Transcript Highlights:

• The total amount distributed to each recipient, school districts, charter schools, and other recipients
• also how many school districts apply.
• school years.
• come back in that school year.
• that school year.

Summary: The committee first approved the May 18 meeting minutes and then received a Legislative Audit presentation summarizing Arkansas Department of Education grant distributions for fiscal year 2025. Auditors said the department distributed about $4.6 billion in grants overall, including $3.2 billion from the Public School Fund, $1.1 billion in federal funds, and $268 million from other state and miscellaneous sources, across 56 Public School Fund programs, 14 other state programs, and 29 federal programs. Members asked about specific recipients and programs, including ClassWallet, master principal bonuses, Economics Arkansas, and CDC surveillance funding; audit staff and Department of Education representatives explained that the report was only a distribution summary and not a recipient-level audit. Members also questioned why many districts showed lower funding, and staff said the decline was largely due to reduced federal and one-time COVID-related funds. Senators and representatives also discussed whether some incentive programs, such as master principal and national board bonuses, were tied to student outcomes, and whether Economics Arkansas was the sole entity named in special language for financial literacy funding; department staff said they would follow up on several details. The committee then heard a Bureau of Legislative Research presentation on consumer price index projections from Moody’s Analytics and S&P Global, with discussion of CPI-U and core CPI estimates for future fiscal years. Dr. Carlos Silva explained that the forecasts generally trend toward about 2 percent over time and that recent projections may have understated actual inflation because of recent shocks. Members asked about the accuracy of past projections, and he said he would provide more detail later if needed. The bulk of the meeting focused on the final adequacy report on teacher recruitment, retention, and salaries. BLR staff reported that Arkansas had about 32,800 teachers and 473,000 students in 2025, with a statewide student-to-teacher ratio of about 14 to 1, average teaching experience of 11.9 years, and a slight increase in National Board Certified teachers. The report found that districts with higher poverty and minority concentrations generally had less experienced teachers, and that teacher shortages remained widespread, especially in special education, math, science, and foreign language. Members asked about licensure exceptions, alternative preparation pathways, incentives for ESL and special education endorsements, and the cost and return on investment of traditional versus alternative routes. Staff said some licensure exceptions are being phased out under Act 304 of 2025 and that they would follow up on several requested details. The report also found that teacher retention averaged 87 percent statewide in 2025, with districts retaining teachers at higher rates than charters, and that 30 percent of surveyed teachers were considering leaving the profession. Principals and teachers identified school leadership as the strongest positive factor in recruitment and retention, while workload and salary were the strongest negative factors. On salaries, BLR reported a statewide average teacher salary of $60,254 in 2025, with districts averaging $60,458 and charters $55,724. Arkansas ranked 45th nationally on average teacher salary in 2025, though its cost-adjusted ranking improved to 36th; among SREB states it ranked 12th, and among neighboring states it ranked fourth. Members asked about starting salaries, salary compression, district step increases, and whether the report should be shared more broadly with educators and school leaders. Staff said they would provide follow-up information on several questions, and the committee took no formal action beyond receiving the presentations and asking for additional data.

Transcript Highlights:

• The taxpayers of Florida purchased this system.
• The taxpayers of Florida purchased this system.
• Other agencies, or not other agencies, but other firms are having to purchase their own. ...or not other
• If tech debt exceeds the amount of purchase of new software, then it would be beneficial to start the
• So, and perhaps I'm not asking this correctly, how much did the system cost to purchase in 2015?

