Transcript Highlights:

• So yes, it's a constant problem, and it's throughout education: a declining enrollment everywhere.
• So yes, it's a constant problem, and it's throughout education: a declining enrollment everywhere.
• So yes, it's a constant problem, and it's throughout education: a declining enrollment everywhere.
• So yes, it's a constant problem, and it's throughout education: a declining enrollment everywhere.
• So yes, it's a constant problem, and it's throughout education: a declining enrollment everywhere.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Committee met to review Division One of a very large budget package, with the chair explaining that the budget was being analyzed in three divisions over multiple days. Members first discussed procedure, including when amendments and line-item votes would be taken, and agreed to proceed with the division’s presentation before questions. Representative Maguire then outlined the division’s approach as a series of tradeoffs to close a large budget gap, emphasizing cuts, some revenue changes, and a focus on overall spending levels as well as individual reductions. The presentation covered a wide range of agencies and policy areas. Major proposed changes included cuts or eliminations to several boards and commissions viewed as costly or duplicative, such as the Housing Appeals Board, Board of Tax and Land Appeals, Human Rights Commission, Commission on Aging, Office of the Child Advocate, and the Personnel Appeals Board, with some functions consolidated into other boards. The division also proposed back-of-the-budget cuts to the Information Technology Department, Judicial Branch, Justice Department, Retirement System, Corrections, and Environmental Services, along with fee increases in several areas. Other notable items included ending marketing for Paid Family Leave, reducing job advertising and tourism promotion, defunding the Arts Council, moving liquor enforcement functions out of the Liquor Commission, and shifting some funds such as the College Savings Commission money to Division Two. Several members questioned specific cuts, especially the elimination of the Council on Aging, the reduction in regional planning commission grants, and the large cut to tourism advertising. Maguire defended the choices as necessary budget tradeoffs, arguing that some programs duplicated work done elsewhere, that regional planning grants were not among the most essential items, and that tourism promotion was a form of spending he viewed skeptically. He also explained that the public defender’s budget was partially restored after a credible claim of a governor’s budget error, and that the committee would continue refining corrections-related cuts because the House was only halfway through the budget process and further changes could still occur in the Senate and conference committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• to make policy that's guided by data, and in this case we have been anticipating data on course enrollment
• to be provided by the Department of Education, but the current course enrollment data is not current
• Please address the issue. of how we should be working to increase enrollment in computer science given
• They will tell you that because of their size, even slight fluctuations in enrollment might mean the
• The guide outlines what information is required for school enrollment, tools for family safety plans,

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:21.440> and years um we have some enrollment and years um we have some enrollment and
• in Medicaid as of March 3rd, a point-in-time enrollment measurement.
• Enrollment dropped by nearly half among the affected population.
• Enrollment dropped by nearly half among the affected population.
• Enrollment dropped by nearly half among the affected population.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Division 3 work session continued its review of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Medicaid budget and related policy issues, with CFO Nathan White and Medicaid Director Henry Litman presenting updated materials. The discussion focused on a crosswalk between the adjusted FY 2025 Medicaid budget and the governor’s FY 2026 recommendation, plus handouts showing service additions, eligibility changes, dental rates, and other Medicaid changes since 2019. The department also said it would provide a clearer breakdown of the pharmacy cost-sharing item by general, federal, and other funds. Members asked detailed questions about the Medicaid enhancement tax, the 80% plan, and how funds are allocated between hospital payments, directed payments, and DSH uncompensated care. The department explained that the MET is being used more toward rates and directed payments to better align with federal matching rules, while DSH remains important for uncompensated care. They also noted that a pending Senate Bill 249 would keep the 80% structure and move to Senate Finance. On the trigger law, the department identified the governing provision as Chapter 342:12, Laws of 2018, and explained that if the federal match for Medicaid expansion falls below 90%, the state must notify legislative leaders and participants and the program would sunset after 180 days unless the legislature acts. The committee also reviewed current Medicaid expansion enrollment and program trends. Officials said enrollment was just under 59,000 as of March 3, with about 87,000 people enrolled over the past year and more than a quarter-million residents having used the program over its lifetime. They said enrollment has fallen from a post-pandemic high of nearly 97,000 and may eventually settle in the low 50,000s. Finally, the department discussed federal DSH funding risk, saying New Hampshire could face a significant reduction if Congress does not extend current protections, which is part of why the state has shifted more funding toward payment rates and directed payments.

