Transcript Highlights:

• Barr calls this systems change.
• It takes about three years for a school to move from their current operating system to the bar system
• Take it out of the old system, drop it into this new system, and everything will work better.
• therapy systems.
• It's a systems model.

Summary: The committee met to hear presentations on dual credit programs from North Dakota higher education leaders, a school superintendent, and teachers. Valley City State University described its dual credit model, emphasizing quality control through annual teacher training, syllabus and outcomes alignment, faculty qualification review, school visits, and pathways aimed at the College Studies Certificate. Members asked about teacher employment, course scheduling, revenue, scholarships, and whether a centralized model might improve efficiency; VCSU said most instructors are K-12 employees, online offerings are still small, and centralization could weaken local relationships and choice. Lake Region State College similarly stressed access and partnerships, noting about half of its headcount is still in high school, with both online and face-to-face dual credit options, district reimbursement arrangements, and support for rural schools. Lake Region also said dual credit helps students who might not otherwise see themselves as college-bound, but reduced tuition can still be a barrier for some families. Fargo Public Schools reported continued growth in dual credit, with 50 courses offered in partnership with several NDUS institutions and a 12.61% increase in participation. The superintendent highlighted a growing education pathway, including students completing Introduction to Education and field experience, and said the district is exploring a grow-your-own teacher pipeline. He also raised concerns about inconsistent institutional processes, teacher credentialing requirements, and transfer clarity, arguing for more aligned statewide systems. In response to questions, he said AP and dual credit can coexist, with AP often better for highly selective out-of-state colleges and dual credit better for students targeting North Dakota institutions, and he described some use of Arizona State online courses in earlier rural partnerships but said Fargo is focused on local institutions. Two teachers then testified on the classroom perspective. A West Fargo anatomy and physiology teacher said dual credit has expanded access, lowered costs, and prepared students well, but agreed that foundational science courses may be more effective when taken later in high school to reduce knowledge loss before college. A Drake-Anamoose English teacher, who has taught dual credit for more than 20 years, said the program has supported many students who went on to a wide range of careers and emphasized that small rural schools rely on dual credit to provide opportunities they otherwise could not offer. No formal votes or actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the most brazen way to rig the system.
• Thank you. ...the system, and that's why I'm here today encouraging your aye vote. Thank you.
• If the system, if people access it remotely, you have to take remote testimony.
• If the system goes down, you have to pause the meeting.
• This modernizes stream system adjudication.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on August 20, 2025, and considered a large number of bills, with most of the discussion centered on election redistricting and several health, labor, environmental, and government-operations measures. The first major item was ACA 8, a constitutional amendment tied to a proposed November special election and temporary mid-decade congressional redistricting in response to partisan redistricting efforts in other states. Supporters, including Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, a 2020 redistricting commissioner, labor groups, and allies of the measure, argued it was necessary to defend democracy, protect representation, and respond to federal actions affecting California. Opponents, including Assemblymember Tom Lackey reading a statement for Assemblymember Gallagher and Assemblymember Dixon, argued the measure would undermine the independent redistricting commission, amount to a partisan power grab, and cost taxpayers roughly $230 million. Committee members also focused heavily on fiscal questions, including litigation costs and county election funding, and Department of Finance staff said counties would be made whole and funding would be advanced. The committee ultimately voted the measure out on a B roll call. The committee then heard SB 280, the implementing bill for the special election and related redistricting process. Supporters repeated the argument that California needed to respond to Texas and other states, while opponents again emphasized the cost, the strain on county budgets, and the state’s broader fiscal pressures. Department of Finance witnesses said the election funding would be provided in advance and that the state would work with counties and the Secretary of State. The bill was moved out on a roll call after extended debate. The committee also advanced several other bills, including SB 283 on battery storage safety standards, SB 470 extending remote participation and open-meeting flexibility for state boards and commissions, SB 697 modernizing stream adjudication procedures, SB 513 requiring more accessible employee training records, SB 30 restricting transfer of older diesel locomotives, SB 841 and SB 81 creating protections for vulnerable facilities and health care spaces from immigration enforcement, SB 358 revising traffic impact fee standards, and SB 630 streamlining state parks land acquisitions. Other measures discussed included SB 62 expanding health coverage benefits, SB 68 requiring restaurant allergen disclosures, and the committee heard both support and opposition on SB 68 from the California Restaurant Association and consumer advocates. Supporters of the health and immigrant-protection bills emphasized patient safety, reproductive health, immigrant rights, and access to care, while opponents on the restaurant bill warned of added mandates and litigation risk for small businesses. Across the hearing, committee members frequently returned to fiscal impacts, county implementation burdens, and whether the bills would save money, cost money, or shift costs to local governments. Several bills were reported out of committee, often on A or B roll calls, with some members not voting on particular measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've had some challenges with respect to the discipline system that you and I had some challenges.
• We've had some challenges with respect to the discipline system that you and I have worked on for the
• There have been no incidences of dangerous situations associated with EV chargers.
• I don't want to incentivize anybody gaming the system; that is the honest truth.
• It's not about gaming the system. Someone tears apart a home and takes it.

