Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, Doug O'Connowitz, Legislative District 3, Idaho State Senate.
• It lacks the constitutionally relevant and important check by the legislative branch on the executive
• But I'm looking at the legislative research, and I've relied on a legislative researcher, attorney, many
• But I'm looking at the legislative research, and I've relied on a legislative researcher, attorney many
• So is there a provision in this legislation somewhere that keeps them, and you use DJI as an example,

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• expands the Childhood Cancer and Rare Childhood Disease Research Fund to consist of monies from legislative
• They met with legislators from Kentucky that passed similar legislation in their state.
• They met with legislators from Kentucky that passed similar legislation in their state.
• HB 2176 has been a well-stakeholdered piece of legislation.
• We modeled this legislation with Representative Bliss on a similar program in Washington State.

Committee: Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Summary: The committee approved minutes from February 18, February 19, and March 4, then took up several health-related bills. HB 2050, which updates radiologic technologist and radiologic assistant standards, school accreditation, clinical hours, supervision rules, fees, and telehealth definitions, received support from a radiologic technologist and a nurse practitioner and passed 7-0 with a do-pass recommendation. HB 2082, creating a Childhood Cancer and Rare Childhood Disease Research Commission and expanding the research fund, was amended to require at least $5 million in funding before commission allocations and to shift grant-awarding authority to the DHS director; it passed 7-0 as amended, though members raised concerns about oversight. HB 2176, which changes DHS licensing denial criteria and complaint-investigation procedures for health care institutions, also passed 7-0 after testimony from hospital and public health representatives supporting clearer timelines and transparency, with one member noting concerns about possible subjectivity in ownership-related denials. HB 2195, addressing DHS oversight of nursing care institutions, including personnel record access, deficiency timelines, and complaint-investigation deadlines, was amended to delay implementation until July 1, 2027 and allow off-site preliminary reviews; it passed 7-0 as amended, though one member said DHS should have been present to answer questions. HB 2202, appropriating $300,000 annually for a dementia care tele-mentoring program, drew support from the Alzheimer’s Association and a patient with younger-onset Alzheimer’s; it passed 6-1, with one no vote arguing medical schools should teach the material instead of the state funding it. HB 2307, an emergency measure to address placement of dangerous, incompetent, non-restorable defendants, was heavily debated and amended to use up to three beds at the Arizona State Hospital forensic campus temporarily, create a study committee, and sunset after five years; counties and DHS disagreed over whether counties should bear any costs, and the bill passed 4-3 as amended. Finally, HB 2584, which prohibits public funds from being used for genetic sequencing equipment or services tied to foreign adversaries, passed 4-3 after a sponsor and a national security witness argued it would protect genomic data from hostile foreign control. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:03.360><c> The</c> ones who make and move legislation.
• The ones who make and move legislation.
• </c> but he is not part of the legislative but he is not part of the legislative process<00:03:10.800
• I have talked to the legislative auditor.
• </c> have talked to the legislative auditor. have talked to the legislative auditor.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House considered a motion by Representative Nash to recall Senate File 856 from the Committee on State Government, Finance, and Policy and re-refer it to Judiciary, Finance, and Civil Law. Nash argued the bill, which concerns creating or empowering an inspector general to address fraud, had already received two hearings and should move quickly because time was limited. Supporters of the motion said the bill needed further work on constitutional and data-practices issues in Judiciary, and that holding it in State Government would delay or effectively kill it. Opponents of the motion, led by Representative Cleorne, argued the bill should remain in State Government because that committee was the proper place to address constitutional concerns and other substantive changes. Cleorne said the committee had already considered a delete-everything amendment and nine amendments, with only two adopted, and maintained the bill as amended raised separation-of-powers concerns. Other members said the bill had bipartisan support in the Senate, passed 60-7, and that further negotiations should happen in a working group rather than through floor maneuvering. The debate focused heavily on whether the bill’s structure for selecting an inspector general was constitutional and whether the motion was an attempt to speed the bill along or to block it. Representative Norris said nonpartisan staff, the legislative auditor, and Senate and House authors had all indicated the bill needed fixes to be constitutional. After a roll call vote, the motion failed 67-66, so Senate File 856 remained in the Committee on State Government, Finance, and Policy.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are you, do you have information about what led to that legislation?
• Do you have information about what led to that legislation?
• I have sponsored legislation related to voting. Citizenship?
• So if you've offered voting legislation, then have you had citizenship included in the legislation you've
• That is so pressing that it caused you to file legislation.

