Transcript Highlights:

• And really the idea there was so that an 18-year-old, maybe who graduates high school but has credentials
• floor, because in recent years I've been told by the universities that those pursuing teaching credentials

Bills: HB818, HB1063, SB28, SB64, SB142, SB234, SB482

Keywords: higher education, accountability, curriculum review, faculty governance, disciplinary procedures, SB 28, Act 233, associate educator program, associate teachers, teacher certification, alternative teacher pathway, education workforce, teacher shortage, minimum age, age requirement, Louisiana schools, Title 17, R.S. 17:7.8, educator pipeline, teacher recruitment

Summary: The House Education Committee met on April 29, 2026, and heard several education-related bills. SB 234, which would change Louisiana medical schools from pass-fail grading to letter grading, was briefly discussed and reported favorably without objection. SB 142, dealing with the management of Board of Regents support fund matched endowments if a related constitutional amendment passes, drew questions about endowment matching, oversight, and the roughly $75 million in outstanding match requests; it was also reported favorably. SB 482, which expands the use of career coaches in middle and high school individual graduation plans and adds reporting requirements for career development funds, received support from BESE and other groups, with members asking about counselor shortages and whether districts would be required to contract with outside vendors; it was reported favorably. SB 64, requiring two people to be present for the initial viewing of video from special education classroom cameras, was supported as a safeguard for students and staff and was reported favorably. The committee then took up HB 1063, a broad higher education governance bill that would require board review of core curricula, increase transparency in hiring and board actions, limit faculty senate authority to advisory status, and restrict spending without board certification. The bill prompted extensive questioning about whether it would create new boards, how it would be funded, and whether boards could realistically handle the workload; the author said the committee would not vote that day and moved to voluntarily defer the bill, which passed without objection. HB 818, as amended, was converted into a reporting bill requiring public inventories and state reporting on assessments used by schools, including their purpose and results; after amendment adoption, it was reported favorably. Finally, SB 28 lowered the minimum age for associate teachers from 25 to 21 to help address the teacher shortage, with department staff saying it could expand the pipeline of candidates; it was reported favorably. The committee also announced its next meeting would be Wednesday, May 6, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• As well, 88% of web applications are compromised due to compromised credentials.
• OCT is actually working on that, a project we call verifiable digital credentials, VDCs, where instead

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House Science and Technology Committee met and heard two informational presentations, with no bills considered and no votes taken. Deloitte Infrastructure Insights presented a transportation AI tool, Infrastructure Insights Pro, focused on vulnerable road user safety and pedestrian crash analysis. The presenter described how the platform ingests agency data such as crash records, GIS layers, and project management systems to generate map-based insights, trust scores for data reliability, and draft concept reports. Members asked about how long similar reports took before AI, whether the tool had been used in other states, and whether it reduced cost or effort; the presenter said a report that once took six to eight months could now be drafted in hours, that the safety use case had been implemented at Caltrans, and that the main savings were in staff effort. The committee then heard from OCTA and Socure on digital identity, fraud prevention, and resident access to government services. The presenters argued that state and local governments should move toward a single, privacy-preserving digital identity experience that reduces multiple logins, improves security, and helps stop fraud by using contextual signals such as device, location, and document validation. They said Arizona already uses OCTA for more than 40,000 employees and some citizen services, and that Socure supports identity verification for public programs, including Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account. A lengthy discussion followed about Real ID, state digital IDs, privacy, Fourth Amendment concerns, federal funding, and whether identity systems could become a national ID or surveillance tool. The presenters responded that states should retain control, that verifiable digital credentials can limit what information is shared, and that Arizona could centralize resident identity with privacy guardrails while preserving choice. The committee adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• We want to make sure that everyone is getting the credentials that they need to go and be successful.
• We want to make sure that everyone is getting the credentials that they need to go and be successful.