Transcript Highlights:

• big factors that inform changes in the November forecast are really updated data on spending and enrollment
• Or has it 2 million and decline?
• So, it is SNAP benefits for people who are enrolled in InFIP.
• <01:00:29.760> enrollments.
• enrollments. 27% had to close declining enrollments. 27% had to close unexpectedly<01:00:33.680>

Bills: HF3415

Keywords: child care, day care, licensed child care center, license-exempt child care, immigration enforcement, ICE, Customs and Border Protection, CBP, USCIS, Department of Homeland Security, DHS, judicial warrant, facility access, sensitive locations, immigrant families, Minnesota Statutes chapter 142B, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• As Representative Berg stated, MAP Stars is a program for students enrolled in alternative education
• As Representative Berg stated, MAP Stars is a program for students enrolled in alternative education
• <00:03:27.360> in a program for students enrolled in a program for students enrolled in alternative
• the nape the recent declines in the nape assessment<00:53:12.160> scores<00:53:12.559> I'm
• but what they're there's a decline but what they're emphasizing<00:53:18.119> in<00:53:18.240

Bills: HF1966, HF54, HF2043, HF1171, HF2741

Keywords: HF1966, Minnesota Association of Alternative Programs, STARS program, alternative education, alternative programs, education finance, general fund appropriation, student support services, career readiness, employment skills, academic skills, social skills, student conferences, training grants, Minnesota Department of Education, specialized education, at-risk students, nontraditional education, HF54, Silver Lake

Transcript Highlights:

• We face a significant challenge: the declining participation in state-mandated standardized testing.
• significant challenge the declining significant challenge the declining participation<00:15:53.399
• However, they have seen an alarming decline in participation rates for these tests.
• This decline in participation is not just a local issue; it is a national trend.
• Minnesota's current school accountability system includes all students who have been enrolled for at

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• other states, and while it’s true that in recent years, California’s creative workforce saw a 2.6% decline
• other states, and while it’s true that in recent years, California’s creative workforce saw a 2.6% decline
• Eighty-four were enrolled in college or vocational training, with a recidivism rate of less than 6%.
• After two years without CAC support and major declines in other funding, Spark now faces eliminating
• our so-wise, so-young program after 15 years in the community. ...and major declines in other funding

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Arts held an informational hearing on California’s first sector-specific creative economy strategic plan, “California’s Future: Creative Strategies for Cultural Resilience, Economic Growth, and Global Leadership.” Chair Allen opened by framing the creative economy as a major state asset and urged support for arts funding in the May Revision, including California Humanities, museums, public media, cultural districts, LA28 arts programming, and AB 2319, which would create a $100 million post-production incentive. He also emphasized the need for next-step funding to implement the strategic plan and noted concerns about federal headwinds and declining creative-sector jobs. California Arts Council Director Danielle Brazel, Institute for the Future’s Rachel Hatch, CDE’s Allison Frenzel, and Workforce Development Board representative Michael Weoff described how the plan was developed through AB 127 and related legislation, a 30-plus-member work group, and an interagency process. They outlined the plan’s phased approach and six priority areas, including preparing the workforce, stabilizing businesses, increasing revenue through cultural tourism, leveraging state incentives, defining and tracking ROI, and building state capacity. Testimony highlighted workforce pipelines, apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, digital badging, and cross-agency coordination, with speakers stressing that the sector is shaped by AI, climate change, affordability, capital access, and social cohesion. A second panel of artists and advocates described on-the-ground implementation and the need for better data and support. Ricarlo Handy discussed the Handy Foundation’s apprenticeship pipeline into film and TV jobs and the difficulty of capturing freelance and 1099 creative work in state data. Joanna Reynolds described Arts for LA’s Creative Jobs Collective, which aims to create 10,000 living-wage creative jobs in Los Angeles County by 2030. Alejandro Gutierrez Chavez urged the state to embed artists in health, aging, behavioral health, and climate resilience systems, and Roxanne Messina Kaptur spoke about the need to treat arts careers as viable professions and expand residency and school-based artist programs. Senator Rubio, who joined the hearing later, shared her own background in teaching and the arts, supported arts education and small theaters, and raised concerns about AI, asking how schools and educators can adapt. In the final panel, Rebecca Ratzkin reported on 26 town halls across eight regions, where more than 1,100 people attended and generally affirmed the plan while asking for better access to information, new financial models, clearer definitions and data, and stronger networks. Julie Baker of California for the Arts and California Arts Advocates argued the plan is an urgent blueprint for a sector that generates $288 billion and more than 820,000 jobs, but remains below pre-pandemic employment levels and is losing market share. She and others called for funding, statewide definitions, better data collection, and cross-agency implementation, while committee members and witnesses repeatedly emphasized that the plan will require political will and resources to move from strategy to action.