Summary: The subcommittee heard a lengthy presentation on the Agency for Persons with Disabilities’ I-Connect system, based on an ILAB assessment of the platform’s performance and requirements. ILAB said the system provides useful centralized records, reporting, compliance support, and audit trails, but users described it as cumbersome, outdated, and inefficient, with excessive manual entry, weak navigation, limited notifications, no mobile app, poor printing/export options, and performance issues. ILAB also said the original 2013-era requirements were too high-level and that only a portion of the requirements could be verified, with some features de-scoped or never implemented. Their recommendations included better integration with electronic health record systems, improved performance monitoring, electronic signatures, OCR, and more modern export and verification tools. Public testimony from providers and advocates echoed those concerns. A support coordination provider said the system is nicknamed “I Disconnect,” described problems with EVV/GPS sign-ins, lengthy support plans, lack of a phone app, and possible HIPAA concerns. Another advocate said the system should have preserved family access to records and criticized the need for providers to use workarounds and additional software. APD staff said the agency has spent about $19.7 million through FY 2023-24, has regular build updates under the current contract with WellSky, and uses an internal help desk and vendor ticketing process to triage bugs versus enhancement requests. They said some issues are handled case-by-case, critical tickets have SLAs, and the agency is working on interoperability and other requested improvements. Members questioned whether the system should be fixed or replaced, whether the original contract and SaaS arrangement were sufficient, and whether the state received value for the money spent. APD said the system went live in phases and that all functionality was in place by June 2024, while ILAB and members noted significant technical debt and unresolved gaps. The committee also discussed record retention, provider access to records after a consumer changes providers, and whether federal funding or compliance could be affected. The meeting ended with broader budget remarks emphasizing completion over expansion, stronger upfront planning for technology projects, and more accountability before funding new systems or major enhancements.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's only 47 schools receiving $100 million. Most of them are the elite private schools.
• My dad taught at a public school. My mother-in-law taught at a public school.
• I went to public school, our parents went to public school.
• I do not want to make homeschool or private school, public school, testing equal.
• I want private schools to be different. I want private schools to be different.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• states, and this is verbatim, the state must establish and maintain a general and uniform public school
• If anyone can tell me what this grant is for, because the school can't—they can't tell me what this grant
• Universities in China, especially the schools that we've been talking about, the gentleman just mentioned
• appropriate analogy would say we are going to limit the interest that we could charge for a car purchase
• Would you like the purchase district, you know, that explained it before you did?

Committee: House House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard an extended presentation and discussion on Arizona higher education research security, focused heavily on Arizona State University’s foreign funding, international partnerships, and alleged ties to Chinese military-affiliated institutions. The presenter argued that ASU and the Arizona Board of Regents had not been transparent about foreign gifts, contracts, and research collaborations, especially those involving the Chinese “Seven Sons” universities, and said the committee would pursue a congressional referral and other federal review. A strike-everything amendment to SB 1060 was described but then withdrawn; the underlying SB 1327 was then taken up as a companion measure requiring ABOR to adopt university research security policies and submit annual reports on those policies and on foreign contributions over $250,000. The committee heard testimony in support from Marina Macklin, who said the bill would help protect dual-use and defense-relevant research from being funneled to China’s military ecosystem, and she answered questions about biosecurity, semiconductors, AI model theft, and election systems. After debate, SB 1327 was approved on a 4-2 vote, with Delos Santos and Marquez voting no and Colloden, Powell, and the chair voting yes; the chair stated his support was to keep missile, armor, guidance, and other technology safe from the Chinese government. The committee then heard SB 1803, a veterans’ consumer-protection bill regulating private companies that help veterans file disability claims. The bill would prohibit unaccredited persons from preparing, presenting, or prosecuting veterans’ benefits matters, require service agreements to be filed with the Attorney General, cap compensation, ban certain practices such as overseas call centers and in-house doctors, and create consumer-fraud enforcement authority. Sponsor Sen. Gallin said the measure was intended to add guardrails for veterans and prevent bad actors from taking excessive fees or misleading claimants. Testimony from Veterans Guardian representatives supported the bill as a way to create transparency and preserve veterans’ choice while regulating the industry; they said many veterans seek private help after unsuccessful attempts with free services and that the bill would not eliminate competition. Opponents and skeptical members questioned whether the bill would effectively legalize one business model while restricting others, whether the contingent-fee structure was consumer-friendly, and whether the companies were engaging in the unauthorized practice of law. The discussion also referenced prior federal and state litigation involving similar laws and the possibility of future federal accreditation reform. The transcript ends during continued questioning on SB 1803, before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• or during the vehicle's model year to be inspected upon purchase and not again until the expiration
• date in the second year after purchase.
• and not again until the second year after purchase. till the expiration date in the second till the
• year after purchase to provide some background<00:33:32.799><c> on</c><00:33:33.039><c> this</c><00:
• and then not again until the second year after purchase.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I got a slide coming up that will remind us of our high school biology photosynthesis.
• And so getting down to that high school biology photosynthesis, if you remember, trees—and this is for
• And so, uh, right now, really a company that is interested in spending money to purchase carbon offsets
• Because in the voluntary market they don't have to do this, but when they sell, well, when they purchase
• </c><01:25:15.679><c> conservation</c> has been able to purchase conservation has been able to purchase