Bills: S0720, S1246

Keywords: tuition, resident status, incarceration, education, equal access, nursing shortage, health care, education funding, workforce development, LINE Fund, monetary contributions, nonmonetary contributions

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to consider one bill, a postponed bill, and a slate of trustee confirmations. The committee first took up CS/SB 1246, which expands the Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) fund to support health science workforce shortages beyond nursing, including allied health programs. The bill also broadens eligible uses of funds, revises matching requirements and grant criteria, and updates reporting requirements. A strike-all amendment was adopted without objection, and the committee then reported the bill favorably after supportive testimony from Florida State College at Jacksonville, the Florida Hospital Association, the College of Central Florida, and the Florida Chamber of Commerce. Senator Davis also noted a favorable vote on the bill for the record. The committee then temporarily postponed SB 720 at the sponsor’s request. Chair Harrell explained that the bill had been incorporated into a larger committee measure and would likely be heard later in another form. Public witnesses who had come to speak on the bill were not heard because of the postponement. The remainder of the meeting focused on confirmations for trustees at several state colleges, including Chipola College, Tallahassee State College, Pensacola State College, Palm Beach State College, Pasco-Hernando State College, and St. Petersburg College. The appointees emphasized themes of affordability, workforce training, nursing and allied health success, dual enrollment, community partnerships, and local economic development. After hearing from the appointees, the committee approved a block motion to recommend confirmation of all appointees on tabs 2 through 25. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It depends on the amount of testing they come with and also depends on each individual's unique credentials
• qualify for that Florida educator professional certificate and they can return to the classroom fully credential

Transcript Highlights:

• I was going to say I think that someone here could vouch for my credentials and that.
• processes, full system inspection for unauthorized files, modern security protocols like unique credentials

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><01:04:37.480> to<01:04:37.720> have<01:04:38.520> uh<01:04:38.680> credentialing
• are needed to have uh credentialing are needed to have uh credentialing licensing<01:04:40.640><
• Uh, really the CTE and the kind of certification and credentialing people get is really very much directed
• people get is really very credentialing people get is really very much<01:16:28.840> directed
• Our workforce credentials all serve as a point of entry into the workforce and a stepping stone toward

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• attend a public school to take classes virtually in these computer science classes and work toward credentials
• /c><00:06:58.720> toward science classes and work toward science classes and work toward credentials
• 00.560> get<00:07:00.800> dual<00:07:01.120> credit<00:07:01.440> for credentials
• uh and get dual credit for credentials uh and get dual credit for that.<00:07:02.400> Uh<00:07
• They already have that under their belt and can go out into the world with a college credential as they

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting focused on Kentucky school choice and innovation, with discussion of the state constitution’s “common schools” requirement and how that has been interpreted alongside newer education models. Chairman Tipton described model laboratory schools, Gatton and Craft Academies, magnet and virtual programs, and said these options show that Kentucky has long expanded opportunity through innovation. He then turned the discussion to Senate Bill 207, which he said was designed to support schools of innovation. Senator Steve West reviewed the history of Kentucky charter schools and explained that SB 207 was modeled on a South Carolina approach. He said the bill allows a local school board to contract with a third-party entity to manage an existing school, seek waivers from certain state rules, and receive SEEK funding while also allowing outside private investment. He emphasized that the district initiates the process, that the school remains public, and that the bill includes accountability through a time-limited contract that can be ended if the school is not performing. Members asked about the difference between SB 207 and the earlier charter school law, whether schools could cherry-pick students, and whether teachers would remain district employees. West and Tipton said the new model is tied to an existing school rather than a new charter, cannot cherry-pick students, and keeps teachers as district employees. Representative Brown raised concerns that charters and exceptions could leave some children out, especially lower-income students, while West responded that the proposal is intended to expand choice for families who may not otherwise have it and cited examples from other states where similar models improved low-performing schools. No vote or formal action was taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• We can do better than this, and we need to have a conversation about the credentialing of emergency managers
• was in the early 70s whenever we, this body, your predecessors came together to standardize and credential
• Just like today, you have to go to a police academy that is credentialed by TCOLE, or you go to a fire
• academy that is credentialed by the Commission on Fire Protection, or you go to an EMS academy that
• Did you touch enough on the credentialing of your emergency management personnel?