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate very much that the declines in conviction rates dropped across racial categories.
• I appreciate very much that the declines in conviction rates dropped across racial categories.
• population, so they only speak to the Medicaid-enrolled population.
• These results are derived from the Medicaid-enrolled population, so they only speak to the Medicaid-enrolled
• They speak to the Medicaid-enrolled population.

Summary: The committee heard a work session on earthquake insurance, beginning with background from the Office of the Insurance Commissioner. OIC staff explained that earthquake and earth movement are generally excluded from standard property policies, that earthquake coverage is usually purchased through endorsements or standalone policies with high deductibles and relatively high premiums, and that surplus lines are a limited backstop market not covered by the state guarantee fund. They also described parametric insurance and captive insurance as more specialized products generally suited to commercial or governmental buyers rather than ordinary consumers. A second panel of insurance and banking experts focused on commercial earthquake exposure, especially for older buildings, collateralized loans, and potential knock-on effects to banks and consumers if a major quake caused widespread damage. Members asked about consumer impacts, mitigation incentives, inventories of vulnerable buildings, and whether legislation such as prior work on unreinforced masonry could help reduce risk. The Washington Bankers Association said earthquake insurance is expensive and that affordability is a major concern, while also noting banks participate in disaster-recovery planning and would be affected by major regional losses. No votes or formal actions were taken. The committee then received a presentation from the Washington State Institute for Public Policy on its cannabis and Initiative 502 research. WSIPP staff described the agency as a nonpartisan research institute that conducts legislative-directed studies and explained that its long-term I-502 assignment includes periodic reports leading to a final benefit-cost evaluation in 2032. Staff summarized findings from a 2023 report showing that cannabis possession convictions fell sharply after legalization, though some racial disproportionalities persisted, and that closer retail access was associated with higher reported adult cannabis use, more fatal traffic crashes involving drivers from nearby areas, and higher rates of cannabis use disorder diagnoses among Medicaid enrollees. A 2023 youth-focused report found that students attending schools near retailers were more likely to report cannabis use, had more unexcused absences, and were less likely to graduate on time. In the newest 2025 Medicaid study, staff said retail access was associated with higher probabilities of cannabis use disorder diagnoses, related hospitalizations, inpatient treatment, and co-occurring mental health diagnoses, with event-study analysis suggesting the increases appeared after retailers opened rather than before. Members asked about racial disproportionality, the meaning of cannabis use disorder diagnoses, THC and impairment, whether the findings reflected medical versus recreational use, and how the results should be interpreted in light of broader trends and data limitations. No formal committee action was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• THE DECLINE IN THE STAFFING.
• THIS ILLUSTRATES OUR DECLINE IN PAROLE ELIGIBLE POPULATION OVER THE LAST FISCAL YEAR.
• WE HAVE KIDS THAT ARE DUAL ENROLLED, KIDS TAKING COLLEGE COURSES.
• ACCELERATION, IT WAS CHALLENGING IN THE PREVIOUS MODELS TO DO ENROLLMENT.
• WE ARE FORTUNATE FLVS HAS AN AGREEMENT WITH INDIAN RIVER AND WE CAN OFFER DUAL ENROLLMENT TO OUR KIDS

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's been a steady decline in both the amount and predictability of funding.
• <00:19:44.000> commitment tell this story The declining commitment tell this story The declining
• Senator Nelson, our enrollment this year is at an all-time high of 70,000 students, so we have a lot
• Our enrollment this year is at an all-time high of 70,000 students, so we have a lot of students that
• The impact that declining facilities is having on our students is palpable.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to give you the figure. 725,693 children enrolled. today in charter schools will be hurt by
• In 2014, there were 6.2 million students enrolled in charter schools.
• Even though we've had a decline in enrollment the percentage of students enrolled in a charter school
• LA Unified last year decided to take the facilities, which by the way with declining enrollment, there
• I have a kid right now enrolled in a charter.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HCR 168 allows the enrolling clerk to make non-substantive corrections to a few drafting errors.
• Members, it was a bill about declinations.
• The ABC provides funding on an enrollment, excuse me, and on an enrolled student basis, relieving budget
• They are distributed based on enrollment funding.
• The ABC provides enrollment-based funding.