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting was called to order, the Pledge of Allegiance was led, and the clerk called the roll, establishing a quorum. The committee approved the prior minutes after correcting the date and changing a reference so that a draft-legislation note attributed to Representative Wlette was corrected. After that, the chair introduced a carbon presentation by Mr. Charlie Lebec and invited members and guests to move closer to view the slides. Mr. Lebec’s presentation focused on forest carbon science and forest carbon offset markets, with emphasis on how forests store, sequester, and emit carbon. He explained greenhouse gases and the relationship between atmospheric CO2 and temperature, then defined key terms such as carbon storage, sequestration, flux, sinks, and sources. He also described forest carbon pools, noting that soils contain a large share of forest carbon, and discussed how forest age affects storage and sequestration, arguing that younger forests often sequester carbon faster while older forests store more carbon overall. He also addressed how harvested wood products can continue to store carbon, responding to a question from a member about mass timber and carbon sinks. The presentation included regional comparisons showing New Hampshire’s forest density, carbon storage, and sequestration relative to other New England states, and noted that New Hampshire forests offset more than 30% of the state’s annual greenhouse gas emissions from nonforest sources, while Maine and Vermont offset even larger shares. Mr. Lebec said eastern forests are generally carbon sinks, unlike some western forests affected by wildfire, and stressed that forest management, soil protection, and forest age all influence carbon outcomes. No votes or substantive policy actions were taken beyond approving the minutes; the meeting was primarily informational.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, first page hails from District 34, Aberdeen High School. District 34, Aberdeen High School.
• The There international medical school.
• </c><00:57:18.600><c> by</c><00:57:18.720><c> teachers</c> supplies purchased by teachers supplies purchased
• </c><01:45:31.920><c> professional</c> education public schools professional education public schools
• </c> when they go to school when they go to school that<01:57:18.920><c> number</c><01:57:19.160><c>

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Monday, March 23, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> also provided $35 million to school also provided $35 million to school districts<00:01:13.080><
• </c> involved Educators it involved School involved Educators it involved School boards<00:02:18.360>
• </c><00:20:31.400><c> be</c><00:20:31.640><c> required</c> school year all schools will be required school
• MDE and Carrie coordinated some focus groups consisting of school districts and public charter schools
• align with school planning and purchasing<01:10:27.800><c> is</c><01:10:28.000><c> also</c><01:10:28.320

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My understanding is currently working through the OMES purchasing policies.
• Senator, on page six, the very top line, line one, purchase of equipment—can you maybe just give me an
• example of what kind of equipment could be purchased with these monies?
• Senator, on page six, the very top line, line one, purchase of equipment—can you maybe just give me an
• example of what kind of equipment could be purchased with these monies?

Bills: SB1332 , SB1378 , SB1525 , SB1771 , SB1919 , SB1998 , SB2018 , SB260 , SB264

Committee: Senate Economic Development, Workforce and Tourism

Keywords: housing, infrastructure, water projects, Oklahoma Water Resources Board, economic development, zero-interest loans, clawback provision, local contractors, Olympics, funding, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, local businesses, revolving fund, event hosting, SB1525, tourism, recreation, conference, Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Commission

