Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:37:19.840><c> we</c> budget and um in Medicaid schools we budget and um in Medicaid schools we
• </c><01:39:19.199><c> districts</c> how does the school districts how does the school districts um<01
• town that has multiple schools, be multiple schools.
• It can be like Manchester, for example, versus another town may only have one school or two schools,
• </c> have one school or two schools so have one school or two schools so they're<03:18:15.319><c> all

Summary: The House Finance Division Three work session on February 21, 2025 focused on the Division of Medicaid Services budget. The chair opened with procedural guidance, noting the division’s role is to make recommendations to the full Finance Committee, that the budget must be balanced, and that members should track possible amendments ahead of a March 26 target for House Bills 1 and 2. Members also discussed the importance of using official budget documents and online resources, and the chair said no motions would be taken at this session. A major early topic was concern over a five-point Medicaid policy document and the timing of House Bill 2. Representative Tarki objected that the document appeared to be an unofficial draft and argued that significant Medicaid policy changes should have been transmitted by February 15 under state law. He said the lack of an official, posted document raised transparency concerns because the changes could affect tens of thousands of residents. Committee leadership responded that the five-point document was a working document, that it would be posted online within minutes, and that House Bill 2 is often delayed while the Office of Legislative Services finalizes and formats the governor’s proposed trailer bill. DHHS Chief Financial Officer Nathan White and Medicaid Director Henry Litman then began the budget presentation. White said the committee would use the PowerPoint as the document of record, starting with the governor’s operating budget pages 885-893, and noted that Medicaid is the largest accounting area in the state budget. He said the governor’s budget reflects about $60 million in reductions within the Medicaid area, with Granite Advantage handled off-budget and another $10 million in reductions there, for roughly a $70 million difference overall. Members asked whether the comparison was being made against an efficiency budget or a prioritized-needs budget, and White said the department could look at it different ways. The presentation then outlined Medicaid’s role in New Hampshire: it provides health coverage, serves as the state’s direct interface with the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and helps finance related services such as long-term supports, school-based services, adult dental coverage, and re-entry programs for people leaving correctional settings. White also reviewed enrollment and program context, saying New Hampshire has about one in seven residents enrolled in Medicaid, making it the fourth smallest Medicaid program in the country by enrollment, and described recent efforts such as youth re-entry and the Medicaid unwind after the end of the federal continuous coverage period. He said the state had to process more than 238,000 redeterminations after the public health emergency and that the department tried to avoid unnecessary coverage loss during that transition.

Transcript Highlights:

• School districts are really struggling right now.
• </c><00:44:38.440><c> districts</c> revenues so that our school districts revenues so that our school
• shift below that. 88020 our school districts do usually 88020 our school districts do usually have<01
• </c><01:04:08.799><c> please</c><01:04:09.039><c> vote</c> back our schools please vote back our schools
• </c><01:21:15.480><c> districts</c> ...cities, counties, and school districts pick up the slack.

Transcript Highlights:

• , where it could still kind of be a standard that we could develop policies within the schools based
• where it could still kind of be a standard that we could develop policies within the schools based on
• This would not apply to indoor workers and or schools.
• My understanding the school districts already have standards.
• I think Senator Edgar Flores, for the record, I think the school district might have a standard that's

Bills: AB93 , AB204 , AB414 , AB504 , AB598

Committee: Assembly Commerce and Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• . schools. schools.
• </c> changes it from schools to locals. changes it from schools to locals.
• </c> from not letting them go to school. from not letting them go to school.
• These are our local schools. These are our neighborhood schools.
• </c> our neighborhood schools. our neighborhood schools.

Transcript Highlights:

• districts, charter schools, and county offices of education through the LCFF.
• It codifies the Farm to School Program at the Department of Food and Agriculture.
• Dan Moran on behalf of the California School Boards Association.
• My name is Kat Brackman with the California School Employees Association.
• I'm here on behalf of a consortium coalition of charter school leaders.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review heard the 2026-27 budget package, including AB 111 and AB 112 plus 16 trailer bills and two policy bills. Chair Laird described the budget as balanced over two fiscal years, with about $351.7 billion in total spending, $251.5 billion General Fund, and record reserves, while emphasizing investments in child care, homelessness, housing, Medi-Cal, education, courts, and other core programs. The Department of Finance presented each bill, outlining major items such as Medi-Cal adjustments tied to federal H.R. 1, child care and early learning funding, education and higher education investments, human services, developmental services, health, skilled nursing, resources, energy, transportation, housing, labor, state government, courts, taxation, and two policy bills on education governance and ballot measure placement. The LAO said it had no additional comments but was available for questions. The committee later achieved quorum and moved to member questions and comments, with no votes taken in the portion provided. Members largely focused on the budget’s fiscal structure and policy implications. Several senators praised staff and noted the compressed timeline, while Vice Chair Niello criticized the process as overly complex and burdensome. Senator Smallwood-Cuevas supported the budget but raised concerns about Medi-Cal changes for people with unsatisfactory immigration status, asking about access to care, the number affected, and county eligibility support; Finance said about two million people would transition to fee-for-service and that $39 million was included for care coordination, along with additional county eligibility funding. Senator Durazo said the agreement delayed, but did not resolve, cuts to immigrant health coverage, dental, and clinic payments, and argued that the budget did not create a true restoration mechanism. Senator Richardson highlighted hospital funding, public hospital definitions, DMV data protections, and court construction and maintenance needs, while Senator Grove questioned the sustainability of spending, the Medi-Cal savings assumptions, distressed hospital funding, Planned Parenthood transparency, developmental services changes, high-speed rail costs, and the property tax postponement program. Other members emphasized different priorities. Senator Blake Spear praised climate and parks investments, support for HAP homelessness funding with accountability, transit stabilization, and Care Court referral funding, while expressing concern about the lack of wildlife coexistence funding and long-term transit operating support. Senator Weber Pearson raised a technical concern in the health trailer bill regarding menopause language, arguing that the bill should refer to perimenopausal symptoms and should not narrow provider participation through contracting language. Throughout the hearing, Finance repeatedly explained that many of the budget’s savings came from reduced caseloads or delayed implementation of prior proposals, while some new spending was added to mitigate impacts and support administration of the changes. No final committee action or vote was shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• it, 25,000 children are run over in school zones across the nation.
• past... ...going past 15 miles an hour in a school zone.
• A $500 fine for school zones, okay, I could see that.
• I get the excessive speed and the red light running in school zones.
• And you're talking about school zones.

Summary: The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee heard several transportation-related measures, with SB 1010 and SB 1552 held at the outset. SB 1024, dealing with licensing and registration rules for roadable aircraft, was discussed briefly; members raised questions about vehicle license tax revenue and the sponsor was absent, but the bill was still advanced on a do pass recommendation by a 3-2 vote. SB 1205, which creates statewide rules for motor vehicle booting on private property, received testimony from industry and Sen. Kavanagh in support and was approved 5-0. SB 1366, creating a study committee on public property towing and impound practices, also passed 5-0 after supporters described it as a bipartisan, data-gathering measure. The committee then took up SB 1624 on photo enforcement violations. The bill would cap civil penalties at $75 and limit the use of photo enforcement violations for license, insurance, and court-record purposes, while an amendment added a class three misdemeanor for excessive speed and directed $15 of the penalty to the Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund. The measure drew extensive debate, with supporters arguing it would simplify enforcement and keep penalties manageable, and opponents including insurers and local governments warning it would mask risk, reduce revenue for state and local funds, and interfere with school-zone safety. After adopting the amendment, the committee advanced the bill 4-2. SB 1232, a technical bill concerning billboard placement near military airport and facility districts, was amended to clarify local approval and public hearing requirements and then passed unanimously. SCR 1004, the companion measure to a House resolution, would send to voters a proposal limiting photo enforcement unless a local government had a contract in place by December 31, 2026; after testimony describing it as a negotiated compromise that preserves local control, it passed 4-2. The committee also approved two memorials, SCM 1002 renaming a portion of SR 77 as the L.F. Quinn Memorial Highway and SCM 1006 renaming a portion of US 70 as the PFC Michael A. Nolene Memorial Highway, both by unanimous votes, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Really quick, I support my adult schools, and so I would love to be added as a co-author.
• This is an important tool for schools to allow effective communication.
• We're obligated by the state and by our constitution to provide safe and stable schools.
• We have recent reports out, but also school is now back in session.
• on to school sites.

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• The school has now told them that they will no longer be being serviced by school bus.
• The school has now told them to school.
• Their uh being serviced by school bus.
• ,</c> to get their kids to school, to get their kids to school, and<01:14:17.920><c> one</c><01:14:18.160
• school library staffs. staffs. staffs.