Committee: House Special Committee on Redistricting

Summary: The Special Committee on Redistricting held a public hearing on House Concurrent Resolution 48, which urges support for the federal SAVE Act. Representative Michael Davis presented the resolution, explaining that the bill would require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register for federal elections, photo identification to vote, and additional procedures for absentee voting and name-change issues. He argued the measure would protect election integrity and prevent non-citizens from voting, while noting that the resolution simply expresses support for the federal legislation already passed by the U.S. House. Committee members from both parties questioned Davis extensively. Supporters said the proposal would add a needed citizenship verification layer and cited examples of non-citizen voting or mistaken registration. Opponents argued that Missouri already requires voter ID, that non-citizen voting is rare, and that the SAVE Act would create burdens, costs, and potential disenfranchisement for married women, students, rural residents, elderly voters, disabled voters, military families, and others who may lack easy access to birth certificates, passports, or other documents. Several members also raised concerns about federalism, the cost to election officials, and whether the resolution belonged in a redistricting committee. The committee then heard public testimony. Witnesses opposed to HCR 48, including representatives of the League of Women Voters and several individual voters, said the measure would make voting harder and could require duplicate or repeated documentation, affidavits, or separate systems for different election types. One witness testified in favor, saying proof of citizenship is easy to provide and would help ensure fair and honest elections. After all testimony and questions, the chair closed the hearing; no vote or other action was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is an important piece of legislation to make sure that we are ensuring access to voting for our
• as a legislatively recognized day.
• In this group, though, is the legislative building, which was completed in 1928.
• The chair pointed out legislative cutoffs hit hard.
• This legislation is a product of years of work by the Public Disclosure Commission.

Summary: The committee first met in executive session on several bills. On Second Substitute Senate Bill 6035, dealing with voting services for military, overseas, Native American, and disabled voters, members considered amendments affecting tribal meeting requirements and an electronic ballot portal; one amendment to study the portal rather than authorize it was adopted, while the tribal-meeting amendment was not. The bill was then reported out with a due pass as amended recommendation. Substitute Senate Bill 6081, concerning nondisclosure of sex designation records, saw an amendment adopted to limit the privacy protections to survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault, but the amendment was later rejected on final passage and the bill was reported out due pass. Substitute Senate Bill 6034, codifying the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs, was amended to require Senate confirmation of the executive director and was reported out due pass as amended. Senate Bill 6084 on repeat voting was reported out due pass without amendment. Second Substitute Senate Bill 5968, implementing Executive Order 25-03 on agency credentials, had one amendment adopted on annual ORIA reporting and another rejected; it was reported out due pass as amended. Senate Bill 6137 on sports wagering was amended to restrict certain prop bets and to make threats tied to wagers a gross misdemeanor, then reported out due pass as amended. The committee then opened public hearings on a number of bills. The most extensive testimony was on Gross Substitute Senate Joint Memorial 8014, which calls for a U.S. investigation into the death of Aishanur Ezgi Eygi; family members, University of Washington students and staff, advocates, and others testified in support, emphasizing accountability and the need for an independent investigation, while one speaker opposed the memorial as a misuse of legislative time. The committee also heard testimony on Substitute Senate Bill 5840, which would change campaign finance reporting schedules and participation rules; Public Disclosure Commission staff supported the bill as a transparency and consistency measure, while campaign treasurers and compliance officers opposed it, arguing the added reporting would be burdensome and costly. Substitute Senate Bill 6049, expanding Public Records Act exemptions for certain survivors, anonymized demographic data, and Healthy Youth Survey responses, drew support from OFM and opposition from a public-records advocate who warned against adding more exemptions. Substitute Senate Bill 6160, reducing or changing the frequency of numerous agency reports, was supported by OFM as a way to right-size reporting requirements. The committee also heard brief testimony on Senate Bill 5000 designating “The Evergreen State” as the official state nickname, Senate Bill 5325 designating the state cactus, Senate Bill 6044 recognizing Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas as a legislatively recognized day, Senate Bill 6313 creating a Capital Centennial Stewardship Account, and Substitute Senate Bill 5827 expanding veterans’ preference documentation to include pre-discharge certification. No votes were taken during the public hearing portion, and the meeting adjourned after closing testimony on the final bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Legislation creating this license went into effect in June 2024.
• That is why we are pursuing this legislation and asking for your support.
• That is why we're pursuing this legislation and asking for your support.
• Vandana Slatter, State Senator, 48th Legislative District.
• We respectfully encourage you to oppose this legislation. Thank you. Thank you.