Summary: The Senate Economic Development, Workforce and Tourism Committee met for its first meeting of the session and reviewed several bills related to infrastructure planning, tourism, housing, workforce data, and event incentives. The chair also announced committee procedures, including a request that amendments be submitted 24 hours in advance and a decision to lay over Senate Bill 264. Senator Mann presented SB 260, creating the Oklahoma Infrastructure Long Range Planning Commission within the Department of Commerce to coordinate long-term infrastructure planning across state, local, tribal, and utility stakeholders; it passed 8-1. Senator Frix presented SB 1525, allowing the Department of Tourism and Recreation to contract with private entities for an annual statewide tourism and recreation conference up to $75,000; it passed 9-0. Senator Kirt presented SB 1332, aimed at helping cities address housing growth and infrastructure needs through a one-time pot of low- or no-interest loans for water, sewer, and storm sewer projects; it passed 8-1. Senator Coleman presented SB 1998, which would expand the Quality Events Act so smaller communities can define qualifying events and use program funds for items such as equipment; members discussed whether the bill would support existing or new events, and it passed 9-0. Chairwoman Thompson presented SB 1771, authorizing the Oklahoma Workforce Commission to collect workforce development funding and expenditure metrics from agencies and to hire outside counsel when needed because of data-collection workload; it passed 9-0. She also presented SB 1378, creating the Olympics and Oklahoma revolving fund, with discussion that funding requests would later go through the budget process; it passed 9-0. Thompson then presented SB 1919, increasing the cumulative inducement limit in the Oklahoma Tourism Development Act from $30 million to $60 million. She said the current cap is being reached and that the program supports projects that generate sales tax revenue and visible community development, while members asked for more detail on prior uses and program outcomes; it passed 9-0. Finally, SB 2018 was laid over because amendments were not ready in time. The committee adjourned after noting the meeting moved quickly.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seven percent of Missouri high schools offer driver’s education during the school year.
• of a lot of schools.
• Now, many schools may... Driver’s education has been cut out of a lot of schools.
• Now, many schools may have summer school, and they offer a course at that time.
• We are already in schools.

Committee: House Elementary and Secondary Education

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It just so happens that the law school, um, there was an attack on the law school a couple years ago.
• I had to have a to school. I did.
• But the I'm not I'm of the old school.
• </c> to schools that have DEI programs. to schools that have DEI programs.
• Proud of schools in the United States.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill requires schools to notify parents when their child's school vaccination rate falls below the
• McClatchey High School, in support.
• AB 1264 focused on ultra-processed foods in schools.
• These folks have to go to a lot of schooling.
• student loans from going to their schooling.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a long agenda of health-related bills, beginning with AB 2651 by Bonta, which would require schools to notify parents when school vaccination rates fall below herd immunity thresholds. Supporters, including family physicians, PTA representatives, and medical groups, said the bill would improve transparency and help parents protect children and vulnerable family members. Opponents argued the data could be misleading, could identify medically exempt or conditional students, and might lead to stigma or discrimination. The bill was later moved out of committee on a due-pass-as-amended motion, with one no vote recorded on the roll call. The committee also heard AB 2123 by Aguirre-Curry on medical debt relief, AB 1570 by Wilson to eliminate out-of-pocket costs for medically necessary breast diagnostic and supplemental imaging, AB 2201 by Berner to restore Medi-Cal eligibility and renewal flexibilities, AB 2448 by Berman to strengthen privacy protections for reproductive and gender-affirming care records, AB 2034 by Addis on food additive safety and transparency, and AB 2598 by Krell to require better notification of next of kin when a patient dies in a hospital. Each bill drew strong support from authors, advocates, and affected individuals, while some drew opposition from insurers, industry groups, or transparency critics who raised concerns about cost, duplication, implementation, or unintended harm. Several bills were moved forward on due-pass-as-amended motions, including AB 2123, AB 2201, AB 2448, AB 2034, and AB 2598. The committee also heard AB 2551 by Elhawary, which would require health plans to collect and publish data on how often enrollees must go out of network for behavioral health care and why. Supporters said the measure would expose access barriers and high out-of-pocket costs, especially for communities of color and people with language access needs; opponents said it would add another reporting mandate and might not solve provider shortage problems. Members generally expressed support for the bill’s goals and several described personal or district-level experiences with behavioral health access problems. The bill was then moved out of committee on a due-pass motion. The committee also took up consent items and other procedural motions, with multiple bills reported out and some placed on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• They've helped to expand those programs for our farmers and ranchers, and nutrition schools are seen.
• To our federal school lunch program, the SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
• That was last year, last fiscal year, in our school district. 195 school food authorities is what they're
• Eighty percent of those school food authorities and school districts participate in the New Mexico Grown
• Fresh fruits and vegetables, and proteins in their school meal programs, again, stabilizer for that.