Bills: HB5560, HB2, HB24, HB3233, HB1397, HB2067, HB3133, HB5696, HB5680, HB2885, HB3966, HB3556, HB3595, HB144, HB26, HB2038, HB521, HB4, HB 1178, HB42, HB 1211, HB783, HB3963, HB2240, HB1690, HB 1234, HB3372, HB27, HB4211, HB2243, HB2853, HB4638, HJR7, HB 100, HB 126, HB3783, HB5138, HB2512, HB5616, HB4751, SB17, SB1637, SB1833, SB2155, SB21, SB2778, SB260, SB8, SB12, SB37, SB379, SB441, SB1566, SB2878, HB4112, HB3866, HB4749, HB2844, HB150

Keywords: groundwater, civil penalties, water conservation, drought contingency, environmental protection, public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, zoning, public notice, local government, residential development

Transcript Highlights:

• We see that 186,000 are enrolled in school.
• My concern is that I think we're going to see a decline again this year.
• During COVID-19, Minnesota experienced... a decline in that rate uh and then it a decline in that rate
• <00:38:30.240> My 25 it started declining again. My 25 it started declining again.
• to see a decline again this year. to see a decline again this year.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So what I'm looking at is the low numbers of enrollment.
• So I'm looking at GED class or ASC enrollments.
• Their enrollment in ASC classes is fairly low.
• Crime has been steadily declining in Massachusetts.
• Massachusetts had to decline steadily.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The commission on correctional consolidation and collaboration heard testimony focused on how Massachusetts uses custody levels, staffing, programming, and medical release tools, with Prisoners’ Legal Services arguing that the system is overusing expensive high-security settings and underusing step-down options. Dave Rainey said the incarcerated population has dropped substantially over the last several years, but spending and staffing have not fallen in proportion. He argued that DOC overclassifies people into medium and maximum security, relies too heavily on behavioral assessment units that function like segregation, and keeps people in restrictive settings such as Souza-Baranowski and Shattuck Hospital longer than necessary. He also said medical parole is underused and that many people with serious chronic illness or advanced age pose little public-safety risk and should be released through existing legal pathways. Sheriffs and other commission members pushed back on some of those points, emphasizing that staffing needs are driven by the acuity of the current population, that corrections is not overstaffed, and that classification decisions involve serious public-safety judgments. They also stressed that some high-cost medical placements are necessary because people remain under sentence and require care, and that furloughs and other release tools can create security risks if contraband or substance use is involved. The discussion also covered the role of county sheriffs versus DOC in reentry, with several members saying county systems tend to do more day-to-day step-down and release planning, while DOC has more difficulty moving people through lower-security settings before release. Ben Foreman of MassINC offered a more systemwide, data-focused perspective, praising the state’s transparency and arguing that Massachusetts has made major progress in reducing incarceration and increasing public safety. He said the state still has an opportunity to improve by right-sizing facilities, investing in community-based mental health treatment, and using the commission to better understand the capital and operating costs of the current system. In response to questions, he said he was aware of DOC studies on programs like furlough but had not reviewed recent ones, and he noted that total-control facilities like Souza-Baranowski have long been criticized in the research literature for poor outcomes. Nora Wassel of the Women and Incarceration Project then testified that the commission should issue an interim report and scrutinize the planned new women’s prison, which she said is not justified by current population trends or available data. She argued that women are overclassified under DOC’s own tools, that reentry beds and minimum-security placements are underused, and that the system may be failing to account for women’s distinct medical and reentry needs. The meeting ended with continued discussion of reentry, furloughs, day reporting, and whether consolidation should mean fewer facilities, better step-down pathways, or both.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have an enrollment projection of 95.
• Heiser is a replacement with an increase in square footage due to that enrollment and anticipated enrollment
• Planning to include district-wide enrollment and boundary study.
• enrollment.
• Enrollment the last three years.

Transcript Highlights:

• enrollment options, then the state should fund it.
• enrollment options, then the state should fund it.
• enrollment options, then the state should fund it.
• particularly when we're seeing declining particularly when we're seeing declining enrollment.<01
• And I understand that many enrollment.

