirement benefits for Division of Natural Resources police officers, with a one-time $4.25 million cash injection. The committee also reported several supplemental appropriations and originating bills, including Senate Bill 842 for the Spay Neuter Assistance Fund, Senate Bill 846 for Culture and History capital repairs, Senate Bill 872 for Natural Resources capital repairs (reduced to $10 million in committee substitute), Senate Bill 876 for Department of Health facilities, Senate Originating Bills 1 through 5 covering Culture and History, road funds, corrections IT and services, tobacco education, and the Adjutant General’s armory board transfer, respectively. Most items were adopted by voice vote; House Bill 4765’s strike-and-insert amendment was adopted after a division vote of 10-6. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would require the State Board of Education or the superintendent of the state police to determine
• It would require the State Board of Education or the superintendent of the state police to determine
• The bill also specifies that there is nothing to preclude a county board or superintendent from providing
• Finally, the bill provides rulemaking for both the State Board and the superintendent.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum present and approved the minutes from the prior meeting. The committee first reconsidered House Bill 5212, restoring a technical amendment from the Education Committee, then reported the amended bill to the full Senate with a do pass recommendation and adopted the title amendment. It also heard and advanced House Bill 407 on the Industrial Access Road Fund, allowing an additional possible $3 million transfer in some years, expanding eligible uses, and raising county/municipal spending caps; the Economic Development Committee’s technical amendment was adopted before the bill was reported. The committee then took up House Bill 4765, which would raise salary schedules for state police, teachers, and school service personnel and was amended with a strike-and-insert provision creating a market pay enhancement tied to county and regional income data. Several senators objected that the proposal would benefit only some counties, but the amendment was adopted by division vote, 10-6, and the bill was reported. Other bills reported included House Bill 5162 on tax lien sale procedures, House Bill 5382 extending the Neighborhood Investment Tax Credit Program to 2031, House Bill 5685 authorizing up to $150 million in revenue bonds for State Culture Center improvements backed by excess lottery funds, House Joint Resolution 42 raising the homestead exemption from $20,000 to $40,000, House Bill 4010 creating an airport hangar grant program, House Bill 4404 increasing volunteer fire departments’ spending cap for training and promotional materials, and House Bill 4592 requiring standardized campus safety mapping data at higher education institutions after an amendment changed the requirement from permissive to mandatory. The committee also reported House Bill 4784 extending the qualified opportunity zone business tax modification, House Bill 5088 increasing benefits in the DNR police officer retirement system with a $4.25 million cash injection, and several supplemental appropriations: Senate Bill 842 for the Spay-Neuter Assistance Fund, Senate Bill 846 for Culture and History repairs and equipment, Senate Bill 872 for DNR repairs and equipment after reducing the amount to $10 million, Senate Bill 876 for three state hospitals, Senate Originating Bill 1 for Culture and History, Senate Originating Bill 2 for highway spending authority, Senate Originating Bill 3 for corrections IT and special services, Senate Originating Bill 4 for tobacco education, and Senate Originating Bill 5 for the Armory Board. The committee adjourned after reporting all listed measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is consistent with the way our school boards do with superintendent in the K-12 system.
• 18.560> with with the way our school boards do with with the way our school boards do with superintendent
• <00:08:21.680> Uh<00:08:22.000> it superintendent in the K12 system.
• Uh it superintendent in the K12 system.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Postsecondary Education met with a quorum and first heard House Bill 266, which would add audiology and speech-language pathology to the Kentucky Health Care Workforce Investment Fund as eligible credentials. Sponsor Representative Griffy and Dr. Kelly Ellis of Eastern Kentucky University testified that both professions are essential health care services, require advanced education and licensure, and face shortages, especially in rural areas. The bill passed favorably without opposition. The committee then took up House Bill 379, a cleanup and policy bill for postsecondary education. As amended by a primary House substitute, it would exempt mandatory orientation and training for governing board members from open meetings requirements if no action is taken, allow preliminary university president evaluations to occur in closed session while final evaluations remain public, designate Northern Kentucky University as the permanent home of the Kentucky Center for Mathematics, and establish a process for collecting enrollment-related debt through universities and the Kentucky Revenue Cabinet. The substitute also removed provisions related to student body presidents and the Commonwealth Education Continuum. Representative Baker and guests from NKU and the Council on Postsecondary Education said the changes were recommended by universities and CPE, noted that NKU has long hosted the Kentucky Center for Mathematics, and explained that no other institution has sought the role. Members asked about the center’s work, and supporters described it as a statewide organization that improves math education and teacher training. House Bill 379, as amended, passed with favorable expression and was reported to the House floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• It all boils down to the fact that we need to be listening more to our superintendents, to our principals
• 33.639> to<00:12:33.920> our to be listening more to our to be listening more to our superintendents
• 35.199> our<00:12:35.399> principes<00:12:36.000> to<00:12:36.199> our superintendents
• to our principes to our superintendents to our principes to our teachers<00:12:37.279> and<00

