Transcript Highlights:

• This time, a classroom shooting at Brown University Muse from the minority of the committee.
• Wouldn't I hate it if the president of the University of New Hampshire had to write a letter home to
• In a recent Granite State poll from the University of New Hampshire, 29% of those polled said it is the
• <c> Lincoln</c><06:03:55.360><c> study</c> A University of Nebraska Lincoln study A University of Nebraska
• ><c> Brandeise</c> founding president of Brandeise founding president of Brandeise University,<06:35:

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• management boards of public colleges and universities and Louisiana Works.
• of Regents to the management boards and putting some financial controls on our universities.
• We thought that it would be better if LUMCON was under a university board instead of a Board of Regents
• I think lately we found out that some of our universities were having financial problems, and we were
• Well, what it is that none of this, very few colleges and universities post this information.

Committee: House Education

Summary: The committee met on May 19, 2026, with a quorum present and first heard a presentation from Superintendent Cade Brumley on Louisiana’s recent education scorecard, which showed the state ranked first nationally in reading growth, second in math growth, and first overall in academic growth from 2022 to 2026. Members praised teachers and the department for the results. The committee then deferred SB 507 at the author’s request. The committee reported several bills favorably. SB 484 by Sen. Abraham, as amended, transfers selected duties from the Board of Regents to university management boards and Louisiana Works, adjusts authority over certain higher-education initiatives, creates a study of LUMCON’s placement, and adds financial reporting and early-warning requirements for universities. SB 157 by Sen. Jenkins, as amended, creates six weeks of paid parental leave for eligible public K-12 employees for birth, adoption, or fostering, with a reimbursement fund subject to appropriation; testimony emphasized family support, recruitment and retention, and health benefits. SB 83 by Sen. Edmonds, as amended, requires human trafficking prevention and victim-identification training in schools and updates coordination and service language; the amendment made implementation subject to appropriation and clarified the governor’s office role. The committee also reported SB 450 by Sen. Edmonds, as amended, requiring mandatory reporting of school threats and physical security assessments, with student witnesses and members stressing school safety and the need for funding and practical security measures. SB 132 by Sen. Klein-Peter, as amended, requires exterior master key boxes and updated school mapping data for emergency response, with an amendment exempting districts already using such boxes. Finally, Rep. Carver presented HR 251 on recess for K-3 students, citing Oklahoma’s expanded recess law and research on physical activity and learning, but said he would keep the resolution parked for further discussion rather than seek a vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• > fees at the university or any of our fees at the university or any of our colleges<01:26:48.000><c>
• the students get at the University of Wyoming.
• the students get at the University of Wyoming.
• </c> is salary of people and the university is salary of people and the university qualifies<01:43:29.199
• </c><01:44:18.320><c> of</c> to keep the tuition at the University of to keep the tuition at the University

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• bit of an overview of out with a little bit of an overview of our<00:03:00.040><c> general</c><00:03:
• And I think other universities have an interest as well, but EKU is sort of the logical place.
• </c><00:26:10.080><c> of</c><00:26:10.160><c> Kentucky,</c> institution, the University of Kentucky,
• institution, the University of Kentucky, advancing<00:26:11.960><c> research,</c><00:26:12.440><c> education
• </c><00:36:50.400><c> of</c> just to meet a basic level of of just to meet a basic level of of customer