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on several health-related bills. SB 5904 would restrict nursing titles such as RN, NP/ARNP, and LPN to licensed human people and prohibit non-human entities, including AI chatbots, from using those titles. The sponsor and nursing advocates said the bill is meant to prevent confusion and protect public trust, while preserving the use of AI as a support tool. SB 5877 would add a $70 surcharge for certified anesthesiologist assistants so they can participate in the Washington Physicians Health Program and access HealWA resources; supporters said it closes a technical gap and aligns CAAs with other medical professions. SB 5185 would create a pilot pathway for certain international medical graduates with clinical experience licenses to obtain full primary care licensure; supporters from the medical commission, physicians, and IMG advocates said the program has worked well, has shown no patient safety issues, and could help address workforce shortages. The committee also heard extensive testimony on ESSB 6210, which would let the Health Benefit Exchange adopt additional market-factor certification criteria for exchange plans, including standards aimed at preserving access and affordability in underserved counties. Supporters, including the exchange, OIC, consumer advocates, tribal representatives, and patient groups, said the bill is needed to respond to federal policy changes, rising premiums, and disappearing coverage in places like San Juan County. Opponents from carriers and employer groups argued the timeline is too fast, the criteria are too discretionary, and the bill could reduce competition and raise costs. The committee then heard SB 5981, which would strengthen protections and reporting requirements for the federal 340B drug pricing program and limit manufacturer restrictions on contract pharmacies and data requests. Hospitals, clinics, and patient advocates said the bill protects safety-net care and rural access, while manufacturers, employers, and business groups argued it would expand a program that already raises costs and lacks transparency. In executive session, the committee took action on SB 5917, related to Department of Corrections distribution of abortion medications, rejecting five proposed amendments and then advancing the bill on a 10-6 vote with three excused. The committee also advanced SB 5988, which concerns Department of Health opioid treatment program accrediting activities, on a do-pass recommendation after brief discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Nikki Torres, State Senator for the 15th Legislative District.
• Legislation to help an insurance company add, provide something?
• So this is not something that we can legislatively advance.
• So this is not something that we can legislatively advance.
• So this is not something that we can legislatively advance.

Bills: SB5919 , SB5816 , SJM8015 , HB2737

Committee: House Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, federal response, wildfire protection, community safety, infrastructure, natural resources, commercial shellfish, shellfish fees, Department of Health, biotoxin testing, export certificate

Transcript Highlights:

• This is an important piece of legislation.
• We need to pass this legislation in order to make it legal.
• This is an important piece of legislation.
• We need to adopt this legislation. Representative Crews. Mr. Chair, Mr.
• For the record, Jessica Thomas, legislative liaison for the Arizona State Retirement System.

Bills: HB2011 , HB2089 , HB2090 , HB2092 , HB2477 , HB2785

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: individual income tax, subtraction, Arizona Revised Statutes, retirement benefits, adoption costs, charitable contributions, health insurance, premium payment, Arizona State Retirement System, contingent annuitant, long-term disability, benefits limitations, disability compensation, social security, retirement system, elected officials, ASRS, eligibility waiver, age 65, education savings

Transcript Highlights:

• Legislation should respond to those needs.
• Or legislation sponsored by Representative Travers that helps veteran treatment courts.
• That's what we should be doing as legislators.
• Do you think that this would reduce legislative... How many people would say that?
• Willoughby, thank you for bringing this bill forward as a rural legislator.

Bills: HB2014 , HB2156 , HB2180 , HB2554 , HCR2047 , HR2002

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: air emissions, fuel blends, environmental quality, feasibility study, Arizona Department of Agriculture, livestock, compensation, funding, ranching, agriculture, appropriation, University of Arizona, education, state budget, biennial budget, state funding, appropriations, budget procedures, fiscal years, Judea

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Nikki Torres from the Floating 15th Legislative District. The floating.
• I'm here today to testify in support of our governor-approved agency request legislation, Senate Bill
• C15 provides that legislative members may not serve as chair or vice chair of the board.
• Legislative members may not serve as the chair or vice chair of the board.
• So that is written into the legislation.