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm superintendent of Rockingham County Jail. I'm just here to bring two concerns.
• Along with that, there was some training that Superintendent King would like to talk about. can deal
• > to talk about to talk about to um<01:20:26.960> uh<01:20:27.120> superintendent
• ><01:20:27.639> King<01:20:27.840> Carol<01:20:28.199> County Superintendent King
• Henry long term um again superintendent Henry uh<01:21:00.080> with<01:21:00.400> the<

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As well as the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools for local perspectives on implementing the fee
• Assistant Superintendent of Student Services for Fresno County Superintendent of Schools.
• The superintendent from Fresno shared how we're behind, which is very concerning, especially if we're
• On behalf of the California County Superintendents, representing the 58 County Superintendents of Schools
• I align my comments with Trina Frazier from the Fresno County Superintendents of Schools.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I would say I've had numerous superintendents ask me for this, by the way.
• I've had numerous superintendents ask me I've had numerous superintendents ask me for<00:18:02.640>
• >> for a for a superintendent to hire them?
• The superintendent never came to my shows. My headmasters would usually...
• The superintendent never questioned.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• force with the esteemed superintendent force with the esteemed superintendent unowsky<01:32:35.639
• Is Superintendent Onow-ski either in the audience or online? Okay. All right.
• onow ski either in the superintendent onow ski either in the audience<01:35:55.880> oh<01:35:
• um Senator onski oops superintendent um Senator onski oops superintendent onski<01:58:27.920>
• Stanowski, superintendent of Richfield Public Schools.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So currently a school bus driver's termination is under the purview of the superintendent.
• I brought this bill on behalf of the superintendent of Levis Parish Schools as well as a couple other
• superintendents that had their reps asking to run it as well.
• As well as a couple other superintendents that had their reps asking to run it as well. All right.
• Superintendent Burton, provide information if necessary.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, are schools—are the principals at each school or the superintendents in each school district—are
• topics around some of what we talked about this morning, for example, around school Leadership, superintendents
• We've had a lot of superintendents already and charter school leaders already raise their hands and ask
• Chairman, and John and Jessica, I mean, I would request that maybe at our meetings we have superintendent
• And I've said this before in this committee: Espanola just fired their superintendent.

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, we have here the superintendent and the coach. The champions.
• Also, we have here the superintendent and the coaches for these great teams, and I want to make sure
• Raise your hand, please, coaches and superintendent.
• Superintendents and sheriffs know about some others.
• Superintendents and sheriffs know about some others that aren't doing so well.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• health, safety, or welfare of students or the learning environment of other students to the county superintendent
• The bill also expands the requirement that the county superintendent report to the state superintendent
• and that the state superintendent maintain a database of all individuals suspended or dismissed for
• The bill also expands the requirement that the state superintendent maintain a database of all individuals
• Lastly, the bill allows any nonpublic school to provide information to the state superintendent to be

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, journal approval, and numerous guest introductions, including students, community leaders, food bank representatives, and visitors connected to Hunger Free West Virginia Day. A resolution recognizing March 10, 2026, as Hunger Free West Virginia Day was adopted, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 7 on the Southern West Virginia water crisis was referred to the Rules Committee. The chamber also heard remarks highlighting Hunger Free West Virginia’s work and a West Virginia company, Unigen, developing pharmaceutical manufacturing in the state. The Senate concurred with House amendments and passed several measures, including Senate Bill 467 on enforcement of Purple Heart parking spaces, Senate Bill 712 on cattle guards on certain public roads, and Senate Bill 781, a supplemental appropriation measure that was also made effective from passage. The chamber then adopted and passed Senate Bill 844, a large supplemental appropriation to the Department of Human Services, and Senate Bill 87, a supplemental appropriation to the Department of Commerce, both effective from passage. Other third-reading bills passed included the Blue Envelope Program for drivers with autism, dementia, or intellectual and developmental disabilities; coverage for scalp cooling systems during chemotherapy; expansion of sex-offender registration to include solicitation of a minor and non-consensual disclosure of private images; child safety reporting requirements for school personnel; age-verification requirements for websites hosting harmful sexual material; free Gold Star parent vehicle registration; online training and updated standards for sanitarians; sheriff hiring authority; organ donor registration through voter registration; a Cold Case Task Force; abandoned vehicle title procedures; nutrition continuing education for physicians; special plate rules; gift card fraud offenses; protections for athletic officials; in-year school personnel movement; administrative services powers; pharmacy benefit manager regulation; vape shop regulation; reduced parole supervision fees; disability service credit for certain troopers; property valuation reporting changes; and quarterly Hope Scholarship payments. The Senate also advanced a large number of House bills and committee substitutes on second reading, including supplemental appropriations and measures on mental health examinations, dog registration rules, juvenile jurisdiction on military installations, military interpersonal violence, kinship care subsidies, a statewide prevention plan, contraband smuggling into federal prisons, forestry equipment levy treatment, and Commerce Department rules for microgrid districts and high-impact data centers. Several committee amendments were adopted, and many bills were advanced to third reading without objection. No executive communications were reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have assistant superintendent of Innovation and school choice, Mr.
• We've been talking to the school boards association's and superintendents and it folks trying to get
• chief academic officer and like Rachel, a former teacher, assistant principal principal reason superintendent
• I'm the assistant superintendent renovation of school choice here in Miami-Dade County.
• We've been doing webinars were a superintendent myself.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will hear from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction around some of the work groups
• So please let me invite the Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education and Pathway Preparation
• And superintendents are not all equally well-equipped, even with your guidance, to understand how do
• I'm thinking of, for example, I don't know how he did it, but the superintendent in, I think it was Yakima
• And superintendents are not all equally well-equipped, even with your guidance, to understand how do