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The task force was called to order with a quorum present, and Commissioner Mark Carter of the Kentucky Department of Aviation gave the first presentation. He outlined the state’s airport system, noting 58 public-use airports, the department’s small staff, and its funding structure through a jet fuel tax that generates about $23 million annually, leaving roughly $15 million for airport investment after required deductions. Carter highlighted recent projects at airports including Bardstown, Madisonville, Central Kentucky Regional, Paducah, Sparta, Danville, and Henderson, and said the department has also expanded data collection on airport activity, hangars, schools, and training programs. He emphasized that the department recently completed the first statewide economic impact study of general aviation airports and is developing a five-year airport needs plan. Carter said several things are working well, including stronger communication with airports, the public, the legislature, and especially the FAA’s Memphis district office, which now involves the state more in project selection. He said the department is reasonably staffed overall, but identified workforce development and advanced air mobility as major gaps. In response to questions from Senator Nunn and Representative York, he said he did not have specific workforce shortage numbers on hand, but cited Boeing reports showing large national and global shortages of pilots and mechanics, and explained that instructor shortages and low wages limit training capacity. He also said air traffic control is an FAA function, though EKU has shown interest in developing a training program. Carter identified several needs for improvement: more workforce investment, more aviation education in high schools, more scholarships for pilot and mechanic training, more attention to advanced air mobility, and more frequent, institutionalized data collection. He also pointed to major pending capital needs at airports such as Elizabethtown, Owensboro, Harlan, Leitchfield-Grayson County, and Whitesburg-Letcher County, all of which would require FAA and state support. He urged airports to do a better job marketing their economic value and said the state should continue updating aviation studies so lawmakers have current information for policy decisions. The task force then heard from Lexington Blue Grass Airport Director Eric Frankl, who welcomed the new CVG director and thanked the legislature for creating the task force and supporting aviation infrastructure. Frankl said Blue Grass Airport has rebounded from the pandemic and now exceeds pre-pandemic passenger levels, while serving a mix of private aviation, pilot training, corporate aviation, and commercial airline activity. He described ongoing terminal-area planning, parking technology upgrades, and a major parking lot expansion expected to finish by early spring 2026, and said the airport is planning for future technologies such as vertiports and electric aerial vehicles. Frankl estimated that a broader terminal modernization program will cost roughly $500 million to $700 million over the next 5 to 10 years and said the airport needs continued state support to close funding gaps and remain competitive with other states investing in aviation.

Transcript Highlights:

• So currently the problem that we have with this is only University of Maryland students can come to Kentucky
• So currently the problem that we have with this is only University of Maryland students can come to Kentucky
• So currently the problem that we have with this is only University of Maryland students can come to Kentucky
• Western Kentucky University and Murray State have now joined UK and the University of Louisville.
• </c><00:37:41.119><c> and</c> University of Louisville both WKU and University of Louisville both WKU