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We should also have a deliberate conversation regarding the credentialing of emergency managers at the
• Is there anything regarding credentialing or certification of these sites for authenticity?
• You have to go to a police academy that is credentialed by TCOL, or you go to a fire academy that is
• I do think now is the time to start the clock on an implementation. for professionalizing, credentialing
• I also hold state credentials as an all-hazards communications unit leader, or COM-L, and communications

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Bill 2206 by Assembly Member Fong and an act relating to teacher credentialing.
• According to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, 63% of CTE teachers are unprepared or lack the
• appropriate credential for the subject they are assigned to teach.
• AB 2325 directs the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to administer a competitive grant program awarding
• high school recruitment through dual enrollment for an associate's degree and into an integrated credential

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly convened in session, established a quorum, offered a prayer and pledge, and then moved through a very large third-reading file while urging members to be at their desks for their bills. The day featured many support measures on housing, health care, public safety, local government, labor, education, and consumer protection, with repeated reminders that absent authors would have their bills skipped. Several bills were passed temporarily or retained on file, but the chamber spent most of the time taking up individual measures and voting on them. Among the bills discussed were measures on land surveying, nurse midwifery access, historic-district transit zoning, EV charging infrastructure, foreclosure equity protections, tribal inclusion in interstate cannabis commerce, outdoor advertising permitting delays, commercial building permit timelines, DUI penalties, farmworker disadvantaged-community designation, restaurant reservation bots, open-space tax exemptions, pop-up business permits, anti-hate training for officials, sideshows and street takeovers, utility rate transparency, CalWORKs eligibility, dynamic electricity rates, interior designer licensure, compost contamination, modular housing standards, small claims limits for businesses, Native American Day as a paid state holiday, rural maternity care funding, protective orders tied to defendant release, immigrant service provider privacy under Safe at Home, mentally disordered offender evaluations, compounded weight-loss drug regulation, plasma donation center rules, missing persons DNA database updates, AI chatbot safeguards for children, an official state apology to California Native peoples, foster youth housing navigation, CTE teacher credentialing, Medi-Cal protections against federal cuts, CalFresh protections, public hospital physician employment authority, child care, and film tax credit changes for post-production work. Testimony was generally supportive from authors, who framed the bills as cleanup, modernization, consumer protection, or targeted equity measures. A few measures drew notable opposition or debate, especially AB 2624 on Safe at Home privacy protections for immigrant service providers, where opponents argued it could chill journalism and transparency while supporters said it was needed to protect people facing doxing and threats. AB 2208 and AB 2299 were presented as responses to federal HR 1 impacts on Medi-Cal and CalFresh, and AB 2023 on AI chatbots drew emotional support centered on child safety and a reported suicide case. The chamber also heard strong advocacy for Native American recognition bills, rural health access, and housing affordability. Most bills passed with little or no opposition, often unanimously. Recorded votes included AB 1933 (48-0), AB 1696 (49-0), AB 2415 (54-0), AB 1820 (50-0), AB 1957 (53-0), AB 2506 (60-0), AB 2024 (58-0), AB 2418 (61-0), AB 1578 (44-17), AB 1600 (46-9), AB 1661 (44-10), AB 1715 (46-7), AB 1755 (66-0), AB 1787 (43-5), AB 1796 (45-6), AB 1812 (47-1), AB 1815 (57-0), AB 1827 (59-0), AB 1841 (64-0), AB 1868 (61-0), AB 1882 (64-0), AB 1889 (69-0), AB 2624 (49-19), AB 1897 (57-1), AB 1990 (52-0), AB 2009 (65-0), AB 2018 (60-0), AB 2023 (58-8), AB 2115 (65-0), AB 2162 (60-0), AB 2206 (62-0), AB 2208 (42-17), AB 2237 (54-0), AB 2241 (62-0), AB 2246 (56-1), AB 2249 (51-0), AB 2299 (51-1), AB 2311 (65-0), and AB 2314 (68-0). The session ended with the Assembly still working through the file, including the opening of AB 2319 on film tax credits.