Bills: HF3790, HF3654, HF3371, HF3470, HF1099

Keywords: education finance, lease levy authority, graduation ceremonies, school districts, Minnesota Statutes, local revenue, funding increase, education, state appropriation, local control, HF3371, local optional revenue, school finance, general education aid, school district funding, referendum revenue, referendum market value, equalization aid, state aid, property tax levy

Transcript Highlights:

• How the bill works is this: It would require that a school district or open-enrollment charter school
• We're at over 700 people enrolled.
• Does your bill apply to charter schools, open-enrollment charter schools as well?
• Before enrolling and filed an affidavit declaring intent to pursue permanent resident.
• are not being used to subsidize that enrollment.

Summary: The committee heard several education bills, with most of the discussion focused on Senate Bill 1835, Senate Bill 784, Senate Bill 1049, Senate Bill 2942, and Senate Bill 2928. SB 1835 would raise from 5% to 20% the cap on nonresident students who can receive resident tuition and fees through competitive scholarships at certain regional universities in slower-growing workforce development areas, provided the schools have capacity as determined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Supporters, including West Texas A&M University, said the bill would help fill underused capacity, attract students who may stay and work in Texas, and support regional workforce needs. SB 784 would strengthen a prior law allowing peace officers’ children to transfer between public school districts for safety reasons by requiring both districts’ approval, making clear that districts of innovation are not exempt, and prohibiting tuition charges. SB 1049 would require districts and open-enrollment charters to excuse students, at a parent’s request, for religious release-time instruction for up to one hour per day and five hours per week; witnesses said the program is constitutional, voluntary, and already operating in other states and some Texas districts. Each of these bills was left pending after testimony, with no public witnesses opposing them. SB 2942 would expand and adjust the state’s adult charter high school pilot program. Senator Creighton said the bill is intended to help the estimated 7 million Texas adults without a high school diploma by removing barriers to expansion, aligning legal protections with ISDs, changing TEA’s disapproval window for expansion amendments to a 30-day period after receipt, and updating funding to reflect part-year attendance. A committee substitute kept the upper enrollment age at 50 and removed a proposed testing change. Testimony from New Heights students and leadership described the program as life-changing, emphasizing that it combines diplomas with career credentials, childcare, transportation, and other supports to help adults stabilize their families and enter better-paying work. TEA witnesses explained the expansion process and said adult charter schools are overseen by the commissioner rather than the SBOE. The committee substitute was adopted, public testimony closed, and the bill was left pending. SB 2928 would set a uniform school start date for public school districts at the third Wednesday in August, while preserving existing district-of-innovation flexibility for current DOI districts and allowing year-round systems to continue. Senator Creighton argued the bill would reduce the patchwork created by DOI exemptions, support students and families, and preserve summer employment and tourism revenue. A committee substitute was adopted. Testimony came largely from tourism, hospitality, and recreation interests, including hotel, water park, zoo, chamber of commerce, and camp representatives, who said later start dates would extend the summer travel season, improve staffing and revenue, and give students more opportunities for summer jobs and camps. Several witnesses cited large economic impacts from tourism and said early school starts reduce August business. Some senators raised concerns about charter schools being excluded and about year-round calendars, but the bill was left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• at<00:03:59.040> the declining enrollment, you look at the declining enrollment, you look
• are sort of unexpectedly not enrolled are sort of unexpectedly not enrolled uh,<00:42:28.560>
• enroll students in school. enroll students in school.
• It also authorizes a district with declining enrollment to expend funds on retaining student support
• enrolled in that school. enrolled in that school.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• those services, they do have many options to decline, and we have rarely seen parents decline services
• those services, they do have many options to decline, and we have rarely seen parents decline services
• If the fear is that parents won't be able to decline those services, they do have many options to decline
• , and we have rarely seen parents decline services.
• Through July, they had about 46 people enroll.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Students should not be required to enroll in classes that cost $1,650 each to learn about... personal
• And if somebody declines that offer, I will go back and ask them to what extent.
• You've got dual enrollment as well.
• I've personally had the experience of several top candidates declining to come to interview in Houston
• Amount of enrollment or attendance in certain courses.

Bills: SB 37

Keywords: fetal development, education, public health curriculum, middle school, age-appropriate instruction, 1184, house, all