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 46, which would allow lottery winners of $1 million or more to remain anonymous. After brief discussion and a motion with a second, the committee approved the bill unanimously and sent it to the House floor. Members then heard House Bill 54, a workforce and education measure aimed at aligning dual credit and project-based learning with licensed construction trades and other high-demand careers. The sponsor and witness said the bill is intended to help students meet both education and on-the-job training requirements, address labor shortages, and speed entry into the trades. Several members raised concerns about possible abuse of internships, the need for input from unions and other trade groups, and the amount of authority left to the Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction to write regulations. The sponsor said the bill does not replace current hands-on training requirements and expressed willingness to continue discussions. The committee passed the bill, with some members explaining their votes as conditional or in hopes of further amendments. The committee also approved House Bill 261, which would let retired CPAs provide certain uncompensated services, such as nonprofit work, while retaining their CPA designation, and would create a retirement-based CPE waiver for those limited services. A question from Representative Donworth focused on how retired CPAs would disclose their status to nonprofits; the board representative said retired status is noted in board records, but there is currently no separate requirement governing use of the CPA designation. The bill passed. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 262, which would remove restrictions on small CPA firm names after an owner dies or retires. The sponsor said Kentucky is an outlier because current law requires the remaining owner to change the firm name. The bill passed unanimously. After that, the chair turned the gavel over to the vice chair and began presenting House Bill 306, which would change engineering education requirements for licensure, especially to help Eastern Kentucky University fire protection engineering technology graduates qualify for licensure in Kentucky rather than leaving the state. The sponsor and witnesses explained that the bill would not change the rest of the PE licensure pathway, only the education component, and said most other states already allow this route. Members noted that engineers may have concerns and encouraged continued discussions before the bill advances further.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are in favor of universal free meals for all students.
• We actually, of course, support any measure that gets us closer to universal free school meals.
• so for HB 757 because of the universal element.
• It also tells me that it's the intent of maybe not getting to universal free school meals.
• It also tells me that it's the intent of maybe not getting to universal free school meals.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 707 on the College Savings Program. Members discussed a suggested amendment from the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities to include the Hawaii ABLE Savings Program. The chair said the Department of the Attorney General advised there was no title problem, so the bill could be broadened to cover both the College Savings Program and the ABLE program. The committee also noted technical, non-substantive changes and a defective date of July 1, 3000 for further discussion. HB 707 HD1 was then voted on and the recommendation to pass with amendments was adopted unanimously by the members present, with two members excused. The committee then heard House Bill 424, which would provide free breakfast and lunch beginning the next school year to students who currently qualify for free and reduced-price meals. The Department of Education supported the measure, and testimony in favor came from teachers, public health and food security advocates, and several organizations. Supporters described students being denied meals because of unpaid balances, said school meals should not depend on family debt, and argued that the bill would reduce stigma and help hungry students learn. Committee questions focused on meal pricing, the impact of raising prices on families who pay full price, and whether portion sizes could be increased; DOE said breakfast costs less than lunch, full-price students would bear any increase, and portion sizes must follow USDA rules. Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute and Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network said many families above the free/reduced thresholds still cannot afford meals, citing estimates that the DOE collects about $20 million a year in meal payments and that federal reimbursement totals are much larger. The committee then heard House Bill 757, the universal free school breakfast and lunch bill. DOE and the Department of Health supported it, and testimony was overwhelmingly in favor from county officials, teachers, students, food banks, advocacy groups, and community organizations. Witnesses argued that universal meals would eliminate stigma, reduce paperwork and debt collection, and ensure students do not fall through the cracks because of income cutoffs, language barriers, or administrative hurdles. Several students from Castle High School described classmates asking for food and families struggling to keep meal accounts funded, while teachers said they regularly see negative meal balance notices and hungry students. Advocates also said the bill is the better equity vehicle because it avoids means testing and reaches students who are not currently receiving meals despite needing them. The hearing on HB 757 was still ongoing at the end of the transcript, and no final vote on that bill was shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Pasha Madhavi, associate professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Good afternoon.
• Tyler Aguilar, here on behalf of the University of California.
• Vincent Rosso, proud UC Riverside alumnus and also Director of Government Relations at the University
• Cindy Lee, a UC Merced student with the University of California Student Association.
• Marisucci, just to follow up on that, could you maybe the University of California or Mr.

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Further, the conference report includes an investment of $350 million for university performance-based
• We did not see universal early childhood education. We also did not see an expansion of Medicaid.
• And also, the governor signed into a bill stating that 95% of freshman admittance to our universities
• It amends one of the metrics used by the Board of Governors in determining the allocation of university
• cost-inefficient university by far, and yet we are wanting to do the transfer of USF, Sarasota-Manatee