Bills: SB5977 , SB6184 , SB5681 , SB5917 , SB5942 , SB6024 , SB6036 , SB6080 , SB6085

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: child safety, near fatalities, public reporting, child welfare, transparency, homeless youth, youth services, mental health, support programs, state law, employment services, community inclusion, age limitations, disability services, home and community living, abortion medications, reproductive health, mifepristone, misoprostol, abortion access

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent the 43rd Legislative District.
• So House Bill 2611 is legislation for a happier, more productive workforce.
• I represent the 43rd Legislative District.
• So House Bill 2611 is legislation for a happier, more productive workforce.
• You can't legislate those away.

Bills: HB2513 , HB2524 , HB2611

Committee: House Labor & Workplace Standards

Keywords: plumbing contractor, plumber, license suspension, credential suspension, administrative penalty, infractions, repeat violator, consumer protection, residential plumbing, construction licensing, Washington Department of Labor and Industries, advisory board of plumbers, plumbing certificate fund, code enforcement, professional licensing, trade regulation, security, regulation, employment standards, security guards

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Wellman and members of the committee, Vanda Slatter, State Senator for the 48th Legislative District
• Chair Wellman and members of the committee, Vandana Slatter, State Senator for the 48th Legislative District
• from across the U.S. ...with that, and that I am part of a group of 18 legislators from across the U.S
• Again, for the record, Vandana Slatter, State Senator for the 48th Legislative District.
• The legislation that Senator Slatter has brought forward will prompt a renewed and timely conversation

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several education bills. SB 6078 would provide pre-licensing supports for prospective child care providers through DCYF, fire protection consultations, and a licensing resource guide; the sponsor, DCYF, and a community nonprofit all supported it, emphasizing that it would reduce fragmented permitting barriers and help expand child care access, while a senator raised the possibility of overlap with existing early learning facilities support. SB 6089 would create a public-private partnership account to support coordination across the P-20W system and fund a public-facing data dashboard; the sponsor and many advocates supported it as a way to align early learning through workforce systems and improve transparency, while some testifiers urged stronger public oversight, caution about private influence, and explicit inclusion of early learning. SB 5859 would expand competency-based assessments as graduation pathway options; supporters said it would better reflect how students learn and provide flexibility, while the State Board of Education and school principals urged caution and suggested waiting for the board’s broader Future Ready graduation review. SB 5861 would require more school board directors to be elected from director districts in larger districts; supporters said it would improve community representation, while some districts and WSSDA warned about local control, added costs, and governance disruption. SB 6065 would allow districts in binding conditions or under enhanced financial oversight to use transportation vehicle funds for temporary loans or transfers with OSPI approval; supporters said it could help districts recover financially without harming transportation needs. After the hearings, the committee moved into executive session and acted on two bills. It adopted a proposed substitute to SB 5956, which restricts certain automated decision systems, surveillance technologies, biometric data, and facial recognition uses in student discipline and school safety decisions, and then advanced the bill with a do-pass recommendation to Rules. It also adopted a proposed substitute to SB 5901, which concerns state funding for on-base school construction, and advanced that bill with a do-pass recommendation to Ways and Means. Both measures were reported out subject to signatures.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a number of people signed in to testify on bills, and we have some exciting pieces of legislation
• And that's what this legislation is about.
• The purpose of this legislation is to make sure—well, it’s not simple.
• this legislation helps address that by reducing administrative burdens.
• With the uncertainty of federal and state funds, we really need this legislation.