Committee: House Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• From early intervention services for young children in schools to reducing reliance on opioids and ER
• </c><00:03:45.240><c> to</c><00:03:45.360><c> reducing</c> young children in schools to reducing young
• She went to school with my son. They went to birthday parties.
• She went to school with my my hometown.
• , School, School, and<01:19:20.920><c> a</c><01:19:21.000><c> registered</c><01:19:21.680><c> nurse,<

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Maybe that's, I sound like a broken record, but purchasing bulk food with the school down the street
• And then a bill that says, we want a social worker at every school.
• You know, we sometimes purchase some of those if there's a fire or flood.
• So you're contributing to that, our schools are contributing to that.
• I think our schools, Mr.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The committee first heard an Aging and Long-Term Services Department budget presentation comparing the LFC and executive recommendations. The main differences were in the Aging Network, Adult Protective Services, Program Support, and Long-Term Care Division, especially the executive’s proposed $10 million infusion into the Kiki Savadra Senior Dignity Fund and $6.2 million for expanding New Mexico Care. LFC staff explained that the committee recommendation was lower in general fund and fund-balance use, while the executive emphasized rising senior population needs, meal and transportation costs, and the cost savings of keeping older adults at home. The secretary also reviewed the department’s special requests, including the conference on aging, outreach, emergency preparedness, and the Kiki fund, and described New Mexico Care’s growth, its evaluation results, and the department’s plan to separate Kiki into its own accounting fund. Members largely focused on senior services, rural meal delivery, transportation, caregiver support, and the Kiki fund. Several members urged stronger support for non-metro aging providers and for New Mexico Care, citing its role in keeping seniors out of nursing homes and the program’s reported savings and outcomes. Questions also covered eligibility, background checks for caregivers, respite care, dementia and Alzheimer’s screening, and whether Kiki funds can support home modifications such as ramps. The committee then voted to adopt the LFC recommendation with one executive language change: adding the executive’s page 14 language allowing an additional 12.5% distribution for initial payments to aging network providers at the start of FY27. Representative Dow opposed the motion. The committee then moved to the Attorney General’s budget. LFC staff explained that the office’s budget relies heavily on the Consumer Settlement Fund, with both recommendations reducing general fund revenue while increasing settlement-fund use, and that performance measures were in consensus. The Attorney General said the office was not seeking more general fund, but wanted greater ability to use funds it recovers. He highlighted major consumer and public safety work, including litigation against major social media and AI platforms, a case involving Snapchat and child exploitation/extortion, the statewide crime gun intelligence center, efforts to address oilfield theft, work on missing and murdered Indigenous persons, and efforts to protect federal funds coming into New Mexico.

Transcript Highlights:

• urban and rural areas, a single blocked crossing can cut off access to hospitals, fire stations, schools
• For example, in Katy, where there are nine new schools...
• And let's not forget our young people who use transit to go to school. To get their education.
• Time you ever hear this question, but I'm requesting a school. No. Excuse my accent. Thank you.
• Motion to issue a school note. I have one question. Why didn't you sit in a chair?