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Senator Don Childers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Officer Antonio Richardson as law enforcement officer of the day. The chamber announced it would take up 11 budget conference committee reports, with no third-reading bills or special-order calendar items. Members were reminded that conference reports were subject to debate but not amendment, and that the required review periods had been satisfied. The first major action was on HB 7031E, the tax package. Representative Duggan explained that the conference report included a mix of retained, modified, and new tax provisions, including sales tax holidays, property tax and homestead-related changes, reductions in certain gaming and carbon-related taxes, changes to child care and documentary stamp tax credits, a new refund process for public works construction tax paid by universities and colleges, and other tax administration changes. Debate focused on the bill’s consumer impact, the reduction of the child tax credit from three years to one, the inclusion of firearm accessories in a sales tax holiday, the absence of gas tax relief and combined reporting, and the homestead exemption provision for certain deployed diplomatic and foreign service personnel. Critics argued the package favored niche or corporate interests over broad affordability relief, while supporters said it provided targeted tax relief and reflected conference negotiations. The House adopted the conference report and passed HB 7031E by a vote of 88-11. The House then began presenting the conference report for HB 501E, the state budget, which totaled $114.5 billion for fiscal year 2026-27 and was described as below the prior year’s spending level while maintaining reserves. Subcommittee chairs outlined major budget areas: pre-K-12 funding included an increase in FEFP, salary increases for veteran teachers, stabilization funding, and support for declining enrollment; higher education included full Bright Futures funding, workforce programs, college operating support, university initiatives, and school guardian expansion; IT funding focused on Palm, ACCESS, APD’s I-Connect replacement, corrections systems, emergency management systems, and cybersecurity grants; health care funding covered Medicaid, nursing home rates, waiver provider increases, ADAP funding and restructuring, child welfare, and behavioral health; transportation and economic development included housing, cultural grants, jobs and rural infrastructure, Visit Florida, Space Florida, highway patrol equipment, and local transportation projects; justice funding included correctional construction, juvenile justice facilities, law enforcement grants, and clerk and due process reimbursements; state administration included fire stations, constrained counties, building maintenance, and Safe Florida Home; and agriculture/natural resources funding emphasized Everglades restoration, water quality, land acquisition, Florida Forever, state parks, and citrus research. Members then began questioning the budget details, including school voucher accountability, school funding formulas, public defender parity, prison technology, wastewater monitoring in prisons, ADAP policy, SNAP fraud controls and AI-assisted verification, Florida Forever funding, school lunch funding, and coral reef restoration. No final vote on HB 501E appears in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of the 19 states offering choice programs with universal eligibility, five of them—Arizona, Arkansas,
• EdChoice Monthly Polling also shows that over 70% of school parents in Louisiana support a universal
• One of the strongest indicators of a healthy school, of course, is enrollment.
• , Scottenville Magnet High Pre-Engineering Program, Sun University of Lab School, and Zachary High School
• In 2024, Louisiana passed one of the strongest universal choice laws in the country, and, might I add

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of.
• May limit the interpretation of some of our findings of results.
• In the Office of Special Education, the Universal IEP addresses things like least restrictive environments
• My question is: does the expansion of universal child care, as proposed by the administration, actually
• And kind of the slowing down of funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, and yeah, just a little bit of a follow-up, and one of the pieces that I was thinking of then,
• From the different groups of colleges and universities, they don't have a problem with the concept, but
• </c> to have a lot of funds to do a lot of to have a lot of funds to do a lot of fun<00:22:07.279><c>
• Um, because there's a whole lot of folks who are going to graduate from the University of Minnesota with
• I did a lot of work on that at the city of St.

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, members of the committee, I'm Meredith Machen, and I'm speaking on behalf of the League of Women
• Voters. of New Mexico and the American Association of University Women, and we also stand in very strong
• But I'm worried because I know at the University Of New Mexico, I can't remember the portion of the medical
• And as you know, that is our top priority as a university this session, and one of the top priorities
• I'm Meredith Machen speaking on behalf of AAUW New Mexico and the League of Women Voters of New Mexico