Summary: The House Education Committee received status updates on career and technical education (CTE), including OSPI’s work under 2024 legislation on allied health pathways and a statewide CTE task force, an update from Core Plus Maritime, and findings from an Education Northwest longitudinal study of Washington CTE access and outcomes. OSPI described development of allied health guidance such as a home care aide to nursing assistant bridge, model curricula, updated course equivalency frameworks, and coordination with health agencies and employers. It also reviewed Core Plus framework work, task force expansion under later legislation, and the timeline for recommendations due in November 2026. Committee members asked about health profession outreach, equitable access for rural districts, data updates, and employer support for local programs; OSPI said it continues to work with agency and industry partners and that local labor-market alignment varies by region. Core Plus Maritime presenters described expanding maritime career exploration into middle school through low-cost ROV curriculum, student visits to ferries and vessels, Sea Scouts partnerships, and ship-based safety and welding experiences. Industry representatives from the Northwest Marine Trade Association, American Seafoods, and Vigor Marine Group emphasized the maritime sector’s economic importance, aging workforce, and need for hands-on training to build the pipeline for family-wage jobs. A teacher from South Kitsap High School said the program gives students a clear pathway and has helped connect them to careers in shipyards, fishing, and related trades. Vigor also noted support for a student welding competition and equipment donations for a Rainier Beach shop. Dr. Sam Riggs of Education Northwest presented a longitudinal study using state data from 2013-14 through 2023-24. The study found CTE access has been relatively steady statewide, but offerings vary by school size, locale, and income, with rural and lower-income schools generally offering fewer pathways. Participation is high: nearly all students earn at least some CTE credit, and more students are accumulating multiple credits over time, though fewer go deep within a single pathway. Students who earned more CTE credits, especially within pathways such as agriculture, manufacturing, transportation, and construction, were more likely to graduate on time and later had stronger postsecondary certificate attainment and earnings. Riggs recommended addressing local barriers to participation, considering whether the CTE graduation requirement should better encourage depth while preserving flexibility, and aligning offerings more closely with labor-market needs. Committee members asked about COVID-era trends, student motivation, early workforce entry, delivery settings such as skill centers, and how to interpret the comparison groups used in the analysis.

Transcript Highlights:

• On behalf of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, I'm really just here to answer any questions
• I'm representing Superintendent Tony Thurmond, State Superintendent.
• For the record, I said I'm representing State Superintendent Tony Smith; that's actually State Superintendent
• Jeff Baca representing the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As well as our newly elected superintendent in Lee County, Denise Carlin, thank you for being here.
• That's a conversation I had with superintendents early on when the bill passed.
• couple of other areas that also help support our school districts and our school board members and superintendents
• couple of other areas that also help support our school districts and our school board members and superintendents
• be able to do is go back, be able to pull some of that information that we're getting because superintendents