Transcript Highlights:

• and a master's in education and and a master's in education and administrative<00:13:29.280> credential
• credential, says, "Our youngest<00:13:31.720> learners<00:13:32.200> must<00:13:32.520
• 52.280> who<00:13:52.440> knows<00:13:52.880> how<00:13:53.120> to a credentialed
• teacher who knows how to a credentialed teacher who knows how to adjust<00:13:53.720> their<00
• <00:13:57.640> Tech These foundations of learning are created in a classroom with a credentialed

Bills: HF3776, HF3557, HF3585

Keywords: screen time, preschool, kindergarten, early childhood education, digital media, tablets, smartphones, educational technology, EdTech, classroom devices, publicly funded preschool, school policy, child development, special education, IEP, 504 plan, IFSP, Minnesota education law, climate literacy, education

Summary: The committee first approved the previous day’s minutes, then took up House File 3776, as amended by the A2 amendment, which clarified how the bill would apply to students with IEPs and 504 plans. The bill’s author argued that Minnesota should address screen time for preschool and kindergarten students, saying current law is too broad, that young children are especially vulnerable to developmental and attention harms from screens, and that parents and teachers should have more control over device use. The bill was laid over after discussion. Testimony on HF 3776 was split. Amanda Faye of Minnetonka Public Schools opposed the bill as drafted, saying it would conflict with existing academic standards, READ Act screening requirements, accessibility tools, and local control, and would force districts back to paper-based screening. Katherine Myers of Live More Screen Less supported the bill, citing concerns about early childhood screen exposure and arguing that screen-free time supports child development. Members raised concerns about local control, parental rights, and how to protect students who need devices for accommodations; the author and nonpartisan staff noted that schools can already adopt cell phone policies, but exceptions may be needed for certain students and uses. After laying over HF 3776, the committee began House File 3557. Representative Craft introduced the bill as a voluntary program to promote practical science education and workforce development tied to climate literacy, including a proposed Minnesota Seal of Climate Literacy for high school students. The bill was only introduced before the transcript ended, with no vote or final action recorded on HF 3557.

Transcript Highlights:

• So they aren't earning academic credit, but often students are entering the workforce with a credential
• from the high school program into this particular workforce program. entering the workforce with a credential
• entering the workforce with a credential or<00:47:47.040> a<00:47:47.280> license<00:47
• ><00:51:08.880> can<00:51:09.040> get<00:51:09.200> those<00:51:09.599> credentials
• skills so they can get those credentials skills so they can get those credentials very<00:51:10.559

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This was very contentious about licensing, credentialing, and all that.
• It's going to be really hard to get consensus about how you credential and how you pay, and whether they
• This was very contentious about licensing, credentialing, and all that.
• It's going to be really hard to get consensus about how you credential and how you pay, and whether they
• and how do you pay and do you credential and how do you pay and can<01:31:59.920> they<01:32:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Nadeau: So you also generate revenue from credentialing and things like that.
• So you also generate revenue from credentialing and things like that.
• In licensing, we assure an ethical and competent nursing workforce through comprehensive credential reviews
• nursing Workforce through and competent nursing Workforce through comprehensive<00:36:39.400> credential
• credential reviews and provision<00:36:41.480> of<00:36:41.599> a<00:36:41.760> legally