Summary: The committee heard several bills from Senator Umberg and Senator Allen, with testimony from supporters and opponents before roll-call votes were taken once quorum was established. SB 253, the annual State Bar fee bill, would keep fees unchanged while requiring two-year notice for substantial changes to the bar exam, including vendor changes, and returning to an older delivery method for the upcoming exam; it was presented as a response to recent State Bar problems and the February bar exam failure. SB 25, the Pre-Merger Notification Act, would require certain merger parties to provide California’s attorney general the same Hart-Scott-Rodino materials filed federally, so state antitrust review can occur in parallel with federal review; supporters said this would reduce delay and uncertainty, while members questioned whether it would add another layer of review. SB 36 would strengthen price-gouging enforcement after the January 2025 Southern California firestorms by requiring rental-listing platforms to report suspected gouging, expanding consumer and prosecutor remedies, and allowing warrants in housing-related cases; supporters said it would close loopholes, while opponents from business groups raised concerns. All three bills were later approved on roll call, with SB 36 and SB 413 placed on call before final passage and SB 253 and SB 25 moving forward on committee votes. The committee also heard SB 413, which would streamline access to juvenile case files in certain civil cases brought by or on behalf of the youth who is the subject of the file, allowing attorneys to use heavily redacted records without first petitioning the juvenile court. Supporters, including Los Angeles County counsel and county associations, said the current petition process is costly, slow, and routinely granted, creating delays in civil litigation and court congestion. Opponents, including the Youth Law Center, argued the bill would weaken longstanding juvenile confidentiality protections by bypassing judicial review and could expose sensitive information unnecessarily. After discussion about redactions, sealing, and the scope of access, the bill was passed on a do-pass-as-amended vote. Finally, Senator Wahab presented SB 436, which would extend the notice period for nonpayment of rent from three days to 14 days. Supporters, including tenant advocates, legal aid groups, and several local governments, argued the change would reduce unnecessary evictions, give renters more time to obtain assistance or a paycheck, and help prevent homelessness. Opponents, including apartment associations, property owners, and the California Association of Realtors, said the bill would burden landlords, especially small owners, and could unintentionally affect commercial leases; members also raised concerns about repeated late payment and the lack of stronger guardrails. The author said she would work on clarifying commercial coverage and safeguards, and the bill remained under discussion as the hearing continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• of that system, but a benefit from that system is our students who are...
• Through our health care system, through our education system, I'm concerned with with the, Right.
• Through our health care system, through our education system, I'm concerned with a good idea comes a
• So thank you for those three. ...system, as you believe, and, you know, one public higher ed system,
• It's important to note that the system we have is that children enter our system weeks old; they come