Bills: HB2065 , HB2462 , HB2621 , HB3187 , HB3539 , HB3563 , HB3726 , HB4164 , HB4207 , HB4368 , HB4706 , HB4916 , HB4950 , HB4967 , HB5177 , HB4429 , HB5597

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: commercial vehicles, parking regulations, residential areas, local governance, land use, traffic safety, high occupancy vehicle lane, pregnant operators, transportation, parental rights, motor vehicle regulations, live video feed, state agency, transparency, public safety, regional transportation, mobility program, sales tax, public infrastructure, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• Oftentimes, even the purchase of a manufactured home requires a bank loan.
• through program under the Veterans Land Board to help eligible Texas veterans and military families purchase
• Oftentimes, even the purchase of a manufactured home requires a bank loan.
• this bill as the agency that would have to carry it out, we did discuss the differences between purchasing
• I'm completely in favor of a grant program that assists in the purchase of a mobile on dirt owned by

Bills: SB2007 , SB2104 , SB2543 , SB2545 , SB2926 , SB2938

Committee: Senate Veteran Affairs

Keywords: military status, vehicle registration, veterans, Texas transportation, state records, discrimination, employment rights, spouses of service members, labor code, SB 2543, Texas veterans cemeteries, state veterans cemetery, Texas Veterans Commission, Veterans Land Board, Natural Resources Code, veterans land fund, veterans housing assistance fund, veterans burial, burial eligibility, cemetery location

Summary: The Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs heard several bills focused on veterans’ mental health, criminal justice coordination, cemetery expansion, housing, vehicle registration, and anti-discrimination protections. SB 2926 would transfer administration of veterans’ mental health initiatives from HHSC to the Texas Veterans Commission, create a community-based mental health grant program, require a statewide veteran suicide prevention action plan, and add annual reporting requirements. SB 2938 would require county jails to verify and report veteran status at intake, help veteran inmates apply for federal benefits, and provide access to county veteran services and free visitation with service coordinators. Both bills were described as joint or practical efforts to improve coordination and service delivery for veterans, and both were left pending after no public testimony was offered. The committee also heard SB 2543, which would give more flexibility to expand the Texas veterans cemetery system, and SB 2545, which would explore using manufactured homes as another affordable housing option for veterans through the Veterans Land Board. SB 2545 drew questions about how manufactured-home loans would work; a Texas Veterans Land Board witness said implementation would likely require closing at a title company rather than through a retail bill of sale, and the Texas Manufactured Housing Association testified in support. Both cemetery and housing bills were left pending. Members then heard SB 2007, which would let vehicle registration applicants voluntarily designate military status so the DMV could record it and help with benefits and towing/impound issues involving deployed service members. Witnesses from the towing industry and DMV supported the bill, saying the current system lacks enough identifying information to run military-status checks and that the indicator could help prevent vehicles from being sold while owners are deployed. SB 2104 would add military status as a protected class under state anti-discrimination laws for employment, housing, and utilities; the author said it would address ongoing discrimination against service members, veterans, and military families. The Texas VFW supported the bill, citing the Leroy Torres case as an example of why additional state protections are needed. After discussion about overlap with federal law and existing state protections, SB 2104 was also left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• was uh smart legislative design by the Minnesota legislature to require products bought, sold, and purchased
• 00:05:19.280><c> bought,</c><00:05:19.759><c> sold,</c><00:05:20.000><c> and</c><00:05:20.160><c> purchased
• </c><00:05:20.479><c> by</c> products bought, sold, and purchased by products bought, sold, and purchased
• choose this option, it would allow for operational efficiencies such as inventory reporting and purchasing
• choose this option, it would allow for operational efficiencies such as inventory reporting and purchasing

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Steamship Authority and the Brockton School Committee are recent examples from reports that we have
• the utility says, do you want to have five charging stations right by the new high school?
• And the school officials, and nothing wrong with that, often say, yeah, that's great.
• So you made some, I thought, really insightful points around the Boston Public School transportation
• And to the point that you made with the transportation, the school bus transportation, the point that

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on Post Audit and Oversight

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes adjusting the 2024-25 deposit to the public school system stabilization account.
• My mom went to school.
• Importantly, this provides record funding for public schools in 2025-26.
• Englewood Unified School District, a majority Latino serving school district, which I represent, received
• And grace has not been shared by this body when it comes to our public TK through 12 schools.

Keywords: 988, house, all