Bills: SB6018 , SB6026 , SB6027 , SB6028 , SB5937 , SB5938

Committee: Senate Housing

Keywords: housing, finance, commission, state funding, affordable housing, residential development, zoning reform, mixed-use zoning, commercial zones, Growth Management Act, GMA, state preemption, local land use, development regulations, ground-floor retail, ground-floor commercial, permit waiver, waiver process, density, urban growth area

Transcript Highlights:

• “How would this legislation impact 501(c)(4)s who have international donors?”
• &gt;&gt; HOW WOULD THIS LEGISLATION IMPACT 501C-4s WHO HAVE INTERNATIONAL DONORS?
• COUNTY FOR THEIR TRAVEL, AND FOR THE 60 HOURS OF TRAINING REQUIRED IN THIS LEGISLATION.
• So I would say again, why is that included in your legislation today?
• This, he come back year after year after year, easily would pass the smell test under this legislation

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate met briefly, approved the prior journal, and then took up a Rules Committee report that advanced a large package of bills, mostly Election Law measures, along with several bills in other subject areas. The chamber then moved through a supplemental and controversial calendar focused primarily on election administration, campaign finance, and voter access. Senators also announced committee meetings and later filed majority committee assignments in the journal. On the supplemental calendar, the Senate passed several Election Law bills. One measure by Senator Gianaris aimed to curb foreign influence in New York elections by restricting foreign-influenced corporations; Senator Walczyk argued it was too narrow and ignored dark money, while Senator Gianaris said it was needed to address foreign meddling. Senator May’s bill creating short-term early voting sites passed after debate over whether pop-up sites would confuse voters or improve access, especially in rural areas; supporters said it would help bring voting closer to where people are, while opponents called it costly and confusing. Senator Myrie’s bill establishing standardized training for elections commissioners also passed, with supporters citing the need for uniform training and opponents calling it an unfunded mandate. On the controversial calendar, the Senate passed Senator Myrie’s bill allowing additional early voting locations and clarifying that a voter’s intent can determine residency for voting purposes, including in some cases a second or vacation home. The most debated measure was Senator Gonzalez’s bill creating civil remedies and confidentiality protections for election officers who are threatened or intimidated; supporters said it responds to rising threats against election workers, while opponents warned it could chill legitimate questioning at polling places and create vague liability. Several senators explained their votes on both sides, and the bill passed despite significant opposition. The Senate then adjourned until Tuesday, January 14 at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• . legislation forward.
• The New Mexico Utility Contractors Association future legislation to deal with permitting issues.
• So I'm glad that the legislators did learn about that.
• Then there's legislation that comes back every year for rent control.
• But we got to do some legislation to protect these people in the future.

Committee: House Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a staff attorney with the Legislative Council Service. Edwards and Lisa Rivera Morrison.
• or any legislation.
• So, as you know, you guys are legislators. Things take time.
• This is when a lot of legislation gets written and drafted.
• In 2005 and 2006, I introduced some legislation.

Committee: House House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• But I will tell you that Mary's impact on the Northland far exceeds any other legislator in our region
• legislator in our history.<00:29:07.279><c> But</c><00:29:07.440><c> I</c><00:29:07.679><c> think</c
• President, that is why one of the many reasons why she was an effective legislator during her tenure
• President, that is why one of the many reasons why she was an effective legislator during her tenure
• President, that is why one of the many reasons why she was an effective legislator during her tenure

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am **Ian Klein** with the **LAO** [Legislative Analyst's Office].
• Yeah, they were utilizing that space at 60% of the legislative standard capacity, so below legislative
• From the Legislative Analyst's Office, please.
• Good morning, Lisa King with the Legislative Analyst's Office.
• Natalie Gonzalez with the Legislative Analyst Office.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• legislators voted against it.
• Thank you to Chairman Burwell for carrying this important piece of legislation.
• I believe we have adopted it on your A through F legislation. So Senator Paxton moves.
• I believe we have adopted it on your A through F legislation. So Senator Paxton moves.
• Members, the next piece of legislation will be Senate Bill 769 by Senator Menendez.