Committee: House House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• of Havi to requires the University of Havi to establish<01:16:59.360><c> an</c><01:16:59.639><c> endemic
• </c> today on this measure is the University today on this measure is the University of<01:17:11.480>
• </c><01:23:51.040><c> of</c><01:23:51.199><c> Havi</c> bill to not just say University of Havi bill to
• University of Hawaiʻi, please join us. Aloha, Chair, Vice Chair, and members of the committee.
• University of Hawaiʻi to steward this pilot program.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint House Agriculture and Food Systems and Tourism hearing focused on HB 189 and HB 966, both dealing with agricultural tourism. HB 189 would require counties to adopt ordinances governing review and permitting of agricultural tourism as secondary uses on working farms, require the principal agricultural use to pre-exist any tourism-related permit, and limit ag tourism to land where productive agriculture is occurring. HB 966 would create statewide uniform standards for agricultural tourism, require county registration of activities, require ag tourism to coexist with agricultural activity on a farming operation, and end the tourism use when agricultural activity ceases. Testimony on HB 189 was mixed. The Department of Agriculture and Kualoa Ranch opposed the bill, arguing that the proposed restrictions and income-based limits could burden bona fide farms and ranches, reduce flexibility for counties, and harm food production, jobs, and diversification efforts. Kualoa Ranch said ag tourism supports its food sales and community market and warned the bill could cost more than 350 jobs. The Hawaiʻi Cattlemen’s Council also opposed the measure for similar reasons. The Hawaiʻi Farmers Union supported the bill with suggested amendments, including clearer language around agricultural dedication. The Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau supported the intent of the bill but urged caution, saying ag tourism should remain tied to actual agricultural production and that counties need flexibility to address abuses without imposing overly rigid standards. Members discussed how to define a bona fide agricultural operation and whether property tax agricultural dedication could serve as a clearer qualifier. They also raised concerns about how counties would enforce revenue thresholds or separate accounting for tourism and farm income, and whether state law should better target clearly non-agricultural uses such as gondolas or other abusive developments. The Department of Agriculture and Farm Bureau said counties already have authority to regulate ag tourism through ordinances, but that any new standards should avoid unintended burdens on true farmers and ranchers. HB 966 was then introduced, and initial testimony again reflected support for the bill’s intent from some agricultural groups and opposition or caution from others. Kualoa Ranch said ag tourism can help educate visitors and support agriculture, the Hawaiʻi Farmers Union supported county flexibility, and the Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau reiterated concerns about the bill’s income comparison provisions and the need to distinguish legitimate agricultural tourism from misuse. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• :07:32.080><c> of</c><00:07:32.240><c> their</c> universities and then all of their universities and
• Why does our institution seek a lot of out-of-towners as the contract that most colleges and universities
• Why does our institution seek a lot of out-of-towners as the contract that most colleges and universities
• This adaptive sports is at the University of Alabama Huntsville.
• </c><01:18:00.400><c> Uh</c> University of Alabama Huntsville. Uh University of Alabama Huntsville.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She's a sophomore at the University of Louisville majoring in political science and Spanish.
• </c><00:01:59.200><c> of</c> She's a sophomore at the University of She's a sophomore at the University
• Uh, Miss Harper Hall from the University of Louisville, and she's going through political science.
• of work in that.
• of work in that.

Committee: House State Government

Keywords: HB 66 – discussion began at 00:03:37, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is relating to the University of Hawaii. For the House, myself and Rep.
• House Bill 1169, HD1, SD2, relating to the University of Hawaii Conference Center Revolving Fund.
• House Bill 1170, HD1, SD1, relating to the University of Hawaii resident tuition fee.
• I did it kind of backwards.
• Uh, next bill, House Bill 1171, HT2, SD1, relating to the University of Hawaii relief funding.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have the University of Hawaii Board of Regents, that's been Kubo representing them.
• We have the University of Hawaii chancellor, who has a non-voting seat, and as a member of the working
• c><00:44:32.240><c> region</c><00:44:33.240><c> uh</c> University of Hawaii Board of region uh University
• of Hawaii uh have the University of Hawaii uh chancellor<00:44:41.280><c> who</c><00:44:41.440><c> has
• First of all, in the absence of the authority, then the university would continue to manage the way that