Transcript Highlights:

• So several school districts throughout the state offer opportunities for high school students to learn
• We hope to extend the... appreciates that many high school appreciates that many high school students
• </c> safe and appropriate way for high school safe and appropriate way for high school students<00:45
• </c> of Shaka program at Shaka High School of Shaka program at Shaka High School which<00:48:32.079><
• </c> working Summers throughout high school working Summers throughout high school and<00:53:51.599><

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• It does note on the school exemption form when you register your kid for school that vaccines are required
• So there is a recent closure of schools because of influenza.
• They simply shut down the school for a couple of days to get the school fully cleaned.
• So there is a recent closure of schools because of influenza.
• They simply shut down the school for a couple of days to get the school fully cleaned.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• school issues about kids entering school with or without vaccinations.
• advice around um school issues, public school<00:35:36.720><c> issues</c><00:35:37.359><c> about</c><
• kids entering school school issues about kids entering school with<00:35:39.520><c> or</c><00:35:39.680
• And before that, I served four years as a school board member in the Burlington School District.
• > Burlington</c><00:38:12.079><c> School</c> member in the Burlington School member in the Burlington

Transcript Highlights:

• I was asked to introduce the charter schools. You have anyone from charter schools here right now?
• Do you have anyone from charter schools here right now? All right, well, we have a few.
• HB 2008, school libraries; professional associations; prohibitions.
• What's the high school football team doing? Who's having a car wash or bake sale?
• This bill is not limited to the school or the library context.

Transcript Highlights:

• Charlotte, who is the Vermont Poetry Out Loud 2026 finalist and a student at Champlain Valley Union High School
• Um, I'm a sophomore at Champlain Valley Union High School.
• Madam Speaker, Theo Novak is a sophomore at Champlain Valley Union High School and represented the school
• The vote in our School of Public Health.
• </c><00:54:56.640><c> School</c><00:54:56.960><c> Association,</c> Vermont Independent School Association

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:30:04.840><c> If</c><00:30:05.040><c> you</c> school or college or something.
• If you school or college or something.
• </c><00:36:23.160><c> You,</c><00:36:23.480><c> should</c> school, yeah, I get it.
• You, should school, yeah, I get it.
• </c><00:43:22.680><c> and</c> sending you a to a trade school and sending you a to a trade school and

Committee: Senate Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> told me that if I went to school, told me that if I went to school, studied<00:56:13.040><c> hard
• District and the headline said Richardson Independent School District to close five schools.
• The Richardson Independent School District is set to close four elementary schools starting next year
• The Richardson Independent School District is set to close four elementary schools starting next year
• </c> actualize here in Minnesota is school actualize here in Minnesota is school dis<01:02:59.359><c>

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• The high school computer science course provision does not require such courses to include instruction
• side of it with regards to the ethical use of artificial intelligence, not only in school but also at
• It would just be greater optionality of where you can take a course as a high school student.
• It would just be greater optionality of where you can take a course as a high school student.
• In the event that "...course as a high school." Okay. Follow up, Mr. Chair.

Committee: Senate Education Postsecondary

Summary: The Committee on Education Postsecondary heard and approved CS/SB 1694, which revises postsecondary general education standards to incorporate technology-related instruction. The adopted amendment shifted the bill away from creating a sixth core course and instead required technology-integrated general education courses to include digital literacy, AI tool application, and related content such as software engineering, networks, databases, and cybersecurity as applicable. The amendment also addressed high school computer science instruction by emphasizing critical evaluation of AI results, limitations of AI, and ethical use. After brief questions and no opposition, the committee voted unanimously to report the bill favorably. The committee also took up a confirmation package for appointments on tabs 1 through 2 and, on one motion, recommended confirmation of all appointees favorably. It then considered SPB 7038, a committee bill on postsecondary education and workforce development that touches tuition and fee policies, consumer protections, career and technical education, student acceleration, and institutional operations. Senator Berman asked about dual enrollment expansion, CIE licensure/jurisdiction, and removal of the classic learning test as a fee-waiver qualifier; the sponsor said the dual enrollment change was intended to expand student options without necessarily increasing enrollment costs, and that the classic learning test removal was an error to be corrected later. Joanne Hart of the Florida Dental Association appeared in support of preserving the existing exemption for dental assisting programs from CIE requirements, noting the programs are approved by the Board of Dentistry and help address workforce shortages. After discussion, the committee adopted the motion to submit SPB 7038 as a committee bill and then voted unanimously to report it favorably. The meeting concluded with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this concurrent enrollment, only students that are age 13 to 21 and do not have a high school degree
• Students age 13 to 21 and who do not have a high school degree are eligible for concurrent enrollment
• And my assumption is that some schools are probably doing it better than others.
• So let's make sure that transition from high school to college is as smooth as possible by ensuring a
• It allows them to get paid, and we're just doing this inside career techs with high school students.