Summary: The Pre-K through 12 Budget Subcommittee held its first interim meeting, took roll, and established a quorum. Members introduced themselves, many noting backgrounds in education, school boards, local government, or parenting, and Chair Jenna Persons-Mulicka outlined the committee’s goal of building the fiscal year 2025-26 Pre-K-12 budget. She also reviewed the fiscal year 2024-25 education budget, noting that the Pre-K-12 portion totals about $21 billion, with the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP) as the largest driver, along with major funding for VPK, school readiness, and school recognition. She explained that federal COVID relief funds have ended and that recent school choice legislation has affected budget structure. Commissioner Manny Diaz and department leaders then gave overviews of their divisions. Diaz highlighted Florida’s education rankings, record graduation rate, progress monitoring, expanded school choice participation, charter school growth, and teacher salary investments, while emphasizing a focus on literacy, math, and early learning. Carrie Miller described the Division of Early Learning’s school readiness and VPK programs, their funding, eligibility, accountability systems, and the importance of kindergarten readiness. Paul Burns outlined the Division of Public Schools’ work on educator quality, literacy, standards, certification, family outreach, federal programs, and school improvement. Suzanne Pridgen reviewed finance and operations functions, including budget management, FEFP calculations, grants, procurement, transportation, and emergency management. Adam Emerson described parental choice programs, including scholarships, charter schools, schools of hope, virtual education, and home education. Darren Norris detailed the Office of Safe Schools’ responsibilities for risk assessments, compliance inspections, threat management, grants, and training created after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas tragedy. Members asked questions about several issues, including whether the Safe Schools office recommends changes to the school safety grant distribution formula, whether early learning eligibility should shift from federal poverty level to state median income, how scholarship payments are verified to avoid funding students who return to public school, and whether daily attendance systems could improve funding accuracy. Other questions addressed hurricane-related survey disruptions, VPK provider reimbursement rates and instructional hours, teacher salary increases, school start time costs, and how voucher schools handle IEP accommodations. Department officials generally said some issues remain under review, supported moving school readiness eligibility to SMI, noted that scholarship and enrollment data are cross-checked and adjusted when needed, and said progress monitoring now helps schools support mobile students. On school safety, officials said exemptions are allowed in statute for some items but not for classroom doors, and that district-specific conditions matter. No votes were taken and no formal actions were reported beyond receiving presentations and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Scog and I serve as the superintendent Scog and I serve as the superintendent of<00:04:02.720>
• Thank you so much for uh superintendent. Thank you so much for uh superintendent.
• Thank you so much, Superintendent.
• >> Superintendent >> Superintendent >> Superintendent We<00:10:52.480> have<
• Superintendent.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I want the superintendents and the school districts to to really pay attention and think about
• And so I want the superintendents and the school districts to to really pay attention and think about
• And so I want the superintendents and the school districts to to really pay attention and think about
• Yesterday, I met with superintendents from my district.
• Yesterday, I met with superintendents Yesterday, I met with superintendents from<01:30:13.440>

Bills: HF3490, HF4040

Keywords: education finance, scholarship-granting organizations, charitable purposes, student scholarships, nonpublic schools, K-12 education, tax credit, advance payment, Minnesota tax law, child education expenses, taxpayer assistance, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I got the same pushback from my superintendent, and in fact, not just my superintendent.
• And not just superintendents in there.
• and in fact, not just my superintendent and in fact, not just my<01:16:40.960> superintendent.
• I'm looking at my my superintendent.
• . superintendent. superintendent.

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer and the pledge, then established a quorum with 27 senators present. The body excused absent senators, approved the previous day’s journal, and allowed bills and committee reports to be introduced throughout the day. The Senate also welcomed guests in the gallery, including Auburn University McCarter School of Building Science students and retired MPD Sergeant Martin Bean. The chamber received multiple House messages and gubernatorial confirmations, referring several local bills and appointments to the appropriate committees. Committee reports included favorable action on Senate Bills 298 and 91 from County and Municipal Government, and House Bills 297, 365, and 436 from Local Legislation. The Senate adopted several resolutions, including recognitions for Tharptown Baptist Church, Tuskegee University Day, Dr. Bradley Heim, the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, McGill-Toolen Catholic High School volleyball, and a special order calendar resolution setting priority bills for the 15th legislative day. On local bills, the Senate advanced and gave final passage to a series of county and municipal measures, including SB 301 (Perry County), SB 314 (Morgan County), SB 295 (Montgomery County), SB 312 (Marshall County), HB 371 (Pike County constitutional amendment), HB 386 (Elmore County), HB 330 (Etowah County), HB 409 (City of Alabaster), HB 408 (Shelby County), SB 299 (Barbour County), HB 416 (Cleburne County), and HB 421 (Lawrence County constitutional amendment). HB 337 on Madison County was carried over. The Senate also adopted a resolution honoring Alabama’s record-breaking economic development year, citing major investments and job creation, and heard a lengthy Black History recognition segment on W.E.B. Du Bois, Patricia Roberts Harris, Langston Hughes, and Maya Angelou. The main policy discussion centered on Senate Bill 240 regarding parole hearings, with the sponsor explaining it would allow the Pardons and Parole Board to hear from inmates and victims by phone or video to reduce travel burdens and improve access. The sponsor said an amendment was being worked on and moved to carry the bill over to the call of the chair, while another senator raised questions about whether inmates currently have an in-person opportunity to speak and whether board members would be able to question participants remotely.