Committee: House Water & Land

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land heard testimony on several measures, beginning with HB 347 relating to goats. The Department of Land and Natural Resources offered comments and said its Division of Forestry and Wildlife was available to answer questions. Testimony on the bill was largely opposed, with speakers arguing it would amount to a “free-for-all” rather than game management and urging deferral. DLNR responded that bag limits can be adjusted by area and game management unit under adaptive management rules, and that hunters typically take out their catch. No vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee then took up HB 1278, on which DLNR testified in support. The record in the excerpt does not include discussion of the bill’s substance beyond the department’s support, and no action or vote is shown. A substantial portion of the hearing focused on HB 144, relating to the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority and proposed exemptions from Sunshine Law requirements during the transition period. The authority’s vice chair testified that the body is a startup agency with a complex transition from the University and needs to be able to discuss strategic planning, operational formation, and other day-to-day matters with more than two members present. Opponents, including the Public First Law Center, Hawaiʻi Environmental Alliance, and community members, argued the bill would cut the public out of the deliberative process, allow decisions to be hashed out in private, and set a poor transparency precedent. One testifier also raised cultural and environmental concerns about Mauna Kea. Committee members questioned whether existing law and narrower guardrails could address the authority’s concerns, and the authority said it had already proposed a narrower alternative but the bill returned in similar form. The excerpt ends before any final committee action on HB 144 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a senior research associate at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University.
• Mark Paul, Associate Professor of Economics at Rutgers University, and Tram Huang, Senior Housing Associate
• I'm an associate professor of economics at Rutgers University.
• I'm an associate professor of economics at Rutgers University. today. My name is Dr. Mark Paul.
• I'm an associate professor of economics at Rutgers University.

Bills: H5008

Committee: Joint Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions

Keywords: rent control, housing stability, tenants rights, affordability crisis, consumer protection

Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on Initiative Petition 25-21, House Bill 508, an act to protect tenants by limiting rent increases. The chair explained the ballot process under Article 48 and outlined the hearing structure. The first witness, a Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies researcher, described Massachusetts’ worsening rental affordability, explained how rent regulation policies are typically designed, and reviewed research suggesting rent regulation can slow rent growth and improve tenant stability, while also noting concerns about reduced supply, quality, and implementation details. She compared the proposal to other state and local rent-stabilization laws and said the measure would cap increases at the lower of CPI or 5%, exempt certain housing types, and apply to new tenants as well as current tenants because it would not allow vacancy decontrol. Supporters of the petition argued that rent stabilization is needed to address displacement and immediate affordability pressures while broader housing production continues. The proponent from Homes for All Massachusetts said the policy is a grassroots response to corporate rent hikes and cited examples of tenants facing steep increases. A tenant from Arlington described a long dispute after a building was purchased by an investment firm and rents were raised sharply, saying the experience showed how rent increases can function as eviction. A union leader said high rents are forcing workers out of the communities they serve, and two experts testified that rent stabilization can reduce displacement and provide broad, immediate benefits. Committee members asked about the proposal’s exemptions, the 10-year new-construction carveout, vacancy decontrol, and whether the policy could discourage development; supporters said the bill targets large landlords, preserves room for small owners, and should be viewed as a complement to new housing production. Opponents, including small property owners, a chamber of commerce representative, a union official, and a landlord, argued the measure would hurt small landlords, reduce investment, and slow housing production. They said operating costs such as taxes, insurance, and maintenance rise faster than the proposed cap, and warned that capping rents would lower property values and tax revenues. Several opponents emphasized that many housing providers are not large corporations but local “mom-and-pop” owners, and one said the proposal would discourage pension funds and other investors from financing new projects. Committee members pressed opponents on what alternatives they would support for affordability, and opponents pointed to increased housing production and other housing policies instead of rent control. No vote or final action was taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we all believe that those universities are the gem of our world-class higher education institutions
• The bill requires the Office of the Chancellor of the California State University annually to develop
• We just went through this last year with Sonoma State University, and one of the things that we found
• , Ventura, Los Angeles, and University of California Health, thank you for the inclusion of $250 million
• Hi, my name is Veitha Diphtiman, and I am with the University of California Student Association as well

Committee: House Budget

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill allows Missouri veterans to undergo psilocybin-assisted therapy as part of a university-led
• And as part of working as a psychology professor at Missouri Western State University, And as part of
• Psychedelic education is growing in our universities, and there's a lot of universities building whole
• I'm an assistant professor at the University of Missouri at Columbia.
• I'm not representing the University of Missouri, and I'm only representing my own views and expertise

Committee: House Emerging Issues

Keywords: 959, house, all