Bills: SB1477 , SB1480 , SB1593 , SB1633 , SB1670 , SB1725 , SB1726 , SB1735 , SB1632

Committee: House Postsecondary Education

Summary: The Postsecondary Education Committee considered a series of higher education and career-tech bills, with members asking mostly clarifying questions about eligibility, implementation, and alignment with existing law. House Bill 1477, requested by the State Regents, would limit concurrent enrollment to students age 21 or under; it passed 6-0. Senate Bill 1593 updated language on the Oklahoma State University Board of Trustees to reflect current practice and passed 6-0. Senate Bill 1725 addressed expressive activities on public campuses by allowing security fees for students or student groups, but not based on the content of expression, and also directed free speech training through the Oklahoma Free Speech Committee; it passed 7-2. Senate Bill 1670, a State Chamber priority bill, aimed to strengthen startup ecosystems, venture capital, and industry-embedded research to help move university research into private-sector jobs, and it passed 9-0. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 1726, which would establish a baseline training course for graduate student instructors at colleges and universities. Supporters said it would standardize instruction across institutions and help ensure a consistent level of preparation for graduate instructors teaching undergraduates; it passed 7-2. Senate Bill 1633 would align Oklahoma statute with federal law following a consent judgment regarding tuition eligibility for individuals not lawfully present in the United States; members discussed how “lawfully present” would apply to DACA recipients and others with federal immigration status, and the bill passed 6-3. Senate Bill 1735, a cleanup measure shifting certain oversight of technology center career tech schools more directly under the State Board of Career and Technology Education, passed 9-0. Later, the committee approved Senate Bill 1480, a pilot program for paid apprenticeships for 16-year-old students within career tech settings, despite questions about why a pilot was needed when career techs were already prepared to do similar work; it passed 9-0. Finally, an amendment to Senate Bill 1632 changed “shall” to “may” and allowed the State Board of Regents to use workforce assessments such as WorkKeys to award some entry-level college credit for students who score highly, especially those returning to community college or seeking an associate degree; after discussion about the limits of the credit, the amended measure passed 9-0. The meeting concluded with thanks to members as the committee’s final meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• This amendment adds basically that the money for this paid leave will come from the public school paid
• of Education, once they receive updated numbers for the teachers that are in off-the-formula schools
• of Education, once they receive updated numbers for the teachers that are in off-the-formula schools
• Would you spell out, is this only for public schools? Thank you for the question. Yes.
• On page 16, it does include language around private schools.

Bills: SB169 , SB1991 , SB1992 , SB1204 , SB1339 , SB182 , SB1847 , SB1360 , SB1346

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee met with a quorum and considered a series of bills, most of them receiving unanimous or near-unanimous support. Senate Bill 169 would increase the annual longevity payment award for state employees by 50% across all service years and passed 17-1. Senate Bill 1991, described as a cleanup bill for the Ocamp Fund, passed 19-0. Senate Bill 1992, which defines “strategic financing partner” under the SIDE Act for Department of Commerce projects, passed 20-0. The committee also approved Senate Bill 1204, as amended, to provide Oklahoma teachers and school employees three days of bereavement leave after the death of a spouse or child, including a miscarriage; the amendment specified funding from the public school paid maternity leave revolving fund. Senate Bill 1339 passed to codify continued funding for off-the-formula schools and allow the State Department of Education to access funds to cover the 2023 teacher pay raise for those schools. Senate Bill 182 passed to allow certain CLEET-certified law enforcement officers and resident care specialists to join the OPERS hazardous duty retirement plan. Additional measures approved included Senate Bill 1847, allowing certain Advantage Waiver Medicaid recipients diagnosed with cognitive impairment to remain in assisted living and age in place; Senate Bill 1360, creating a three-year pilot program placing math instructional teams in the lowest-performing districts; and Senate Bill 1346, as amended, directing the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to establish a water and wastewater infrastructure investment program after removing an appropriation section. Several questions focused on funding sources, eligibility, and population-based allocation formulas, but no bills were rejected. Senate Bills 1427 and 1566 were laid over to go directly to the floor with no fiscal impact, and the committee adjourned after announcing it would meet again the following Wednesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm pleased to introduce McKinley High School student Amaya Sprout, if she's here.
• I'm pleased to introduce<00:04:06.000><c> McKinley</c><00:04:06.560><c> High</c><00:04:06.799><c> School
• </c><00:04:07.200><c> student</c> introduce McKinley High School student introduce McKinley High School
• Michaela is an outstanding youth leader and a dedicated 12th grade student at Lehua High School.
• has come full after completing schooling has come full circle<00:08:08.479><c> to</c><00:08:08.800><

Transcript Highlights:

• educational opportunity where we can introduce new things to our kids as they're growing up through the school
• McDonald's middle school classes actually watching.
• 00:04:06.360><c> middle</c> initially came to me from a middle initially came to me from a middle school
• um one of uh representative McDonald's um one of his<00:04:12.519><c> middle</c><00:04:12.799><c> school
• /c><00:04:13.040><c> classes</c><00:04:13.400><c> is</c><00:04:13.640><c> actually</c> his middle school