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So, sort of like LinkedIn, if you have a profile in NEOGOV, we can, and we know what your credentials
• are,<00:11:02.720> what<00:11:02.960> you've<00:11:03.320> applied credentials
• are, what you've applied credentials are, what you've applied for,<00:11:04.000> if<00:11:04.120
• So, uh, oftentimes we recruit them either or depending upon their credentials.
• After they get their credentials or degrees or whatever they need.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are also on track to produce 160 industry-recognized credentials and to employ 120 individuals. the
• 160 are also on track to produce 160 industry<00:06:44.240> recognized<00:06:44.919> credentials
• <00:06:45.840> and<00:06:46.000> to industry recognized credentials and to industry
• recognized credentials and to employ<00:06:46.680> 120<00:06:47.840> individuals<00:06
• love the career pathways and the fact that you've had such success with multiple career pathways credentials

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• set a goal for 2040 for 75% of Minnesotans between the ages of 24 and 55 to hold a post-secondary credential
• set a goal for 2040 for 75% of Minnesotans between the ages of 24 and 55 to hold a post-secondary credential
• 33.200> hold<00:13:33.520> a<00:13:33.600> post-secondary<00:13:34.480> credential
• 55 to hold a post-secondary credential. 55 to hold a post-secondary credential.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This might mean doing more micro-credentials and therefore focusing jobs more, or more stackable credentials
• And one of the things that we have done is we have added a credential that can be achieved in less than
• job at a plant in the United States and then grow their skills from there, perhaps stack their credentials
• So with that... ...there, perhaps stack their credentials into that associate's program.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to maintain credentialing and all of the things that factor into this.
• We need to maintain credentialing and all of the things that factor into this.
• We need to maintain credentialing and all of the things that factor into this.
• We need to maintain credentialing and all of the things that factor into this.
• We need to maintain credentialing and all of the things that factor into this.

Keywords: 00:00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 00:01:25 - Discussion of 26RS HB 689 00:15:15 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 689 00:17:02 - Discussion of 26RS HB 407 00:45:40 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 407 00:49:25 - Discussion of 26RS HB 713 00:55:50 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 713 00:56:54 - Discussion of 26RS HB 676 01:06:42 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 676 01:08:43 - Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 689, which would authorize Kentucky to seek federal approval for a Medicaid state-directed payment program for physician and non-physician professional services delivered through qualifying hospital-affiliated groups, beginning in 2026. Rep. Amy Neighbors and witnesses from Owensboro Health and St. Elizabeth Healthcare said the bill would bring in about $29 million in new federal Medicaid dollars without using general fund money, help retain physicians, support rural and underserved access, and tie payments to quality metrics. Witnesses described staffing shortages, rising costs, and the need to sustain services such as OB care, primary care, and preventive outpatient services. After questions about how the funding would work and whether private practices were included, the committee voted on the bill and passed it with favorable expression. The committee then moved to House Bill 407, as substituted, which would streamline Kentucky’s certificate-of-need process. Rep. Marianne Proctor and supporters from the Pacific Legal Foundation and the Institute for Justice said the bill would not repeal CON but would modernize a system they described as outdated and overly restrictive, citing national trends toward reform and arguing that Kentucky’s process has changed little since the 1970s. They said the substitute added language requiring the cabinet to contact a dominant provider when needed for data to make CON determinations. Mark Gilfoil, speaking in opposition for St. Elizabeth Healthcare, argued that CON is not a barrier to care in Northern Kentucky and said the bill would weaken the process by limiting who can request hearings, present evidence, and appeal decisions, effectively giving applicants control and making approvals nearly automatic. He said St. Elizabeth serves as a safety-net hospital for low-income and publicly insured patients and warned the bill could harm that role. Members questioned both sides about the appeal process, the definition of safety-net hospitals, and whether the bill could increase facilities and create waste or abuse. The discussion was still ongoing when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• or write at the most basic level, and more than 62 million people lack basic math skills and the credentials
• whereas more than 12% of New Mexico adults have not attained a high school diploma or equivalency credential
• state by providing basic skills instruction, English language and civics instruction, high school credential
• education and literacy programs supported more than 1,200 students in attaining high school equivalency credentials
• participated in integrated education and training programs, and nearly 500 learners earned workforce credentials

Keywords: 996, all