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing was a Joint Committee on Ways and Means budget session held in Lawrence focused on the governor’s proposed FY27 education and local aid budget, with remarks from legislative co-chairs, local officials, and education agency leaders. Acting Mayor Giovanni Rodriguez and Superintendent Ralph Carrero emphasized Lawrence’s high-need student population, the importance of Chapter 70 and Student Opportunity Act funding, and the impact of state aid on schools serving many English learners and low-income families. Carrero highlighted Lawrence High School programs such as early college, dual degrees, career pathways, and early childhood classrooms embedded in the high school, while lawmakers introduced themselves and noted the importance of the hearing to their districts. Acting Secretary of Education Amy Kershaw, Commissioner of Higher Education Noi Ortega, Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Pedro Martinez, and Commissioner of Early Education and Care Amy Kershaw outlined the administration’s FY27 priorities. They described investments in literacy initiatives, universal school meals, student mental health, early college and career pathways, higher education affordability, community college and university student-success supports, preschool expansion, child care subsidies, and workforce supports for early educators. The commissioners also discussed federal funding threats, equity gaps, and the administration’s efforts to improve outcomes for Black and brown students, multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and low-income students. Members questioned the panel about the local contribution formula study, the final year of Student Opportunity Act implementation, and the need to revisit Chapter 70 funding to better address rising costs such as special education, transportation, and health care. Officials said the local contribution study report is expected by the end of June, with a draft to be shared after data analysis and public comment. Commissioner Martinez said the Student Opportunity Act narrowed funding gaps but more work is needed, and he pointed to a proposed Accelerating Achievement Initiative to support the highest-need schools. Senator Oliveira also raised concerns about Chapter 70 disparities and asked about partnerships with libraries to support literacy, prompting discussion of broader early literacy collaboration.

Transcript Highlights:

• of that system, but benefiting from that system, are our students who are... ...meeting our standards
• of that system, but a benefit from that system is our students who are...
• Through our health care system, through our education system, I'm concerned with a good idea comes a
• Through our health care system, through our education system, I'm concerned with with the, Right.
• Through our health care system, through our education system, I'm concerned with a good idea comes a

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of that system, but benefiting from that system, are our students who are... ...meeting our standards
• Through our health care system, through our education system, I'm concerned with a good idea comes a
• Through our health care system, through our education system, I'm concerned with with the, Right.
• Through our health care system, through our education system, I'm concerned with a good idea comes a
• We should be one system, as you believe, and one public higher ed system, and UMass throwing down and

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a public hearing in Lawrence focused on the governor’s proposed FY27 budget for education and local aid. Opening remarks from Senator Pavel Payano, Representative Pat Duffy, and local leaders emphasized the importance of education funding for Lawrence and other Gateway Cities, with Acting Mayor Giovanni Rodriguez and Superintendent Ralph Carrero highlighting the city’s high-need student population, Chapter 70 and Student Opportunity Act funding, early college and career pathways, and the need for sustained support to close achievement gaps. The Education Secretariat testified in support of the budget, with Acting Secretary Amy Kershaw outlining investments in early literacy, universal pre-K, student mental health, school meals, high school redesign, higher education affordability, and early childhood systems. Commissioner Noi Ortega described higher education proposals including expanded free community college, continued free tuition at public four-year institutions, student success funding, early college and dual enrollment investments, and the Bright Act and Drive Act. Commissioner Pedro Martinez detailed K-12 proposals such as full Student Opportunity Act funding, increased Chapter 70 aid, special education circuit breaker funding, transportation aid, literacy initiatives, and a new Accelerating Achievement Initiative aimed at schools with the greatest needs. Commissioner Kershaw also described early education proposals including funding for C3, child care financial assistance, CPPI, workforce supports, and administrative funding restoration. Committee members questioned the administration about the pending local contribution formula study, the final year of Student Opportunity Act implementation, and the need to address health care and other cost drivers in school funding. Officials said the local contribution report is expected by the end of June and that a draft will be shared for public comment after data analysis is complete. Members also raised concerns about Chapter 70 disparities between districts and urged a broader review of the formula. In response, the commissioners said the Student Opportunity Act narrowed funding gaps but further work is needed, and they pointed to the new achievement initiative, literacy efforts, and early college expansion as ways to improve outcomes. No votes were taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• :05:29.199><c> to</c> Providing appropriate protections to individuals who stand between violent incidents

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• without having to go home, and a requirement to have a conversation about how to best prevent future incidents