Committee: Senate Education K-16

Summary: The committee heard and discussed several higher education and public school bills. Senator Burwell presented SB 1242 to remove an outdated Coordinating Board approval requirement for Texas State Technical College land and facility acquisitions, and SJR 59 to create a constitutionally dedicated endowment for TSTC capital needs; both drew strong support from industry and workforce groups and were left pending. SB 757, by Senator Middleton, would create a debt-to-earnings accountability system for public college programs, with supporters saying it would protect students from low-value degrees and opponents warning it could unfairly penalize programs with long-term value, especially graduate, medical, and public service fields; it was also left pending. SB 1241, by Senator Millington, would expand acceptable college entrance exams beyond the SAT and ACT, including the Classic Learning Test, and was left pending after testimony from CLT, homeschool, and student groups in support. SB 1085, by Senator Blanco, would let Sul Ross State University offer lower-division courses at its satellite campuses in the Middle Rio Grande region; it too was left pending. The committee then took up a series of public school and higher education measures, voting several out favorably. SB 605, as substituted, limits commissioner approval of charter school expansion amendments for schools under conservatorship or a management team and was reported favorably 9-0. SB 1871 and SB 1873, both by Senator Perry, were revised to narrow teacher immunity, clarify removal and suspension procedures, require periodic review of in-school suspension placements, and align discipline rules; both substitutes were adopted and reported favorably. SB 1872, SB 1874, SB 762, SB 1962, SB 1750, SB 2252, SB 2253, SB 2365, SB 1924, and SB 37 were also considered, with most reported favorably on party-line or near-unanimous votes. SB 1750 would replace a flat charter school facilities funding cap with an attendance-based formula; SB 2252 and SB 2253 address kindergarten readiness, early literacy/numeracy, and educator preparation; SB 2365 concerns student phone use during instructional time; SB 1924 restores local citation authority for certain school offenses and adds reporting, notice, and completion requirements; and SB 37 would expand state oversight of higher education curriculum, governance, faculty senates, and compliance with state law. Other measures heard included SB 769, which would require a Coordinating Board report on barriers faced by students with disabilities in higher education; supporters emphasized the need for better data and accessibility, while witnesses suggested broader reporting on race, disability types, and K-12-to-college transitions. SB 2231 would designate a Free College Application Week in October and was left pending. SB 1878 would modernize the Josie School statute and provide formula funding and aid eligibility for Polytechnic College. SB 1409 would authorize universities to offer self-funded student health benefit plans, with Rice University and Texas 2036 supporting the measure as a way to lower costs and expand coverage. SB 2431 would require universities to give foreign language credit for study abroad programs, SB 2314 would require schools to inform students about opting in or out of record sharing for direct admissions through My Texas Future, and SB 2138 would extend the state’s anti-ESG contracting restrictions to public higher education endowments and governing boards; these later bills were introduced and left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gates is sponsoring the legislation, sir.
• Gates is sponsoring the legislation, sir.
• I've spent the last 25 years working with legislators to help craft legislation that would help students
• And building out this very good piece of legislation.
• That concludes our legislative part of it.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education

Summary: The committee first heard the proposed Pre-K-12 education budget for fiscal year 2025-26, totaling $34.7 billion. The chair highlighted major increases for the FEFP, including $29.6 billion for public schools and K-12 scholarships, a $984 million year-over-year increase, along with higher per-FTE funding, $4 billion for the Family Empowerment Scholarship, $431.4 million for VPK, funding for school safety, the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, school hardening, Jewish day school security, and an education enrollment stabilization fund. With no public comment, the committee adopted a motion for staff technical corrections and then approved the budget proposal as a recommendation to the full Senate Appropriations Committee. The committee then considered SB 1402 on dropout retrieval programs. The bill expands eligibility so any individual who has withdrawn from high school may enroll in dropout retrieval services and clarifies how school grades are calculated for virtual instruction providers that offer those services. An amendment clarifying the grading calculation was adopted, and the committee reported the bill favorably. Next, the committee took up SPB 7030 on educational scholarship programs, a broad measure addressing school choice funding and administration. The bill would fund the Family Empowerment Scholarship as a separate categorical, expand the education stabilization fund, create fall and spring application windows, require a single scholarship application and more documentation, assign student IDs, standardize payment timing to monthly installments, require continued eligibility verification, and add Level 2 background checks for providers receiving state funds. Members raised questions about background-check enforcement, payment timing, data sharing, and the impact on homeschool and private-school families. Public testimony included support from school-choice advocates and concerns from private-school representatives about added regulatory burdens and deadlines. The committee adopted the bill as a committee bill and reported it favorably, with Senator Osgood voting no. Finally, the committee considered SB 508 on the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program, which requires private schools to disclose in writing what accommodations, modifications, and services they will provide to students with existing plans such as IEPs, EEPs, 504 plans, or ELL plans before enrollment. An amendment was adopted to require public schools to consult with private schools about equitable services. Testimony was mixed: supporters said the bill would give parents needed information for informed choice, while private-school representatives said the language could be burdensome and vague. The committee reported the bill favorably.