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Select Committee on Collective Bargaining met to hear informational presentations on several state employee bargaining units at impasse. The Department of Management Services outlined the status of negotiations for FDLE special agents, correctional/security services, sworn law enforcement officers, Florida Highway Patrol troopers, and Florida State Fire Service employees. In each case, most contract articles had been resolved, but key disputes remained over wages and several non-economic provisions such as hours of work, grievance language, safety, grooming, seniority, equipment, travel, and on-call pay. DMS emphasized that the state had offered competitive pay increases, special pay, recruitment/retention funds in some units, and that insurance costs would remain unchanged for employees. Representatives for the Florida State Fire Service Association argued that the state was requiring firefighters to perform work far outside their job descriptions, including major construction and renovation, and that wildland firefighters were being undercompensated for long hours, on-call duty, and callback work. They also pressed for higher wages, an incentive-based pay plan, additional compensation for firefighter-EMTs, more protective clothing, and stronger decontamination and cancer-prevention measures. The Police Benevolent Association’s Florida Highway Patrol unit sought a larger career development plan, veteran stipends, broader grooming/tattoo allowances, improved vehicle safety, and more pay, while the law enforcement unit raised concerns about vehicle safety, performance evaluation quotas, and a $7,000 across-the-board raise. The security services unit representing correctional officers, probation officers, and ISS officers focused on a substantial wage increase, retention pay, special pay for death row and close management assignments, and overtime treatment for lieutenants and captains. Committee members asked only a few clarifying questions, including whether correctional officers receive overtime, which DMS confirmed they do. No votes were taken and no formal action was scheduled; the meeting was expressly for information only. The committee thanked the presenters, noted that the materials and testimony would be taken under advisement, and adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• AFFORDABLE HOUSING PURPOSES YOU THE DEVELOPER CAN GET THE REBATE FOR THAT SO THAT IS AGAIN AND EXCITING INCIDENT

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:39.120><c> from</c> flowing into our university system from flowing into our university system
• </c><00:29:08.960><c> or</c> concerns from the university systems or concerns from the university systems
• </c><00:29:56.960><c> officials</c> they were university system officials they were university system
• </c> system before. system before. &gt;&gt; Yeah. &gt;&gt; Yeah. &gt;&gt; Yeah.
• So they can't even use the same system.

Committee: House Education Funding

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Changing who controls the system does not fix the system.
• , we should fix the system, not shift control.
• There's no doubt the employees want to stay in the system.
• There's no doubt the employees want to stay in the system.
• If you don't have a civil service system, who...

Summary: The committee met on April 15 at 5:13 p.m. with a quorum present and took up several local and municipal bills out of order to accommodate members’ travel. HB 87, which would increase the per diem for the Livingston Parish Gas Utility District No. 1 board, was presented as a local bill with no opposition and was reported favorably without objection. HB 481, dealing with the cost of publishing official proceedings and public notices, drew extensive testimony from the Louisiana Press Association, the Police Jury Association, and committee members. Supporters said a prior agreement intended a 15% to 20% reduction in notice costs, but a calculation error would instead produce roughly a 40% reduction, threatening small newspapers; opponents questioned the process and impact on local governments. The committee ultimately voted 10-5 to send HB 481 to the floor, with members urging further negotiation and possible amendment. HB 573, a major New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board governance bill by Rep. Hilferty, was amended in committee and then supported by Mayor Helena Moreno and several council members as a way to shift more oversight and accountability to the New Orleans City Council. Supporters argued the current structure diffuses responsibility and that local elected officials need more direct authority over operations, contracts, and transparency. Dr. Tracy Washington of the Louisiana Justice Institute opposed the bill, warning that transferring control could worsen financial strain, blur accountability, and raise equity and human-rights concerns for vulnerable residents. Despite the opposition, the committee voted to report HB 573 favorably to the floor. The committee also advanced HB 162, allowing the Jefferson Place/Bocage crime prevention and improvement district to impose a fee after local approval, and HB 368, which raises penalties for unauthorized demolition in New Orleans historic districts to the greater of $50,000 or 15% of assessed value. Both were reported favorably after brief discussion. HB 441, a cleanup bill clarifying that New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board employees remain in city civil service rather than state civil service, was also sent to the floor without objection. Finally, HB 257, concerning the powers and duties of the police chief of the city of Central, was amended to require consultation with the city attorney before discipline or dismissal and to delay effectiveness until January 1, 2027; after debate over due process and the chief’s authority, the committee voted to report it favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• The current up here you go system successfully meeting consumer demand for accessible, affordable and
• Currently the VA system is not engineered to give your maximum results.
• We have amazing community and legal support within within our system.
• That's over a 3rd of what the court system is funded by in the state of Florida.
• >> There is one appearance form Sean Byrne, fun State court system waives in support.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• No one can cheat the system.
• No one can cheat the system. sealed. No one can cheat the system.
• So this is what we did one week when we started the new system. And this is what it's like.
• Are we better off keeping our current system? What are your thoughts?
• What What are your current system? What What are your thoughts? thoughts? thoughts?

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Gaming

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think there has to be some real examination of the system because it's kind of a system that nobody
• I think there has to be some real examination of the system because it's kind of a system that nobody
• I think there has to be some real examination of the system because it's kind of a system that nobody
• I think there has to be some real examination of the system because it's kind of a system that nobody
• I think there has to be some real examination of the system because it's kind of a system that nobody

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> access points the highway system access points the highway system jeopardizing<00:15:54.079><c>
• </c> the easy ones you know a sort of system the easy ones you know a sort of system to<00:25:37.679>
• Over the years, your group has done so much to maintain our system, and so much good work.
• </c><01:20:31.840><c> now</c> part and pieces of a of a system now part and pieces of a of a system now
• or the rail and improve the trail system or the rail trail<01:48:58.599><c> system</c><01:48:59.520>

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I had a little incident last night and got to spend most of the night as a guest over in Cheyenne Regional
• I had a little incident<01:48:36.159><c> last</c><01:48:36.480><c> night</c><01:48:37.280><c> and</c>
• <01:48:37.600><c> got</c><01:48:37.760><c> to</c><01:48:37.920><c> spend</c> incident last night and
• got to spend incident last night and got to spend most<01:48:38.320><c> of</c><01:48:38.400><c> the</

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We had an incident in our town that was very similar to the concern that's been expressed, and our mayor
• Uh<01:33:53.199><c> we</c><01:33:53.440><c> had</c><01:33:53.520><c> an</c><01:33:53.679><c> incident
• in</c><01:33:54.239><c> our</c><01:33:54.480><c> town</c><01:33:54.719><c> that</c> Uh we had an incident
• in our town that Uh we had an incident in our town that was<01:33:55.040><c> very</c><01:33:55.280><

Bills: SF0044 , SF0046

Committee: Senate Revenue

Keywords: gambling, lotteries, raffles, social relationships, charitable gaming, gaming, liquor establishments, skill based amusement games, regulations, age restrictions, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• would have had enough water to last several days instead of just the few hours that their hydrant system
• </c> hours that their hydrant hydrant system hours that their hydrant hydrant system had<00:21:40.360
• The Genius of fail there is that system The Genius of Franklin<00:28:57.720><c> Del</c> Franklin Del
• uh so again I national park system uh so again I support<02:24:47.880><c> this</c><02:24:48.080><c>
• </c> passing the bill would prevent incidents passing the bill would prevent incidents like<02:29:47.279

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I will note uh from the for the system.
• So, 100A, RSA 100A retirement system.
• There's those monitoring systems. We personally do not use that in my system.
• Uh, are using electronic time systems.
• , log into the their time card system, log into the system,<03:23:51.359><c> logged</c><03:23:51.840>

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• because of we had missed deadlines be because of when<00:11:05.040><c> the</c><00:11:05.200><c> incident
• Representative Rhymer, I would love to have conversations about how we can make our immigration system
• Representative Rhymer, I would love to have conversations about how we can make our immigration system
• </c><01:32:59.679><c> better,</c> can make our immigration system better, can make our immigration system
• That should not matter in regards to how you are treated in our justice system.

Keywords: 1183, house